On Friday 29 November, the Modern Languages department hosted several presentations by 5 speakers from various backgrounds. They talked about their own experiences with languages and their importance in their day to day life. We welcomed Jennifer Proctor from Glenfiddich, Seb Walsh, a former pupil of Elgin Academy and a languages student at St Andrews University, Angus Robertson MP, Alan Campbell from Walkers and Christian Allard MSP.

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Angus Robertson MP addresses the students.

The link for applying for, or renewing E111 (European Health Card) is here (Opens in new window). Parents are requested to apply for these cards sooner rather than later; they take a week to come through normally and ALL those on the trip must have one.

Elgin Academy pupil Callum Sutherland, a member of Elgin Duellist Fencing Club, has fulfilled his dream by winning at all 3 weapons at the recently held Scottish Secondary Schools Fencing Championships. Callum competed against over 30 pupils from schools around Scotland to win the under 16 boys’ foil, epee and sabre titles at the School Championships held at Linlithgow Academy on  23 and 24 November. Being the best in his age group category also resulted in Callum adding the Master of Arms Trophy to his silver ware for winning the most individual points in his age group category.

Callum, who is coached by Mark Lauchlan and Robin Paterson at the Elgin Club, joins an elite group of only 5 fencers who have won at all 3 weapons in this age group category since 1975.

Callum added, “I was pleased to win the foil final 15-3 and the epee final 15-9 but was quite shocked to come in narrowly ahead by winning the sabre title 15-14 in my second only sabre competition. I was proud to represent my School and next year I look forward to trying to win the senior boys’ epee title that one of my coaches, Robin Paterson, won way back in 1988 when he was a pupil at this school.”

Although Callum was the only representative from Elgin Academy taking part in this competition, his domination at his age group category single handily meant that Elgin Academy finished a respectable 3^rd in the best boys’ school category.

Book Week Scotland – “Battle of The Books” on Friday 29 November was our climax to Book Week Scotland events in school when pupils and staff teams faced off in the library to provide answers to quick fire questions. Shortbread, clarsachs and fiddles were in abundance and many sporting tartan, ensuring a fantastic finale to our Book Week Scotland events.

To mark St Andrew’s Day, last week’s house Assemblies had a Scottish theme, with the history and background of St Andrew explained to all. Several musical items were performed to an excellent standard.

On Friday 29th November, all students and staff were encouraged to wear a “Touch of Tartan”, and make a small donation to charity.