Speech Day 2020
THE HEADMASTER
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“Speech day is a day to reflect, to acknowledge and to thank” HAIRMAN, GUESTS, GOVERNORS, PARENTS, STAFF AND PUPILS,
As we commemorate Speech Day and round this particularly tumultuous academic year off, I particularly want to congratulate last year’s leavers and this year’s L6th for superb public exams results. In particular, I was delighted to see 79% A*-B at A Level, leading the pack in Scotland and comparing better than some rather famous boarding schools south of the border. Our Dux last year, Mateja, will be presented with his medal next Speech Day, we hope. Still on the exam theme I congratulate pupils this year for the work undertaken and the progress being made in all public exam years this year despite an abrupt end. While I cannot comment on estimated grades, I can say two things: I suspect some of you were perhaps not that upset at exams being cancelled and I have seen further strengthening of academic attainment and the upward trajectory of value added outcomes we have targeted. On the back of such good exam results in 2019, we approached this academic year with confidence. We continued to build further on excellent results, a great Care Inspection report and outstanding music, drama and sporting achievements from the previous year. An increased school roll last September, after record number of new pupils arrived, confirmed the growing confidence in Strath both inside and outside the school that we had already noted. We were ready to face a tough year ahead given the issues that were pressing hard on the sector, buoyed by higher enrolments in the ISP and a strong lettings programme. The management team began to develop our sixth form provision with the adoption of new oneyear Highers for 2020 and Advanced Highers in 2021, giving Strathallan a unique and highly advantageous flexibility in routes to university and work for our pupils. Work on Forgandenny 100 moved on as plans were
agreed for marking the centenary of Strath’s move from Bridge of Allan to the Freeland Estate here in Forgandenny in 1920. These plans would see us engaging with the wider Strath community more than ever before. The new School history commissioned for the centenary, the first in nearly 40 years, began too. So we approached this academic year with excitement and big plans for the future. Little did we know the year would end as being one of the most difficult years in the school’s history. After House music and half term, and as we prepared for Armistice Day and remembrance, Strathallan suffered one of the saddest and most tragic moments of recent years when one of our own passed away suddenly in early November.
“The death of a pupil is something rare at school and although the grieving experience for many was incredibly difficult and emotional the effect on the whole community was truly transformative. In the midst of such devastating news and in mourning Alistair alongside his family, we came together in a special and unique moment of love and care and kindness which was palpable.” The Strathallian
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