Achievement

Biology Olympiad

Over 13,000 students from more than 800 schools worldwide took part in this year’s Royal Society of Biology British Biology Olympiad, and our Senior Biologists were awarded highly in this challenging competition:

• Esther (S6) and Esther (S6) both achieved a Gold Award,

• Esa (S6), Xan (S5), Eesa (S5), Tom (S6) and Craig (S5) all achieved a Silver Award,

• Ailsa (S4), Anna (S4), Rachel (S5), and Sam (S4) all achieved a Bronze Award,

• Elvin (S5) and Maryam (S4) were both Highly Commended,

• Harnisha (S5), Dhruv (S5), Aritra (S5) and Siri (S4) were all Commended.

The competition involved questions on familiar and novel topics across biology, from ecology to biotechnology. To continue to have so many pupils recognised for their interest and commitment to their biological studies is excellent. To achieve any award in this competition is outstanding but a special mention must go to Esther and Esther for achieving Gold Awards. Only 5% of participants were awarded Gold. They have both been excellent Biologists during their school career and we wish them success for their next chapter.

*Not all pupils pictured.

Duke of Edinburgh

Finlay Mathers (C2019), attended the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Ceremony on 1st July 2022 at The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The presentation was hosted by His Royal Highness Prince Edward. Finlay was originally due to attend the event in July 2020, but due to covid restrictions, it was rescheduled to July 2022.

Swimming

Coco (S3) and Heidi (S4), made their way to Switzerland to take part in the Geneva International Challenge Meet 2023 as part of the Scottish National Junior Swimming Team that represented Scotland. Coco made 5 finals (2xA, 2xB, 1xC ) finishing 4th in the 200m butterfly and finishing 8th in the 400m individual medley. Heidi made 3 finals (3xB) finishing 9th in the 200m backstroke and 11th in the 100m backstroke, with the Scottish team winning Top Team overall.

Pipe Band

The school’s pipe band musicians won the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships in March. This was the first time the school had entered the national competition and our thirteen drummers and pipers, both Primary and Secondary pupils, impressed the judges on the day.