Athlete and former pupil Kimberley Reed was guest of honour at Drummond Community High School’s annual celebration of achievement last week, writes David Sterratt (Chair of the Parent Council).
Reed, recently awarded the Eric Liddell Trophy for ‘Most promising world class athlete of the future’, now combines her hammer throwing with studying Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh, where she has a particular interest in amnesia and Alzheimer’s.
In her speech she reflected on Theodore Roosevelt’s words: 'Believe you can and you’re halfway there'. Aged 14, her goal of an Olympic Gold medal seemed unachievable – the distance she was throwing was 'miles' behind those of other women in the world. But inspired by an Olympic hammer thrower from her club – who doubled as 'Battleaxe' in the TV show Gladiators – and with the help of a high-level coach, within four months she had won the British under-15 championships and taken the under-15 Scottish record.
Reed has also faced adversity. She was 'devastated' by the death of her coach from cancer in 2013. Unable to find a new coach, her dad took her on, which was difficult. She was not selected for the Commonwealth Games, but has bounced back since, representing Team GB at the World Junior Championships in the USA, where some advice from Olympic 400m champion Christina Ohuruogu’s coach inspired her to throw her best in two months and take 10th place.
Now with a new coach, the future looks bright. In her speech to Drummond parents, pupils and guests, Reed commended sport to young people as a way to reduce stress, increase confidence and allow you to eat as much as you want.
Acting Head Teacher Susan Cook (right) spoke about the year’s highlights. Exam results have been improving over the last three years. The students have shown commitment to the new 'National' system of exams which, be it Nationals (i.e. similar to Standard Grades or O-grades for older readers) or Highers, have proved a source of stress with their numerous assessments.
Cook emphasised the importance of activities outside the classroom in helping students to develop. Besides lunchtime and after-school clubs, Drummond has a link with a local care home in which pupils organise events and activities for the residents. Fourteen pupils obtained the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award with Peter Wright (S3) being selected by SkillForce, who run the DfE scheme, as the most ‘Inspiring Young Person’ in the East of Scotland.
Despite the problems of visiting Kenya, the school has maintained its educational partnership with Muthambi Boys' and Girls' Schools in Kenya. Pupils in the Kenya Group attending the Global Schools Conference on Health were shocked to find out about the high mortality rate of children from malaria.
They pledged ‘to raise money to provide the equivalent of one mosquito net for every child in Drummond Community High School, saving 386 lives’. By working in the school’s Fairtrade Café, running a Christmas Jumper Day, selling home baking and getting matched funding from the UK Government, they raised £1,806.82 (430 nets), donated to Save the Children’s work on malaria.
Through their participation in the Youth and Philanthropy Project, S5 pupils also donated £3,000 to local charity Fresh Start.
It has been a vintage year for art at the school with a number of the S6 pupils going on art college or to study architecture. In collaboration with Broughton High School and the National Gallery, the Art Department ran a Visually Impaired Project which helped senior school pupils to develop their understanding of working with pupils with additional needs.
This year’s focus in the Trans-nationalising Modern Languages Project with St Andrews University was on cultural heritage through art. S3 pupils created designs based on their own heritage, which were then displayed in the Byre Theatre in St Andrews in May. In the Touch of Tartan t-shirt design competition, Drummond pupils’ designs were then modelled on the catwalk at a Harvey Nichols fashion show - with Tantri Putri winning first prize for her design.
In other areas of the curriculum, a Drummond team won the Enterprising Maths in the Lothians Competition for the first time in 25 years. Next session, Mandarin will be introduced to the curriculum and it is hoped there will be a trip to a link school in Tian Jin, near Beijing.
Wide range of awards
Greig Howitt (right) won the SNIPEF Edinburgh and District Assocation Award (in memory of Duncan Anderson) in recognition of his having started his own photography business.
Dux Glen Hunter (below-right) will be studying Astrophysics at St Andrews University.
Thanks and goodbyes
Among the retirees and departees were Community Link Officer Greig Stephen, who is leaving after two years to join the Prevention and Intervention Partnerships Team.
Cook particularly thanked Edith Watt and Nan Duff (below), who have worked as exam invigilators for nigh-on 20 years.
Already retired from teaching, they got the job whilst attending Spanish adult education classes at Drummond, and were fondly remembered by present and former pupils.
