PICTURES: The Gordon Schools prize pupils 'did us proud indeed'
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THE Gordon Schools marked the effort and dedication of its students, and reflected on the past year, at its senior prize giving ceremony last week.
At the ceremony, which featured guest speaker and previous The Gordon Schools pupil Iona Fyfe, awards were handed out to celebrate the school community's achievement and development across all areas.
Taking the Dux honour at the Wednesday, July 5, was Kirsty Beaumont, while Charlotte Stewart was named runner-up.
Kirsty won awards for Advanced Higher Modern Studies, Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies and Advanced Higher Biology, and her younger sister Nicola won prizes for German and for leadership in and commitment to environmental protection.
While Charlotte was rewarded for efforts in Advanced Higher Art and Design, Higher Photography, Advanced Higher Mathematics and Advanced Higher Physics.
During his address, Rector Phil Gaiter picked out memorable moments from the past year's "far more ‘normal’ school session".
He shared his joy at the return of in-person events after Covid, including prize giving, the S1-3 celebration of learning, sports day and school performances and dances at Christmas.
And he added that the memory of S1-3 pupils coming together for spontaneous, sing-along rendition of Wonderwall at sports day "will live with me for a long time."
Praising the school as "absolutely maxed-out" in supporting pupils, he said: "Last year, our Senior Pupils did us proud indeed with their attainment and achievements and we are hoping for more of the same come August this year.
"The variety and extent of these is fantastic, from SQA Levels 2 through to Advanced Higher, as well as Foundation Apprenticeship and North East Scotland College courses, Prince’s Trust qualifications, volunteering certificates and more.
"At a time when schools are one of the few universal public services for society, we are absolutely maxed-out in supporting, teaching, guiding and providing opportunities for the young people of The Gordon Schools help them get to their chosen positive destination.
"I’d like to thank and pay tribute to my many teaching and support colleagues who, go above and beyond in their working hours as well as their commitment to our young people.
"Times are tough just now, nationally and in our community, and that is reflected in some of the real economic, social and health issues our families and young people are facing in their daily lives.
"Thank you to all families in the audience today and to all parents and carers for their on-going support of our young people.
"Our mission, as always, is to ensure that The Gordon Schools continues to thrive and flourish, supporting our young people of today to grow into local and global citizens of tomorrow."
Guest speaker Iona Fyfe, a local folk singer and activist, praised the skills she gained during her time at The Gordon Schools.
Congratulating the prize winners, she also reminded them not to forget their peers who may not be in the room but are a great part of school life and contribute hugely.
Along with Kirsty Beaumont, who received both the William Will and Former Pupils’ Association Dux Medals, and Charlotte Stewart, who won the Runner-up to the Dux Medal from the Former Pupils Association, in Memory of Jean McBoyle, pupils were recognised for work both in class and in the wider school.
Among those recognised for broader school efforts, Jack Lelej was awarded the The Portia Waddell Award for Tremendous Personal Achievement, while Ailsa Lipp received Merit Student of the Year
The Annual Grassetstyle Award for Leadership in and Commitment to Environmental Protection went to both Nicola Beaumont and Ludovic Wright.
Two pupils, Gregor Birkhead and Eirhin McVey, were awarded The Gordon Schools Captain's Award – while Felix Cheyne and Thomas Martin received The Gordon Schools Vice Captains' Award.
Evan Sykes won The James Cullen Award for Achievement and Public Service, House of the Year went to Badenoch, and Kirsten West was awarded The Brebner Memorial Prize for Service to The Gordon Schools.
Full list of award winners
Class – Growing category
- Oliver Berry – Award in NPA Computer Games Development
- Gregor Birkhead – The Lina R Lobban Award for Effort in Modern Languages (S4-6)
- Charis Cannell – Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Award for Effort in S5/6
- Matthew Dalgarno – Prize in National 4 Practical Woodworking
- Sarah Fishburn – Award in S4 Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies
- Alex Gall – The Jessie Duff McHardy Award in National 4 Practical Cookery
- Kyla Metcalfe – Award for Most Improved S4 Pupil in English
- Kyla Metcalfe – Award in People & Society
- Ava Watt – The Caroline Stewart Trophy for Creativity and Presence in Performance
Class – Succeeding category
- Caitlin Barr – Hugh Tait Prize in Higher English
- Kirsty Beaumont – Prize in Advanced Higher Modern Studies
- Kirsty Beaumont – Prize in Higher Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies
- Kirsty Beaumont – The Ronald Ironside Prize in Advanced Higher Biology
- Nicola Beaumont – Historic Banffshire/Kronah Twinning Association Prize for Excellence in German
- Emma Brokaar – Prize in National 5 English
- Emma Brokaar – Alexander Paton Memorial Prize in National 5 Mathematics
- Emma Brokaar – Ex Provost Ogilvie Prize in Modern Languages: National 5 German
- Amalie Brown – Prize in Higher Graphic Communication
- Kathryn Brown – GR Farney Dick Prize for Chemical Perspicacity
- Annie Coutts – Prize in Advanced Higher English
- Annie Coutts – John Hunter Prize in Higher Drama
- Jessica Cowe – Prize in National 5 Applications of Mathematics
- Elspeth Cruickshank – Prize in National 5 Physical Education
- Elspeth Cruickshank – Prize in National 5 Modern Languages: French
- Olivia Dodds – Prize in National 5 Economics
- Lauren Duggie – The Deveron Arts Award for Creativity
- Sophie Forth – Prize in National 5 Art
- Ruby Fraser – Colin Macdonald Prize in Higher Biology
- Callum Garioch – Prize in National 5 Practical Woodworking
- Erin Geddes – Prize for Commitment and Achievement in National 4 Chemistry
- Emily Gers – Prize in Higher Human Biology
- James Bransby – Yule Prize in National 5 Practical Cookery,
- Beth Grant – Miss Jane Fraser Prize in Higher Administration
- Kathryn Haydon – Prize in National 5 Music
- Anna Henderson – The James Merson Prize in Higher and Advanced Higher Music
- Eva Howe – Prize in National 5 Administration
- Jack Humphries – Prize in Advanced Higher History
- Kaitlyn Kings – John McIntosh Keir Prize in National 5 Geography
- Kaitlyn Kings – Prize in National 5 History
- Kaitlyn Kings – Prize in National 5 Modern Studies,
- Scout Knight – The Inglewood Prize in Higher History
- Davina Liston – Prize in Higher Economics
- Thomas Martin – The Ronald Ironside Prize in Advanced Higher Chemistry
- Ruth McKay – Prize in Higher Modern Studies
- Ruth McKay – Irvine Prize in Higher Physical Education
- Jack Milne – Prize for Commitment and Achievement in National 4 Physics
- Maggie Milne – Rosalind E W Gartly Prize in Higher Art & Design
- Alex Morrison – Prize for Commitment and Achievement in National 3/4 Biology
- Angus Parkin – Alexander Paton Memorial Prize in National 5 Chemistry
- Angus Parkin, Alexander Paton Memorial Prize in National 5 Physics
- Angus Parkin – Dr Philip Memorial Prize in National 5 Graphic Communication
- Hazel Reed – The Peter H Gordon Prize in National 5 Music
- Kirsty Rennie – Prize in Higher Business Management
- Jamie Rhind – Prize in National 5 Modern Languages: Spanish
- Lauren Rhind – Prize in Advanced Higher Geography
- Finn Robinson – Prize in Higher Accounting
- Skye Sangster – Adam Robert Fraser Prize in Higher Mathematics
- Skye Sangster – Prize in National 5 Biology
- Skye Sangster – Alexander Paton Memorial Prize in Higher Chemistry
- Skye Sangster – Prize in Higher Physics
- Lauren Louise Shand – Dr Philip Memorial Prize in Higher Geography
- Megan Shand – Prize in Higher Modern Languages: French
- Angelica Stancel – Prize in National 5 Accounting
- Charlotte Stewart – Prize in Advanced Higher Art & Design
- Charlotte Stewart – Prize in Higher Photography
- Charlotte Stewart – Alfred Penny Prize in Advanced Higher Mathematics
- Charlotte Stewart – The Ronald Ironside Prize in Advanced Higher Physics
- Kitty Sykes – The Irene Amy McConnachie Memorial Cup for Musical Excellence
- Bente Van West – Prize in Higher Modern Languages: German
- Bente Van West – Prize in Advanced Higher Graphic Communication
- Ava Watt – Prize in National 5 Drama
Sport - Growing category
- Annabelle Medler – Dr Pat Garson Prize for Sport
- Elspeth Cruickshank – The Alexander Lumsden Prize in Sportsmanship and Scholarship, S1-S4
Sport - Succeeding category
- Fraser – Ewen McDonald Shield for Inter House Athletics
- Badenoch – Castle Park Cup for Inter-House Swimming
- Badenoch – Former Pupils’ Association Shield for Inter House Cross Country
- Samantha Robson – Isabel MacMaster Trophy for Excellence in Hockey
- Samantha Robson – Girls Volleyball Player of the Year
- Evan Sykes – Boys Volleyball Player of the Year
- Ruairi Laird – Ian Archibald Trophy for Rugby Player of the Year
- Ethan Sangster – James Macdonald Football Trophy for Player of the Year
- Arthur Liston – Gordon Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Athletics
- TGS – S2/3 Regional Volleyball
- TGS – NASSA Badminton
- TGS – NASSA Novice Athletics Champions
- TGS – NASSA Overall Champions
TGS – Together category
- Nicola Beaumont – The Annual Grassetstyle Award for Leadership in and Commitment to Environmental Protection
- Ludovic Wright – The Annual Grassetstyle Award for Leadership in and Commitment to Environmental Protection
- Gregor Birkhead – The Gordon Schools Captains' Award
- Felix Cheyne – The Gordon Schools Vice Captains' Award
- Thomas Martin – The Gordon Schools Vice Captains' Award
- Eirhin McVey – The Gordon Schools Captains' Award
- Evan Sykes – The James Cullen Award for Achievement & Public Service
- House of the Year – Badenoch
- Kirsten West – The Brebner Memorial Prize for Service to The Gordon Schools
TGS – Growing category
- David Gribble – The Don Smith Award
- Jack Humphries – The D M Robertson Award for Endeavour
- Joshua Paul – Award for Most Improved S3 Pupil in English
- Blair Thomson – The Mary Cullen Award for Personal Achievement
- Connor Winton – James Weir Trophy for Outstanding Effort
TGS – Succeeding category
- Jack Lelej – The Portia Waddell Award for Tremendous Personal Achievement
- Ailsa Lipp – Merit Student of the Year
- Charlotte Stewart – Former Pupils Medal in Memory of Jean McBoyle Proxime Accessit Runner-up to the Dux of The Gordon Schools sponsored by Huntly Educational Trust
- Kirsty Beaumont – William Will Prize for Dux of The Gordon Schools. Former Pupils’ Association Medal for Dux of The Gordon Schools sponsored by Huntly Educational Trust
