Prize-Giving 2019

Pupils, proud parents and staff from the High School of Dundee have gathered together to celebrate the end of another school year in traditional fashion.

Prize-Giving 2019

The School’s annual prize-giving ceremony at the Caird Hall saw members of the departing F6 cohort receive leavers awards as they bade their official farewells to the School, while pupils from L4 upwards were presented with prizes in recognition of their hard work and achievements in a range of subjects.

Addressing the audience, Rector Dr John Halliday ran through some of the highlights from another busy academic session.

They included charity fundraising which had generated a total of £35,000 for a range of good causes; the introduction of the School’s brand-new Activities Week, during which pupils in F1-F3 took part in a huge range of skills-enhancing on and off-site events; the School’s U16 rugby side making it through to the final of the Scottish Schools Cup; and the School’s unique and moving programme of events to mark the WW1 Centenary Armistice.   

Prize-Giving 2019

Dr Halliday also spoke of his pride in the fact that every member of this year’s F6 year group that applied for a university place through UCAS had received an offer – including a remarkable 9 out 0f 10 medical applicants -, the importance of the School’s place in the heart of the community, and the significance of the School’s Core Values in developing each pupil as a rounded individual.    

He said, “It’s our obligation to challenge and nurture our young people so that they reach their potential.

“This school is for educating the whole person. My vision remains to provide the Integrated Curriculum in which the pastoral, the academic and the co-curricular are joined together across all areas of learning and teaching.

“To F6, a very special thank you for all you’ve contributed. You’re handing on the torch knowing that individually and collectively you’ve done the School proud.”  

After thanking the staff for their hard work and dedication over the year, Dr Halliday handed over to the guest of honour, Sir Ewan Brown CBE FRSE - Chairman of IMPACT Scotland and former chair of the Edinburgh International Festival's Executive Committee, and Creative Scotland, among many other notable roles - to present the prizes.

Sir Ewan Brown was the guest speaker

Sir Ewan told the pupils, “You may not appreciate it just now, but as well as educating you, the School is encouraging you to discover and use your potential.”

Turning to the leavers in particular, he added, “The opportunity for you is huge. The world is yours. Dream your own dreams; be open to change.

“Keep raising your personal best throughout your career and personal life, even if there’s no prize at stake.”    

The School’s Pipes and Drums were also on hand to welcome the attendees into the ceremony in style, while fantastic musical performances from the Girls’ and Boys’ Choirs and an enchanting marimba duet by pupil Ruairidh Cowieson and Percussion Instructor Lindsay Anderson added to the sense of occasion.

The School's Pipe Band performed at Prize-Giving