Dundee pupil Fatima Arif lands prestigious law award

The S6 student, who will begin the LLB at Aberdeen University this year, picked up the prestigious honour at the club’s annual awards ceremony held at Greenfield Academy in Dundee.

The new category was established in memory of Lord Ross, former lord justice clerk, who passed away last year aged 98.

In recognition of his support for the club, his daughters, Catriona Scott and Kirsty Heppenstall, committed to provide a new prize of £300 a year in memory of their father, with the beneficiary being a student from Dundee or Angus who has accepted a place at a Scottish university to study a degree in Scots law.

All entrants had to submit 200 words on why they should win the award.

“I was delighted to meet Fatima and her family and to hear how thrilled they were with her award,” said Ms Scott. “My father would be delighted with this new award and my family look forward to many more deserving winners.”

The Edinburgh Angus Club exists to recognise and reward outstanding achievement among senior pupils and students, fostering both academic excellence and personal merit. It currently works with 16 participating secondary schools and Dundee & Angus College, supporting pupils’ progress into further and higher education.

Founded in 1840 it is a registered Scottish charity and since its foundation, the club has celebrated generations of students, maintaining a commitment to education and community engagement for more than 180 years.

It was originally established to support students from Angus studying at Edinburgh University. Over the years, its remit has expanded to include senior pupils from all secondary schools in Angus and Dundee, as well as students at Dundee & Angus College.

The annual awards is one of the most important occasions in the club’s calendar, with this year’s keynote speaker being Dundee entrepreneur Chris van der Kuyl CBE. Addressing the students, he said: “By far the most important piece of advice I can give you when a chance comes along is – take it! Especially if you think it isn’t a guarantee of success.”

The club awards academic prizes to students from all 16 secondary schools in Dundee & Angus, with 32 individual prizes presented on the day. There is also one prize for each school to a student who is nominated for a Community Service Award, with an outstanding range of activities identified.

Trustee Lady Fiona Fraser said: “I thought this year’s event was both meaningful and memorable for the students and their parents and it was an inspirational end to the academic year.”