Top award for trainee teacher

For the second year running, a Dundee BEd graduate has picked up the prestigious George D Gray CBE MA Award, awarded from the General Teaching Council for Scotland. The annual award is presented to the author of Scotland's top undergraduate BEd thesis.

Rhona McWalter's entry - "Inactive Children, A Ticking Timebomb" - won widespread praise from the judging panel. According to the panel, the thesis on how children can be encouraged to adopt healthy and active lifestyles was, "A lively study that shed light onto an area of concern to educationalists, parents and society."

Rhona, who graduated with 1st class honours and is now working at Ferryden Primary School in Montrose, received a certificate and cheque to mark her achievement.

Chief Executive of the GTC Scotland, Matthew MacIver, said, "The standard of theses submitted this year was very high but Rhona deserves special praise for her efforts - she demonstrated an excellent grasp of the subject and impressed all the judges greatly.

"The quality of her teaching and research combined with the enthusiasm she brings to her chosen area of interest bodes well for the education and healthy lifestyles of her pupils in the months and years ahead."