Little & Large 2015 Final Competition – 29th May 2015
On Tuesday 19th May the Home Economics Department held the Dunbar Cluster heats of the Little & Large Cookery Competition. Lachlan Stewart, Megan Stoddart, Hannah Dickson, Lauren Everard, Olivia Laird and Abbey McArthur all took part along with their 2 Primary 6 pupils. Olivia Laird’s team won through to the final.
As co-winners of last year’s competition the 2015 final was hosted by Dunbar Grammar School on Thursday 28th May, where all 6 East Lothian Secondary Schools were competing.
Olivia Laird’s team was judged a very close second and the team were highly commended by the judges for their organisation and teamwork. Preston Lodge and Cockenzie Primary School were the eventual winners.
A very special mention should also be given to the students of 2p4 and 2p5 who acted as hosts on the day, meeting and greeting our visitors and providing hospitality, they were a credit both to the Grammar school and to themselves.
Congratulations
Well done to Ashley Fairbairn, 3C1, who has been selected as Dunbar Lifeboat Queen 2015!
STARS IN THEIR EYES (PTA) – 15th May 2015
A huge thank you to all those who donated prizes for the raffle and who bought tickets and supported this fundraising event. We raised the amazing sum of £756.60! This could not have been achieved without the hard work of the PTA committee and the extremely talented parents who entertained us on the night.
David and Jo Legge were our worthy winners singing as Human League.
Also a huge thank you to John Wilson-Beales, Angus and Richard our techno twins, Graham Cairns, the Grammar School Music Department and Dunbar Primary School for their help and expertise.
Congratulations to Anna Richards 5C3 – 24th April 2015
We are delighted to Anna Richards in 5C3 has been successful in securing a place in the Sutton Trust USA Summer School, where she will spend some time at Harvard, Yale and MIT. There is a really challenging selection procedure for these places, so Anna has done extremely well. Well done Anna!
Badminton Scottish Secondary Schools’ National Championships
In the Scottish Secondary Schools’ National Badminton Championships at Linwood in March, students from DGS achieved the following successes:
- Alastair Campbell (S2) – runner up for the U14 Boys’ Singles title to the current Scotland no. 1. He reached the semi-finals in the U14 Boys’ Doubles with partner Cameron Pike (S1).
- Lewis Campbell (S4) – reached the last 16 in the U16 event in Linwood, but lost out in a tight match to the 5th seed from Stewart’s Melville.
Well done boys!
Scottish Schools Badminton Union (SSBU) Age Group Singles Events
Congratulations to Alastair Campbell who was the winner of the U15 Boys’ Singles event held recently at Ravenscraig. He was also a double winner in the U14 event at Wishaw a few weeks earlier, winning both the U14 Boys’ Singles and then the U14 Boys’ Doubles titles with his regular badminton partner from North Berwick.
Rugby Stars – 27th March 2015
He did it!! S5 student Finlay Darrah has been selected in the final 26 man squad for Scotland U16’s after his excellent performance in the warm-up match vs Newcastle Falcons last Sunday 22nd March. We wish Finlay all the best for the upcoming Scotland U16 Rugby campaign!
S1 Basketball
We’re 2nd in Scotland!! The S1 girls played extremely well this Wednesday 25th March against Wallace HS in the Scottish Cup Final. Unfortunately they did lose to Wallace High School who were an extremely well drilled team. The DGS Girls were brilliant and yet again a credit to themselves! They worked really hard and have made their school and supporters very proud. Special mention to Ruth Patterson & Katrina Maguire who have coached the students this seasons – cool, calm, inspirational, brilliant! Well done girls.
Senior Football
Our senior footballers are on the road to glory yet again!! Despite a bumpy league campaign this season, this could be credited to their first season at senior football, they are on their way to more silverware in the Lothian Cup. The semi-final will be played at Forrester Park Astro pitch on Friday 24th April. We will be arranging a supporters bus for anyone who is interested, please see Sean McNee in the PE department.
Congratulations!
To Rebecca Craig 5C1 who competed in the Swedish Karate Cup 2015 last weekend. She won gold in the Kumite Female Junior under 59 kilos; and she was part of Team Kumite Female Seniors which won gold. Well Done Rebecca!
Comic Relief Red Nose Day Update – 20th March 2015
Details of events and money raised:
- Sponsored Silence – Rachael Gillespie raised £100.95, Sam Knox raised £37.50; others who took part: Cora McManus, Eva Dowding, Elizabeth McDonald.
- Cake Bake – including Zoe Appleby raising over £16 selling a red nose cake she had baked.
- Bake Off organised by our Home Economics Team Ms Drummond, Ms Gungui and Ms Miller: over £300 raised in competition donations and selling of the lovely cakes afterwards.
- Dress Down Day – £1 to dress down.
- Extended Interval – Smoothie Challenge hosted by student Harrison Catling. Two teams of staff – for Maths Ms Dolan and Mr Stewart versus our PE team of Ms Borthwick and Mr Scott. Staff were blindfolded and had to identify the ingredients in smoothies created by the Charity Committee. Well done to the winning Maths staff.
- Teacher Jokes – teachers were asked to pay to enter their best joke. Ms Claus won.
- A grand total of £1490.66was raised!
Coca Cola Business Challenge Final
A group of our S3 students travelled to London this week to take part in the Coca Cola Business Challenge final, after winning the regional final for Scotland. The girls won the Public Vote Award for their pitch given at the Parliamentary Reception. The girls were a real credit to the school, mingling with some of the country’s most influential people and speaking confidently and passionately about their business concept. The feedback received from numerous people was excellent, with the students demonstrating a high level of expertise and creativity. Everyone was completely blown away by the girls professionalism on the day and the confidence they exuded. The competition was very intense and the girls really held their own throughout the 2 days. Well done Amelia Govan, Zosia Kuczok, Anique Burke, Manon Wimbledon-Hall and Heather Cameron, we are very proud of you all!
East Lothian Saltire Award Ceremony
DGS had three students who received Awards (or a public acknowledgement of a recent Award):
- Lachlan Stewart – Ascent Award 100 Hours
- Anna Richards – Ascent Award 200 Hours
- Kayleigh Stewart – Ascent Award 500 hours
The final award of the afternoon, the Saltire Summit Award, was presented to Kayleigh who was the only East Lothian volunteer to gain this award. She was nominated by her volunteering organisation, which was then assessed by peer Saltire Award Ambassadors. Kayleigh has also been invited to become a Saltire Award Ambassador! Both Kayleigh and Lachlan have done many volunteering hours for East Linton Gala and Kayleigh is now also a Young Leader with 1st Dunbar Cubs.
Scottish Youth Parliament Congratulations
The Scottish Youth Parliament election took place last week and our students voted during class time. Congratulations to Heather Cameron who won one of 3 seats available for East Lothian students.
County Cross Country Championships’ Congratulations
DGS won 4 of the 6 trophies in the team event last Thursday:
- S1 Girls – 1st S1 Boys – 1st
- S2 Girls – 2nd S2 Boys – 1st
- S3 Girls – 1st S3 Boys – 3rd
Individual Success
- S1 Boys – Mackenzie Lawler – 3rd
- S2 Girls – Catriona McPheat – 1st
- S2 Boys – Fraser Kelly 1st and Charlie Hamilton 3rd
- S3 Girls – Lucy Allan 2nd and Mary Callachan 3rd
The Big Pedal
Results update – DGS finished 2nd in Scotland and in 10th position in the UK. Well done to all cyclists.
Go4SET Celebration and Assessment Day – 13th March 2015
Congratulations to the DGS team who did an amazing job of representing the school at the Go4SET celebration and assessment day on Wednesday 11th March. They presented their project to panels of judges at Heriot Watt University. The students, Cameron Elliott and Zoe Appleby, received great feedback from their faultless presentation, and were awarded a Crest Silver award (Creativity in Science and Technology) for their efforts. Their project was a recycling bin centre. Students would gain house points by recycling in their house bin, in order to promote recycling within the school.
Cooldown Crew 2015
A group of DGS S3 students participated in the SFRS Youth Engagement Programme from 2nd – 6th March at North Berwick Fire Station; delivered by Fire Officers James Young and George Todd. DGS participants: Darren Brown, Robert Gornall, Rebecca Greaves, Chelsea Hines, Teri Porter, Jordan Ross, Jamie Soso & Jack Stewart.
Activities included:
- Working with ladders, hoses, hydrants and pumps
- Working in darkness in the breathing apparatus complex
- Basic life support
- Community fire safety input
On the final day of the programme the students put on a presentation for their family, friends and school staff to demonstrate the skills they have learned. Each student received a certificate of achievement and had a fantastic experience with the SFRS.
Rugby Stars
S5 student Finlay Darrah has been chosen selected in the 28 man squad for Scotland U16’s after his excellent performance in the training trials last Sunday 8th March. This squad will undergo a further 2 man cut before their competition phase.
S1 Basketball
The S1 girls won their Semi Final on Thursday 12th March. They were brilliant! They worked really hard and were a credit to themselves and the school. Special mention to Ruth Paterson & Katrina Maguire who coach the students – cool, calm, inspirational, brilliant! They have now made the Scottish Cup Final which will be played on Wednesday 25th March against Wallace High School.
Rugby Stars – 6th March 2015
S5 student Finlay Darrah has been chosen to join the Scotland under-16 rugby national trial squad for a training day which will take place this Sunday 8th March at Lochinch in Glasgow. The trial will consist of a training and skills session in the morning and a training game in the afternoon, from which a final 26-man squad for a future training camp and the Wellington Festival will be selected.
S6 student Arthur Sinclair has been selected to play for the U18 District Select XV to play against the current Scotland U18 Squad on Sunday 8th March. Arthur will undoubtedly turn some heads at this match and hopefully he can progress on to selection for the Scotland U18 Squad.
World Book Day Competition Results
Congratulations to the winners of the competitions – Pierce O’Donovan, Rhian Dowding, Chris O’Brien, Eli Cosgrove, Wendy Wragg, Jasmine Pritchard and Eva Dowding. They all won 3 house points and other prizes.
Congratulations Rebecca Craig – 27th February 2015
Rebecca Craig competed in the Ishøj Kumite kup 2015 for karate in Denmark and won gold in the Kumite female junior 16-17 years under 59 kilos! Previously she competed in 2014 and won gold in the cadet female over 54 kilos too! Well Done Rebecca!
Well Done Betty Goodall
S2 student Betty Goodall entered some pieces of poetry for the United Press Limited competition for Young Poets, and we are delighted to announce that she was selected as one of their Young Poets of 2014. Congratulations Betty! The poem chosen, Free Life, is displayed on the website www.youngpoets.co.uk
Congratulations Maria Lyle!
S3 student Maria was chosen to represent Great Britain at the International Paralympic Committee’s Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai this week. She improved her own T35 200m world record from 30.71 seconds to 30.53 A great achievement, well done Maria! Please see the see the BBC website for full details: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/31632410
Badminton Update
In the recent Mid & Lothian Schools Badminton Championships at Penicuik pupils from DGS achieved the following successes:
- Lewis Campbell S4 – winner of the U16 boys singles and U16 boys doubles winner with partner Andrew Hall S1
- Alastair Campbell S2 – winner of the U14 boys singles title and U14 boys doubles winner with partner Cameron Pike S1. Cameron Pike was also the winner of the consolation boys singles.
In the RSL Midlothian U14 Open held recently in Penicuik, Alastair Campbell (2c6) was a double winner in the U14 boys open event in January, winning the boys singles and then adding the doubles title with his partner from North Berwick.
Coca Cola Business Challenge – 6th February 2015
Yesterday, 5 of our top budding entrepreneurs attended the Scottish Regional Final of the Coca Cola Business Challenge which they won! They were up against 181 schools across Scotland and managed to make it into the final 10 teams. It was a great day and the girls put in 100% effort into the Challenge which saw them coming up with a fundraising idea for the Special Olympics which will be held in LA this year. The girls thought of a really innovative idea and used the recent Ice Bucket Challenge as their inspiration for a new challenge – balancing a ball on your nose for 10 seconds and donate money to the Special Olympians. The judges were blown away by their pitch and noted the confidence that the girls had in presenting their idea to a panel of influential people (including the HR Director for Coca Cola and the Director of Operations for Keep Britain Tidy). The girls have now made it through to the Final at Wembley Stadium, London. They also picked up the award for” Best App” for their idea for a mobile phone app for Special Olympics. The poster they have created will also feature nationally across Scotland. Well done to Heather Cameron, Zosia Kuczok, Amelia Govan, Anique Burke and Manon Wimbledon-Hall! London here they come!
U16 Rugby Result
Well done to our U16 Boys Rugby team, who won against Musselburgh Grammar School yesterday 64-3. This puts them through to the Quarter Final of the Brewin Dolphin cup. Congratulations!
Music Performance – 30th January 2015
A few of our students played at Dunbar Garden Centre last Friday, 23rd January to entertain the public. Thanks to the students involved.
S5 Student Leader
S5 student Sarah Brown has been successful in her application to be a Student Leader at the summer school with Gordonstoun International Summer School. There were over a hundred applications from schools across the UK and less than 40 places so she has done extremely well! Congratulations Sarah!
Westminster Visit – 23rd January 2015
On Thursday 15th January, S3 student Heather Cameron visited Westminster and met the most senior leaders of the UK to represent the student voice on a range of issues. Heather was one of fifteen students from around the country representing Action/2015, an organisation made up of many individuals and organisations united in the common belief that the decisions taken in 2015 are critical for our future.
Heather Cameron, left, next to Nick Clegg.
Copyright Save the Children
Heather and her colleagues really helped put the issue of the new Sustainable Development Goals and Climate on the national agenda and we can be sure that whoever the next Prime Minister is, he will know about Action/2015. It was a fantastic experience for her and she will be telling students about the journey and the next steps in forthcoming assemblies.
Heather has helped to start something really big which could have serious implications for the future! Well done to her and follow the campaign on Facebook and online at Action/2015!
Badminton Successes – 16th January 2015
- Badminton players Alastair Campbell and Lewis Campbell both represented East Lothian Schools in the recent inter-area Scottish Schools event at Ravenscraig at U16 level. East Lothian came 2nd to a strong team representing Edinburgh Schools.
- Cameron Pike (S1) was selected for the East Lothian team at U14 level, who came 2nd to a strong Edinburgh Schools team.
- In the recent Lothian Schools Badminton Championships at Penicuik, students from DGS achieved the following successes: Lewis Campbell (4c3) – winner of the U19’s mixed doubles title with partner Ellie Morris (Preston Lodge). Alastair Campbell (2c6) – winner of the U14 boys doubles title with partner John Arbuckle (North Berwick High) and winner of the U14 mixed doubles title with partner Lauren Page (Craigmount). Alastair was also runner up in the U14 boys singles
Alastair Campbell was the winner of the U14 boys single event held recently in Wishaw. He adds this title in a national ranking event to the 2 others he won in October – the Scottish Schools Badminton Union U14 Age Group level doubles and mixed doubles.
Wow, well done boys!
Congratulations – 18th December 2014
To student Matthew Sloan who has been awarded Sea Cadet of the Year. Well done Matthew!
Maria Lyle Congratulations
On Friday 12th December Maria Lyle was voted British Athletics Young Para Athlete of the Year at the 2014 British Athletics Athletes of the Year Awards, details can be found here:
- http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/media/news/2014-news-page/december-2014/12-12-14-athletes-of-the-year/
- http://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/congrats-maria-blair-steve/
Also, in November, Maria was included on this year’s World Class Performance Programme. The UK Sport programme provides funding and support to those athletes who have the potential to win Olympic and Paralympic medals in Rio and Tokyo. Maria is the youngest athlete to be included from athletics! http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/media/news/2014-news-page/november-2014/03-11-14-wcpp-2014-15/
Huge achievements, well done Maria!
S4 Photographer – 12th December 2014
S4 student Neil Kidd has photographs currently in the exhibition at SPACE (skatepark) in North Berwick, he has also been shortlisted in the photographic competition at the Seabird Centre; his photo in the competition can be seen in their current exhibition. Good luck Neil!
Duke of Edinburgh Awards’ Evening – 5th December 2014
On Thursday 27th of November we held our Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards’ Evening. The Awards were presented by Callum Stewart and Julian King who are leaders at our local Scout group. Our students introduced the Awards and gave presentations on the parts of their Award.
Individual Honours
Congratulations to Finlay Darrah for his selection in to the National U16 Strength & Conditioning Squad.
Congratulations
To Barbara Leslie who received her 30 years services award at the East Lothian Guiding Annual Review on Tuesday 2nd December! Well done on a great achievement Mrs Leslie!
Movember
A group of our male members of staff took part in Movember again this year, growing moustaches during the month of November in aid of prostate and testicular cancer. They also held a bake sale in the staffroom raising £156 which will go towards their individual totals. Well done everyone who took part!
Go4SET 2014 Presentation Event – 28th November 2014
The following students were presented with silver CREST awards at assembly this morning, Friday 28th November, for their work completed earlier this year in the Go4SET competition: Matthew Readman, Heather Cameron, Ryan Paterson, Manon Wimbledon Hall, Amy McLeman, Jamie Cruickshank and Robert Gornall. Well done to all students!
Congratulations! – 21st November 2014
A big well done to Nathan Cox, Jamie Payton, Andrew Bisset and Iain Goldie for their great performance at the Enterprising Maths competition. The competition was fierce so the boys did incredibly well to come in the top twenty. The Maths department is very proud!
Children in Need
A big thank you to you all students and staff who contributed last week. The final total is a fantastic £1,277. The winner of the competition on stage was Winterfield. The winner from the House Quiz on the power point was Cromwell. Well done!
Individual Honours – 14th November 2014
Rugby – Five talented U16 Rugby players from Dunbar Grammar School; Finlay Darrah, Struan Fenn, Cammie McFadyen, Jordan Lister & Ross Blair were selected for the current East Lothian/Borders District Academy. They have been attending a gruelling schedule of evening and weekend training. As a result of their hard work, all five have been selected to play in the Inter District Fixtures against Caledonian Rugby, Glasgow Warriors & Edinburgh Rugby. Additionally, Finlay Darrah was selected as captain and has done so very well for all three of their annual fixtures. DGS are extremely proud of you boys, keep up the hard work. This is a huge achievement for these boys and for Dunbar RFC.
Arthur Sinclair continues to climb up the ladder towards elite Rugby, retaining his selection for the U18 East Lothian/Borders Academy.
Football – Following selection for the Lothian Schools Senior Football Squad, Jamie Chapman has played particularly well in a series of matches. His most recent call-up resulted in a 2-0 victory over the Independent Schools Select Squad on Wednesday 12th November. Jamie impressed his coaches and received specific individual praise for his excellent performances.
Congratulations boys for your achievements so far and continue your hard work: DGS is behind you all the way.
Congratulations to S1 Gymnast
Aimee Watson (1C2) recently attended a national level gymnastics competition representing Lasswade Gymnastics Club and the East of Scotland Area. Aimee was one of twelve gymnasts selected from the East of Scotland to compete in this event. She competed at National Level 4 and finished with 2 bronze medals – one for A-Bars and one for Floor.
Dunbar School Swim Team Make a Splash!
A team of swimmers represented Dunbar Grammar School at the recent East Lothian and Borders Schools Championships. They all performed very well and brought back an impressive medal haul. Those competing were: Edward Alsop, Angus Welch, Abbey McArthur, Arabella Baptie, Bethan Richards and Anna Richards. Congratulations swimmers!
DGS Radio Interview – 24th October 2014
The following link includes the radio interview between Hal Stewart, BFBS Presenter & Producer – UK, with S5 student Kirsten Fell and Headteacher Paul Raffaelli. This was broadcast on BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) on 8th October as a result of Kirsten speaking at the WW1 Commemoration Service at Glasgow Cathedral on 4th August. If you scroll down to the list of episodes at the bottom, then click on his Wednesday part 3 programme, just after half way through (about 34 mins).
http://web202.ssvc.com/radio/search/search/hal%20stewart
Students Wow at Rotary Dinner
Four of our students attended the Rotary dinner on Monday 20th October and gave presentations on their activities and achievements:
- Maria Lyle talked about her amazing achievements and confidently answered questions from the Rotarians.
- Emily Wilson-Beales and Matthew Barnott gave a presentation on the Rotary Youth Leader Award week they participated in over the summer.
- Sam Laing talked about his experience of the Challenge Enterprise Weekend.
They all gave confident and articulate presentations and we have received great feedback from those who attended the dinner. Well done!
Young Writer of the Year
Congratulations to S3 student Heather Cameron, who’s poem ‘At The Waterhole’ won the Secondary Poetry prize for East Lothian in the Young Writer of the Year competition. A great achievement Heather, well done!
Congratulations – 10th October 2014
To students that took part in the Mock Court Trial. The Dunbar team were placed second overall! Well done to all involved.
East Lothian Young Chef Competition
Well done to Anna Stevenson and Dyllan Winters for Competing in the School Heats of the East Lothian Young Chef Competition last week.
Macmillan Concert
The following students from Dunbar Grammar performed at this year’s Macmillan Concerts on Thursday 2nd October at The Town House in Haddington helping to raise over £1000 for the charity: Emily Reid – Clarinet, Cleodie McGregor – Piano, Moray McConnachie – Piano, Mhairi O’Donnell – Piano, Struan Young – Piano, Eilidh Stevenson – Piano, Rhona Bell – Piano, and on Brass: Emma Barnott, Claire McKenzie, Ruth Patterson, Nathan Cox, Fraser Davey, Iain Goldie, Tommy Wilson-Beales, Michael Crowley, Jamie Payton, Ben Dorin, Emma Bunyan, Cara Patterson, Rosie Brougham, Noah Carter, Joseph Flower, Rowan Daff, Connor Finlay and Alicia Lancaster. Well done to all students!
Jeans for Genes Day
Thank you to all of you who took part, our final total is £681.50.
Texas Scramble Update
The final total from the Texas Scramble was £632 which is fantastic! A huge thank you to all involved.
Tea Dance – 3rd October 2014
STRiVE, the lead partner in Voluntary Action East Lothian, the Third Sector Interface (TSI) for East Lothian, organised a Tea Dance on Wednesday 1st October in the Parish Church Hall to coincide with National Older People’s Day. The Learn To Succeed and Home Economics departments helped by making sandwiches and cakes, designing reminiscence boards and some S3 Learn To Succeed students attended the event to interact with the guests. S2 students from the Dunbar School of Dance also put on a display. Well done to all involved!
Musical Performance
DGS students performed an eclectic mix of music at the Belhaven Church Concert on Wednesday 1st October. The evening included teas, coffees and lovely home baking. Well done to all staff and students involved!
