Keith Grammar School prizegiving ceremony honours year of ambition and excellence
The qualities of ambition, excellence, respect and success in young people were all honoured when a secondary school held their annual prizegiving ceremony.
Achievements within and outwith the classroom rightfully took their share of the limelight at Keith Grammar School’s (KGS) celebration of the outgoing academic year.
It was certainly an evening that will live long in the memory of Fynn Chapman as a year of hard work was crowned with the Dux Medal.
KGS Rector Alan Bruce took a moment to reflect that for many of the young people whose achievements were being honoured their journey in secondary education began under the dark cloud of Covid when schools were shut as part of the nationwide lockdown.
He went on to examine what the school’s key values of ambition, excellence, respect and success meant in practice.
Mr Bruce said: “I truly believe that our world needs more young people like our award winners, and all pupils at Keith Grammar - ambitious in their goals, respectful in their actions and committed to achieving their very best to the highest standard possible.
“Ambition is about setting your sights high, dreaming big and being bold enough to step out of your comfort zone. Our senior pupils have shown this in abundance – whether through striving for personal achievement in their exams results, applying for competitive university or college courses or securing a positive destination, at their very best they are role models for the younger pupils in our school.
“Excellence isn’t perfection. It’s about doing your level best consistently and having the courage to improve even when things are tough. I have seen so many examples of this throughout the year from our young people who conduct themselves with quiet humility and dignity. Excellence shines in your efforts, not just the outcome.
“Respect is at the core of our community. It means treating others with kindness, valuing difference, and recognising that we all have something of value to contribute. I am incredibly proud of the way our senior pupils support one another, our staff, and the wider Keith community. You have upheld the respectful, inclusive spirit that makes our school such a special place.
“And finally, success. Success looks different for everyone - it might be a certificate, a personal best, a new skill learned, or the resilience shown in facing a challenge. Tonight’s award winners are examples of success in all its forms - and every one of them should feel immensely proud.”
Prizewinners:
Modern Languages for Life & Work - Level 5 Elias Appraoui; Music - National 5 Leah Baird; Chemistry - National 5 Quentin Barclay; English - National 4 Lewis Brown; French - National 4 Lewis Brown; Computing Science - AH Fynn Chapman; Graphic Communication - Higher Fynn Chapman; Sport & Recreation - National 5 Jack Cheyne; Biology, Music - AH Siena Clark; Scientific Technologies - FA Siena Clark; Physical Education - National 5 Lewis Cowie; Practical Woodworking - National 5 Conleth Davidson; Practical Cookery - National 5 Emma Davidson; Art & Design - National 4 Kenzee Davies; English - AH Lily Dunbar; Mathematics - Higher Roco Dunwell; Chemistry - Higher Cameron Elliott; Physics - Higher Cameron Elliott; Administration & IT - National 4 Harrison Eyre; Mathematics - National 5 Abby Fraser; Geography - National 4 Zac Gordon; Art & Design - National 5 Harry Grant; History - National 5 Jakub Greatholder; German - National 5 Eilidh Hourston; Mathematics - AH Markus Kelly; Applications of Mathematics, Biology, English - Higher Ellen Largue; Geography - National 5 Ellen Largue; Applications of Mathematics - National 5 Rhys Lelej; Geography, History, Physical Education - Higher Lucy Mark; Travel & Tourism - National 5 Kayleigh Maver; Business Skills - FA Catriona McKerell; Physical Education - AH Catriona McKerell; German - Higher Sadie McWilliam; Music - Higher Heidi Moir;Graphic Communication - National 5 Ewan Morrison; Administration & IT - Higher Kate Morrison; History - National 4 Kaylin Morrison; Administration & IT - National 5 Jamie Murray; Computing Science - Higher Jamie Murray; Practical Electronics - National 4 Jamie Murray; Business Management, Media - National 5 Owen Porter; Level 5 Barista/Customer Service - NPA Danny Riddoch; English. French - National 5 Alfie Rogers; Mathematics National 4 Owen Sharpe; Biology, Physics - National 5 Euan Stables; Practical Woodworking - National 4 Leighum Turner; Applications of Mathematics - National 4 Dana Wilson; Art & Design - Higher Phoebe Winton.
Special awards:
Dux Medal - Fynn Chapman; Focus 350 Keith Young Citizen of the Year - Markus Kelly; Rev Ranald Gauld Prize for Perseverance -Gracie Reid; The Jamus MacPherson Award for STEM - Markus Kelly; The Keith Community Council Prize for Community Involvement - Craig Dick; The DYW Prize for developing skills for learning, life and work - Lucy Bender; The KGS Prize for Ambition - Kirsty Simmers; The KGS Prize for Excellence - Catriona McKerell; The KGS Prize for Respect - Alistair McKillop; The Kai Anderson Award - Cameron Shand.
