Rachel wins Churchill award

Rachel Bell of Menzieshill High School came in second place in the prestigious UK national essay competition called the Churchill Award - ‘Pleasure in the task of writing’ This is the first year that the competition has taken place and the award is run by The Churchill Centre and Churchill Museum at the Cabinet War Rooms in London. Rachel, who is now studying History and English at University, has won a £50 prize, a certificate of recognition from the centre and books for the library.

Our photograph shows Rachel receiving her prizes from Tommy Bruce Principal Teacher of History.

The final selection was made by Professor David Reynolds, of Cambridge and Harvard University, and Dr Allen Packwood, Director of the Churchill Archive. Rachel Bell’s work was highly commended.

Mr Bruce, Head of History at Menzieshill High School, decided to join the Churchill Centre in London in order to facilitate the teaching of Advanced Higher History. “This is an excellent achievement for Menzieshill High School and we are absolutely delighted for Rachel. Menzieshill competed against numerous private schools from all over the UK and the fact that Rachel’s work has gained second place is recognition of the hard work that both Rachel and the department has put in.” This is also recognition of the high quality of teaching that is taking place in Menzieshill High School.

The Centre was particularly delighted that one of the award winners was from Dundee, Churchill’s constituency from 1908 to 1922. Rachel’s entry was entitled “‘Churchill’s leadership was inspiring but in the end led nowhere’. To what extent has Churchill’s role as a war leader been exaggerated?’ a controversial issue but one which can provide a writer with good argument.

‘Pleasure in the task of writing’ was a phrase used by Churchill to describe how he felt as he began his long career as an author, with ‘The Story of the Malakand Field Force’, published when he was in his early twenties.

The Churchill Centre is the international society dedicated to the study and understanding of the life and achievements of Winston Churchill