Semi-final place for 'exceptional' school speakers at Dornoch Academy
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PUPILS from an east Sutherland high school will take to the stage later this month when they compete in the semi-final of a nationwide school public speaking competition.
Dornoch Academy entered two teams in this year's Scottish Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service competition, both from S2, in Martha Bauld and Ava MacKay, and Jasmine Riordan and Scarlett Levens.
Both teams performed well in the first virtual heat by beating teams from Sanday School in Orkney, and were then drawn against each other in the second heat.
Martha and Ava emerged as winners and have since progressed to become Grampian and Highland Sheriffdom champions after going up against Bucksburn Academy, Aberdeen in April.
Anne Morrison, teacher of Modern Studies at Dornoch Academy, said: "The girls have shown exceptional levels of commitment and teamwork throughout.
"While preparing to go up against each other in the second round, they continued to work together, researching topics and being mutually supportive. It’s a joy to see them doing something so challenging, and doing it so well.
"For a small Highland school to progress to this stage in a national competition is a huge achievement. The school could not be more proud of our pupils."
Martha and Ava will now compete against Hamilton Grammar on Wednesday May 18, on the topic "Old enough to be held criminally responsible, old enough to vote?".
The winner will then appear in the Scottish final at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, on June 8.
