Musselburgh: Grammar school pupils celebrated at awards night

Councillor John McMillan, Provost of East Lothian, was guest speaker at the event, with his speech centring on “the power and importance of community, history, diversity and learning while continuing to learn”.

He told pupils: “My world, your world, will change. We will transition, there will be new years, new experiences, new friends, the loss of old friends, family members, mentors, teachers will come and go. Be resilient! Keep learning, keep listening, find support when times change and are tough. Talk about your feelings and worries – it’s good and natural to experience the ‘ups and downs’.

“And that’s where values come in… values add value. Strive for excellence – be the best you can – but be honest with yourself and others. Be determined, make a plan, act on it, review it, check it out with others, take a breath and think it over, chat with a friend, follow the right path, maybe make the plan even better. Be determined to succeed or determined to learn from mistakes.

“Keep going – you’re from a proud town – look at the Silver Arrow and the Claret Jug – and a proud school. Be proud tonight; but most of all – care! Care for yourself, for your family and friends, for our community. You are the future; keep learning, keep caring.”

Councillor John McMillan, Provost of East Lothian, addresses the audience at the Musselburgh Grammar School prize-giving

Eva Hills and Charlie Devine, head pupils, also spoke at the ceremony.

S1, S2 and S3 prize winners were awarded for both academically able and also most committed to improving in their learning.

Pupils in S1 needed to gain three or more nominations from class teachers to receive this award.

Prize winners for the most academically able were: Daniel Barrett, Tom Barrett, Nyx Chapman, Matao Erasmus, Libby Henderson, Aneu Maguire-Morral, Sam McLoughlin, Jacob Meszaros, Erin Munro, Julia Scott, Libby Heaton and Sam McLoughlin.

Prize winners for being most committed and improved in their learning were: Daniel Barrett, Tom Barrett, Martha Bremner, Nyx Chapman, Milly Donaldson, Amy Friend, Poppy Heaton, Zofia Kulczycka, Aneu Maguire-Morral, Aaran Marley-Hay, Alistair Myles, Ewan Myles, Lucia Quilletti-Bird, Ben Russell, Karam Singh and Ayden Wilson.

In S2, pupils needed to gain four or more nominations from class teachers to receive the awards.

The prize winners for the most academically able were: Tess Devlin, Lauren Hollingsworth, Ella Main and Rosa Morris.

The most committed and improved in their learning prizes went to: Thomas Buchan, Frazeen Hyder, Grace McGill, Kamilla Perez-Pastor Canovas, Alisa Rose, Hannah Rostron and Kamilla Sytnik.

In S3, pupils needed to gain four or more nominations from class teachers to receive the award.

The S3 prize winners for the most academically able were: Max Dignan, Isla Grierson, Aisa McIntyre, Annabel Morley, Nicholas Morley and Jacob Ng.

The prize winners for being most committed and improved in their learning were: India Brown, Mika Erasmus, Jack Gilhooley, Fraser Montgomery, Grant Myles and Hannah Scott.

In addition, some of the S3 prize winners were successful in achieving the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. They were: Libby Bain, Ethan Briggs, Max Dignan, Mika Erasmus, Layla Ferguson, Emma Friend, Sam Henderson, Sophie Hill, Beth Molloy, Daniel Picton, Coel Watson and Owen Watters.

The S4, S5 and S6 prize winners received awards for their achievements in subject specialist areas.

The S4 prize winners for National 5 were: Sasha Allison, Health & Food Technology; Esme Andre, RMPS; Ellie Campbell, Fashion & Textiles; Ailish Conn, Music Technology; Kaeden Gander, Spanish; Mia Grieve, Biology and History; Katie Horrell, Art & Design and Geography; Amelia Liddle, Fashion & Textiles; Lily Jarvie, French and Spanish; Kira Meszaros, Music; Amy Neilson, Retail; Chloe Park, Graphic Communication; Scott Radley, Administration; Mia Robertson, PE; Abigail Smith, Drama; Carrie Steedman, Modern Studies; Alana Thompson, Biology, Chemistry, Computing and Physics; Luca Thompson, Practical Cookery; Ed Wheeler, Mathematics; and Karim Zidonis, English.

Prize winners for National 4 were: Finlay Brown, German; Rhys Calder, Chemistry; Lee Cumming, German; Jessica Davanna, Music; Jack Donaldson, Physics; Heather Graham, Mathematics; Izzy Hollingsworth, English; Lochlan Hollowell, PE; Rowen Landale, History; Ava McGarvie, Physics; Christie McKay- Stevenson, Business Studies; Chloe Park, Art & Design; Gethin Robertson, Music Technology; P Jay Stirling, Geography; Danielle Thomson, Geography.

Prize winners for National 3 were: Leon Sinclair German and Eve Wright for Mathematics.

In addition, Lily Peacock and Alana Thompson achieved their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, and Eve Wright was recognised as most improved and committed in her learning in S4.

S5 Higher prize winners were: Zoe Cocco, Italian; Lucy Cunningham, Business Studies; Lily Chalmers, Graphic Communication; Emelia Duffy, Drama and Music; Charlie Haynes, Administration; Isaah Majid, Computing and Physics; Katie McLean, Classics; Ben Naumann, Music Technology; Karen Reid, Geography; Jonathan Rostron, PE; Lily Taylor, Art & Design & Modern Studies; and Mitchell Tuffin for a Business Studies Foundation Apprenticeship.

National 5 Prize winners were: Meadow Coleing, Biology; Georgia Greenhill, Travel and Tourism; Lyle Hill, Geography; Anna Lyon, Mathematics; Eve Moran, English; Scarlett Shearer, Fashion & Textiles; Guerin Thomson, Administration and History.

National 4 Prize winner was Amy Stewart for Modern Studies and RMPS.

S6 Advanced Higher prize winners were: Catherine Brown, Geography; Valeria De Sequeira Tejada, Mathematics and Physics; Katie Hannah, Modern Studies; Michael Hoole, Music and Music Technology; Oliwier Kulczycki, Computing; Hannah Livingstone, French; Rosie Livingstone, PE; Gabor Szabo, Graphic Communication; Orla Thomson, Biology.

Higher prize winners were Katie Hannah for Biology and Cameron Smith for Health & Food Technology.

National 5 prize winner was Rosie Livingstone for Chemistry.

The Dux Medallist prize sponsored by Musselburgh Community Council and based on Higher performance in S5 was presented jointly to Charlie Devine and Rowan Liddell. Both boys achieved A band 1s for their five Highers.

The Parent Council Award is given to pupils who staff feel most represent the school’s values of honesty, determination and respect. This year’s recipients were: Alisha Ur-Rehman in S1, Tess Devlin in S2, Aaran Rae in S3, Hayden Morrison in S4, and Michael Doyle in S5.

The Debbie Givan Award is awarded annually in memory of Debbie Givan, who was at the school until her death in 2004, aged 14.

The recipient of the prize was Erin Montgomery. Erin has been “dedicated” in her role as a young carer following family bereavement.

With her “stoic and determined attitude” she has also remained focussed on her goals to succeed, with an “impressive range of results and engagement in extracurricular activities”.

“She is brave, responsible, loving and selfless to a fault, and a positive role model to all,” added the school spokesperson.

Fraser Walters, S5, received the Mansfield School of Music prize. Throughout his six years at the school, he has been the “embodiment” of respect, honesty and determination.

An integral part of the music department and an “exceptional leader” in the wind band, he competed in the Young Musician of the Year competition as well as various other performances. He is a “dedicated musician, always striving to better his own musicianship”. He is now studying music at university in Aberdeen.

The 1930 Club Award was formed by a group of former pupils who entered Musselburgh Grammar School’s primary department in 1930, and this year’s recipient was Summer Gargaro, S3, who has shown “great commitment and resilience” towards Highland dancing.

She has received placings at Scottish national championships, world qualifiers, European championships, United Kingdom championships and the Highlands and Islands Dance Festival.

Whilst balancing her own training and school workload, she has also been an active contributor to the school’s Young Ambassador programme, motivating and inspiring other young people to get active in school and the local community.

Summer has played an “instrumental role” in ensuring that the views of other young people are heard, valued, influence decision-making and drive change within school sport.

Special mention went to Ava McGarvie and Hannah Menzies in S4 for their “care and compassion” in planning and organising a balloon launch in July to remember popular teacher Matthew Gray, principal teacher of guidance in Moray and teacher of history and modern studies, after he passed away suddenly. Lucy Meldrum, S5, is the inaugural winner of the school’s Matt Gray Award, given to pupils who embody perseverance and a can-do attitude.

Charlie Devine, S5, was awarded the Hopper Award for Excellence in Computing Science.

Hannah Livingstone received the Delta Medal for English Literature.

The Old Musselburgh Art Club prize was presented to Lily Chalmers, S5, Nikola Maleszyk, S4, and Maia Soloman, S5.

Lewis Downes, S5, received the Business Studies Award.