Last term our S2 classes were working through the Citizen, Maker, Worker, Entrepreneur, Gamer and Independent employability badges on the iDEA website.

We then had a celebration for the pupils with the highest points in each class – well done to all those pictured for all your hard work!

As well as this we had three exceptional pupils in the year group who managed to gain Bronze and Silver awards for their efforts. Congratulations to Aarti and Simmy – this is the first time we have ever had pupils achieve Silver! And Charlene who achieved Bronze – an amazing effort too!

We are delighted to share with you the Planet Youth Parent Hub – a dedicated space created in partnership with the NHS to support parents and families. The hub offers a range of helpful resources, including practical advice, online webinars, and supportive guidance for parents of secondary school children.

They would greatly value your views and opinions as they continue developing this service to make it as useful as possible for families like yours.

Abby MacLaren (S6) and Ella White (S4) have both recently recorded over 500 hours of volunteering as part of the HLH Leadership Programme, earning themselves the Gold Hoody on the leadership pathway.

Steve Walsh, HLH Chief Exec, presented their hoodies to them at Smithton Primary last Friday where they do the majority of their voluntary hours.

Ella is one of the youngest recipients of the gold hoody in the Highlands and has recorded her hours by leading P1-3 dance sessions at Smithton Primary, Active Schools holiday camp sessions and charity events at the Barn Church.

Abby also leads the P1-3 dance at Smithton and volunteers at gymnastics sessions at Culloden Leisure every Thursday and Friday evening.

This letter was emailed to all Parents and Carers earlier today. It covers:

• Staffing Changes for next session
• Key Dates for August and September
• Uniform
• Car Park
• SQA Results
• Farewell from Dr Vance

Our Silver Duke of Edinburgh Expedition took place on Thursday to Saturday last week in the Torridon area. . It was a tough expedition and the students were excellent. They showed great teamwork, resilience and were still smiling at the end of it.

As we reach the end of another school year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible achievements of our pupils. Your hard work, dedication, and positivity help make Culloden Academy such a special place to be — thank you!

A huge congratulations to all of our award winners this year — a group of young people who truly go above and beyond, exemplifying our values of ambition, community, kindness, and respect. You represent the very best of us.

This year, we also take a moment to honour the memory of Mr Harry Gow, a cherished member of our wider school community who sadly passed away. Harry and his family have supported Culloden Academy for decades — and continue to do so today. From daily donations to our breakfast club (the toast is always a hit!) to their newest contribution — a special award in Harry’s memory:
“The Most Enterprising Pupil – In Memory of Mr Harry Gow” Congratulations to Isla MacRae, the first ever recipient of this meaningful honour.

Thank you to every pupil, parent, and supporter who helped make this year one to remember.

Well done to everyone who took part in Sports Day on Thursday last week. You all competed with great effort and attitude!

Well done to Murray Taylor who smashed the S4 Boys High Jump Record, clearing an unbelievable 1.90m & Freya Lonnen who beat the S2 Girls 200m record, finishing it in a rapid 27.63 seconds!

Below are our Sports Day Champions. These are the pupils who accumulated the most points across all the events they competed in (up to 5):

Sports Champions 2025

S2 Boys

1st – Evan Iwaszkiewicz     

2nd – Sam MacLennan & Isaac Mackenzie      

3rd – Harry Whitfield

S2 Girls

1st – Millie Macdonald     

2nd – Kayla Hunter       

3rd – Quinn Young

S3 Boys

1st – Sam Donaldson      

2nd – Jack Aitchison       

3rd – Finn Peacock & Innes Simon

S3 Girls

1st – Lucy Daly & Freya Lonnen        

2nd – Josie O’Brien     

3rd – Jessica Gibson

S4 Boys

1st – Will MacGregor

2nd – Euan Taylor & Murray Taylor     

3rd – Bernhard Almadin

S4-6 Girls

1st – Isabella Mutch   

2nd – Charlotte Alexander       

3rd – Grace & Emily Hill & Savanah Manning

S5/6 Boys

1st – Fionn Larnach

2nd – David Cieslak & Marcas Zajanckauskas & Julian Horeglad& Archie Kerr

3rd – Seth Johnstone

Dear Parents/Carers,

I am delighted to let you know that Claire McGonigal was appointed as the permanent Head Teacher for Culloden Academy.

Claire is currently the head teacher for Grantown Grammar and will take up her new post at the start of the new school session in August. We wish Claire well in leading the school with all staff, parents and young people.

Yours sincerely,
Mark Jones
Area Quality Improvement Manager