THERE was an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation as pupils, staff, parents, friends and guests gathered in the Lochgelly Centre Theatre to celebrate another hugely successful year for the senior pupils of LHS.

Guests were warmly welcomed by Carol Ann Penrose, rector, who spoke movingly of her pride in the young people; her appreciation of the support the school has from parents and the local community; and the fond memories she will take with her when she moves to take up a new post in August (see other page).

The evening’s main speaker was Mollie Hughes who, at 26, is the youngest woman to ever climb both the north and south faces of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.

As the audience listened to her awe-inspiring story the main message was clear and connected beautifully with the school’s values: achieving success requires you to face your fears, believe in yourself and be resilient.

Ms Hughes then presented awards to the young people who were, of course, the main attraction of the event.

Pupils received awards across a wide range of categories, including Academic Achievement, Outstanding Achievement, and Personal Academic Best, as well as receiving School Colours for achievements in Music and Sport.

Each was greeted with a warm round of applause from family and friends as they took to the stage to receive their certificates and trophies.

Two extra special presentations were also made during the evening. The first was to the parents of the pupils who took part in a life-changing expedition to the Arctic with The Polar Academy earlier this year, with pupils presenting their parents with an award in recognition of not only their personal support for the young people but also their incredible fundraising efforts.

Another well-deserved award was also presented to Ray Fernie, in recognition of his support of the school’s Developing the Young Workforce programme.

Throughout the night there was superb entertainment from a diverse range of musical genres, including a rousing opening number from the Wind Band and an enjoyable medley from the school’s Steel Band.

The evening ended on a high note with the Lochgelly High School Pipe Band and the Wind Band playing “Highland Cathedral”, which has become a much-loved tradition at this inspiring annual event.

Speaking afterwards Ms Penrose said: “It is a delight to be able to be able to celebrate and recognise the achievements of our fabulous pupils who have worked so hard all year. This has been another record breaking year for the school in terms of attainment and I am confident that this will continue in the future.”

This year’s senior award winners were Trophy Winners:

Leah Bathgate DUX of Lochgelly High School 2018 Jack Yuile Memorial Award. Ellen Ranklin Frank Gibb Trophy for Sporting Achievement. Erin Cuthbert Jill Stephen Trophy for Excellence in Food Technology. Reece Thomson Marion McLeod Memorial Trophy for Sporting Achievement.

Liam Nardone Police Scotland Trophy for Outstanding Service to

the Community.

Chloe Cooper Paul Chikaonda Award (The Best for Everyone).

Shanice Galli Beverly Gibb Award (For Endeavour).

Leah Bathgate Bosch Rexroth Trophy for Excellence in Modern

Languages. Janet Benefo Foundation Scotland Scholarship.

Tenci Earnshaw Foundation Scotland Scholarship. Sophie Allan Robert Purvis Award for Outstanding Achievement .

Brandon Cuming Timbershack Award – Outstanding Personal Best.

Michelle Harley Timbershack Award – Outstanding Personal Best.

Charlotte Alexander Parent Forum Award: Broad General Education. Caitlin Truscott Parent Forum Award: Senior Phase. Lauren O’Hagan Recycle Fife Outstanding Achievement Award 2017. Charlie Blair Shell Award for Employability and Fife Pupil of the Year for Career Ready. Chloe Cooper, Nicole Gorniak, Craig Dunlop, Jay Farmer

George Johnston Memorial Award – School Captains.

Awards for Academic Achievement-Erin Cuthbert Art – Nat.5, Computing – Nat.5, Health & Food Technology – Nat.5.

Daisy Bathgate Biology – Nat.5, French – Nat.5. Mathematics – Nat.5.

Bailey-Lee Robb Business & Information Technology – Nat.5, Modern Studies – Nat.5.

Lewis Graham Chemistry – Nat.5. Reece Martin Department of Additional Support. Ema Devine Design & Manufacture – Nat.5. Chloe Pollock Drama – Nat.5. Kerr Lawrie. Graphic Communication – Nat.5, Physics – Nat.5. Sharmila McCann English – Nat.5. Carrie Wotherspoon Geography – Nat.5. Beth McMillan History – Nat.5. Levi Martin Music – Nat.5. Ryan Barclay Physical Education – Nat.5.

Lauren O’Hagan Art – Higher. Yasemin Ilhan Biology – Higher. Shanice Galli Business & Information Technology – Higher. Samuel Jowitt Chemistry – Higher, Mathematics – Higher, Physics – Higher.

Ross Falls Computing – Higher, Modern Studies – Higher. Kyle Sweeney Design & Manufacture – Higher, English – Higher.

Carly O’Hagan Graphic Communication – Higher. Kaiya Rae Geography – Higher, History – Higher. Katie Smith Health & Food Technology – Higher.

Jordan Sneddon Music – Higher. Cian Kinnell Physical Education – Higher.

Rebecca Bianchi Ferreira Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies – Higher, Spanish – Higher.

Caitlin Truscott Art – Higher, Business & Information Technology – Higher, Drama – Advanced Higher, English – Advanced Higher.

Caitlin McLean Biology – Advanced Higher.

James Benefo Chemistry – Advanced Higher. Shaun Young Computing – Advanced Higher. Craig Dunlop Design & Manufacture – Higher.

Marni Bruce Drama – Higher. Leah Bathgate French – Higher. Adam Stein Geography – Higher, Graphic Communication – Advanced Higher, Physical Education – Higher. Brendan Devine Graphic Communication – Higher. Loren Livingstone History – Higher.

Janet Benefo Mathematics – Higher. Tenci Earnshaw Modern Studies – Higher. Kelsey Crowe Music – Higher.

Outstanding Achievement Erin O’Hagan Art. Morgan Adam Business & Information Technology. Kieran Burns Business & Information Technology. Carla Masterton Business & Information Technology. Chloe Ramsay Department of Additional Support. Ross McDonald Design & Manufacture. Josh Doran Geography, Pupil Support. Tristen Brannan Graphic Communication. Erin Cuthbert Health & Food Technology. Kally Kinnell History. Krystine Shand Mathematics

Russell Armstrong Practical Woodworking. Devon Brown Art. Riona Stein French. Adele McPherson Health & Food Technology. Megan Hargrave History. Kyle Sweeney Practical Metalwork. Molly Hodge Pupil Support. Chloe Cooper Photography.

Conner Harper Business & Information Technology. Daniel Pratt Geography. Leanne Fairhurst Graphic Communication. Adam Stein History. Alexander Baxter Modern Studies. Craig Dunlop Spanish.

Personal Academic Best, Daisy George Art, Graphic Communication.

Jamie-Lee Davie Biology. Chloe Pollock Business & Information Technology, Modern Studies. Erin O’Hagan Chemistry. Shaun Boyle Computing. Brandon Cuming Department of Additional Support. Ellen Ranklin Design & Manufacture. Caitlin Duffy English. Keanne Morrison French. Jade Shields Geography. Reece Smith Health & Food Technology. Sharmila McCann History. Conner Buchan Mathematics.

Dylan Reid Music. Lennon Farrell Practical Woodworking.

Melissa Ilhan Art. Jack Mathieson Biology, Chemistry. Josh Grant Business & Information Technology. Derry Reilly Department of Additional Support. Hannah Reid Design & Manufacture. Findlay Shields English, Physics. Kyle Brennan Geography. Riona Stein Graphic Communication. Abbie Ogg Health & Food Technology, Spanish. Rebecca Bianchi Ferreira History. Caroline Summerfield Mathematics. Hannah Doran Modern Studies. Keigan Thomson Physical Education.

Personal Academic Best Brooke Gilliard Art. Leah Bathgate Biology. Nicole Gorniak Business & Information. Caitlin McLean Chemistry, History. Conner Harper Computing. Euan Pate Design & Manufacture. Emma Bell English, Modern Studies. Janet Benefo French. Chloe Cooper Geography. Ross Page Graphic Communication. Kayleigh Graham Health & Food Technology. Daniel Pratt Mathematics. Adele Thomson Music. Marni Bruce Physical Education.

Colours Awards Erin Cuthbert Half Colours Award: Music.

Ryan Barclay Half Colours Award: Physical Education. Jamie Lee Davie Half Colours Award: Physical Education. Chloe Hunter Half Colours Award: Physical Education. Leah Gilfillan Half Colours Award: Physical Education.

Alex Davie Full Colours Award: Physical Education. Ellen Ranklin Full Colours Award: Physical Education. Krystine Shand Full Colours Award: Physical Education. Reece Thomson Full Colours Award: Physical Education. Callum Clemison Full Colours Award: Music. Jack Malvenan Full Colours Award: Music. Danny Whyte Full Colours Award: Music. Emma Bell Full Colours Award: Music. Kelsey Crowe Full Colours Award Music. Jordan Sneddon Winner of the Ann Rae Trophy & Full Colours.

Polar Academy Recognition Awards, Morgan Adam, Kieran Burns, Erin Cuthbert, Daisy George, Megan Hargrave, Conner Harper, Louise McLeary, Carla Masterton, Daniel Pratt, Hannah Reid, Lauren Scott, Carrie Wotherspoon.

Developing the Young Workforce Awards, Jamie-Lee Davie, Ellen Ranklin and Ross Smith.