Scottish School Burns Competition
Well done to all of the pupils from Wallace Hall who took part in the recent Scottish Schools Burns Competition. The event, run virtually for the first time, was a great success with pupils from primary and secondary schools all across Dumfries and Galloway submitting videos in the recitation, singing, instrumental and piping sections.
Seven pupils from Wallace Hall Primary took part: Archie Hewson (P4/P5 Recitation), Ellen MacCormick (P4/P5 Recitation), Archie Maxwell (P6/P7 Instrumental), Callum Padkin (P6/P7 Recitation), Bonnie Smith (P6/P7 Instrumental), Jenna Youngman (P6/P7 Instrumental) and Max Zygadlo (P6/P7 Recitation) with nine pupils taking part from Wallace Hall Academy: Corey Anderson (S3/S4 Piping), Kyle Anderson (S5/S6 Instrumental), Daisy Arnold (S3/S4 Instrumental), Fergus Bainbridge (S5/S6 Instrumental) Kirsten Fergusson (S3/S4 Instrumental), Charlotte Hamlet (S3/S4 Instrumental), Aine O’Hara (S1/S2 Instrumental), Skye Ross (S1/S2 Instrumental) and Darroch Wood (S5/S6 Instrumental).
Following the virtual adjudication for the primary sections, we were delighted to learn that Archie Maxwell secured the Bronze Medal in his section for his very accomplished performance on the piano. Our academy instrumentalists were also very successful with Aine O’Hara winning Gold and Skye Ross winning Silver in the S1/S2 Instrumental category; Daisy Arnold winning Gold, Charlotte Hamlet winning Silver and Kirsten Fergusson winning Bronze in the S3/S4 Instrumental category; Corey Anderson winning silver in the S3/S4 Bagpiping category; and Darroch Wood winning Gold, Fergus Bainbridge winning Silver and Kyle Anderson winning Bronze in the S5/S6 Instrumental category. Darroch went on to be chosen as the Best Overall Instrumentalist for his very talented performance on the accordion and all of our fantastic performers contributed to Wallace Hall Academy being presented with the SSCBA Trophy for the overall winning secondary school.
Later that week, we were delighted to welcome Fiona Evans and Jane Brown from the Dumfries and Galloway Burns Association to Wallace Hall to present all our pupils with their trophies and certificates. Fiona commented: “The virtual competition went well and the standard of entries was really high. Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks to teachers, tutors and parents for helping prepare the children and making the videos. We really appreciate everyone’s support and hope to see everyone in person next year.”
Keith Dickson, Music Tutor at Wallace Hall, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that our young musicians accepted the challenge to prepare some tunes for this virtual event. Their hard work and dedication paid off as they were duly rewarded with excellent results.”
Louise Girvan, Music Teacher at Wallace Hall Academy, commented: “It was wonderful that we were able to have so many pupils involved and they really allowed their hard work and talents to shine. As a school we are very proud of the excellent results achieved by our pupils.”
Barry Graham, Head Teacher at Wallace Hall, added: “Congratulations to all of our pupils who took part in the competition. It is great to see so many of our pupils demonstrating their talent for music and recitation and I would like to thank the committee of the Dumfries and Galloway Burns Association for providing them with this virtual opportunity to do so. Thank you also to Keith Dickson, Louise Girvan and Lynn Smith for helping to prepare our pupils for the competition and to our parents and carers for supporting their children behind the scenes at home. I am delighted that the hard work, practice and commitment of our talented pupils paid off, and these results contributed towards Wallace Hall Academy being presented with SSCBA trophy for the overall winning secondary school. Well done everyone.”
