DUNFERMLINE High School’s top pupils were honoured at the annual awards ceremony on Thursday.

The event celebrates the highest levels of academic attainment achieved by the school’s high-fliers and was attended by guest speaker Craig Munro, Fife Council’s director of education and children’s services and Provost Jim Leishman.

Piper, Robbie Pollock, played a selection of Scottish music as guests arrived and there were also performances from the school’s wind band and clasarch group as well as singing from a number of soloists.

The evening was a poignant one for rector Brian Blanchflower, who retires this summer after nine-and-a-half years in charge. He will be replaced by current Inverkeithing High rector Iain Yuile and it was Mr Yuile’s father, Jack, who was Mr Blanchflower’s boss when he worked as a depute at Lochgelly High School in the late 1980s.

Mr Blanchflower (right) explained: “When Jack retired at Easter 1996 I was appointed as his successor and it is somewhat ironical that Jack’s son, Iain, is now replacing me in this establishment. I am confident that Iain will work hard and do a great job here and that this school will continue not to be complacent in any way and to go from strength to strength.”

Looking back on his own career, Mr Blanchflower said: “I have now worked for Fife’s education service for 37 years, of which over 20 years have been as a headteacher.

“I was a pupil in Dunfermline High School in 1970-74 and returned here as the 33rd rector after Christmas 2006.

“I have, and always will be, proud of this wonderful establishment and I am confident that this great historic school (which originally dates back to 1128 AD) will continue to prosper, thrive and improve for generations to come.”

“I thank you all for your professional and for your persoal support over the last nine-and-a-half years.”

He also paid tribute to the “ongoing dedication, commitment and sheer hard work of my staff at all levels for their flexibility, teamwork, caring attitude and simple willingness to ‘go the extra mile’ to ensure the very best for the school and for the pupils themselves, otherwise we would not be in the excellent position in which we find ourselves at present.”

He said the school’s literacy and numeracy levels for Levels 4 and 5 in S4, S5 and S6 were all above the Fife and national averages and that nearly a quarter of S6 pupils achieved advanced higher (or National 7) awards.

There will be nearly 30 new members of staff in the school next year and Mr Blanchflower added: “Everything looks very positive for the future!”

Main award recipients were: Sally Christie, Ewan Mitchell, Peter Morrice, Lewis Clough, Jonathan Sung, Anna Kirkwood, Lauren Russell, Michal Nalepa, Sian Lewis, Catherine Bullions, Aidan Smith, James McIntosh, Grace Nisbet, Naimh Dowds, Rachel Hastie, Rebecca Benson, Jordan McArthur, Rachel Steer, Sarah MacDonald, Jamie Divertie, Kirsty Wallace, Rebecca Malcolm, Eleanor McNeil, Morgan Braid, Caitlin Nunn, Neve Docherty, Marco Lombardi, Adam Vallance, Chloe Hunter, Stuart Allan, Keli Dalrymple and Lisa Finnan.