Invergordon awards help pay tribute

AN EASTER Ross primary has honoured the memory of a former councillor, and a local woman who died in tragic circumstances, at a special awards ceremony held in the school.

South Lodge Primary in Invergordon has run the John R Connell Award for Citizenship since headteacher David Hayes-MacLeod took over the top role at the school in 2016. He created the award with his mum, who was married to Mr Connell, a former councillor serving the town.

This year’s winner was Kiera Logan, a Primary 7 pupil who also became the first girl to win the award.

The school also handed over a new award that was put forward by a grandmother of one of the pupils in memory of her daughter, Courtney Brown, who died of sepsis a few years ago.

Mr Hayes-Macleod said: "Jacqueline Brown approached me a while back asking if we would consider having an award that highlights creativity in the arts in her daughter Courtney’s name. Courtney was an ex-pupil of South Lodge and was extremely talented in the arts especially dancing and the performing arts.

"She appeared in many pantomimes and even appeared on a CITV programme too. She loved South Lodge when she was a child here. Her daughter Darcey is a pupil here and is now moving into Primary 5.

"Therefore I was delighted to be able to provide this new award so two pupils will be chosen every year – a P1-3 winner and a P4-7 winner. Their talent has to be in the arts in some way so art, music, dance etc.

"This year our first two winners of the Courtney Brown Shining Star Award were Robbie Connelly who was in P3 and Piper Smith who was in P7. Both received their awards for art. Both were presented with their trophies by Darcey too which was lovely."