As a pupil of St Andrews and St Brides, I have always been proud to be a part of a community of not just high achievers, but more importantly hard workers, no matter the outcome.
The success of those high achievers has been acknowledged yet again with our annual awards night, as we celebrated the very best our school has to offer; both gifted and hard working.
The evening was hosted, as it is every year, by our sixth year head boy and head girl, Matthew Kane and Georgia Hernon, with readings from our deputes, Lisa McGleish, Emma Duffy, Clare Brolly, Corinna Iles, Michael Fields and Bolu Olalekan.
The ceremony was opened with music from the school’s orchestra, followed by a performance from National 5 and Higher dancers, dancing to Breathe Me by Sia, sung by Louise Donald. This was succeeded by a medley of songs from Les Miserable that were performed by the cast of our summer musical this year.
Our guest speaker Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder of the charity Mary’s Meals, delivered an inspirational speech about the work of Mary’s Meals and how it grew from just a small shed in Dalmally to a huge, globally recognised organisation that feeds 1.5 million children around the world, all through hard ward, determination and the generosity of others.
Then, the main event: the awards. More than one hundred pupils received certificates this year, with many earning multiple for excelling in specific subjects, as well as extra curriculars, including public speaking, debating and sports.
Congratulations to all our award-winners! pic.twitter.com/m50KEPTjcl
— SASB Newspaper (@sasbnewspaper) September 26, 2019
Speaking to headteacher Mrs Fiona Mullen about the event, she said that she was “very proud” of not only the pupils receiving their awards, but also the staff “for all of the hard work and commitment that they show and pulling so many students over the line”, calling it “tremendous”.
When asked about her goals for the coming school year, her answer was simple; “I think its just onwards and upwards! To achieve more, to explore more and just to give people the best life experience possible.”
Those words struck me as very much the ‘St Andrews and St Brides outlook’: achieve, explore and optimising life experience. Although I did not receive an award this year, like many others, I am still proud of what has been achieved in the past year, not just by myself but of everyone in our school, as we continue to grow in all aspects of life, moving into the next year.
By Lucy Wright, Editor-in-Chief
