'˜Nothing wrong with having a dream ...'

It was a night of celebration, congratulation and time for reflection on the past academic year at a secondary that has a well developed positive ethos among pupils who embody the school’s well established motto – BRAES: Build Respect and Earn Success.

Despite finally giving up on his own ambition of playing football for Falkirk, Mr Livingstone told his pupils to aim high and dream.

He said: “In my first year here at Braes I have been impressed by the commitment, dedication and energy of all those working with young people in the Braes community.

“As we approach the time of final assessments and examinations, the hall is filled with young people thinking about their future and the many exciting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

“I would ask that you to have high aspirations, be ambitious – there is nothing wrong with having a dream!

“I must confess I am beginning to concede that I might not realise my dream of playing at centre forward for Falkirk FC, however, I would urge you to aim high, focus on the small things – the big things will take care of themselves, and remember, never, ever give up.”

The head teacher also praised the hard work of pupils, staff, parent council and local community.

He added: “Pupils are focused on their studies, motivated by staff who have high expectations of them, but most crucially that the young people have these high expectations of themselves.

“The role of parents and carers in supporting their young people towards their achievements cannot be underestimated. Our Parent Council has also been very active this session, acting as a critical friend.”

It all adds up for new Dux Andrew

Andrew Hyslop made sure his sums added up to lift the top prize at this year’s prize-giving ceremony last Tuesday.

Andrew, who is aiming for a career as an accountant when he leaves school, secured the Dux Medal following an outstanding year of study.

He gained a Nat 5 Certificate for Music, Higher Prize for Accounts, Higher Prize for Biology; Jackson Hughes Trophy for Maths; Higher Prize for Maths; Higher Prize for Physics and the school’s Seal of Excellence.

The 17-year-old, who lives near the school in Reddingmuirhead, is in S5 and will be returning for another year of school in 2016/17 to focus on higher maths, biology and accounts.

Before that though he will be taking a well earned rest with pals on a school trip to the USA which will see him take in the sights in New York, Washington and Philadelphia.

Chuffed Andrew said: “I’m really proud of being the Dux, it has taken a wee while to sink in.

“I think my grandmother’s brother was also a Dux at his school so it’s good to know we have another one. My parents are really proud.

“I actually quite enjoy studying. I’m lucky because it’s quite easy for me to remember stuff, but I need to work on my speed.

“I’m very much a numbers person, numbers are quite natural to me so I’d like to work with them in the future.”

FINAL AWARDS

FINAL AWARDS

Dux Medal – Andrew Hyslop.

Senior Boys Basketball Plate winners – Alfie Cannan, Jordan Ferguson, Robert Fordham, Euan Malcolm, Christopher MacMillan, Jamie McNie, Ramsay Reynolds, Sandy Robertson, Jack Wilson.

Outstanding Sporting Achievement – Christopher Wheeler.

Smillie Award for Overcoming Barriers to Learning – Jack Clark.

Anne Speirs’ Cup for Contribution to the School – Jess Reid.

Robertson Trophy (Rector’s Prize) – Eilidh Marshall, Ross Heenan.

Class ’98 Excellence Award – Adam Smith.

S4 AWARDS

4/1C: Lucy Buchan – Seal of Excellence; Nat 4 Certificate for French; Nat 5 Certificate for Biology; Nat 5 Certificate for Chemistry; Nat 5 Certificate for English; Nat 5 Certificate for Geography. Josh Heggie – Nat 5 Certificate for Computing Science; Nat 5 Certificate for Music. Erin Scott – Nat 5 Certificate for Art & Design.

4/2C: Jennifer Boyd – Nat 5 Certificate for RMPS; Rachel Calvert – Nat 5 Certificate for French; Nat 5 Certificate for History. Scott Docherty Nat 5 Certificate for PE. Connor Hartel – Nat 4 Certificate for German. Siobhan Harvey – Nat 5 Certificate for Modern Studies.

4/4L: Jodie Ferguson – Nat 5 Certificate for PE. John Maclennan – Nat 5 Certificate for Music.

4/5L: Murray Adams – Nat 5 Certificate for Business Management. Elyssa Goodfellow – Sports Leader of the Year Award (Level 1) Sports Leader. Kieran Thomas – Nat 4 Certificate German.

4/6L: Nicole Allardyce – Nat 5 Certificate for German. Emma Eaton – Nat 5 Prize Maths; Donald Cameron Shield for Music; Nat 5 Certificate for Physics. Alexander McLauchlan – Nat 5 Certificate for Design & Manufacture; Nat 5 Certificate for Hospitality (Cookery). Lauren Pirie – Nat 5 Certificate for RMPS.

4/7O: Niamh Waddell – Seal of Excellence; Nat 4 Prize French; Nat 5 Certificate for Chemistry; Nat 5 Prize English; Nat 5 Certificate for Modern Studies; Nat 5 Certificate for Physics. Alicia Warner – Nat 5 Certificate for Drama.

4/8O: Louise McCaig – Nat 5 Certificate for Drama. Hazel McNeill – Dance Leader of the Year Award. Cara Mullan – Nat 5 Certificate for English; Nat 5 Certificate for History; Nat 5 Certificate for Maths.

4/10P: Lauren Carrick – Nat 5 Certificate for Hospitality (Cookery). Jake Jenson – Nat 5 Certificate for Design & Manufacture. Sophie Murray – Nat 5 Certificate for Business Management. Jennifer Sneddon – Nat 5 Certificate for Art & Design.

4/11P: Emma Eunson – Nat 5 Prize German. Christine Jaffray – Nat 5 Certificate for Geography.

4/12P: Caleb Bishop – Nat 5 Certificate for Computing Science. Hayley Smith – Nat 5 Certificate for Biology; Nat 5 Prize French. Kerr Smith – Nat 5 Certificate for German.

S5 AWARDS

Campsie: Emily Black – Nat 5 Certificate for RMPS. Kristoffer Brown – Higher Certificate for Design & Manufacture. Charis Curtis – Nat 5 Certificate for Creative Cake. Charlie Harris – Nat 5 Certificate for Music. Aidan Harvey – Higher Certificate for Chemistry; Nat 5 Prize for German. Alexandra Harvey – Higher Certificate for Business Management. Andrew Hyslop – Seal of Excellence; Nat 5 Certificate for Music; Higher Prize for Accounts; Higher Prize for Biology; Jackson Hughes Trophy for Maths; Higher Prize for Maths; Higher Prize for Physics. Michael MacLeod – Higher Certificate for Design & Manufacture. Grace MacQuarrie – Nat 5 Certificate for Maths. Euan McMillan Higher Prize for PE; Sports Leader of the Year Award (Level 2) Sports Leader. Becky Morley – Nat 5 Certificate for RMPS; Higher Certificate for Biology; Higher Certificate for PE. Ashley Young – Higher Prize for Admin & IT.

Lomond: Amy Clelland – Higher Prize for Art & Design. Lauren Donachie – Hazel McFarlane Trophy for Geography; Higher Prize for Geography. Marc Elrick – Higher Certificate for Computing Science. Emily Fyffe – Nat 5 Certificate for Business Management. Kyra Gourlay – Nat 5 Certificate for French. Jordan Kielty – Higher Certificate for Drama. Kirsty McDonald – Higher Certificate for Music. Anna McEwan – Higher Certificate for French. James McKenzie – Nat 5 Certificate for French. Abbie Mullan – Higher Certificate for Accounts; Higher Prize for Drama. Megan Williamson – Higher Certificate for Modern Studies.

Ochil: Rachel Scott – Seal of Excellence; Joseph T Bennie Memorial Quaich for English; Higher Prize for Business Management; Higher Prize for French; Higher Prize for History. Ellis Wilson – Higher Certificate for Geography. Jade Denholm – Nat 5 Certificate for Modern Studies.

Pentland: Jenna Allan – Higher Certificate for Art & Design; Higher Prize for Graphic Communication. Scott Green – Seal of Excellence; David Morrison Shield for Higher Chemistry; Higher Prize for Computing Science; Higher Certificate for Maths; Higher Certificate for Physics. Becky Inglis – Nat 5 Certificate for Creative Cake. Craig Kennedy – Nat 5 Certificate for English. Ross MacKinnon – Higher Certificate for English; Higher Certificate for History; Higher Prize for Modern Studies.

S6 AWARDS

Campsie: Mark Bailey – Seal of Excellence; Class of 98 Cup Computing Science; Advanced Higher Prize for Computing Science; Advanced Higher Certificate for Maths; Advanced Higher Certificate for Physics. Andrew Buchan – Advanced Higher Certificate for Chemistry; Advanced Higher Prize for English. Euan Elder – Higher Certificate for RMPS; Advanced Higher Prize for English; Advanced Higher Certificate for Music. Allan Gibson – Nat 5 Certificate for Modern Studies. Eilidh Marshall – Higher Prize for German; Advanced higher Prize for History. Josie Young – Advanced Higher Certificate for Drama.

Lomond: Clemmie Alexander – Advanced Higher Certificate for French. Melissa Brisbane – Higher Prize for Music. Sarah Lightbody – Nat 5 Certificate for Graphic Communication. Louisa Mann – Higher Certificate for German; Advanced Higher Prize for French. Eilidh Park – H P McCulloch Award for Drama.

Ochil: James Elliott – Higher Prize for RMPS. Holly Morton – Advanced Higher Certificate for Art & Design. Adam Smith – Advanced Higher Prize for Chemistry; Advanced Higher Prize for Maths; Advanced Higher Prize for Physics. Ryan Weir – Rankin Trophy, S6 Achievement in English. Megan Wilson – James B Yates Shield for Art & Design.

Pentland: Rachel Allan – Advanced Higher Prize for Drama. Leah Allison – Nat 5 Certificate for Business Management. Sarah Fullerton – Nat 5 Certificate for Graphic Communication. Megan Heggie – Linda Muir Cup for Music; Advanced Higher Prize for Music. Nichole King – Nat 5 Certificate for Admin & IT; Nat 5 Prize Maths. Nicola McLeod – Sheilagh Stewart Trophy for Advanced Higher Chemistry; Advanced Higher Prize for Biology.