Academy's year is celebrated at awards ceremony
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The achievements of Banff Academy pupils were celebrated at its end of year awards ceremony.
The Banff Academy School Dux award was presented to Megan Kelly for her academic work.
The S5 Medal was awarded to Amy Watson, while Erika Mitchell received the S4 Medal.
The guest speaker at the event was Maria Walker OBE, who was formerly director of education at Aberdeenshire Council.
Head teacher Alan Horberry addressed the audience, which included, pupils and their families, school staff and special guests from the community.
He outlined the improvements the school has made over the past year.
He said: "There has been a seven per cent improvement in the number of pupils achieving five or more National 5’s in the last three years.
"A ten per cent improvement in the number of pupils achieving five or more Higher in the last three years.
"An 11 per cent improvement in the number of pupils achieving three or more Highers in the last three years.
"There has been a 21 per cent increase in the number of new courses in the curriculum over the last three years.
"Also there has been a 75 per cent reduction in the number of exclusions in the last two years; 96 per cent of leavers attend a positive destination and the school is fully staffed for next session.
The school has worked with many partners which includes Nescol, Skills Development Scotland, Parent Council, Aberdeen University, Active Schools, SSE, BP, Associated Seafoods, CNR International, Petrofac, Aberdeen Standard Investments, Heartstart, NHS, Banff Rotary Club, ACE Winches, Aberdeenshire Council, Macduff Shipyards, Morrison Motors, Scottish Fire Service, Police Scotland and MCR Pathways."
The event also saw performances from the school pipe band, flautist Megan Hay and singer Rosie Alexander.
A poem was read by Heather Meikle and Phoebe Wiseman; and the vote of thanks was delivered by head boy Kieran Smith and head girl Megan Hay.
A variety of awards were awarded to students from S4-S6 during the evening.
The special prizes went to: Dianne Stewart Award: Samantha Murkin.
Ian McHattie Shield: Mark Smith and Niall Stewart.
Keith Brunskill Award: James Whyte.
ACE Winches Perpetual Trophy: Megan Kelly.
Best Boatbuilder: Hamish Geddes.
Best Boatbuilder – Chevron Project: Brandon Leslie.
Rotary Youth Leadership Award: Hannah Donald and Megan Kelly.
Derek Chapman Trophy: Mark Ireland.
Global Citizenship RME: Logan Murphy.
Historic Banffshire: Malcolm Morrison.
YASS: Leah Innes.
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award: Sunny McGrath, Kirsty Meikle, Erika Mitchell, Ellie Smith, Nadia Sopel, Nicole Thain, Rachel West and Alicia Wood.
Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award: Katie Alexander, Hannah Donald, Mark Ireland and Daniel Taylor.
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award: Abbie Esslemont, Nancy Hankin, Megan Kelly, Abigail Kerr and Heather Meikle.
Dynamic Attitude Trophy: Phoebe Wiseman.
Hilda de Felice Award for Enterprise Trophy: Katie Alexander.
McQuarrie Quartercentenary Commemorative Trophy: Hannah Donald.
Jay Cameron Shield: Abigail Kerr.
National Achievements: Luca Baltrunas, Stacci Milne, Nicole Thain, Finlay Tulett and Molly Tulett.
Dougie Fraser Trophy: Flora Bruce.
Spruzen Cup: Sunny McGrath.
Jamie Stuart Cup – Athletics: Sunny McGrath.
Building Skills for Today, Tomorrow and the Future Award: Tanzania Team 2018.
Angela Shearer MBE Award: Iain Ewen.
Headteacher’s Award for Leadership: Heather Meikle.
Angela Helen Toal Trophy: Crovie house.
School medallists: S4 Medallist: Erika Mitchell.
S5 Medallist: Amy Watson.
Banff Academy School Dux: Megan Kelly.
