Rosewell Primary School
Written by Billie Dunlop, Estate Agent for RE/MAX Bonnyrigg
Parents of children from Rosewell Primary School have called for greater recognition of the school’s Glee Choir after Frisson Foundation confirmed that a scoring error affected the results of the recent Regional Glee Challenge Final.
The regional final, held on Friday 29 May, brought together schools from across the region to compete for a place in the national final.
Rosewell Primary had also reached the regional final last year but did not progress further. Parents, pupils and staff accepted that result, acknowledging that other choirs had performed better on the night.
This year felt very different.
Many in attendance felt Rosewell delivered one of the standout performances of the evening. The choir received highly positive comments from the judging panel, with praise for their harmonies, diction and choreography. Their performance was met with rapturous applause from the audience.
As the results were announced, third and second place were confirmed first. Many Rosewell parents and supporters believed the choir would then be announced as winners. However, the first-place announcement appeared hesitant and was not clearly audible to parts of the audience, before Ratho Primary stood up as the winning choir.
The result left many Rosewell pupils, parents and teachers visibly disappointed and confused, particularly given the strength of the judges’ comments following their performance.
On 2 June, Frisson Foundation quietly announced on their Facebook page that an error had been made in the scoring process and that Rosewell Primary had now been placed as joint third. The school was also notified of the correction today.
While parents welcomed the correction, many feel that a quiet social media update and late notification to the school does not go far enough, particularly when the children lost the opportunity to hear their school recognised properly on the night. For pupils who had worked so hard and left the final feeling overlooked, the moment cannot simply be recreated days later through a Facebook post.
There are also questions from parents as to whether Rosewell Primary should now be considered for a place in the national final, given that the corrected result confirms they should have been placed on the evening.
Parents have also raised concerns about whether presentation and costume may have influenced the final outcome, as the originally announced winning schools appeared in costume, while Rosewell Primary’s performance was praised for its vocal quality, harmonies, diction and choreography.
One Rosewell parent said: “Mistakes can happen, but what matters is how they are corrected. These children worked so hard, gave an exceptional performance and left believing they had not been recognised at all. A quiet correction days later does not rebuild their confidence or give them back the moment they lost.”
Parents are now calling on Frisson Foundation to publicly acknowledge the scoring error and properly celebrate the achievements of the Rosewell Primary Glee Choir, whose performance they believe deserves wider recognition.
Whatever the final standings, there is widespread agreement on one point: the children of Rosewell Primary represented their school with pride, professionalism and talent, and should be extremely proud of what they achieved on the night.
David 'Razor' Sharp playing in Dalkeith's The Ship Inn, where the interview took place
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Bonnyrigg local, David Sharp, has seen success in local darts competitions and professionally since securing his PDC Tour Card.
Facing off against strong competition, Sharp has grown in popularity in Midlothian and further afield, playing in professional competitions UK-wide and overseas.
Reporter Liam Eunson sat down with David in Dalkeith’s The Ship Inn to discuss his career so far, highs and lows, life outside the game and his goals since securing his tour card.
Watch the full interview below.
Witch, Macbeth, made by Miranda Burns, based on designs by Alex Reid (photography by Infinite Blue Designs)
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Edinburgh College’s HND Costume for Stage and Screen students hosted their end of year show at Dalkeith Palace, creating a sell-out performance described as a ‘huge success’.
With organisers explaining that the palace venue lent itself perfectly to the show, it was the first time Edinburgh College had hosted a show at Dalkeith Palace, creating a costume showcase that allowed students to display costume designs in a fashion runway style.
Armand D’Hubert, the Duellists, French 5th Hussar, by Julia Bracewell (photography by Infinite Blue)
Hosted on 19 May, the show was a success amongst audience members and organisers with one spectator commenting that it was ‘like being at a Dior or Chanel show but for costume’.
Named ‘Much Ado About Costume’, the cast and crew of around 80 people took the audience on a journey through costume history and fantasy, showcasing 17th century doublet-centered menswear, women’s foundation garments spanning the Elizabethan, Georgian and Victorian eras and 18th century Hussar-inspired menswear pieces.
Group of Models, 2 nd Year Hussar inspired costumes (photography Infinite Blue Designs)
The costume crescendo was 17 costumes made by the second year students based on designs by the late Alex Reid.
Alex lived in Perthshire and worked for many years with Scottish Opera, the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. He received two Tony Award nominations at the 1985 Tony Awards for his work on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s productions of Cyrano de Bergerac and Much Ado About Nothing.
After gifting his Macbeth designs to the HND class tutor Liz McCafferty, Alex’s work inspired the students to bring their costumes to life. To honour Alex, Shakespeare quotes were sprinkled throughout the production.
Lady Macbeth, made by Lucy Martin, and two ladies in waiting made by Yanecka Mitchell (mid) and Bryony Stocker (r) based on designs by Alex Reid (photography by Infinite Blue Designs)
Highlighting that Dalkeith Palace ‘couldn’t be anymore helpful’, second year student and show presenter Julia Bracewell explained:
“I had attended costume balls at the Palace in the past and knew that the Palace was a Great Gallery which could host a runway show, and rooms that were potential dressing rooms, make up rooms, green room and exhibition area.
“When we were discussing potential venues for this year’s show, I suggested the Palace. Our tutors, Liz McCafferty and Riba Duncan, visited the venue and the rest is history.”
Show director Yanecka Mitchell added: “The staff at the Palace were very supportive, helping us in so many ways to put on a highly successful show. Our afternoon and evening shows were sold out.”
Yanecka Mitchell and her Cameron Highlander at Waterloo costume (photography by Infinite Blue Designs)
Edinburgh College’s costume course is highly regarded in the industry for its technical, making and design skills. Students are highly sought after. The students begin the course with varying levels of knowledge and experience (some had never even threaded a needle). The showcase at the palace was organised by the students as their graded assessment.
Birnham Wood Warrior, Macbeth, made by Julia Bracewell based on design by Alex Reid (photography by Infinite Blue Designs)
Birnham Wood Warriors, Macbeth, (l to r) made by Julia Bracewell, Lily Lewis, Bethany McGregor, Lee O’Donnell, Kelly Michael and Marian McPhillips (photography by Infinite Blue Designs)
Nikolai Rostov, War and Peace by Bryony Stocker (photography by Infinite Blue Designs)
Witch, Macbeth, made by Martin Dobson based on design by Alex Reid (photography by Infinite Blue Designs)
What Would a Targaryen wear in the 18th century – Anne Heyer (photography by Infinite Blue Designs)
Lady in Waiting Macbeth made by Fiona Nimmo based on design by Alex Reid (photography by Infinite Blue Designs)
