A roll of honour board was unveiled at Moray House, marking 30 years of celebrating excellence in teaching by students studying on our physical education programmes. The Dunfermline College of Physical Education Old Students’ Association (OSA) installed a roll of honour board in St Leonard’s Land that recognises the winners of its annual Bursary Award. The Award, which was first presented in 1996, recognises teaching excellence and is open to all final-year students on the MA (Hons) Physical Education programme as well as to students specialising in physical education on the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) Secondary programme. Recognising excellence in teachingThe OSA was established in 1911 by graduates of Dunfermline College of Hygiene and Physical Training/Education (later renamed Dunfermline College of Physical Education before merging with Moray House in 1987). The OSA currently has 519 members from the years 1946 to 1988 and a committee of 12 members, including Dr Murray Craig from Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh.A Bursary Award scheme for final-year students was proposed by David Bayman at the 1992 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and finalised in 1994. The first awards, one for teaching excellence and one for research, were presented in 1996. Since 2003, only the award for teaching excellence has been given out.Dr Craig said, "As the Dunfermline College of Physical Education Old Students' Association marks the 30th year of awarding its annual Excellence in Teaching bursary, the PE programme team feels it is especially fitting that we are able to recognise and celebrate the Association's connection with the programme and its continued support of students through the installation of a Roll of Honours Board in Moray House."30 years of annual awardsEvery year, a panel formed by the OSA committee works with a University representative to choose a topic related to teaching excellence. Students then write a short essay explaining how they approached the topic, with help from the University representative. Afterward, the students give a brief presentation to the panel, which then discusses the essays and presentations to decide on a winner and a runner-up.Current OSA President and panel member, Chris Wood, said: "For the panel, we find the whole process stimulating: from the early discussions on the topic, reading the submissions and listening to the presentations from young, enthusiastic students about to embark on their careers. And, of course, it is a means of keeping abreast of developments in children and young people's learning through teaching physical education."This process is an effective means of achieving one of the OSA's constitutional objectives: "to keep members informed of the developments in Physical Education." ‘A lasting point of recognition’The idea of creating a roll of honour to recognise Bursary Award winners was first introduced at a committee meeting last year. A design was produced, and All Signs of Motherwell was commissioned to create the roll of honour board, which now lives in St Leonard's Land. The board celebrates the Bursary Award’s 30-year history and demostrates OSA's commitment to the award. It is fantastic to have established a lasting point of recognition for past and present students - one that will, I am sure, also inspire future students on the programme to strive to become outstanding teachers of physical education. Dr Murray Craig Lecturer, Moray House ‘A genuine recognition of hard work, passion and commitment’ It was an honour to be awarded the OSA bursary. This meant a great deal to me, both personally and professionally. It felt like a genuine recognition of the hard work, passion and commitment to my teaching practice throughout my four years at university... The experience strengthened my confidence in articulating my skills, which has already been incredibly useful in job interviews. Daniel Wood, OSA Winner, 2024 It was both meaningful and motivational to me as it recognised my passion for teaching and desire to go above and beyond for my students, which is something that I still continue to strive for... The OSA bursary award had a direct impact on my NQT [Newly Qualified Teacher] year where I continued to use digital technology in authentic and meaningful ways for my students, which was one of the themes I discussed for the award. I was able to integrate formative assessment regularly in my lessons using technology, giving me a direct insight into my students' knowledge and understanding. Zoe Gibson, OSA Winner, 2023 It was an honour to be awarded the OSA bursary. The process contributed to my current knowledge of teaching excellence and helped me grow in confidence... The prestigious award is respected by fellow professionals, thus giving me a unique addition to my applications... My presentation focused on the differentiation and inclusion of a foreign pupil who did not speak English, and how I encompassed a positive learning environment where others in class communicated with this student via translations I taught them. Jodie Ferguson, OSA Winner, 2022 Interested in studies related to physical education?Our Physical Education MA (Hons) is the only UK programme that prepares you to teach physical education to pupils across the full age range of 3 – 18 years old.Our PGDE Secondary prepares you to teach physical education at the secondary level, where PE is offered as a national qualification.Physical Education MA (Hons)PGDERelated linksAn interactive timeline of Moray House’s history Image credit: Unaihuizi photography via Getty Images Publication date 13 Apr, 2026
