Nairn Academy's event celebrates young athletes and leaders
PUPILS at Nairn Academy celebrated sport and leadership at a special event.
Double Commonwealth swimming champion and Olympic competitor Hannah Miley presented certificates to students during the evening, which was organised in partnership between the school and High Life Highland’s leadership programme development officer.
The event was fronted by two of the school’s young ambassadors – Jamie MacDonald and Rachael Gillespie – who expertly hosted presentations and a Q&A with Hannah Miley and High Life Highland’s chief executive Steve Walsh.
Headteacher Julie Macdonald said: “The leadership programme has a significant place at Nairn Academy for its young people, and it is great to see how the programme continues to go through ongoing development and evolution allowing for the incorporation of a wider range of leadership activities and achievements too.
“The Celebration of Sport and Leadership event is only the tip of the iceberg. The event is just the part that people see. However, the pupils put in a massive amount of time, dedication and commitment to their sport and leadership skills, which both directly and indirectly contributes to the school and the wider community, around which, everyone in the school is extremely proud.”
The event saw S6 pupil Darcey Woodman collect the Stewart Bursary Sports Personality of the Year prize in the award’s inaugural year. The trophy was donated by the Parent Council from funds it received from the Stewart Bursary foundation when the charity was recently wound up after many years.
Afterwards, Hannah Miley said: “The evening was fantastic and inspiring from start to finish. To witness so many pupils being awarded for their achievements in sport and leadership goes to show the level of commitment they have.
“These skills will set up the young people involved for life and hopefully build confidence and self-esteem within themselves.
“I have not been part of a celebration quite like it and personally felt incredibly inspired and very honoured to have been involved in such a prestigious event.
“Seeing Jamie and Rachael handle the interviews and compere the event is a testament to the school and Highland region. It’s something I’m sure many regions and schools will be looking to follow in the future.”
Sporting achievements were celebrated by the school in previous events, but this was the first where leadership skills were also incorporated.
Mr Walsh said: “I am hugely honoured to have been invited to be part of this event. Seeing so many pupils recognised through their sporting prowess, or their leadership skills has been absolutely inspirational.
“It is just fantastic to see all the pupils’ work come to fruition and being recognised in front of their peers, as well as in front of their friends and family.”
Elizabeth McDonald, who has overall responsibility for the charity’s leadership programme and its development, said: “I very much hope we have set the bar, and many other schools will take Nairn Academy’s lead in seeing there is much to celebrate in some of the more non-academic aspects in and around the school.”
