So proud of Keith Grammar
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The woman who had to unexpectedly take over the reins at Keith Grammar last year has spoken of her great pride in the school.
Liz Bain became Acting Rector after illness sadly cut short the career of Jamus MacPherson, the much respected former head of the school.
In her first ever awards ceremony speech – one made in extraordinary circumstances – Mrs Bain admits it was a job she never sought.
Indeed, she wasn't originally sure that she even wanted it.
However, the spirit shown by the school in coping with adversity has made her glad she accepted the post.
Mrs Bain said: "Our awards ceremony this year took a very different format due to circumstances no one could have predicted without the ability to travel in time.
"My favourite film when I was at secondary school was Back to the Future which was based on the premise of time travel.
"In it young Marty McFly hops around in time in a Delorean sports car souped up by his inventor friend, Doc.
"A major theme of the film is that your actions affect the future.
"Think about how your actions and efforts in your school days can affect your future.
"So, seize every good opportunity which comes your way and make your future a good one.
"Of course, unexpected things such as COVID can affect you as well.
"It is how you deal with things that really counts.
"Last year when Mr Macpherson was taken ill I took over as Acting Rector.
"It wasn’t anything I had ever planned to do and I wasn’t entirely sure that I really wanted to do it if I’m really honest.
"However, I saw an opportunity to provide stability for the school and to ensure we kept moving forward with all our plans, and so I took on the challenge.
"What started as a sad situation has turned out to be the most challenging but satisfying year of my career.
"This past year has had more plot twists than ‘Back to the Future’ but I am proud of how we have survived as a school and still achieved many great things.
"I am proud to be Acting Rector and part of the KGS community.
"I am also proud that our awards celebrate not just academic but personal achievements and who you are as people.
"It’s what is inside that counts and that is certainly true for the school as you, the people, are what makes this a school community.
"Without you KGS is just an empty building.
"The community is us, wherever we are.
"I am so pleased we were able to celebrate what makes us KGS and your achievements even though we are temporarily apart.
"I’m sure many of you will have seen memes in which Marty is warned by Doc never to go to 2020.
"However, we need to think more positively.
"It has been a very difficult time for many of us but we are living through history right now and it is a time we will never forget.
"Things have slowed down for us and for many it has given us time to think about what is really important for us and an opportunity to do things differently.
"Instead of making 2020 a write-off, let’s look forward and make 2020 the year of KG-YES.
"Yes to moving forward.
"Yes to making plans.
"Yes to opportunities.
"Yes to taking things as they come and making the most of it.
"Congratulations to all our award winners and I look forward to being able to congratulate you in person soon."
LIST OF PRIZES
S1 Gold The Stewart Wilson Prize - Jessica Morrison
S1 Silver - Ferre Michielsen
S1 Bronze - Caitlin Brown, Ryan Gerrie, Rachel Low
S1 Merit Awards
Siena Clark
Abbie McWilliam
Chloe McWilliam
Amy Noble
Beth Wallace
S2 Gold The Reidhaven Prize - Ben Kidd, Kate Porter
S2 Bronze - Abbie Kellas
S2 Merit Awards
Jasmin Hunt
Tom Palmer
Kate Rettie
Megan Riach
S3 Gold The K J Forrest Prize - Elyse Chapman
S3 Silver - Gavin Brown
S3 Bronze - Siobhan Donnison, Katie Dunbar, Cassie Findlay, Beth Smith,
Fiona Stewart, Aimee Stronach
S4 Gold The Green Prize - Gregor Clark, Kirstie Low, Dodie Simmers
S4 Merit Awards
Georgia Dalgarno
Chloe Gordon
Holly McWilliam
Bent Michielsen
S5 Gold Mrs P Roy - Peter Grant, Thonima Mirza
S5 Bronze - Scott Donald, Sarah Green, Duncan MacLure, Lewis Roger,
Dylan Taylor, Tom Watson
ATTAINMENT AWARDS
The Mark Taylor Prize for Cake Craft - Molly Smith
Drummuir Estate Prize for Music - Markus McBain
The Muirton Control Prize for French - Sarah Green
The Paul Nicoll Prize for Practical Woodwork - Angus Gurr
The Tesco Prize for Home Economics (Hospitality) - Kyle Morrison
The Seafield Prize for Physical Education - Olivia Stronach
John G Robb Prize for Modern Studies - Aaliyah Robertson
Shears Hair & Beauty Retreat Prize for Art - Catherine McAskie
Keith North Churches Prize for RMPS - Elyse Chapman
Keith Builders Merchants Prize for English - Sarah Green
The Alan Rettie Prize for Biology - Catherine McAskie
S Simmers & Sons Prize for Mathematics - Reece Mackie
The Rotary Club of Keith Prize for German - Bent Michielsen
Banffshire/Kronach Exchange Prize for Most Improved in German – Holly McWilliam
Peterkins Prize for Administration – Cameron Maver
Dr & Mrs G Sim Prize for History - Sarah Green
The Keith Grammar School Prize for Business Studies - Sarah Green
Clarks Pharmacy Prize for Physics - Reece Mackie
The Regent Prize for Computing - Bent Michielsen
The Muirton Control Prize for Graphic Communication - Connall Dark
Frank McLean & Son Prize for Chemistry - Peter Grant
Mr K Comrie Prize for Geography - Erin Sutherland
The James Bream Prize for Engineering Science - Reece Mackie
The Sean Mulligan Optician Prize for Science - Elyse Chapman
L Jex Prize for Rural Skills - Angus Gurr
S4-6 SPECIAL AWARDS
The Robin Winchester Prize for Participation - Ali Nicoll
St Rufus, Botriphnie & Grange Church Prize for Participation - Tom Watson
The Rotary Club of Keith Prize for being Responsible - Heidi Wilson
G & M Whyte Prize for being Responsible - Rachel Dunbar
Keith Community Council Prize for Community Involvement - Abbie Stewart
The Keith Grammar School Prize for being Healthy - Teoni Wright
The R C Henderson Prize for being Healthy - Ceon Still
The Thoroughly Decent Award - Julieann Gartly
M Neish Ltd Prize for being Respectful - Freya Ferguson
Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers Ltd Prize for being Respectful – Chloe Gordon
The Macpherson-Allan Prize for Positive Attitude - Alex McPherson
The Seafield Prize for Positive Attitude - Chloe Gordon
The Macpherson-Allan Prize for being Aspirational - Rachel Dunbar
The Steven Dunbar Prize for being Aspirational - Sarah Green
The Rev. Ranald Gauld Prize for Perseverance - Kelsey Spalding
DYW Prize for undertaking opportunities that develop Skills for Life, Learning and Work - Abbie Morrison
KGS Career Ready Student of the Year - Heidi Wilson
S1-3 SPECIAL AWARDS – Sponsored by Glenrinnes Farms Ltd
Aspirational - Rebecca Shylock, Emma Stephen
Respectful - Heidi Crocket, Ella More
Healthy - Ryan Morrison, Emma Stronach
Responsible - Kenna Johnston, Beth Wallace
Participation - Katie Dunbar, Cassie Findlay
Positive Attitude - Ferre Michielsen, Amy Noble
Focus 350 Prize - Bent Michielsen
S6 All Round Prize - Heidi Wilson
Dux - Sarah Green
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