fortunas - Dollar Academy

Dollar Academy Magazine
Cars
Champion of Champions Fire of 1961
P8
P10
Concours of Elegance Visits Dollar
Pipe Band
From the Archives
P134
BIANNUAL
PUBLICATION
ISSUE 36
DECEMBER 2015
fortunas
REGIONAL DOLLAR
ACADEMY CLUBS
DOLLAR
Mrs Sally Sutcliffe (née Reeves)
12 Princes Crescent North
DOLLAR
FK14 7BX
sallyfiona@btinternet.com
EDINBURGH
Mrs Fiona Frazer
15 Cammo Crescent
EDINBURGH
EH4 8DZ
ffrazer_2000@hotmail.com
DOLLAR ACADEMICALS (Rugby)
Mr Iain Mears
The Cottage
5 Chapel Place
DOLLAR
FK14 7DW
iainmears@btinternet.com
GLASGOW
Mr Will Gibson
7a Briarwell Road
Milngavie
GLASGOW
G62 6AW
gibsonw3@sky.com
DAGS (Golf)
Mr Robin Cumming
Ashfield
15 Harviestoun Road
DOLLAR
FK14 7HG
rcumming@dsl.pipex.com
HIGHLAND
Mr Colin Milne
Birchvale
Brodick
Isle of Arran
KA27 8BX
colmilne@aol.com
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Chair: Professor J McEwen, MBChB, FFPH,
FFOM, FRCP, FMedSci, FDSRCS Joint Vice Chairs: Mrs J M Smith, BA and
Professor R E Morris, MA, DPhil December 2015
Fortunas 36
Governors:
Mr M W Balfour, BCom, CA
Mr V J Buchanan
Mrs D A Burt, MCSP
Mr A D Campbell, CA
Dr G B Curry, BA(Mod), PhD, DIC
Mr R W Frazer, LLB, DipLP, Advocate
Sheriff W E Gibson, BA, LLB, Sheriff
Mr I C Glasgow, BSc, DipSurv, Dip Inv Analysis,
ASIP
2
NORTH OF SCOTLAND
Dr Andrew A Burt
Cantlebrae
Pitgober
DOLLAR
FK14 7PQ
doctor.burt@virgin.net
NORTH OF ENGLAND
Mr Adrian Grant
Venetia Lodge,
73 St Annes Road East,
LYTHAM-ST-ANNES
FY8 1UR
adrian.grant@taspartnership.co.uk
LONDON
Mrs Elizabeth C Heath
3 Redhill Close
SOUTHAMPTON
Hampshire
SO16 7BT
chris_eliz.heath@yahoo.co.uk
Mr R P S Harris, BCom, DipCom, CA
Mrs E C C Heath, MA
Professor M A Hogg, LLB, LLM, PhD, NP, FRSA
Mr C J Milne, BSc
Rev J O’Brien, BA, LLB, MTh
Mr M J Rice
Mrs D D Weir
Mr E D White, BCom, FloD
Advisers: Mr D M Clark, MA, LLB, WS
Mr D C Walker, B.Arch, Dip Arch, ARB, BSc
Bursar & Clerk to Governors:
Mr J St J Wilkes, MA
DATA PROTECTION
Dollar Academy sends out copies of Fortunas and its enclosures in envelopes addressed to former pupils, former staff of the Academy and parents
of current pupils. As such, recipients’ names and addresses are stored in our database. Any recipient who does not wish to receive a copy of
Fortunas is asked to inform the Academy by email: dollarfp@dollaracademy.org.uk. Similarly, in order that we may keep our data as accurate as
possible, you are asked to inform us of any change of address.
CONTENTS
Fortunas 37
Many thanks to everyone
who has contributed
articles or images to
Fortunas 36; the deadline
for submission of articles
for the summer issue is
Friday 15 April 2016.
Editor: Heather Moore
moore-h@dollaracademy.org.uk
Design: Peter Nelson
peter@peternelsonart.com
FP Registrar: Kirsty Molnar
dollarfp@dollaracademy.org.uk
Archivist: Janet Carolan
carolan-j@dollaracademy.org.uk
Proof readers: David Delaney, Mairi
Leggatt, Heather Moore, Kirsty
Molnar, Billy Prior, James Simpson
From the Rector4
Features
Sponsored Walk6
Concours of Elegance Visits Dollar
8
‘Champion of Champions’ Pipe Band
10
People Make Dollar
Farewells20
Welcomes30
Around the Houses – Boarding at Dollar
38
Along the Corridors – Classroom News
Prep School News43
Junior School News46
Expressive Arts
Literature 52
Music62
Drama70
After the Bell – Co-curricular News
Charities 71
Piping 74
CCF 76
Duke of Edinburgh 85
Trips and Tours Millport Field Centre 89
Languages Exchange Visits90
Cameron Travel Scholarship Trust 93
Art Trip to London94
Fortunas 36
Sport
Hockey 96
Rugby 96
Cricket 100
FP Forum
Reunions and Club News114
Features119
Letters122
News124
Obituaries128
From the Archives132
Decmber 2015
The opinions expressed in this
magazine belong to the individual
writers and not to Dollar Academy.
page
3
FROM THE RECTOR
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Dollar Academy has always had an international perspective, influenced by the pupil
intake and by the way our school ethos places emphasis, both in the classroom and the cocurricular context, upon the importance of travel and global citizenship.
The school has long received boarders from all over the world, particularly from
Scottish expatriate families, and for over two centuries they have added a great deal to
the environment in the houses. Currently we have boarders from places as far-flung as
Montenegro, the United States, the Falkland Islands and the Isle of Skye (!), and the reports
from the boarding houses in Fortunas 36 reflect that diversity. In addition, Dollar teachers
run a number of exchanges and trips every year, and travel is also promoted through both
the Cameron Travel Scholarship Trust and the Harry Bell Travel Awards scheme. Named
after one of Dollar’s longest-serving Rectors (his two sons and one of his grandsons sit on
the Board of Trustees), the Harry Bell Travel scheme makes awards to Form V pupils wishing
to venture forth to study a topic of literary interest over the summer holiday. Recipients
of the awards write essays about the author and place they have chosen, but they are also
encouraged to reflect upon their experiences over the course of the journey. The best piece
of writing wins the Scholarship prize. All this comes together in this magazine where, each
year, the winning essay is printed. The 2015 winner was Victoria Smith, a boarder, who
travelled to New York City and New Hampshire in an effort to put herself in the shoes of
Holden Caulfield and his creator, the very reclusive JD Salinger. Unless you are one of those
readers somehow genetically predisposed to working your way through Fortunas in strict
chronological order, I suggest you stop reading my introduction now and turn to page 58
immediately - nothing I will ever write will match it.
I must also pay tribute here to our wonderful Pipe Band who not only won their
second World Championship at Juvenile Grade this summer, but also a calendar Grand
Slam and their seventh consecutive major title. Notable success was also achieved in hockey,
where the 1st XI won the Midlands Championship. These are wonderful achievements, based
on ambition and teamwork, and they more than deserve the space allocated to them.
Finally, I always enjoy reading the reminiscences of our former pupils, and
I particularly enjoy studying the old photographs. Many thanks to our excellent FP
contributors.
I hope you all enjoy reading more about Dollar Academy, both past and present, in
the following pages.
4
Welcome
to Dollar
An independent school for boys
and girls aged five to eighteen.
Entry assessments for
all age groups take place
on 23 January 2016
To apply contact our Registrar:
01259 742 511
The Governors of Dollar Academy Trust is a charity registered in Scotland, no SC009888
Fortunas 36
Dollar, Clackmannanshire, FK14 7DU
Decmber 2015
registrar@dollaracademy.org.uk
Excellence and opportunity
5
December 2015
Fortunas 36
THE DOLLAR ACADEMY
SPONSORED WALK
6
Every two years over 1200 pupils take a day off from academic life for a good cause.
Six good causes, in fact, as the funds raised by the Dollar Academy Sponsored Walk
go to six different charities.
This year’s charities were The Malindi Project (a school for disabled
children in Malindi, Kenya: a place many Dollar teachers and pupils have visited);
The Multiple System Atrophy Trust (a charity researching and supporting sufferers
of the neurological disorder MSA); The Uphill Trust (a trust funding Uphill Junior
School in Iruhuura, Western Uganda); United to Benefit Ecuadorian Children,
International (which aims to give children in the Quito, Ecuador region a better
chance at living lives not destroyed by poverty); Open Secret (a charity supporting
victims of childhood abuse) and Rachel House Hospice (which provides a place for
children with life-limiting conditions and their families to spend time together;
being based in Kinross, it is both local and well-known to Dollar pupils).
The day is like no other in the Dollar Academy school calendar. Everyone is
involved in some way or another: from the walkers to the people at checkpoints,
from the Signals team to the Charities Committee members themselves.
Then, of course, there is the organiser behind this operation: Geoff Daniel,
the Deputy Rector himself, who says: ‘It is a great day for Dollar and everyone
in it. Good things are done—’ before being cut off by a ringing phone. Such are
the demands on this busy day. Pupils in Form V and Form VI don fancy dress to
commemorate their last walk. For some, this is their first walk and for some others,
this will be their sixth or seventh but, whatever the veteran status, it is always a
source of amazement (and pride) that
the whole school can pull together and
produce such a significant amount of
money for such worthy charities. This
year £54,634 was raised, almost £2000
more than the previous walk.
Everyone in the school is
included; even the Preps and Juniors
who complete a slightly abridged
version of the full walk. The Juniors
even get to experience the wonders
of the lunchfield. The lunchfield:
the halfway point, a sight of great
relief to the blistered, battered and
bruised walkers. After a nutritious and
calorific lunch to keep up the energy,
the Dollar Academy Pipe Band does its
thing which is, as usual, a fine show.
Then it’s off again. This half
of the walk tends to be completed
more quickly; the thought of a comfy
chair can be very motivational. Then
News
Fortunas 36
Ellie Mahoney (Form VI)
Decmber 2015
tiredness gives way to satisfaction, to
euphoria, to sharing experiences and
possibly a little bit of schadenfreude at
the misfortunes of friends. The total
sum raised is displayed on the pillars
of the Playfair Building and a feeling
of pride washes over everyone as they
realise that, just by taking a day out of
their lives to walk twelve miles, they
have changed the lives of so many
people.
And in two years’ time, the
next generation of (just slightly older)
walkers will continue this proud
tradition and do just a little bit more
to help these very good causes. A few
aches are a small price to pay.
7
Everyone agreed that Thursday 3
September was a day like no other
in recent memory. By mid-morning,
the air thrummed with the sound of
ridiculously powerful engines held,
only barely, in check. This was unusual.
Jaguars, Mercedes, Bentleys, Alfa
Romeos, Porsches and Rolls Royces
of every conceivable vintage began to
arrive in a magnificent parade of sound
and thunder. Even the exhaust fumes
held a kind of romance as the Pipe
Band thirled away on the green, green
grass and the pupils wandered around
entranced, in states of automotive
frenzy and wonder. As the Rector
noted in his speech, ‘Dollar Academy
was founded in 1818 and so is almost
200 years old – but I doubt whether in
all that time it has seen quite such a
gathering of vehicles.’
It was the Highland Tour
of the 2015 Concours of Elegance,
stopping (for a brief ‘coffee break’) at
the Academy. HRH Prince Michael of
Kent (patron of the event) was there
as the guest of honour, in an informal
capacity. Mrs Jackie Smith (a former
pupil and Vice-Chair of Governors) and
Victor Buchanan (also a former pupil
and our newest Governor) attended
as well. And a surprise visit from Sir
Jackie Stewart, OBE, in his Gullwing
black Mercedes, caused a wave of
excitement and elation to roll through
the crowds.
Dollar Academy’s ‘Champion
of Champions’ Pipe Band were there to
provide a stirring backdrop of sound,
having only weeks before stood upon
Fortunas 36
December 2015
THE CONCOURS
OF ELEGANCE
COMES TO
DOLLAR
8
Glasgow Green and accepted the title
of Juvenile Grade World Champions
2015, reclaiming the title they had won
last year. ‘They are at the moment,’ said
Mr Knapman, ‘unquestionably, the
best Juvenile Pipe Band in the world.’
In the library, a special
presentation took place. Three pupils
were awarded their internationalist
ties (Victoria Walls in Form VI, Gregor
Stewart in Form VI and Màili Gardiner
in Form III). HRH Prince Michael
then presented Gregor Stewart (this
year’s Pipe Major) with the 2015
World Championship trophy. He also
presented Rosie Biggart (Form II)
with their trophy: the school’s Novice
Band had also been named the 2015
‘Champion of Champions’ for its string
of victories.
A glorious Pipe Band display
and march-past took place following
the ceremony, and the still of the
morning gave way once again to the
booming and growling reverberations
of the parade of vintage cars as they
started up and rolled away once more,
en route this time toward the Palace
of Holyroodhouse. Droves of pupils,
waving and grinning wide, lined the
drive as the cars roared off. Memories
of this day at the Academy would not
quickly fade.
Heather Moore
Photographs courtesy of Paul Watt
and Jan van der Merwe
Features
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
9
10
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Features
DOLLAR ‘A’ BAND
CROWNED JUVENILE
WORLD CHAMPIONS AND
‘CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS’
On Saturday 15 August the Dollar Academy ‘A’ Band was
once again crowned Juvenile World Champions at the World
Pipe Band Championships held on Glasgow Green. The ‘B’
Band held its own in the Novice Juvenile Grade competition
at Glasgow Green with a very strong performance, which
earned the group third place on the day.
A total of 230 p
​ ipe bands (comprising 8000 pipers
and drummers) from 16 nations converged on Glasgow
Green to compete in the event which takes place over the
entire weekend. There were 320 performances in total. It
is a spectacular international competition, the crown jewel
in the pipe band competition calendar, and its prizes are
much sought-after and very hard-fought. All told, the event
featured a solid 32 hours of pipe band music. And the 40,000
spectators who turned out to watch were not disappointed.
The ‘A’ Band, after a crowd-rousing performance,
earned a first place position from each of the four
adjudicators. This was but the latest win in what had been
a truly remarkable season, during which the Band took first
place at each of the major competitions. This tremendous
achievement testifies to the degree of talent, dedication
and pure hard work invested by each member of the Pipe
Band (and, of course, the tutors). The Band’s accumulation
of successes meant that it earned the well-deserved title:
‘Champion of Champions’. As a result of its successes
throughout the season, the ‘B’ Band was also awarded the
title ‘Champion of Champions’.
Mr Knapman said, ‘I am delighted that our Pipe Band
has won the 2015 Juvenile Grade World Championships for
the second time in succession. In the process the Band has
completed a calendar Grand Slam, the first in the school’s
history. This is an outstanding achievement and thoroughly
deserved.’
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
Heather Moore
11
DOLLAR ACADEMY
1st XI WIN MIDLANDS
CHAMPIONSHIP
December 2015
Fortunas 36
On Tuesday 15 September Dollar Academy’s 1st XI won the
Midlands District Tournament, a prestigious event which
has been running since 1921. Dollar’s success confirms that
this team is at the very top of its game, having successfully
defeated six very strong teams in the district: Glenalmond,
St Leonards, Strathallan, Kilgraston, Dundee High School
and Morrison’s Academy.
The Dollar team first defeated Dundee High School
2-0, St Leonards 2-0 and then Glenalmond 1-0, to win the
section. This put the girls into the semi-final where they
defeated Kilgraston 1-0. This victory then took them to the
final, where they, once again, beat a strong Glenalmond
team.
Lynsey Allan (Director of Hockey) said that they put
in an ‘excellent performance in the final, where their fitness
levels were clear as they went into the second half. They were
able to maintain their fast, attacking style of play.’ She added
that nothing more could have been asked of the players;
they put in everything they had, lifting their performance
from game to game. It is remarkable that throughout the
tournament, they did not concede a single goal. Erin Stevens
(Form IV) was awarded ‘Player of the Tournament’ for her
12
consistently remarkable level of play.
Ms Allan said, ‘It is an exciting time for Dollar
hockey as this 1st XI is a young side demonstrating huge
potential. I am really looking forward to seeing their
progress over the next three years. The players constantly
demonstrate a disciplined approach to their hockey and this
has been instrumental in their success.’ Congratulations to
all the young athletes (and the staff and coaches who work
with them), for this very impressive win.
In further news, two players from the 1st XI have been invited
to play in the Midland U18 squad: Captain, Isla Keith (Form
VI) and Vice-Captain, Emma Dearden (Form VI).
Dollar’s hockey players are also strongly represented
in the Midland U16 squad: Lucy Smith (Form II), Eve Pearson
(Form III), Suzanne Green, Olivia Mears, Sam Robertson,
Erin Stevens, Jenny Walls (all Form IV) and Niamh Wallace
(Form V) all play for this selective squad.
The Dollar Academy 1st XI Squad
Captain, Isla Keith (Form VI), Vice-Captain, Emma Dearden (Form VI),
Sophie Ferguson (Form IV), Susie Green (Form IV), Olivia Mears (Form
IV), Jenny Walls (Form IV), Ellie Towers (Form IV), Erin Stevens
(Form IV), Katy Robson (Form V), Abbie Douglas (Form V), Bunty
Kerray (Form V), Rachel Pollock (Form IV), Sam Robertson (Form IV),
Bevhan Trevis (Form VI), Niamh Wallace (Form V), Eva Caie (Form
IV), Georgia Smith (Form IV)
Farewell
WILDFLOWERS IN
DOLLAR
are annuals. Some will reappear
through tenacious self-seeding, but
most have had their season of glory and
will not return next season. But, with a
glimmer in his eye, Rab hinted that he
might re-plant next year and ‘maybe
in other places too.’ Hopefully, we can
all look forward to more unexpected
gardens of great loveliness when the
sunshine and warmth finally return to
Dollar.
Heather Moore
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
Everyone who strolled along the edge of
Newfield noticed something this past
summer – and I don’t mean the new
road. A wildflower garden of startling
beauty had sprouted up, and while such
loveliness might be found naturally
in high-altitude alpine meadows, it
doesn’t occur by mere happy accident
on road verges in Dollar. The Academy’s
Head Groundsman, Rab Meldrum, is
(not surprisingly) the one responsible.
Rab has long been inspired
by the wildflower gardens in Menstrie
and in Saline, and he was determined
to create his own. ‘It was something
I’ve always wanted to do here – for
the birds, the honey bees, the wildlife.’
He first tried a location at Thornbank,
but it didn’t take for some reason –
just too dark and damp, Rab decided.
Wildflowers are picky creatures.
Then he thought of the strip of
wild land beside the new road leading
down toward the Devon, skirting
Newfield. ‘The new road created higher
ground – it was difficult to cut: uneven
and rough,’ he said, ‘It was an ideal
place to try a wildflower meadow.’
He used a feed bag called
‘Biodiversity Mix’. Disappointingly
prosaic – but it worked. ‘Lots of people
have commented on how beautiful it
was – just gorgeous,’ Rab said.
These wildflowers, however,
13
A soft, shimmering glow on its bark
Brown, prickly, shiny, gold.
Rough surfaces!
Sharp edges.
The chocolate-brown cocoon core
Waits patiently.
It makes a small thud
As it hits the jewel-encrusted grass.
Floreanne Mahoney, James Ritchie, Isla Murphy (all Prep 5)
December 2015
Fortunas 36
NATIONAL POETRY DAY IN
THE PREP SCHOOL
To celebrate National Poetry Day, Mrs Morrison led the Prep
and Junior Schools’ assembly with a focus on poetry. Some
of the Junior pupils read poems and P5C enjoyed a fantastic
poetry slam event.
The P5C children had gone out to wander around
the school on the previous day, seeking inspiration about
autumn before writing their poems in groups. They presented
the poems to one another too, using drama and movement
to bring them to life. This was great fun, and everyone felt
that something really quite significant and exciting had been
accomplished.
In assembly the next day they performed their
poems; there were prefects there to listen, give scores and
offer feedback. All the children had a great time. Indeed, one
of the Prep 1 children was heard to say, ‘That was fantastic!’
following one group’s particularly vivid performance.
Maureen Barbour
Misty, grey sky.
Dew-drop crystals glisten in the light.
Rusty red, golden, coconut brown leaves.
Jaggy shell, ragged shell.
Soft as a kitten
A white, fluffy feather falls.
Leaves glide, twist and turn.
Rosy apples glisten in the soft rain.
Autumn winds blow bonfire smoke
High in the sky.
Archie Dayman, Rowan Muirhead, Blair Buchanan, Hibah Rasul,
Harry Carman (all Prep 5)
POETRY COMPETITION
Children in the Junior School were invited to write a poem
on the theme of light to coincide with National Poetry Day on
Thursday 8 October. The entries were judged by Mrs Murray,
Head of English, who duly selected the poems opposite as
the winners.
Hayley Smith’s poem, ‘The Secrets of the Sunbeam’,
won the overall prize. Mrs Murray loved the idea of rain
unlocking the prismatic colours of the rainbow and also the
reference to the sun shining on local hills. But it was Hayley’s
control of rhyme (which sounded so unforced and natural)
and her powerful last line that impressed our judge the most.
Mrs Murray said that it was a pleasure reading all the poems
and encouraged all the Juniors to keep writing.
Sally Horne
14
The Moon
The moon, the moon glowing bright.
Casting down its brilliant light.
Shining down upon us all,
Making us feel really small.
Its light reflecting on the sea,
And gleaming where darkness should be.
Dark shadows dance across my wooden floor.
Dark shadows waltz around my bedroom door.
Wind howled through.
Shadows start to sing.
In their dark clothing.
In their pride they own the night.
As the sun goes down they know it’s time.
But after long and fun-filled hours.
The light comes through and the shadows go.
Far away where I will never know.
Features
The Shadows Dance
JUNIOR 1 WINNERS
Querida McFall J1O
How I often wonder why
It stays up there in the sky.
OVERALL WINNER
Waxing full or waning free,
I’m glad the moon is there with me.
Secrets of the Sunbeam
Bright beam of light,
a spotlight from the sun.
Look at my colour,
you think there’s only one.
Maya Millar J1O
Until a shower of raindrops
Unlocks me with their key.
Then you’ll see the rainbow,
hidden inside me.
JUNIOR 2 WINNERS
DON’T TURN OUT THE LIGHT!
Sea Light
Red like a poppy-field,
orange shade of fire.
Yellow as a sunflower,
green Ochils of Clackmannanshire.
Fortunas 36
Eva Campbell J2M
Decmber 2015
‘I love you, goodnight
Streamlined bodies,
Come on in – snuggle tight.’
Drifting through the water,
But suddenly, ‘Don’t turn off the lights,’
Haloed in the light,
she pleaded – she begged,
Blue as a peacock,
Streaming from the rippled surface,
‘There could be a monster that
indigo of might.
Through underwater crevices,
will scare me overnight.’
Violet like forget-me-nots,
Creatures of another world,
‘Now, now,” says mama, “what a silly thought,
My secret bow of light.
Life beyond comprehension,
What is it at school you have been taught?’
What we are to them,
‘Oh please – the shadows too
Hayley Smith J1L
Up past the light,
sometimes I get so scared I need the loo.
Creatures of another world.
They tiptoe down the corridor,
their feet almost silent upon the floor.’
Morag Bruce J2H
‘But sweetness,’ Mama comforts.
‘No! There are noises as well.
Whistles and moans that sound like they are from hell.’
My Shadow
‘Oh,’ said Mama, feeling quite deflated.
He follows me everywhere,
If there was something she hated it was seeing her daughter agitated.
Up and down, here and there.
‘I hide amongst my covers
Forwards, backwards, round and round,
to make sure they don’t see me.
So silent, never makes a sound.
Lots of others do it, too, I’m sure.’
He’s never lost, he’s never found,
Mama had to endure the rest of an hour.
Just follows me around.
She had a sour feeling on her tongue.
But when it’s dark, he disappears,
Although, it would seem that you can bore yourself to sleep.
Melts into the shape of fears.
Snoring loudly, the child was tucked into bed.
He’s so shy,
And, proudly, Mama flicked off the light switch.
I don’t know why.
Halfway down the landing
A mirror image of me,
(that must have been a standing record).
Moves when I move, that’s the key.
But as expected…
We’re inseparable you see,
My shadow and me…
‘Don’t turn off the light!’
Sophie Robinson J2H
15
December 2015
Fortunas 36
OPEN DAY
16
On Saturday 12 September, Dollar
Academy opened its doors for a second
Open Day, inviting prospective pupils
and parents, visitors and former pupils
to explore all the school has to offer.
The grey drizzle somehow made things
cosier, and a throng of visitors enjoyed
the many delights of the day.
School tours, led by the pupils,
provided a lively insight into what
everyday life at Dollar is really like.
The Pipe Band display, held indoors,
was no less stirring—perhaps it was all
the more so for being experienced at
closer-than-usual quarters.
In the Maguire Building,
the Advanced Higher Art pupils
were putting the finishing touches
to their self-portraits. Down in the
Drama Studio, National 5 pupils were
improvising scenes from Romeo and
Juliet. Audience members were drawn
in by their wit and ingenuity, and by
a sense that these pupils would have
been there honing their drama skills
whether it was an Open Day or not.
Some
very
provocative
ideas were exchanged about the
current refugee crisis during debate
coaching in the English Department,
whilst the EDT Department enjoyed
demonstrating its new 3D printer. The
international café held in the superb
new building was a draw because it
allowed for indoor, courtside viewing
of the hockey matches with the added
delights of croissants, pastries and hot
drinks.
Heather Moore
Features
COME AND PLAY EVENTS
Come and Play is a series of regular events hosted by the
Dollar Academy Prep School for pre-school children and
their families. The activity is provided free of charge and any
children aged three to four years old are warmly invited to
attend. Parents or grandparents can bring their child and
enjoy a cup of tea while the children play with the toys and
have fun with our early years teaching staff and assistants in
the infant classes and garden area. Each event in the series
has a different theme and the activities are led by staff and
assistants from Dollar Academy.
The October fun session, for pre-school children and
their families, was all about making music. As the children
arrived, Mrs Leggatt was playing lively tunes on the piano
while Mrs Timney and the Prep 1 teachers greeted the
children. Before long a circle had formed, and children and
adults alike joined in with the singing. The children loved
accompanying the songs with some percussion instruments
and the actions were a lot of fun too.
One visitor said, ‘This was a great opportunity for
me to bring my daughter into the school, let her experience
the classrooms and meet some of the young children who
might become her future classmates. The Come and Play
session was relaxed and informal – I’m relatively new to the
area so it was a lovely opportunity to chat with other local
parents.’
Grandparents, parents and friends enjoyed the
chance to chat over a cup of tea and cake, while the children
tucked into their snacks with their new friends. The children
created their own instruments before decorating them with
the fluffy, glittery materials on hand. The final songs and
dances were enjoyed by all, especially as the tunes were
enhanced by the children’s fantastic new shakers and noisemakers.
‘Our programme of events for pre-school children
provides parents from our local communities with the
opportunity to visit the school, experience some of what we
offer, and meet other parents and teachers,’ said Liz Gunn
(Head of Communications). ‘These events are open to anyone
with pre-school children and are without any obligation, but
many of our visitors have taken the opportunity to have an
informal chat with us about the procedure for enrolment and
entrance assessment. We really enjoyed hosting our young
visitors and are looking forward to the next event in January.’
For further information about the Come and Play sessions,
you are invited to contact: registrar@dollaracademy.org.uk
or call 01259 742 511
Upcoming dates and themes for
the remainder of the 2015-2016
Come and Play series are:
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
• ‘Come and Play’, Thursday 14
January, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
• ‘Spring Time Fun’, Thursday 17
March, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
• ‘Mini Games’, Thursday 5 May,
1:30pm - 2:30pm
• ‘Wildlife Explorers’, Thursday 2
June, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
17
December 2015
Fortunas 36
FORM VI
ACTIVITY
PROGRAMME
18
For the month of June, following the
stress and anxiety of exam season,
Form VI pupils enjoyed a multitude of
activities designed to get them ready
for university, whilst also ensuring
that they enjoyed their last few weeks
at Dollar Academy.
Lectures on student finance
and surviving university were offered
alongside some lively presentations
from FPs about university life.
Pupils
also
experienced
inspirational lectures from current
staff and visiting speakers on
everything from climbing the north
face of the Eiger and running across
the Sahara Desert, to creating and
developing a million-pound company.
The wide variety of lectures and
presentations encouraged pupils to
think ‘out-of-the-box’, expand their
knowledge of what is out there (beyond
Dollar Academy) and send the message
that the world really is their oyster.
Running alongside these lectures and
presentations, departments offered
a variety of learning experiences
designed to develop all sorts of key
skills valuable for university and life
after Dollar Academy. The skills focused
upon included critical thinking,
problem solving, analysis, team work,
leadership, resilience and more.
Pupils found themselves
learning basic computer programming
skills, dealing in stocks and shares
as part of a simulated stock market
challenge, designing a trebuchet to
launch watermelons, being wowed by
a simulated 3D experience inside the
human body and exploring St Andrews
and its aquarium. And this list is just
a sampling of the range of experiences
on offer.
Pupils were also involved in
a number of volunteering projects in
Dollar and across Clackmannanshire.
Some were doing creative DIY at
Seammab School, gardening at a local
home for the elderly, litter-picking and
surveying wildlife along the cycle track
between Dollar and Tillicoutry and
tidying the banks of the Dollar Burn
on Burnside and in Dollar Glen. This
involvement in the community further
nurtured a sense of social responsibility
in our leaving pupils which we hope
Features
offered a perfect way for Form VI to say
their farewells to each other.
So many staff, FPs and visiting
guests helped to make this programme
a success for Form VI. A huge thank
you goes out to everyone involved in
its success.
Simon Burbury
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
they will take with them as they move
on from Dollar.
Pupils did also enjoy some
more leisure-based activities to
encourage camaraderie, team spirit,
and resilience. From Ultimate Frisbee,
flag football and surfing to ballet,
touch rugby and go-karting, there was
almost sure to be a leisure activity to
suit any individual’s tastes. The more
adventurous tackled paintballing and
a tree top assault course, whilst those
more inclined to peace and quiet were
able to enjoy croquet on the lawn, a
session of yoga or a round of golf. The
highlight of the programme for many,
however, was the now traditional Form
VI trip to Bute. A beautiful day on
the beach and a lovely meal together
19
FAREWELL,
MR McGONIGLE
December 2015
Fortunas 36
THE MAESTRO
20
That memorable year, 1984, brought two appointments
in Dollar which were to transform the Academy over the
next thirty years. Having arrived in Dollar in 1979, John
McGonigle was appointed Director of Music in 1984, the
same year as John Foster became Head of PE. These two men
of vision, drive, and charisma came to characterise their
subjects, and to exemplify their best educational approaches
not just in Dollar, but on the national stage. At root, both
were outstanding teachers, who knew how to inspire others.
John McGonigle, although a knee injury limited his
sporting career (a trial with St Mirren no less), is steeped in
sporting culture; John Foster, for his part, had a Grade VIII
in clarinet, but the Acme Thunderer became his instrument
of choice as his career developed. In many schools, sport
and music work as twin engines, speeding off on mutually
exclusive tracks. There was never such a problem in Dollar,
where each departmental supremo was sympathetic to the
needs of the other, and indeed fully co-operated in sharing
practice and rehearsal schedules to the benefit of all their
students.
When, in 2000, the rugby 2nd XV needed a coach,
John McGonigle of all people became their impassioned
mentor. He claimed to know nothing about the game, but his
sporting astuteness and operatic motivational skills brought
the results. Subtly, his influence spread more widely in the
Dollar talent pool. Celebrated sportsmen like Rory Lawson
were mainstays of the choir; Hannah Cowlin could move
from the lead role in the summer musical to winning races on
the track the following afternoon. Both Johns knew that the
enrichment of the all-round educational experience would
benefit the pupils as much as the school itself. And both men
instinctively knew that creating the public face of Dollar was
a main part of their responsibility.
Those who worked closely with John could not fail
to have respect for the enormous demands he placed on all
around him – and his own rigorously high standards were
maintained throughout his career. His choirs travelled, and
the opportunities to sing, for example in St Paul’s Cathedral
at the memorial service for Sir Ian Morrow, widened Dollar’s
musical compass.
Farewells
John Robertson
(former Rector of Dollar Academy)
Fortunas 36
Dollar’s stage sadly will no longer witness that
vigorous, athletic and immaculately presented Musical
Director, but his retirement will bring him the opportunity
to innovate even more. He and his wife Beryl go with genuine
best wishes and thanks from a wide Dollar community. The
legend will grow.
Decmber 2015
Change was welcomed throughout his career – as in
the move from the tiny, two-room base in the un-extended
Iona Building into the brave new world of the Gibson
Building, a move which brought the development of a full
orchestra, followed by a second orchestra, a jazz orchestra,
and then a second jazz orchestra; and any number of chamber
groups. John was also supremely alert to the developments
in technology which were revolutionising music production
and access. The Choral Concerts moved from Dollar Parish
Church to a range of venues – Paisley and Dunfermline
Abbeys, Dunblane Cathedral, The Church of the Holy Rude
in Stirling, St Michael’s Linlithgow and so on. Then, the
new concert hall in Perth became the traditional Christmas
venue, before Edinburgh’s Usher Hall was stormed. At every
point, new expectations were created, and the repertoire
was expanded. Just as well London’s Albert Hall was never
available at the right time.
Throughout all this, the school musical (quite beyond
the capabilities now of most UK schools) was developing
into an ever more complex summer term event. It was the
feature above all others which provided the emotional and
educational cohesion for senior pupils in their final term
in Dollar. John’s demands on the musicians always repaid
many times over – for the school as a whole as much as for
the individual performers.
The McGonigle era was distinctive: his west
coast sporting repartee brought mordant wit amongst his
harangues in the manner of a Bill Shankly. Once, when
I commented to him that the quartet on show was clearly
struggling with a piece, he retorted that the first violinist
had saved the day, the others having sold the jerseys. Tenors
routinely were described as failing to turn up for the second
half. As a left-handed conductor, or southpaw as he would
have it, he traded blows memorably with Andrew Carter, who
thought he was too demanding (‘a wild highland chieftain’)
of a genteel southern choir, the Oxfordshire Youth County
Choir. John was withering in his contempt for that effete
stance. In his personal Dollar domain, though he might
be too modest to admit it, he conducted in front of the
great Antal Dorati (a Dollar grandparent), and the likewise
legendary Sir Alexander Gibson. Neither was offered the
baton, nevertheless. ‘My choir, not his,’ John commented.
In the end, he brought joy, energetic warmth in
participation, and a host of spectacular musical moments
to Dollar; he constructed a department full of staff as
enthusiastic about children and young adults making music
as he is himself. The post-school achievements in music
of so many young people he taught (too numerous to list)
have been remarkable. I learned once that another Dollar
grandparent, a revered former HMI in Music, ensured his
grandchildren attended Dollar. John McGonigle had been
the most inspiring musical educator he had observed in
hundreds of visits to schools.
21
December 2015
Fortunas 36
JOHN MCGONIGLE
22
What can one say? How does one attempt to summarise, to
do justice to and ultimately to thank someone who has given
so many years of his life to Dollar? Whether it be the music,
the sport, the teaching, the leadership, the vision or just the
simple fact of having shared a rich and powerful life with so
many thousands of people over the decades he was in the
school – how do you properly write it up?
John, I think, would probably mutter, ‘Don’t try –
it’s not about me; it’s about the pupils.’ In fact, I know he
would: I can hear him tutting now as I write this. It’s all about
what you can give to the pupils, and what you can draw from
them, leading them to be the best they can be, he would have
said, giving them music, finding the edge. (But possibly a bit
more bluntly, with a little more fortissimo, appassionato,
and a little more attack… The whistle he could produce from
between his front teeth would have stopped battalions.)
If you listened to John – and it was difficult not to
– his retirement would have passed unremarked; we should
have let him slip away from Dollar with barely a shiver in the
string section, a mere rumble from the bass. A contradiction,
really, because in his time with us he was a man of great
moment, a larger-than-life figure who perfectly occupied the
podium that very first time that he presented the school at
the Usher Hall. With 400+ pupils behind him, and 1700+
audience in front, he made it all happen – he was a man
who could lift a baton and create perfect stillness. And then
unleash the heavens. He could do it with an eyebrow. And yet
he was just as comfortable in the review lessons he instituted
in recent years, where he would sit with an instructor and a
Preppie, listening intently and then talking wisely and gently
through the steps the teacher and the child might take next
on the long road to excellence.
For excellence was what it was about, and the
sense that we could all be on that road. Everyone can make
music, everyone has a voice, he believed; it needs work, and
understanding, and insight and work, yet more work. It needs
the passion to succeed, that drove his 2nd XV rugby sides year
after year over the opponents’ touchline, with John hoarse
in exhortation from the touchline. It demands precision,
concentration, discipline to produce the falling cadence of
a perfectly executed Amen in the last seconds of a Chamber
Choir motet. It demands the kind of sacrifices he himself
made, when everything hurts, but you still keep going until
you get it right.
It was about standards of decency, fairness and good
behaviour – of doing things right. On a pitch, in a concert hall,
around the school – for John, there was a right way of doing
things. And it was about style. Even now, as we get under way
for yet another Usher Hall concert, the paperwork bears his
mark – the instruction to turn up in ‘crisp white shirt’ and
‘ties done up (preferably in a Windsor knot)’.
Generations have cause to be thankful for what he did
for Dollar and for what they themselves were given and have
since become; their lives and music are his best testimonial.
Geoff Daniel
Farewells
MUSICAL
MAESTRO:
JOHN
MCGONIGLE
their musical ability.
Mr McGonigle’s aim was
highlighted in the department’s
handbook: ‘To give every child a glimpse
of the magic of music.’ He did that and
so much more. Under his direction the
Music Department at Dollar Academy
has gone from strength to strength. He
was an amazing teacher, musician and
mentor and we will miss him. We wish
him every health and happiness in his
retirement.
The Music Department
Photographs courtesy of Jan van der Merwe
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
John McGonigle arrived at Dollar
Academy in August 1979 and for 36
years he was at the centre of musical
life at the Academy. His energy and
passion were evident from day one and
pupils learned very quickly just what
Mr McGonigle was like. In his first few
days at school he heard a boy being
teased for heading to an orchestra
rehearsal. John wasted no time in
seeking out the bully and setting him
straight. The message was clearly sent
out that musicians were to be treated
well, and that music was a subject to be
respected.
Mr McGonigle was passionate
about singing and he loved working
with pupils of all levels. ‘Singing is
an athletic pursuit and not for wimps’
frequently rang out in classrooms
and echoed round the Gibson
auditorium. Pupils responded with
raised sternums and heads held high.
His choral work was exceptional and
the level of excellence he produced
was an inspiration to all those around
him. Mr McGonigle had an amazing
ability to spot, in any individual,
even the smallest seed of interest in
music. He would nurture and nudge
until that small seed started to grow
and on many occasions flourished.
Pupils would undergo many different
reactions to him. Some would avoid his
path. They knew that he would find out
why they had missed a rehearsal; they
understood that he would demand a
very good explanation and they quickly
saw that there was no point in trying to
hide. Many pupils were glad that he had
so strongly encouraged them to join
Mixed Voice Choir at the beginning of
Form VI, and they often came back to
say so at the end of the year. Many grew
very fond of him and enjoyed every
moment of his expert teaching and
musical direction. Some he inspired
to become professional musicians,
music teachers, sound engineers and
composers. Many others he inspired to
carry forward their musical interests
as participants in amateur orchestras,
choirs and as listeners in concert halls.
One thing that was very
clear to all who knew him was that
Mr McGonigle cared deeply about his
pupils. He would spend many hours
outwith the classroom with pupils
who were struggling with aural or
theory work and he would speak with
great satisfaction about what had
been achieved in these sessions. He
understood and met the needs of the
children he worked with, whatever
23
December 2015
Fortunas 36
24
My earliest memories of John McGonigle were formed as a
new pupil to the school; I had just been invited to lead the
Junior Orchestra for Friday assemblies. I already knew, of
course, that when Mr McGonigle invited you to do something
it was an instruction – not a request. I was lucky; I could
already play an instrument.
But John never ignored those who were less lucky,
less musically-inclined by nature. Instead, he made it his
mission to get them to sound even just a single note on an
instrument or sing a single pitch. From that first note he
would nurture and build, turning even the most unlikely
pupil into a musical force.
Many of the 1st XV would end up in choir and they
would, although not always at first, enjoy the experience.
And a McGonigle pre-match rugby team talk wasn’t very
different from a dress rehearsal; the same unwavering belief
in what he was saying would be evident. These talks became
the stuff of legend.
Having been for many years now a colleague of
John’s, I know first-hand that he worked far harder than
most could guess to make the Music Department what we
see and hear today. There cannot be many teachers who
would push a piano up to the Prep School each week to give
a music lesson. There cannot be many teachers who would
stand so firmly for what they truly believed to be the best for
the school.
In the last week of last session, I watched (through
the window of a rehearsal room) as John took a wind ensemble
rehearsal only days before Prize Giving. He perched on the
edge of his seat, on the edge of retirement, but he conveyed
as much drive and enthusiasm as I had seen when I played in
the Junior Orchestra all those years before. John stood firm
on demanding the best for his musicians and colleagues but
he never stood still as far as driving music forward at Dollar.
Happy retirement, John, and continue to enjoy
being part of music in the future. It’s because of your hard
work and dedication that so many former pupils enjoy music
as well.
David Christie
Farewells
During my time as a student of music, I have yet to meet
someone who is so utterly dedicated to his students – no
matter what level, he brings out the best in whoever he works
with, whether it be an advanced chamber group or the prep
choir. I’ve met very few people who have this ability – and
none who do it with his versatility. Fergus McCreadie (FP 2014)
. . . a great mentor and friend and probably one of the most
important people I have met growing up. It’s thanks to him
that I’m still leading this uncertain but exciting life of music. Lizzie McGhee (FP 2012)
From the stern frown followed with a wry smile at one of
Alex Fletcher’s botched jazz chords, to the London trips,
musical band pits, choir and orchestra rehearsals: my fondest
memories of Dollar relate to working under the precise baton
of John McGonigle.
Neil Watson (FP 2007)
For those students in whom John recognised real potential
to pursue music as a career, he would set ambitious goals
which would challenge us to transcend our technical abilities.
His ‘holistic approach’ towards a rounded musicianship was
invaluable and informs all aspects of my professional musical
life on a daily basis. Euan Stevenson (FP 1999)
The opportunity to compose and then conduct my own
composition for Mr McGonigle’s school orchestra was the
grounding for a continued study in composition and band
leading that has become a key part of my career today.
Jonathan Silk (FP 2007)
My experiences of leading the 1st Orchestra, playing
concertos and chamber music and performing as a soloist at
Perth Concert Hall are not only great memories but served
as invaluable training for my studies in America and for my
current teaching work in Cambridge and London.
Rowan McGirr (FP 2008)
‘Mr McGonigle was one teacher who really petrified a lot of
us in school. He was a very passionate and critical teacher.’
James Leggat (FP 2012)
Excerpts from a letter from Mr and Mrs Adam
(parents of Kyle, FP 2012)
Fortunas 36
George Anderson (FP 2010)
I feel compelled to write to you… My son Kyle came home
a few months ago saying he was thinking of auditioning for
the senior musical production. To say I was surprised was
an understatement as he had never shown any inclination to
sing or dance before. Having an awareness of the calibre of
children in these shows, I prepared him to be disappointed.
When he told us he had got the part of
Skimbleshanks, we were thrilled for him…
On Tuesday night, the cast were magnificent, so I
was a little nervous as we approached Act Two…
Wow. His singing, dancing and stage presence were
a joy to behold. We are in awe of what Kyle has achieved with
your help and guidance… Thank you so much for giving Kyle
the opportunity to showcase his hidden talents.’
Decmber 2015
‘I look back at my time with the Music Department and Mr
McGonigle with a combination of fondness and slight fear,
but as both a musician and mentor I cannot now think of
anyone better suited to oversee Dollar Academy’s musical
ventures.’
June 2012
Dear Mr McGonigle
25
December 2015
Fortunas 36
FRANCES
McDONALD
26
When I was asked to contribute a note
on the retirement of Frances McDonald
from the Biology Department at Dollar
Academy, my first thoughts were that
this was a very easy task: Frances has
contributed so much to the school
these past nineteen years – there would
be no shortage of material to write
about. There is so much I could say,
but it’s in the nature of the lady I know
well that she would be much happier
if I kept my comments brief, with no
fulsome praise and as little elaboration
as possible – not so easy.
Frances came to the school
part-time at first, but was soon
installed on a full-time, permanent
basis when her many talents were
spotted. She has been a rock in the
Biology Department ever since. A
fount of knowledge, particularly on the
subject of the natural world in Scotland
and beyond, her commentary on exams
and workbooks was always greatly
valued. Her input helped to ensure that
our courses were some of the best in the
country. She decorated her laboratory
in the most wonderful way, using her
artistic talents to the maximum and
encouraging her pupils to do the same.
As a result her lab was a positive art
gallery of biological drawings, models
and paintings, putting the rest of us
to shame. Furthermore, many pupils
were unaware that the textbooks they
used were illustrated by drawings
and cartoons drawn by their teacher.
Everyone knew who wrote the books,
but few were aware of the name of the
talented illustrator – Frances would
never own up to that.
A highlight of the school
year was the Malaysian Expedition,
organised over a period of ten years
and taking up the first two weeks of the
summer holidays. Pupils from Forms
III to VI signed up to the trip in large
numbers. When we first embarked
upon the project we thought we
might only manage a biennial event,
but when word spread we became
inundated with requests to join the
expedition. I cannot in these few lines
do justice to the support that I received
from Frances on these trips. Her
quiet, thoughtful, sensible, pragmatic
advice was invariably proved correct,
and ensured the smooth and efficient
running of these trips. I know many of
our readers who went to Malaysia with
us will agree that it was one of the most
memorable events of their young lives
at Dollar Academy.
Frances took a hockey team
for many years, training two evenings a
week throughout the cold, dark winter
terms, and attending and refereeing
the games every Saturday without
fail. She would never mention that
as a young woman she played for the
Kenyan national team at the World
Championships.
She was never absent from
class and was invariably found coaching
keen pupils after school, particularly
if English was, for them, a foreign
language. She became involved with
the Modern Languages Department
too, employing her sound knowledge
of French and her perhaps less-fluent
Italian (I am attempting to be honest
here!), and she has gone on numerous
trips to France with the pupils over
many years. I expect she will continue
this good work well into retirement.
She was an Assistant Year
Head for many years too, and as such
gave firm but sympathetic support to
those under her care. A few lines do no
justice to her work in this sphere.
Can I summarise her
contribution to the school? Yes, I can.
If any new young teacher is seeking
an example to follow, then this is it:
someone who has worked tirelessly for
the school, often close to 24/7, helping
children in class and after class with
never a hint of complaint, involving
herself in a hugely wide variety of
activities outside the classroom after
school, at weekends and during the
holidays. Frances did more than walk
the extra mile – much more. And she
did so with never a thought for praise
or self-aggrandisement. She will be a
huge miss to the Biology Department
and to the school at large. I wish her a
long and healthy and happy retirement.
Andrew Morton
(former Head of Biology)
Jim is an enthusiastic traveller
and, as retirement approached, he
made the most of the opportunities
available to him at Dollar Academy.
He organised a trip for Form V and VI
pupils to CERN, the particle accelerator
in Geneva, where his excellent French
put the rest of us to shame. He also put
this skill to good use over the years on
multiple ski tours, Geography trips to
the Alps and on his favourite trip of all
– the Battlefields. This trip to the First
World War trenches and cemeteries so
touched him that he asked to go back
again.
Sharon Fulton and David Lumsden
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
The world was Jim’s oyster as an
aeronautical engineer, but having
decided that working for Boeing in
Seattle was not the career move for
him, he chose to dedicate his life to
inspiring, educating and entertaining
a generation of new engineers and
physicists.
He arrived at Dollar Academy
in the early 1990s with his three
children and his wife, Chris – and
almost immediately cemented his
place in the lives and hearts of many
Dollar Academy pupils and staff as the
Head of Physics and, with Chris, as
Houseparents of Playfair House.
Anyone, upon first meeting
Jim, would immediately be struck by
his great sense of humour. He was
always in demand for a staff function
and could be relied upon to compère
Charities Committee auctions and
judge talent shows – who else could do
one-liners like him? His catch phrases
have become part of the lexicon of the
Science Department at Dollar. Many
a Form VI pupil learned where to find
‘the Last Chance Saloon’ and became
wary of putting their blazer on ‘the
shoogly peg’ near the door of the Form
VI lab. What Form I Science pupil
will forget the law of conservation of
energy: ‘If the wind disnae blaw, ye get
hee-haw!’?
Farewells
JIM FULTON
The boys of Playfair House
will remember that he also enjoyed
organising trips for them: Alton
Towers was one of their favourites.
Jim and Chris were Houseparents for
over ten years and in that time they
dedicated every minute to looking
after and supporting the generations
of boys who passed through their
doors. A regular stream of wedding
invitations, to the marriages of boys
they once looked after, comes through
their door. And anyone who attended
a Playfair House Christmas party will
vividly remember the fun and energy
that both Jim and Chris brought to the
job.
In the Physics Department,
it was hard to believe that Jim was
ready to retire. He was as energetic,
encouraging and inspiring as the day
he arrived – always ready to lead by
example, to support his staff and to
look after the pupils. He takes this
vigour to the next stage of his journey,
which sees him going on safari in
Africa at the end of the year. He is not,
however, lost to Dollar Academy: next
May and June he will be back as chief
invigilator for the SQA. That will keep
all the exam candidates and Dr Brooks
in order.
27
MARGARET
WADDELL
December 2015
Fortunas 36
(AKA ‘The Duchess’)
28
Margaret arrived at Dollar Academy
during
December
1986
from
Wallace High School where a highlyregimented departmental head had
trained her in the disciplined manner
with which Dollar pupils would very
soon become accustomed. She was
once heard promising a pupil that she
could ensure the tucking in of a rogue
shirt tail with the use of a nappy pin.
Her excellent work within
the Business Studies Department, as
it was then called, will be remembered
by the many pupils whom she nurtured
and inspired. Margaret’s unstinting
enthusiasm for teaching and her role
in supporting pupils to achieve their
best was her ultimate goal. She spent
many a long hour honing her IT skills
and keeping up to date with new
software packages. Over the years she
showed her acumen in her delivery of
Accounting; meticulously developing
notes which were generously shared
with schools and teachers throughout
Scotland. Many former pupils, now
enjoying esteemed careers, have often
credited their first Accounting teacher
with having provided them with the
initial detailed knowledge and skills to
ensure they succeeded at university.
She is also a committed
ambassador
for
the
Scottish
Qualifications Authority, providing
valuable consultancy work as well as
vetting and marking Advanced Higher
level exams and revising NABs.
She was a stalwart of the school
musicals as their business manager,
making sure all in the administration
quarter (especially front of house) ran
like clockwork. Indeed Mrs Waddell’s
fame as an organiser extraordinaire
will be a lasting legacy. This level of
performance was also reflected in her work as Communications Manager for the
school and her skills proved invaluable with the Charities Committee and with
Young Enterprise.
And nor were the skills she acquired at Dollar merely professionally based,
or even classroom-based. They also included construction. Together with her
colleague and best friend, Mrs Anne Marshall, Margaret undertook the physical
digging of the ditches required for the computer cabling that was to be laid out
to the Business Education Department’s huts. This provided many a fun hour and
resulted in a call to the police by a concerned resident spotting these strange, latenight shenanigans.
The House parties, the Halloween high jinks and the consistently excellent
foods served up in the Waddell home were amongst Margaret’s specialities. Her
renowned culinary skills were known to attract a certain Computing Head of
Department, and many a drop-in guest arrived hoping for an invite to the house
barbecue. The boarding house was affectionately known to many of her colleagues
as The Argyll Arms – where they would gather after a Parents’ Night to unwind. The
call to leave was heralded by the invitation to have a nightcap of Yukon Jack which
never failed to encourage a mass exit – this was not a delicious brew!
Her nickname, ‘the Duchess’, stems from her twelve-year reign (alongside
her long suffering/loyal/admiring husband, George) as Houseparent of Argyll
House. She was passionate in her determination to make boarding at Argyll House
an experience as close to a home from home as possible. Many an ‘Argyll Girl’
would never dream of having a wedding or a christening without their Dollar
parents present.
Margaret will be sorely missed in the Business Education Department
but her ties with the school will not be entirely broken. Even as we wish her a long
and happy retirement, we note her continuing involvement.
Alan and Colleen Blythe, Jane and Bill McFarlane and Trudi Spencer
In August 2015, after retiring from the teaching staff, Margaret took
up her role as SVQ co-ordinator at Dollar Academy. She has been busy guiding
and supporting staff within the boarding community, helping them to achieve
their SVQ 3 qualifications. She also liaises with the course provider, Edinburgh
College. Margaret also continues to manage the registration and post-registration
arrangements of our boarding staff with the Scottish Social Services Council.
Welcomes
SUSIE DAVIDSON
ANDREW SHARP
teacher. We have admired his capacity
for detailed preparation, for very wellstructured explanations of technical
processes, but it is his passion for the
creative results of teaching and the
transformative power of education that
are more noteworthy. He understands
that art is not all inspiration; it
is also problem solving and his
approach is exemplified by a delight
in invention. The delayed submission
of photographic assignments was
addressed by a forfeit: to sing Justin
Beiber’s ‘Boyfriend’ to the rest of the
class. Submission problem solved.
I have been impressed by
the unassuming way he created an air
of integrity. There are no histrionics;
his thoughts are considered; he
deliberates over each response. While
others carelessly breathe out, Andrew
thoughtfully breathes in and when
he speaks to a class, people listen and
learn. He has our very best wishes.
Fortunas 36
Gus Maclean
Decmber 2015
I must try to resist rejoicing too
excessively in the brilliance of Andrew
Sharp. He would not want it. He
deplores hyperbole and is the master
of understatement: the embodiment
of quietness and modesty.
His
three-year
tenure
in Art and Design transformed
our expectations of what an art
technician was capable of doing. So
as not to embarrass him, I should
avoid mentioning how he applied
his technical gifts to reinventing our
teaching of visual communication. I
shouldn’t mention how he illuminated
the use of IT packages with highly
imaginative demonstrations of the
uses and potential of picture-making.
(Once, he created total black-out
and, with a tiny aperture, turned the
classroom into a ‘camera obscura’: a
beam of light and an image of Dollar
came flooding in, upside down, but
twice as real.)
Andrew is a son of the manse
and a graduate of Glasgow School of
Art. He joined the Art Department in
2012, and he moves onward to study
Education at Strathclyde. This move has
not surprised anyone: he is a natural
Susie joined us in August 2014 to
cover Gill Robb’s maternity leave. She
certainly settled in very quickly and
was popular with both staff and pupils.
Born in Inverness, she
attended Culloden Academy, then
fulfilled her dream of becoming a
PE teacher through her studies at
the University of Edinburgh. After
graduating, she taught at Leith
Academy before moving south of the
border to teach at The Royal Grammar
School
in
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Whilst teaching in Newcastle, Susie
met her fiancé, Rob.
She brought a wealth
of experience to the school in so
many ways. Form III hockey went
from strength to strength under
her guidance. Having played for
Scotland U21 (she still plays National
League hockey), her inspiration was
instrumental with her Form III A’s;
they won the Scottish Cup under her
guiadance. In all, she led her team to
victory in three titles over the course
of the session.
I would like to thank her, on
behalf of all the pupils and staff, for
her work with hockey, PE and with the
school musical. We all miss her outgoing
personality and her willingness to do
that bit extra whenever she could. We
wish her all the best for her upcoming
Inverness wedding and for her big
move to Houston, Texas with Rob.
Good luck, Susie!
Lynsey Allan
29
welcome
ANDREW MORLEY
December 2015
Fortunas 36
KAREN MILLER
30
We warmly welcome Karen to the
school as our new Assistant Rector.
She comes from St George’s School
in Edinburgh, where she spent an
enjoyable twelve years as Head of
Geography and Head of Year.
Born in Dundee, she spent
much of her childhood in Canada.
Exposure to harsh Canadian winters
and bedtime tales of early explorers
fuelled a lifelong passion for geography
and adventure. Karen returned to
Scotland for secondary school and
university but then headed west
again for graduate studies in Arctic
Climate Change at the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst. Although
fieldwork in Alaska was an amazing
experience, it was her role as a teaching
assistant that she relished and she
decided it was time to return to the UK
to pursue this path.
Karen’s teaching career has
taken her to schools across the UK: in
both boarding and day schools, from
the ultra-orthodox to the strictly nondenominational. Always passionate
about education outside the classroom,
she has led pupil expeditions to
Poland, Honduras, China, Vietnam and
Antarctica.
Outside of school, besides
travelling, Karen enjoys golf, football,
computer games and spending time
with family. Recently married, Karen
tells us that her husband, Henry, hails
from across the Old Firm Divide –
there is no lack of friendly debate in
the Miller household.
Karen is enjoying the
challenges of her new position and
has been particularly impressed by the
friendliness of the staff and students.
She looks forward to her career here
and to becoming a part of the Dollar
community.
Andrew joins the Academy as our new
Assistant Director of Music. He was
born in Cambridge and brought up in
Beverley in East Yorkshire. There, he
was a chorister in the choir of Beverley
Minster, and that is also where he first
learned to play the organ. He moved
to Edinburgh in 1995 to study Music
at the University of Edinburgh whilst
also holding a choral scholarship at
St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. After
graduating with a BMus he went on to
study for a PGCE, also at the University
of Edinburgh. Andrew began teaching
at the Royal High School of Edinburgh
in 2000. He also taught in a number
of Edinburgh primary schools and
spent a year seconded to Drummond
Community High School as Principal
Teacher of Music. Then, he returned to
the Royal High School and remained
there until his move to Dollar at the
start of this session.
Andrew has held various
organist posts in Edinburgh including
at the Norwegian Consulate General,
St. Mark’s, Portobello and Polwarth
Parish Church and he has worked
with a number of choirs, in particular
running ‘Come and Sing’ events for
Waverley Care.
Welcomes
Andrew’s musical claims to
fame include meeting Paul Heaton (the
lead singer of the Beautiful South),
being a ‘warm-up act’ for the composers
John Rutter and Bob Chilcott and
performing live on BBC Radios 1, 2, 3
and 4!
KAYLEIGH
MARSHALL
Dean studied Biology and Education
at Stirling University. He graduated in
2011 with a first class honours degree
and was recognised as Best Honours
Student within the school of Biological
and Environmental Sciences. He went
on to complete his probationary year
at Falkirk High School. Before joining
the Biology Department at Dollar, he
taught at Alva Academy for three years
and led the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
there. During the summer, Dean volunteers for a children’s charity called
The Newman Trust which provides
respite holidays for children with additional needs. He also enjoys cycling and
playing golf.
Dean has been overwhelmed
by the welcome he has received from
the pupils and staff of Dollar Academy,
and he has been impressed with the
ethos of the school. He is also enjoying the co-curricular programme and,
as a qualified football referee, is hoping to add value to the football coaching staff. He is, of course, also enjoying
working with the experienced Duke of
Edinburgh staff at Dollar and is looking forward to helping students fulfil
their potential both in and out of the
classroom.
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
After successfully completing her
probationary year at Bell Baxter High
School, Kayleigh joins the Academy’s
Physics Department. She was born
and raised in Clackmannanshire, and
has always spent much of her free
time golfing in Dollar and playing
badminton.
Kayleigh graduated from
Strathclyde University in 2012 with
a BSc in Physics. Her desire to share
her passion for the subject guided her
to return to Strathclyde University in
2013 to complete her PGDE. So far
this term she has enjoyed working
enthusiastically with staff and pupils
around the school, and she has been
taking the opportunity to explore the
Ochil Hills with the Duke of Edinburgh
expeditions.
She looks forward to taking
part in Dollar Academy’s traditions
throughout the year, and she has
been overwhelmed by the very warm
welcome she has received from the
school community.
DEAN CAMPBELL
31
HANNAH
MACKINTOSH
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Hannah Mackintosh joins the Art
Department as an art technician and
teaching assistant. Originally from
the Black Isle, she studied film and
photography at The Glasgow School of
Art and at Napier University. She has
spent the last year doing a course in
printmaking at Glasgow College.
After graduating, Hannah
first worked for the homelessness
charity, Shelter, and then for a fair
trade charity that worked with
vulnerable groups in the West Bank,
Gaza and Israel. Alongside this parttime work, she was also a production
designer for the Edinburgh-based and
Bafta-nominated production company
Strange Films, and she has very much
enjoyed working on a large variety of
film projects over the years.
She has been overwhelmed
by how incredibly nice everyone is at
Dollar and has really been enjoying
working somewhere so filled to the
brim with highly creative and talented
people.
32
KAREN FINNIE
Karen has joined the staff as parttime nurse. She was born in Perth and
schooled in Coventry and Greenock.
After leaving school, Karen worked
for the Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh
before deciding to pursue a career
in nursing. She studied in Fife and
graduated from the University of
Dundee. Karen has worked as a nurse
in a number of varied areas: at an
American summer camp in North
Carolina and also at the Duke of Kent
School in Surrey, where she spent a very
enjoyable six years. Her most recent
job was working in the community in
north-east Fife.
Karen enjoys tennis (playing
and watching) and has recently become
a keen walker. Last year she walked
the Great Glen Way with a friend and
raised funds for Marie Curie, and
earlier this year she completed the Fife
Coastal Path.
Karen is very happy to return
to school nursing and feels that she has
received a warm welcome from Dollar
staff and pupils.
THE LANGUAGE
ASSISTANTS
Every year Dollar stages its own version
of the Big Brother House. Five young
people (actually four; explanation
later) who have never previously met
are thrown together and told to get on
with things. The only differences from
the TV show are: a) There are no cameras filming
their every move
b) The goings on are actually interesting!
Meet our five Modern
Language native speaker assistants.
The farthest travelled is Abby, from
Taiwan. Abby is the anglicised version
of a name only she and Billy Prior,
our Mandarin guru, would attempt
to pronounce. She is our secondever Mandarin assistant, and her
hard work and dedication are already
causing memories of her predecessor
to fade. Let us see, however, if she can
bake cakes like Lily could!
The one with the shortest
journey is Nathalie. She is originally
Welcomes
DEVAN
GOLDSTONE
David Delaney
Devan Goldstone is this year’s gap
student, helping in the Physical
Education Department. He comes to
us from South Africa, more specifically,
from Pie South Africa before coming to
Dollar. He is a very keen hockey player,
and so he has helped out tremendously
with hockey at the school since his
arrival. His hobbies are anything to
do with sport and travel. His plan is
to go on to study physiotherapy and
he would love to return to the UK
(possibly London) to do so. We are very
lucky to have him with us this year.
Devan is loving all aspects of Dollar life
so far!
Lynsey Allan
Fortunas 36
Spanish Assistant – although the first
was spent in a school in Liverpool. It
has been a blessing this session to have
someone walk in and get on with the
job, secure in previous experience of
what is required. The excellent English
he has acquired through his year down
south also allows him to provide some
valuable support for the expanding
Hispanic boarding community, and he
is keen to put his interest in geography/
astronomy to use as a co-curricular
option. Chantal,
our
German
Assistant, is also not entirely new to
Dollar. She had a sneak preview last
April when she joined us for the annual
trip to the Rhineland. She too has been
quick to make her mark, both in class
and with the large number of pupils
she coaches during intervals, lunch
breaks and after-school slots. Indeed, that last comment
could be made of all five assistants, and
the extra voluntary hours they put in
contribute in a major way to the buzz
and vibrancy of a department eager to
make the most of its new setting and
facilities.
Decmber 2015
from France, but is a long-term Dollar
resident; her daughter is in Form
I. When the rise of Mandarin created
the need for a fifth assistant, the
Big Brother House was in danger of
becoming a bit overcrowded. Nathalie,
who had helped us out before, provided
the ideal solution. This is her second
year as a language assistant at the
Academy.
Also taking on a second
year is Alessio from Italy. Italian,
although not offered as a ‘mainstream’
language in the lower school, always
attracts a dedicated group of pupils
keen to learn this beautiful language
through
out-of-class
study
or
modules. Motivation ranges from
future study at a Conservatorio to the
desire to pronounce correctly the menu
at Corrieri’s! Alessio is also fluent in
French and Spanish, so he helps out
with these classes too, as well as being
a mainstay of the Academy’s thriving
and growing football club. Pedro (or ‘Pere’ in Catalán)
is also on his second year as a
33
top six
Maths, and he hopes to go on to study
History at university in London.
Outside the classroom, he
enjoys playing both football and rugby.
What Alex perhaps lacks in rugby
technique he definitely makes up for in
effort and charm, but suffice it to say
he never quite made the 1st XV. He has,
however, recently established himself
as a core member of the Ultimate
(Frisbee) team.
His easy-going and humorous good
nature have made him a popular figure
throughout the school. It is a real
pleasure to work alongside Alex in the
Top Six, and I look forward to the rest
of the year with him. I wish him all the
best for the bright future that awaits
him beyond life at Dollar.
By Rosa
December 2015
Fortunas 36
ROSA LOEDEL,
HEAD GIRL
34
Arriving at Dollar in Form I, with
an accent so far removed from her
Uruguyuan roots that it could have
been mistaken for a Fife accent, Rosa
quickly settled in and made a big
impression amongst her year group
and the wider school community.
From her role as a princess
in the Form I play to her current role
as Jane in ‘Emma’, Rosa has loved to
indulge in the theatrical opportunities
on offer at Dollar. A lover of music,
she has sung in the Chamber Choir
at countless Christmas Concerts, and
she was a dancer in the 2015 school
musical ‘The Addams Family’. This is
perhaps, coupled with gymnastics,
Rosa’s greatest talent. She reached the
Got to Dance final in 2013, and she was
the 2014 British gymnastics champion
in her discipline—some feat for a girl
with two years of school remaining.
Rosa is studying for Advanced
Highers in Chemistry, Biology and
Spanish, reflecting both her ambition
to study veterinary medicine and her
Uruguayan heritage.
Aside from her outstanding
academic performance and wide
contribution to the cultural side of the
school, however, Rosa is best known for
her bubbly personality and charisma.
You will never catch this year’s Head
Girl without a smile on her face. And
so, the school community will be sad to
see her go at the end of this year, but
we wish her all the best for the future.
By Alex
ALEX
THOMSON,
HEAD BOY
Alex arrived at Dollar in Prep 3, and
he was quick to make an impact upon
school life in many ways. It came as no
surprise when he was announced Head
Boy: he is an extremely kind person
and a familiar face around the Dollar
community. As well as undertaking
the role of Head Boy, he is this year’s
Deputy Head of McNabb & Tait House.
As he now enters his eighth and final
year of boarding, it is certain that his
presence in the boarding house will be
greatly missed.
Committed to his studies, Alex has
consistently achieved top ‘A’ grades and
won many general excellence awards.
He is currently studying for Advanced
Highers in History, Chemistry and
ANDREW
JOHNSTON,
DEPUTY HEAD
BOY
Seeing Andy without a smile on his face
is a rare occurrence (reserved for the
apparently infrequent occasions when
Falkirk loses), and his infectious laugh
never fails to cheer you up. A bright,
popular member of the Top Six, Andy
shines in everything he does.
He demonstrates his sporting
talent as part of both the tennis and
the golf teams, competing regularly
with other schools and clubs. In his
role as captain of the football team he
has also shown his all-round sporting
excellence and unending dedication to
the game.
Joining the school in Junior
2, Andy quickly became known for
his friendly demeanour and sporting
ability: which meant it came as no
surprise that he was elected Deputy
Head Boy. As if this wasn’t enough,
he has completed his Gold Duke of
Edinburgh and, rumour has it, he even
has a Grade 5 in saxophone. Not just a
pretty face, Andy achieved outstanding
By Hannah
HANNAH
PARKER,
DEPUTY HEAD
GIRL
By Andrew
DUNCAN
LENNON,
DEPUTY HEAD
BOY
By Lucy
Since joining Dollar Academy in Junior
1, Lucy has dived into the academic,
social and co-curricular life of our
school. This made it no surprise to
anyone, except herself, that she was
voted into the Top Six in June.
Lucy is a keenly enthusiastic
member of the year group and a hard
worker; her Higher results at the end of
Form V are testament to her academic
prowess: she achieved an impressive
five ‘A’s. When she leaves her Dollar
life behind, Lucy hopes to study
Economics and International Relations
and perhaps do some travelling – or
simply escape to her beloved Canada.
Outside of the classroom,
Lucy has thrown herself into a variety
of clubs and activities. In the CCF, Lucy
has been promoted to RSM and she
now leads the highly successful Dollar
Section in competitions across Britain.
She is equally good at more mundane
activities such as whipping the Form
II recruits into shape. If you ever lose
Lucy, she can almost always be found
in the Red Hut ‘working’.
Our Deputy Head Girl also
captains the Dollar Academy Ski
Racing Team and has led them to
success in competitions across Britain.
Yet she still fits in the time to take part
in marathons in Scotland and abroad.
Whatever Lucy chooses to do
in life, she will be up to the task. She
has already brought her trademark
optimistic attitude to the Top Six and
become one of Dollar’s most efficient
Deputy Head Girls.
I am looking forward to
working further with Lucy, and I am
thankful that my last year here will
be spent with a genuine friend whose
kindness knows no bounds. Her
presence and smile will be missed when
she leaves in June, but we wish her all
the luck in the world in the future.
By Duncan
Fortunas 36
Since joining Dollar in Prep 2, Duncan
has thrived in many different aspects
of school life, both academic and cocurricular. After achieving outstanding
grades in his Higher exams last year,
Duncan is studying Advanced Higher
History, Economics and English and is
eager to study History at university.
Duncan not only excels in
academics; he also immerses himself
in the co-curricular life of the school.
Duncan’s energy and enthusiasm
are evident in all that he does, from
playing Ultimate to competing in water
polo matches, from directing plays
to performing in the school musical.
And he is admired by all because, no
matter where he is or what he is doing,
he always manages to make someone
laugh or smile.
Duncan’s
horizons
also
extend into the wider world beyond
Dollar. He loves China and completed
an internship there over the summer,
working for a culture and advertising
company. He is passionate about
exploring new and exciting cultures
around the world.
He is a valued member of our
Top Six and is often considered the
kindest, liveliest and most ambitious
member of the group. It was for these
reasons, after all, that he was elected
Deputy Head Boy, which came as a
surprise to no one. We wish Duncan all
the best for his future when he leaves
Dollar and hope he never ceases to give
100% in all that he does.
LUCY HULBERT,
DEPUTY HEAD
GIRL
Decmber 2015
Very much a loved member of the Top
Six and the wider year group, Hannah
excels in everything she tries. With
a personality as big as her hair, she is
one of the most involved members of
the school community.
After joining the school in
Junior 1, Hannah has been awarded
excellence prizes every year since: from
the dux in Junior 2 to the Drama prize
(three years running). With this in
mind, it was no surprise that she was
awarded six ‘A’ grades at Higher.
But, her interests and
achievements are not restricted to
the classroom. She participates in a
wide range of co-curricular activities:
she is Head of Signals in the CCF and
a talented member of the school’s
Chamber Choir. She is known for her
infectious laugh, but she is also not one
to be trifled with, having represented
the UK for shooting at U21-level
against Canada. She has directed her
own play and is taking the lead in this
year’s senior production of ‘Emma’.
Hannah is always busy. But she never
stops smiling.
This year Hannah is studying
for Advanced Higher qualifications in
English, French, Spanish and Drama,
whilst also undertaking Mandarin
and Italian in her spare time. Not a
bad effort. The strength with which
she cares about her friends and peers
means that there is no one more suited
to being Deputy Head Girl than her.
Welcomes
results in his Higher exams and is
now studying for Advanced Highers in
English and Modern Studies as well as
for Higher qualifications in Politics and
Physical Education. He hopes to secure
a place to study Law at university
and, considering his academic and cocurricular accomplishments (not to
mention his deadly charm), this seems
more than achievable. As such a valued
and hard-working Deputy Head Boy,
Andy’s presence will undoubtedly be
missed, but we wish him well with all
that he does in the future.
35
December 2015
Fortunas 36
A fond farewell
to the Class of
2015. We wish
you luck and
look forward to
hearing from
you. . .
36
And a very warm
welcome to the Class
of 2028. We are so glad
you’ve joined us. . .
Welcomes
FORM I
ACTIVITIES DAY
On Thursday 17 September, Form I
pupils enjoyed a day that provided
a break from the norm: the Form I
Activities Day. They were excused from
class and were instead encouraged
to bounce on giant, inflatable balls;
walk narrow planks; build improbable
bridges; lose themselves and find
themselves again; shoot hoops and
involve themselves in all manner of
exciting activities around the campus.
Forging new friendships, building
confidence, having fun and learning to
trust and like their Form VI prefects:
this is what the day was all about, and
it was a great success.
The pupils were tasked with
building a load-carrying bridge in EDT
and they also teamed up to compete
in a basketball competition in PE. As
part of an orienteering competition,
they had to identify a variety of doors
around the campus. And finally, they
tackled a number of outdoor problemsolving tasks: success demanded that
they work and think together as a
team.
Dr Johnson, Form I Head of
Year, said, ‘The weather was very kind
to the day, and the pupils enjoyed a funfilled programme with the knowledge
that they would be dancing the night
away at a disco later in the evening.’
Heather Moore
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
37
38
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Boarding
MCNABB & TAIT
Fortunas 36
Harry Warr (Head of House, Form VI)
Photographs courtesy of Jan van der Merwe
Decmber 2015
McNabb & Tait returned on 26 August with eighteen new
boarders, and the house boasts as diverse a population as
ever. From every corner of the world, they arrived: from
Barbados, from Hong Kong, from Nairn and from the Czech
Republic. As always, everyone settled quickly and easily; the
boys became good friends even before the first big social
gathering of the session.
Everyone quickly adapted to the boarding routine
and despite some rumours of revolution regarding ‘sweetie
bags’, the boys took everything in their stride. It was clear,
from the beginning of the academic year, that this house of
boarders would have a big influence on wider school life.
First of all congratulations to Alex Thomson (Form
VI) on becoming Head Boy. He is the first boarder, in a
number of years, to hold this position. McNabb & Tait House
has a sizeable representation on the rugby teams this year
too; Harry Warr (Form VI) will be captaining the 1st XV,
whilst Euan McLaren (Form V) is an important player on the
team. And it would be difficult for the 2nd XV to fit any more
boarders onto the team if it tried: Alex, Andrew Cunningham,
Alfred Ngai, Stuart Dalgleish, Felix Seidenfus (all Form VI),
Sam Shed, and Jamie Wills (both Form V) all play regularly.
The U16s are also represented by Tom Morris (Form IV) and
Cameron McDermott (Form III), while Michael Gray, Gabe
Ammar, Colin Bonner and Tom Buchanan-Smith are all
playing for Form II teams.
And yet it would be wrong to assume that the boys in
McNabb & Tait are only interested in rugby. Micah Shepherd
(Form V), our new boarder from Barbados, is an expert long
jumper and all-round cricketer while Sergej Dojcinovic (Form
VI) has shown considerable skills on the tennis court.
And the house is not just a sporting one either:
Lazar Stošić (Form VI), Sergej and Robert Mair (Form V)
are all keen members of the Dollar Academy Debating
Society. Some of the boys are also keen dancers such as our
new boarder, Ilija Koncar (Form V) who moved to the top
set of his ballroom dancing class only five minutes into his
first session. We would also like to congratulate our fellow
boarder, Sam Yuen (Form VI), who has been chosen to be
a member of the Dollar Academy Yearbook Committee. The
first big event of the year was the Annual Boarders’ Team
Building Event, attended by all three boarding houses. The
day was packed full of various tasks, games and inflatable
challenges that were to be completed together. A climbing
wall, zorbs, inflatable courses, some very intense games of
capture-the-flag and a very, very wet problem-solving drill
added to the fun. Everyone enjoyed the day and the sun even
shone – for once. The highlight of the day, however, had to
be McNabb & Tait doing the tug-o-war double: we beat all
the girls in both houses (who were also helped Mr Hose and
by Noho, one of our gap year PE students). This followed hot
on the heels of our earlier Sports Weekend victory against
the day pupils. The fun and games of the afternoon were
followed by a sit-down meal in the dining hall, with everyone
in their finest smart-casual clothes; boarders and staff from
all houses came together to enjoy a wonderful meal and
round off a great day.
McNabb & Tait have a lot to look forward to in the
coming term. There will be a chance for everyone to show
off their vocal prowess with a karaoke night, or illustrate
their potential as the next Lewis Hamilton when we have
our annual go-karting outing later in the term. There are also
trips planned to Glasgow, Edinburgh and St Andrews; and, of
course, the annual Pantomime visit in December is already
eagerly awaited. The house is also gripped with Rugby World
Fever: every boy participating in the tournament house
sweepstake. We are, at the time of writing, looking forward
to our opening ceremony party: watching the first game on
the big screen, eating pizza and marvelling at the exploits of
the greatest players in the world.
39
ARGYLL
2015-2016
ARGYLL
2014-2015
December 2015
Fortunas 36
(With apologies to Wallis Rodd, FP 2015,
whose article was mistakenly omitted
from Fortunas 35)
40
Reaching my final term in my second
home is proving more emotional than I
could have imagined. The girls in Argyll
share a sister-like bond, and, clichéd
as it sounds, this ‘blended’ family
treasures every member.
My role as Head of House
has been an eye-opening experience
to say the least. The sheer amount of
organisation it takes to go anywhere
with a cohort of twenty girls is
astounding, even if it is just to watch
the latest Hunger Games film at the
cinema. Being involved in even this
modest amount of planning has made
me appreciate everything that our
Houseparents, and our parents back
home, do for us all.
The summer term brings with
it a change of Houseparents, and my
constant mantra of ‘change is always
good’ seems to be very true in the case
of Mr and Mrs Hose, even though we
will all miss the Welsh family very
much. We would always return to the
House expecting to find Logan, their
mad Labrador, scampering around, or
be met by an excited toddler with arms
outstretched, already having prepared
ourselves for an game of Musical
Statues with the most competitive
four-year-old in the world. I speak for
everyone in Argyll in sending our love
to Mr and Mrs Welsh. We hope that
Sarah and Rachel will always remember
their adventures with us.
During our time in Argyll, we
have all enjoyed experiences that we
will never forget. Our trip to Butterfly
World and the copious amounts of
face paint, glitter and wings that
accompanied it will forever be etched
in my memory. Twenty girls, most of
us over the age of sixteen, dancing
about with toddlers in wings and
pretty dresses: it was a sight to behold!
And I am sure that the girls will always
reminisce about our pleasure cruise
around Loch Lomond and the moment
of terror when everyone realised that
Josi and Hannah were driving the boat!
This year has made me
treasure every little thing that happens
within the House. The lure of university
lies ahead for us Form VI boarders, but
there is always the wistful dream that
Argyll might take us back for just one
more year, so that we can stay where
we feel safe, in a place that is truly our
adopted home.
Only those who have
experienced boarding will ever really
understand the bond that we share. No
matter where life might take us, we can
be sure that we have true friends who
know everything about us, from our
favourite colours to what goodies you
can expect us to trade from our sweetie
bags on Saturday night. I know for
sure that we will all be reunited several
more times in the years ahead – for the
twenty or so weddings that we shall all
be invited to when the time comes!
Wallis Rodd
(Head of House 2014/2015, FP 2015)
Returning to Argyll after the summer
for the sixth and final time, things
fell into place as quickly as ever. I
saw clearly the same excitement and
anticipation in the other girls that I,
too, felt upon arrival.
The House has remained
much the same with small, yet distinct,
differences. These range from minor
changes in decoration – a new rug here,
some stylish new cushions there – to the
much larger-scale replenishing of the
Argyll girls themselves. With ten new
faces around the table at suppertime,
it was admittedly quite a task for all of
us, both old and new, to learn all the
names. Not to mention, of course, the
change of Houseparents. The first term
marked the start of the Hoses’ first full
year as Houseparents of Argyll, and
they have played a crucial part in the
welcoming and settling in of all the
newcomers. (I’ve scared away three
sets of Houseparents: I hope the Hoses
outlast me!). The two mini-Hoses, Vaila
(age three) and Erin (age one), have
become outstanding additions to the
House, and they always have one of
their twenty big sisters to play with.
As I reflect on the first half of
the first term (writing this just before
the October break), I realise that I am
halfway through my sixteenth term at
Dollar. I realise how incredible it is that
the time has passed so quickly.
Something is always going on
in the House, so this should hardly be
surprising. The weeks are full of work,
bouncing from prep to the gym and so
on. The weekends are particularly busy
with movie nights and regular house
trips to entertain us. It is, though, the
delightful company that has caused
time to pass so quickly. Every moment
in the House is enjoyable and I can tell
already that I have made friends for
life amongst the new girls (as well as
amongst the old). The most memorable
moment of this term so far was when
we sat down to a chick flick and
pampered ourselves with facemasks. I
will forever wish I had captured it on
Hannah Taylor (Head of House, Form VI)
Photograph courtesy of Jan van der Merwe
Morag Bruce (Junior 2)
Fortunas 36
boarders dressing up in German attire:
dirndl, lederhosen and other most
amusing outfits. We were supplied with
German beer (as was age-appropriate)
and pretzels, entertained with German
music and we even undertook the
Steiner glass-holding competition.
Mr and Mrs Duncan received a welldeserved thanks for pulling off such an
enjoyable evening.
Organised activities aside,
however, it is by far the girls and staff
that make the House a home. I have
changed a great deal in my five-and-abit years since coming to Dollar, but I
appreciate living at Argyll House more
than ever now. But it is not the timescale
that is most important. Quality – not
quantity. By the end of the year, by the
end of this term, the ‘Dollar effect’ will
become more and more clear: claiming
it is too warm for a jumper in ten
degrees Celsius, expecting dinner at
5pm regardless of the circumstances
and never questioning the likelihood
of it raining later.
I hope that all the girls have
the same experience of boarding and
grow to love it as I have over the years.
I’m looking forward to the rest of the
year, and trust it will continue in the
same tremendous way that it began.
Before coming to Dollar I was quite
nervous about the whole boarding
world but Argyll House is such a homely
place. It’s just like living in a normal
house and having lots of big sisters
(and two little ones). Sometimes,
especially at weekends, it’s just like
having a sleepover. It feels as if you are
part of a normal family. My roommates
and I have really good fun decorating
our room and making it cosy. It’s lovely
how we are encouraged to decorate
our space and make it personal. I feel
properly at home in our room now.
Surprisingly,
there
are
actually a lot of benefits to living
on campus. You have everything on
your doorstep and it’s very easy to
get around. Already, after just a few
weeks, everyone has made me feel at
ease and part of the community and
the school. In terms of weekends,
Argyll House operates very much like a
normal home. Trips, take-outs, movie
nights and such are organised so the
weekends are normally always full.
Each day, apart from weekends, has
the same fairly simple routine just like
a normal house. This makes it very easy
for me to get up and get ready in the
morning!
Decmber 2015
camera, but I will always remember
Mr Hose dutifully donning a green
face mask (with help from his elder
daughter, Vaila) and settling down to
our chick flick. One of my favourite
house trips so far was our excursion
to St Andrews, together with the
boarders from Heyworth and McNabb
& Tait. The looks on the international
pupils’ faces when we went to ‘the
beach’ (on a day that was particularly
grey and chilly) were priceless. Despite
the disappointing weather, our spirits
were not dampened and the trip was
absolutely laugh-a-minute.
Another successful boarding
activity was the Team Building Event –
also an all-boarder affair. The weather
that Sunday was uncharacteristically
pleasant, lulling new boarders into
a false sense of security as to what
Scottish weather might actually be like.
The activities included a climbing wall
(some were far braver than others),
sumo wrestling (yes, you should have
seen the suits) and a water game in
which Noho and Devan, our gap year
students, contributed by thoroughly
soaking everyone. The day was finished
up with a formal (ish) dinner catered
by the dining hall.
Then there is the Boarders’
Ceilidh, Activities Day, the Panto...
Oktoberfest is another great boarding
tradition. Held at Heyworth, the night
was a success – with almost all of the
Boarding
FROM THE ISLE
OF SKYE TO
DOLLAR:
A JUNIOR GIRL’S
PERSPECTIVE
41
December 2015
Fortunas 36
HEYWORTH
42
As I come to the end of my time at
Heyworth House, it is good to see the
eight new girls at the very beginning
of their boarding house experiences.
They have so much ahead of them
to look forward to. They are going to
enjoy all the fantastic boarding events:
Oktoberfest, karaoke, House trips,
Christmas parties and, of course, the
legendary summer BBQ. But more
than anything, I’m excited for the
lifelong friends they are going to make
along the way.
Although life as a boarder
can be challenging as times, it is also
entertaining, eye-opening. Life in a
boarding school household is, well,
somehow much more spontaneous
than life in a normal household.
There is no such thing as a
‘normal’ day in Heyworth House. But
there are a few things you can count
on. Without question, the Duncan
family are always there to brighten up
your day. Whether it is Mr Duncan and
his stories, Mrs Duncan and her sense
of humour, Finnlay and his toy gun
attacks or, of course, Hannes’ utterly
contagious laugh. These things can be
counted upon.
Rest assured – being in
Heyworth is even more fun than the
pictures Mr Duncan insists on taking at
every event. People are always curious
as to what boarding life entails. If you
think one massive sleepover every
single night sounds amusing, then
Heyworth is definitely the place for
you. You might expect to make a few
friends, yes, but nothing can prepare
you for the way that Heyworth House
really does become your home and the
other girls become your family.
This is my fourth year in the
House, and I have seen so many of my
Heyworth family move on to great
things and exciting opportunities all
over the world. I hope that the new
members of the Heyworth family will
feel the deep appreciation that I have
felt throughout these most interesting
and inspiring past four years. So many
of the Heyworth FPs remember the
years they spent in the House as some
of their happiest times. I hope that the
wonderful family connection we have
will continue down the years as we
each pursue our own dreams. I know
that we will share our funny memories
together in years to come.
Louise Hegarty (Head of House, Form VI)
Photographs courtesy of Jan van der Merwe
and Euan Duncan
Prep
THEY WERE
HEARD TO
SAY. . .
PREP SCHOOL
SPORTS DAY
‘I loved standing in the relay team at
the start. It was so exciting!’
‘Peter beat me, just, but it was a really
good race.’
‘I tripped over the flower in the flower
race: it was so funny.’
‘I liked getting my badge. I felt really
proud of myself.’
‘We loved the little ones’ dressing-up
race. We all cheered them on.’
‘The clouds gathered and the
temperature dropped but this did not
dampen the spirits. The children all
participated brilliantly and clearly had
a fantastic time.’
‘The sack race, the flower race, the
waiter race and the dressing up: all
great favourites of the children.’
‘The Prep Sports Day wouldn’t be the
same without the trolley race.’
‘As the Pipe Band marched down
through the sports field, it was a joy
to see the Prep pupils lead them on.
They looked so proud playing their
instruments along with the rest of the
Band.’
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
43
‘This is a television with a triangle on the
screen and the electricity coming in through
the cable.’
RESTORATION
OF A DRINKING
FOUNTAIN
Last session the Prep 4 children
participated
in
a
mini-project
connected with the Burnside Fountain.
A local community group in Dollar had
undertaken the task of regenerating
the old drinking fountain on West
Burnside.
The children researched the
history of drinking fountains in the
local area and beyond. They also had
the opportunity to visit the site of the
fountain whilst the maintenance work
was being carried out. As part of the
regeneration topic, the Prep 4 children
also researched famous local people,
whose names are displayed on plaques
on the benches beside the fountain.
Prep 4 presented their topic
to the Prep and Junior School pupils in
a class assembly. And later in the year
two pupils, Eva Biggart and Alexander
Stihler (now Prep 5), were invited
to attend the official opening of the
fountain.
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Lorna Barlow
Photograph courtesy of
Jan van der Merwe
44
‘I am standing inside a rectangle.’
‘These are my beautiful flowers. I have four in
a row.’
‘Look, I have made a snake and that starts
with ‘s’.
PREP 1
PUPILS TAKE
LEARNING
OUTDOORS
Over the past six months we have
been developing the area outside the
Prep 1 classes into an outdoor learning
space. With the help of parents and
the grounds staff we have built up
an exciting array of materials to
encourage the children to be creative
and imaginative in their play. To our
delight the children are exploring
everything and everywhere. They are
taking their prior learning and using
it to create gardens, tracks, robots,
stars and planets, shapes and everyday
objects like televisions and cars. We
have been very impressed with the
range of outside artwork that the
children have been experimenting
with.
‘I have made myself from long sticks and my
name begins with ‘A’.
‘We made a garden together using sticks and
stones.’
Prep
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
45
December 2015
Fortunas 36
QUEST DAY
46
Leonardo Da Vinci was an artist,
a mathematician and an engineer,
proving that there are fascinating
connections between these different
fields. In May the pupils of the Prep
and Junior School were given a chance
to experience the connections between
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art
and Maths in a STEAM-inspired Quest
Day. The pupils had already enjoyed
a taste of what was to come when,
in the previous week, they had been
given the challenge of designing and
constructing an edifice (inspired by
images of the Eiffel Tower, the Forth
Road Bridge and the Queensferry
Crossing) using just marshmallows and
spaghetti.
The Quest Day itself started
with a bang when Dollar’s own ‘crazy
scientists’ donned their lab coats and
safety goggles in order to fire rockets,
brew multi-coloured drinks, blow stuff
up and make elephant’s toothpaste in a
special Science Show.
The pupils then split up into
mixed-age teams and took on a variety
of challenges, or ‘quests’, staged by
various departments around the school
campus. In the Science labs, they
devised metre-high bubble sculptures
and exploded Alka Seltzer and vitamin
D-filled film canisters. ‘Being inside
a bubble,’ one pupil astutely noted,
‘was fascinating.’ And who could have
guessed that bubbles could be set
alight?
They went on to create
intricate designs in the Art studios
using old keys, screws, scissors, other
assorted junk and photo-sensitive
paper. The Gibson Building auditorium
rang with the mostly harmonious
notes of concentration and creativity as
pupils manufactured their own musical
instruments from recycled plastics,
cardboard and foodstuffs. Some very
devious problems were assigned by the
Maths Department, which had to be
solved in order to crack the codes of the
safe. Trust games required blindfolded
pupils to rely upon their sighted
partners to negotiate an obstacle
course. The sports field resounded
not to the traditional crack of willow
on leather, but to the cheers of pupils
engaged in true sport: big game
orienteering and a skeleton treasure
hunt. The day culminated in the ‘Big
Dance’ finale. Pupils gathered in the
playground to perform their muchrehearsed ‘Particles’ dance routine to
the tunes of Emeli Sandé.
Heather Moore
And the pupils said...
From P5C:
Amazingly, the science teacher
managed to light bubbles.
I found out that it was called a Quest
Day as we had a lot of quests to
complete!
To learn about the magic of Science
was truly amazing.
From P5H:
It was magic when all the drinks were
changed.
I really liked the day because it was fun
and adventurous. I didn’t know what
would happen next but I knew it would
be fun.
From P4MB:
We used our brains as well as our ears.
The Rope Challenge was great; I felt like
an explorer.
From P2T:
I really like the firework that melted
glass.
Ariel broke the surface of the water
with a sigh. It was such a peaceful and
calm night. All was still. The mermaid
swam through the dark waters,
singing gently to herself.
Suddenly she swam into
something. It was a dead body! There
it lay, floating face down on the
water, but something felt very wrong.
Trembling, Ariel turned the body
over. A scream stuck in the mermaid’s
throat. The handsome, young man she
saw wasn’t dead. He was alive!
Before Ariel had a chance
to think, his strong hands were
squeezing her thin neck, strangling
the innocent mermaid…
Katie Hudd (now Form I)
LITTLE PINK RIDING HOOD
Little Pink Riding Hood was rude
and unfair. She took some cakes,
reluctantly, to her Grandmother. First
she had to go through the forest. She
saw a wolf and called it ‘Smelly!’
The wolf wanted revenge. So
it hid Grandma in the closet. And the
wolf hid in Grandma’s bed, awaiting
his prey.
When Pink walked in, the
first thing she said was: ‘Grandma you
need a shave!’ The wolf was infuriated.
He leaped out of the bed and ate little
Pink Riding Hood in one painful bite.
No one really missed her, which was
probably a good thing!
Ellie Trace (now Form I)
A CONFUSING TALE
There was a girl called Purple Riding
Girl and one day she found a massive
turnip so she decided to climb it.
When she got to the top, there was a
small cottage and inside the cottage
was Lindarella and the seventy
dwarves, and neighbouring them
were five massive sheep who lived in
five massive castles. To the left of her
she heard a massive cackle so she
went to see what it was. There was
a pink fluffy unicorn dancing on a
rainbow. The unicorn loved Purple
Riding Girl and they flew away into
the sunset.
Heather Dillon (now Form I)
THE MAGIC BEANS
Jackie was a girl who sold a shoe for
some magic beans. It was a dark,
gloomy night when she planted
them. Out of the beans came a
petite cottage, and living there were
three bears.
As furious as an angry
teacher, Jackie’s stepmother yelled
for her. The only way out was if she
went in the house. As she sneaked
in, Jackie saw a golden goose and
a prince. Suddenly she was in a
beautiful dress and dancing with
the prince. As a bell struck, the dress
disappeared. She ran with the golden
goose; her stepmother was pleased.
Grace Stirling (now Form I)
THE NOT-SO-HUNGRY
CATERPILLAR
The caterpillar was so fat. All the other
caterpillars made fun of him.
The caterpillar decided to eat
no more. As much as he loved food, he
didn’t eat. It was the season he should
turn into a glamorous butterfly. So
the caterpillar tucked into his cocoon.
But, strangely, he still came out a
caterpillar. He hadn’t eaten the things
he needed to turn into a butterfly.
So the not-so-hungry
caterpillar stayed a little, squidgy,
green caterpillar for the rest of his life.
This is why we need to eat the right
foods.
Sara Hajjar (now Form I)
Fortunas 36
Heather Moore
A TWIST IN THE TALE
Decmber 2015
Several stories from last session’s
Junior 2 class were entered into the
Young Writers’ Grim Tales Competition and five stories were selected
for publication. Katie Hudd’s story
was published in the international
version of this book: ‘Grim Tales
Around the World’ and four more
were published in ‘Grim Tales—
Scotland and Northern England’.
These winners were Heather Dillon, Sara Hajjar, Grace Stirling and
Eleanor Trace (all pupils are now in
Form 1).
The competition was for
eleven to eighteen-year-old pupils
and it required the young authors
to produce ‘mini sagas’ of only 100
words. This word limit would offer a
great challenge to anyone, even the
most experienced writers.
The only real rule was: ‘Be
Original!’ Young writers were encouraged to ‘do a funny version of a
fairy tale or retell a myth or legend
with a new twist, but it had to have
been written in their own words.’
Above all, the website admonished,
‘Tell A Good Story!’ The stories
were selected for publication based
on the entry’s demonstration of
imagination and perception, and
capacity for creative expression.
Ms Monika Harewood
commented upon how she had prepared her class: ‘I had been teaching my class about building tension
techniques and we had been reading fairy tales by Hans Christian
Andersen last term, so the pupils
had some good tools in their hands.’
She added that she was ‘delighted
with the pupils’ achievements. It
highlights what good writers they
are.’
Junior
THE YOUNG
WRITERS’
GRIM TALES
COMPETITION
47
December 2015
Fortunas 36
A CHOP FOR
CHARITY
48
Last summer, Fiona McCall (now Form
1) raised a very impressive £2500 for
the Little Princess Trust, a charity that
works to help children facing cancer.
On Friday 5 June, Fiona went to
celebrity hairdresser, Jonathan Forbes,
to have her long locks chopped off in
order to help those suffering from this
disease.
Having short hair has actually
been a long-held desire for Fiona, and
when she suggested having it done in
support of such a worthwhile cause,
no one could object. ‘My grans both
passed away from cancer so I wanted
to do something to help those with the
disease,’ Fiona explained.
Family, friends and other kind
sponsors contributed a total of £2500
to support Fiona’s generous and brave
gesture. Her cut locks will be made
into a wig to be worn by children with
cancer, while the funds raised will go to
the charity.
Sporting a very much shorter
style creation by Jonathan Forbes,
Fiona entered the summer months
feeling cool and trendy. Above all,
though, she was very much heartened
by the thought of all that she did to
help those with far greater concerns in
life.
JUNIOR 2 GEOGRAPHY PASSPORT
DAY
On Tuesday 16 June, Junior 2 pupils had an opportunity to test their geographical
skills in the annual Geography Passport Day. Twenty-one teams gathered outside
the Junior School to complete a range of tasks that included pinpointing grid
references, identifying flags and Scottish places, embarking upon a treasure hunt
and tackling a compass challenge.
The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as the young geographers
explored the grounds of Dollar Academy to answer some tough questions and
unravel the mystery of the treasure. ‘It was a lot of fun,’ said Amy Henderson,
‘People were thinking and enjoying themselves at the same time.’
The standard was high, agreed Ms Monika Harewood, ‘All the teams
completed their challenges successfully.’
In the end, the Happy Hurricanes (from J2H) scored an outstanding 165
points out of 170, and the team members were awarded first place. As pupil, Rachel
Stewart, commented, ‘It was great fun and even though we didn’t win we still had
the best time ever.’
Junior
JUNIOR 2 VISIT TO FORTH
CROSSING
In May, a group of Junior 2 pupils travelled to an event called
‘A Bridge to Schools’, organised by the Institution of Civil
Engineers and hosted by engineers at the Forth Crossing.
The purpose of the day was to introduce the children
to the possibility of engineering as a career choice. After an
introductory talk about engineering, followed by a discussion
of types of bridges, the pupils studied the construction of
the new bridge over the Forth. They undertook an activity,
working in teams, requiring them to construct a model cable
stay bridge that could take their weight.
The Pupils Said…
I thoroughly enjoyed the bridge trip. When we first got there,
we had an interesting talk on civil engineering. After the talk,
we went into two teams and then we got to build a bridge. We
had a race to see which team could build and dismantle their
half of the bridge first. Our team won. It was one of the best
experiences ever!
Ambre Wyper
The view from the display room showed us how big the
project of building the bridge is. It was very interesting to
compare the miniature model to the real thing.
Archie MacKechnie
The intricate design of the bridges was amazing! The view
was magnificent. You could see all three bridges and how
unique each bridge was.
Adam Holden
I loved the day. When we came into the exhibition, we got a
panoramic view of the three bridges. It was really cool to be
talked to by civil engineers and learn about their job. From
that little talk from the engineers, we had the task of building
our own suspension bridges.
Ethan Parkins
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
49
Group tasks allowed the pupils to
engage with the topics as they dealt with
real-life situations and experiences.
The seminars gave the pupils a deeper
insight into job opportunities and
possible future careers in business. It
was a thoroughly enjoyable experience
and a worthwhile trip.
Ross McCran (Form V)
BUSINESS
AWARENESS
COURSE
Higher Business Management pupils
attended a two-day, externally
organised Business Awareness Course,
held courtesy of the owners of Airth
Castle Hotel and Powfoulis Manor
Hotel. A variety of speakers and
workshops brought to life some of the
theory covered in this Higher course.
Pupils participated fully in the teambuilding activities and gained a great
deal from the experience.
Hazel Duncan
December 2015
Fortunas 36
WHAT THE PUPILS SAID . . .
50
The course allowed me to build on my
knowledge of how the business world
operates and what the different sectors
of businesses do. I enjoyed the teambuilding exercises as I learned how to
complete tasks efficiently by working
effectively with others using good
communication skills. I could reflect
more on which business sector I might
like to become involved in myself one
day.
Bud Robertson (Form V)
The Business Awareness Course
gave everyone a detailed insight into
multiple sectors of the business world,
such as public relations and human
resources. The speakers gave engaging
speeches and urged group involvement
through activities relating to the
talks. The two-day experience allowed
Higher pupils to learn about possible
future paths of employment and what
particular jobs entail.
the opportunity to design and develop a
program in small teams over a number
of weeks. The standard of entry, in last
session’s summer competition, was
very high indeed.
Winners
Christopher Welsh (Form V)
Runners Up
STRATHMORE
TROPHY
The 20th annual Strathmore Trophy
challenge took place at the University
of Dundee in June when teams of Form
I and II pupils from twenty schools
across Scotland competed to show off
their computing prowess.
This
year’s
competition
challenge was to design and code an
app using the Add Inventor software.
Congratulations to our Form II
team who gained third place in the
competition. The team consisted of
Aidan Humphrey, Jamie Gibson,
Andrew King, and Finn Wheatley.
Rosemary McGuinness
SCRATCH
COMPETITION
The Scratch competition is run every
summer term by the Computing
Science Department. It allows pupils
Special
Merit
Tanks Wars
Andrew King
& Luke Horner
(who were in
2MM at time of
competition)
Crossy Bird
Jamie Gibson
& Keir Edgar
(2GR at time of
competition)
Ninja Fight
Aidan Humphrey,
Eve Pearson
and Evie Wills
(2GR at time of
competition)
James Simpson
Senior
Two Dollar pupils met with significant success in the Junior
Mathematical Olympiad 2015 that took place at the end of
last session. 250,000 Form I and Form II (or the equivalent)
pupils from across the UK sat the Junior Maths Challenge.
The top 1200 were selected and were invited to sit the Junior
Mathematical Olympiad. Quite remarkably, two Dollar pupils
qualified: Zoë Price (then in Form II) and Murray McKenzie,
whose selection was particularly noteworthy as he was then
only in Form I.
Both pupils tackled the very challenging problems
posed in the Olympiad with real confidence and creativity,
demonstrating skill and ability in the subject. Murray did
very well to receive a Certificate of Merit and Zoë performed
exceptionally well. Of the 1200 pupils across the UK, she
was numbered amongst the top 300, for which she received
a Certificate of Distinction. More impressively still, she
reached the top 50, receiving a book prize. Most remarkably,
out of the 250,000 original pupils who participated, Zoë Price
reached the top 30. For this achievement, she was presented
with a much-deserved gold medal.
For a number of years the Geography Department has been
using Skype to link classes with people from across the world.
After the Haiti earthquake of 2010, classes were
able to talk directly with a doctor working in Port-Au-Prince
about his experiences helping in the recovery. After the
Tohoku earthquake of 2011, a link was made with a Japanese
resident of Tokyo. She recalled for pupils the shaking of the
high-rise building in which she had been working at the
time. Prep classes have been able to speak directly with
Alison Cook (FP 1994) about her experiences working with
the British Antarctic Survey.
The most recent opportunity came when Rob
Henson (FP 2014) went to help in the recovery work being
undertaken after the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal. Rob
spent over a month working with a number of charitable
organisations in Nepal, offering direct help to the stricken
Nepalese people.
The National 5 Geography class that Rob spoke to
had been examining this earthquake as a case study and they
knew all the facts and figures. What Rob was able to convey
to them was the reality of what such an earthquake was
actually like. He spoke about entering a rural village a month
after the first quake and finding residents still surrounded
by piles of rubble. He spoke about the frustrations of trying
to get aid into the rural areas, and about how to overcome
these obstacles, which were both physical (the steep slopes)
and political (the bureaucracy). By talking about people and
events, Rob was able to emphasise the human tragedy that
is difficult to comprehend when learning about the huge
numbers killed and displaced by the natural disaster.
By using Skype to speak directly with people across
the planet, lessons can be brought to life and given a real-life
context.
The department would be very interested to hear
from anyone who feels they may be able to contribute to an
interactive Skype lesson.
Heather Moore
Fortunas 36
SKYPE IN THE GEOGRAPHY
DEPARTMENT
Decmber 2015
JUNIOR MATHEMATICAL
OLYMPIAD
Alastair McConnell
51
‘I SHALL READ
UNTIL THE WORLD
STOPS. . . ’
Some words from Kate Murray, Head
of English, to make us think about
the importance of reading.
We must create spaces and time where
reading is a genuine possibility for
children rather than something that is
squeezed out of their lives: obsolete,
unknown territory.
Making it utterly normal to think and
talk about books and reading is one of
the most important things we do.
If your child will only read books with
pink covers and high-heeled shoes, or
IT manuals, or rugby biographies, or
the Cherub series, or Japanese manga
comics, don’t worry! Be interested
in what they read, whatever it is, ask
them questions and show that you are
delighted.
Successful, silent reading, where
you read with expression and
understanding meaning, is a hearing
thing and is best practised by reading
aloud as much as possible.
Encourage your child to challenge
themselves and to think of themselves
as readers.
Lose your glasses so that they have to
read for you.
Become part of that community of
readers that spans the globe and also
spans centuries.
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Above all, let your children see you
reading.
52
. . .for the pleasure of it.
Kate Murray
MY LIFE WITH
BOOKS
Form I Pupils Write About Why
Books Are Important to Them. . .
Reading is a strange thing: just sitting,
staring at words for hours on end
because, well – just because. When you
read a good book you become lost in
another world; some books actually
put you there. For some, books are the
only way they can see what is outside
of their own home; for others, books
offer the only way of staying sane. But
for people like you and me, books are
just a massive part of everyday life.
The first book that I read by
myself was Julia Donaldson’s Bob Bug
(I was five); before that I loved any
book with pop-up things or pictures
that changed when you pulled a tab. I
really liked information books – ones
about tractors and other vehicles – but
I had a voracious appetite for new
books and preferred them to endless
re-reads. I did not enjoy fairytales.
Many things have influenced
my reading over the years, but the
main influence has undoubtedly been
my mum. She has always supplied
books that she thought I would like.
Without her, I wouldn’t have read
many of my favourites – The Circle
(Dave Eggers), Emil and the Detectives
(Erich Kästner), The Artemis Fowl series
(Eoin Colfer) and The Curious Incident
of the Dog in the Night Time (Mark
Haddon).
I have many interests at the
moment, but the main genres I like
best are dystopian and adventure
novels. DC Comics like Batman are
some of my favourites, too. Recently
I read The James Plays and I really
enjoyed it. The book is actually a set
of three plays by Rona Munro about
James I, II and III of Scotland. At the
moment, I dislike anything centred
upon romance.
I can easily predict that books
will continue to play a massive part in
my life. I know that I will read a lot of
school books here at Dollar. After that
I am sure that I will be reading forever
more. If I got my dream job (architect
or Lego product designer), I would
be using books daily anyway, but my
reading goals are to read the same
amount as I do now and to continue to
discover new authors.
Books have made me, me.
Without books, I would be nothing
like what I am today.
Joe Jennings (Form I)
Sometimes in class we were allowed
to read when other people were still
working. I would often take a book of
Shakespeare’s plays, sit down in my
seat and lose myself. I would forget I
was sitting in a classroom surrounded
by people and read King Lear over and
over.
I love when I get a play or a
book where there are no pictures and
I can sit, imagining the characters,
seeing them in my mind. Whenever I
get to a character description I read it
a couple of times, imagining thin or
rotund people, beautiful or grotesque
people or just a normal-looking person
with no protruding features.
Often I find that the best
place to read is a quiet place on
your own: under a tree in the warm
sunshine or curled up in an armchair
on a cold winter’s evening. Reading
is special and those who do not think
so are blind to a world of mystery
and adventure lying on the pages of a
book.
Ruby Martyn (Form I)
Literature
FORM II ON READING
FORM III ON READING
FORM IV ON READING
‘Reading allows my imagination to go
places it’s never been before.’
‘Reading is when words effortlessly lift
off the page to form images, stories,
anything.’
‘To me reading is a gateway to endless
knowledge and a way to expand my
mind. I can’t imagine what life would
be like without the joy of exploring a
new book, as your mind is immersed
into the words on the page.’
‘If you want to make a difference, Read!
If you want to have a better grasp of
the world, Read!
If you want to appear and be more
intelligent, Read!
The world needs good readers.’
‘When I read I feel the story
circle around me, the characters
‘I believe that reading is the closest
thing to teleportation that we have on
earth. Just let your imagination take
over and transport you to another
place, time or galaxy.’
‘Reading is a doorway to a room of
many emotions.’
become more alive and out of the book
with every page I turn.’
‘Reading is an excuse to leave reality
behind, to meet new people and
‘Reading is being whoever, wherever,
whenever—the second you open the
book.’
discover
‘Books are a portal to some exotic,
magical place. They take you to an
island off the coast of Australia, or a
science base in Antarctica.
need is a book.’
All you
Reading
allows me to dissolve
into another world full of
excitement and adventure.’
new
places.
‘Reading to me is feeling that anything
can happen.’
‘Each letter is an island,
Each page a country,
And each book a little universe waiting
to be explored.’
‘Reading encourages you to
take a long look at your own
life. It opens many doors.’
‘I read because I love going on
adventures with the characters.’
‘Reading is like escaping into another
world to become another person. You
feel everything the character feels—
heartbreak, joy and elation.’
‘When you read, there is
no “you” that exists. It’s just
the book and the story, and the “main
character” you magically turn into.’
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
53
Emma Grimminger (Form IV) joined
Dollar Academy this year from
Bad Wimpfen, near Heidelberg, in
Germany. She is enjoying life as a
boarder in Heyworth House, and she
has always enjoyed reading.
‘I’m sitting here on my bed reading,
and you won’t see me again until I have
finished this book.’
I WANTED REAL BOOKS. . .
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Reading is a huge part of my life.
Before I came to primary school,
before I even knew to read or write, I
was interested in reading and books.
Before I went to bed my parents
always read books aloud. No little
stories about a speaking rabbit: I
wanted real books. Mostly it was
books written by Astrid Lindgren.
Although I might have heard those
stories a few times, I wanted to hear
them again and again. Michel, The Kids
from Saltkrokan and Hanni and Nanni
were the heroes of my childhood.
Everyone read books for kids
in the second grade, but I read books
for kids in the third or fourth grade.
I didn’t do this because I wanted to
say: ‘Hey, I’m reading books for older
ones.’ It was only because the other
books became boring for me because
I’d read so many of them.
I think the reading I did in
such young years gained me a very
good knowledge in German and
in other languages. My classmates
always thought I was crazy when I
wrote an eight-page essay and not
only two pages. It was not that I
pushed myself to that result. It was
because I created new worlds and
characters in my head.
At the age of eleven, I guess,
I tried to really write something. It
went well, but then I accidentally
deleted the file on my laptop. I started
to rewrite it, but it was never the
same again.
54
Last year I became really
interested in reading my favourite
books in their original language;
I didn’t just want to read the
translation. I wanted to feel the
atmosphere of the original book. I
can’t really explain it. So I bought
my two favourite books at that point
of time (I still love them) in English.
It was Divergent and The Fault in our
Stars. Reading these in their original
language helped my English, and it
was like reading the books for the first
time.
But back to the reading. Right
now I’m reading Outlander, a book
that takes place in the Highlands. I’m
halfway through it but it’s a bit scary
to hold a book with more than 1000
pages.
My mum always wants me
to go out but I’m like: ‘No, I’m sitting
here on my bed reading, and you won’t
see me again until I have finished this
book.’ That’s why I would say reading
is a huge part of my life.
Emma Grimminger (Form IV)
Literature
AN IMAGINATIVE
PREQUEL TO ALFRED,
LORD TENNYSON’S ‘THE
LADY OF SHALOTT’
Down the river’s gentle flow,
A poor young maiden robed in snow,
And nobody would ever know
The Lady of Shalott.
She had a very pretty face,
And when she walked, she walked with grace.
But here she was, stuck in this space,
The Lady of Shalott
Euginia, she was once known
But when she came, she came alone.
And with the curse up she had grown,
The Lady of Shalott
So she was stuck, through night and day.
In light she sat, by dark she lay,
And she thought no one would ever say,
The Lady of Shalott
So there she sat, beneath the sky,
And from her came a small, sad cry –
‘I’ll ne’er find my love!’ did cry
The Lady of Shalott.
Sir Lancelot came riding by
Through fields of barley and of rye.
He did not hear the Lady cry,
The Lady of Shalott.
So she made her choice, and she then took
A step to out the window look:
The mirror cracked, the ground it shook
The Lady of Shalott.
She went outside and found a boat
To travel the island’s river moat.
One final song came from her throat,
The Lady of Shalott
Fortunas 36
So there she reached her gruesome end,
Passing round the river’s bend.
To Camelot, the water’d send
The Lady of Shalott,
The Lady of Shalott.
Decmber 2015
Deep in a forest, by a river, near the town of Camelot was
a small island called Shalott. On this island was a fortress,
and inside this fortress was a fair young maiden called
the Lady of Shalott. She had not always been confined
to this island prison; she had once been young and free,
an apprentice witch – but those days were long gone. So
the Lady stays and weaves her tapestry. As she weaves,
she sings and thinks. She remembers how she came to be
here, stuck, never seeing life but through a mirror. She
remembers what it was like to be young, to be free, and to
be happy.
The Lady of Shalott was then known as Euginia. She
was learning the art of magic from a sorceress called
Elvina. They got on brilliantly, and Euginia was coming
on surprisingly well. One day, Elvina was blessed with a
beautiful baby girl, and neither of the women had ever
been so happy in their lives. They all loved their new
family, but disaster struck. Euginia was practising a new
spell, but it went badly wrong and she killed Elvina’s baby.
In a wild fury, she locked Euginia in a tower and placed
a curse on her so she could never look out the window;
when she reached the age of 21 she would be trapped in a
constant vortex of time, never to grow old. Since that day,
the Lady has never looked out the window.
Katie Hudd (Form I)
55
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Life Beyond Loss
56
The salty seawater seeped into Mr
Brown’s tattered shoes. The old man
sat on a bench looking out to sea as
the sun was starting to set. The gulls
squawked and chattered while feasting
on some dropped chips. A gust of sea
air hit Mr Brown’s wrinkled face and
water dripped off his bulbous nose.
His eyes, hidden behind his misty
spectacles, filled with sadness and
sorrow, and he started to weep. Mr
Brown removed his spectacles and
wiped them with his handkerchief.
Then, returning the spectacles to his
nose, a golden glint in the sand caught
his eye. He picked up the object and
cleaned off the sandy grit. Once the
sand had been brushed off, he saw
it was a horn-shaped drinking cup
covered with many different patterns
and jewels: the finest thing Mr Brown
had ever seen. Handkerchief in hand,
he spat into the vessel to clean the
inside when suddenly the weather
changed. The skies drew dark and
lightning striped through the air. The
rain pelted down, and the wind roared
fiercely. But Mr Brown wasn’t scared
by the storm; he wondered only why
the drinking cup was somehow forcing
him to look inside it…
As he stared into the
horn cup, Mr Brown saw the most
extraordinary vision. Only the last
remains of an evening sun lit the sky.
In the mist a mighty Viking longboat
rocked violently in the sea. The
steersman, with his bulbous nose and
After reading Beowulf, Mrs Murray’s Form I pupils were asked
to write a short story in which the discovery of a magical
Viking object allowed them a brief glimpse of the past…
grey hair, looked somehow familiar.
The oarsmen on either side of the boat
fought against the waves. The spray
of salt burned the oarsmen’s eyes
beneath their helmets and all that
could be heard was the sound of the
waves thrashing against the boat, the
howling of wind and rain. Towering
waves soaked the Vikings in the boat
with ocean spray.
The steersman peered into
the distance towards the harbour.
It seemed impossible. Then an old
woman came up from below deck,
holding the magnificent patterned
drinking horn. She battled and fought
through the icy air. And on his bench,
Mr Brown’s nostrils filled with the
smell of the sweet honey mead inside
the cup. The frail woman, on reaching
the helm, took a sip from the cup of
mead and kissed the steersman on his
lips. The sweet taste of nectar lingered;
she passed the cup to him and he
drank deeply. Taking the cup from
him, the old woman tossed the golden
horn into the sea. When it hit the
water, the sea suddenly calmed and
the mist cleared. The distant harbour
became clear, and the steersman
realised that his longboat would make
it home. The steersman was amazed
and thankful to the woman, his wife.
The magic of the cup released
Mr Brown. The sea sparkled and
gleamed as the sun disappeared into
night and the waves swept gently on
to the sand. He felt at peace now. His
wife, who had died two weeks ago,
had sent him this message: he had the
strength to steer his own ship through
the ocean of life, she would always be
there to calm the storm. There was life
beyond loss.
Rachel Pirie (Form I)
Søren’s Shield
Søren, who lived in Denmark, was
wandering the beach one morning
in mid-December. He could see and
hear the waves crashing on the shore.
Not far off, he saw the sun glinting
on what looked like a brown metal
bowl. He walked towards it, and found
that it was attached to something
else buried deep under the sand.
Søren bent down and scraped the
sand away to reveal a wooden, circular
object, flecked with peeling red and
white paint. He carefully twisted and
swivelled the object out of the sand,
lifting it clear. It was about a metre in
diameter and an inch thick, and it was
covered in shreds of leather that hung
loosely from its edge. He turned its
great weight over to reveal a handle in
the hollow of the bowl, which he now
realised was the boss of a shield. A
Viking shield…
Transported through time,
suddenly Søren found himself on
the prow of a Viking longboat in the
middle of a stormy sea. He clung to
Literature
The warriors scrambled out
of the boat. Lastly, Søren jumped out
into the dark, murky water. It felt like
walking through treacle. His sword
and shield were soaking because the
water was chest-deep. Soon, he was
wading through the shallows. Through
the dark forest they saw the village
with its lit windows. The villagers
didn’t notice them as they scurried
like rats through the forest. They
broke out into very small groups, each
targeting one house.
Søren and two other warriors
kicked down the door. It splintered
over the floor of the mud house. He
charged through the door like a bull
and hit the small child to his right
and the woman ahead. But behind
the door was a man who took Søren
by surprise and cracked him over the
head. The Viking’s legs crumpled. As
he fell to the floor, his shield smashed
to the ground.
When Søren came round, he
was still lying on the same beach in
Denmark and the shield he had dug
up still lay beside him. He looked up
and saw a local ferry, not unlike a
Viking longship, glide away over the
horizon...
Fortunas 36
Harry Jaffrey-Smith (Form I)
Decmber 2015
the dragon’s carved head and tried to
stop himself from slipping as the boat
bobbed up and down on the rough
waves. As he turned around, he saw
the captain of the longboat. Long
blonde hair stuck out from under his
dented helmet and framed his tough
face. He concentrated on steering his
sixty warriors as close to the shoreline
as possible. Some of the crew were
controlling the red and white square
sail.
To his right was the
steersman with long fair hair and
eyes the colour of thunder clouds.
He was wearing a wolf-skin over his
metal helmet, which glinted in the
moonlight and looked like silver.
Along his forearms were the white
marks of old battle scars. To his left,
he saw the rest of the crew seated on
wooden benches, clutching their oars
in both hands. Their shields hung in
rows on the outside of the longboat.
Carved on the outside was the name:
‘Sea Stallion.’ The boat’s overlapping
planks of wood helped the ship glide
over the waves like a ripple, and the
shallow, graceful shape of the boat
would let them land close to shore. A
carved dragon’s head reared up from
her prow.
‘Drop the oars; sail down;
shields up; jump ship!’ came the
command, bellowed above the sound
of the driving wind and rain.
‘Jump ship!’ yelled the sea
captain.
57
December 2015
Fortunas 36
THE HARRY
BELL TRAVEL
AWARDS AND
SCHOLARSHIP
58
Over the last decade the Harry Bell Travel
Awards have generated a great deal of
interest and resulted in some remarkable
journeys and pieces of writing. The
Awards are open to Form V pupils who
wish to travel during the summer holiday
in order to study a topic of literary
interest. Recipients are required to write
a lively report reflecting their experiences
of a particular writer and particular
place. In addition, the Harry Bell Travel
Scholarship is awarded for the best report
at Prize Giving the following year. This
year’s recipient was Victoria Smith and
the account of her experiences follows:
Holden Caulfield and his ability to
spot a ‘phonie’ is what drew me to The
Catcher in the Rye, and to J.D. Salinger.
Holden’s ability to deconstruct people
until he discovers something he hates
is something I found inexplicably
admirable. His way of liking somebody
one moment and hating them the
next seemed familiar. I wanted to try
and adopt the mindset of Holden,
who, as it has been suggested, is
representative of Salinger’s teenage
self. I wanted to go and see the things
he saw and try to think the way he
thought. Salinger’s secluded life in
Cornish, New Hampshire also had
a strong appeal: isolation can seem
peaceful and attractive, even romantic.
There is something fantastically free
about needing and wanting nobody’s
company but your own. The idea was
to go and surround myself with the
things Holden and Salinger were
surrounded by, and envisage myself as
them. To try and adopt their thoughts
as my own.
Initially I had wanted to
go alone, as it only seemed right
considering that the people I wanted
to emulate existed alone in my mind.
However, it turned into a motherdaughter trip when I discovered I had
neither the money nor the means of
transport to get to where I needed
to be. Although my mom was only
invited by default, she was excited all
the same which made me feel guilty.
And guilt somehow translated into
annoyance. I told her that I was going
to have to do things alone if it were to
be as it was in the book. She agreed
to this. We decided to drive up in the
car: there and back, a sixteen-hour car
journey.
We arrived late at night. At
breakfast the next morning my mom
asked me what my plans were. I told
her I intended to go to Central Park
and be as observant and critical of
passers-by as I could. I would then
walk across the park to the Natural
History Museum, which Holden visits
in the book. He comments on how
nothing changes there, and the idea
of visiting a site of such stability and
continuity also excited me. I said
goodbye to my mom and took to the
streets.
I had a clear idea of what
I wanted from the day. I was going
to take the subway to Central
Park, listening intently to people’s
conversations in order to inspire in
myself critical thoughts and angst-y
feelings. I climbed on to the subway
and was surrounded by people. But,
surprisingly, no one was saying
anything. I was straining to peer over
the shoulder of the man next to me,
listening to his iPod, so that I could
evaluate his taste in music when a
destitute man stepped onto the train.
He shouted that he was homeless
and asked for help. Nobody on the
train acknowledged him. People in
his situation, getting on and off the
subway, were clearly just part of the
background noise of these people’s
daily commute. Nothing out of the
ordinary. I could not bring myself
to lift my head to the man. Was it
shame? I don’t know. But, afterwards,
it certainly was. I was critical of the
other people on the train for treating
tragedy as commonplace, but I didn’t
have the decency to give him any sign
that I recognized his existence either.
My hypocrisy disgusted me, and being
there with all my fellow offenders
made the train feel more crowded
and uncomfortable than it had been
before. I squeezed out at the next
stop and walked the rest of the way to
Central Park. Upon arriving I took to
a black-painted bench that had grown
uncomfortably hot in the sunlight. I
sat there and observed the passers-by
closely. So closely that I’m sure I made
some people uncomfortable, especially
as I also appeared to be taking notes.
Mostly because I was.
One young boy came up
to me specifically to jump over my
feet. His nanny (you can always
there were very few locals. The town
seemed made up of intertwining dirt
roads, and there was a large, empty
barn labeled Town Hall. Luckily, we
happened upon a tractor convention,
where the whole town seemed to have
convened. I got out of the car and
asked several people, but the most
useful response I had was, ‘That’s at
the other side of town.’
We drove about for a while
until my mom pointed at a house and
said, ‘That’s it!’ Of course, it wasn’t it.
Neither of us had any idea what we
were looking for. But seeing the place
where Salinger had found blissful
solitude did it for me, and I had
somehow become less drawn to the
idea of romantic isolation anyway.
It turned out, the journey was
less about being alone, like Holden or
Salinger, and more about spending
time with my mom. It wasn’t at all
what I had intended for the trip, but
I was grateful for the way it turned
out. I was happy to share in my mom’s
good time, rather than merely indulge
her as that familiar irritation crept
in. It felt that I was returning from
a period of my adolescence when
genuinely speaking to my mom had
become somehow impossible. I guess,
in a way, this represents maturity:
being able to feel comfortable having
a close relationship with my parents
instead of feeling embarrassed. The
trip gave me this realization, which
was richer in the end than that which I
was striving for.
Victoria Smith (FP 2015)
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
along authentically. I went in anyways
and was completely amazed by how
exciting it was in there. There were
animals that had been stuffed, and
I was shocked by how big bears and
elephant seals were in real life. There
were exhibits on gemstones and on
Siberian Inuits that were particularly
interesting. I felt that this was a place
cherished by many small people.
It made me feel like a small person
myself, I was so filled with awe. The
idea of it not changing, like Holden
had said, also brought me great
satisfaction. It would be the perfect
place to track your own growth: to
take note of how it felt each time
visiting the same place but maybe with
a different you. After that I went and
got lunch, and spent the rest of the
day walking, enjoying the feeling of
being grown-up.
When I met up with my mom
for dinner I was surprised to find
that I had missed having company,
and I appreciated her in a way that
reminded me of when she used to
come home from work, and I thought
of the nannies in the park.
The next morning we drove
six hours to New Hampshire, to the
supposed location of Salinger’s house.
I wanted to see it so as to gauge
the isolation. When we arrived at
the hotel I was feeling rather down
and far from home. We ate dinner
in a restaurant with extremely dim
lighting. Everything was woodpaneled and quaint-looking. The
waitresses seemed to know all their
customers, and I began to feel very
sorry for them; it felt reminiscent of a
chick flick about women desperate to
escape a small town. I ordered a bowl
of soup, but I found I had no appetite.
We retired early because the next
morning we would set out in search of
Salinger’s house.
We had Google-mapped
Cornish, New Hampshire, and hoped
to ask locals where his house actually
was, but when we got there we realized
Literature
tell nannies from moms by the way
they reprimand the children in their
charge), pulled him away by his arm
and told him off. I began to notice
there were lots of nannies there, all
pushing prams, all acquainted with
each other due to the similarity of
their routines. I thought about my
own nanny, Miss Pat, who had been
with me since I was five and still
comes by to visit, though less often
now than she used to. I remembered
moments when I hated her. It’s easier
to hate someone who tells you what
to do when they’re not your parent. It
seems unjust that they should be able
to: impostors! People always feel bad
for a child raised by a nanny, as if they
were denied a true relationship with
their mother or father, but I disagree
with this. When my mom came home,
the excitement to see her was always
so great, and the time we had together
at night felt so precious. I deeply
admired my mom, and appreciated
her perhaps more than other kids who
had their mothers around all the time.
Somewhere along the line, though,
that admiration had become shrouded
by irrepressible and often inexplicable
feelings of irritation. I feel sorry for
my mom a lot. What must it be like
to go from being the hero to being
ignored at best? Sometimes I think I
put myself off having children.
While trying to be critical of
those around me, my thoughts had
turned in on myself. Holden managed
to hate all those around him and pay
no attention to himself; I think this
must make one very happy in a sort
of backward way. I decided to walk
across the park via the pond where
the ducks were meant to be in the
novel. But I got very lost and it took
me well over an hour to get to the
Natural History Museum, by which
point my excitement for it had sort of
worn off. I remembered that Holden
had lost his desire to go inside the
museum when he got there, and I felt
accomplished that things were going
59
Amenah Cheema (FP 2015) went on Umrah
when she was a pupil in Form VI at Dollar
Academy. This is what she wrote about the
experience in the weeks after her return.
ْ ‫جاَر ِه‬
ِ‫يَلإِ اـَّنإَِو ِهّلِل اَّنإ‬
ِ ‫َنوع‬
Surely, we belong to
Allah and to Him shall
we return.
At the beginning of 2015, I went
‫ةرمع‬
on
(Umrah), a pilgrimage to
Mecca, in search of answers.
Amongst the thicket of such a crowd,
people seemed beyond counting – we
were one among many, all there for
the same purpose, all feeling the same
way, all seeking to belong. A crush of
bodies, voices overlapping voices with
َ‫بْكأَ هُّٰللا‬
َ ‫ر‬
the regular outcry of
(allahu ‘akbar), the steady flow of the
crowd going round and round – all
combined with a swelling in my chest
and the pain in the soles of my feet as
I walked onwards in the ever-rotating
rhythm, carrying out practices I had
memorised months before.
‫‏إحرام‬
My hand, gripping the
(ihram) draped across my father’s
back, was moist, and weak, and
trembling just a little. Was I elated?
Desperate? At peace? I couldn’t tell,
but I was crying. Prayers fell from my
lips, and my eyes were everywhere.
I was there.
My journey did not begin
in Mecca. It began at home when,
as a young child, I would clamber
onto my father’s back as he bowed
‫ةدجس‬‎
December 2015
Fortunas 36
(sajdah) during his
down in
prayers, or when I was congratulated
for completing my first reading of
the Qur’an (in the original Arabic, of
course). It continued when I rushed
home from school to make it in time
60
‫ةسردم‬
for religious lessons in the
(madrassah). I’m still on the path
forward from a recent milestone that
began last summer when I began to
wear a headscarf. My relationship
with my faith has been evolving since
childhood and it continues to evolve.
But it is this experience– this
memory of a moving circle of people
that never breaks – that I remember
months after the flight back home.
I walked seven circuits round the
Ka’bah alongside hundreds of other
people, the marching of our feet a
continuous pulsing drumbeat. Even
today, I hold it close, and will do so
tomorrow and tomorrow.
As a child growing up in a Muslim
household, I could recite
‫ناكرأ‬
‫مالسإلا‬, the Five Pillars of Islam,
off of my fingers at six years old;
‫( ةداهشلا‬Shahada), ‫ةالص‬‎ (Salah),
‫( ةاكز‬Zakat), ‫( موص‬Sawm), and
‫( جح‬Hajj). The image of a square box
of a building, draped in black velvet
and adorned with beautiful golden
calligraphy, is as familiar to me as the
moon. It had been a centre of my life
for all of my life – Muslims pray five
times a day, and each prayer is carried
out in the direction of the Ka’bah
‫ةلبق‬
; qiblah). So naturally,
(called
actually visiting the Ka’bah in person,
when it’s been central to my life for
so many years, was tremendous and
powerful.
As the sun travels across the
sky, Muslims around the world turn
to pray, all spiritually converging on
the same point in the same city. Never
had I been so aware of the global
brotherhood that I belonged to, of
‫ةمأ‬
(ummah; meaning ‘nation’ or
the
‘community’), until I went to Saudi
Arabia last winter. Standing by the
Ka’bah and reading my salat prayers, I
felt one of many. I felt connected to a
greater force.
Islam preaches that God –
Allah – is omnipresent, but the Ka’bah
is also known as the ‘House of Allah’
because it has been designated by
Him as the holiest place in the world.
Within hudood-el-haraam, which is
a perimeter around the
‫مارحلا‬
‫دجسملا‬
(The Sacred Mosque), any
rewards and blessings from Allah
are multiplied by 100 000. This isn’t
unusual – one of the more surprising
aspects of Islam are these seemingly
random ‘bonuses’. For example,
praying in congregation multiplies the
rewards of your prayer 27 times. Why
27? Allah knows.
Both Madinah and Mecca
have a rich Islamic history, and both
are directly linked with Muhammed
‫ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص‬
‎;
(
may Allah honour him and grant him
peace), which attributes them their
high status. The Ka’bah, however,
is said to have been built by Adam
‫مالسلا هيلع‬
(
; peace be upon
him), the First Prophet, and has been
rebuilt over and over throughout
time. Growing up a Muslim, I learned
Literature
The stifling heat of an airless desert;
suffocating on words; drowning in
noise in a deluge of people – what was
I looking for? Why was I here?
Just as the Qur’an promised,
Allah gave me – or rather, reminded me
of – my answer.
I passed it right by without
realising, almost carelessly, the first
time I saw the Ka’bah; then I froze,
turned back, and stared. The first time
you set eyes on the Ka’bah is given
great significance as Muslims believe
that any prayer made during that first
look will be granted.
Thinking back, it’s easy to
get embarrassed talking about it
because it’s impossible to convey
the depth of what I felt – even just
finding the words is a struggle. It’s not
that I underwent some life-changing
epiphany or felt a physical tug in
my chest. I witnessed no miracles or
visions from God. None of that. But
somehow, that moment stood out.
Surrounded by fellow Muslims, being
connected to so many people by
the same thread of faith no matter
our background or personalities or
situations in life… It was so important
for me. I got a real sense of the ummah
I’ve heard about over and over again in
‫ثيدح‬
the common greeting
‫مكيلع‬
‫مالسلا‬
(as-salamu alaikum), I
feel just as connected. When my
whole family gathers for Eid (
‫ىحضألا‬
‫ديع‬
; eid al-adha), I am just
as much a smaller part of a greater
whole.
Islam has been a part of my
life for all of my life. It has helped
create the person I am today, helped
me with the decisions and dilemmas
in my life, shaped my everyday routine
with five distinct prayers – in the
small and the big, I always return to
my faith. But, as Umrah reminded me
– as people remind me every day – it
is the crush of bodies, the continuous
overlapping of voices, and that one
thread of faith that makes me feel that
I have a place and I will be heard.
I am only a part, but an
essential part, of a vast and complex
world.
Amenah Cheema (FP 2015)
Fortunas 36
the Last Prophet’s
(Hadith). I
felt accepted. I finally understood why
connection beyond blood and place
and time was so important in Islam.
And I just cried.
Coming home was not, as
you might think, like re-entering
a different world. Despite the eyeopening experiences Umrah itself
gave me, I know my journey did not
begin in Mecca. That moment as I
stood staring at the Ka’bah was not
the first time I had felt so grateful to
be a Muslim. When I started wearing
the headscarf in the summer of 2014,
and the only feedback from peers and
teachers was positive and encouraging
– a child from the younger parts of
the school going so far as to call it
beautiful – I was just as honoured.
I was just as proud. When I pass a
stranger in the street and we recognise
each other as Muslims, exchanging
Decmber 2015
this alongside Mathematics and
Biology; I read Quranic literature after
completing English homework. To a
Muslim, these are truths.
One of the Five Pillars of
Islam, Hajj, requires each Muslim to
make the obligatory pilgrimage to
Mecca during the Islamic month of
Hajj at least once in their lifetime –
and, understandably, it is perhaps the
most spiritual experience a Muslim
can undergo. Any pilgrimage that
takes place outside the month of Hajj
is called Umrah; it neither rewards nor
fulfils the requirements of nor rewards
the pilgrim as much as Hajj, and it is
not compulsory.
However, that does not mean
that Umrah is not a life-changing
experience. The benefits and blessings
for a believer embarking on Umrah
are manifold. The main purpose of the
pilgrimage is to receive forgiveness
from Allah; to have all of your sins
thus far in life forgiven. What this
doesn’t mean is that the pilgrimage
constitutes some get-out-easy card.
It isn’t the physical action of walking
the pilgrimage that grants you full
forgiveness; rather, it’s the whole
process of submitting to Allah,
and asking for forgiveness while
understanding the significance of
where you are and why you’re there.
For a girl who grew up calling Allah
‘The Most Merciful’, the idea of this
forgiveness – this connection I was
searching for – was integral.
What I didn’t take into
consideration beforehand was the
inherent physicality of walking for
hours amongst hundreds of others, all
carrying out the exact same rituals,
and how overwhelming it would be.
61
Archie MacKechnie (Form I) won first place in the Under
13 Accordion class at the Royal National Mod in Oban on
Saturday 10 October. Archie, from ‘Acadamaidh Dholar’,
was awarded the Gold Badge as well as The Daniel G R Burt
(Chapelhall) Airdrie Memorial Trophy and The Smith Mearns
Trophy for his tremendous performance in the competition.
In addition to his first place finish, Archie also came fourth in
the Under 19 Accordion class. It was his first time competing
at the National Mod in Oban but it will surely not be his last
appearance there. As a result of his victory at the Mod, Archie appeared
on the BBC Alba show Dè a-Nis? on Thursday 15 October.
Archie began playing accordion when he was seven
and, as he is now merely eleven years old, his achievements
are all the more remarkable. He is taught by Djorde Gajc
at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow. In the competition
itself, he had to play a march, a strathspey and a reel before
a panel of judges. ‘It was nerve-wracking, but it came off in
the end,’ he said, calmly relating his story of the competition.
‘I wasn’t that nervous when I sat down to play; I was mostly
nervous beforehand.’
No stranger at all to high-level competition playing,
Archie also won the Under 12 Accordion Solo (Traditional)
class (for which he received the Pentland Cup) in the NAAFC
Festival 41st Annual Championships, held in March of this
year.
Whilst celebrating Archie’s success at the Mod, it also
came to our attention that the ever-modest Finlay Cameron
(Form III) had also competed at the Oban Mod, playing his
bagpipes, of course. Congratulations are owed to Finlay, too,
for coming second place in the March and an impressive first
place in the Strathspey and Reel competitions.
Fortunas 36
December 2015
THE OBAN
NATIONAL MOD
62
Heather Moore
Some of the accompanying photos are from the
NAAFC Accordion & Fiddle Festival
ARCHIE REMEMBERS...
This was my first Mod, so I didn’t know quite what to expect.
I knew from the programme that it was far bigger than any of
the competitions I had done before.
My first competition of the day was the Under
19 MSR (March, Strathspey & Reel). I was nervous when I
announced what I was going to play but, as I sat down, I felt
more in my comfort zone. The audience was bigger than I
expected as members of the general public had actually paid
to hear us all perform – not just to support their own family
members.
I played well without any mistakes and I was so
relieved.
At the adjudication I wasn’t surprised, given the
standard and age of the other competitors, not to be in the
top three. But I was delighted when the adjudicator said I
should get a special mention because, at the age of eleven,
I was the youngest in the competition and I had only missed
out on third place by one mark and I was only three marks off
the winning score. I couldn’t believe it!
I also played in the U19 Contemporary competition,
but I wasn’t placed in this class – hardly a surprise given the
standard of the players.
It was now the final competition of the day, the
U13 Accordion Open, and I sat down again. By now I was
feeling quite comfortable and confident in front of this huge
audience. My performance was not that far off the standard
of my earlier one. And, this time, I was announced the
winner. The prize giving for the Under 13 competition was
Music
Naomi as ‘Lumière’ in the J2 musical Beauty and the Beast (2013)
THE JUNIOR CONSERVATOIRE
Fortunas 36
Naomi Langford-Thimm (Form III)
Decmber 2015
a very proud moment for me because
I received my trophy from one of the
best accordion players in Scotland
(and my idol), Angus McPhail, from
the well-known Scottish music band,
Skipinnish.
To top it all off, I was asked
by BBC Alba to play on its Dè a-Nis?
programme as I was the winner of the
U13 competition. I was filmed in the
warehouse of the Northern Lighthouse
Board, which provided a great
backdrop. It was a great experience
to learn how they record the sound
first, requiring you to ‘play’ over the
recording again later in order to record
the visual picture you see on television.
Later on that same evening, I
was asked to play my set again at ‘The
Fiddlers Rally’, a concert at the Corran
Halls in Oban. Despite being exhausted,
the whole experience of competing
and performing was amazing and
something I will definitely do again
next year when the Mod will be held in
Stornoway.
I have always been interested in performing. Last year I had my first taste of
the Conservatoire, when I participated in a week-long course called Celebrating
Shakespeare. I had a great time; there was so much going on there. I knew that I
wanted to study there regularly. This year I auditioned for the Junior Conservatoire
Musical Theatre course; there were places on it for sixteen young performers, aged
fourteen to seventeen.
The course is an intense one: participants meet every Sunday, all day, to
study aspects of musical theatre such as expression through movement and dance;
instrumental skills and theory; choir, ensemble and musical theatre scenes; singing
technique; acting skills; voice work on tone and range of expression.
My audition was held in April; I had to prepare two songs and a monologue.
I chose Lumière’s song, ‘Be Our Guest’ from Beauty and the Beast, which I had
performed in the Junior 2 musical two years ago, and ‘The Rovin’ Ploughboy’, a
traditional ballad I sing with the Tolbooth ‘Traddies’ in Stirling. Many thanks to
Mrs Timney for helping me with my songs and to Mr Christie for lending me the
music for ‘Be Our Guest’.
For the monologue, I chose Viola’s speech, ‘I left no ring with her, what
means this lady?’ from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a play I had studied both on
the Shakespeare course and in English with Mrs Taylor.
The day of the audition dawned, and I was nervous and excited. The
Conservatoire café, ‘Where the Monkey Sleeps!’, was full of students waiting to
audition. They all seemed much older than I was. Finally we were all called and the
audition began. No time for nerves! We started with a warm-up: jogging round the
room with an actor giving us instructions and we had to do the opposite. If he said
‘jump’ we had to crouch; if he said ‘run’ we had to stop. It was surprisingly hard.
Then we had a dance session to ‘Uptown Funk’ which was fast and fun. We finished
the session with some group acting and singing exercises such as ‘Papa’s got a head
like a ping pong ball!’ which got faster and faster. I had a really great morning.
After lunch, our individual auditions started. I was the first to go. There
were three tutors from the Music, Dance and Drama Departments on the panel, and
they were very encouraging. After I had finished the pieces, they asked me some
questions about my favourite musicals, about shows I’d been in, whether I wanted
to be an actor when I was older and why I wanted to come to the Conservatoire.
Phew! The audition was over. . .
Four weeks later, the good news came. Yes! I’d got in!
Archie MacKechnie (Form I)
63
December 2015
Fortunas 36
OLIVIA!
64
It was eerily quiet as the stage doors opened. The music
slowly grew louder as the cast of the 2015 Junior 2 musical,
Olivia, arrived on the stage. The lights flashed on, and the
singing began with the opening number, ‘Orphans’. The
scene was set. With the arrival of a new orphan, Olivia, the
dark and grimy orphanage run by the terrible Mr Murdstone
(Jacob Timney) was buzzing.
The inspiring story of Olivia shows that no matter
how bad life is you can always find happiness somewhere –
as expressed so beautifully by the performance of Eva Smith
in the role of Olivia. Even though she was stuck in a horrible
orphanage, she kept her spirits high and managed to escape.
She travelled to London to make herself a better future.
Meanwhile, the scene changed to a busy day
in Covent Garden where the streets were packed with
Londoners and flower sellers. Eliza Doolittle, played so
convincingly by Florence Henderson, soon proved that she
was the most successful flower-seller and hoped with all
her heart to become a proper lady. One of her fellow flowersellers, Annie (played by Caitlyn Malloy), tried to recover
her memory which certainly put Sherlock Holmes (Alastair
Licence) and Watson (Benedict Bruce) to the test as the only
clue she had was the locket she wore.
The appearance of Fagin and Dodger certainly added
a touch of humour to the story and Fagin (Ruairidh Brown)
and Dodger (Charlie Robins) brought the house down with
their entertaining performance of ‘Good Times’. Throughout,
the chorus provided the icing on the cake, lending a sense of
authenticity to events.
There were many twists and turns in the story but
happiness prevailed when Annie and Olivia discovered that
they were, indeed, mother and daughter. Singing ‘If there’s
a Star’, Olivia and Annie brought tears to the eyes of many
audience members – and many cast members too.
Music
Night after night the
wonderful teachers backstage helped
to keep the show going. On the final
night, though so very tired, everyone
managed to perform with energetic
brilliance, right up until the last notes
echoed away. Everything worked out
well in the end. The musical was a great
success and the cast all had great fun.
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
Written by last session’s J2H class
Photosgraph courtesy of Jan van der Merwe
65
December 2015
Fortunas 36
THE ADDAMS
FAMILY
66
It might be thought inappropriate to
focus on any one scene, any musical
number, or any one collection of actors
in a show which is above a collaboration
of many skilled performers and
effective components. Nevertheless, as
a starting point for a review, I can think
of no better opening than to zoom in
on one scene in The Addams Family,
this summer’s school musical at the
Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline.
It was the dinner party
scene, during which Alice Beineke is
accidentally given the magic truth
potion that transforms her from Mrs
Average, Wife, Mother, Mrs Middle
America into her inner demonic self
[please don’t ask about the plot – it
won’t help; I shan’t refer to it again.]
And thus – doped, set free – the
remarkable Hannah Parker (then
Form V), surely one of Dollar’s most
accomplished actors in recent times, is
transformed from her prim, primroseclad, clichéd-rhyming-couplet self into
a slavering banshee, crawling on all
fours along the fully-set dinner table,
to fall prostrate, out of her head, among
the dishes, in front of her family, by
way of an intimate encounter with
the eight-foot Lurch [Grandmothers
and Deputy Rectors, look away now…]
while the cast of seemingly dozens of
ghouls gaze on appreciatively.
And we, the audience, gawped
in delighted horror. This was a classic
offering from the hand of Karol
Fitzpatrick and her team, and in this
one scene there was everything that
the show demonstrated in spades
throughout its length: visual spectacle,
dynamic choreography, an impressive
set well-lit, exciting music, bizarrely
effective costumes, outstanding makeup, the powerful performances from
Music
more. It is a feature of Dollar musical
productions that the highest-end
elite performers from the Chamber
Choir, from professional dance and
stage schools outwith the Academy,
from Grade 8 Distinction-level
instrumentalists are combined with
performers of a more workmanlike
level of ability and experience. The
alchemy is in the unification into a
company that appears various rather
than mismatched.
Transformations
certainly
took place. Susie Davidson – Gill Robb’s
maternity replacement, but with Gill in
Fortunas 36
the producer, and so many techniques
to affect an audience. The joy is that
this one scene was by no means the
pinnacle – it was just one in a number
of highly effective pieces that were
strung together to create a remarkable
theatrical and musical experience.
Transformation is one key
word for this show, and underlines
the extraordinary achievement of
Director/Producer Karol Fitzpatrick
and her team in taking mere schoolboys
and girls and turning them into a
production that had us calling for
Decmber 2015
individual leads, the high-quality
supporting ambience from the chorus.
There was laugh-out-loud humour;
there was shock; there was pathos
and there was that dynamic which
is at the heart of all good drama:
where something is created from
disparate elements, and builds an
almost architectural profile towards an
unforgettable climax. It was, in short,
very good.
This is where musicals can be
so successful, with so many emotional
and dramatic tools at the disposal of
67
December 2015
Fortunas 36
68
the background – had the usual quota
of left-footed dancers to be magicked
into more-than-passable dancers. She
succeeded admirably, and produced
some intricate group numbers I
privately thought would never come
off when I watched them in rehearsals.
In amongst the ordinary but very
effective [im]mortals, the elite dancers
floated and wove their own particular
magic: Catriona Ferguson (then Form
IV), Rosa Loedel, Isla Keith, Kerry
Randfield, Dayna Lipski (all then Form
V), Rona Sinclair, Heather Morrison,
Laura Gallagher, Barbora Doksanska,
(all then Form VI) made wonderful art
out of movement.
It was a big cast, and the
singers needed to be brought to a
high level to handle some challenging
numbers. The arrival at Dollar of our
new Assistant Rector, Simon Burbury,
provided some welcome extra impetus
to the training of the chorus. Mr
Burbury, on keyboard, also contributed
greatly to the band’s performances. The
band certainly were required to exhibit
great flexibility and skill in the range of
musical challenges and they provided
the backbone of the production. Once
again Karol Fitzpatrick was working
with a relatively small number of
musicians of varied ages; once more
the principle of using home-grown
talent was truly vindicated: Cameron
Bennett, Ewan Stewart, Duncan
Cooper (all then Form VI), Lucy Young,
Ella Hammond (then Form V) and
Nathan Cosgrove (then Form IV) are
musicians to be proud of.
But to return to the principals
for a while, this was a very wellchosen show at this particular point
in Dollar’s history: we happened to
have a considerable number of highly
talented individuals with us, in year
groups stretching out over Forms IV
to VI leavers, and The Addams Family
gave huge opportunities to ten distinct
personalities to show what they could
do.
Gomez, played by Iain Leggat
(then Form VI) was masterfully
portrayed. If ever there was an actor
who knew his way around a Dollar
stage it is Iain – suave, charming, in
control, shifty, hen-pecked – he ran
the gamut of power and weakness, and
was one of the lynchpins holding the
whole show together. He sings and
acts like he breathes – naturally, but
never unthinkingly. Hannah Leggatt’s
(then Form VI) Morticia was his equal,
and her presence a fine counterfoil, her
comic timing and delivery reminiscent
of some of her previous roles: she
played the powerful and alluring dame
with gusto, all the more astonishing
given the cracked rib she was nursing.
The music and drama these two created
was remarkable, and their absence will
be felt sorely.
Luckily we have other very
good people coming through. One such
is Finlay Balfour (then Form IV) who
gave us Uncle Fester with brilliance –
I use the word advisedly. He made a
name for himself in last year’s musical
but consolidated it in this production.
From cheeky chappy to soulful lover of
the moon, he demonstrated a mastery
of emotion and delivery that suggests
a professional in the making. Certainly
the audience loves him any time he
erupts onto a stage.
Lucy Cousin (then Form IV)
is no stranger to theatre and has a
significant performance track record
outwith Dollar; she did a wonderful
thing in managing to make that most
awful character, Pugsley, seem both
moving and sympathetic, even when
she was torturing herself in the bizarre
scene with her sister. The older girl,
Wednesday, was played with sweet
malevolence by the powerful Charlotte
Longstaffe (then Form VI) – another
hugely accomplished singer who
contrasted very nicely with Lucy. Great
casting.
Lurch, the eight-foot-tall
manservant played by Ross MacGregor
(then Form VI) was a masterpiece of
multi-talented juggling. Not only did he
have to master the stilts, he also had to
maintain a running gag of incoherence
and incomprehension [neither of which
generally comes easily to a Head Boy.]
When he did finally utter a purposeful
sound it was the most remarkably low
bass note I have heard from a schoolboy
singer. And once again – cue, audience
amazement…
Music
If ‘transformation’ is one key
for the effectiveness of the show, a
‘bag of surprises’ is another one. One
surprise was the range of emotion:
notably, unexpectedly – we laughed a
great deal. There were good gags: from
one liners, to more elaborate jokes
and running gags; this was a pleasant
surprise, as musicals can be rather
short on this quality. Another surprise
was the genuine pathos and a touching
intensity [as far as any musical based
on fantasy cartoon characters is ever
going to allow it]. We weren’t in Evita
territory emotionally, obviously, but
there was enough to bring the audience
up short, and be moved at times.
This was a good choice for a
show, and it was a success – something
of a coup, as Dollar Academy is one
of the few schools in the UK to have
received a licence for the show before
the professional touring company
comes to Britain in 2016. I think we fully
justified having that licence; I suspect
we will also give the professionals a run
for their money, too.
Geoff Daniel
Photographs courtesy of Jan van der Merwe
Fortunas 36
that haunt, amuse and touch even now
in the memory: the cemetery gates, and
the ghouls peering and gaping through
in eerie playtime... the staging of
Fester’s moontime love song, with the
pure poetry of the umbrellas twirling
with the danseuses under the moon…
the forest of trees through which the
Beinekes wandered in the park… it
was a wonderland to get lost in for an
evening, and all slickly stage-managed
by John Delaney and Linda McDougall.
The sound and technical crew, very ably
managed by Bill Craig, ensured that
the wall of sound and shifting palette
of light created a remarkable texture of
atmosphere.
The make-up team of fourteen
individuals – under the practised hand
of May Sharp as ever – needed to work
flat-out to effect the challenges that
the director was setting: forty-five
performers had to be transformed into
varying stages of decay and beauty
on a nightly basis. This was not easy
stuff – one hour just to make Fester’s
head go bald – but one supposes that
some actors need less greasepaint than
others to make the change. Costumes
were once more remarkable: the
inexhaustible Gill McFadyean and Pam
Webster produced a riot of mad colour
and grim monotone to give yet more
visual appeal to the spectacle; fortyfive more sets of apparel to fit and fix…
Decmber 2015
There is always a clean-cut,
young American in these shows, and
Angus Hunter (then Form VI) as Lucas
did not disappoint, with his squeakyclean, gelled-hair image and his filmstar good looks. His father, Mal, was
played by that old hand Ben Collins
(then Form VI) who, in previous years,
has taken the lead romantic – given his
ability to handle angst/passion/a lot of
intense and very high and low notes
very forcefully. But time moves on:
the lover becomes the Dad. And Ben
showed his versatility here, as ever.
Anya McCrimmon (then Form
IV) concludes our principal round-up:
she made a hilarious Grandma, and
like the other characters managed
to double vile menace with loveable
dottiness. Wheeling her potion trolley,
she might just as well have been granny
out for her messages with the shopping
trolley.
Space precludes me from
working through the chorus characters;
what is worth noting, however, is just
how individual they were, even when
acting in unison. It is one demand
on the director to ensure that mass
groups are nevertheless made out of
individuals, who, whilst they are not
guilty of upstaging each other, always
manage to be more than ciphers.
The set was hugely impressive,
and wonderful things were done
visually throughout. There are visions
69
December 2015
Fortunas 36
CORAM BOY
The Form I Play
70
Last summer term a cast of Form I
pupils performed ‘Coram Boy’ before
very appreciative audiences. Directed
by Ruth Halden and Rachel Gibb, and
based on the acclaimed children’s novel
(2000) by Jamila Gavin, the play offers
the almost-gothic tale of a rich family
in disarray.
The play version was written
by Helen Edmundson.The complex
scope of this dark story did allow
space for some comforting youthful
romance, rare comic moments and
musical interludes. The mental image
of Gracie Shearer giving birth on stage,
for instance, will stay with many in
the audience for some time to come,
while Dominic McGinley as Sir William
Ashbrook, was the quintessential
country gent. Annalise Matthews was
dignified and Kaspar Principe-Gillespie
was a truly vile villain. Lewis Brown
played the challenging part of Meshak
(a role which involved acting rather
than speaking) with sensitive maturity.
‘Archie Duffin (as Thomas
Ledbury) was irrepressibly cheerful,’
said Ms Halden, ‘while Tom MacFadyen
(playing both young Alexander and
Aaron) ably managed this complex,
father-son double role.’ He, along with
many in the cast, also demonstrated
what a very fine singer he is. Connie
Buchanan (as Mrs Milcote) offered
‘a subtle portrayal of the horrors of
being a dependant, poor relation and
Iona Kelly established Mrs Lynch as a
powerfully manipulative character: a
part strongly played,’ commented Ms
Halden Jack Ireland proved himself
a natural actor in his portrayal of the
Older Alexander, and Beshaar AlKhayat played Toby with a wide range
of feeling. So many young people
proved that they were capable of
shining as individuals even as they
pulled together the fabric of a complex,
closely interwoven play. There were
many more pupils in smaller roles too
many to number here, but ‘they were
just always capably where they needed
to be and on top of their parts,’ added
Ms Halden.
A committed crowd of Form
II pupils was also on hand to help in
various ways. Congratulations to every
one of the talented cast members who
brought this tale to life.
Heather Moore
My experience of the Form I play…
well, it all started with the audition
last session. I was very excited
to take part and I had heard how
fantastic Dollar Academy’s theatrical
performances were. I was thrilled to be
given the opportunity to participate
in one.
Coram Boy was quite a
thought-provoking play about two
young men whose paths cross in a
story about orphan children and the
greed of the great Otis Gardiner. The
performance took place over two
evenings and, midway through the
second evening, I began to feel much
more comfortable and confident in
front of a packed audience; this was
all because of the support of the team
members and teachers.
Amy Marsh
Coram Boy was an extremely ambitious
choice for Form I. But it’s safe to say
that no matter which part you had,
the end result was fantastic! No one
had any negative feedback to give.
Ellen Peden
Lazar Stošić (Form VI)
Co-Curricular
During the 2014/2015 summer term,
Dollar Academy’s Charities Committee
organised a weeklong series of events
to raise money for Rape Crisis Scotland
and Nepal Earthquake Relief: Charities
Week.
The ‘Great Dollar Bake Off’,
held on Wednesday 17 June, pitted
Mr Christie (Music teacher) against
Mr Duncan (History teacher), in a test
of their baking prowess. The challenge
was to bake better cakes and earn
more donations. Mr Christie’s team
won, raising a total of £266 though Mr
Duncan’s team was close behind with
£204; altogether an impressive total.
The next day the Committee
grabbed their sponges and buckets for
the annual ‘Charity Car Wash’; thirty
teachers’ cars drove away looking much
shinier than usual. The day moved on to
the ‘Custard Pie Auction’, during which
pupils and staff bid for the chance to
plant a pie in a teacher’s face (it should
be said that the participating teachers
did volunteer!). The highlight of the
day was Mr McGonigle, who went for
£60. The day raised over £300.
The week’s fundraising efforts
ended with Friday’s classic finale:
‘Dollar’s Got Talent’. There was a variety
of acts: solo singers to Celtic music to
‘White Boys with Attitude’ (as they like
to be called). First place went to Dollar’s
own DACRO (Dollar Academy Celtic
Rock Orchestra) following its very
impressive performance. Altogether,
the three days raised over £1000 for
charity, bringing to a close a highly
successful year for the 2014/2015
Charities Committee.
CHARITIES
CHARITIES
WEEK
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
71
December 2015
Fortunas 36
CHARITIES
COMMITTEE
2015/2016
72
It was a very busy and exciting
beginning for this session’s Charities
Committee. The Sponsored Walk was,
of course, the highlight – involving
everyone in the school community in
a grandiose fundraising effort (and an
extraordinary day out in the local hills).
But there was also the Form I Party
in September. It was one of the bestattended ‘freshers’ discos’ with over
100 pupils in attendance. £500 was
raised for Islamic Relief UK, helping
to fund its relief efforts for Syrian
refugees.
165 Junior pupils attended
the annual Halloween Party that took
place in October. This effort contributed
£660 for INCTR, the International
Network for Cancer Treatment and
Research.
On Thursday 15 October, the
Charities Committee took on a team of
Dollar Academy staff in a hockey match
to benefit the charity, ‘Unseen UK’,
which supports the victims of human
trafficking. A pitch-side collection was
taken, raising £160.36. The final score
was 2-1 to the staff; the event certainly
helped to make the end of the first halfterm an exciting occasion.
Sharon Fulton
THE CHARITIES
COMMITTEE
2015-2016
Christopher Clark
Stuart Dalgleish
Emma Dearden
Ayesha Cheema
Mia Dzepina
George Greenlee
Lewis Johnston
Mairi Keith
Lucy Keys
Jonah Lonberg
Sarah MacCallum
Imogen Macleod
Ellie Mahoney
Holly Martin
Katie Mills
Vivek Muralidharan
Meg Parbrook
Matthew Pleass
Kerry Randfield
Sarah Rasul
Tammar Nachmias Scotland
Cameron Scott
Stewart Soutar
Lazar Stošić
Hannah Taylor
Harry Warr
Co-Curricular
CHESS
Photography Club has enjoyed a
great start this term with some very
talented photographers creating many
outstanding images. Over the last
four weeks we have tried making long
exposures with torches in the dark,
taking mid-air action shots and creating
false perspectives. Most recently, we
had a very fun (and incredibly messy!)
time experimenting with UV paints.
Next term we’re going to start
by creating pictures of people levitating
by using Photoshop, and from the
results we’ve had so far I imagine we
will get some spectacular results.
Fortunas 36
Harry Gray (Form II)
PHOTOGRAPHY
CLUB
Decmber 2015
In June, a Dollar Academy team of
four competed against seven other
schools in the Fife Schools’ Chess
Championship, held in St Andrews.
Dollar’s team of Cameron Brown
(FP 2015), Harry Gray (now Form
II), Alexandru Roibu (now Form VI)
and Connor Hogdson (now Form VI)
finished first, winning 26 matches
out of 28, and drawing the other two.
The victorious team is featured in
the photo; Connor’s lack of uniform
underlines the last-minute nature of
the team’s assembly.
This team victory follows
on from the school’s success in
November at the individual players’
championship, where Dollar took the
first five places against over seventy
challengers. The Dollar victors, on that
day, were the five pupils named above,
joined by Andrew Ferguson (now Form
II).
Although Cameron has moved
on to university, chess remains strong
in Dollar. Chess Club is held every
lunchtime in the Modern Languages
Department; coaching is offered to
beginners, to those hoping to improve
and to those who are thinking about
joining the school team. Our hope
for 2015/16 is that the defunct
National Schools Tournament will be
resuscitated, and that our players can
revive the glory days of travelling the
length and breadth of Scotland, leaving
a trail of forced mates, timed wins and
opponent resignations in their wake.
Hannah Mackintosh
73
at every turn to help build a foundation
of skills strong enough to enable us to
win the World Championship title.
None of us could have done it without
Mr Wilson’s most empowering quote,
‘Hard work beats talent when talent
fails to work hard.’
The words of the drummers
themselves express it best:
PIPE BAND RETAINS WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE AND
COMPLETES ‘THE GRAND SLAM’
Reader, sometimes people say ‘You won a Grand Slam. Wow!’ without really
understanding what it means. So, to begin with, I will put things into perspective a
bit: a ‘Grand Slam’ in the pipe band world is a monumental achievement.
An analogy from the world of football, surprisingly, might be helpful
here. Cast your mind back to 1999 when Manchester United Football Club, led
by Sir Alex Ferguson, won the ‘Treble of Trophies’. To win the Premier league,
UFEA Champions League and the FA Cup in one season in professional football
is no mean feat. Will it, can it, ever be repeated? Well, winning a Grand Slam of
the five major titles (at any level of piping) could certainly be compared with an
achievement such as the ‘Treble of Trophies’.
In the pipe band season there are five major trophies: the Scottish,
British, UK, European and World Championships. Each in its own right is a tough
competition with bands from all over the globe competing at the highest of levels.
To win just one is an achievement in itself. To win them all in one season is the
ultimate challenge – the Dollar Academy Juvenile Band was the ONLY band to
reach this ultimate goal in 2015.
The need to perform consistently well, especially under the continuously
increasing pressure, is the most difficult thing. But, let me pass you on to other
members of the Band to explain what it is all about and how it works…
Tommy Henson (Form VI)
FROM THE DRUM CORPS
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Dollar Drummers leave their mark on the cup… finally!
74
In the summer of 2015 the Dollar Academy Drum Corps won its first-ever World
Drumming Prize. It has taken extraordinary hard work and determination to reach
the level of success that we have achieved over the past year, and not, of course, just
on the part of the pupils. The members of staff have helped, guided and mentored us
‘Emotional relief’
James Taylor, (Form IV)
‘Most unbelievable feeling.’
Fingal Hall (Form IV)
‘Best day of my life.’
Rory Power (Form IV)
‘Extreme pride to be part of Dollar
Academy Pipe Band.’
Jen Alexander (Form IV)
Rory Power (Form IV)
FROM THE BASS AND
TENOR SECTION
On the importance of public
performance. . .
A major part of being in the Dollar
Academy Pipe Band is, and perhaps
this shouldn’t come as a surprise, the
commitment to playing many piping
engagements. For example, we play for
many weddings, hoping to make each
one that little bit more special. The
highlight of each Pipe Band appearance
is often the drummers’ fanfare. This is
undertaken by the lead drummer and
consists of many challenging rudiments
and catchy rhythms. Along with the
snare drummers, the bass and tenor
section play an energetic sequence of
beats and also perform eye-catching
flourishes that complement the sound
of the snare drum. We all feel as if
we are under the spotlight and every
single one of us is eager to produce a
faultless and spectacular performance.
For us, any public performance feels
Co-Curricular
like the competition circle of a major
championship – perhaps only slightly
more relaxed! It is traditional for
the Pipe Major to present the happy
couple with a dram of whiskey in a
quaich, which is then given to them as
a wedding present.
Katy Robson (Form V)
FROM THE NOVICE
JUVENILE BAND
Strength and depth mean we can
all be part of the success
Firstly, we would like to congratulate
Mr Beaumont for leading the Novice
Juvenile Band with such great success
this last year. With a significant number
of new pipers joining the band, it was
amazing to have had such a successful
season. Special merit must go to Pipe
Major Lewis Hetman for carrying the
band through the competitions and
also for putting smiles on everyone’s
faces. For those players attempting
to move up to the Juvenile Band for
this coming competition season, the
year has been very valuable indeed.
It has been truly inspiring to watch
and practise with such a collection of
skilled players.
Alasdair Jardine (Form IV)
revision, and it gives us an opportunity
to regain focus.
We have also made many
new friends over the past months.
There will be many more to come, we
know. Now, most evenings do find us
practising our pipes, but it is a time of
enjoyment that helps us prepare for a
tough, but undoubtedly joyful, year of
piping with our new friends.
Katy MacDonald and Blair Dickinson (both
Form IV)
BOARDING AND THE PIPE
BAND EXPERIENCE
Two new band members are
boarding at Dollar
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
Before arriving at Dollar Academy we
assumed that playing in Pipe Band
would represent only a bit of drudgery
throughout our senior years. We were
in awe of the standard of the band and
perhaps even worried about the long
hours required to meet the standard.
However, when we arrived at Dollar and
began to attend Pipe Band practices,
we realized very quickly that it is quite
the opposite of drudgery. It is a hobby;
no, it is a passion. For a short period
of time every week, it diverts us from
the increasing pile of homework and
75
‘THE ASHBURTON’
December 2015
Fortunas 36
When I was selected to be part of the school shooting team
when it returned to compete at Bisley this summer, I was
delighted. Compared with the Easter trip, this was a whole
new experience. Everything got serious. There was a new
focus and drive to perform.
Throughout the week the team competed in a vast
array of competitions against schools from all across Britain.
I will never forget marching onto the range with the Scottish
Contingent on the morning of the final day of competition.
Ross McGregor (now FP 2015) and Gregor Stewart (now
Form VI) led us in on the bagpipes, accompanied by wild
applause from the other schools who had set up camp behind
each of the 108 targets.
As each day of competition passed, our
determination to achieve grew. Every night the team made
the pilgrimage to the noticeboard to see who had made it
onto the list of the top 100 scores, and we were filled with
excitement when, every night, many of our own team
members featured on every noticeboard.
76
I had realised that Dollar Academy was pretty good
at shooting but I hadn’t realised quite how good. The truth
really hit home on the main and final day of competition:
the Ashburton. That day, we were the only school that made
it onto the scoreboard in every single competition we had
entered.
Our success was down to the skill of our coaches
and it was also creditable to the way in which the team
worked with each other and supported each other; the great
leadership skills and the individual performances of our
captain, Megan Montgomery (now FP 2015), also inspired
us. She not only organised everything, motivated the team
and guided the newer members but also put in a remarkable
performance herself, winning numerous trophies. I had an
amazing week with an amazing group of people and I very
much hope to return next year… we have quite a few titles
to defend!
Sophie Ferguson (now Form III)
Co-Curricular
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
77
December 2015
Fortunas 36
CANADA
78
The Dollar Academy CCF offers an endless list of exciting opportunities for cadets
to pursue. This summer I was very lucky to be selected to attend the Rocky Mountain Cadet Leadership and Challenge course in Alberta, Canada. There was a tough
selection process involving a series of interviews and physical tests and an essay
about why I should be selected to represent Scotland’s cadets overseas. In return
though, I experienced the summer of a lifetime completely free of charge. I have
been lucky enough to spend a lot of time hiking and wild camping in Scotland, but
Canada – with its 12,000-foot mountains, remote wilderness, and unpredictable
weather – was an entirely new experience.
The exchange began when I flew down to London to join the twelve other
British Cadets at Frimley where we had a three-day induction to ensure that we
were fit enough, that we could truly rise to the challenge of being Ambassadors.
After this orientation we were flown out to Calgary to join the other cadets from
across Canada. We were split up into different platoons of roughly thirty cadets:
our family for the next six weeks.
Each platoon went through a rotation of six different weeks of adventure training. I was put into Bow Platoon (named after the River Bow which flows
through Alberta) and our first cycle was Canoe/Kayak. I was lucky enough to be in
the kayaking group which was by far the more exciting as kayaking in a very tippy
boat down white water is rather entertaining. I capsized a lot.
Throughout the camp we would spend only a couple of days at base and
the rest would be spent camping out on expedition – by far the most fun. The weekends gave some R&R to recover from the very strenuous trips we went on. We visited the Calgary Stampede one weekend, and the others were spent doing parades
in nearby towns. And we were granted our freedom for one weekend in Banff.
My platoon’s second cycle was
Alpine Trek: again an incredible experience and quite different to Gold Duke
of Edinburgh as the Rocky Mountains
really are very steep. The third cycle I
went on was Horse Trek and Wilderness First Aid. I gained a first aid qualification and went on an expedition on
horseback. Again, we camped out each
night; this was the most relaxing cycle
as the horse did all the work.
I also spent a week rock climbing: one of my favourite cycles. I was
selected to do the multi-pitch rock
climb; I didn’t think I was afraid of
heights until I was hanging off a cliff
at five thousand feet knowing that
if I messed up, the three of us on the
rope would experience a very nasty
fall. The glacier cycle was also a oncein-a-lifetime experience. I learned how
to do emergency crevasse rescues and
trekked across the Des Poilus Glacier
up to the summit at 12,000 feet. Waking up at 2:30am to make it to the top
before the ice melted was definitely a
highlight, as was watching the sun rise
over the Rockies as we slowly made
our way to the summit. The last cycle
I went on was Bike; the focus was on
mountain biking, and we visited the
Nordic Centre where Olympic athletes
go to train. We even cycled to the top of
a mountain, which took three hours to
climb and just ten minutes to go down.
The best memories I have of
the trip, however, are the ones made
in the company of the other cadets. I
made some incredible friends from all
across Canada. Spending almost six
weeks in the wilderness really brings
people together and it was very difficult to say goodbye at the end. The
camp ended with a graduation parade
where I was awarded the Sands Shield
for outstanding leadership and motivation amongst the other cadets. This
was the real highlight of the exchange
for me. I had the best summer imaginable and this was all down to the Dollar
Academy CCF, which (because of the
strength of its cadets) ends up sending
at least one cadet to Canada each year.
RSM Lucy Hulbert (Form VI)
Co-Curricular
INFANTRY
Fortunas 36
This year many of us enjoyed our annual Summer
Camp. We conquered our fears and clambered over an assault
course; poked metal rods in the sand to discover where
mines had been hidden; crept up on someone as quietly and
discreetly as we could (often with limited success); attempted
to smuggle in as many little packets of jam as we could
without being caught; participated in an exciting overnight
exercise in the field and rode rollercoasters at M&Ds. We
made memories and we took photographs, but the most
important thing that happened – the most important
thing that always happens – was that every person at the
camp was included. Friendships were made, relationships
strengthened and we all worked together towards a common
goal. That, I believe, is what makes our Infantry section, and
our CCF, the best.
Now the school year has restarted, and with it has
come the most anticipated event in the calendar: the Scottish
Military Skills competition. The rigorous Dollar training
regime has begun and, as with everything the CCF does, no
half measures are taken. We memorise manuals, organise
our kit and happily sacrifice weekends and weeknights for
the good of the team. Friends who spend time together
every day grow closer with the result that a team – rather
than a mere group of individuals – is created. Once again,
the machinery that is Dollar Academy CCF’s Infantry section
has been mobilised.
Decmber 2015
I stare down my rifle. I scan for any trace of enemy movement.
There is none. I wonder how long I have lain here. Ten
minutes? An hour? It is hard to retain any sense of time when
lying on the forest floor with only a weapon for company. I
continue to look down my rifle, through the green-tinged orb
of my night vision sights. Was that movement? An owl? A
person? I follow its progress into my field of vision. It is the
enemy, carrying a weapon similar to the one I have pointing
at him. I press the button on my radio three times, to alert
my platoon commander. Has she fallen asleep? Did my signal
reach her? I can only wait to find out.
A single shot fires, ringing out into peaceful night.
In an instant the whole forest is ablaze with the sound of
gunfire as the three dozen bodies lying hidden around me
spring to life and fire off their magazines. The ambush has
begun.
From the fields of Barry Buddon to the shores
of Loch Ness, the Infantry section of Dollar Academy CCF
leaves its mark wherever it goes. We regularly impress judges
with our skills and our organisation, with our enthusiasm
and our dedication, with our friendliness and our teamwork.
To onlookers from other contingents, the word ‘Dollar’
inspires awe, envy and amazement and – in the case of our
opponents– fear. To give true credit to all we do would be an
impossible task, from the lessons we learn on Friday nights
to the fun we have when we go away, and my words don’t
even begin to describe the experiences we have every week.
Sgt Jonty Haywood (Form V)
79
December 2015
Fortunas 36
ROYAL NAVY
CADET CAMPS
80
Last summer I was fortunate to attend
three CCF Navy camps. One was based
in Rosyth, the second in Portsmouth
and the other was a course based on
the waters of the English Channel.
The first was an RYA sailing
camp at Port Edgar. During the course
I stayed at MOD Caledonia with other
Navy and Sea Cadets. The most rewarding aspect of the camps was the array
of new people I met there. We shared
the facilities with a group from the
USNSCC (United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps). We all marched to meals
together and socialised in the evening.
There were, of course, heated debates
about gun control and who drives on
the correct side of the road. (Britain,
obviously). Our sailing lessons took
place on the River Forth and sailing a
boat underneath the two bridges was
quite an experience.
I was the only cadet from Dollar attending the second camp, but I
was excited as HMS Bristol Summer
Camp has a reputation for being the
best camp on the calendar. Staying on
the Type 82 destroyer was fantastic.
The activities included sailing and mo-
tor yachts, boson sailing and kayaking
around Portsmouth Harbour, field craft
with the Royal Marines, orienteering,
firefighting and damage control.
Damage control was certainly
a favourite; the DRIU (Damage Repair
Instruction Unit) is a simulator that is
used to train Royal Navy recruits. The
simulator fills with water which is then
shot out through holes and cracks.
The DRIU can also rock at set angles
to simulate stormy weather, fill rooms
with smoke and cause all the lights to
go out. Royal Navy recruits often find
themselves in pitch-black conditions,
up to their necks in water, choked by
thick smoke as their ‘ship’ rocks as if
in the highest of seas. Luckily, the conditions set for cadets are less testing.
During the exercise we had to hammer
wooden wedges into ‘cracks’ to stop the
rising water level. I once had to climb
into a metal locker to repair a hole
from a shell, even as high pressure water fought against me with such force
that another member of my team had
to physically push my back to keep me
in the locker.
Every evening our divisions
battled against each other at different
sports. Danish long-ball was popular;
you have to bat a rugby ball with the
aim of making it to an end zone and
back again. I ended up being Team
Captain for Division 3 and by the end
of the week we had won the championship! At the party on the last evening I
was named the Best Cadet of my division. It was one of the most enjoyable
weeks I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to
return next year.
Just a week after that camp
ended I was back again. Catriona Laing
(Form IV) and I flew to Gatwick and
then made for Portsmouth. We were
spending a week on an ex-police boat
named the ‘Black Swan’ that the Royal
Navy now owns. It is a 30-tonne boat
packing 1020 horse power; it still has
the police lights, sirens and speaker
system, too. Catriona and I were part
of the crew of six (three adults and
three cadets). We took turns driving,
navigating and cooking, and it was always all hands on deck when entering
or departing a marina.
We both achieved a helmsman
qualification and learned a great deal
about the sea and boating. We explored
different coastal towns and even saw
a street carnival in the lead-up to the
Cowes Week Regatta. Every morning
we left one place and journeyed to another. We crossed the English Channel
from Portsmouth to Alderney, visited
Cherbourg in France, Guernsey, Poole
and Cowes. I would never have found
my fondness for the sea had I not
joined the Navy section at school.
LH Katrina Longstaffe (Form V)
Co-Curricular
During the summer holidays, the Dollar Academy RAF section took ten cadets down to RAF Boulmer for the annual
summer camp. For many, the most-favoured activity was flying in a Sea King helicopter on one of its final trips. I will certainly never forget the experience of dangling my feet over
the edge of a helicopter as we became weightless, looking
down on the beach and spotting a pod of seals.
As well as summer camp, three cadets participated
in the Air Cadet Leadership Course (ACLC), gaining valuable
leadership skills and making progress both as cadets and as
individuals.
Within the section there are also many opportunities to fly in Grob Tutors. These are arranged by Flight Lieutenant Cochrane and are very popular indeed as they offer
extremely exciting experiences for all involved.
As a group, we all look forward to Friday afternoons:
to the weekly CCF activities and to the friendly atmosphere
where we all have fun and learn about the Royal Air Force.
The RAF has helped me to grow and to learn more about
our nation’s history; it offers the additional benefit of being
able to spend time with my friends and, of course, make new
ones.
One skill that is vital in life is the skill of communication. The
ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively is
at the core of the Signals syllabus.
Signals, in my honest opinion, is also the most
enjoyable section. While we spend a lot of time learning
about the radios, we can also join in with many of the
Infantry’s activities, and we can also be selected for any of
the Cadet teams. Signals offers the perfect balance of fun and
difficulty; it is arguably more orientated towards intelligence
than Infantry, but requires perhaps less physical exertion.
Signals exercises take place within school grounds;
they offer an excellent chance to pitch our skills against
those of other contingents. As these competitions usually
last for about 24 hours, they also offer a wonderful excuse to
have a glorified sleepover with friends, complete with food,
sleeping-bags, and arguments about Voice Procedure.
‘Exercise Rolling Thunder’, held at DSCIS Blandford,
is one of the many competitions the Royal Signals section
takes part in. Exercise Rolling Thunder is the National Signals
Competition; over twenty teams from across the country
undertake various skills and intelligence-based challenges.
These range from problem-solving under stress, Voice
Procedure, and Morse Code and Semaphore. Dollar Academy
has always done exceedingly well in this competition, as well
as in the many other competitions we take part in.
This year alone we have competed in Exercises
Summer Whine and Rolling Thunder; we have also
represented Dollar CCF at the school’s Open Day and
provided valuable service during the Sponsored Walk. On
the Open Day we showed prospective pupils what we do in
Cadets, before demonstrating a school-wide treasure hunt
orchestrated entirely with radios. The coming term looks
even more promising.
Cpl Amy Scott (Form VI)
Cpl Huw Sherrard (Form IV)
Fortunas 36
SIGNALS SECTION
Decmber 2015
RAF
81
December 2015
Fortunas 36
SCOTTISH FIRST AID
COMPETITION
82
On the morning of Sunday 24 May 2015, four Dollar Academy
CCF teams prepared to compete in this year’s Scottish First
Aid Competition held at Dollar Academy. For some of the
competitors, this was their first competition; for others, it
marked the beginning of a new year in the Cadet First Aid
calendar. The Young Adult team consisted of Elena Gibson
(FP 2015) and Cameron Robertson (now Form VI); they were
the first to leave the holding area and enter the scenarios.
Their first challenge was a team test held in the Sixth Form
Centre. The pair had eight minutes to help and treat three
casualties. They needed to provide first aid to an unconscious
casualty who wasn’t breathing; a casualty with a sprained
ankle and another unconscious victim who was breathing
but had suffered a head injury. After this they entered the
individual tests.
The Dollar Academy 1st team consisted of Scott
Norval (now Form VI) as Team Captain, Tommy Henson
(now Form VI), Emma Rattray (now Form V) and Imogen
Macleod (now Form VI). The team entered the round robin
and tackled the team test. They scored an impressive full
marks 40/40 for their treatment of one of their casualties.
In the Individual test, Tommy Henson also scored
38/40: the highest score achieved by any cadet at the
competition.
These scores combined to give Dollar Academy’s
CCF 1st team the title of Best CCF and also made them Overall
Cadet Scottish Champions. For this achievement, the team
walked away carrying the Endeavour Trophy for First Aid
In the event of any accidents being suffered in Dollar, one
hopes that a member of this championship team happens to
be nearby.
The Young Adult team also did extremely well,
winning the the competition in this category. Dollar RN
was led by Alice Thompson (now Form V) and also included
Kathryn Scougall, Catriona Ferguson (both now Form V)
and Nicola Henson (now Form IV); they came second in the
CCF competition, winning silver medals.
In addition, Dollar Academy’s 2nd team – led by Niall
Baird (now Form V), Rebecca Allan, Samantha Robertson
and Georgia Robertson (all now Form IV) – came third in the
CCF competition.
This collection of outstanding performances means
that many of the school’s teams will progress and compete
in the National First Aid Competition which takes place in
autumn at Strensal Training Camp in Yorkshire.
Co-Curricular
‘We didn’t quite keep to the times planned on the route card;
we were a bit slower than originally predicted. But, we were
planning to arrive at the campsite at around 3pm which
meant that we had quite a lot of time to be slow. . . ‘
Emily Williams
‘Our campsite was located beside the Frandy Burn on an
area of flat land between two tributaries. It was perfect,
with just enough space for our three tents and a fast-flowing
burn providing us with fresh water. We pitched our tents,
cooked our well-earned dinner of fresh pasta and homemade
Bolognese sauce, played some highly competitive games of
Irish Snap and Scabby Queen, then went to bed.’
Sophie Ferguson
BRONZE DUKE
OF EDINBURGH
ASSESSMENT SEASON
‘An incredible 119 pupils from Form IV completed their
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh assessment expeditions in the
Ochil Hills over the last few weeks of the first half-term. They
enjoyed some favourable autumn conditions. Many of the
pupils are now looking forward to travelling farther afield in
the Scottish hills for the upcoming Silver expedition season.
They are well-prepared, having developed a good foundation
of outdoor skills as a result of these Bronze trips in the local
hills.’
John Fraser
THE EXPEDITION REPORTS TELL THE
STORY . . .
‘We said goodbye to our teachers, left the starting point,
Blackford Distillery, and we walked up a long road up into
the hills with our cumbersome rucksacks tugging us back. . .’
‘I learned things about the people in my DofE group that I
would never have known if I hadn’t camped out with them in
the middle of nowhere.’
Lowrie Dickson
‘One lesson the group learned was that we needed more than
one bin bag.’
Amie-Louise McKenna
‘As we progressed through estates and farms with barking
dogs and cows that followed us up the field, we eventually
came to the conclusion that we had been walking in circles
for an hour: up a main road, through a field of rams and
back through the same estate. When we finally got on the
right track towards our campsite, we made up for the time
we had lost... and arrived at our campsite 45 minutes ahead
of schedule; we threw our bags to the ground and lay down.
As Dollar came in sight the next day, we delighted
in seeing civilisation again. The walk down the hill past Bank
Hill seemed to last for an eternity... Finally, we arrived at
school and walked down the West Approach in pain, but with
pride.’
Annabelle Muir
Conor Philip
‘We were a relatively small group in numbers, but certainly
not in charisma and personality. For me though, the biggest
battle was the mental one: seeing hill after hill, time and time
again, with no destination visible.’
Ryan Hartley
Fortunas 36
Rebecca Manson
Decmber 2015
‘When we were just over halfway up King’s Seat the mist
began to come over us. Initially, we weren’t too worried but
by the time we got to the top of the hill we couldn’t see a
couple of metres in front of us…’
83
NOTES FROM A SILVER DUKE
OF EDINBURGH ASSESSMENT
EXPEDITION
Summit plateau of Beinn a’ Bhuird, about
500m from the summit itself.
The highlight for me of the summer
expeditions, camping with two Silver
groups at 1150m, surely the highest
people in the UK that night?! Drinking
out of melting ice pools, watching sunsets
at 10:30pm… seems a long time ago now!’
(Duncan Gibb)
December 2015
Fortunas 36
A Silver Duke of Edinburgh training group
copes with snowy conditions in the
Cairngorms in June.
84
As I sit and reflect on my Silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition, an array of memories
flood back: times of great adventure and some peril; times spent huddling around
the blazing flames of the old, reliable Trangia, preparing the finest cuisine our
rucksacks had to offer; times enlivened by good friends, stunning landscapes,
misty drenchings and some nasty midges. We left the grounds of Dollar Academy in high spirits. Reminiscing about
the mostly successful practice expedition two weeks before (carefully ignoring
some of the details), the trip flew by and soon enough the fleet of minibuses arrived
at our campsite for the night. We were five minutes’ north of the idyllic town of
Ullapool, the destination of many childhood summer holidays. The familiar terrain
set my hopes high, once again, for the days ahead which would challenge every
member of our merry crew both physically and mentally.
Day One’s early start was a harsh foreshadowing of what would prove a
week of very little sleep. Under attack by midges, we quickly disassembled our tents.
The midges seemed to follow our every step at the campsite, causing a remarkable
lag in morale and patience. We piled onto the buses once again and were onward
bound towards the starting point of our expedition along an anonymous stretch of
B road somewhere in the Highlands.
The long walk began with an easy but boring ten-kilometre stretch of
concrete path. However, the path was a gift for this group of seven campers: we
crushed the estimated time for this leg of our route beneath our Vibram-soled
boots. We were cruising, fearful of being overtaken by another Dollar DofE group
that had been hot on our heels since the start of the day. Much to my discontent,
however, this blissful stretch of path, like all good things, came crashing to a wet,
horrible, calf-straining, trouser-muddying end.
The following stint of Day One was the hardest of the trip. We clambered
round a loch, trudged through a two-kilometre-long bog and then leaped over
a series of small waterfalls. All of this took us the same amount of time as the
previous five kilometres had.
We plodded on, relieved that our boggy trudge was coming to an end.
With joyful hearts, we met the familiar faces of a Gold DofE group from Dollar. We
soon discovered that the coming hills were legendarily difficult, and that it would
take vast quantities of nerve and mettle to conquer them. It was because of this
that we decided to tackle the beast together: Gold and Silver groups hand in hand.
We were Simon and Garfunkel, Watson and Crick, Romeo and Juliet, hand in hand,
on our route to the campsite for the night.
This feeling of comradeship lasted a total of five minutes. The Gold group
proved much too slow for us – superior Silver mountain goats that we were. They
were swiftly left to eat our dust.
We reached the top of the mountain and were greeted by two things: a
glorious view of the surrounding mountains and lochs, a true reminder of the
beauty of this place. And, secondly, the realisation that it was all downhill from
here. The donkey work for the day was done.
In a matter of minutes (OK, that’s maybe a little revisionist), we reached
the campsite, and we were delighted to meet the members of the Silver group who
were sharing our site. We had fared much better than they, and had actually arrived
two hours ahead of schedule. We pitched our tents on a small patch of ground
that was slightly less drenched than the patches around it. Later that night that I
discovered what the true meaning of a Duke of Edinburgh expedition was. The two
Silver groups (and the Gold group that had finally caught up) shared a remarkable
Co-Curricular
sight together: we watched the sun sink low into the sky,
giving us a spectacular panoramic view of oranges, purples
and reds. Then, out of nowhere, a deer trotted past us, just
a few metres away. This was what Duke of Edinburgh was all
about. The moment ended abruptly, as these moments often
do, with the return of the midges. So we all retreated back to
our tents and finished our conversations over several games
of blackjack.
Score after Day 1: DofE Crew 0 – Midges 1
Day Two was, all in all, a different affair altogether.
We woke to dazzling sunshine and our group was second
to leave the campsite. But conversation and energy levels
soon flagged. Ahead of us lay a five-kilometre climb up
onto the plateau. Everyone in our group was more than
capable, physically, of climbing this hill. And although one or
another of us would drop behind now and again, the group
stuck together and marched on. The walking proved not too
challenging, but moods fell as we reached the clouds and still
seemed nowhere near the top.
Then the singing started. Someone’s quiet whistling
under the breath somehow caught on, and grew louder,
and eventually roared into life as full-throated renditions
of Foo Fighters, George Ezra and Milky Chance songs: the
melodies reaching out across those remote hilltops. Thus, at
last, we reached the end of this never-ending ascent, and we
swiftly donned the waterproofs. Not because it was raining–
but because the moisture from the clouds somehow just
collected on us invisibly and drenchingly. And because now
we had to get down. And here it must be confessed that two
particular members of our group have about as much balance
going downhill as sumo wrestlers might have on a tightrope.
Through a combination of slipping and sliding and skidding
down slides created over years of water erosion, we somehow
made it to the bottom of the hill in one piece. But we were
damp, mud-soaked, and utterly forgetful of what the sun
looked like, stuck as we were under those perpetually gloomy
and overcast skies.
Our campsite for the night, this time, promised no
sunsets. It was lonely, depressing, wet and buried deep in a
valley whose walls loomed dauntingly over us. After food,
cards and a heated political debate, we all fell asleep.
No sign of midges today, we must’ve scared them
off.
probably be a good idea to set off. The walk back to the buses
waiting near Kylestrome was long but enjoyable. A massive
downhill stretch brought us all back to sea level, and that
was followed by a long, long, long walk round a loch. As the
deadline for our arrival grew nearer, we quickened the pace
and soon found ourselves on the home stretch. Accompanied
by more deer, bounding on the hills to our right, we found
our way to the final car park with ease. We were tired but
happy: a sense of our own achievement filled the air.
As we headed back down the road to Dollar, I
noticed that the buses were noticeably quieter: everyone was
asleep. And soon, we were home. I collapsed into my own bed
gratefully, and I have never slept so well in my life.
I squashed a midge which landed on my arm.
Full time score: DofE Crew 2 – Midges 1
Angus Cooper (Form V)
Halftime score: DofE Crew 1 – Midges 1
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
Day Three: I woke to much rushing going on around
me. The others had decided to let me have a birthday lie-in,
for which I was eternally grateful. I was also treated to an
amazing gingerbread – baked and carried by Jonty Haywood.
The girls also gifted me with a very special card which may
or may not have been written on a train ticket. Dragging
ourselves away from the epic birthday celebrations, we
decided (being an hour behind schedule already) that it would
85
An ‘epic’ DofE day
HIKEY-BIKEY
December 2015
Fortunas 36
DAY 3 OF THE GOLD
86
It was the third day of the Gold training trip, with a strong, strong group. We
were in a very remote spot, camping beneath the Shelterstone Crag beside Loch
A’an in the Cairngorms, almost 2400 feet above sea level and higher than the tops
of any of the Ochil Hills. Alas, the blue skies that dawned at 6am did not last. The
day was spent navigating the rather subtly featured Cairngorm plateau. We hit
Cairngorm itself first, as the wind got up and the clouds rolled over.
By Cairn Lochan, we were in thick mist and deep, wet snow – a
remarkable amount of snow for June. Next to tick was Scotland’s second highest
mountain, Ben Macdui (a mountain far more remote and far less visited than the
heavily touristed Ben Nevis). Reaching Ben Macdui was accomplished using only
map and compass as nothing at all was visible in the clag. The group certainly
learnt how to take a bearing when it really mattered. The final descent took us
out of the clouds and past Loch Etchachan on tired legs. The sight of the tents,
looking tiny and insignificant on the granite beaches of Loch A’an, was something
of a relief. It had indeed been ‘epic’: a true adventure in the Scottish hills.
Andy Johns
The Hikey-Bikey group is a new club
committed to organising hiking and
mountain biking trips. Our first trip,
on a pleasant autumn day, was to The
Cobbler (or Ben Arthur or, in Gaelic,
Beinn Artair), a spectacular hill in
the Arrochar Alps in the southwest
Highlands. Only three of us, and two
teachers, were keen enough to go – a
mere two days after the twelve-mile
Sponsored Walk.
After parking by a sea loch, we
set off and made a direct ascent. As Ben
Arthur is close to Glasgow, and it was
nice weather, we met lots of people who
had also come to explore the beauty of
Scotland. Despite some drifting fog,
we continued in our climb to the top.
The last part was very challenging–
almost rock climbing – but we got to
the top! The fog had begun to burn off,
revealing an amazing view. After lunch
at one of The Cobbler’s three summits,
we descended.
We soon reached a saddle
where we had to choose: go down
or carry on? Everyone immediately
agreed to carry on, so it was on to Ben
Narnain. Fifty metres higher than The
Cobbler, Ben Narnain is a Munro: one
of the 282 Scottish mountains taller
than 3000 feet. It was, for the pupils,
a chance to tick a first Munro. After
having climbed up and learned some
interesting facts about trig points
(there’s one at the summit), we started
down. The day included not only my
first Corbett and my first Munro but
also my first haggis meal. We arrived
back in Dollar, tired and dirty but
looking forward to our next outing.
Jakub Tetek (Form V)
Travel
ADVANCED HIGHER
BIOLOGY TRIP TO
MILLPORT FIELD
STUDIES CENTRE
Charlie Ainge
Photographs courtesy of Tom Henson (Form VI)
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
This year 23 pupils and 3 members of staff embarked on
the Advanced Higher Biology trip to the University Marine
Biology Station Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae, near Largs.
The purpose was to carry out the practical work required
by the Advanced Higher Investigations, which count for
25 percent of the pupils’ final mark. The logistics involved
in carrying out these separate investigations, at the level
required, are considerable. This trip is an effective means of
providing each pupil with the time, attention and facilities
necessary to complete the task.
The Millport Field Centre has recently been taken
over by the Field Studies Council, which has invested £4.3
into the facilities. They are, consequently, excellent. Being
an FSC centre means there are specialist tutors available
specifically to help our pupils complete their projects. Each
pupil has the expert help she or he needs at all times. And
for staff, there is an exchange of ideas that benefits everyone.
We arrived at Millport on Sunday 20 September
and headed for the classroom to finalise pilot studies. An
excellent addition to the new Curriculum for Excellence
qualification, the pilot study formalises the planning stage of
the investigation. Pupils have to trial their proposed method,
then make refinements, adjustments and address any safety
issues.
By Monday morning the pilot studies were
underway. The first stage is always the hardest, whether lab
or seashore-based. This is when that pupils learn about new
equipment – like spectrophotometers – and solve problems–
such as how exactly to measure the heart rate of a shrimp.
Pupils work independently, but staff are on hand to make
sure that their experiments are valid, accurate and reliable.
The pupils on this trip were fantastic. They threw
themselves into the projects, accepting the hard work
without complaint. They were in the lab and working by
9am and did not usually finish again until 7 or 8pm. All this
hard work meant that they gained a great deal from the
trip. They completed the practical side of their projects, and
the whole experience demanded hard work, self-reliance,
problem solving, imagination and organisation. On the third
day most of the pupils were able to undertake a voyage on
the centre’s research vessel ‘Actinia’, enabling a fascinating
glimpse of sea bed life. They also visited the aquarium and
made use of the extensive library.
We returned to Dollar on Wednesday 23 September,
tired but very satisfied with all that had been achieved. My
thanks go to Dr Lucy Payne, Mrs Frances McDonald, Mr Paul
Arnold, Mr Andrew Morton and the tutors at the centre for
their hard work, and to the department for their combined
efforts in helping pupils complete this important piece of
work.
87
December 2015
Fortunas 36
ADVANCED HIGHER
GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP TO
ABERFELDY
88
Fieldwork is an integral part of the Advanced Higher
Geography course and the techniques learned on this trip
provide a basis for each pupil’s own personal field study. In
addition the exam contains scenario-based questions where
pupils can refer back to the techniques covered. With this
in mind, the aim was to pack in as many of the different
techniques relevant to human and physical geography as
possible, whilst also providing a memorable experience.
Preparations began in the Home Economics
Department before departure, with pupils cooking the
bulk of the main meals: spaghetti bolognaise and chicken
fajitas. The accommodation for the duration of the trip was
at the self-catering Glassie Bunkhouse, and the pupils were
responsible for planning, preparing, eating and cleaning
after each meal.
En route to Aberfeldy, on 30 September, the first
visit involved looking at evidence of glaciation in the Sma’
Glen. As well as large-scale features like U-shaped valleys and
drumlins, pupils were able to identify the unsorted, angular
sediment typical of glacial till. After stopping for supplies in
Aberfeldy, we spent the afternoon gathering soil samples in
the warm sunshine. Soil was extracted from a variety of sites
representing different land uses. After dinner, the soil was
analysed to measure pH, moisture content and soil texture–
giving some evidence of the characteristic podsol, brown
earth and gley soils.
The following day began with a river study,
examining the velocity and river dimensions down a steep
section of the Boltachan Burn. The spectacular waterfalls
and stunning views across the fog-filled Tay valley ensured
a memorable visit. A beach study on Loch Tay followed
and, when the fog burnt off, this study too was conducted
in spectacular sunshine. Human techniques were taught in
the afternoon with a settlement study of Aberfeldy itself,
examining changes in land use, the impact of pedestrian
traffic and changes in noise level with increasing distance
from town.
After another sociable meal, pupils spent the
evening analysing and writing up their results, working well
into the dark evening before letting off some steam with
hide-and-seek in the nearby coniferous woodland.
The final day, 2 October, began with bacon and
eggs for breakfast and a quick rural land use study, based
on the stunning views from the bunkhouse. After packing,
cleaning and piling into the minibuses, pupils then had the
opportunity to try white-water rafting on the River Tay,
which certainly allowed them to experience the power of the
river up close.
With beautiful, sunny weather throughout and a
hardworking, friendly group, all agreed that this was one of
the best trips ever.
Alastair McConnell and Shiona Scott
Travel
HIGHER ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE FIELD TRIP TO
TENTSMUIR NATIONAL
NATURE RESERVE
Sampling and measuring fieldwork techniques are an integral
part of the Higher Environmental Science course. This course
is available for Form VI pupils and is especially valuable for
those going on to study Geography, Geology, Earth Science
or Environmental Management. The aim of the day was to
find out about and measure first-hand the changes across the
sand dune system at Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve.
Laden with ranging poles, measuring tapes,
quadrats and identification charts, we headed off to a very
sunny Eden Estuary on Thursday 24 September. There we
met Tom Cunningham, the Reserve Ranger, who let us into a
cordoned-off area of the Reserve. He introduced the class to
the Reserve, outlining current issues and identifying areas
where the dunes had changed over time since 1850. Previous
coastlines can be identified by human legacies such as the ice
house and the World War Two lookout and anti-tank barriers.
The group spent the rest of the day mapping,
measuring and collecting data in transects across the dunes
from the shore line into the forest plantation.
We were treated to some glorious weather on this
end-of-September day, and the rain only started after we
finished work. The colony of seals at the point and in the sea
was fascinating to watch, as was the ‘Tentsmuir Highland
Cow’, an impressive model of the real beast. Indeed, actual
Highland cows are used as a management technique to keep
the vegetation in check.
Shiona Scott
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
89
December 2015
Fortunas 36
FELLBACH
90
Thirty-six Dollar pupils were inspired with a sense of history
as we set off for Germany in late June, 2015. This was the
25th anniversary of the Dollar-Fellbach Exchange; it was
older than all of participating pupils – and quite possibly
older even than one of the accompanying teachers? (I refer
to Mr Prior; I am sure Dr MacLeod, Dr Hendry and Mr D.
Delaney will forgive me for assuming that they are safely
beyond that age barrier, if only just... )
I, along with roughly half the group, felt especially
important. Not for us the lessons in school, the town
quizzes, the excursions to Tübingen and Freibad, the
cookery demonstration. All of these trivialities we had
already experienced (and, admittedly, enjoyed) the year
before on the exchange proper. Now we were leaving such
inconsequentialities to the puerile third years, while we
grown-ups headed out on work placements!
My place of work was a garden centre – based on a
chance comment to a German teacher, whom I will not name,
that I had some previous part-time horticultural experience
(i.e. I can push a lawn-mower). This tenuous connection saw
me pitchforked into the Gärtnerei Steinle, two lengthy bus
rides and a brisk walk away from my charming host family.
This was no work for a wallflower or shrinking violet, but,
although a little green at first, I soon twigged and was able to
branch out. And, with my very friendly employers all rooting
for me, my spoken German also blossomed, which was quite
a releaf... sorry, relief.
Actually, the effort of finding my way there and then
literally rolling my sleeves up and getting dug in was a great
learning experience. If I am honest, I even allowed myself
the odd moment of smug self-congratulation as I sat in the
bus each morning. Here I was, sixteen years old, in a foreign
country, making my way to work and having to use a foreign
language; how many other Dollar pupils could boast of that?
As it happened, nineteen others. Their placements
included sports centres, hotels, vet surgeries, a bilingual
French/German school, newspaper offices, old folks’ homes,
riding stables, swimming pools, primary schools and
nurseries. What we all had in common was that we were
forced to use the language for real. Daunting, exhausting–
but very rewarding.
And we were not completely excluded from the ‘fun’
elements of the stay. We had a day off to go to the theme
park with our partners, and we were also free on the final day
to join the main party for shopping in Stuttgart. Throughout
our stay the weather was great, the people were delightful,
the food was delicious... and then came the journey home.
I won’t bore you with the details, other than to say
that it was, well, boring! And long! And uncomfortable! So,
did the flight delays and endless waiting diminish the fun
and tarnish the memories? Not a bit of it! Loads of us are
already clamouring to go back next year, albeit with, perhaps,
a different airline. And, despite my newly-found gardening
expertise, I never want to hear the Flower Duet by Delibes
again!*
Alex Parker (Form V)
*Just in case the reference might have passed you by, look up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNoGdN2F8cA; you might
realise which flight company made our return journey the ordeal
it was!
POSTSCRIPT
In September, we renewed old ties when our German guests
joined us for the return stay. This coincided with the visit
of the French Exchange pupils, so a lot of socialising was
crammed into that week‑and‑a‑bit. This, however, merely
served as an appetiser for NEXT September, when Dollar will
be hosting four exchange groups: Germany, France, Spain
and China. Languages are cool!
Travel
AUBENAS
Work experience was not the only activity we undertook in Aubenas; there
were many planned excursions such as kayaking, visiting a water park, and simply
spending an afternoon by the river. Listening to and speaking French all day, every
day greatly improves your confidence and skill in the language. And the people in
Aubenas are some of the nicest people you could meet; every Dollar pupil was made
to feel welcome. I would recommend this exchange to anyone who would like to
improve his or her French.
Scott Craig (Form V)
Iona Peterson, Martina Sillence and Sophie Ferguson (all Form IV)
Fortunas 36
The Exchange
Thursday had to be our favourite day of the trip. We kicked off with Maths… not
much to be said about that, though it was more interesting than we anticipated
once the class discussion was going. Maths was followed by a French cookery lesson
where we would be preparing quiche for the soirée (farewell function) that evening;
we needed all the help we could get! The lesson turned out to be very enjoyable and
went smoothly, despite the lunch-lady hats and occasional cooking fire.
The highlight of our trip came later: canoeing. Paired up with French lads
‘for safety’, we set off down the Ardèche river. Although the river had many rapids,
the greatest danger seemed to be found above the water where a full-blown water
war was taking place. Thankfully Dollar had few casualties apart from Miss Sieger–
who managed to fall into the river as soon as she sat in her canoe.
The day finished with a fantastic soirée where Dollar lost spectacularly
in each of the many rugby matches that were played. Although all of the days
were extraordinarily good days, this one was the most memorable. France was a
fantastic experience. It was a great opportunity to improve our French and make
some awesome new friends.
Decmber 2015
Work Experience
The Form III/IV French Exchange is
a highlight of the Dollar Academy
calendar. Every year a group of pupils
visit Aubenas, just south of Lyon,
to spend time with pupils from the
Lycée Agricole Olivier de Serres. Each
pupil is placed with a French family,
their correspondents, and we all take
part in various activities and visits in
the surrounding region. This year’s
exchange between Dollar and Aubenas
was the third such exchange to take
place.
On 31 May this year’s cohort
of fourteen pupils left Dollar Academy
at 2:45am. We were accompanied by
Mrs McDonald and Miss Sieger. In
Aubenas, a small town in the Ardèche
region, we were greeted by the host
families. Many pupils took part in
work experience placements with one
of the parents of their correspondents.
The work experience placements varied
from working in outdoor activities
shops to working in primary schools
or retirement homes. We learned many
valuable skills and, most importantly,
our skill in the language vastly
improved.
91
AMBERG
This year’s Amberg Exchange was enjoyed to the full by all
who participated, and many new friendships were forged
over the two weeks that the German and Scottish pupils
spent together.
Amongst the highlights for Dollar pupils were the
trips to Regensburg and Hirschau Hochseilgarten (a high
ropes course in Hirschau). The days we spent in the Erasmus
Gymnasium were not only good fun but great for improving
our Deutschkenntnisse (knowledge of German). We also
went to the Allianz Arena (where Bayern Munich win all their
games). BMW World was, of course, another popular stop in
Munich: what Dollar pupil would miss the opportunity to
lounge back in the silky leather seats of the new BMW luxury
series on display?
Our Bavarian guests had an equally full programme
here in Dollar, and they were particularly enthusiastic about
their visit to the local safari park: the barking, performing,
ball-balancing sea lions were especially impressive!
The German staff and pupils wanted us to thank
all the Dollar teachers who provided such entertaining and
illuminating lessons. This part of the programme was a real
highlight for them and one of the main reasons why they are
always so enthusiastic about taking part in the exchange.
We would also like to say a sincere thank you to the Dollar
parents who were such generous and hospitable hosts.
December 2015
Fortunas 36
John Fotheringham
92
The Cameron Travel Scholarship Trust helps to fund Dollar
pupils on trips overseas in order to partake in some voluntary
activity. Lazar Stošić (a boarder from Nis, Serbia) was a
recipient this year. Here, he describes the time he spent in
Bavaria working at a clinic for victims of Huntington’s disease.
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
On the 1 July of 2015 I began my journey from Belgrade
to Munich, to Freising and then to Vilshofen in beautiful
Bavaria. From there, I travelled to a small town, Furstenzell,
where my host family lived – only three kilometres away from
Bad Höhenstadt, the clinic where I would be volunteering.
My host family were lovely and more than willing to help me
learn German and embrace Bavarian culture. But, as with all
beginnings, things were not easy. Most people spoke only
a bit of English. However, I considered this a challenge and
worked to improve my German to communicate better with
my colleagues and my patients.
The Bad Höhenstadt clinic was built in 2004 and
is specially designed to care for victims of Huntington’s
disease – one of the main reasons why I wanted to work
there. It is surrounded by nature and many healing natural
springs. I worked there from Monday to Friday, eight hours
a day. Bonding with each of the patients required a lot of
work indeed. One had the habit of becoming aggressive
without warning, and I had to find a way to calm him down.
Sometimes, working with these patients might have been a
bit too much but, upon reading about their lives and seeing
how much tragedy they had seen, I knew that they needed
someone strong to help them. That same man with the
aggressive outbursts weighed only fifty-two kilogrammes; he
had become depressed after his new-born child passed away
in his arms and his wife left him. The youngest patient at the
clinic was a woman suffering from Huntington’s, and she was
only in her twenties – just a few years older than me. I could
not accept that this woman, with her whole life in front of
her, had been so crushed by disease. I would often talk to her
and was glad that her boyfriend visited often. So many of the
other Huntington’s patients just sat by themselves with few
visitors. One woman was ninety years old and would often
Travel
AZURIT Pflegezentrum
Bad Höhenstadt
shout, ‘Hello!’ I figured out that this was a cry for attention
and help. I or a colleague always rushed towards her when she
called. I would gladly describe each of the stories of the Bad
Höhenstadt patients, but I could not do them all justice. Although there is no cure for these patients, I felt
that I was making a difference with even the smallest things.
Giving them their medication, feeding them or taking them
outside for a walk in the wheelchair. I measured their blood
pressure and sugar while sharing stories of where I had come
from and how I ended up coming to that exact clinic. This
often made them smile. There are so many good people there,
suffering from diseases such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease
and schizophrenia. But my opinion is that the worst pain of
all for them is loneliness. I am glad if I eased that pain during
my stay: being a cure as well as the one administering it – a
friend and a medic. On my last day, the patients were sad
to learn that my stay was coming to an end. Though many
recommend that medics do not become attached to their
patients, the clinic workers spent the majority of their days
with the patients, organising trips and dinners, spending
time with them. I had the chance to participate in one such
event. And while I was watching them dance and laugh, I
did not see doctors, nurses or patients, I only saw people
enjoying life. I went to Germany so I could help these patients but
they helped me just as much. They showed me how health
and love really are the most important things and made my
desire to go into medicine even stronger than it was. I stayed
with a Bavarian family whom I came to adore and respect.
They showed me great kindness, taking me in as one of their
own children. I would not have seen or learned half as much
were it not for them; I hope to return the favour one day.
I also visited Munich and Salzburg along with Passau (or,
as the locals say, Bavarian Venice) with my hosts. I tasted
traditional Bavarian dishes such as Schweinbrat mit Knödeln
and their traditional Weisbier. These family trips also served
as time to reflect on my overall experience: the new people I
had met, the patients’ stories that had brought them to the
same place in Bad Höhenstadt. As a doctor you bring your
work everywhere you go; you choose what lessons to take
away from the people you meet and whether you appreciate
those things that are the most important in life. 31 July
was the day when my host family and I said goodbye at the
train station. I realized that, after only a few weeks, these
strangers had become a second family. As I was waving and
getting ready to get on the train I told them ‘Servus!’ (the
traditional ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ in Bavarian dialect), and we
laughed together.
I would like to thank the Cameron Travel Trust as I
would never have been able to accomplish what I did during
my stay in Germany were it not for the Trust committee
members and the faith they had in me. I can happily say
that I made every moment count. I am looking forward to
encouraging this session’s pupils to apply and undertake
a volunteering project of their own with the help of the
Cameron Travel Trust.
Lazar Stošić (Form VI)
93
December 2015
Fortunas 36
ART AND DESIGN TRIP
TO LONDON
94
This whirlwind trip took place in October and offered a
wonderful sweep through the cultural highlights of London
from the ‘Pleasure and Pain of Shoes’ at the Victoria and
Albert Museum to the ‘World Goes Pop’ at the Tate Modern.
In between, we recorded in our sketch books some
of the vast riches found in the National Gallery, the British
Museum and the Courtauld Institute of Art. Some of the
group even produced drawings from the auditorium when
we went to see a performance of ‘Wicked’.
London is an eclectic treasure house of things to
see: the formal, architectural splendours of old and new in
the streets surrounding St Paul’s Cathedral; the Millennium
Bridge; the colour and fun of China Town; the daft, but
intriguing M&M’s World. We did it all and even celebrated
the Rugby World Cup with our own game on the grass
outside the Tate Modern.
For the inspirational running of the trip, thanks go
to Mrs Kelly, Mr Muirhead, Mr Burnett and Mrs Young. For its
organisation and planning, thanks to Mr McDermott. They
were brilliant, yet this visit is most memorable for the pupils
who encountered each event (including ‘The Generator’) with
such liveliness, verve and gusto. They received the warmest
tribute from a fellow passenger, a woman who was obliged
to share our carriage for the whole return trip: ‘Friendly,
natural: the most polite group of young people I have met.
What school are you from?’ I need say no more.
Gus Maclean
Travel
THE MACNAUGHTON CLASSICS
TRAVEL AWARD
Mark O’Brien (now Form VI), this year’s recipient of the Macnaughton
Classics Travel Award, reflects upon his walk along Hadrian’s Wall.
WALKING THE WALL
Hadrian’s Wall is a hugely important piece of British history,
stretching eighty-four miles from the Tyne to the Solway –
and it’s something I had somehow never managed to visit.
With this in mind (and needing to do some sort of physical
exercise over the summer holidays) I decided that I should
walk it. Well, as much of it as is possible in four days
Starting out from Segedunum, the closest excavation
site to the North Sea in Newcastle, I headed east along the
Tyne until I reached Heddon-on-the-Wall: the first place
where there are actual remnants of the wall visible. When it
was built in AD 122 it was not intended as a barricade to keep
out the Scots. Rather, it was a final border protecting against
further expansion, and it was a permanent garrison in the
north of Britannia that could help to monitor trade.
Walking further east, I reached Corbridge, a
substantial Roman fort just south of the wall’s ruins. It was
fantastic viewing these excavations that showed so clearly
the standard of Roman life, and provided evidence for how
a vibrant, large community could develop through the
Romans’ occupation. The fort was not merely used to house
soldiers. Eventually entire towns grew up around the forts,
and the ruins of granaries and public houses can, in many
case, still be seen.
I also noted this in Housesteads (a bigger fort
farther east), as I walked along long stretches of torn-down
wall. There, a temple to a Persian god was excavated from the
town surrounding the fort (along with a mysterious dead
body). The wall was not a barricade at all: not a lonely, cold
fence. Instead, it contained a bustling community, a massive
society of commerce and culture.
This trip really brought home to me the fact that
the Romans were a vital part of our history, bringing their
infrastructure, language and all their Roman world to
our island, shaping us and giving the basis of the culture
our nation claims for its own today. A Persian deity being
worshipped in Britain on the other side of the Empire? An
eighty-four mile wall across the country to monitor trade?
The Romans’ influence was vast, and, without doubt,
provides the basis for our modern world today.
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
Mark O’Brien
95
RUGBY NEWS
Two 1st XV players selected
for BT Sport Scottish Rugby
Academy, Caledonia
December 2015
Fortunas 36
DOLLAR HOCKEY PLAYERS COMPETE
AT INTER-DISTRICT TOURNAMENT
96
A number of Dollar Academy hockey players represented Midland District at
Scottish Hockey’s annual Inter-District Tournament, held at the Scottish National
Hockey Centre in Glasgow on the weekend of 3-4 October.
The U16 girls’ team won the championship after beating West District in
the final. Dollar Academy’s Director of Hockey, Lynsey Allan, was the head coach.
Midland drew against East (1-1) before winning against North (4-0) and
then Highland (7-0). In the semi-final, Midland won against South (2-0). In the
very exciting final, Midland defeated West with a score of 1-0.
The Midland squad included a remarkable eight Dollar girls: Niamh
Wallace (Form V), Sam Robertson, Susie Green, Jenny Walls, Erin Stevens, Olivia
Mears (all Form IV), Eve Pearson (Form III) and Lucy Smith (Form II).
Special congratulations are due to Jenny Walls who captained the
side and who, after receiving the trophy, then spoke extremely well to the large
crowd assembled. This cannot have been an easy task, particularly after such an
adrenaline-filled match experience; she handled both the hockey and the speechmaking with characteristic grace and ease.
Dollar Academy 1st XI Captain, Isla Keith (Form VI), and Vice-Captain,
Emma Dearden (Form VI), had both been selected for the U18 Midland squad
that eventually went on to win the silver medal. This U18 team was coached by
Scotland’s most capped player, Linda Clement.
At the time of writing, the girls are all eagerly waiting to hear whether or
not they have been selected for the Scottish squads.
Congratulations also go to the following boys who represented their
District at the Boys’ Tournament in Glasgow. David McIntyre (Form V) played for
the Midland U18s who won the tournament.
Alex Wilson (Form II) had been selected for the Midland U16s, while the
Pearson brothers (Ben in Form II and Daniel in Junior 2) were represented in U18
East District and U16 East District respectively.
Lynsey Allan
Scottish Rugby recently launched its
new talent development pathway, the
BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy, and
we are delighted to announce that 1st
XV Vice-Captain Callum Cruickshank
and 1st XV team member Grant Hughes
(both FV) have been selected to join
some 87 of the nation’s most promising
male and female rugby players as the
first tranche of inductees to enter the
brand new Academy. There are four
Academy facilities; both Dollar boys
will be based in Caledonia.
The players were presented
with
their
Academy
jerseys
(unique to Caledonia) from current
Scotland internationalists who have
come through the previous Elite
Development Player programme. The players were selected as
Scottish Rugby aims to deepen the pool
of players capable of competing at the
top levels of the game and strengthen
its player development pathway.
Scott Johnson, Scottish
Rugby’s Director of Rugby, said: ‘The
world of rugby doesn’t stand still. We
need to constantly ensure our young
talent has access to the best possible
facilities, development programmes
and expertise, to help us bring on
players who are prepared for the rigours
of professional and international
rugby.’ The BT Sport Scottish Rugby
Academy will have a positive impact on
all levels of the game, with its players
contributing to the top level of domestic
rugby, continuing contact with the
two pro-teams and in contention for
selection to international age-grade
and representative sides. Each player will benefit
from bespoke strength, conditioning,
medical and playing facilities and
expertise, both from the dedicated
Academy staff and from the continued
partnership with the sportscotland
Institute of Sport.
Sport
Six Dollar Academy 1st XV
players invited to attend
Caledonia Training Camp
The first round of inter-district games
was played during August; there, four
Dollar players represented Caledonia
who went unbeaten against the other
three districts (Edinburgh, Glasgow
and the Borders). Following on from
this, we are very proud that six 1st
XV players were invited to attend the
Caledonia training camp that took
place in October 2015.
This camp takes place in
preparation for the second round
of inter-district games. The players
involved were Callum Cruickshank,
Cameron Blakemore, Grant Hughes,
Ben McIlwraith, Euan McLaren (all
Form V) and Harry Warr (Form VI).
A seventh Dollar player (Lachlan
Peterson, in Form V) has been selected
to the Caledonia development squad.
Playing for Caledonia is seen as the
first step on the selection ladder to the
Scotland U18s who will play in a Five
Nations tournament in March 2016.
The 1st XV Win Scottish
Schools Cup quarter-final
match
Dollar Academy win 22-0 against a
spirited Glenalmond side.
The game took place, on Wednesday 4
November, in poor conditions which
made it difficult for our boys to play
their usual open and expansive game.
Dollar tacked heroically and played
most of the game in the Glenalmond
half. Constant Dollar pressure
eventually told and it was not long
before Dollar put points on the board
through a Ben McIlwraith (Form V)
penalty and a well-taken try by Stewart
Soutar (Form VI) which was converted
by McIlwraith. Half time 10-0
The second half was more of
the same with relentless Dollar pressure
ensuring a further two tries by Angus
Cooper (Form V) and captain, Harry
Warr (Form VI). McIlwraith converted
one of the two tries to make it 22-0 at
the final whistle. A great team effort,
and the whole team is, at the time of
writing, looking forward to the semifinal draw shortly to take place.
Don Caskie
Fortunas 36
Dollar’s Director of Rugby, Don Caskie,
was named the new Joint Head of
Scotland U19 this autumn. He will
work alongside Calum Forrester,
Head Coach of Ayr rugby. Caskie has
already been in the role of Assistant
Coach of the Scotland U18 team for
the past two seasons. Sean Lineen,
Head of International Age Grades for
the Scottish Rugby Union, said, ‘We
want the best coaches possible from
clubs, schools, academy backgrounds.
We wanted someone like Don in there
for his experience. We realise how
important this programme is: we need
someone with Don’s experience and
track record.’ Last year, the Scotland
U19 side went to Romania and, in
March 2016, they will be playing a
double header against Japan. ‘Caskie
has a great track record at Dollar and
we really just want him to lead the
way,’ added Lineen. Needless to say,
Dollar Academy rugby will benefit
hugely from Mr Caskie’s continuing
involvement with academy rugby in
Scotland.
Decmber 2015
Note: as this magazine was going to
print, the 1st XV won the semi-final match
against Merchiston, 10-3. As a result,
they qualified for the final at Murrayfield,
on 2 December, against George Watson’s
College. Details of this (much-anticipated)
match were not yet available at the time
of writing. (Ed.)
DON CASKIE
BECOMES NEW
JOINT HEAD
COACH OF
SCOTLAND U19s
Heather Moore
Photograph courtesy of Jan van der Merwe
97
DOLLAR ACCIES
SPONSOR HOCKEY AND
RUGBY MATCHES AND
PRESENTATION LUNCH
Dollar 1st XI V Marr College
December 2015
Fortunas 36
It was a cold Saturday morning and the 1st XI players were up
against Marr College. The Dollar Academicals were, for the
first time, sponsoring the girls’ hockey 1st X1 as well as the
rugby 1st XV match. Both the rugby and the hockey matches,
and the presentation lunch to follow, would be in honour
and remembrance of Mr John Foster, Dollar’s much-beloved
Director of Sport who passed away in February of 2015.
The girls had recently been away on tour to
Amsterdam, so this was their chance to prove what a positive
impact the trip had had on the group. The team started out
working as a unit and the performance level only increased.
Physically strong, the players showed great energy and skill
on the ball. Apart from their hunger for victory, they played
cohesively as a team, which resulted in the final score of the
game being an outstanding 9-0.
98
Dollar 9-0 Marr College
Isla Keith (Captain of the 1st XI, Form VI)
Dollar 1st XV V The High School of Glasgow
For the 1st XV, this match certainly had heightened
significance; it was being played for John Foster. The boys
played with the commitment and vision that the great coach
had always endorsed. And perhaps no less important: their
appearance was up to the famously high standards that Mr
Foster had always demanded of his players: shirts tucked in
and socks rolled up.
Dollar started the game impressively with scrum
half, Grant Hughes (Form V), crossing the try line after
running a decisive support line. Another try followed as
Dollar’s structured play created gaps in the Glasgow defence.
Dollar’s relentless attacking force kept the pressure on and
the day’s captain, Angus Cooper (Form V), crossed for the
team’s third try – all within the first twenty minutes. Cameron
Blakemore (Form V) was next on the scoresheet with a strong
run. Dollar continued to work hard throughout the game and
the next try was finished by winger Stewart Souter (Form VI)
who capitalised on a mistake by the Glasgow fullback for a
try under the posts. After a promising Glasgow attack and
excellent Dollar defence, fullback Andrew Graham (Form
VI) stepped his way through the Glasgow defence to score
out wide. The final try of the day came from winger Charlie
Dineen (Form V) after some good link play from the Dollar
backs. This final try rounded off a great Dollar performance
and Ben McIlwraith (Form VI) converted the final kick to
take his tally for the day to 6/7 conversions.
Dollar 47-0 High School of Glasgow
Harry Warr (Captain of the 1st XV, Form VI)
Sport
The Lunchtime Presentations
Isla Keith and Harry Warr
Photographs courtesy of Jan van der Merwe
Fortunas 36
On Saturday afternoon John’s widow, Joan
Foster, unveiled the portrait painting of her husband. It is
a beautiful, warm picture showing Mr Foster looking happy
and relaxed. Catriona Campbell was also in the Captain’s
Room that day, together with her husband, Peter (three
years in the 1st XV himself). Mrs Foster gave a very moving
speech, thanking the Accies for donating the painting and
for the two new trophies which will be awarded to the teams
that show the greatest team spirit. Joan spoke of how these
gestures truly captured the essence of all that John believed
in: the importance of giving one’s best, of working together
and of enjoying the sport. Joan Foster was also presented
with a print of the portrait.
It was indeed a day dedicated to the honour and
remembrance of John. We remembered not only the many
years he coached the rugby team to unparalleled success and
the impact he had on the PE department, but also his impact
as a Houseparent and upon the school as a whole. With his
portrait hanging in the Boys’ Pavilion, his spirit and beliefs
will always be remembered.
Decmber 2015
After the very successful matches, the day progressed to
lunch in the Captain’s Room for parents, FPs, invited guests
and all the players. This year’s lunch was to include a special
presentation in memory of Mr Foster. The event was very wellattended, highlighting how important Mr Foster had been to
so many. Two very talented Dollar sports personalities were
there as special guests to present the Player of the Match
awards: Joanne Brown (Scotland U18 hockey internationalist
and Head Girl, 2011-2012) and Graeme Morrison (Scottish
rugby internationalist and FP 2001).
Mr Iain Mears (FP 1964-1970), Chairman of the
Accies, welcomed everyone and congratulated both teams
for their impressive wins. He spoke about Mr Foster and
his incredible victories: a string of statistics of which any
rugby coach would be proud. The first presentations were the
Player of the Match awards. Joanne Brown made her award
presentation to Olivia Mears (Form IV), who had scored
an impressive hat-trick. Graeme Morrison then presented
Player of the Match to Andrew Graham (Form VI) for his
sound defensive play.
And then the main event: the Dollar Accies’ have
created a lasting memorial to the late John Foster which
includes a portrait commissioned by one of Scotland’s most
accomplished portrait painters, Catriona Campbell (FP
1957).
99
GIRLS’ CRICKET
December 2015
Fortunas 36
The girls practised their indoor skills during the spring
term before we headed outdoors in the summer. A keen
group of girls from Prep 5 and Junior 1 also enjoyed playing
Kwik Cricket games at lunchtime last summer term, while
the seniors developed their skills during the after-school
sessions.
This team of senior girls, who were all then in
Form II, performed particularly well in the inaugural Girls’
Secondary School Cup, organised by Cricket Scotland, and
taking place at Stirling Cricket Club in June.
In the first round of matches, they lost against
Strathallan School but then earned good wins against
Dalbeattie High School and St Leonards. They qualified
second in their group for the third and fourth place play-off,
which they played against Moray: a very strong regional select
side. Though they competed with real enthusiasm, they lost
too many wickets and ended in fourth place. The girls must
be congratulated for all their efforts and sportsmanship
throughout what was a very hard-fought tournament.
Two of the Form II girls, Màili Gardiner and Sally
Weir, trained regularly with the Form II boys’ team and
played in one of their mid-week matches. Màili was also
selected for the Scotland Ladies U17 Squad, and she trained
with them all season. She gained her first Scottish cap
against Cumbria in August. For these achievements, she was
awarded her Internationalist tie at the start of term.
Catherine Childs
100
Màili Recalls the Secondary School Cup match…
We were taken up to the Stirling County Cricket ground and
played first against Strathallan against whom we narrowly
lost. But our next two matches we won. In the semi-finals,
though we played well, we lost against the Moray regional
team.
Captain Sally Weir is fantastic! She batted with
Natasha Smith and bowled brilliantly. Other players in
the team were Alice Barthram who was playing cricket for
the first time and made an absolutely superb job of hitting
the ball and bowling. Katie Robertson batted well too: the
tennis skills came in handy. Beth Duddy held a fantastic
catch against the Moray team and Sofiyah Rasool was great
at batting with Alice and also revealed real skill at bowling.
Charlotte Johns was playing at the square leg where a lot of
the shots were getting hit and she always returned the ball
neatly to the bowler.
Some of the girls in our team have hardly played
cricket, and it was great to play with such amazing friends and
cricketers. I hope they continue to play as their performances
were fantastic. Eventually George Watson’s won both the S1S3 event and also the S4-S6 game.
Màili Gardiner (then FII)
DOLLAR ACADEMY
CRICKET:
A VICE-CAPTAIN’S
PERSPECTIVE
The summer of 2015 saw Scotland jointly host the T20
qualifiers and successfully reach the World T20 Competition
in India in 2016. It also saw the Scotland U19s qualify for
the U19 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2016. The England
cricket team also had a good July and August, defeating the
Australian team 3-2 in an up-and-down contest played over
five tests. In many respects, here at Dollar, the 1st XI season
closely resembled the highs and lows of the Ashes series. A
crushing victory one week was followed by a disappointing
and uncharacteristic loss the next. Like Joe Root’s colossal
performance with the bat for England, there were also many
great individual performances across the season at Dollar,
but we struggled to gel together consistently and play to our
full potential as a team.
Our season began promisingly against Fettes
College in a coached warm-up game. We competed well in all
areas and lost in the last over. Fettes College, always one of
the strongest teams in Scotland, expected to win the game
Back from left: Beth Duddy, Sofiyah Rasool, Natasha Smith, Sally Weir
Front from left: Charlotte Johns, Alice Barthram, Katie Robertson,
Màili Gardiner
Sport
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
easily, having already been on a pre-season tour to Sri Lanka.
However, we pushed them all the way, losing by only five runs
in the end, thanks in large part to Ben Pearson’s (then Form
IV) dominant 74. Our next game, against Strathallan, was
not as encouraging. We found ourselves without three of our
most important players for the game and this contributed to
the poor performance and result: a convincing loss to a good,
but not exceptional, Strathallan side.
It was a testament to the character and ability of our
team that we followed up one of our worst performances of
the season with one of our best. Against Stewart’s Melville,
we proved that with a full-strength team, we could compete
against any team in Scotland. Captain Kyle Hinkson (then
Form VI) and Calum Weir (then Form VI) won the toss and
elected to bat first; they made the perfect start, sharing a
superb partnership of 145, with both batsmen reaching
their fifties. After Kyle was dismissed, Calum continued
on, eventually reaching a score of 130 not out, comfortably
the best innings of his cricketing career. Stewart’s Melville
sporadically threatened to chase down our total of 258, but
it never looked likely and Dollar won by 22 runs.
Our season reached its peak in the next match:
a 20/20 cup game against Fettes College. Euan Dawtrey
(then Form VI), our best bowler, led from the front and
claimed figures of 3-28 as Dollar restricted Fettes College
to a reachable total of 137. Kyle and Calum carried on their
good form as we paced our innings perfectly to defeat Fettes
College with two overs to spare.
Our tumultuous season continued with losses
against Merchiston Castle, Glenalmond College, Edinburgh
Academy and Glasgow Academy, but there were also
dominant victories against George Heriot’s and the XL club.
And, there was a hard-fought and well-earned draw against
a strong MCC side, during which Kyle and Ben showed good
application to see off some high-quality bowling.
101
Another high point of our season was reaching
the semi-final of the 20/20 Scottish Schools Cup, played
at Stirling County on 10 June. It was a great occasion but,
despite a stunning innings of 74 by Kyle to keep us in the
game, we lost to an impressive George Watson’s side. The day
ended on a high point, however, as the Dollar team had the
opportunity to meet and talk to Sir Garfield Sobers, one of
the greatest all-rounders to ever play the game.
A VIEW FROM THE BOUNDARY
FORM III (COLTS)
The Colts’ season was a hard one on many fronts. The side lost
key players for various reasons throughout the season, which
had a knock-on effect in terms of the results. But despite
this, progress was made which culminated in a win in the last
away game against Glasgow Academy which saw the team
complete their first win. There were stand-out performances
on the day from Ian Brett with the bat (53 not out) and Isaac
Lowry with the ball (5 wickets for 7 runs).
On the whole, the squad showed a real passion for
the game and made progress throughout the season. They are
all looking forward to the challenge of competing for a place
on the senior teams.
December 2015
Fortunas 36
FORM II
The previous year’s unbeaten Form I side performed well
when they reached Form II last session, winning three out of
their four age group matches. A number of boys represented
the Colts’ side and Toby Douglas continued to perform
well with both bat and ball, even representing the 1st XI on
a number of occasions throughout the summer term. Zaki
Ausat and Jamie Cruickshank also showed promise.
Our season ended against the Rector’s XI, in a
competitive and enjoyable game, where Mr Frost reminded
us of his cricketing prowess by striking an enormous six off
one of my own deliveries straight over my head on to the
top of the sight screen, sixty metres behind my head! We
unfortunately lost that game by four wickets.
Overall, based on results alone, our season could
have been seen as a disappointment. With such a talented
team, we had hoped for better, but we had a few huge
successes which rank up there with many of the great
performances by Dollar teams over the years. There were
some fine individual performances from Kyle, Calum, Ben,
Euan and Harry Warr (Form V). Harry was new to Dollar
Academy but he settled in most easily, adding an extra
dimension to the team as an attacking all-rounder. Kyle and
Calum both finished the season with over 400 runs. Kyle,
as he had the year before, finished as the top run-scorer,
proving again what an outstanding talent he is with a bat
in hand. Euan Dawtrey was the top wicket-taker with 16
and he received the bowling prize at the end of the season:
a fitting achievement for a player who has been one of our
top bowlers for the past three years. Lachlan Peterson (then
Form IV) deservedly won the fielding prize.
A lot of hard work went in to the 2014/2015
season and, on behalf of the team, I would like to thank all
the helpers, scorers, umpires, and above all Mr Frost who
coached the team very well.
Calum Weir (then Form VI)
102
FORM I
After missing the few first games due to injury, Euan Smith
returned to captain the Form I side and proved himself to be
a highly motivated leader and a most accurate fast bowler,
taking regular wickets. Ewan Moore’s 39 not out against
George Heriot’s enabled the side to win on the last ball of
the game, and Mr Moore was pleased that a number of boys
who had never played before were able to play games for the
school.
JUNIOR 2
The Junior 2 side won the Glasgow Academy 10s tournament
in June, and Mr Hose was delighted that many of the boys
at this level show real promise. Both Jamie Cairns and Craig
Sharpe were invited to East of Scotland U15 sessions and
Ben Salmon took a hat-trick against Merchiston Castle.
Fraser Laing showed real promise with the bat and has been
called up for Forth Valley training.
DOLLAR GIRLS’ CRICKET
The Dollar girls’ team trained throughout the summer term
and competed in the U15 tournament at Stirling County
where they narrowly missed getting to the finals. Màili
Gardiner (now Form III) was selected and went on to play for
the Scotland U17 in the summer holidays, and a number of
girls including Sally Weir and Natasha Smith (also now Form
III) show real potential.
Sport
JUNIOR 1
A new cricket venture saw the Junior 1s competing in
four Kwik Cricket fixtures this term. Mr Arnold involved
numerous boys in the competitions and, after beating
Stewart’s Melville B team in a convincing win, the side
was only narrowly defeated by George Heriot’s. The squad
bounced back from this to win the last two games against
Edinburgh Academy and Glasgow Academy. Stand-out
performers included Jamie Walker and Daniel Pearson, who
were both very effective with the bat. Daniel was also our
captain and was excellent in organising the field. Full credit
should go to all the players who were involved in the fixtures
this term; everyone showed great enthusiasm towards
playing in both training and matches.
And finally, I would like to thank the hard-working grounds
staff, the catering staff and the office staff who helped so
much with the smooth running of cricket throughout the
summer term.
It would also be impossible to run sides without the
input of staff from the PE department. Thanks also go to the
academic staff who give up their time both after school for a
number of hours each week and also on Saturdays.
Jamie Frost
SWIMMING
On Wednesday 17 June, at the International Swimming Pool
at Tollcross in Glasgow, four Form II girls won bronze medals
in the 200m Freestyle Relay and bronze medals in the 200m
Medley Relay. Kirstin Lawrie, Sian Thomson, Lucy Ross and
Joanna Rae are congratulated upon for their success.
Harry Gray (then Form 1), Keir Edgar, Cameron
McCall (both then Form II) and Callum Lawrie (then Form
V) also competed in the Open 200m Freestyle Relay and
200m Medley Relay. They all qualified for both finals but
were up against much older boys. Their performance bodes
very well for the future.
The Open Girls’ team consisted of Iona Kelly (then
Form 1), Deborah Meikle, Sophie Ross (both then Form IV)
and Lucy Thomson (then Form V). The girls swam well but,
again, were up against much older opposition.
Christine Galloway
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
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December 2015
Fortunas 36
TENNIS
The summer term of 2015 was another
excellent season for tennis. The
weather, in the main, was very kind,
and more players than ever took to the
courts at every level of the game. The
courts were full – at lunchtimes, during
lessons, and at after school practices.
From the highly competitive ‘lunchtime
ladder’ (during which players of all
ages came down to battle it out for the
top spot), to the Friday after-school
sessions for Prep 4 and 5 (when over
sixty future stars seemed to descend
upon the courts like ants, all ready for
action). The sport has continued to go
from strength to strength, with ‘tennis
for all’ very much at the heart of what
we are trying to achieve at Dollar.
Maybe it has been the
‘Andy Murray effect’: his success
having encouraged more and more
participation across the country. Or
maybe it has been, more locally, the
‘Judy Murray effect’: we were fortunate
to receive a coaching seminar from
Judy last year. Whatever the reason
for this upsurge in enthusiasm, it is
104
our responsibility (and, of course,
our delight) as teachers, coaches and
parents to embrace it and make the
most of it.
One thing that can hold tennis
back in the school environment is the
fact that our excellent courts, for two
terms every year, must be transformed
into hockey pitches. This is only right
as hockey is another sport enjoying
considerable success at all levels at
Dollar. It is fantastic that our pupils
are involved in a variety of sports; this
will stand them in good stead in the
future. But some would like to keep
tennis going throughout the year, with
the aim of developing their skills and
knowledge of the game even further.
And so we have found a
solution. We have set up a new
Advanced Tennis Programme which
will run throughout the year to cater
for our better players and for those
showing potential from a young age. It
will take place at the new indoor tennis
centre at Gleneagles, and it will be run
by Adam Brown, the Central Region
Performance Coach. A number of
our young players have been selected
to take part in this, and it offers an
amazing opportunity.
This summer, our teams all
played with their usual commitment,
skill and determination, and there
were pleasing results for many of
our squads. It is unfortunate that we
cannot put every girl into a team on a
Saturday morning, as I’m sure we could
fill not only ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams, but also
‘C’s, ‘D’s and even ‘E’s!
We have a number of players
already competing at regional and
national level, and it would be wrong
to single them out, but they are
great role models, leading the way in
promoting and developing what is a
very popular sport at Dollar Academy.
I’m sure that, along with a certain Mr
Murray (and his mother, Mrs Murray),
they will continue to inspire our ‘ants’,
who could just prove to be the next
generation of superstars.
Steve Newton
Sport
ATHLETICS REPORT
2014/2015
Form I Deborah Deekae Bronze Medal Shot Put
Form I Lucy Smith Bronze Medal 75m Hurdles
Gold Medal Triathlon
Form IV Charles Dineen Bronze Medal 100m
Form IV Sean McLaren Bronze Medal Shot Put
Form V Bevhan Trevis
Gold Medal Shot Put
Form VI Alastair Johnstone Bronze Medal Javelin
Martin Hose
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
Our Athletics Club continues to attract huge numbers of
pupils, particularly from the Junior School and from the
Forms I and II year groups. We meet on a Monday and
Tuesday when staff are on hand to help extend the skills and
techniques covered in the pupils’ summer term PE classes.
We are also ably supported by our senior pupil athletes who
continue to be positive role models for younger members of
the group.
Scottish summers are renowned for their
inexplicable extremes and our Athletics fixture card was
almost wiped out by bad weather. We managed to save only
three of last session’s planned meets: two in Edinburgh and
one at Strathallan School to finish off the season.
Notable performances from our Forms I-III girls
at St George’s this past summer included a 1st and 2nd place
position in the Form II shot from Leah Trevis (8.61m) and
Evie Wills (7.46m). At the Form II long jump, Katie Leslie
secured a 2nd place position with a jump of 4.18m.
Our Junior 2 group performed very well at
Edinburgh Academy in both girls’ and boys’ events. Ben
Salmon managed to attain a hat trick of first places in the
100m, hurdles and the cricket ball throw. Toby Smith was
not far behind, securing two firsts in the high and long jump,
and also a 2nd place in a well-contested 800m. Junior 2 girls’
sprinting is in good hands with Elizabeth Deekae collecting
two 1st place finishes in both the 100 and 200m. Rachel Leslie
supported well with a 2nd place in the 100m; she also achieved
a 1st place finish in the hurdles event.
Our final fixture of the season took us up to
Forgandenny for a triangular with Strathallan and Queen
Victoria Schools. A mixture of U13, U14, and U15 team
members fought hard to grind out an overall victory, won
by 11 points. The warm, early evening sunshine and good
competition was a fitting way to end our inter-school
summer season and led neatly on to our annual Dollar Sports
Weekend.
In June a number of our pupils also competed at
the Scottish Schools Track and Field Championships at
Grangemouth. Listed below are their achievements:
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December 2015
Fortunas 36
DOLLAR ACADEMY
SPORTS DAYS 2015
For three days, Dollar Academy’s playing fields became an
arena for athletics for all, from the very tiniest infants to
the most elite athletes of the Senior School. The Prep School
Sports Day happened first, on Thursday 19 June. The Junior
School Sports Day followed on Friday 20 June.
This year’s summer was colder than usual. On Prep
School Sports Day, the temperature was 10 degrees (last year’s
was a balmy 24 degrees), but the children didn’t complain,
and the record crowd of spectators seemed unperturbed.
There was no need at all for the nuisances of sunscreen and
sunhats, though one Prep 1 boy remembered to ask his
teacher when he should apply his factor 50, as she looked at
the skies hoping the winds and wintry temperatures might
somehow relent.
The day is, rather unlike its more raucous senior
school cousin, an intimate event: all attention is focused
on the pupils, many of whom seem only recently to have
progressed from crawling to walking. The variety of races
suited everyone and there was an air of genuine and goodnatured competition on the day. The pupils were smartly
turned out in their quint sashes – bright streaks of colour
like strokes of paint across a grassy canvas.
106
The next day saw the Junior School pupils putting
themselves through their paces, their leaps, their bounds
and their launches. The day was a few degrees warmer,
though still not very June-like. The class relays are always
a highlight, though the medley, quint and house relays are
enthusiastically supported as well. There was a high level of
skill and determination on display on Friday, and a sense
that these young pupils considered themselves very serious
athletes indeed.
Then, as the hotels and B&Bs around Dollar began
to brim with visiting FPs, Sports Weekend arrived. Each day
is packed full of events and entertainments. Nonetheless,
Saturday’s Senior School Sports Day is, as it has always been,
the focus of the weekend.
The Pipe Band display opens the day: the notes
resound against the hills and back again, the drums rattle
upon the grey stone of the Playfair Building, crackling and
booming against the air. The Band marches down the West
Approach and the sounds settle in dwindling echoes as the
main action moves to the playing fields.
The starting pistols crack and rebound, muscles
stretch and contract and leap again, grass is pounded flat,
cheeks glow crimson and quint shirts are soaked through as
the crowd roars in appreciation before relaxing back into the
old and easy grooves of side-line conversation with friends.
Sport
On Saturday, the sun
finally shone, and it illuminated
an extraordinarily high level of
competition. There were many fine
individual performances, one of the
most memorable being the sibling
tussle that took place, in the senior
boys’ sprint, between Ross (then Form
VI) and Grant Hughes (then Form
IV). There was talent everywhere;
as a spectator you could look in any
direction over the fields and see
something worth watching, though
you were constantly haunted by a sense
that, as you focused on one event, you
were missing something at the other
end. There was a superbly moveable
(and fast-moving) feast of competition
on display. As always, the tug-of-war at
the end provided a rousing finale.
Mr Jim Fulton (the cusp-ofretirement Head of Physics) took the
microphone for the final time this year,
leaving many to wonder how on earth
a replacement would ever be found for
this man whose voice and personality
have resonated, quite literally, and for
so many years, across every corner of
the Dollar Academy campus. It was
another Sports Weekend to remember.
CHAMPIONS
Junior 1 Girls (Reece McAllister Cup) – Emily Newton
Junior 1 Boys (Reece McAllister Cup) – Daniel Pearson
Junior 2 Girls (Wilson Cup) – Elizabeth Deekae
Junior 2 Boys (Cameron Quaich) – Ben Salmon
Form I Girls (Williamson Cup) – Lucy Smith
Form I Boys (Sweet Cup) – Ross McKnight
Intermediate Girls (Scott Cup) – Catriona Laing and Lois MacMaster (both then
Form III)
Intermediate Boys (NCB Trophy) – Reece McAllister (then Form III)
Senior Girls (Heyworth Cup) – Minnie Roe (then Form IV)
Senior Boys (Edina Trophy) – Charlie Dineen (then Form IV)
Steven Newton
Heather Moore
Photographs courtesy of both Chris Cairns
and Heather Moore
SPORTS
WEEKEND 2016
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
All former pupils, parents and friends
of Dollar Academy are warmly invited
to attend Sports Weekend 2016 which,
this session, will take place during the
weekend of 25-26 June. Information
regarding the itinerary, school musical,
Supper and Music event and Pipe Band
performances will be posted on the
website nearer to the time. We hope to
see many of you then.
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December 2015
Fortunas 36
GOLF
The summer term of 2014-15 and this session’s autumn
term have offered favourable golfing weather and also a
good number of matches for the Golf Club. We have enjoyed
playing at all levels, from the Junior section (under the
watchful and carefully guiding eye of Mr Muirhead) to Mr
Blezard’s Senior section.
The Junior golfers entered the Independent School
Golf Association’s Junior League competition for the first
time last session and our pair of Jamie Fulton (then Form
I) and David McMartin (then Form II) acquitted themselves
well against strong opposition; they scored 104 Stableford
points, finishing 4th in the Scottish section.
The Seniors have also fared well, both individually
and in teams. Jennifer Allan (FP 2015) had success in the
Scottish Schools Championship, qualifying for the national
final and finishing 3rd. Andrew Johnston (now Form VI)
won the Central Region Scottish Schoolboys Championship,
thus qualifying for the national finals where he finished 10th.
He went on to win the West of Scotland Boys competition.
Robert Watson (now in Form VI and this session’s Captain)
continued to gain national recognition; he was selected to
play for the Scottish Schoolboys Under 18 team again this
year.
In team events we also performed well,
demonstrating the strength and depth within the club. The
results are shown opposite. One notable result is from the
HMC Foursomes match against Glasgow Academy. This
competition takes the most elite golfers from schools across
the country and, being a foursomes format, requires quality
in numbers for success to prevail. We triumphed over the
same Glasgow Academy squad that made it to the national
final in 2014: a significant victory. With quality and quantity
in the Seniors, our prospects for further success this session
are good. Given how well our Junior section golfers are
faring, hopes are high for the years ahead too.
108
Sport
This year has also seen the
resurrection of the School V FPs
fixture. The FPs’ Golf Club, known as
the Dollar Academy Golfing Society
(DAGS), is very proud to support this
fixture; we look forward to it becoming
an annual match. In the summer term
the School won the match 4-0. We
also played DAGS at Elie at the end of
October, where the combined efforts
of Tom Humphreys (Form IV), Mr
Muirhead and Mr Blezard secured 83
Stableford points for the School. Mr
Blezard won the nearest-the-hole on
the par 3 10th.
The Golf Club wishes to thank
Dollar Golf Club for their continued
support, and we look forward to
continuing to build on these links in
the years to come.
The Golf Club is always looking
for additional support; we have plans
to tour in 2016. Anyone who wishes to
support the Golf Club in any capacity
should contact Mr Blezard.
Neil Blezard
Date
Competition
Venue
Format
Result
19 May
2015
Clifton Hall School
Dalmahoy
Golf Club
singles
Draw 2-2
21 May
ISGA Junior
League
King’s Acre
Golf Club,
Edinburgh
Modified
Stableford
104 points – 4th
place
Dollar Golf
Club
Strokeplay scratch
16 June
Pupil Golf
Championships
Triangular
points
1st Michael Welsh
(Form VI) – 74
Runner up – Chris
Welsh (Form IV)
- 78
1st Dollar – 14 pts
2nd Glenalmond –
11pts
3rd Merchiston
11pts
Dollar Golf
Club
24 June
DAGS
Dollar Golf
Club
fourballs
School win 4-0
30
September
ISGA Matchplay
V Glenalmond
Muckhart
Golf Club
Singles scratch
Loss 2-1
6 October
HMC Foursomes V
Glasgow Academy
Dollar Golf
Club
Foursomes
- scratch
Win 2-1
25 October
DAGS
Elie Golf
Club
Stableford
83 points
Fortunas 36
Triangular Match
V Glenalmond &
Merchiston
Decmber 2015
18 June
109
December 2015
Fortunas 36
SURFING
110
The surf club benefitted from this autumn’s beautiful
weather. We often had small, clean waves and the second
session was the most memorable: a glassy sea, warm air and
a fabulous sunset. All the pupils made good progress in these
ideal conditions. Many can now comfortably ride across
unbroken waves – a great sight to see.
Twice, there were no waves at all, but we were only
too happy to go coasteering and paddle boarding. As always,
the coasteering was exhilarating. We were taken on a new
route which involved a high jump; it was greatly enjoyed by
all.
For the final trip we went stand-up paddle boarding.
The conditions were spectacular; a warm, sunny and windless
evening coincided with one of the highest tides of the year.
We paddled from Belhaven Bay round to Dunbar harbour,
bathed in golden, autumnal light the whole way. Several seals
popped up to investigate and two girls watched as a seal swam
right underneath their boards. This epitomised what this club
is about: pupils from across the school interacting, having
fun, doing something completely new. I gauge the success of
these trips by how much the pupils enjoy themselves, and
there were certainly a lot of smiles that night.
Thanks to Coast to Coast Surf School, Karen
MacBean and David Delaney for making these excellent trips
possible.
Charlie Ainge
Sport
THE
FOUR-TUNAS
FISHING CLUB
too badly. Some impressive catches
have been made. It’s a terrific location
too: a beautiful small loch, well-stocked,
well-appointed with fishing platforms,
minimal weed or snag factors, plenty
of depth, a good clubhouse, flies
for sale, as well as Pot Noodles and
Twixes. And all for a remarkably good
price. Techniques have been honed,
patience has been developed, casting
has improved and great fish have been
caught and lost.
I haven’t caught much recently
there, either. But on a late summer’s
evening, with the sun going down, and
a dry fly on the water, watching the
resident osprey circling, and diving,
and re-emerging with a fine brown
trout – it doesn’t get much better. It’s
not about the actual fish, see.
Geoff Daniel
Fortunas 36
the boat bobs and the action begins.
Game on! Who will strike first? What is
down there waiting, swimming, slicing
through the murky depths of the salt
water, eyeing the lures…?
It’s not about the actual fish,
OK, because I didn’t catch any. My
excuse is that Mr Ainge and I were
too busy trying to help everyone else,
the odd tangled line or three, the
snapped lure, the jammed mechanism;
it was all pretty hectic. In the end,
though, there were in excess of three
hundred mackerel taken, and half a
dozen good-sized cod; the winners
(although it’s never a competition, like
it’s never about the size of the things)
were Callum Ainge (Form II) on 35
mackerel, with Jacob Timney (Form I)
hooking the heaviest cod. A good day’s
work, chaps/chappess, rounded off
with monumental fish suppers on the
quayside and a sleepy ride home.
The Arbroath trip is the
culmination of a Four-Tunas season
that has seen us visiting the excellent
Loch Orchill fishery near Braco/
Gleneagles. Throughout the summer
term a shifting population of hopefuls
has spent a late afternoon fly-fishing
for rainbow trout (or bait fishing for
carp if you are the versatile Jonathon
Methven in Form III) and doing—not
Decmber 2015
All fishermen will tell you: it’s not about
the fish; never about the actual fish you
take from the water. It’s all about so
much more: the planning, the strategy,
the anticipation, the kit, the travel up
the sunlit east coast road to Arbroath
on a sleepy Sunday morning, the little
fishing harbour, the sun on the water,
the smells, the seagulls in the breeze,
the lift and tilt of the aged coaster
as she puts out from the harbour on
a sharp autumnal morning; it’s the
camaraderie, the banter of twentytwo fishermen [and one fishergirl;
well done, Morgan Cooper (Form I)] as
they line the sides of the Girl Katherine
II, scanning the waves, snuffing the
scent of the brine, testing the spinning
mechanism on the rods, checking the
lures, the knots, the weight of lead that
will take the lines deep into the cold
of the North Sea in search of – cod,
mackerel, wrass, ling…
But forget the fish – it’s the
Hobnobs and the chat, the huge range
of people, from the smallest offspring to
the grizzliest angler, from the rankest
amateur to the coolest and most
clinical operator, all amicably united in
The Quest; it’s the vile but fascinating
squirminess of the squid chopped up
as bait for hooks; it’s the prospect of
the first mackerel carved up for sushi,
served with fresh lime and wasabi. And
then – the silence as the engine is cut,
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December 2015
Fortunas 36
112
DRYSLOPE SLALOM
SUCCESS
DRYSLOPE ALPINE SKI
RACING
Last session, Dollar Academy pupils competed in the
Scottish Schools Snowsports Association’s Midsummer
Dual Slalom event on Wednesday 17 June at the Midlothian
Snowsports Centre at Hillend. Dollar pupils enjoyed racing
against some fine skiers from other schools across Scotland.
The team comprised pupils from a range of year groups
including a pupil who was then only in Junior 2, Archie
MacKechnie. Overall, ‘the day provided great fun,’ said Mr
McDermot, who accompanied the pupils. ‘There was
head-to-head and then relay racing,’ he added. The other
members of the team were Abigail Douglas, Christina
Callion (both now in Form V), Megan Stedman (now in
Form IV) and Alice Barthram (now in Form III). The Dollar
team finished a very respectable joint 5th.
On Sunday 20 September Dollar skiers also competed in the
Scottish Schools Snowsports Association’s Dryslope Alpine
Ski racing event at Hillend Snowsports Centre, outside
Edinburgh. This is the top-level annual event, open to all
primary and secondary schools. Teams of four skiers enter
as male, female and mixed teams and they complete two
timed runs over an open slalom. Dollar’s pupils performed
very well, the girls’ team having qualified for the British
Championships in Wales.
Coming in overall 3rd place in the Senior Girls’
Championship was the team of Abbie Douglas (Form V),
Christina Callion, Alex Fleming (both Form V) and Lucy
Hulbert (Form VI). Coming in overall 2nd place in the Senior
Mixed Championship was the team consisting of Ruaridh
Henderson (Form II), Archie MacKechnie (Form I), Alice
Barthram (Form III) and Megan Stedman (Form IV). Abbie
Douglas was also the second-fastest individual racer in the
Senior Girls’ Championship.
Sport
THE DOLLAR
ULTIMATE CLUB
FORM II
BASKETBALL
The result of the Form II Basketball
Tournament, which took place in
May, was a three-way tie between 2BP,
2CG and 2GR. Based on the highest
number of baskets scored during these
games, 2BP were crowned the winners.
A high level of sportsmanship was
displayed by all the participants
throughout the tournament.
Members of the winning
team were: Charlie Walker, Harrison
Lee, Samer Awad, Gabby Greenwood,
James Shortt, Evan Ferrier and Chloe
Dunsire (now all Form III)
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
In response to a frequently asked
question – yes, Ultimate Frisbee is
a real sport. (Although those in the
know call it merely ‘Ultimate’.) Most
accurately described as a bizarre
combination of both American football
and netball, Ultimate is a fast-paced
game of skill and patience.
A small but elite group of
dedicated Dollar players went to
Edinburgh to compete in the Northern
British Beginners’ tournament. We
were one of only two non-university
teams, the other being an all-male
side. The championship was held at the
Edinburgh Corn Exchange, a spacious
(and chilly) building with nine 3G
pitches inside – usually home to ‘World
of Football’. This Saturday morning,
however, there were no football players,
or footballs for that matter. There was
only the far superior ‘flatball’.
Each team was allowed one
‘experienced player’ on the pitch. On
the first day, alongside Mr McEwan, we
had Jon – a Physics professor at Heriot
Watt by day whilst clearly an Ultimate
superhero by night. He seemed able
to catch virtually anything thrown in
his direction (having a vertical leap of
what seemed like five metres), and this
was despite that he had recently broken
some of the fingers on his right hand.
He ‘simply’ played ambidextrously. On
Sunday we were joined by Phil who
made up for what he lacked in height
with pace and sheer determination to
beat anyone to the disc. He recently
played for Great Britain on the Masters’
team, competing at the Beach World
Championships held in Dubai just last
March. Now he can add the illustrious
name of Dollar Ultimate Club to his CV.
Our first day of play proved
less successful than the second day,
but we all learned a great deal. It was,
for most of us, our first actual match.
Those who had match experience had
certainly never played against a team
of men who were, each of them, over
six feet tall. But we were connecting
more and more, and eventually we
proved a difficult team to overcome.
The culmination of our winning streak
came on Sunday when we defeated
several teams that we had lost to the
previous day. But we were pipped at
the post, suffering a tragic loss in
sudden death to Sneeekys, the all-male
Edinburgh team. They went on to win
our half of the draw, so there not too
many hard feelings in the end.
It was a great weekend from
start to finish and our endeavours left
us ranked 12th out of almost thirty
teams present. We met lots of great
players from all over the UK and the
world, and the tremendous levels of
spirit and sportsmanship on display
made for a very enjoyable introduction
to the world of Ultimate. Many thanks
to Mr McEwan, Jon and Phil for
helping to make the weekend possible
in the first place.
Hannah Taylor (Form VI)
113
MAILING OF
FORTUNAS
In the interest of the
environment and with cost
considerations also in mind,
we are now only sending one
copy of Fortunas to each postal
address we have. If you require
any further copies or would like
55th REUNION OF THE
to update your postal address
details, do get in contact with CLASS OF 1960
me at dollarfp@dollaracademy.
Following their very successful 50th Reunion in 2010, the Class of 1960 met again
org.uk.
in the Captain’s Room at Sports Weekend 2015. An amazing forty-eight FPs, five
The magazine is also available in
spouses and one invited guest (Kirsty Molnar, FP Registrar) enjoyed drinks and
canapés and an excellent buffet served by the school catering service. Overseas
pdf format on the school website
as an alternative to a paper copy, classmates came from Canada (John Buchan and Margo Pollock), USA (Jo Campbell),
Italy (Dilys Cockrill), Switzerland (yours truly) and South Africa (Patrick Hansen).
if you would prefer.
The evening’s format was similar to 2010 – an informative address from
the Rector, followed by mingling. No top table, no formal speeches, no seating
plan but, rather, lots of time to chat with classmates, laugh at old school photos
Kirsty Molnar
(FP Registrar)
and look at Richard Faulkner’s display of artwork by Ian Campbell, Adam Robson
and himself.
Rather than just a standard raffle, we decided to try an auction, and some
particularly attractive prizes were on offer. A vigorous debate took place and it
was agreed that the overall surplus should be paid over to a new bursary fund
to be created by the Bursar for suitably qualified, Dollar-resident youngsters. Our
reunion contributed £3 733 to this fund.
The weekend itself was excellent in terms of social contact with informal
get-togethers in the King’s Seat, Harviestoun Inn and the Walls’ garden for a BBQ.
I subsequently received more than forty messages of thanks from classmates who
had written to say how much they had enjoyed themselves. Thanks to all who
helped me to organize this reunion!
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Henry Ferguson (FP 1952–60)
114
FP
40th REUNION
OF THE CLASS
OF 1975
During the summer of Sports Weekend
2015 some members of the Class of
‘75 met up for our 40th Reunion. The
day commenced when we gathered
by the pavilion, in glorious sunshine,
overlooking the beautiful setting of
the Dollar Academy playing fields. We
were duly entertained by the Dollar
Academy Pipe Band, followed by some
fine athletics, rounded off with the
‘Tug-of-War’ and Prize Giving... it
brought back wonderful memories!
Thirty-six of us enjoyed the
Sherry Party before ‘strutting our
funky stuff’ at the Summer Dance in
the marquee. It was great catching up
and re-kindling old friendships with
many characters from our time at
school. Several FPs had travelled from
various parts of the globe, some of
whom had not seen each other since
Form VI.
Unfortunately, the weekend
passed in a heartbeat but Dollar
Academy is engraved in every pupil’s
heart and there will always be a lifelong bond. Writing about the Reunion
reminds me of the final verse of the old
school song. . . ‘Dollar, Dollar, dear old
Dollar, Shout it louder once again’. . . it
would bring a tear to a glass eye!
Saturday 27 February 2016– Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
(see article about Consuls)
Thursday 10 March 2016- Glasgow Dinner
Friday 18 March 2016– North England Dinner & AGM
Friday 17 June 2016 – London FP Club Event– venue tbc
via FP Registrar
Saturday 25 June 2016 – Class of 1966 50 Year Reunion.
For more information contact Adrian Grant on adrian.
grant@taspartnership.co.uk
Saturday 25 June 2016- Class of 1986 30 Year Reunion.
For more information contact Catriona Menneer on
cmenneer@gmail.com
Tuesday 28 June 2016– London Scottish Schools Golf
Day at Denham
Fortunas 36
Johnny Crombie (FP 1975)
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Decmber 2015
Back row (L to R): Bobby Orr, Paul Thomson, Stuart Richardson, Sheena Rae (née, Hudson),
Elaine Williamson (née McGrouther), Brian Simpson, Johnny Crombie, Max MacDonald, Rosie
Easson (née Wilson), Ken Symon
Front row (L to R) James Cullens, Jim Davidson, Susie Pillans (née Stewart), Thomas Aitken,
Patricia Charters (née Lambert), Ian Forgie
115
December 2015
Fortunas 36
NORTH OF
ENGLAND FP
CLUB AUTUMN
EVENT
116
The weather at the Grey Mare on Sunday
20 September was autumnal and cloudy
as we gathered for lunch. Saul and
Sarah Bailey and their sons, Thomas
and Edward; June Drysdale; Adrian
Grant; Allan and Marilyn Kenny; Peter
and Elspeth Stafford; Bert and Veronica
Suttie; Neil and Anne Wilson and Ewen
Wright and Carol Stubbins. The food
and the chat were equally good, so the
time wound quickly down to our 2pm
rendez-vous at Helmshore Mills. There,
we were welcomed by our guide. Our
tour showed us how weaving was done
in workers’ cottages before the mills
were established, and we saw each of
the main inventions that progressively
mechanised the processes. At the
Devil’s Hole, where the cotton was
processed into bales, we had to imagine
the din of machinery. When running,
the machinery noise would have been
deafening, and the guide’s claim that
workers were lucky to retire with all of
their fingers seemed no exaggeration.
Upstairs, we were shown the
nine carding machines which would
have been minded by one fourteenyear-old girl also responsible for loading
the cotton onto the next machine in
the process. Her work was undertaken
without any safety mechanisms and in
hot and humid conditions that echoed
the cotton-growing regions.
The long machines that
formed and wound the thread onto
bobbins started up; in the three cycles
for which one of them ran, more
than a mile and a half of thread was
spun. Although these machines were
operated by adults, their assistants
could have been as young as four years
old. If you could reach over your head
and touch your left ear with your right
hand without bending your neck,
you could work here! Workers went
barefoot to retain a grip on the oily and
greasy floor, and no one stopped the
machines when broken threads needed
to be reattached. . .
After a rest, we were conducted
through the wool-fulling mill, where
the wool was shrunk to make it thicker
and waterproof. A key ingredient of
this process was urine, and we were
treated to the details of collection,
payment (it was most lucrative to
have been a redheaded Methodist) and
quality control (the collector sampled
the contents of the pots to ensure that
no dilution had taken place!). The museum owes its
collection of machinery to the untimely,
early death of an original owner who
was keen on continual update of
processes and machinery, and to the
parsimony of subsequent owners who
did not reinvest in machinery, running
the mill until it became economically
unsustainable in the 1970s. Altogether
a most interesting and instructive visit
which gave insight into just how hard
work was in t’mill.
The North of England Club’s
AGM and Dinner will take place
at the White Swan in Pickering
on 18 March 2016. Full details
will be available on the website
in January.
Adrian Grant
(Secretary)
FP
GLASGOW FP CLUB
Our Annual Dinner will be held at Club 29 in Royal Exchange
Square, Glasgow on Thursday 10 March 2016. Invitations
with full details will be issued nearer the time. I hope many
of you, including many who have not supported the Dinner
previously, will enter this date in your diary. How about the
students turning up?
We held our golf competition for the Dempster
Trophy over Killermont Golf Course in September. The
winner was Grant Blair, one of this year’s Glasgow University
graduates, who scraped home thanks to two eagles in the last
four holes. We will be looking for a new secretary fairly soon.
Any offers?
Will Gibson
(Secretary)
DAGS ANNUAL GOLF DAY
GOLF IN LONDON
Fortunas 36
Kirsty Molnar
(FP Registrar)
Robin Cumming
(Treasurer)
Decmber 2015
Some of you may be aware of the London Scottish Schools
Golf Society, which holds an annual competition every year
at Denham, close to Heathrow. Last year around eighty Scots, representing
twelve to sixteen teams, gathered in June to compete for
the Anniesland Trophy. It is also an opportunity to renew
acquaintances both on the course and over a long lunch – all
whilst enjoying the fine facilities on offer at Denham, a club
with strong Scottish connections.
Dollar entered a team many years ago and they would
be delighted to welcome us back again. Last year, Alastair
Davidson (FP 1976), competed as part of a ‘Wanderers’ team
for golfers who are not included in a school team. The event
takes place on Tuesday 28 June 2016; more information
can be found on the website at www.lssgs.co.uk.
Any FPs interested in becoming involved in this
event, or who are interested in being included in a London
FP Golf Day, should email me in the first instance: dollarfp@
dollaracademy.org.uk
Golf House Elie hosted the annual Dollar Academy Golfing
Society (DAGS) golf day on 25 October. A good turnout of
old and young FPs enjoyed a dry, if blustery, day on the Elie
links. The winner of the scratch prize for the Hastie Trophy
was Roddy Forgie (FP 2008) and the handicap prize for
the Rorke Trophy went to Joe Fitzgibbon (FP 2008), both
appearing at the event for the first time.
This year we were joined by members of staff and
pupils; Neil Blezard nearly got a hole-in-one, earning the
Closest to the Pin contest.
Robin Cumming (Treasurer of DAGS) presented
a cheque to Mr Blezard for the school golf team. Robin
explained that the purpose of the Society, in addition to
good fellowship and good golf, was to raise money for entry
into the two national competitions: the Grafton Morrish and
the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Cup, as well as to support
golf at Dollar Academy.
The next meeting of DAGS will be the last
Wednesday of the summer term, 29 June 2016, when the
school takes on DAGS at Dollar Golf Club.
If you would like your name to be added to the
circulation list, please email me at: rcumming@dsl.pipex.com
117
NEW CONSUL
IN DUBAI
On page 114 of the last Fortunas
(35), within the Edinburgh Dinner
article, two wonderful photos from
our archives were prefaced with the
question, ‘Do you recognise anyone
here?’ One of the photos was Princess
Anne meeting the Head Boy and
Head Girl. As a consequence, David
Donaldson (Head Boy 1978 – 1979)
contacted us, identified himself and
offered to become our ‘Consul in
Dubai’.
Our consuls provide a point of
contact for Dollar FPs who arrive in a
new country and might be looking for
some advice, help, contacts or perhaps
just a friendly chat with someone
sharing a common background.
Opposite is a list of the consuls already
in existence.
Coincidentally, we will be
in Dubai for a boarding school fair
at the end of February. To launch
this new initiative, we would like to
invite any Dollar FPs in Dubai (or the
surrounding area) to join us for coffee
and pastries at the Emirates Golf
Club on Saturday 27 February 2016
from 11am to 1pm. We will be on M’s
Members Terrace. If you would like to
come along, please email me at:
dollarfp@dollaracademy.org.uk
to register your attendance.
DOLLAR FP CONSULS
AUSTRALIA
Sydney:
Jill Westwater jill.westwater@googlemail.com
Melbourne:
Mark Plummer mark.m.plummer@gmail.com 0061 404 400 554
0061 404 467 924
CANADA
Ontario:
Bruce Buck
brucebuck@hotmail.ca
00905 468 1512
CHINA
Bejiing:
Malcolm Thorp malcolm@weemac.com
0086 1391 0075 452
DUBAI
David Donaldson david.donaldson@eim.ae
00971 50 645 5837
USA
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Arizona:
Wendy Hurley
ahwatukee17@yahoo.com
California:
Mohammad Diab diab@sbcglobal.net
118
001 480 284 8244
001 415 710 8438
We are currently in touch with over 800 Dollar FPs living all over the world. If
anyone else would like to offer to become a regional consul, do get in touch with
me at dollarfp@dollaracademy.org.uk.
Kirsty Molnar
(FP Registrar)
FP
USING THE DAILY
MILE TO TURN
THE WHEEL
have a substantial impact on the lives
of children in Scotland and beyond,
it would need to be rolled out to all
primary schools. This would require
government policy changes that would
only occur once rigorous scientific
evidence was in place.
Fast-forward a few months:
the last two weeks have been very busy.
They have seen us (and a team of nearly
40 volunteers) complete the first
stage of our WHEEL research project,
measuring over 500 children to assess
the benefits of the Daily Mile; Elaine
Wyllie has just won Teacher of the Year
at the Pride of Britain Awards; we have
been interviewed by the Guardian,
The Times, Radio 4’s PM, TV’s BBC
Breakfast News and CBS News. We are
just setting out on our research, so the
media are interested in the potential
of what we are doing rather than the
results. Much of the appeal is in the
simplicity of the Daily Mile. We hope
that in the coming months and years
the results prove to be just as exciting
and, ultimately, have a major impact on
the health of our nation.
Dr Colin Moran (FP 1986 – 1992)
Fortunas 36
physical activity are vital, as Britain is
one of the most overweight nations.
Almost two-thirds of adult Scots are
overweight or obese, but by influencing
childhood behaviour we can change
this. It is recommended that children
get at least sixty minutes of moderate
to vigorous physical activity (that
which raises your heart rate and makes
you sweat) every day. However, a
recent study with objective measures
found that less than twenty percent of
children meet this recommendation;
the average child gets about fortyfive minutes per day. Urgent action is
required.
Along with two colleagues
from the University of Stirling (Drs
Naomi Brooks and Iain Gallagher;
Iain being another former St Ninians
pupil) and a third from the University
of Edinburgh (Dr Josie Booth), we
approached Mrs Wyllie. Excited by
what her school was doing, we asked
if she would be interested in doing
scientific research on the Daily Mile.
Fortunately, she clearly recognised the
value of scientific research. One might
ask, why bother with research when it’s
obvious that exercise is good for one’s
health? In order for the Daily Mile to
Decmber 2015
A few months ago I saw a BBC website
headline about a Stirling primary
school called St Ninians. It caught my
eye because St Ninians was my old
primary school before I went to Dollar.
The article was about something called
the Daily Mile which I had never heard
of, although now I’m most familiar
with it. The Daily Mile is an exercise
intervention created four years ago by
St Ninians’ head teacher, Elaine Wyllie,
after a visiting teacher remarked upon
how unfit the children were. It is
designed to promote physical activity
and to reduce obesity in primary-aged
children. Since then, pupils have run
or walked outdoors, in their normal
clothes, for fifteen minutes (roughly
one mile) each day. The Daily Mile
has received a great deal of media
attention and has a string of reported
benefits: improved fitness, improved
concentration, improved behaviour
and reduced rates of overweight and
obese children. But no one had yet
done any scientific research to test
these reports.
Reduced physical activity
and increased obesity are noted, of
course, throughout the Western world.
Interventions that target obesity and
119
GORDON
McRORIE (FP
2003-2006):
THE
WATERSHED
RUN
During the summer of 2015, I ran the
watershed of Scotland: a ‘route’ of
around 680 miles, covering 44 Munros
and a lot of bog.
The watershed is the point in
the country where water divides and
heads either towards the North Sea or
the Atlantic Ocean. It’s typically 450m
above sea level, remote and rugged,
mostly unpathed and requires a lot of
navigation.
I was inspired to run the
watershed after having talked with
Peter Wright about his book, ‘Ribbon
of Wildness’, about the watershed.
He had just mapped (and walked) the
region himself. I had just completed
my first West Highland Way race and
was looking for a new challenge when
Peter told me about Colin Meek, who
had just become the first person to run
the route.
I was intrigued by the
challenge. I’m not much of a fell
runner; I normally stick to the trails
and I’m notorious for getting lost so it
wasn’t perhaps a natural choice for me,
but I was keen to stretch myself more
than just physically. I also wanted to
find a challenge that would draw a lot
of interest so that I could raise money
for Funding Neuro, a charity I had
chosen because of my Dad’s diagnosis
of Parkinson’s.
The journey took me 34 days in
total, and I climbed over 40 000 metres
during this time. It was a wonderful
way to experience Scotland and really
A Q&A session with the 1st XV
about his career and playing World
Cup Rugby
see the contrasts across the country:
the rolling hills of the Borders; the
densely populated Central Belt; a long
stretch throughout the Highlands, up
and down many Munros, each unique
and with its own difficulties; and then
finally the Flow Country. If I thought
I’d seen bog during the first 600 miles
of the journey, the Flow Country was,
well, far boggier.
I thoroughly enjoyed the
experience, despite some exhausting
days and a lot of rain. I did see a bit
of sunshine and wasn’t hounded
by midges too much of the time.
Remarkably, I didn’t get lost at all –
although I did made some less than
optimal route choices at times and
accidentally climbed an extra Munro
one day. I had a brilliant, patient and
enthusiastic support team made up of
family and friends who made the whole
trip possible as well as much more fun.
The trip raised over £11,000
for Funding Neuro. This will contribute
to a clinical trial to help children with
DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma)
brain tumours.
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Elspeth Luke (FP 1989-1999)
120
I was born in Hong Kong and began
playing rugby at a young age. I grew
up in Scotland and first played for
the Crieff Minis before going on to
play midi rugby at Stirling County. I
moved to Dollar Academy when I was
fifteen and played rugby at the school
for three years. I was lucky enough to
be involved in the squad that won the
Scottish Schools Cup championship
in 2005. After school, I played half a
season with Stirling County senior
squad before I travelled to Wanaka in
New Zealand to play a season. On my
return I went to Stirling University
for four years to study Sports, whilst
also playing for both the university
and for Stirling County. I graduated in
2011 and travelled to Canada shortly
after to play a season for the Calgary
Hornets. From there, I decided to stick
around and was given the opportunity
to train with the Canadian rugby squad
in 2014. I was handed my first start
and international cap a few months
later, versus Japan. I have now finished
a campaign with Canada at the Rugby
World Cup!
1. How much did rugby at
Dollar make you want to
progress to a career in
rugby?
I was lucky to have been playing for
the 1st XV team that won the Scottish
Schools Championship in 2005. It was
a special time as the school had, at that
point, won the championship three
years in a row. Playing for the 1st XV
was special because the team had had
so much success and winning was a
habit. Those experiences, playing for
the 1st XV, made me want to play at the
highest level possible.
FP
2. Is there anything from
playing rugby at Dollar
that still influences the
way you play?
9. Have you ever played against
Scotland and, if so, what was it
like?
I played against Scotland last year
in Toronto, and it was a very surreal
experience. I had supported Scotland
all my life and was now facing them
on the rugby field as a Canadian rugby
player. It was a great day as I was able
to play against a couple friends that
I grew up playing with at Stirling
County. Unfortunately, Canada were
beaten – though only just: 19-17.
My coach at Dollar was John Foster; he
made sure that everyone who played
rugby was incredibly disciplined and
competitive. He made sure each player
knew their role and how to execute
on the playing field which led to very
successful seasons.
3. How did Dollar Academy
rugby prepare you for what
you do today?
Discipline has been crucial in preparing
me for international rugby because it
has helped me concentrate and make
sure I am working hard on my nutrition,
gym work, skills and game plans in
order to compete at the highest level.
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
4. How different is school
rugby to professional
rugby?
There isn’t too much difference. We
trained three times a week with the
1st XV and worked hard on our skills
and game plan. I was always small
so I used to hit the gym as often as I
could after school and in the summers
during pre-season. Now I train full
time, which lasts around five hours a
day, four days a week, and I play a game
at the weekend. We have our breakfast
in the morning as a team, then do our
weights. We do a field session to work
on our skills and relationships (9s
feeding scrums or hookers throwing
into the lineout, etc.) and then we
finish with lunch.
5. What differences are there
between club rugby here in
Scotland and in Canada?
It was a dream come true! To play
Ireland in the Millenium Stadium in
front of 70,000 people with the roof
closed was an exciting and a deafening
experience. To play against the likes
of Thierry Dusatoir, Paul O’Connell,
Freddie Michalak, and Conor Murray
was immense!
6. As a Scot, how did you
get picked up to play for
Canada?
There is a rule that if you live in a
country for three years or more you can
represent that country at international
level. I had been living and playing rugby
in Calgary for almost two years when
the Canadian coaches approached me
and asked to play for Canada A in the
Americas Rugby Cup. Unfortunately, I
could not play as I was ineligible then.
I was told, however, that after three
years I would be eligible and that they
wanted me to train with the national
squad in Victoria BC. Eventually I
became eligible to play and earned my
first cap v Japan in Vancouver in 2014.
8. Why did you not play for
Scotland?
It is pretty cool; he is a very good player
and managed to score a try in every
World Cup game, which is a record for
a Tier 2 nation.
12. What tips/advice do you
have for Dollar’s current
1st XV?
Train hard and play hard. If you do
that, you will enjoy a lot of success and,
one day, you will surprise yourself at
what is possible.
13. What are the three most
important pieces of advice
you would offer to any
aspiring rugby player?
Work on your core skills; if you are a
hooker, practice your lineout throws.
Make sure you know your team’s game
plan inside out.
Enjoy it.
Questions: 1st XV players
Answers: Gordon McRorie
Fortunas 36
I wanted to play for Scotland back in the
day but, unfortunately, I was not good
enough, and I didn’t get the chance to
represent Scotland at age grade either.
11. What is it like playing with
DTH van der Merwe?
Decmber 2015
I play my club rugby in Calgary. The
season is from May through October
because in the winter it is minus thirty
degrees Celsius. Summer rugby is a lot
of fun as it is nice and dry, but it does
get hot! There are not as many teams in
Canada and the level isn’t quite as good
as the Scottish Premiership. Schools
are beginning to take to the sport
so, hopefully, there will be a lot more
Canadians playing rugby in the future.
It is very physical though because
most Canadians have grown up playing
either Canadian football or ice hockey. 10. What did it feel like to play
at the Rugby World Cup?
121
YOUR LETTERS
December 2015
Fortunas 36
SOME MEMORIES
FROM DAVID
BALLINGALL (FP
1952-1958)
In the recent edition, Fortunas 35, I
was saddened to read the obituaries
of the Harvey boys. When I first
started at Dollar as a boarder in Dewar
House I was a pretty lonely little
fellow having been uprooted from an
English grammar school to join Jimmy
Mitchell’s Junior 2 (co-ed). My accent
was a source of fun.
I had got to Dollar by perhaps
unusual circumstances. I had an uncle
who was the editor of The Bulletin, a
long-gone paper but famous for Tammy
Troot. He knew Hector Hetherington
who was a governor of the school and,
with some collusion, I was transferred
to Scotland to be educated properly.
This same uncle had a
neighbour called Harvey: a distant
relative of the father of Hamish and
Alistair. Hamish was in the same
class; he introduced himself and
invited me for tea. That was a special
event as boarders were only allowed
limited outings during a term. These
were not days of plenty and there was
still rationing post war. The Harveys
lived along the Tillicoultry road, and
I remember having Kellogg chocolate
crispies and Marmite. I was invited
back several times and always remained
friends with Hamish in school and in
Scouts. He was a great opening bat.
When he left for Welbeck (in, I
think, Form IV), my mother in England
returned the favour and took Hamish
out to the local Scottish country dance
society, and introduced him around the
East Derbyshire area. It was always a
regret that I never met up with him or
Alistair again.
122
David Ballingall (FP 1952-1958)
Dewar House
McNabb House
Further to the obituary for Athole
Simpson in the last issue of Fortunas,
a short ceremony was held in the CCF
area at Sports Weekend, during which a
small plaque in memory of Athole was
placed above the door of the Sergeants’
Mess in the Red Hut. This was done on
the initiative of Peter Fraser and with
the greatly appreciated cooperation of
Lt Col Craig Stewart.
Grant Lindsay
(retired Modern Languages teacher)
I enjoyed the reminiscences of my
Sporting Chance team-mates, Roger
McCall and Iain Mears, in Fortunas
35. I was delighted to be chosen for
the team but, having lent Mr Cannon
various sporting works of reference
so that he could set the questions for
the selection process, I may have had a
slight advantage in that respect.
I remember that the Rector
gave special permission for the team
members in Forms III and IV to wear
long trousers for the recordings in the
Hall: something which seems quaint
today.
As Roger mentioned, I
corresponded with the BBC scorer Bill
Frindall for over forty years until his
untimely death from Legionnaire’s
Disease in 2009. I was fortunate to
be invited to visit the Test Match
Special commentary box at Lord’s and
The Oval on several occasions where
Bill introduced me to many of the
legendary commentators including
Brian Johnston and John Arlott.
Iain mentioned that we were
put off in the second round by the
mystery guest, but before that I had
confidently answered a question on the
year in which women first participated
in the Olympic Games with ‘1900’,
only to be ruled incorrect by Alun
Williams. This was particularly galling
as I knew that Miss Charlotte Cooper,
later Mrs Sterry, had won the ladies’
singles in the tennis competition at the
Paris Games that year to become one of
the first female Olympic champions. I
think whomever set the question,
possibly Bill Frindall, had been
thinking of athletics (which didn’t
feature in the women’s programme at
the 1900 Games) and had forgotten
about the tennis.
My grandmother, who was
in the audience for the recording at
Dollar, had been a friend of Mrs Sterry,
and she was so incensed at this that
she wrote to the BBC to complain, but
of course it was too late for the Dollar
team – although when the programme
was broadcast, the offending question
and answer had been edited out.
I never did mention it to Bill
Frindall, but nearly fifty years later it
still rankles.
Like Roger, I have enjoyed a
career in sports administration, having
been Clerk of the Course for the RSAC
Scottish Rally for the last 34 years
and acting as a Steward for the Motor
Sports Association and an Observer
for the Fédération Internationale de
l’Automobile in the European Rally
Championship. I still have my father’s
reel-to-reel tape recordings of the
broadcasts somewhere, though they
might require a bit of work to make
them playable.
Jonathan Lord (FP 1964-1970)
I received my copy of Fortunas 35
today, and had extremely mixed
emotions when I saw the article about
my Great-Uncle George [‘How Dear is
Home – Gallipoli, June 1915’]. Just
last night I had been looking for family
photographs, and I came across a photo
of George’s gravestone in Kinross.
Living in Australia we have had a lot
of publicity about Gallipoli, given the
huge involvement of the ANZACS, but
it wasn’t until last night that I realised
my family had such an immediate
connection. Only today I sent a photo,
to my cousin in America, of George
with his siblings and parents, and a
note expressing how tragic I found it
all. It is a huge coincidence that the
magazine arrived today.
FP
2nd XV (1964-5)
Needless to say, I didn’t know
the family had these letters and as a
child, growing up in Dollar, nothing
was ever talked about regarding the
War or about George, though we
knew that his name was on the School
War Memorial. It is interesting and
wonderful that George’s sister kept his
letters.
Jill Westwater (FP 1969-1978)
RECOLLECTIONS
FROM AN
INDIAN RUGBY
‘INTERNATIONAL’
Back row (l to r): P. Hansen, C. Downie, J.Baillie, inset: D. Graham (capt.).
Middle row (l to r): G.Heron, G.Kent, A. Breingan, A.Watt, S.Campbell, M. Burley, K.Locke.
Front row (l to r): D.Hope, R.Crosthwaite, G.Burns, A. Blackett, S.Fernie.
Missing from the photo is I.Rankin.
McNabb House boys were Heron, Kent, Breingan, Burley, Locke, Hope, Fernie
flung outposts of Assam to play two games over the weekend.
In 1967, when the demise of rugby in Assam was imminent, I was asked
by the Calcutta Football club to play for them whenever possible. Flying down
to Calcutta early on a Saturday and flying back as late as possible on Sunday, it
was a challenge keeping up my fitness for work on a Monday morning. When I
was selected to play for Calcutta in the ‘All India and South East Asia’ week-long
tournament, I had to apply to Head Office for leave, my manager having given up
the ghost as to my career in the tea industry!
We didn’t win that tournament, but the following year the event was held
in Columbo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Again, we did not succeed beyond the semis…
but there was, for me, a finale to the tournament. I was selected as a lanky forward
to play for an India XV v Ceylon. Ceylon players were much more compact and
mobile than our lot and they were favourites to win. The headline the next day,
however, was ‘Ceylon lose on the whistle.’ We had won!
My manager in Assam viewed my exploits with disdain, but Head Office
were delighted as I had represented the ‘good name of the Company’. I was duly
reimbursed for all expenses incurred during the Ceylon trip, which was substantial
given the post-match celebrations. And so ended my ‘international’ rugby career.
Well, not quite. . . after moving to Malawi in 1970, I played for Cholo (now Thyolo)
against an ‘All Star’ team made up of players from eastern Africa a couple of years
later.
Alex (Sandy) Fernie (FP 1958 – 1965)
Fortunas 36
We do not, unfortunately, have current contact details for those FPs whose names are
shown, above, in red. We would very much like to be in touch with all Dollar FPs so, if you
know of them, we would be delighted if you could help put us back in touch. Please contact
our FP Registrar, Kirsty Molnar, at dollarfp@dollaracademy.org.uk
Decmber 2015
I was introduced to rugby upon my
arrival (in 1958) as a boarder in
McNabb House, directly from Calcutta.
I had little clue about playing the
game. I recall watching a few games in
Calcutta but had no idea as to what use
I would put the rugby kit, packed into
the trunk, hauled into McNabb and
plonked beside my bed in the Junior
dorm. Nor had I, yet, any idea about
the significance of the Calcutta Cup.
Graduating through the ranks
of rugby in my years of residency at
McNabb, I managed my rugby career
with modesty, gaining ‘colours’ after
applying my skills with the 3rds and
the 2nds, gaining only one game in
a borrowed shirt with the ‘Firsts’. I
had grown to love the game and was
delighted to be on the winning side
in my final match at Dollar when our
‘Foreigners’ beat the ‘Britishers’ before
a motley crew of girlfriends and others
on the 1st pitch.
On, eventually, into the world
of employment, and it was back to
India, to Assam, to learn my trade of
managing tea estates – and to play
rugby.
My manager would shake his
head in dismay as, week after week, I
requested permission to abscond from
my duties and travel to various far-
123
NEWS
ALISON COOK
(FP 1981 – 1994)
Alison Cook, who graduated with a PhD
from Swansea University (2010-2014),
has recently become a Leverhulme
Research Fellow at Durham University.
Her research has moved from glaciers
in the Antarctic (after fifteen years
studying this region!) to those in the
Canadian Arctic, to understand their
response to ocean and atmospheric
warming.
December 2015
Fortunas 36
HANNAH (FP 1996 – 2005)
AND JOE FITZGIBBON
(FP 2000 – 2008)
‘STIRLING SIBLINGS
CELEBRATE SUCCESS
TOGETHER’
The joint success of Hannah and Joe
Fitzgibbon was recently announced
in the Scottish Legal News. Hannah
Fitzgibbon (FP 2005), and Joe
Fitzgibbon (FP 2008) marked the
beginnings of their respective careers
in law at the Law Society of Scotland’s
most recent admissions ceremony
at the Playfair Library in Edinburgh.
Hannah studied at Edinburgh
University, while Joe studied at the
University of Glasgow.
Upon qualification, Hannah
had nine months’ relevant experience
and a genuine interest and enthusiasm
for private client work so was delighted
to join Stuart & Stuart as a Private
Client Solicitor. Outside of work
she enjoys volunteering at The Yard,
an indoor and outdoor adventure
playground for children and young
124
people with disabilities, and playing
netball and touch rugby in Edinburgh
leagues.
Joe has very recently joined
the Media and Technology team at
Shepherd & Wedderburn following
a broad range of experience in
intellectual property law during his
traineeship. Outside of work he is a
keen golfer and member of the Dollar
FP golf team, DAGS.
SIR GEORGE REID
(FP 1948 – 1958)
The Rt Hon Sir George Reid has been
elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of
Edinburgh, the National Academy of
Scotland. He has also been appointed
a Professorial Fellow at the University
of Stirling and the London Academy
of Diplomacy, where he will teach
humanitarian studies based on his
fifteen years as Director of Public
Affairs of the International Red Cross/
Red Crescent in Geneva and in wars
and disasters worldwide
UNIVERSITY
NEWS
The following former pupils are to
be congratulated on their recent
achievements:
University of Aberdeen
Richard Broome (FP 2010)
Medicine MBChB
Iain Harris (FP 2010)
History MA 2.2
Michael Hunter (FP 2010)
Mechanical Engineering BEng 2.2
Lindsey Munnoch (FP 2011)
Pharmacology BSc 2.1
William Page (FP 2011)
Marine Biology BSc 2.2
Catriona Rogerson (FP 2010)
Medicine MBChB
Jonathan Shepherd (FP 2009)
Oil & Gas Law
Craig Smith (FP 2010)
Exercise & Health Science BSc 2.1
Rachael Woodley (FP 2010)
Zoology BSc 2.2
University of Dundee
Matthew R Orr (FP 2011)
Accountancy & Finance BAcc 2.1
University of Edinburgh
Kirsty Crowe (FP 2008)
Psychology BSc 1.1 in 2011
Medicine MBChB in 2014
Now junior doctor in Gloucester
Charles Fairweather (FP 2007)
Medicine MBChB
Starting Foundation Year at Southport
and Ormskirk General Hospital in
August 2015
University of Glasgow
Helen Goodwin (FP 2009)
Dentistry BDS
Sarah Crowe (FP 2010)
Law 1.1
Now studying for Masters in London
University of Oxford
Alasdair Lennon (FP 2012)
Jurisprudence BA 2.1 (St John’s College)
Carol Roberts (FP 2010)
Jurisprudence BA 2.1 (Hertford College)
University of St Andrews
Emma J Scott (FP 2010)
Management MA 1.1
Now working with Aberdeen Asset
Management
University of Swansea
Alison Cook (FP 1994)
PhD January 2015, ‘Antarctic Peninsula
Glacier Changes since the 1940s’
UCL
Rebecca Keely (FP 2011)
European Social and Political Studies BA
2.1
Finlay Green (FP 2011)
European Social and Political Studies BA
2.2
Open University
Robert Crawford (FP 1959)
BA 2.1
FP
BIRTHS
We are delighted to welcome these
new additions to the extended Dollar
family:
DION
Katie (née Reid, FP 1997) and Dani
are delighted to announce the birth, in
Switzerland, of Annie on 11 January
2014 and Meg on 28 July 2015.
MASON
Fiona (née Black, FP 2000) and Darren
are delighted to announce the birth of
their son, Mylo George, at Whiston
Hospital, Knowsley on 13 August 2014.
MORRIS
Joanna (née Hunter, FP 2001) and
Andrew welcomed a daughter, Emily
Isabella Morris, on 23 August 2014 at
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
PAYNE
To Sharon and Russell (FP 1999) a
daughter, Lucia Rose, on 28 June 2015
in Kirkcaldy. Lucia is a little sister
to Bethany (5) and Juliana (3) and
the fifth granddaughter for Patricia
and David Shearer Payne (Mathematics
Staff 1982-2005).
PETRIE
Georgie (née MacKenzie, FP 1997)
and Callum are delighted to welcome
Struan Davidson MacKenzie Petrie,
born on 17 July 2015, brother to
Barclay.
PRICE
Jayne (née Craig, FP 1997) and Ben
are delighted to welcome Alexander
(Sandy) Robert, a brother for Esme and
Florence, born on 7 October 2015.
SERAFINI
MARRIAGES
To Adam (FP 1989) and Lorna on 16
May 2015, a daughter, Iris, a sister for
Hazel.
STAFF
STRAßBUGER GALLEGO
We are informed, through David
Delaney, of a baby born of a Dollar
marriage. Jael, a daughter, was born to
Gunter, our former German Assistant,
and Betsa, a former Spanish Assistant
on 7 July 2015. Gunter and Betsa,
whom many at Dollar will remember,
met during their time as Assistants
at the school and married not long
after. Remarkable though the story is,
it is not the first time such a thing has
happened. In 2001, our French and
Spanish Assistants ended up marrying
one another. In both cases, says Mr
Delaney, the parents promised to call
their first-born ‘David’, since he had
brought them together. But in both
cases, he adds, ‘the first-born had the
bad manners to be a girl.’
SOWDEN
To Claire (née Abel, FP 2000) and
Andrew Sowden, a daughter, Evie
Sowden, on 21 August 2015, a sister
for Freya. TAYLOR
Libby and Andrew Taylor welcomed
Henry James on 16 September 2015, a
little brother for Rosie.
ENGAGEMENTS
WOOTON - GRAY
ALEXANDER – LLOYD:
At Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome
on 12 June 2015, Douglas Alexander
(FP 1972) of Braelin, Kinross married
Angela Lloyd of Beechwood House,
Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway. Also
present at the ceremony were FPs Barry
Henderson (1972), Vicky Alexander
(née Miller, FP 2003) and Kirsty Taylor
(née Mozolowski, FP 2003).
FARQUHAR – MYERS:
Sarah Farquhar (FP 2001) married
Ross Myers on Sunday 2 August at
Solsgirth House. Dollar Academy
featured heavily in the four-day
wedding weekend. On Friday 31 July
there was a welcome reception in the
school library for the out-of-town
guests.
Sarah commented ‘We also
had the pleasure of the Pipe Band
playing throughout our wedding
day: greeting guests as they arrived,
Fortunas 36
It is with great pleasure that both
families announce the engagement of
Christopher John Wooton (FP 19942004) and Stephanie Jane Gray (FP
1991-2004). They were Deputy Head
Boy and Head Girl in their final year.
The couple plan to marry in October
2016.
We wish every happiness to…
Decmber 2015
Fiona (née Simpson, FP 1998) and
Charlie would like to welcome their
daughter, Anna May, born on 23 April
2015 in Glasgow, a little sister for Leo
and a little cousin for Maria Frances
Simpson (Neil Simpson FP 2000)
TINWORTH
125
HUNTER-MORRIS:
Joanna Hunter (FP 2001) married
Andrew Morris at Dunkeld Cathedral
on 28 August 2013.
KIDD – ROBERTS:
piping me down the aisle with my
dad, playing a stunning performance
on the lawn during our drinks reception
and piping us into our wedding
breakfast. They were absolutely
fantastic!’ The couple have been living
in Toronto since 2013.
Both sets of parents are delighted to
announce the marriage of Rebecca
Kidd (FP 2008) to Mr Winston Roberts
(FP 2008) this summer on 18 July
FERGUSON – CARATTI:
Kate Ferguson (FP 2003) married
Michael Caratti on an amazingly sunny
5 September, 2015 at Solsgirth House,
Dollar. Joining the fun with Dollar
connections were Kate’s brother, Jamie
(FP) and his wife Nikita, together
with Kate’s mum, Pam Ferguson (née
Kerr), FP, and formerly of the Biology
Department; Kate’s aunt, Christine
Lerpiniere (née Kerr), FP, and her
uncles, Kenneth Kerr and Richard Kerr,
both FPs. Kate’s bridesmaids included
Lisa Hutchison (née Birnie), FP. Other
guests included Lisa’s husband, Robin
Hutchison, FP; Lisa’s sister, Karen
Embley (née Birnie), FP, and friends
Andrew Archibald, FP and Jane Inglis
(of the Biology Department). The Pipe
Band was really wonderful. Kate and
Michael will return to live in Perth,
Australia.
2015 at Culross Abbey. Both Rebecca
and Winston graduated in Law from
the University of Aberdeen in 2012
and currently work with law firms
in Edinburgh, where the couple now
live. Many friends from their Dollar
schooldays attended the wedding, and
all six bridesmaids are FPs. Rachel,
Julia, Sophie and Belle all travelled up
from London where they all live and
work, while Francesca travelled all the
way from Canada where she now lives
and works. The reception was held at
Forrester Park, near Dunfermline
December 2015
Fortunas 36
HILL-FOLEY:
Rebecca Hill (FP 2004) married Brian
Foley at The Stables, Prestonfield
House in Edinburgh on 29 August
2015. It was a gorgeous day with
almost two hundred guests who came
from far and wide including Mexico,
San Francisco and further afield.
126
Victoria Elder, Julia MacDonald, Belle Kerray,
(Rebecca) Rachel Hill, Francesca Bouaoun,
Sophie Fisher (all FPs 2008)
STAFF
MEIKLEJOHN-GIBB
Rachel Gibb (née Meiklejohn,
English teacher) and Duncan Gibb
(Mathematics teacher) married on 6
April 2015 in Edinburgh.
FP
DEATHS
INGLIS
Our deepest sympathies are extended
to the family and friends of the
following former pupils:
Thomas A Inglis (FP 1949 – 1956)
died peacefully on 19 August 2015 at
St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford. (See
obituary in this edition)
ALLSOP
HUNTER
Captain Bobbie Allsop (FP 1927-1938)
died on 25 June 2015 in Bunbury,
Australia. (See obituary in this edition)
BRODIE
Constance Lindsay Brodie (née Hope,
FP 1933 – 1940) died peacefully in
Edinburgh, aged 93, on 2 September
2015. Widow of the Very Rev Dr Peter
Brodie (former School Governor).
Mother of Philip, Louise, Simon and
Jonathan. Aunt of Lindsey and Elspeth
Young, all FPs. (See obituary in this
edition)
Kenneth Hunter (FP 1948 – 1955) died
on 4 September 2015. Husband of May
and father to John and Robin, both
FPs.
JOHNSTON
Thomas N Cappie-Wood (FP 1939
– 1944) passed away peacefully,
surrounded by his family, on 5
December 2014 in Australia.
Elise Johnston (née Brown, FP 19511955) died at home, Frescal Haut,
81140 Campagnac, France on 27 June
2015, after a short illness. Wife of
Robin (FP 1948-1956) and brother of
William (FP 1950-1957); mother of
Yorg, Daniel, Vivien and Alexandra;
grandmother of Trevor, Harriet,
Alexander, Loren, Malcolm, Peter and
Alistair; great-grandmother of Sophie.
Elise was a gifted designer, painter,
ceramicist and mosaïcist. Her funeral
took place on 7 July at the Church of St
Eusèbe, Campagnac.
CLARKE
MORGAN
CAPPIE-WOOD
Kelsey Clarke (FP 2007 – 2015) died
on 23 October 2015. (An obituary will
appear in Fortunas 37)
FIDDES
Ian Douglas, PE Teacher 1963 – 1965,
died on 21 August 2015. Husband of
Anne (née Baikie) FP (1955 – 1961).
WEIR
Janet Weir died peacefully on 15
October 2015. Miss Weir retired in
1980 after 29 years in the post of Head
of Home Economics, formerly known
as Domestic Science. An obituary will
appear in Fortunas 37.
George Rae Morgan (FP 1937 – 1943)
died 23 October 2014.
QUINN
Anthony Quinn (FP 2006 – 2015) died
on 18 July 2015. (See obituary in this
edition)
REID
Douglas Reid (FP 1951 – 1957) died on
5 October 2015.
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
Richard William Fiddes, known as Bill
(FP 1939-1947), died in Galashiels on
13 October 2015. He had previously
lived in Edinburgh, Nyasaland/
Malawi and Eskbank. Bill’s twin, Anne
Elizabeth Cunningham (FP 19391946), lives in Edinburgh. His older
brother, John, won the Kennedy
Medal in 1936 and the Milne Medal in
1937. Bill was predeceased by his wife,
Elizabeth, who died in 2009, and he is
survived by their daugher, Nicola.
FORMER STAFF
DOUGLAS
127
Anthony was a hardworking, kind, selfless person who will
be greatly missed across Dollar
I have known you since I joined Dollar and you have always
been so nice, rest in peace Anthony
Amazing runner, great person to known and train with.
Will be missed.
I remember how you helped me settle into Dollar.
I have so many memories of the good times I spent with
Anthony each time I stayed over at his house. It would
never be a normal, relaxing time, there would always be
some record to break or a goal to achieve, whether it was a
staircase to conquer on his mountain bike or the record for
the most keepy-uppies, or even the most amount of goals
scored in a FIFA match, he would be at it all day and night.
Anthony was always pushing his limits. Thanks for being
such a great friend, you will be missed.
He was part of the school family…
ANTHONY QUINN
FP (2006 – 2015)
December 2015
Fortunas 36
To begin at the end. Sometimes silence says more about a
person, a situation, an event than any number of words.
The silence in the Hall in Dollar Academy, at the end of
the Assembly for Anthony, after the teachers had left
and only the six or seven hundred pupils were left – was
extraordinary. They sat there, saying nothing. Words
had just been spoken and sung, important ones: poems,
prayers, the 23rd Psalm, the Rector’s address containing the
following, from among comments written in the Book of
Condolence by fellow pupils:
128
And then it was over. The pupils rose and they left, still in
silence.
Projected on the back wall in the empty hall was
the single image that had remained there throughout the
Assembly – Anthony photographed among the leaders of
a group of cross-country runners, caught in silhouette,
heading over the hill, doing what he loved best.
Anthony Quinn was only fifteen when he died in an
accident in Dollar Glen this summer, but already his life had
touched many more people than one might have imagined
for a lad in his mid-teens. The huge numbers who filled the
church of St James the Great in Dollar at his funeral in July,
packed the aisles and spilled out on to the pavement, were
testament to the connections we all felt with Anthony.
He joined the Academy in 2006 in P2, and
worked his way up through the Prep and Junior Schools,
establishing himself early on as, among other talents, a
sports-mad boy. A keen football fan, he supported Alloa
Athletic fervently, but he had an extensive, not to say,
encyclopaedic knowledge of many others in the leagues. He
learned early on what to do with a football himself, a skill
that developed strongly over his life; one of the best days of
his life was when the team he captained won in the Dollar
Gala competition.
His interests expanded to take in running, as
his wiry frame developed and his remarkable stamina
for middle-distance and cross-country running became
apparent. He was an enthusiastic member of the Central
Athletics group, training and competing regularly with
them. In the March 2015 Academy Cross Country
Championships he took silver in the Intermediate
section, and the smart money was on him to be the Senior
Champion in the years to come – he subsequently won
FP
the 800m event at Sports Weekend, and was well on
course to be a future Champion. One game in which he
did achieve that status was tennis: he became the Senior
Boys’ Champion this year, despite only being in Form III.
Increasingly few players enjoyed being on the receiving end
of his serve.
It wasn’t all sport, of course, in Anthony’s life:
he was a keen chess player, having a strong logical mind
and a good sense of tactics. As part of his Bronze Duke of
Edinburgh involvement, he helped train junior players, and
his gentle disposition and essential good nature became
evident there. He wasn’t always gentle, though, when it
came to speaking out against what he saw as unfairness: he
could debate passionately any matter of current affairs. He
was certainly fired up by the Classics Department trip to
Greece, and the injustice, as he saw it, of the British hanging
on to the Elgin Marbles.
Besides Classics, he had chosen to study very
widely, an indication of the breadth of his interests and
the openness of his horizons: Biology, French, Modern
Studies and Geography were also among his options. The
last-named subject tied in well with his enjoyment of travel,
related in part, perhaps, to his parents’ involvement in
the aviation industry. We can be glad, at least, that in his
final summer, Anthony was able to have such a wonderful
holiday with his parents, snorkelling in St Lucia, flying and
walking in North America – his adventurous spirit revelled
in such things, and we can be sure he would have gone on
to do much, much more. The fine young man that he had
become had a confidence and a strength that would have
taken him far.
There are no words that can draw conclusions,
do justice to, or make sense of this loss. We will miss him.
We grieve for his mother and father and all of his family.
We grieve for ourselves. We are left with our memories
of him, with images and with sounds – the Pipe Band on
the Playfair steps in the July sunshine, playing Highland
Cathedral as the hearse came to a halt beneath the flag at
half-mast; the lone piper at his graveside in Dollar Parish
Church; Anthony’s running spikes amid the flowers on his
coffin. And the picture of a young man running free on the
hills over Dollar, at peace.
Geoff Daniel
CONSTANCE LINDSAY
BRODIE
(née HOPE, FP 1933-1940)
26 July 1922 – 2 September 2015
Fortunas 36
Decmber 2015
Constance Lindsay Hope was born in Selkirk on 26 July
1922. In 1926 she moved with her family to Alloa where she
would live for the next sixty years until 1986, when she and
her husband, Peter, retired to Stirling.
She and her younger sister Elsie both attended
Dollar where, from Junior 2, she was a frequent prizewinner and enjoyed taking part in the school plays
produced by Neil Foggie. With the encouragement of
William Sproat, her history teacher, she went on to study
history at Edinburgh University in 1940.
In 1943 she was called up to the ATS, and was
deployed at a wireless intercept station near Harrogate as
a traffic analyst of German signals, passing on these coded
messages to Bletchley Park. After demob, she worked in
the historical records department of Register House in
Edinburgh until she married Peter Brodie, the minister of St
Mungo’s Parish Church, Alloa, in 1949. She fully embraced
all that was involved in being a minister’s wife and, in 197879, all that was involved in being the wife of the Moderator.
129
THOMAS ANDERSON
INGLIS
In 1975 the new Central Region appointed her as
its first Archivist. This meant building an archive for the
whole region from absolute scratch, housing it initially in
the old Stirling High School building; this was a gargantuan
task that is still mentioned with appreciation and gratitude
by the current Archivist.
In retirement, Constance (who was an active
member of the Holy Rude, Stirling) combined her interests
in history, architecture and matters ecclesiastical by
working as a Church Recorder. Connie maintained lifelong Dollar friendships with Marion Peat, Billy Drysdale,
Stephanie Dick, Sylvia Faulds and Moira Stevenson. Her
children, Philip, Louise, Simon and Jonathan, are all FPs.
Louise Brodie (FP 1962-1970)
Class Photograph FVA 1938-39
December 2015
Fortunas 36
Back L-R : Bill Galloway, Andrew Irons, Walter Faulds, Jim Cram,
Murray Short, Peter Brand, Talbot Hill, Leo Dos Remedios
Middle L-R: John Fergusson, Jimmy Marks, John Affleck, Mr Percy
(‘Peerie’) Walton, Eric Berthet, L. Scott, J. Wallace
Front L-R: Sheila Hamilton, Marion Peat, Mary Walker, Jean Hay,
Nan Halley, Rita Hunter, Connie Hope
130
(FP 1949 – 1956)
1939 – 2015
After a long and bravely fought battle with idiopathic
pulmonary fibrosis, Tom died peacefully, aged 76, on 19
August 2015 at St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford.
On leaving Dollar Academy, Tom went on to
study nautical subjects at The Royal College of Science and
Technology, Glasgow. In 1957, having completed his studies,
he joined Alfred Holt and Company’s Blue Funnel Line, as
an indentured apprentice or midshipman. Tom’s first voyage
aboard the Glen and Shire Line ship, ‘Monmouthshire’, was
the start of a long and exciting relationship with the Far East.
After several voyages East, Tom completed his
apprenticeship and, in 1961, started studying for his 2nd
Officer’s certificate. By then he had met Meg, his wife-to-be,
who was studying at IM Marsh PE College in Aigburth, so he
decided to study for his exams in Liverpool. After a further
three voyages East, Tom married Meg in April 1963. He also
gained his 1st Officer’s certificate that year.
Tom passed his Master’s Certificate in November
1967. In 1968, just as their second child was born, Tom spent
a while working at Holt’s Operations Department in Liverpool.
During this time, he was offered a position in Indonesia. From
1968–1973, he was Holt’s Marine Superintendent based in
Jakarta, responsible for their shipping operations in India:
quite a challenge and a real adventure with a young family. His
work took him all over Indonesia and the time there left his
family with some wonderful memories.
In 1973, Tom became the manager of the Harrisons
& Crosfield Shipping Agency in Taipei, Taiwan. Here, Tom
was at the forefront of the new containerisation boom and, as
agent for Ben Line, organised the first containership into the
port of Kaohsiung. Maersk Line were also represented by the
agency and a successful business relationship developed.
In 1976, with the eldest child, Alastair, approaching
ten years old, Tom resigned from Harrisons & Crosfield,
and the family returned to the UK to settle in Gorsley,
Herefordshire. Tom secured a position as Deputy Transport
Manager for Sun Valley Poultry, Hereford and began a whole
new career in the farming, food processing and distribution
industry. In 1980, Sun Valley Poultry was acquired by Cargill
Inc. and the business grew rapidly. Over the next twenty years,
he managed Distribution, Human Resources, Procurement
and Logistics. Finally, as retirement neared, he managed their
Feed Milling operation.
After retiring in 2002, Tom enjoyed time doing a bit
of game shooting and playing a lot of golf. He is remembered
by his local golf club as establishing a popular ‘Grouse Tour’ to
several golf courses in Perthshire in August each year.
Meg Inglis
(FP 1927 – 1938)
1923 – 2015
Captain Allsop was born in Dollar, the son of the music teacher at Dollar Academy
and of a mother who managed a school boarding house.
Following further studies, Bobby began a long maritime career and went
to sea in 1938. His maiden voyage lasted eighteen months and was, in his own
words, ‘bloody terrible’. His ship was in Surabaya, Indonesia the day World War
Two was declared. Distinguished war-time service on Arctic convoys and in the
Mediterranean and then as a post-war captain around South Asia kept Bobby Allsop
at sea for many years – which he later blamed for the failure of his first marriage to
a Dollar woman, with whom he had two sons.
A shipboard romance with the Ship’s Nurse (when en route as a migrant
to Western Australia in 1952 to take up his dream shore job as a ship’s pilot in
Wyndham) began his 63 years Down Under.
In 1963, Bobby moved to Bunbury, where he served for 25 years, latterly
as the longest-serving harbourmaster. He oversaw many changes as that busy port
developed and expanded, but was most proud of the town’s unique black and white
chequered lighthouse. When asked why black and white, the staunch Scot replied,
“Because Black and White Whiskey is my favourite”.
A local identity, who proudly flew the St Andrew’s flag on his gopher as
he zipped around the port city, Captain Allsop was a respected character in that
community. Graham Hornel (FP 1956-64) and his wife, Julia, are based in Western
Australia too; they became close friends of Bobby during his final ten years and had
frequent contact. Memories of Dollar Academy and of the town, of Dollar people
and of the good all-round education that the Academy delivered, were enjoyed.
The Hornels represented Dollar at Captain Allsop’s funeral on 7 July in
Bunbury, at which there was a very large attendance. They were greatly impressed
by the fifty-strong Guard of Honour and pipers saluting and bidding farewell to
this distinguished and widely respected veteran FP in a fitting send-off at the
crematorium.
FP
CAPTAIN C. R.
ALLSOP
Graham Hornel (FP 1956-1964)
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Decmber 2015
In 1937, Bobby was the leading side drummer in the Pipe Band’s Scottish Schools victory at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow
131
Margo and Isobel in 1957 fishing attire.
A BIOGRAPHY OF MARC
ANTHONY
(FP 1902-9)
FISHING THE DEVON
Margo Malkin (née Pollock, FP 1954-61) recalls her fishing days
on the River Devon with Isobel Shepherd (née Cockrill, FP 195158) and Dilys Soria (née Cockrill, FP 1951-58)
December 2015
Fortunas 36
I returned home from the 55th Reunion and I set out to
look for my photos of Isobel, Dilly and I at the Fishing
Competition that took place on 28 May 1957.
Girls did not usually enter the Competition, so
May 1957 was quite a departure. The three of us were
boarders in Rosemount and there wasn’t a proper fishing
rod between us. We remedied that by visiting ‘Burnside’
Robertson’s shop at the corner of Chapel Place and West
Burnside. When we came out we each had a bamboo cane, a
length of thick fishing twine, hooks and, most important of
all, a permit to fish the Devon.
We had a practice run one Saturday afternoon up
at Glendevon. We cycled up, left our bikes at Mr and Mrs
Dunt’s house and hiked down to the Devon. The dam hadn’t
been built then and the river was well below the road. Our
attempts were fruitless – not even a nibble on the worms.
On the day of the Competition we went down near
the Haugh Farm Bridge and cast many times, but still with
no luck. Then, a passing angler took pity on us and gave us a
fish he had – not his biggest. The photos show us modelling
the correct fishing attire for female boarders – blazers,
square-necked blouses, shorts and, above all, wellies. We
are holding up the fish to show we did ‘catch’ something for
our troubles (though I don’t think we ate it). I have a strong
suspicion that with all the noise we made, there wasn’t a
fish within several miles.
Margo Malkin (née Pollock, FP 1954-61)
It is interesting to note that Margo’s father, Arthur Pollock,
won the prize for the heaviest fish in the 1925 Fishing
Competition. She clearly had a good tutor (Ed.)
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Marc Anthony’s main claim to fame in Dollar is that in 1930
he wrote the music for the school song: ‘Here in a Fair Green
Valley’. Sadly, the song is no longer sung (or even known) at
school, but older FPs remember it with affection.
Marc was, in fact, a very well-known musician
and composer. He and his brothers came to Dollar
Academy from Penang, but Marc spent most of his later
life in London. There, he wrote dozens of songs that were
extensively played on stage and radio. Referred to as ‘The
Night Club King’, he mixed with such luminaries as Noel
Coward, P.G. Wodehouse and Alicia Markova.
Colin Goddard, realising that his friend Marc had
been largely forgotten, has written an excellent biography,
with many illustrations. It can be accessed online: https://
marcaranthony.wordpress.com
The words and music to the original school song are
included here, to help jog some memories and enlighten the
very young.
Janet Carolan
(Archivist)
Marc Anthony with Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin
FP
THE PREFECT
MYSTERY . . .
Nan Gordon (FP 1941) sent in the photograph below
showing the school’s Prefects for 1940-41. A list of the
Prefects for that year appeared in the Dollar Magazine
(1940), and then the photo appeared in the Dollar
Magazine (1941) – but without names. Nan has written in the names as far as she could
remember, but we warmly invite readers to study the
photograph, ponder the list and write to us if you can match
any more names to faces. We look forward to solving the
many mysteries contained below.
The list of Prefects published in Dollar Magazine
(1940)
School Captain: Ian A Love
Vice-Captain: John MacLean
Prefects: John S Bishop, Peter N Collinswood, Thomas Galla, Henry
Hutchison, Daniel H Johns, Graeme G Lochhead, George EC
Paulin, Douglas Pirie, Stanley W Scott, Andrew F Torrie, Nicholas
Williamson
Head Girl: Joan G Ritchie; Deputy Head Girl: Moira L Walton
Prefects: Margaret J Dawson, Nancy MA Gordon, Jessie MB
Muirhead, Edith M Paulin, Betty M Peat, Gladys C Ritchie, Jean M
Strang, Margaret A Wilson
Photo and names from Nan Gordon
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Decmber 2015
Nan also notes that Jessie Muirhead was known as Esme. Henry
Hutchison was known as Harry. Graham is Graham Lochhead. Bette
should be Betty and Douglas Price might be Douglas Pirie.
133
December 2015
Fortunas 36
The School Archivist recently
received a fascinating eyewitness account of the
catastrophic Dollar Academy
fire on Friday 24 February
1961. On 27 February, Ruth
Innes, who was in Form III,
wrote an excited letter to her
friend Winifred Nairn at St
Leonards School.
The letter is illustrated
with photos from the school
archive,
including
some
recently sent to the Archivist
by Gus Carnegie, who was also
at school here in 1961.
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6 Mylne Avenue
Dollar
Dear Winnie
27 February 1961
Sorry I haven’t written for such a long time but now I certainly have something to
write about. I’ll tell you what happened in detail from my point of view…
Well!. . . at 6:30am the fire siren went off. It woke me up, though I didn’t
think anything of it until I heard stones rattling against my window. I looked out
and saw Rosemary and Bronwen standing on the path. As soon as they saw me,
they shouted that the school was on fire. Just then a fire engine went roaring up
the West Approach. I tore downstairs, shouting to Mum that the school was on
fire, then stopped short at the terrible sight that hit me… Our own dear, old, grey
school was lost in a cloud of black smoke. The dark sky all around was lit up by the
huge flames leaping hundreds of feet into the sky.
Rosey, Bron and I ran up to the school gates at the top of the West
Approach to watch along with masses of other Dollarites. I am not sure what
happened next, but we were all told that there would be no school that day.
Anyone who could was to go and help do any little thing they could.
There was a crowd of staff and pupils standing all around, some fixing
up hoses for the firemen, some going off to dam the Dollar Burn, but everybody
worked in silence, with tears in their eyes.
By this time (so a fireman told me), the library was completely and
utterly destroyed, along with 10,000 books, all the sports cups and school work
cups and piles of old school records. Soon, the flames had also fled through Jum’s
room, Jock’s, Speedy’s, Mr Sherriff’s, Mungo’s, Ned’s, Miss Blair’s, the Men’s staff
room, Strachan’s, the Sixth Form room, the girls’ cloakroom, Winnie’s room, one
of the Latin rooms and the History room.
FP
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Decmber 2015
135
December 2015
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The firemen started on the
Hall, from which clouds of smoke were
coming. Gallons upon gallons of water
were put onto it, and they managed to
stop the fire with only slight damage
to the roof of the Hall. While all
this was going on, we girls were not
standing around doing nothing. We
were cooking (in the domestic rooms)
breakfast for the firemen who came
in shifts during the whole morning to
hurriedly drink a few cups of tea and
eat biscuits and cheese sandwiches.
When we managed to get a
little cup of tea ourselves, we looked
into the Domestic Science window
[now Biology – Ms Hussain’s lab] to
see how the firemen were getting on.
No sooner had we appeared at the
window than a press photographer
snapped us all drinking tea. By this
time, though, the fire was well under
control and we were beginning to feel
a little more cheery.
In the afternoon everybody
began the salvage work in a steady
drizzle of Dollar rain. Quite a lot
of things were saved including our
English exam papers, unfortunately,
as those will confront us next week.
It will be funny to have a charred
exam paper lying on one’s desk! All
Saturday and Sunday the salvage work
continued, though we had a break on
Saturday evening when Mr Campbell
rigged things up in the Burnside Hall
for the usual Saturday night film show.
The film was ‘The Mouse That Roared’
and it was very good.
Now it is Monday evening
and the whole affair seems just like
a nightmare… And there is another
nightmare ahead of me if I don’t
stop writing and start doing some
swotting. We have our French unseens
tomorrow and Biology the next day,
etc. By the way, in case you hadn’t
realised, we are back to normal with
work. We have all been allotted certain
classrooms, halls and pavilions today.
136
FP
IIIG is in the Sewing Room and other
classes are using the Prep School, the
West Church Hall, the Log Cabin, the
Music Block, the Science Labs, the
Gym and the Gym dressing rooms. The
Prep School are having a holiday until
Wednesday when they are going to
Harviestoun Castle. All the schools of
Clackmannanshire and elsewhere have
lent us desks and chairs, blackboards,
chalk, duplicators (for the teachers
to do our exam papers on!) and many
other useful things.
I really must stop now and do
some work. I hope I haven’t omitted
anything. If you want more news just
write and ask for it. By the way, the
craze at school just now is Nestlé’s
Milk. I hope you have had some
enjoyable midnight feasts since last
camp.
With much love from your sooty friend
Ruth
Ruth Lunan (née Innes, FP 1952-64)
Winifred Kennedy (née Nairn, an FP of Dollar
Academy from 1951-3 and 1955-9).
Gus Carnegie (FP 1958-64), who provided
some of the photographs
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Decmber 2015
137
MOMENTS IN TIME:
School Photo 1968
Formal full-school photographs have been taken at Dollar Academy since 1920, and they
provide a fascinating glimpse back in time. This panoramic shot from 1968 features every pupil
and member of staff at the school against the very misty backdrop of the Ochil Hills. Much like
today, the Prep School boys are all wearing shorts.
Were you a pupil at the school in ’68? If so, then it is very likely you will be in this
photo. Perhaps the image includes friends or relatives during their time at the school? We
would love to hear about any nostalgic memories sparked by this photo, no matter how brief—
just send an email to the address below.
We have an extensive photo archive at Dollar; much of it has now been digitised and
can be emailed. Please let me know if you would like to receive your own copy of this 1968
panoramic school photo.
December 2015
Fortunas 36
dollarfp@dollaracademy.org.uk
138
Cover images created by the children of the Prep School.
Dollar Academy is a registered Scottish Charity No. SC009888