Scottish Catholic Observer

S6 pupils Louis Rossi of St Margaret’s High School in Airdrie and Eleanor Service of St Andrews and St Bride’s in East Kilbride were two of four pupils in the country who were acknowledged by the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers (SAGT) for being the highest achievers in the Higher and Advanced Higher Geography exams last year.

Louis, surprised but thrilled with his achievement, said: “I had hoped to do well in the exam as it’s one of my favourite subjects but I never really expected to win this national award.

“My family and I were invited to a special ceremony held at the headquarters of the Royal Scottish Geography Society (RSGS) in Perth. Dr Charles Warren, the honorary president of SAGT and university lecturer at he University of St Andrews, presented the four of us with a card, voucher and an atlas.

“After the ceremony, Mike Robinson, chief executive of the RSGS gave us a tour of the society’s collection.”

Future endeavours

Louis is now hopeful that he can go on to study Maths at Glasgow University, following his achievement.

Stephen Snee, his headteacher, said: “Everyone at our school is extremely proud of his achievements and are delighted that his hard work has been celebrated in this way.”

North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue added: “Congratulations to Louis on his award—it’s an incredible achievement.”

Eleanor said she was ‘delighted’ to receive her award. “To receive the top mark in Scotland was a great honour and was a wonderful reward for all the hard work I put in,” she said.

“I would like to thank my Geography teacher Mr Watson, who supported me throughout the Higher course.”

Fiona Mullen, headteacher of St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School, said Eleanor is an ‘amazing student’ who scored five A band one qualifications across all of her subjects and that her excellence in Geography was ‘simply icing on the cake.’

She added: “As senior Dux Eleanor gives a tremendous amount to our community, from standing up for the rights of those less fortunate to educating our community on current issues through her work as editor in chief of our school newspaper, she is a force for good.

“Eleanor is quick to act whenever needed and uses her gifts and talents to make the world a better place. The whole school community is delighted for her.”