Fined £750 for violent assault in hotel toilet

Section2
www.northern-scot.co.uk
22 Friday, July 4, 2014 THE NORTHERN SCOT
Academy meets
the challenge of
changing times
CHANGE has been a recurring theme
in education for the last 20 years.
That was one of the messages from
Carol Stuart, head teacher at Forres
Academy, to an audience of pupils,
parents and teachers at the school’s
prizegiving ceremony last week.
“It may seem that in education we
are moving from one new approach
to another, and in the process losing
sight of what is important, what the
main goal of schooling is. I believe it
is not about fitting young people to
society as we find it,” she said.
“Education is the means by which
society changes and grows, and as
such, schools must be concerned with
personal growth and development
and helping our young people to
achieve the skills, knowledge and
confidence to be able to play an
active role in shaping an even better
society.
“I am glad to report that in this
respect, Forres Academy has much to
be confident about.”
By HAZEL LAWSON
h.lawson@northern-scot.co.uk
Mrs Stuart added that the school
had been learning as it made
its way through change, while
accepting nothing but the best, and
understanding there was still a way
to go.
“What has impressed me almost
on a weekly basis this year, and what
I would like to concentrate on, is our
ability to adapt to new circumstances,
new challenges and opportunities,
because this has had a real bearing
on what we have been able to achieve
throughout the year,” she added.
“And this is true for us as a whole
school community as well as for
individuals, both staff and students.
“Scottish education has embarked
on a highly ambitious programme
of change through Curriculum
for
Excellence
and
related
developments.
“It is likely that our approach to
“What has impressed me almost on a
weekly basis this year...is our ability
to adapt to new circumstances...”
Carol Stuart
education will continue to develop in
ways and at a pace which will outstrip
anything we have experienced to
date.”
Developments in communications
technology, Mrs Stuart said, would
provide different approaches to
learning which would pose increasing
challenges to conventional schooling
and would require a flexible, bold
and creative approach.
She added that new courses
had been developed as part of the
National Qualifications, while others,
including journalism and Duke of
Edinburgh Awards, had been offered
to fourth year pupils.
“All of these developments have
brought stress, without a doubt, but
the commitment of staff here, and
their professionalism this year, has
made such improvements possible,”
said Mrs Stuart.
“Staff have to live with the high
expectations they set themselves,
and those set by the school. They also
know that you all expect a great deal
from them.”
Mrs Stuart said that links had
been developed between the school
and local businesses, helping to
make learning more relevant and
stimulating.
Work with colleges in Elgin and
Inverness had seen pupils undertake
on-line courses as well as campusbased courses not available in school.
Relationships are also being built
with the wider community, including
the parent council, primary schools
and 39 Engineer Regiment.
She thanked parents for their
support and feedback, which
would be used to determine future
priorities.
Mrs Stuart wished pupils every
success, congratulating those who
were to receive awards, as well as
those who had achieved in other
areas, including the UK Mathematics
Challenge
and
fund-raising
activities.
“Believing in yourself comes from
knowing what you are really capable
of doing,” she added. “Never stop
learning, widening your interests and
pursuits.
“When you know what you are
talking about, it shows. But be careful
not to confuse confidence with a big
ego.
“If you want people to believe in
you, you also have to believe in them.
Understand well that those around
you also have much to contribute,
and they deserve your support.
“Without faith in yourself and
others, success is impossible.”
Forres Academy head teacher Carol Stuart with duxes Amy Tulloch and Calum Noel.
Picture by NS photographer Daniel Forsyth. Image no: 026076
Red letter day as pupils step up to collect their prizes
THIRD YEAR: Kathryn Barr, Physical
Education;
Thomas
Bell,
Graphic
Communication; Johnny Bichan, Physical
Education; John Bonsall, Mathematics;
Lorna Bull, Biology, English, German,
Mathematics, Modern Studies; Jake
Carpenter, Physical Education; Megan
Davies, German, Music.
Samuel Douglas, Chemistry, Computing;
Liam Edwards, Physics; Jenna Fraser,
History; Robert Fraser, English, French;
Finlay Huggan, Computing; Scarlet Keiller,
Art and Design; Jack Kelly, Computing,
Engineering Science; Amber Kenny,
German, History; Anna MacFadyen,
Biology, Chemistry, French, Physics.
Lewis MacRitchie, Modern Studies,
Technology
in
Society;
Isabelle
Matthewman, Design and Manufacture,
Graphic
Communication;
Gemma
McConnachie, Business Management;
Tom Meacher, Business Management; Kyla
Michie, Engineering Science, Geography,
German; Robyn Muircroft, Music.
Joe Nicholas, English; Calum Openshaw,
Physics; Niamh Parsons, Business
Management,
Chemistry,
French,
Mathematics; Lewis Paterson, Modern
Studies; Finley Pointon, Practical Wood;
Mollie Powney, Art and Design; Jacob
Reid, Music; Aimee Riddell, Technology in
Society; Isla Robertson, Food Studies.
Katy Rodway-Swanson, Drama; Harry
Ross, Geography, Practical Wood; Jack
Slinger, Geography; Hattie Smith, Art
and Design, Mathematics; Owen Taylor,
Practical Wood; Ross Tulloch, French;
Charlotte Tunnicliffe, History; Josephine
Ward, Art and Design; Cerys White, Art
and Design; Helena Young, Drama.
FOURTH YEAR:
Phoebe
Allan,
English; Martin Beaton, Chemistry;
Finley Blanche, Computing, Engineering
Science, Mathematics; Molly Carmichael,
French, Modern Studies; Oliver Clark,
Music; Katy Coull, French; Emilia Doel,
Graphic Communication; Jack Durkacz,
Engineering Science, Physical Education.
Nathan Evans, Chemistry, German;
Catherine Ferguson, Music; Lauren
Fiddes, History, Psychology; Amy Ford,
Hospitality; Linzi Fraser, French; Vaila
Grigg, Art and Design, Biology; James
Hammond, Biology, Geography; Andrew
Hanton, German, History, Psychology;
Megan Hobbs, Drama, English, Modern
Studies.
Beth Hurst, Graphic Communication;
Sandra Mackellar, Business Management;
Ross Mallon, Music; Callum McBeath,
Physical Education; Conor McFarlane,
Practical Wood; Summer Midgley,
Hospitality; Gregor Miller, Biology,
Business Management, Mathematics,
Physics; Katie Munro, Art and Design.
Calum Noel, Chemistry, English,
Geography, Mathematics, Modern Studies,
Physics; Hannah Poyner, Art and Design,
History; Matthew Reilly, English;
Alastair Rhind, Engineering Science; Katy
Robertson, Art and Design, Psychology;
Rebecca Rodgers, Drama; Gabriel
Rodriguez-McGregor,
Administration,
Drama.
Larissa Sim, Drama, German; Cameron
Sleator, Administration; Alicia Taylor,
Physical Education; Karl Underwood,
Computing; Connor Wallace, B u s i n e s s
Management; Chelsea Ward, Geography.
SENIOR SCHOOL: Connor Barthelmie,
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Computing; Laura Carter, Philosophy,
Psychology;
Eilish
Cunningham,
Practical Cookery; Nathan Gibb, Graphic
Communication, Technological Studies;
Grace Green, Drama; James Hanton,
Geography; Ailsa Henderson, Creative
Cakes, Hospitality; Callum Hodges,
Religious Studies.
Connor MacIver, Practical Wood; Jessica
MacMillan, Biotechnology; Lucy Massie,
Business Management, Physical Education;
Emma Menzies, Chemistry, Mathematics;
Elaine Munro, Economics; Sarah RodwaySwanson, Philosophy; Miriam Scott, Art
and Design, Music.
Clara Stadler-Kenny, German; Hannah
Taylor, Accounts; Amy Tulloch, English,
French, History, Modern Studies; Colm
Wickham, Biology, Physics.
SPECIAL AWARDS: Aspire to Inspire
Award – Caitlin O’Neill; Aspire to Inspire
Sport Volunteer Awards – Badminton,
Cameron Chase, Surya Morton; swimming, Alex Allan, Rachel Fraser, Kirsty
McBeath, Katie Miller. Elite Award –
Andrew Barr. Emerging Talent Award –
Anna MacFadyen.
James String Shield – Vaila Hornsby;
Gordon Stables Memorial Award – Sean
Fegan; Goethe Institut Plaque – Daniel
Breerton; Jean Madders Plaque – James
Lamb; MacIver Prize – Jenny Mitchell;
Michael Dufficy Trophy – Lorna Bull;
Nicolson Award – Abbie Locking; Sunbeam
Plaque – Tomas Davidson.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: George
Pirie Award for Fourth Year Dux – Calum
Noel. Alan Grieve Memorial Award for
Excellence in Science – Colm Wickham.
Senior school Dux – Amy Tulloch.
Fined £750 for violent
assault in hotel toilet
AN ASSAULT in a hotel toilet
was prompted by relationship
issues.
Graeme Webster attacked a
man who had been going out
with his former partner.
However, it was not the
relationship which prompted
the assault, but concern over
the victim’s behaviour towards
Webster’s son.
Webster had entered the Ugie
House Hotel in Keith on January
11 with some friends to play
pool.
His friends left the hotel soon
after, but Webster remained
behind.
When the other man went to
the toilet, Webster followed him
and hit him on the head. The
man struck his head on the wall.
Fiscal depute Kevin Corrins
said that Webster punched
the man a further five or six
times, causing him to fall to the
ground.
After the man shouted for
help, other people in the hotel
rushed to the toilets and Webster
was pulled off of him.
Webster shouted: “I have
made my point” before leaving
the scene. He was traced the
following day by police.
Solicitor Stuart Beveridge said
that Webster (30), 8 Nelson Brae,
Keith, did not want to confront
Drink-driver
asked passer-by
to phone police
A DRINK-driver who had driven his car into a field
asked a passer-by to phone the police because he
knew he had done something stupid, a court heard.
Sean Walford decided to drive to an all-night
garage to get cigarettes after being out drinking
with friends on May 30. When police arrived at the
scene, they found his car 10 metres off the road in a
the man in public, so followed
him to the toilet. There was a
verbal exchange and Webster
lashed out, before the man hit
him back.
Mr Beveridge said that
Webster and his victim were
second cousins by marriage.
Webster and his former partner
have since been reunited.
The construction industry
worker, who admitted the
assault, has been out of work
and living off savings, but Mr
Beveridge said that he was
soon to start a good job in the
industry.
Webster was fined £750 for the
assault.
field at Braes of Enzie, near Buckie.
Solicitior Stuart Beveridge admitted that Walford,
103 Seatown, Buckie, had made a foolish decision
to drive. “It was clearly a case of ‘The drink was in
and the wit was out’,” he said.
He told the court that Walford, who admitted
the offence, worked offshore as a steward and also
worked in a local hotel when onshore, but because
he needed a car to get to the hotel, he had given up
that job.
A passer-by stopped to make sure he was all right,
and Walford asked him to phone the police.
Walford, who had more than twice the legal limit
of alcohol in his system, was banned for a year and
fined £800.
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Youngsters get growing for Lhanbryde
Youngsters attending Lhanbryde Primary School have been heavily involved in a ‘Get Growing in
Lhanbryde’ project that was launched with the planting of an apple tree at the school in June. One
of the projects has seen Earthtime and REAP Scotland provide six gardening sessions for nursery
children and their Primary 6 buddies. These have included playing games, talking about what can
be grown locally, and learning about sowing seeds. Pictured with their seeds and plants after one
of the sessions this week are (front, from left) Sarah Russell, Cecily Anderson, Sophie Collie and
Leland Edward, and (back, from left) George Stewart, Aaron Robertson, Josh Standfast, Kirsten
Thomson and Rachel Wood. Picture by NS photographer Daniel Forsyth. Image no: 026147