Achievement, dedication and contribution across school life has been celebrated at the High School of Dundee’s annual Prize-Giving ceremony.
Held at the Caird Hall, the event brought together pupils, families and staff to recognise success across a broad range of subjects and activities, while also marking the official farewell to the School’s departing F6 pupils.
Prize winners from L4 upwards were honoured for their efforts and accomplishments, reflecting another busy and successful year in the life of the School.
In her final address before her retirement, Rector Lise Hudson spoke proudly of the achievements, experiences and milestones that have defined the academic session, highlighting the many ways pupils have challenged themselves and contributed to the wider school community.
From academic success and sporting success to music, drama, leadership, charity work and co-curricular involvement, she praised pupils for embracing opportunities and making the most of their High School experience.
She also thanked staff for their dedication, professionalism and care, and paid tribute to colleagues who are retiring or moving on to new opportunities.
Lise said, “I cannot possibly name every achievement, or every pupil or former pupil who earned an achievement: there are simply too many. But every single one is noted and valued.
“What matters is not the path, but the young person who walks it, ready and sure of their own worth.
“Brilliant young people need inspirational teachers, coaches and support staff who care deeply. To every colleague across the School, thank you for your dedication, every single day.”
Speaking of her impending retirement, after 36 years of service to the School, she said, “The responsibility of being Rector has always been matched by the far greater privilege of the front row seat to so many transformational moments. Being able to see how what we do here has lifelong impact is perhaps for me going to be the hardest thing to give up.”
Chair of the Board of Directors, David Thomson, also paid tribute to Mrs Hudson, thanking her for her remarkable contribution across a career devoted to HSD.
The School was delighted to welcome back former pupil Chris Rea to present the prizes.
Chris, a former Scotland and British Lions rugby internationalist, and one of Britain’s best-known and most respected sports presenters and journalists, shared some anecdotes from his own time at the School and his rugby career and reflected on the influence that HSD had had on his own life.
Turning to the departing F6 pupils who are getting ready to head off to universities across the UK and beyond, he said, “Like every generation before you, you are about to enter a new world of opportunity and uncertainty. You have already achieved a level reached by only a minority, with a gold standard education at HSD. It has given you a flying start by preparing you for many of the issues you will face in life, but entitles you to nothing.
“Don’t do work for recognition, but do work worthy of recognition. Never forget that the star of the show can only shine with the support and collective strength of the team, in sport and in life.”
Some wonderful musical performances from the pupils and the poignant hand over of office between the outgoing and incoming house captains and heads of school added further highlights to the event.