Selkirk Colonial Society promote new educational award - see newspaper article
In 2016 a new medal was awarded to senior history pupils as a result of a unique partnership between the High School and Selkirk Colonial Society. With the history class already looking at ‘’Migration and Empire’’ and in particular ‘’the impact of Scots on the Empire’’ the Colonials saw an opportunity to keep local heritage alive and invite the students to undertake their research by using members of the Society as guinea pigs.
The Colonial Society challenge is for each pupil to undertake research into their subject (chosen at random from a list of volunteers) through archive material, newspaper articles and personal contact, and then to produce a piece of work telling the story of the exile and their life abroad. The Society will assist by providing the pupils with access to archive material and background information. Selkirk Colonial Society believe that working with the School gives pupils the opportunity to fulfil the requirements of the history curriculum by using local subjects rather than more famous national figures whilst at the same time encouraging interest in the Society and local heritage.
The Colonial Society Medal together with a cheque will be awarded for the winning article. It is the intention of the Society to make this an annual award although the topic of the challenge may change from year to year.
Winner 2016 (Picture) followed by the list of all entries
At the Colonial Society Colour Bussin’ Concert the first medal was awarded to the winner Sarah Gerlam for her story of the life of Dorothy Bjorklund now resident of Sweden. The presentation was made by Mrs Wilma Burgon, Head Teacher of the High School. Sarah also received a cheque from the Society. Mrs Burgon expressed her delight at the initiative and looked forward to many years of working in partnership with the Society.
| Name of pupil | Name of Colonial | Name of pupil | Name of Colonial | |||
| Dominic Burke | Jane Newlands/Tait | Sean Bradshaw | Craig Douglas | |||
| Katy Brydon | James Turnbull | Caitland Scott + Rebecca Mitchell | Waldie family | |||
| Leah Wishart | Lorraine Cassidy | Sarah Gerlam | Dorothy Bjorklund | |||
| Jo Arres | Robert Anderson | Stephanie Amos | Murray Russell | |||
| Joanne Culley | Kate Simpson |
Matthew Frances | Lester Sinton | |||
| Charlotte Burrows | Scott Bunyan |
Winner 2017 (Picture) followed by all the entries
At the Colonial Society Colour Bussin’ Concert the medal was awarded to the winner Abbie Linton for her story of the life of Jessie Camerer (formerly Finney) now resident of America.
Winner 2018 and the winning entry
At the Annual Concert the medal was awarded to Polly Bell (picture on this link) for her story on the lives of three members of the Linton family (Alexander, Charles and William) who all emigrated in the early 1900s.
The winning entry can be found by following this link - Polly Bell
Winner 2019 and the winning entry
The medal was awarded by Head Teacher, Mr Jamie Bryson, to Miss Alex Turnbull (picture on this link) for her story of a Selkirk emigrant, Oliver Linton, to Canada in the 1900s. The winning entry can be viewed on this link - Alex Turnbull.
2020 - the Society members made the decision to discontinue this project.
