A senior pupil at St Machar Academy has achieved the top grade in Higher Biology in Scotland, it was announced yesterday at the 23rd annual Science and the Parliament event at Dynamic Earth, in Edinburgh.
The Scotland branch of the Royal Society of Biology presented prizes to celebrate the achievements of three young Scottish biologists: Naomi Giffen from Lenzie Academy, for the top grade for Advanced Higher Biology; Hafsa Ahmad from St Machar Academy, for the top grade in Higher Biology; and Aiden Leigh from Robert Gordon's College, for the top grade in Higher Human Biology.
Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, Aberdeen City Council, said: “To get the top grade in Higher Biology in the whole of Scotland in 2023 is phenomenal. This is an outstanding achievement and Hafsa should be very proud of herself. She’s a real credit to her family and St Machar Academy.”
Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “Huge congratulations to Hafsa on her significant success. Hafsa clearly has a great mindset and is a fantastic example to us all. Well done, Hafsa.”
Professor Kevin O'Dell FRSB, deputy chair of the Scotland branch of the Royal Society of Biology, said: “It was great to attend this year’s Science and the Parliament conference and be able to network with different learned societies in person, and celebrate some amazing young individuals. The Royal Society of Biology, and especially the Scottish branch, are extremely proud of the awardees who have demonstrated excellence in biology – congratulations to everyone.”
Commenting on her Higher Biology Award, Hafsa said: "Having the honour of receiving such a prestigious award has allowed me to reflect on how far I've come but also how much further I still hope to go. It's reminded me of how much I can accomplish and inspired me to pursue my future goals with even more ambition.
“To get to where I am now has certainly taken a considerable amount of hard work but the encouragement from my family and guidance from my teachers has also played a huge part. I am incredibly grateful to all of them."
Iona Reid, head teacher at St Machar Academy, said: “At St Machar Academy we pride ourselves in the range of pathways open to our students and encourage every student to be the best they can be. Hafsa's success is an accomplishment we are all very proud of.
“This year, as well as studying Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry, Hafsa is also completing a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare which will provide her with valuable work experience that she can draw upon as she works towards a career in medicine.”