News Release

Schools announced as award finalists

25th May 2010

Two schools in Aberdeenshire, Ellon Academy and Aboyne Academy, have beaten-off stiff competition to be selected as finalists at the Scottish Education Awards 2010.

Ellon Academy has been shortlisted for the Global Citizenship Award in recognition of their citizenship activities to engage pupils in exercising their rights to make informed choices. 

Pupils at Ellon Academy vote for class, year and senate representatives to provide a genuine student voice at school committee and working group meetings.  Senior pupils are encouraged to support younger students as trained peer buddies, paired readers, prefects and house captains. 

Students are also responsible for the school’s newsletter and take part in fundraising activities.  While pupils in S4 and S5 regularly visit elderly members of the community in residential homes, senior students provide extra assistance in local primary schools. 

The school also involves pupils of all ages in theme days and weeks which address topics such as world poverty, aids, the environment, Remembrance Day and fair trade.  This involves cross-curricular subject work covering classes on Humanities, English and Drama.

Aboyne Academy is also in the running for an accolade at this year’s event after the school’s supervisory janitor was nominated for Education Supporter of the Year.

Brian Paterson was nominated by the school’s rector who wanted to acknowledge his long-standing dedication and commitment to Aboyne Academy.  He has worked at the school for 36 years and is set to retire in the summer.  

During his employment, Brian has become much more than a janitor.  He is a well-liked and respected member of the school team and is trusted by pupils and staff.  He has adopted a positive attitude to work and has taken-up a range of building maintenance and improvement tasks to ensure the school building remains in good condition.  This has included the recent installation of a new biomass boiler heating system which has attracted visits from outside groups interested in how the school has created a sustainable energy source.  

Brian is a stalwart of school life.  He is involved in the staff social committee and is a key member of the Eco-schools group.  Outside of Aboyne Academy, Brian is also the supervisory janitor for ten associated schools in the catchment area. 

Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said:
 
“The reality of Scottish education is that we have hundreds of thousands of good pupils, taught by tens of thousands of excellent teachers within thousands of great schools. The Scottish Education Awards give us the chance to recognise this and reward the best practice taking place right across the country.

“Individuals such as Brian Paterson reflect this excellence and are very important in inspiring our young people to learn and develop. While Ellon Academy have demonstrated real commitment to supporting pupils to be ambitious and to strive to do better.”

Councillor Richard Stroud, chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education Learning and Leisure Committee, said: “To have been shortlisted for two prestigious awards is a real honour.

“Ellon Academy has worked hard on many initiatives to promote not just global citizenship but also to instil a sense of local and national citizenship in its pupils.

“From work on mock elections, fundraising to recycling initiatives it’s a fantastic credit to staff and pupils at the school to have gotten this far, the only secondary school to be in the running for the global citizenship award, and I wish them luck on the night.

“I also congratulate Brian Paterson at Aboyne Academy on being shortlisted for educational supporter of the year.  He has served the school as janitor for 36 years and shown a remarkable level of commitment and diligence in his work, going above and beyond his duties in caring for young people.

“I am proud Aberdeenshire has been represented in these awards as it shows the high quality of education and commitment of our staff in delivering the best experiences for our young people.”

Local people are thanked for nominating the shining stars of education in Aberdeenshire, who have shown great dedication and commitment to pupils and the community. 

The Scottish Education Awards, now in their ninth year, recognise and reward best practice in Scottish classrooms and highlight the achievements of dedicated individuals who have helped young people fulfil their learning potential.   

The finalists have been chosen by a specially selected panel of judges who select a winner from each category which will be announced at an award ceremony on Friday 18 June 2010 in Glasgow.

For further information visit www.scottisheducationawards.org.uk/cc or get the latest stories and information by following the awards on Twitter.  You can also show your support for the Scottish Education Awards by becoming a Fan on Facebook.

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