Moray Education – Speyside High celebrates strong community and academic gains
Speyside High’s headteacher used part of her address at its annual achievement ceremony to talk about the upcoming mobile phone ban due to come into effect across Moray’s schools this coming August.
Patricia Goodbrand lauded the success of a one-day trial ban held at the Aberlour school earlier in the year, and noted the Pupil Senate's mature input regarding the matter. In addition she also took the opportunity to look back over her ten years in charge.
She said: “A continued theme for me since 2016 has been the meaning of achievement. For some it is excellent academic achievement. For others it is being able to come to school and participate regularly.
“In traditional measures our levels of literacy and numeracy continue to be excellent at the end of S3.
“SQA measurements also show that our young people are consistently doing better at Speyside High School than they would be at a comparator school in terms of the number and grade of Level 4, 5 and 6 awards.
“In addition, we have a very high percentage – on average 97% – of young people who move from school to their chosen positive destination – be that work, apprenticeships college or university.
“We are also particularly excited about our most recent partnership with Forsyths in terms of our new engineering courses.”
Ms Goodbrand talked as well about how being respectful and responsible were two of the school’s core values.
She stated that the school often received calls from the public “to tell us of the positive ways young people from SHS have behaved and helped in situations in the community”.
Ms Goodbrand added: “Through our new merit system these values are celebrated regularly, with young people gaining canteen vouchers as recognition of them demonstrating them.
As regards the future, the current school building will be marking its half centenary next year, having being constructed in 1976.
Ms Goodbrand joked: “All of us of 50 and over like the building will understand that greater need for maintenance.”
The head teacher’s address was made before a distinguished audience including Andy Simpson, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, and guest speaker Graeme Reid, who as well as a teacher is also the European powerlifting champion.
Ms Goodbrand concluded by thanking all staff for their support, including departing colleagues Paul Chatwin, Dan Harris, Zoe MacMillan, Ian Shand, Mr Rodwell, Miss Chapman, Miss Wood, and Mrs Beaton, whose contributions have fostered a positive and respectful learning environment at Speyside High.
Awards for Achievement Awards in first year:-
Luke Belton Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
Jack Bremner Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
Brodie Coupland English
Theo Delrée Science
Elle Duffus Art and Design, Geography and Application in Studies
Logan Duffy Geography, Modern Languages and Application in Studies
Ella Duncan English, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages and Application in Studies
Neive Durno English, Modern Studies, Science and Application in Studies
Iona Fergusson Art and Design, Drama, History, Mathematics, Music, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies and Application in Studies
Noah Fleming Physical Education and Application in Studies
Beatrice Forget Drama, Design and Technology
Eva Fountain Digital Literacy
Archie Irvine Geography, Science and Application in Studies
Harris King Physical Education
Mia Koziak English and Application in Studies
Kahlan MacPherson Digital Literacy, Drama, Modern Languages and Application in Studies
Hollie McConnachie Geography and Application in Studies
Kara McConnachie Application in Studies
Eva McFall Music and Application in Studies
Broghan McIntosh Design and Technology
Grant Myron-Petrie Modern Studies and Application in Studies
Dan Richard Home Economics
Kyle Saxton History, Music and Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
Sonia Shemonaieva Home Economics
Maisie Smith Application in Studies
Innes Symon Digital Literacy
Jade Tait Mathematics, Physical Education and Application in Studies
Ethan Thomas Design and Technology, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Modern Studies, Science and Application in Studies
Ethan Winter Design and Technology, Modern Studies and Application in Studies
Kaitlynn Wiseman History and Application in Studies
Awards in second year:-
Tyler Allan Application in Studies
Will Barnes Drama, Geography and Application in Studies
Harry Belton Geography, Mathematics, Physical Education, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies and Application in Studies
Ella Boardman English, History, Home Economics, Modern Languages, Science and Application in Studies
Murray Cameron Application in Studies
Holly Candy History
Mitch Cruickshank Application in Studies
Emily Dev-Saini History
Archie Dunbar Home Economics and Mathematics
Holly Geddes Physical Education
Aaron Hanmer Computing Science and Science
Ruthie Harris Design and Technology, English, Mathematics, Modern Studies, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies, Science and Application in Studies
Isla MacFadyen Art and Design and Application in Studies
Olivia Main Design and Technology, Home Economics and Physical Education
Botond Marczi Computing Science
Freya McBain Art and Design and Application in Studies
Caleb McGill Art and Design and Design and Technology
Joseph McGregor Application in Studies
Paige McLachlan Art and Design Elsa Nairn Design and Technology, English, Mathematics, Science and Application in Studies
Angus Obry Modern Languages
Jessica O’Neill Music, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies and Application in Studies
Alfie Reid Physical Education and Application in Studies
Megan Robertson Modern Studies and Application in Studies
Ava Ross Drama
Tyler Sayer Computing Science
Harris Sheed Modern Studies, Music, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies and Application in Studies
Hollie Smith Music and Application in Studies
Callie Spurrier Modern Languages and Application in Studies
Cooper Stewart Home Economics
Naomi Stewart Geography
Kathryn Templeton Application in Studies
Chloe Walker English, Geography, History and Modern Languages
Sophie Whyte Computing Science, Modern Studies and Application in Studies
Awards in Third Year:-
Mikey Adamson Photography
Rowan Bain Administration and Information Technology, English, German, Mathematics and Application in Studies
Aonghas Birnie Biology, French, Health and Food Technology and Application in Studies
Alan Breen Business Management, Chemistry, Mathematics and Application in Studies
Chloe Burr English, Modern Studies, Music and Application in Studies
Finn Clayton Application in Studies
Ali Duffus Application in Studies
Jasmine Mellis Practical Cookery
Destinee Miller Application in Studies
Alaisdair O’Loughlin Application in Studies
Alyssia Rowing Drama, English, French, History, Mathematics, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies and Application in Studies
Maisy Shand Biology and Mathematics
Lucy Sharp History and Application in Studies
Braeden Shoard Physics
Amelie Spurrier Art and Design and Geography
Bobby Stewart Design and Technology, English, German, Physical Education and Application in Studies
Kyle Washbourne Business Management
Zack Winter Computing Science and Design and Technology
Banffshire Trust Prizes
Endeavour in First Year: Archie Irvine, Jade Tait
Achievement in First Year: Iona Fergusson
Endeavour in Second Year: Megan Robertson
Achievement in Second Year: Ruthie Harris
Endeavour in Third Year: Ali Duffus
Achievement in Third Year: Alyssia Rowing
