Dornoch Academy headteacher uses awards ceremony to voice satisfaction at rising pupil numbers
The headteacher of Dornoch Academy has expressed his satisfaction at the secondary’s rising school roll.
Norman Ross told teachers, pupils and their families at the school’s end of term prize-giving ceremony that the number of pupils was steadily increasing.
He said: “We note with quiet satisfaction that our roll is creeping upwards - we anticipate this hovering around the 220 mark. There is a story in this and a good one.”
Referring to the other schools in the Dornoch Firth 3-18 Campus, Mr Ross said: “Those 220, coupled with the 260 or so pupils at Dornoch and Bonar Bridge (primaries), mean we are ever cruising closer to the 500 mark that we have been hoping for, for quite some time.”
He went on to talk about the introduction of a revised curriculum structure, with the 2023/24 S4 year group being the first to have the opportunity to study up to eight subjects instead of six.
“We look forward with some anticipation to their results in August. This will give us our first benchmark to ascertain the impact of that curricular change,” he said.
“We also saw an expansion in the amount of modern studies we were able to deliver, as well as increased opportunities for qualifications in maths and English. We keep a close eye on our literacy and numeracy performance, to ensure we meet or exceed national standards for schools that are closely similar to ours.”
Mr Ross said that S6 pupils leaving the school all had positive destinations, ranging from full-time employment to further and higher education and including service in the armed forces and starting careers in health and care, politics and law.
“We continue to work broadening our opportunities for work experience and are more than grateful to our local businesses and partners who support our young people, providing a value route to achievement,” he said. “Our partnership with Developing the Young Workforce is seeing a welcome return to pre-2020 form, with an increased provision in careers support and guidance.”
Award Winners
Dux – Kieran Allan.
Proxime Accessit – Millie West.
Angus Murray Maths Prize – Kieran Allan.
Citizenship Award – Taylor Mackay.
Country Images Design Prize – Viktoriia Kovalyshyn.
Dornoch Bookshop Literacy Prize – Poppy Armstrong.
Dornoch Castle Hotel Vocational Prize – Joe Polson.
Dornoch Fire Brigade Technology Prize – Logan Bannerman.
German Consul’s Prize – Neave Warner-Mackintosh.
James Ross Music Shield – Aneira Powell.
J M Campbell Cup for Physics – Aneira Powell.
John Garvie Prize – Alexander Shepherd.
John Grant and Sons Art Prize – Viktoriia Kovalyshyn.
Johnson’s Chemistry Prize – Aneira Powell.
Ospisdale Geography Prize – Ellen Traquair.
Parkdean Languages Prize – Martha Bauld.
Patrick Murray Prize for Physics – Martha Bauld.
St. Gilbert’s Prize – Ellen Traquair.
Junior Boys Sports Champion – Charlie Macnab.
Junior Girls Sports Champion – Lia Matheson.
Senior Boys Sports Champion – Shaun Anderson.
Senior Girls Sports Champion – Emma Sutherland.
