It has been another successful year for the Battlefields Tour to northern Belgium and France and significantly Mr Gould's thirtieth visit. This very popular tour helps our young people understand something of the horror of war and the human cost. Just reading the endless lists of names leads young people to reflect on the sacrifices made by previous generations and remember those who are still involved in places of conflict in the world.
As always there were poignant visits to museums and war cemeteries, with many pupils finding the graves or names of people with a personal connection. The Last Post Ceremony on the Monday evening was a very memorable occasion. The representatives: Eilidh Johnston, Claire Buist, Lewis Baird, Sarah Dawson, Brogan Sinclair, Catriona Boardman and Caitlin Sinclair all carried out their roles with respect. Every tour has its highlight, and this year the focus was on History teacher and tour organiser, Mr Harry Gould.
The tour has been accommodated in the Hotel Munchenhof in Langemark, for thirty years, but it is time for "some modernisation" say the owners Nathalie and Hubert D'Hoine. They revealed their renovation plans, which include the building of an additional part of the hotel to be named "Block Gould". Mr Gould was then presented with the plans and was delighted to be honoured in this way.
Congratulations to the Bell Baxter Ultimate Frisbee team who were extremely successful at the Edinburgh Universities Tournament at the weekend. The "Bell Baxter Hyzer Chiefs" first ever tournament won them the Plate Trophy after 7 matches played over two days with only one narrow defeat! The pupils were the only school team in the competition and faced by 31 University teams from all over the UK and Eire. Coach David Thomson - Modern Studies teacher at Bell Baxter - commented "The whole team played and behaved exceptionally well and were a credit to the school". The star line up included Jamie Urquhart (S1), Frankie Hill, Laura Geyer, Joanne Rearie, Callum Rearie, Jamie Blair, Callum Barclay, Jack Potter, Christian Smith, Caio Ledingham (all S5) and Matthew Wilkinson (S6).
Congratulations to the following pupils who took Bell Baxter to considerable success in the Fife Schools Road Relay Championships -
Congratulations also to the U16 girls football team who beat Waid Academy 2-1 and beat Madras 8-0 on the last week of term. This means that the girls now play a regional qualifier after winning through these local qualifier matches of the Scottish Schools U16 Tournament.
Congratulations to the Under 18 Rugby Team on defeating Buckhaven High School 42-16 in the 3rd Round of the competition. They now meet Morrison's Academy in Round 4. Congratulations to S6 rugby players Adam Honeyman and Dominic Martin who have been selected for the U 18 Caledonia Squad and to Ross Christie and Duncan Campbell both S5, who have been selected for the U/17 Caledonia Squad.