BEATH’S annual Colours Awards Ceremony was when the rector and staff were absolutely delighted to welcome, as guest of honour, Mrs. Lesley Porter, the former Depute Rector.  

The ceremony is held to recognise positive pupil contributions in the areas of sport, music and citizenship from pupils in the Senior School.

Mr Douglas Young, the rector, introduced the ceremony and welcomed Mrs Porter, the school Colours Committee, the award recipients and the assembled first year.

In addition, Mr Young outlined the whole school colours policy and explained that all those receiving an award had met stringent criteria in relation to ability, commitment, endeavour and most importantly positive behaviour in their field and also in a school context throughout the year.

Pupils are eligible for one of three awards: a colours tie or a re-award certificate for showing a high level of commitment and participation within a particular school based activity during lunchtime and after school practice. This involved attending over 80% of training sessions/practices representing the school in over 75% of available inter school team fixtures and tournaments, or by performing with distinction by finishing in the top three at regional or national championships.

Where a pupil may not have competed in enough fixtures or achieved a high enough placing in championships but commitment and endeavour were high, a participation certificate can be awarded. Pupils who had shown excellence in their chosen sports out with school were also recognised for their achievements.

A video presentation was the shown to highlight pupil performance and school team photographs.

Mr Young then introduced the Citizenship Awards which were awarded for the range of work pupils have done within the community.

This included: volunteering within the Malawi partnership, working in a charity shop and volunteering at various clubs and groups. Mrs Porter then spoke very personally and passionately about growing up and then her time at Beath and about how opportunities can arise from unexpected sources. She encouraged the assembled pupils to seize all the opportunities they can.

The Principal Teacher of Expressive Arts, Mrs Madden, then presented the Music Awards explaining some of the fantastic achievements some of our pupils have had this year with the choir, wind band, guitar ensemble, string group and pipe bands. Principal Teacher of Health and Wellbeing, Mr Kowbel, then introduced the Sports Awards.

He highlighted numerous local and national achievements the pupils and teams from Beath have had this year. During the ceremony we were also treated to two excellent musical interludes from Leanne McArthur of S6.

Mr Young then closed the ceremony by congratulating the award winners once again and encouraging the S1 pupils to aspire to be sitting where they were in three years’ time.

In addition to the Colours Awards, the PE Department held a ceremony to recognise those pupils in S1-3 who have had 100% attendance and participation in their timetabled PE classes this session.