Falkirk school celebrates its top scholars

On the night Conor Whitehead was named Dux and Eilidh Hunter Proxime Accessit, headteacher Lesley Carroll led the congratulations to them and their fellow prizewinners.

She said: “Over the last 10 years I consider myself privileged to watch so many amazing pupils develop and blossom into wonderful, strong, achieving, committed, dependable and thoroughly decent young men and women. Every day I feel honoured and grateful for being given the astonishing opportunity to share this small part of their life journey.

“When I see our young people I see limitless possibilities. I know part of the future success of our local, national and international communities are in this hall tonight and the education this school gives is a powerful tool they can use to change their world!

“Over the last six years we have developed a curriculum which takes the best of new initiatives to enrich each pupils’ journey, adding layers and breadth to traditional subjects with skills, experiences, new ways of working and new vocational learning opportunities.

“We acknowledge challenges and work together to overcome them, doing our best to give every pupil the resilience needed to overcome what life may present and have a positive view of themselves and the opportunities open to them.

“It does not matter how academically successful our pupils are if they do not have the confidence to share their views or the ability to work in teams to solve problems and bring solutions. These are tremendously important personal, life and work skills.

“We encourage this wide approach to learning. Academically, creatively and in sport we offer every pupil the opportunity for personal success. We need you parents and carers to also see the value in this and encourage your sons and daughters to take up these opportunities with the same level of commitment and rigour they give their studies.”

School Dux Conor will be back in the clasroom class next term to study Maths, English and Chemistry at advanced higher level.

A place at university beckons, but confident Conor has not ruled out the possibility of another career – as a professional footballer.

The 16-year-old lives with his parents Christopher and Karina and younger brother and sister Lewis and Carreen in Craigmarloch, Cumbernauld, but opted to join Graeme High in S1 because of its SFA Football Academy.

He now plays for Grangemouth side Syngenta’s under 17 team and doing well.

Conor said: “University to study maths or chemistry is something I’m thinking seriously about, but I’m also enjoying my football and wondering where that could take me.

“Winning the Dux Medal really did come as a complete surprise, a real shock, but I’m pleased and my family are all delighted for me.”