Rector's Newsletter - March 2008

Dear Parents, Former Pupils, and friends of Dollar Academy,

In the past week, the entire community of Dollar Academy has been impressed by the magnificent furniture which has been created specially for the Library.  A generous donation from the North of England Former Pupil Club launched this project, and we are delighted to see the room so appropriately at the centre of the Academy now looking “fit for purpose”.  Last week, a visiting author, Colin Foreman, enjoyed the opportunity to read from his work to Form I pupils in this splendid setting.   The warm smell of new oak lingers throughout the main building.

Other public areas of the Academy have shown the very best of Dollar once again in the past month – the Assembly Hall saw the Junior Science Fair with over 100 projects on individual stands;  the Playfair, Younger and Gibson Buildings welcomed a huge number of parents and pupils to the biennial Careers Convention;  the Gibson Auditorium held two concerts of classical and jazz music;  the Studio Theatre in the Maguire Building resounded with the tales of the Arabian Nights. 

On the wider front, architects Page\Park are about to submit through Governors to Clackmannanshire Council their proposals for the next carefully considered phases of the Academy’s development.  Two consultation meetings have been held with the community, and the architects have sensitively dealt with the issues raised.  We very much hope that this process of consultation will lead to a favourable outcome for the future. 

As term ends, members of staff lead tours and expeditions to various parts of the world:  our shooting team goes off to South Africa;  the first ever Dollar visit to Cuba is launched, and our geographers return to Morocco.  A major ski party goes to Les Menuires, while our language exchanges again run in Salamanca and Ulmen.  The Junior School has already returned from two vigorous and purposeful weeks of outdoor education at Ford Castle.  For others, spring break brings the opportunity for relaxation and revision;  and Mary and I wish everyone an excellent holiday.

Kindest regards,                              

PUPILS

Art
Rebecca Keely (III) has won second prize in the Royal Scottish Academy’s Schools Competition.  She won a total of £300 as a result.  Her work will be on show in Edinburgh until it moves on to the Scottish Parliament building, and then onwards to Stirling.  Her painting appears on the Dollar website (www.dollaracademy.org.uk).

Athletics
Rhiannydd Parry (VI) and Isla Winchester (IV) have been selected by the Scottish Schools’ Athletics Association for the coaching day on 30 March.

Burns Supper
The Burns Supper, with first-rate fare provided by Mr Paul McGurl and his team, was held just before mid-term and once again proved to be a high point in the year of Form VI.  Tarni Duhré, in an excellent Immortal Memory, made a convincing case for the “overwhelmingly human nature of Robert Burns”.  The humanity developed from there throughout the rest of the evening with excellent speeches, recitations and singing.  James Smith won the Fergusson Quaich with a generous, witty self-dramatisation based loosely on the theme of a Toast to the Lassies;  in any other year, four of the other performers would have been ready prizewinners but James provided an exceptional presentation.  Many thanks go to the pupils who organised the evening – Eilidh Munro and Chloë Graham;  Mr Lumsden was a first-rate Chairman, and Mr McFadyean and Mrs Murray ensured the smooth-running of the evening. 

Cricket
Peter Ross and Scott Weir (both IV) and Matthew Bremner (VI) are currently touring South Africa with the Scottish U-20 and U-16 squads.  This great honour reflects their commitment and intense training over a long period.

Cross-Country
The two major days of cross-country led to record-breaking numbers of entrants in both the Junior and Senior School, and everybody who took part is commended.  There were outstanding individual performances throughout;  a great deal of credit must go to the young people who surpassed expectation by performing so well in these traditional Dollar events. 

In the Junior School’s championship, the winners at Junior 2 level were Kathryn Gillespie (who received a Gold medal for achieving a new Junior School record) and Philip Wright.  The winners in Junior 1 were Hannah Worseley and Lewis Hetman.

In the Senior School event, the Senior winners were Matthew Gillespie (VI) and Stephanie Hanley (IV);  the intermediate winners were Fraser Souter and Jennifer Rogerson (both III);  and the Junior winners were Jordan Wilson and Heather Aitken (both I).  Special commendation was made of Matthew Gillespie, running in his final school cross-country event after creating a national reputation in the sport, and Fraser Souter, who lost one training shoe in the mud while he was running, and finished the event with only his remaining trainer.  The weather during the Senior cross-country was wretched, but the pupils genuinely enjoyed the memorable experience of taking part.

Curling
Jayne Stirling (II) was part of the winning rink in the recent British Ladies Open Curling Championships.  This is a senior event, and as far as can be gathered, she is thought to be the youngest person ever to take part in a winning team in this competition.  She was awarded the Silver Crossed Brooms brooch.   Amy Niven (J1) and James Hay (J2) won a Bronze medal in the Scottish U-12 championships, and Gold in the Team Target Competition.  In the Millar Drummond League, Dollar ended as runners-up, with Jayne taking part alongside Iain Wellman, Skip (VI), Ruaridh MacDonald (V) and Tom Haddow (IV).

Drama
The Arabian Nights, the Senior play, had an excellent run in the Maguire Studio Theatre, with music, lively acting, and vivid colour throughout the production.  Thank you to all involved, and particularly to Mr Russell, the Producer and Mr Kenny, who ensured that the technical side of the show was adroitly handled.

Debating
In the recent final of the Courier/CIBS Debating Competition, held in the splendour of Lower Parliament Hall, St Andrews, there were two Dollar teams taking part amongst the six competitors.  Beth Hamilton and Anna George (both I) performed with immense confidence and flair and belied their age;  Ruth Cameron (II) and Gavin Woolman (III) were runners-up, and won an all-expenses-paid trip to London.

Four Form I Dollar teams also spent a day at Glenalmond, and were judged to be amongst the twelve top teams present.  Anna George and Alix Brewster won the Glenalmond Cup, with Jennifer Duncan and Lauren Hill in second spot.  The other young debaters – Euan Johnstone and Scott Gillen, Katie Ross and Kirsty McAloon likewise performed extremely well. 

Equestrian Vaulting
Once again, three Dollar pupils were involved at the highest level of competition in Equestrian Vaulting:  Hannah Eccles (V), Becky Stevens (III) and Olivia Mears (P3).  Olivia won the U-9 Individual class;  Hannah took second place in the Individual Female Advanced Competition (with Joanne Eccles, FP, winning).    Joanne and Hannah vaulted together to win the Pairs Class on W H Bentley.  Becky had earlier come third along with Olivia in the Pre-Novice Vaulting Competition.   Becky also was third in the U-15 class.  Overall, it was a most successful day for the Dollar vaulters.

Football
After the U-18 SISFA national trials, which included Jamie Andrew and Matthew Millar (both V) and Jonny Mallet (VI), Jonny was selected for the Scottish Independent Schools U-18 squad to play the English independent schools U-18 at Tynecastle on Sunday 20 April.   Dollar’s Form I squad won the Central Scotland section of the Coca-Cola Soccer Sevens tournament.  They hope that they will get through the next round and onwards to the Hampden final.

Go4Set
A team of Form II scientists (Laura Dunn, David Ewing, Lewis Macdonald, Craig Scott, Jayne Stirling and Calum Worsley) have completed a project that investigated ways in which they can reduce the amount of water the school uses.  Guided in this task by Darren Goodwin, from Scottish & Newcastle Breweries in Edinburgh, together with Dr Keys (Physics) and Dr Johnson (Chemistry) the team has been very successful in the competition.  The Dollar pupils won an engineering challenge in a preliminary round by designing and testing a load bearing bridge out of a single sheet of A4 paper and were also awarded first position in the ‘pupils choice’ category in the final at the end of the 12 week project, receiving £250 in prize money.  Their working model of a water collection and pumping system for the Maguire building was much admired, and their ideas were lauded for being both imaginative yet feasible.  Further accolades were awarded at the final to Dr Keys and Dr Johnson for providing a high standard of supervision over the course of the event.  The team has been invited to make a presentation to Governors on Water Use.  Finally, by correctly calculating the length of Edinburgh airport’s main runway in mm, the team has been invited to visit the control tower and other areas of the facility in the third term. 

Gymnastics
Laura Gallagher (J1) came 6th out of 88 competitors in the Scottish Gymnastics Competition held in Perth in early March.

Hockey
The 1st XI played well in the Scottish Schools Hockey finals, but sadly saw the trophy going north to Aberdeen.  In the season as a whole, the 3rd XI deserves congratulation on having survived the season undefeated.  The Junior A hockey team is likewise unbeaten this season.

Mathematics
Angus Baillie-Hamilton (J2) won Bronze in this year’s Primary Maths Challenge. 

Music
Second term has once again been immensely busy for Dollar’s musicians.  Fergus McGhee (VI) took part in the 81st Forth Valley Arts Festival, and won the Senior Young Musician of the Year after having played the first movement of Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata.  Over 240 competitors took part.  The Music Department provided two nights of concerts in mid-March, with the First Orchestra accompanying Joanna Carson (VI) in Mozart’s Flute Concerto and Rowan McGirr (V) in Dvořák’s rarely played and immensely demanding Violin Concerto.  The Jazz Orchestra linked the first and second concerts on succeeding nights, and the Second Orchestra, chamber groups and singers joined with the soloists to provide a varied and rousing programme. Significantly, for the first time in recent memory, three Form II boys, Conor McPherson, James Leggat and Campbell Keith sang solo parts.  Mr McGonigle, Mrs Fitzpatrick and Mrs Leggatt conducted and directed the music, which was much appreciated by the large audiences on both occasions.

National Galleries Poetry Competition
Again, 2008 has brought successes in the National Galleries competition.  Three members of Form IV were prizewinners:  Taylor Watson-Fargie was runner-up in the 12-15 age group for his poem, “My Biological Dwelling”;  Michael Hunter gained a special merit in the same age group for his poem, “My Blessed Hellride” (with the judge commenting that the impressive structure of the poem seemed inspired by the Dadaist movement in art, which should prove a challenge for the reader on presentation day);  Catriona Jardine, who was successful last year, has received a special merit in the 16-18 age group for her poem, “Why does man never learn?”.  The ceremony with readings is open to the public on 17 April at the National Gallery in Edinburgh.

Piping
Dollar’s pipe band were runners-up in this year’s Glasgow Highland Club Competition – an excellent preparation for the challenges ahead this summer. 

Rugby
Callum Wishart and Courtenay Morrison (both V), were part of the Caledonia U-17 Championship winning squad, and have gained selection for the Scotland U-17 Development Squad.   The Heriot’s Sevens saw two strong performances by Dollar teams, with the U-16 squad reaching the semi-finals, and the U-18 squad ending as runners-up.  The Senior Seven, captained by Bill Auld (VI) defeated North Berwick High School, Fettes and Stewart’s Melville before losing to Dundee High School in the final.  Five Form III pupils played in the U-15 National Midi Club final at Murrayfield on Sunday 16 March – Grant Blair, Ruaridh Cameron, Fraser Christie, Thomas Hornall and Kyle Miller – won convincingly by Stirling County. 

Science Fair
Once again this year, the young scientists of the Junior School impressed senior pupils, visitors and in particular the eminent panel of judges visiting Dollar on 27 February.  Every Junior 2 pupil produced a project on some scientific issue, and the judges debated long and hard on the winner.  This year, Sarah McCann won with a project investigating blood sugar levels and diabetes.  The judges asked that wide praise be given to the children who took part, and it was thought that the overall standard of projects was higher than ever before.

Schools Challenge Quiz
For the very first time, after many years of genuine trying, the Dollar team won the Schools Challenge Quiz Scottish competition, and now will enter the UK finals at some point in the coming weeks.  The quiz, based on the lines of University Challenge, requires speed on the buzzer and wide-ranging general knowledge.  Dollar has come close – very close – in the past, but this year’s group of Drew Weir and Fergus McGhee (VI), Scott Weir (IV) and Calum Worsley  (III) triumphed in the final by a very comfortable margin.  Drew Weir has been a member of the team since Form I, and this was a particularly fitting conclusion to his quiz career in Dollar.  Mr Delaney is to be congratulated on his enthusiastic management of the event, which has run here in Dollar for many years, and he certainly relished the taste of victory as much as any team member.

Shooting
Jennifer McIntosh (V) has taken part in the British Air Gun Championships at Bisley.  She won the B Class tournament, and has now been promoted to Class A for next year.  She was selected for the Scottish Senior team and for the Ladies team, and was delighted to be part of the group which came second on each occasion to England.  Jennifer won the U-21 Championship, with 385 out of 400 to give her a tie in the final.  In a sudden death tie shoot, she won with her first shot.  Her score of 385 is also the qualifying score for the Commonwealth Youth Games, and she is now hoping for final selection.   She also took part in two competitions in Dortmund recently as part of the Scottish team.  In both competitions she was the second best British shot, and it is hoped that her performance will strengthen her case for Commonwealth Youth Games selection. 

In the pre-Easter week, a number of our shooters are involved in national and international competition, and the results will be provided in due course.

Showjumping
The Dollar One team were placed in the Scottish Schools Competition held in March.  Emma Paterson (J1), Anna George (I), Stephanie Dick (II) and Louise Cunningham (III) performed outstandingly well in the competition and won rosettes as a result.

NEWS 

Summer Entertainment at Sports Weekend (Repeat Notice)
As usual on the Saturday evening of Sports Weekend (this year on 21 June, 2008) an evening event will be held in a marquee in the grounds.  A buffet supper will be followed by live music provided by Schwing, an excellent dance band, to entice all on to the dance floor.  A similar event has been held for the last few years and is always very popular as an opportunity to get together with friends old and new - a real high point in the Academy’s social calendar.  Tickets will cost £30 each, and it is hoped that some 300 guests will attend.  All former pupils, current and former parents, staff and friends of the Academy are welcome to attend.  Over 100 tickets have already been sold:  we would very much enjoy seeing you there too.  This is an ideal opportunity to share a table for a really enjoyable night out.  Pre-booking for tickets can be made now by e-mail or telephone to Mrs Elaine Gallagher, School Office Manager – elaine@dollaracademy.org.uk or 01259 742511.

Careers Convention
On Wednesday 5 March, Dollar Academy hosted its biennial Careers Convention with the strong support of the Parents’ Association.  Over seventy presenters willingly gave up their time to provide insights into a wide range of careers, and the Senior School pupils from Form I to Form VI very much appreciated the event, masterminded once again by the Deputy Rector, Mr Geoff Daniel.    

HELP  PLEASE

As might well have been mentioned at home, we have been making every effort as a school community to ensure that school uniform is properly worn – shirts tucked in, top buttons fastened, blazers on, and ties done up.  The Mathematics and Business Studies Departments gained special commendation during a recent staff briefing because of their assiduous approach.  Parents are asked to abide by the published school uniform regulations and offer similar support in uniform matters.

STAFF

Miss Jilly McCord (History and Modern Studies), captained Scotland in the entire Six Nations Women’s Rugby Internationals this season. 

Mr Jim Fulton (Head of Physics) is absent following an operation and hopes to return before the end of term.   

Mrs Gillian Robb is absent ill at present.

Mr Mark Robson (Mathematics) and his wife Alex are congratulated on the birth of their second daughter, Harriet, a sister for Georgie.

Fraulein Marie Bornemann from the University of Munster assisted with German and Spanish classes from the end of February until the Spring break. 

FORMER  PUPILS

While the Scotland Rugby XV could not find a place at present for John Barclay’s return after injury, it was marvellous to see Graeme Morrison and Rory Lawson holding the Calcutta Cup at the end of their success against England.  We hope to welcome all three of our current crop of Internationalists to Assembly at some point in the near future. 

Victoria Sibley (FP 2002), after having been awarded her MA in Theological Studies by the University of St Andrews in 2006 was awarded a Postgraduate MA in Religion and Public Life by the University of Leeds.

Natalie Sarafilovic (FP 2006) has been invited to be part of the National Rifle Association team tour to the Channel Islands in May 2008;  she has also been selected for the Scottish national team tour to South Africa in 2009 alongside Sorcha Anderson, Samantha Adamson and Emma Lamont, again recent FPs. 

CHARITIES  COMMITTEE  AND  OTHER  NEWS

RNLI Appeal
On 29 February, Leap Day, the Junior School supported the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and raised £135 by dressing nautically.

Sports Relief
A brief football match was played between staff and the Charities Committee at lunchtime on Friday 14 March in aid of Sports Relief.  The staff defeated the pupils 3-0, and £175 was raised.

Thrift Shop Opening – 2:30pm – 4:00pm  (2nd and 4th Thursday of the month)
Thursday 24 April                                                    Thursday 8 May
Thursday 22 May                                                   Thursday 12 June

The Thrift Shop will also be open on the afternoon of Monday 16 June when Prep and Junior School pupils, who will be joining us in August, will be visiting the Academy.

MAIN  DATES  FOR  YOUR  DIARY

BOARDING  IN  DOLLAR

Once again, the Inspectors have visited the boarding houses in Dollar and pronounced themselves delighted with the quality of the accommodation and care.  Currently, places are being filled for boarders next session, and any parent who wishes to see a boarding house in order to consider the boarding option particularly in the senior years would be made very welcome.  As ever, Dollar offers the flexibility of full or weekly boarding according to availability of places.  Please contact the Rector’s PA, Mrs Wendy Pearson, to arrange an appointment – 01259 742511. 

CREST  AWARD

Rebecca Chroston (IV) was runner-up in the final of the UK Crest (Creativity in Science and Technology) Award competition which took place in London in early March.  Her project on Bird Flu was highly praised by the judges.  Her research relates to accurate and rapid diagnosis so that treatment and prevention can be accurately targeted.