It’s a little north-east school which has fewer than 50 pupils.
But the children and their teachers at Midmar Primary are celebrating after winning the educational equivalent of an Olympic gold medal.
The Aberdeenshire school has just been awarded a Sportscotland Gold Award and been praised for its “fantastic achievement” by the organisation’s chief executive, Stewart Harris.
Despite its small roll, Midmar has developed one of the most extensive ranges of games and pursuits anywhere in the region.
Kenny Criggie, chairman of the parent council, said yesterday: “Even though the school is rural and has just under 50 children, the range of activities and sports covered is remarkable.
“Regular PE activities are promoted, as well as extra-curricular sporting events such as skiing, football, netball, swimming, Junior Jog.
“We will also be starting a rugby training evening after Easter in 2019.
“Through the incredible community-wide involvement of ‘Active-Schools’, and with additional funding from the school parents council, a very wide range of sporting equipment and coaching has become available within the school.
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“The installation of an all-weather outdoor table tennis unit, combined rugby and football goal posts, running hurdles, slalom poles and sponsored high quality team kits, along with the more standard equipment of a netball court and floodlit football pitch, have all provided opportunities for the children to flourish and grow.”
Mr Harris was equally enthusiasic about the enterprise shown by those at the school, including Mr Criggie’s eight-year-old son, Lachlan, who completed a charity challenge to help fund the installation of rugby posts.
He added: “Congratulations to staff and pupils at Midmar Primary who are putting sport and physical education right at the heart of their school and local community.
“They should be proud of this fantastic achievement.
“We are committed to building a world-class sporting system for everyone, and a crucial part of that is putting young people at the centre of our efforts.
“Working with local authorities and governing bodies of sport, we are creating closer links between physical education, school sport and club sport, which benefits young people by providing more and better opportunities.”
Aberdeenshire Council’s Active Schools coordinator, Pete Young, said: “I would like to congratulate Midmar School on their achievement of being awarded the Gold school sport award.
“Midmar School is continually striving to develop volunteers, strengthen pathways with local clubs and ensure there are accessible options for all pupils to participate in activities.
“Active Schools Aberdeenshire looks forward to working closely with the school as they work towards retaining this award in three years time.”