Old Fettesian Newsletter 2022

This year’s front cover features current student Will Farquharson playing the pipes to welcome OFs at the Summer Reunion Evening held on 27th May 2022. Will’s immediate family has been connected to Fettes since 1974 when his uncle, Donald H Farquharson (JS-Mo 1974–1981) joined the Junior School. Since then Will’s father, Andrew M Farquharson (JS-Mo 1978–1985), aunt, Jean C Haslam (née Farquharson) (Ca 1978–1980), mother, Kate C Farquharson (née Macpherson) (CE 1988–1990) and cousins Kirsty C Haslam (CW 2004–2009), Anna L Haslam (CW 2006–2011) and Zandie I Haslam (CW 2008–2013) have all attended Fettes College. Will has two other OF uncles, Jamie M Macpherson (JSGl 1976–1984) and Fergus C Macpherson (JS-Gl 1978–1985) whose wife is his OF aunt, Katriona M Macpherson (née MacLeod) (Ar 1982–1986) whose siblings, Revd. Rory A MacLeod (Mo 1978–1983), Fiona C Prior (née MacLeod) (JS-Ar 1981–1988) and Alasdair C MacLeod (JS-Mo 1983–1990) also went to Fettes.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984)

The OFA is 100 years old! Our long lens of history runs through the last pandemic, just before the OFA started, to the last two years in which many Old Fettesians will have suffered personally or have been affected by the loss or suffering of others. Taken into context our inability to host Commem in 2020 and 2021, or the Centenary Dinner, or many of the in-person events seems to be only a slight inconvenience in a long history of achievements.

Being President of the OFA for the last two years has been a pleasure and privilege with so much proceeding despite these Covid times. I am happy to report that OFs have managed to gather in the UK and across the globe as you will read from page 44. Those who missed their Commem weekends due to the pandemic were invited back to Fettes for a special black-tie dinner in March, and the College opened its doors for the Fettes Festival in May and a well-attended Summer Reunion Evening in a marquee provided by the OFA. Commem 2022 will proceed as planned and the London Carol Service is firmly fixed in the diary (14th December 2022).

Appropriately given the technology-led change to working practices, the Fettes Community Portal could not have been better timed. This has given us a fantastic ability to connect with OFs around the world including those locked down in their homes. We reached the 2,000 member mark in April. If you have yet to join, I recommend that you sign up at fettescommunity.org. Since the last newsletter we have hosted a number of digital events including our AGM in October. Details of forthcoming online events can be found in the regular Fettes Community Portal updates.

It is often said by Old Fettesians that they specifically recall the poignant annual service of Remembrance - the silence of the gravel at 11am splintered by the crack of heels as the wreaths are marched to the War Memorial, the outcry from the bugle, then the sympathy of the pipes. Due to the pandemic in the first year of my presidency the OFA did not lay a wreath in person at Remembrance. This year however I did attend the Remembrance ceremony at the College. I also participated in a particularly moving service of dedication for the new plaques on the War Memorial which coincided with the centenary of this Fettes landmark. For those who have yet to see this, the link is here bit.ly/3zFKqCi. You can read more about this on pages 28 and 29.

I have been very lucky to have been involved with the OFA at a time when the organisation has so many talented members. I am especially grateful to the OFA Executive committee. (Richard Llewellyn (Mo 1987–1992), Cordelia Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982–1984) and Carla Bannatyne (Inv-CE 2005–2013)) for all their work and to the wider OFA Committee and the Regional Representatives based across the United Kingdom and throughout the world. I would like to give special thanks to our wonderful OF Coordinator, Vivienne Clark (Staff 2020–present), to whom I am very grateful, and to Karen Jones (née Houston) (Ar

1989–1991, Staff 2012–present), Fettes Community Engagement Manager. Together they link the OFA to the College and OFs to each other every day, in a way that makes our voluntary organisation professional in outlook whilst creating opportunities for us all to connect and stay connected.

With less than three months until my successor Richard Llewellyn (Mo 1987–1992) embarks on his presidency I have been reflecting on my own experience of the school over the last five years compared to my first five in the early 1980s. Popular music was better then, no question. Life today at Fettes is good (perhaps the best it has been). Students are happy, quietly confident, and interesting. Although the physical infrastructure may have changed (improved!) much of the underlying greatness of Fettes remains unchanged. There remains a strong sense of belonging to your House; a close bond of friendship between peers and intense loyalty to sports teams – in both school and house matches. Pride in academic work still shines out (perhaps on further reflection a greater change for some of my own peers), as does the simple enjoyment of singing together in Chapel. The biggest positive changes I have witnessed on my own Fettesian journey are the friendliness of the staff today, the quality of the food, the relaxed out of hours dress code and, perhaps most importantly and enduring, the sense of kindness and of homeliness.

I think that the OFA is doing exceptionally well for a centurion – a real Captain Tom spirit; but we have plans to do better yet. If you would like to become more involved in the work of the Old Fettesian Association to keep us all connected or if you would like to lead an interest group, club or region please do get in touch with us by emailing ofa@fettes.com Your commitment is as much or as little as you can manage but comes with the certainty of thanks from us all.

Finally, I wish to offer thanks to the Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present), for her phenomenal leadership of our magnificent school. Floreas Fettesia yesterday, today and tomorrow. Thank you.

Henry Cave, President of the OFA President.OFA@fettes.com

MESSAGE FROM THE OF COORDINATOR

Vivienne Clark (Staff 2020–present)

thankful to all the OFs who offer support and guidance to others in whatever form that takes. The Fettes family really does work and, on pages 32 and 33, there is a very moving example of OFs looking out for each other shared by Andriy Dudko (Inv-Ki 1993–2000)

If you have not yet signed up to the portal, I strongly encourage you to do so by visiting fettescommunity.org. Not only can you connect with other OFs, you can also access our Digital Archives and stay informed with everything going on. We also use the portal to send regular updates to everyone with an email address on our database. These updates have grown in popularity since the launch of the portal and are a great way to find out about upcoming events, OF news and the Fettes of today.

It is nearly the end of my second year at Fettes College and what a journey it has been. My role has been delightfully evolving along with the ever-changing restrictions. From arriving right in the middle of a pandemic where all students and staff were wearing masks, with strict distancing and a one-way system, and the school gates were firmly shut unless you needed to be on campus, to now, where I am starting to see what a typical term looks like at Fettes. The Summer Term of 2022 was the first one during my time where there were no restrictions, and we could finally fling the gates open and welcome the Fettes community back.

In the time that we couldn’t host events we missed two Commemoration weekends, those of 2020 and 2021. We were therefore delighted to invite the reunion years and other OFs back for two special events. The first of these was the Black-tie Dinner on Friday 4th March and this night will be one that sticks with me for a long time as it was my first in-person event at Fettes. It was truly special to be able to host OFs in the Dining Hall again and experience some of the traditional elements of Commem. The second was the Summer Reunion Evening on Friday 27th May when the sun shone brightly as OFs gathered on the Head’s Lawn for drinks, delicious food, and a chance to catch up with their peers. Thanks must go to the OFA for hiring the marquee. This was put to good use at this event and at the Fettes Festival the next day. You can read more about these two amazing events on pages 40 to 43 and see how much fun was had at the Fettes Festival on pages 4 to 7.

The Fettes Community Portal has been part of the team just a few months longer than I have after its launch in April 2020. We continue to see a steady stream of Old Fettesians signing up to the portal and are delighted to have over 2,030 members at the time of print. 88% of these members are Old Fettesians with the rest largely made up of current students in the Sixth Form. We invite the students to join as they start making their post-Fettes plans so they can use the portal to make connections and seek support. This is something that can be done at any stage of your OF journey and we are very

We have many wonderful members of staff at Fettes, several of which have been here for decades. The Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present) celebrated 25 years at Fettes College in August 2021. I decided this occasion could not go uncelebrated and gathered all members of staff who had 25 years or more continuous service in Callover for a glass of fizz, a chance to share the many memories made over the years and a wonderful photo opportunity. Some restrictions were still in place, so the gathering had to be socially distanced but, as a relatively new arrival at Fettes, it was great to see this gathering of Fettes’ longest serving staff members. You can see the photo for yourself on page 23.

As ever I am continually supported in my role by the members of the OFA Committee, the Regional Representatives, Karen Jones (née Houston) (Ar 1989–1991, Staff 2012–present) and my other colleagues in the Fettes Development Team. We wouldn’t be able to deliver the array of content that we do including events, podcasts and regular updates without the time and dedication that these people give. I am very grateful to each and every one of them.

As we look ahead to next academic year, I am delighted that this year’s Commem weekend is planned from Friday 30th September to Saturday 1st October. It will be amazing to have OFs on campus for this occasion again. We have many more events in the pipeline both at Fettes and in other regions. I do hope to meet you at an event in the future. In the meantime, if there is anything I can do to support you or help you connect with other OFs, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

With my best wishes,

Vivienne Clark, OF Coordinator ofa@fettes.com

(0)131 311 6741

FETTES FESTIVAL

So much fun!

On Saturday 28th May, 400 members of the Fettes community, including current and past families, Old Fettesians and staff gathered together on campus for a wonderful day in the sunshine at the Fettes Festival. The day was relaxed and full of fun for every generation.

Aside from an absolutely delicious BBQ lunch there was so much to do including touch rugby, hockey, the fantastically well received Fettes Family Trail, the low ropes course and frisbee golf. After lunch, guests were able to enjoy the Old Fettesians of 1990 Cricket XI vs the Fettes Community Scratch XI. To help everyone cool down, ice cream was available for all, thanks to the generosity of Graham’s the Family Dairy, who supported the event.

One of the day’s highlights was a Tug of War competition like no other, when a large team of children were victorious over slightly taken aback catering and staff teams. This was followed by a stunning finale performance by the Reunion Pipe Band, a great feat from some who had only attended Zoom practice sessions and were in the band some decades ago. The spirit of the Fettes community is truly alive and well as is evident from some of the wonderful feedback we have had:

“Just to thank you the organisers for a lovely day doing nothing very much but really enjoying the friendly atmosphere, the refreshments, the chat and the fun trail.”

(Gl 1951–1955)

“Many thanks for all the organisation and putting on such wonderful events over the weekend. We all had a wonderful time.”

(JS-Ca 1982–1990)

“Thank you very much for organising such a fun weekend. It was beautifully organised and you even made sure the sun was shining!” (JS-Ar 1982–1990)

“What a day! A massive well done for all the time, energy and effort that has gone in to giving everyone such fun and happy memories.” (Staff)

“What a wonderful day we had at the Fettes Festival. It was so good to return to the College campus and to recall the very special atmosphere that Fettes manages to generate. Clearly a great deal of preparation had gone in to making the day a success and many thanks are due to everyone involved.” (Past Parent)

“We all enjoyed watching the Tug of War and saw how thrilled the children were when they won. Listening to the pipe band, I don't think one would have realised they had only practised for an afternoon. They performed so well.” (Past Parent)

“What a great occasion, thanks so very much. I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to play cricket at the school again, that pitch was hallowed grounds to me throughout my school days, so to be able to play there some 33 years later was just superb. Playing with so many old friends none of whom I had seen in such a long time was icing on the cake.” (JS-Gl 1981–1989)

Families enjoyed the Fettes Family Trail with clues that took them all over the campus. There was also tennis, the low ropes course and frisbee golf.

The boys from 1990 got back on the turf for a game of cricket against OFs and parents in the Fettes Community Scratch XI umpired by none other than Mark Peel (Staff 1983–2007) and Bruce Russell (Staff 1997–present)

OFs represented in this picture: Richard Llewellyn (Mo 1987–1992), Dave Murphy (Inv-Mo 2003–2010), Andrew Rhodes (JS-Gl 1981–1989), Philip Church (JS-Gl 1985–1993), Craig Hendry (JS-Gl 1981–1989), Charlie Keenan (Gl 1990–1995), Alasdair MacLeod (JS-Mo 1983–1990), Richard Monk (JS-Ca 1982–1990), Jamie Macpherson (Ca 1985–1990), Roy Leckie (Ca 1985–1990), Magnus Collard (Ca 1985–1990), Fraser Slater (JS-Mo 1982–1990), Graham Millar (Gl 1985–1990), Alex Nixon (Ca 1985–1990), James Eckersley (JS-Mo 1982–1990), Euan Ross (JS-Mo 1982–1990), Leith Al-Badran (Mo 1985–1990)

Fun was had on Bigside and the McMurray playing Touch Rugby with Duncan Harrison (Staff 1999–present) and Hockey umpired by Rona MacVicar (Staff 1984–2019)

The Tug of War was a hot contest. None of the crowd believed that the low centre of gravity of the large number of children would beat a team of seemingly strong adults!

The day ended with the pipe band reunion. Many of our pipers and drummers had only practised together on Zoom. They provided a magnificent end to a wonderful day.

Lunch was cooked and served on the Head’s Lawn.

CELEBRATIONS FOR THE LEAVERS OF 2020 AND THE LEAVERS OF 2021

On Saturday 11th December the Leavers of 2020 and the Leavers of 2021 were invited to get together and celebrate their time at Fettes. Both year groups had been unable to have their Founder’s Day due to the effects of the pandemic in both Summer 2020 and in Summer 2021. And surely 628 days after lockdown began in Scotland on 23rd March 2020 we would be able to meet together again?

Alas even in December 2021 the new Omicron Covid variant thwarted our plans at the final hour to be able to include parents and to host a dinner dance. But, thankfully each year group was still able to attend a very special chapel service at Fettes, made all the more special by a very strong sense of Fettes reunion.

The chapel service combined congregational singing with prize giving and an address from our Guest of the Day, Amanda Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 1982–1984). Amanda skilfully talked about some of the future advantages of the pandemic to these year groups and how their pandemic experiences develop strong leadership experiences:

Leaders have to step into unknown territory

Being the first at anything means having to deal with uncertainty

Be unafraid to ask for help and advice

Good communication matters

As long as you don’t hate talking, you won’t hate networking

Make sure that no-one is left behind

Needless to say, for those present the opportunity to sing in chapel was very nostalgic and there were raise the roof moments (namely: ‘I vow to thee, my country…’ and ‘Flores Fettesia’) from 97 of the 125 Leavers of 2020 and 55 of the 126 Leavers of 2021 who were able to be back at Fettes once again.

Both year groups do deserve our collective support on their journey ahead. If you have yet to sign up to the Fettes Community Portal (fettescommunity.org) please do so. On the portal you can add yourself to the directory and sign up to offer or indeed seek support.

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST OLD FETTESIANS

Fettes provides a strong foundation for the future and a family for life. Whilst for our Leavers, Founder's Day marks the end of their time at the school, it is just the beginning of the next step in their Fettes journey. Leavers are warmly welcomed into our vibrant community of Old Fettesians all around the world. We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome the Leavers of 2022 as they join the Old Fettesian Association and we look forward to seeing them at future OF events.

Simi Abe (CE 2018–2022)

Benedict Agyei (PS-Gl 2015–2022)

Abbie Aitchison (Da 2017–2022)

Muna Al Mugheiry (Ar 2020–2022)

Jessica Alexander (Da 2017–2022)

Sam Allen (Ki 2017–2022)

Jamie Banatvala (PS-Gl 2015–2022)

Freya Bathgate (PS-Ar 2015–2022)

Amy Bell (Da 2020–2022)

Max Bibb (PS-Gl 2014–2022)

Boris Bigland (Mo 2017–2022)

Fergus Bolton (PS-Gl 2011–2022)

Liam Buchanan (Ki 2017–2022)

Tulla Burnet (Ar 2017–2022)

Rory Carnegie (PS-Ca 2015–2022)

Freya Caveney (Ar 2017–2022)

Wyman Chan (Mo 2017–2022)

Kate Chernyshova (Da 2020–2022)

Louis Chudleigh-Lyle (Gl 2020–2022)

Hannah Clark (PS-CW 2012–2022)

Zamara Cordero (CW 2017–2022)

Virginia Corneli (Ar 2020–2022)

James Cornwallis (Mo 2018–2022)

Manuela Coronado (CW 2017–2022)

Isolde Cowx (PS-CW 2016–2022)

Marco Dacco (Mo 2018–2022)

Marie-Alix Depuydt (CW 2018–2022)

Todor Durica (Mo 2018–2022)

Nathan Efemuai (PS-Gl 2015–2022)

Tiger Fang (Gl 2017–2022)

Max Fang (Gl 2017–2022)

Charlotte Ferguson (Da 2020–2022)

Alexander Fish (Ca 2020–2022)

Leila Fleureau (CE 2017–2022)

Anna Fox (CW 2017–2022)

Sholto Fursman (Mo 2017–2022)

Kushinga Gappah (PS-Mo 2014–2022)

Davina Halford-MacLeod (CE 2017–2022)

Lewis Halls (Ca 2020–2022)

Rachel Halls (CE 2020–2022)

Murray Harley (PS-Mo 2013–2022)

Alexander Haston (Ki 2020–2022)

Jack He (PS-Mo 2015–2022)

Sheena Hepburn (Da 2020–2022)

Magnus Hextall (Gl 2018–2022)

Henry Hodgson (Mo 2017–2022)

Nanami Iga (CE 2020–2022)

Hiroki Inglis (PS-Ca 2011–2022)

Sholto James (PS-Ca 2012–2022)

Keira Jenkins (Da 2020–2022)

Clara Johnson (PS-Ar 2014–2022)

Mihajlo Jovanovic (Ki 2020–2022)

Zuena Kanja (CW 2020–2022)

Alexander Karafotias (Ki 2017–2022)

Merle Kehl (Ar 2020–2022)

Marcus Kelly (PS-Ki 2013–2022)

Ren Kitayama (Ki 2020–2022)

Kira Kotova (Da 2017–2022)

Joshua Krahe (Ca 2017–2022)

William Kuchenbuch (Gl 2020–2022)

Alexander Lawson (Ki 2020–2022)

Roman Leshchenko (PS-Ca 2014–2022)

Richard Li (Ca 2017–2022)

Ludvig Lie (PS-Ki 2015–2022)

Aiden Lindsay (Ca 2020–2022)

David Low (Ca 2018–2022)

Abigail Mackman (PS-CE 2010–2022)

Phoebe Maclean-Bristol (PS-CE 2012–2022)

Lulu MacLeod (PS-CE 2016–2022)

Amara Maddison-Moorhead (PS-CW 2011–2022)

Anson Man (PS-Ki 2015–2022)

Harvey Marks (PS-Ca 2013–2022)

Harry Marson (PS-Ki 2011–2022)

Hannah Mather (PS-Da 2015–2022)

Zoe Matheson (CE 2018–2022)

George Maxwell (PS-Mo 2015–2022)

Charlotte McDonald (PS-Da 2011–2022)

Edward McEwan (Gl 2017–2022)

Lucas Melody (PS-Mo 2016–2022)

Igor Mikulich (PS-Ki 2015–2022)

Mary Miles (Ar 2020–2022)

Angel Miracle (Da 2018–2022)

Futo Miura (Mo 2020–2022)

Leo Morris (Ki 2018–2022)

Elspeth Morton (CE 2017–2022)

Sean Mullins (PS-Ca 2011–2022)

Lochlann Nairn (PS-Gl 2014–2022)

Jessica Neill (CE 2017–2022)

Olivia Nimmo (Da 2017–2022)

Sean O’Dwyer (PS-Ki 2011–2022)

Simi Olukoko (Ar 2017–2022)

Sophia Osborne (Ar 2017–2022)

Evie Page (Ar 2020–2022)

Max Page (Gl 2020–2022)

Georgina Parbrook (Ar 2018–2022)

Benedetta Pasquarelli (Da 2018–2022)

Delilah Pery (CW 2020–2022)

Alice Phillips (CW 2020–2022)

Ben Prentice (Ca 2017–2022)

Giulio Ruiz De Cardenas (Ki 2020–2022)

Louis Russell (PS-Ca 2016–2022)

Julia Sandberg (Da 2020–2022)

Adam Scott (PS-Gl 2015–2022)

Varvara Seregina (Ar 2018–2022)

Archie Simpson (Mo 2017–2022)

Aisha Stannard (CW 2020–2022)

George Stansfeld (Mo 2017–2022)

Megan Steele (CE 2018–2022)

Robbie Stewart Howitt (Ca 2017–2022)

Kristi Stuart (CW 2018–2022)

Christian Stulz (Ki 2020–2022)

Dominik Tamimi (Gl 2018–2022)

Theo Taylor-Smith (Ki 2020–2022)

Emma Thompson (Da 2017–2022)

Jack Thomson (Mo 2020–2022)

Taylor Torkington (Ki 2017–2022)

Alessandra Tosi (Ar 2020–2022)

Amelia Tough (CW 2017–2022)

Diya Tuli (CE 2017–2022)

Isabella Usher (PS-Da 2011–2022)

Amanta Vidugiris (CE 2020–2022)

Ella Walford (Ar 2017–2022)

Conor Walton (Gl 2020–2022)

Andy Wang (Ca 2018–2022)

Joe Wearmouth (PS-Ca 2014–2022)

Jack Weatherby (PS-Ca 2013–2022)

Sophie Weinberger (CW 2020–2022)

Charlie West (Gl 2017–2022)

Maria Whamond (CE 2017–2022)

Alexander Williams (Ca 2020–2022)

Zoe Williams (CE 2020–2022)

Elliot Wilson (PS-Gl 2016–2022)

Matthew Wong (PS-Mo 2015–2022)

Jefferson Zhou (Ki 2017–2022)

This photograph has been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers and can be ordered online at www.gsimagebank.co.uk/ fettes/t/7x4v252022

FOCUSSING ON CLIMATE CHANGE WITH OF EXPERTS

With the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow from 31st October to 12th November 2021, we took the opportunity to explore the issues and to learn from Old Fettesian experts who work in this highly important area.

To coincide with COP26 we put great effort into communicating key messages around climate change, involving the whole Fettes community. OF experts provided insight and inspiration on webinars, video messages and posters. We promoted OFs working in this area and the Development Team worked with colleagues in Geography and Economics to promote this content to students.

As part of the programme, we were honoured to be joined virtually by climate change expert Martin Lees (CE 1955–1960) on 2nd November to hear his thoughts on this key subject. It was a fascinating conversation that was attended live by over 400 members of the Fettes community including OFs, current and past parents, current students and staff. Martin is a true expert in sustainability and climate change having been working with governments across the globe on these critical issues for the last 26 years. If you have not yet heard this conversation or would like to listen again, we have released the recording of the event as a podcast so you can listen to it wherever suits you best. To access the episode, search ‘Fettes Community’ on your usual podcast provider or visit bit.ly/3xyvtiI

We also interviewed a number of OFs working in various climate change related careers. These videos were shared with students to help them understand the huge range of pathways and skills that can be put to use in this sector. OF profiles and informative posters were also shared in school and on social media. We were exceptionally grateful to:

Rob Bradley (Ki 1983–1987), Conservation and Water Industry Expert

Melissa Wilson (CW 2009–2011), Co-Founder of Champions for Earth

Jenni Morrison (CW 2010–2012), Strategy Analyst in Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicle Chargers

Stefan Lees (Inv-Gl 1994–2000), Sustainable Development Advisor in Peru

Iain Pickles (Ca 1997–1999), Food Waste and Recycling Expert

Nicki Lange (Ca 2008–2010), Ambassador for Oceanic Global, Plastic Pollution Prevention

After COP26 was over, on 19th November, we hosted a Fettes in Conversation: Finance and Climate Change webinar with Global Head of ESG Research at HSBC, Wai-Shin Chan (Gl 1993–1998). This webinar reflected on the outcomes of COP26 as well as the broader Finance and Climate Change topic. It was attended by students, staff, OFs and parents and is available on the Fettes Community podcast channel or by visiting bit.ly/3aTiYGC

During our COP26 programme we were approached by Prep Parent, Navraj Ghaleigh, who is currently Senior Lecturer in Climate Law at the University of Edinburgh. Navraj was previously a barrister in London and Lecturer at King's London. He undertook his graduate work at the University of Cambridge, the European University Institute (Florence) and the University of California, Berkeley (Fulbright Scholar). We recorded a podcast interview with him as part of the climate change series. This can also be accessed via the Fettes Community podcast channel: bit.ly/3Hrj1G3.

We are very grateful to everyone involved in the climate change events for helping us put a spotlight on this important issue.

KEEPING IN TOUCH AND GETTING INVOLVED Fettes Community Portal and Fettes Career Partnership

Have you joined the 2,000+ members of the Fettes Community Portal?

In April we achieved the milestone of 2,000 active users on the Fettes Community Portal. Thank you to all the Old Fettesians, Sixth Form students, parents and staff members who have signed up to join our digital community.

Since launching in April 2020, there has been a steady stream of new members joining the portal and we look forward to welcoming more. Make the most of your access to this network by connecting with your peers, browsing the Digital Archives and seeing what events we have coming up. You can also provide help and advice to others or seek out a mentor for yourself. An amazing 42% of users have noted on their profiles that they are willing to help others and, with messaging and video chat features built into the portal, it is easy to connect. If you ever need any assistance, please email fettes.community@fettes.com and we will be happy to help.

If you haven’t created your account yet, we recommend you join us. Simply sign up at fettescommunity.org

If you would like to see the portal before signing up, you can find out more in this short video – bit.ly/39BzjiZ

We have been working hard for almost 10 years now to help the Fettes community to support one another with their careers, starting with business networking events in Edinburgh and London and then broadening to informal insight evenings for the Sixth Form. The two pandemic years have been no exception. The launch of the Fettes Community Portal with its digital directory, alongside the rapid adoption of digital technology across the globe, has enabled us to reach and help more people all over the world.

This year we have:

Supported 349 career conversations through the Fettes Community Portal

Hosted Fettes in Conversation with Jonathan Quin (Mo 1991–1992) and Conrad Irwin (Inv-Ca 2000–2007) Tech Entrepreneurs, talking Start-ups, Technology and Innovation.

Run a Fettes Career Partnership insight session for current students on Careers with Medicine and Healthcare featuring:

• Sunayna Best (CW 2001–2006), Wellcome Trust Clinical PhD Fellow, Registrar, Academic Clinician

• Harriet Myzak-Douglas (JS-Ar 2006–2011), Assistant Clinical Psychologist

• Donald Ross-Talbot (Mo 1975–1980), RAF Regional Clinical Director, Occupational Health Specialist, Capita

• Sophie Scott (PS-CW 2006–2015), Staff Nurse, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

• Anthony Gilbert (Gl 2001–2005), Clinical Academic Physiotherapist

• Abigail Gliksten (Ar 2009–2011), Dentist

Hosted several interesting and thought provoking climate change focussed conversations around COP26, including:

• Fettes in Conversation: Climate Change with Martin Lees (CE 1955–1960)

• Fettes in Conversation: Finance and Climate Change, with Global Head of ESG Research at HSBC, Wai-Shin Chan (Gl 1993–1998)

• Working in Climate Change interviews for current students.

Supported Oxbridge mock interview sessions for 54 students from Fettes and other Edinburgh High Schools

Hosted a live webinar with the following OFs based in the US to provide insight to current students applying to US Universities:

• Erika Kraabel (PS-CE 2015–2021), Duke University in North Carolina

• Olly Paterson (PS-Ki 2015–2021), Northwestern University

• David Sinclair (PS-Ca 2013–2018), Wake Forest University in North Carolina

• Joy Dada (Ar 2014–2019), University of Chicago

• Phoebe Crosthwaite (PS-Ar 2010–2015), Stanford (field hockey scholar and neuroscience graduate).

• Elena Jacque (née Poleganova) (Inv-CW 1994–2002), University of Pennsylvania (graduate in comparative literature and philosophy), Fordham University School of Law (juris doctor)

The Fettes Career Partnership Programme

DIGITAL ARCHIVES

Browse or search the Fettesian magazine dating back to 1878, OF Newsletters from 1971 and over 1,300 scanned sports and House photographs.

FETTES CAREER PARTNERSHIP

Use the Fettes Community Portal to offer or seek career support and connections. There are already over 800 experienced volunteers from many different career paths happy to help.

Hosted a digital Careers Day attended by over 500 Sixth Form students and their parents from Fettes and other Edinburgh High Schools. Our keynote speaker was Adventurer and journalist Mark Agnew (Gl 2005–2009) and many other OFs generously created a range of career insight videos for the students. Produced five subsequent podcasts which can be accessed by searching ‘Fettes Community’ on your usual podcast provider.

Looking to 2022/2023 we have an exciting programme in development which will include a range of digital conversations, insight sessions and webinars and many inperson careers events too:

‘Eight years on from Fettes’ an inspirational talk by OF Matty Jackman (Ki 2009–2014), Morehead-Cain Scholar now working for the MoD and the Home Office Fettes in Conversation with Elliot Graves (Gl 2007–2012), Emmy nominated Director and Creative Technologist Careers Lunch for the Sixth Form with OFs who are back for Commem Weekend

Oxbridge mock interviews for Fettes and Edinburgh High Schools

Fettes Career Partnership Insight sessions: Careers with Finance; Studying in the USA; Careers with Technology; Careers with Law; Business Networking; Profiles and CVs

Sandy Gunn (Ca 1933–1937) Aerospace Careers Programme – for Fettes and Edinburgh schools

If you would like to offer support to the Fettes Career Partnership Programme please sign up to the Fettes Community Portal (fettescommunity.org) and let users know in your directory entry how you are able to help.

If you are looking for assistance or advice we recommend searching or filtering the directory on the Fettes Community Portal for members of the Fettes community in your field of interest who are willing to explore internship opportunities, work experience or simply offer wise advice. Alternatively, over 2,430 Old Fettesians now have Fettes College listed in their education on their LinkedIn profiles making it easier than ever to find Fettes connections during professional searches. We are lucky to be members of such a supportive community, so don’t forget to take advantage of all that the Fettes Community Portal has to offer.

GROUPS

Join our growing number of interest groups to keep in touch. We have regional groups, the OF Golfing Society, Choir and those interested in Pipe Band, with more coming soon.

ADMISSIONS

Considering admission to Fettes for your family or friends? A warm welcome awaits.

We would be delighted to speak with you, your family, or friends who might like to find out more about the benefits of a Fettes education.

As Old Fettesians, you have experienced all that Fettes has to offer and we hope that Fettes plays just as important a part in your present and future as it did in your past.

Our Succession Families

If you are considering Fettes for your children or grandchildren, you will join an exclusive group of succession families who, over generations, have chosen Fettes. These families hold a very special place in Fettes history and their contribution to school life is so very valuable to us.

It makes us proud that we have a significant number of current parents and grandparents, as well as prospective families with an existing Fettes connection.

“Two generations of Fettesians. It’s only got better!”

Old Fettesian

Alternatively, we would be pleased to arrange a bespoke tour.

Our Head, Helen Harrison, would be delighted to meet with you and discuss the Fettes of today and what a Fettes education can do for your child. Your tour will, of course, include a visit to your House and an opportunity to meet with the current Houseparent so you can reminisce and rediscover – and we look forward to showing you the exciting new developments, buildings and initiatives which have been introduced.

Living, learning and growing at Fettes is an incredible start to life with its history, ethos and community providing constant strength. A Fettes education is and should remain a currency that really matters to every student who receives it.

“I look back on the sense of community and togetherness that the House system fostered in each of us, and appreciate how lucky we were to grow up in such a fun and thriving environment.” Old Fettesian

“Fettes was so much more than getting a good set of exam results.” Old Fettesian

An Invitation to Visit

Our Admissions Team will happily answer any questions you may have and update you on all that has been happening here since you left.

You are most welcome to register to attend our Open Day on 9th October 2022: www.fettes.com/admissions/ open-day–2022

“The friendships made at Fettes have been lifelong. What a privilege to have been educated here. Floreas Fettesia.”

Old Fettesian

We look forward to hearing from you. Admissions contact details: admissions@fettes.com or +44 (0)131 311 6744

A strong foundation for the future, a family for life

FETTESIAN SUCCESSION

Academic Year 2021–2022

Our records show that the following Old Fettesians currently have direct descendants studying at Fettes College and Prep. Every Founder’s Day we invite OFs who attend to gather at the Pavilion for a photograph which sadly has not been possible for the last two years. We were delighted to be able to resume this tradition at Founder’s Day 2022 and the resulting photograph is a wonderful display of Fettes across the generations.

Great Great Grandparents

I MacIntyre (Ca 1881–1887) (Deceased)

Great Grandparents

John R Burnet (Mo 1901–1905) (Deceased)

William D Lewis (Gl 1912–1915) (Deceased)

James F Carnegie (Ca 1917–1921) (Deceased)

Herbert Waddell (Mo 1915–1921) (Deceased)

William A Brown (Mo 1918–1922) (Deceased)

Alastair MacIntyre (Ca 1927–1932) (Deceased)

Grandparents

Alan A W Waddell (Ca 1946–1951)

William T Carnegie (Ca 1950–1955)

Iain H Nicholson (Ca 1953–1957)

Ian M MacIntyre (Ca 1953–1958) (Deceased)

Robert D Ferguson (CW 1953–1958)

David G Johnston (Ca 1953–1958)

David M Simpson (CW 1954–1959)

David E Kilpatrick (CW 1956–1961)

Michael G Hendry (Ki 1957–1962)

Christopher J Hilton (Ki 1963–1967)

Parents

Bill B B Gammell (Mo-Ar 1966–1970)

Alistair B Dawson (SH 1980–1982)

Graham Waddell (Ca 1977–1982)

Emma M McGrigor (née Fellowes) (Mo-Ar 1981–1983)

Joanna M Prosser (Ar 1983–1983)

Stuart H Buchanan-Smith (JS-Mo 1976–1984)

Felix V Chen (Mo 1979–1984)

Louisa M McEwan (née Greatrex) (Ar 1983–1984)

Cordelia E Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982–1984)

Peter R Sutton (SH 1979–1984)

Andrew M Farquharson (JS-Mo 1978–1985)

Charlie B Maclean-Bristol (SH 1980–1985)

Fiona M Banatvala (née Davidson) (Da-SH 1984–1986)

Christopher D Hodgson (SH-Gl 1981–1986)

Seonaid M Macpherson-Raffell (née Macpherson) (Ar 1982–1986)

Tom K Usher (JS-Gl 1979–1986)

Jeremy D Kilpatrick (Mo 1986–1987)

Christian A Stulz (Ki 1985–1987)

Bridget L Graham (née Cooper) (SH 1986–1988)

Christopher D Johnston (Ca 1983–1988)

Duncan B MacIntyre (Ca 1987–1989)

Amanda A Mair (CW 1985–1989, Staff 2000–present)

Roy M Leckie (Ca 1985–1990)

Jamie B Macpherson (Ca 1985–1990)

Mairi Mickel (CW 1986–1990)

Katharine C Farquharson (née Macpherson) (CE 1988–1990)

Caroline J Lindsay (née Donaldson) (CE 1988–1990)

Vanessa L Wood (née Hendry) (JS-Ar 1984–1992)

Richard A Llewellyn (Mo 1987–1992)

Omar Quaba (Ki 1987–1992)

Murdo A MacLean (Ki 1992–1996)

Alexandros Symeonides (Gl 1992–1996)

Markos Symeonides (Inv-Ki 1993–1997)

Nicky Moir (Inv-Ar 1991–1998)

Andriy A Dudko (Inv-Ki 1993–2000)

THE WATT MEMORIAL TRUST

The Watt Trust was set up in 1983 in memory of Rob Watt (SH 1911–1916, Staff 1968–1978) (Deceased) and his wife Barbara.

Whilst at Fettes Rob Watt was Head of School and in the 1st XV going on to become an Oxford scholar with a double first in Mods and History. He became a brilliant teacher of history (with classics and maths when needed), a wise and compassionate Housemaster at Rugby, becoming Rector of Edinburgh Academy (1951–1962). In retirement he returned to Fettes, where he was Keeper of the Fettes Register until 1979.

The aim of the Watt Memorial Trust is to give financial assistance to past and present members of Fettes and the Edinburgh Academy, to enable them to “advance their education or professional training beyond the point at which public funds or university scholarships are available, or

when private or family sources alone are not quite adequate for the purpose.”

Over the years the Trust has been running it has helped OFs in achieving a wide assortment of goals, some exotic, some mundane, but all important to them in developing their career plans. If you think it might help you too, please apply. All applications are welcome.

Deadlines are 1st September and 1st February.

All enquiries to the Secretary: Anna Bennett, The WS Society, The Signet Library, Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RF abennett@wssociety.co.uk

A VIEW FROM THE COMMON ROOM

Neil Ward (Staff 2008–present)

Although it would be naive to think that we have seen the last of the impact of the global pandemic here at Fettes, this year has seen us make the welcome transition from the tight restrictions of 2021 to something almost resembling normality.

As teachers, the most welcome change has been the removal of masks in the classroom. These had been a significant barrier when trying to read the room for understanding, spotting those subtle expressions which tell you that you have made a breakthrough or, in some cases, identifying a misconception that exposes a greater misunderstanding. Lessons have felt more fluid, reminding us of why that face-to-face time is so valuable. Events such as the mile relays, coffee concerts and whole school musical have returned and new events such as the Middle School Science Challenge have emerged, all providing opportunities for us to appreciate the talents of the students and enjoy creating those unique experiences that make this place what it is. Having the whole school together in the Dining Hall at the end of Spring Term for prize-giving felt like a special moment, likewise when the first hymn was being belted out in Chapel by the whole school.

One of the loveliest aspects of the loosening of restrictions has been the return of visitors to campus. Whether it be having parents and OFs on the sidelines at sports fixtures, face-to-face parents’ evenings or welcoming back old friends to celebrate the retirement of colleagues.

This year we are saying goodbye to several of our longest serving and most respected colleagues.

There is a change at the top in the Prep School, where Adam (Prep School Headmaster 2003–2022) and Jill Edwards (Staff 2008–2022) sadly depart after 19 years of service. Adam has guided the Prep School through many changes, not least the construction of William House, and student numbers have risen consistently during his tenure due to his dedication to building a school based around the principles of family and kindness. Many will remember him for his “door always open” approach and others for his passion for sport, historical knowledge and love of music, so apparent as they rocked along to one of his assemblies. In that same time, Jill has driven the Modern Languages department forward, leading numerous overseas trips, countless French lunches and selflessly offering her breaktimes to provide extra support to students. Together they have brought up their family in the heart of the school and included everyone in their extended family.

With a passion for her subject demonstrated not just in the classroom but on field trips, in Chapel talks, and through her notoriously gory anatomy lesson in the theatre, Sharon Lewis (Staff 1995–2022) has been the

Queen of Biology for longer than most of us can remember. She has led the science faculty by example with the high standards that she has set, her insistence on academic excellence reaching far further than just the Oxbridge and medical candidates in her care. The invaluable support and inspiration she has given to countless Fettesians over the years, not just in her academic role but also in her pastoral role in Kimmerghame and Craigleith, will not be forgotten.

Regardless of how much involvement they had in the musical life of the school, all Fettesians of the last few generations will remember fondly the curious mixture of fear and excitement that came over them as Mr Goodenough (Staff 1998–2022) whittled down the number of singers in Congers until only a brave few were left standing (“Anyone standing by the wall…”). After 23 years of service, mostly as Director of Music and a few as Carrington Housemaster, David leaves us to focus on his own performance. We wish him all the best and thank him for all the spectacular experiences he has provided us with over the years, from joyful coffee concerts to mesmeric choral performances and Leavers’ concerts.

The final leavers I am going to mention, like those mentioned above, need no introduction. Chris (Staff 2001–2022) and Liz Collister (Staff 2007–2022) leave us after 21 years of incredible service to the school. As Catering Manager and latterly Operations Manager, Chris has been behind the scenes making sure every Fettes event, from the simplest to the grandest of occasions has run like clockwork. His encyclopaedic knowledge of the Fettes calendar and almost psychic ability to spot potential problems before they occur has allowed Fettes to run at the pace it does without hitch. Liz, like Chris, has given an enormous amount to Fettes over the years as Assistant Houseparent in Craigleith, providing incredible support and care to so many Fettes students in their most challenging and stressful year at the college. They will both be sorely missed.

So, as we help our students navigate through their first set of external exams in three years, we can finally look forward to finishing the year in the proper Fettesian manner – Founder’s Day. For a far more significant number of the staff and students than usual, this will be their first experience of this wonderful celebration. Expectations will be high and I am sure that it will be one to remember.

IAIN MACLEOD AWARD

Iain Macleod Travel Award 2020 –Thomas Kingan (PS-Ca 2013–2020)

Explore Germany’s Reputation for Superior Engineering and Design

I had hoped to make this trip in August 2020, but, as with everyone else’s international travel plans, it was postponed due to the global pandemic. By March this year the restrictions had relaxed, so, finally, I travelled to Germany in April 2022 with a university friend.

We started in the most south-westerly corner of Germany, in Weil am Rhein, which is home to the furniture company Vitra. As well as producing their own iconic furniture, the site is home to one of the world’s largest collections of designer made furniture. All of the buildings on the campus – the factory buildings, show building, furniture museum, offices and fire station, are designed by some of the world’s leading architects, including Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando and Zaha Hadid. The production and architecture tour was stunning.

From Weil am Rhein, we took a train to Munich. In our two days there, we visited the Deutsches Museum which is the world’s largest museum of science and technology, Die Neue Sammlung Design Museum and also went to the headquarters of BMW.

As an aside – any consideration of Germany’s reputation for superior engineering, must mention the train network – it was great.

The next stop was Dessau and the Bauhaus. The Bauhaus was a school of design, architecture and applied arts, and although it was forced to close in 1933, its teaching methods and ideals were transmitted across the world by faculty and students.

Today, nearly every art or design curriculum includes foundations from the Bauhaus model. Walking around

the museum, it was striking to see many of the principles of design that we consider modern, and that I’ve been introduced to at university, being practised by the students and lecturers over 100 years ago. The years that the Bauhaus spent in Dessau are regarded as the heyday of the school, and it has been designated as a World Heritage Site. A particular highlight was staying in the Prellerhaus, the restored accommodation block within the main building.

From Dessau, we travelled to Berlin and on our last day we visited the home of one of Germany’s most famous modern institutions – VW.

The Volkswagen Autostadt in Wolfsburg is the world’s largest car plant. Like Vitra, like BMW and like all of the other places we visited, VW has an extraordinary visitor centre. It is almost cathedral like.

These visitor centres and production campuses were all incredible places in their own right and reflect the pride that Germans have in the products they design, engineer and produce. The importance of engineering within society and education was clearly visible. The factories and campuses are very connected to the communities they are based in, acting as ‘hubs’ for the local people. Positive, productive centres of manufacturing throughout Germany.

It is over two years since I submitted the original proposal. As I write, I am now well through my 2nd year studying Design Engineering at Imperial College, London. Because my trip was delayed, I had time to further research the subject and also look at the German historical and political context. By actually going to visit these places, I have been able to see where Germany’s reputation for superior engineering and design has come from.

My sincere thanks go to the Trustees for awarding the 2020 prize to me and enabling me to make what was such an enlightening trip.

After many months of planning our trip from Inverness to Glasgow through lockdown Teams calls, we started our journey at the end of June 2021. With backpacks full of food, sun cream and midge spray, we were dropped off at the Premier Inn in Inverness, unaware of the adventure ahead.

Day 1–3: Great Glen Way

With the sun beating down as we waded in and out of the forest tracks, we walked a total of just under 100km in the first few days. Although our feet ached and we were constantly exhausted, the beautiful scenery around us kept our spirits high. We will never forget how amazing it felt to emerge out of the trees to see the glistening Loch Ness below us. We were also kept going by the delicious food we encountered along the way. On day 2 we stayed at Morag’s Lodge which offered us a delicious chickpea curry and ice cream, as well as a hearty breakfast the next day! The long days started to take a toll on our bodies by day 3, but we were shocked by our encounter with James Gingell, who was featured in the Guardian for walking LE-JOG to ‘escape emails’. Luckily that night, we were met by Mr Rowlands (Head of Outdoor Pursuits (Staff 2014–present)), ready for the days ahead.

Days 4–5: Ben Nevis and Rest Day

Despite our 37km day before, on the fourth day of our journey we headed up Ben Nevis for the very first time in our lives, accompanied by Mr Rowlands. Freed from the weight of our bags and the constant flat ground of the Great Glen Way, it was an exciting day to say the least! Along the way we met a diabetic who we helped reach the summit and returned a lost wallet and coat. We finished the day off with pizzas and Wimbledon, featuring Emma Raducanu. The following day was spent in Fort William, enjoying a late breakfast from Costa and running errands. Our definite highlight was also experiencing an ice bath for the first time!

Day 6–11: West Highland Way

The West Highland Way is a 96 mile stretch which took us from Fort William to our final destination in Glasgow. On the first day of the journey, we were met with a vast number of people going the opposite direction, only

later finding out that this was due to a walkathon event. Compared to the nearly deserted Great Glen Way which had cobwebs on the trail, we were excited at the prospect of well-trodden ground. Finishing the day in Kinlochleven, we fell asleep to the sound of football fans and midges swarming our tent.

The following day led us through the beautiful scenery of Glencoe and the notoriously hard Devil’s Staircase. With yellow weather warnings predicted, we walked briskly to our camp and were slightly disappointed when we only saw an anticlimactic drizzle. Our hopeful thoughts were soon destroyed when we experienced a downpour the next day whilst heading towards Tyndrum. Looking forward to a stay in a nice warm hostel we trudged through the rain, stopping for a delicious meal in Bridge of Orchy. Then, after gathering some supplies we settled into our room to watch Emma Raducanu once again.

Both day 9 and 10 were long and technical, spending the majority of the time hiking along Loch Lomond. However, we were delighted to be able to spend a night camping on a beach near Rowardennan, despite the dark clouds of midges trying to prove us otherwise. We also passed by an honesty stall which allowed us to purchase salted caramel banana muffins, which have never tasted so good! Our last night was spent on the island of Inchcailloch, munching on Sports Mix sweets and surrounded by wildlife.

The final day was 32km and the end was in sight! We woke up bright and early to walk up Conic Hill where we got an amazing view of Loch Lomond and its islets, before heading down to the tarmac roads and nearby towns. Almost getting lost in the last five minutes of our trip we were greeted with brownies and a Pizza Express dinner back in Edinburgh, before collapsing into bed.

Over the course of the expedition, we were able to raise over £9000 (including gift-aid) and increase awareness about Narcolepsy and Epilepsy. We personally gained much from the expedition and had a fantastic time walking through the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. However, we benefited not only through our positive experiences, but also through the mental and physical struggles throughout. We are grateful to the Trustees for making our fundraising expedition possible. It is an experience we will never forget.

Iain Macleod Travel Award 2021 – Leila Fleureau (CE 2017–2022) and Anna Fox (CW 2017–2022)

THE FETTESIAN A Chronicle of Life at Fettes

The Fettesian was first published in 1878, with five ‘issues’ in quick succession: April; June; July; October, and December.

Issue 1 of The Fettesian begins:

A SCHOOL MAGAZINE needs but few introductory words from the Editors. It must speak for itself in its first and future numbers.

The Fettesian has been called into existence mainly for the following reasons :—

To chronicle all events connected, directly or indirectly, with the School.

To encourage literary productions among present and past members.

With regard to the first, we shall ourselves record all events as they occur in the School. These, of course, come under our own notice. But we wish to take this opportunity of asking all old Fettesians to forward to us for publication any achievements of old members of the School that seem worthy of being handed down to posterity.

This first issue contains a fascinating first hand ‘Retrospect’ written by one of the patriarchs, detail of debating, the football season 1877–1878, occasional notes and letters to the editors.

The Fettesian quickly found its style and within the first year of publication became a chronicle of life at Fettes with details of concerts, athletics, cricket, awarded prizes and

proud writing of the achievements of young OFs making their way at University, Sandhurst and in reputable teams and listings of the time.

Original poetry and essays were soon forthcoming from pupils, Masters and Old Fettesians. The letters pages are insightful, noting wishes to play tennis on the Green Walk, complaining about the quality of the Fives Courts, providing us today with insights into the needs and wants of pupils of the time.

Images were first included in The Fettesian from August 1883 when there was an etching from Windermere, showing former Windermere College. This was where all 200 members of Fettes relocated to during the outbreak of Diphtheria which so sadly took the lives of one student as well as the son and wife of first Headmaster Dr Potts (Staff 1870–1889) (Deceased)

The size of The Fettesian publication remained close to the modern equivalent A5. The Archival copies that we hold are bound and stored for posterity.

It wasn’t until 1984 that The Fettesian changed to an A4 publication with the impactful and often iconic front covers that we know today. The Fettesian is still produced in print and, even during the pandemic, editions were produced for posterity noting the extraordinary circumstances in which we found ourselves. The powerful front cover image of the Fettesian of 2020 showing an empty Chapel being particularly poignant.

To browse and search these wonderful publications, visit our Digital Archive on fettescommunity.org where scanned and searchable copies of all The Fettesian magazines are available. There are also copies of the Old Fettesian Newsletter and over 1,300 House and Team photographs.

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD

Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present)

It is wonderful for me to be able to reflect here on a year at Fettes which has been something akin to the experiences of school life that any Old Fettesian might recognise. So many of the elements of a school year which we have for so long taken for granted, such as the close interactions in the classroom with schoolmates and teachers, such as communal experiences in Chapel and in Houses, such as ceilidhs and other social events, all these have been denied us over the past two years and it has been so inspiring to see them returning. The external exam cycles are in full swing as I write and it is worth bearing in mind that those leaving school this year have never had the chance to sit an external assessment in the examination hall before this term.

Indeed, the year has been punctuated by all sorts of successful events which it would be worth recording briefly here. Fettesians have been back in the classroom all year and the removal of masks at Easter time was a significant step back to normality. The House singing competition felt like another big moment, reminding everyone of the joint pleasures of singing in Chapel and the motivation of interhouse rivalry too long absent! Our rugby players gave an excellent account of themselves in their first season in the top-level conference division and we concluded the hockey season with three teams in the schools’ finals at Peffermill, a wonderful occasion for all those playing and supporting. Our girl cricketers won the inaugural Scottish Schools Cup while the boys lost in an exciting final. There was singing and dancing back on the Fettes stage in a wonderful production of Guys and Dolls and the Pipe Band too is proving more popular than ever, performing and competing at numerous events and hosting this year the CCF Schools’ Pipe Band championships.

Despite these welcome advances, the conclusion of the hearings of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has been difficult for many members of the community. While it was clear that for the victims of abuse, it may never be possible to move on, I was present at the Inquiry and reiterated the school’s apology for any such events in the past and my own commitment never to being complacent about such things happening again in the very different Fettes of today.

Each year’s end brings some farewells and this one is no exception. We lose some significant Fettes names with whom many OFs will be familiar. Sharon Lewis (Staff 1995–2022) completes with distinction almost 30 years in the Biology Department, one she has headed up as a truly passionate and imaginative teacher before taking on the role of Head of Science; David Goodenough (Staff 1998–2022) has made his mark as an inspirational Director of Music over many years under whose guidance the Chapel Choir especially has flourished; and finally we say goodbye to Chris (Staff 2001–2022) and Liz Collister (Staff 2007–2022) who have made such a mark on Fettes life, Chris initially in Catering and more recently as the indefatigable Events Manager and Liz as an outstanding member of the Craigleith pastoral team. They will be remembered fondly

by generations of Fettesians and head off in exciting new directions. Adam (Prep School Headmaster 2003–2022) and Jill Edwards (Staff 2008–2022) have led our Prep School with distinction and in the various leaving events I do hope they can feel the warmth and respect they have inspired in all sectors of the Fettes community. The Prep School (and the linguists) have grown in number and gained so much from their dedication and care. We wish them all the very best for their retirement.

Now that my job hasn’t been solely responding to the unexpected this year, I have had time to formulate my strategy for the future of the school more thoroughly and it may be of some interest to share an outline with OFs. This is a strategy which I hope will underpin the school’s development over the next decade and which will touch upon every aspect of the lives of today’s Fettesians, from the kinds of characters I want us to be sending out into the world to the environment, both physical and moral, in which they will be educated. Focusing on the key values of curiosity, creativity and kindness which I want to see all Fettesians living out, it builds a vision for the school’s future in four key areas of learning, wellbeing, our community and our people. There are exciting and innovative ideas within these, too detailed to go into here, and I and the wonderful Fettes staff look forward to implementing them in the years ahead.

Preparing for the global nature of today’s world remains a key strand within this vision and I am therefore enormously grateful to all those engaged in the Fettes Community Portal. It provides a much-needed framework in which now over 2000 members can share their expertise and experience and I know that our current sixth-formers who are now included in it will be making good use of these invaluable contacts as they plan their lives beyond school.

I’m now three years into my headship and I feel there is much to be optimistic about. Our numbers remain as high as they have ever been with an increase in boarding percentage, with UK-based students in the majority and a diverse global breadth of 44 nationalities represented. But my tenure has taught me to be cautious in imagining any two years will be the same and we cannot expect to evade the effects of the cost-of-living crisis touching so many lives. It remains my ambition to continue to open up the opportunities of a Fettes education to as broad an intake as possible. It has been such a pleasure, as well as something of a novelty, to welcome back Old Fettesians to our black-tie dinner in March, to the summer reunion evening drinks in May and the fabulous Fettes Festival which followed it. It goes without saying that we will be delighted to see OFs returning to school for the various publicised events in the year ahead and to catch up on all your news.

Floreas Fettesia!

Helen Harrison Head, Fettes College

August 2021 marked 25 years since our Head, Helen Harrison, first arrived at Fettes College. We took this opportunity to celebrate all the members of staff who have given 25 years or more of continuous service.

Helen joined Fettes in August 1996 to teach Geography. She met her husband at Fettes and shortly after their marriage in 1999 they became Houseparents of Carrington until 2005. Helen became Deputy Head in 2007 before becoming the Head in 2019.

Helen said of her time at Fettes:

“To have been part of the Fettes community for this time is a complete honour. Fettes is part of me and I am so grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way during my time here. Most important, of course, is meeting my husband and to now be leading this incredible place together is a privilege that we will never take for granted.”

On Wednesday 8th September 2021, we gathered the members of staff who have been at Fettes College for 25 years or longer for a photo and celebration in Callover. The 12 members of staff represent various departments in the school including Catering, Estates, Science, Security, Drama, Modern Languages and Geography and together they have served an amazing 356 years.

Catering

Tricia Fairbairn Production Chef

Sandra Stevenson Catering Assistant

Nikki Crozier Catering Assistant

Estates

Kevin McNab Head of Grounds

George McNab Deputy Head Groundsperson

Matty Paterson Painter

Science

Sharon Lewis Head of Science, Head of Biology

John Allen Physics Technician

Security

Billy McDowall Security Officer

Senior Leadership Team

Helen Harrison Head

Carolyn Harrison Deputy Head (Pastoral Care), Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages

Senior Management Team

Richard Smith Senior Master, Teacher of Drama

We are grateful to them all for their service and dedication to the school and to all the members of staff who make Fettes such a special place.

Left to right, from top: Carolyn Harrison, Helen Harrison, John Allen, Matty Paterson, George McNab, Billy McDowall, Kevin McNab, Tricia Fairbairn, Sandra Stevenson Missing from photo: Nikki Crozier, Sharon Lewis, Richard Smith

The Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present)

OF GOLFING SOCIETY HIGHLIGHTS

As things return to normal after the Covid pandemic, the OFGS fixture list is starting to fill up again. So far this year, there have been successful matches for the OFGS at Sunningdale against Marlborough and against the School at Bruntsfield. Captain Douglas Philip (Inv-Mo 1999–2005) successfully led the team to victory in the Stenhouse Quaich at Elie at the Wayfarers weekend. Fettes beat all the other Wayfarer schools for a famous 5-0 result – the first time we have won that event since 2003.

At this year’s Halford Hewitt, Fettes won their first round match against Wellington, who made it to the quarter finals last year, to set up a match against Bradfield and the occasion of Richard Smith’s (CW–1965–1969) 100th appearance in the tournament, the first Old Fettesian to achieve that milestone. While Fettes lost the match, the team enjoyed the afternoon celebrating Richard’s success.

In 2023 we are going to run the Global Golf Competition again. To get involved in this or the OF Golfing Society more generally please email fettes.community@fettes.com in the first instance and we can put you in touch with the relevant person. If you are already a member of the OF Golfing Society do look at the Group on fettescommunity.org where we will begin to post information on matches and results as the year progresses. The news feed is for users too, if you are looking for a golf partner or a friendly game, please do post to see who might be near you to play.

The Fettes eight prepare to play Loretto for the Stenhouse Quaich: (from l to r): Standing: Richard Breakey (SH 1970–1974), Gordon Archibald (Ki 1994–1999), Graeme Matheson (Gl 1975–1980), Chris Mather (SH 1973–1978), Gavin Lawrie (JS-Gl 1978–1985), Andrew Soulsby (JS-Ar 1973–1980)

Seated: Richard Philip (Mo 1976–1981), Douglas Philip (Inv-Mo 1999–2005)

Richard Smith with the Halford Hewitt Centenary Plate (from l to r): Andrew Soulsby (JS-Ar 1973–1980), Euan Matheson (Gl 1977–1982), Chris Mather (SH 1973–1978), Francis Clark (Gl 1966–1969), Richard Smith (CW 1965–1969), Richard Breakey (SH 1970–1974), Richard Philip (Mo 1976–1981), Gordon MacLeod (AR-Mo 1978–1983), Douglas Philip (Inv-Mo 1999–2005), Graeme Matheson (Gl 1975–1980).

FOCUS ON WELLBEING

Wellbeing at work by Sarah Mayo (JS-CW 1986–1994)

Sarah co-founded POINT3 Wellbeing (point3wellbeing.com) in 2018 after 20 years in corporate marketing. She wanted to bring greater balance into her work-life and to help others. She retrained as a mental health and wellbeing workplace specialist and now delivers training to busy professionals looking to “stress less and smile more”.

Forgive me if I state the obvious to start but we are working and living in extraordinary times and we as individuals and teams in the workplace (and at home) have been stresstested to the max, and continue to be so as we adapt to a post-pandemic world.

And to back this up with research, Gallup’s 2021 Global Emotions Report stated that more people reported feeling stressed, sad, angry and worried in 2020 than at any point in Gallup’s global tracking. Yes, you might expect that during the worst pandemic in more than a century but the report goes on to say that while 2020 set a record for negative emotions, the trend actually started 10 years before. Little wonder that the World Health Organisation dubbed stress the health epidemic of the 21st century back in 2016.

So, yes we are more stressed than ever before, and the pandemic has contributed to this, but actually this is a societal issue that has been building over time.

I’m not going to demonise stress! As I’m sure many of you will agree that not all stress is bad stress. We need the right amount of stress to perform to our best. That said, it is about bringing greater awareness to our stress levels, knowing when the stress we’re under reaches its tipping point and keeping it in check by having helpful daily strategies in place to cope and thrive.

And it’s worth sharing the cost of not having good strategies in place – either as an individual or as a business. If we don’t… and I share another grim statistic, it’s thought that up to 80% of doctor consultations are directly linked to stress (chronic physical and mental illness). And if that’s not a case for having stress management techniques in place, then know that the cost of mental ill health on the UK economy is £15.1 billion per annum in presenteeism (people showing up for work but not being productive) and £8.4 billion in absenteeism.

The company that I co-founded back in 2018 with a couple of my friends are committed to helping people “stress less and smile more”. We partner with organisations to create a culture of psychological safety around mental health and wellbeing, where people feel comfortable being themselves at work and are able to thrive.

And everyone has a role to play. Culture change around workplace mental health requires both a top down and bottom up approach to succeed. But it does start with leaders and managers leading by example and modelling the right behaviours, and then it’s up to individuals to take personal responsibility for the good coping strategies that

they put in place to cope with the inevitable stresses of life.

To end I share one of the practical tools that we share in our training. This is about identifying your wellbeing nonnegotiables… the good coping strategies that you prioritise day to day and week to week to keep your stress levels in check. To make these really powerful, it’s good to align these to your values. Two of my values are health and friendship, so many of my wellbeing non-negotiables are specific to these things. One of my wellbeing non-negotiables is going outside for a walk for at least 60 minutes every day. Another is around socialising – I aim to have at least two social plans in my diary a week.

The key with this exercise is to be as specific as possible when it comes to adding a frequency and duration – I’ve specified 60 minutes of walking, every day. This helps me to be more accountable to myself and to ensure I plan when I will build this into my schedule each week. Know that these may have to change, depending on what’s going on in your life, so we have to be flexible too.

I end by encouraging you to spend some time now thinking about your wellbeing non-negotiables. A final tip when defining these is to think little in terms of duration and often in terms of frequency, as a little really goes a long way. This will encourage you to prioritise them, ensuring you are supported through the ups and downs of work and life.

Sarah Mayo

Wellbeing at Fettes by Sue Bruce, Houseparent of College West (Staff 2000–present)

Fettes wants every student to be happy.

At Fettes, student wellbeing is at the heart of school where everyone matters. We want Fettesians to be happy because happy students flourish.

Our pastoral care is sector leading and central to our supportive community of students and staff. Our House structure is at the core and, as well as the strong bonds made with fellow housemates, it is the commitment and dedication of Houseparents, their Assistants and Matrons which leave a lasting impression. They advise, help and encourage, simply being there for the students whenever needed. We are committed to all aspects of student wellbeing from healthy eating and physical activity to mental health. By doing this each of our students can thrive and embrace all that a Fettes education has to offer whilst making friends for life.

We know there may be times when our students need someone to talk or need help with a problem.

There are many people both in House and the school community who can offer help, support and advice. Alongside our friendly Houseparents, Matrons, Tutors, Prefects, Friends, other staff members we have include:

Revd Tony Clark, Chaplain (Staff 2012–present)

Carolyn Harrison, Deputy Head (Pastoral Care) (Staff 1992–present)

Clare McDonnell, Child Protection Officer (Staff 2016–present)

A member of the School Medical Centre

The School’s Independent Counsellor or Life Coach

The School’s Clinical Psychology Team

The Hub is our dedicated safe space at school. It is staffed by our PSE (Personal, Social and Emotional) Prefects and Listening Team and is used for some 1:1 sessions with the Life Coach or Counsellors.

Our peer-to-peer mentoring is a vital aspect of support to our students wellbeing. Peer mentoring is a relationship between our Sixth Form students who have more lived experience than younger years and can provide support as well as knowledge and skills transfer, whilst offering the mentors to develop their leadership and teamwork skills. Peer mentoring may be a one-on-one relationship or experienced in a group.

Our School Welfare and PSE Prefects are appointed to assist in the welfare and wellbeing of the school. In addition, two members of the Lower Sixth Prefect team in each boarding House help deliver PSE sessions in the Third Form and are there to talk to. They are also trained MVP Mentors (Mentors in Violence Prevention Programme) which aims to support young people to positively influence the attitudes and behaviour of their peers, by looking at a range of issues and approaches to prevent all forms of bullying and stereotyping and raising awareness of the bystander effect.

Mental Health Ambassadors are students who have undergone more specific mental health training. They are visible points of contact for the student body to speak to and are part of our Pscyhceity (Mental Health and Psychology society).

Our Bold Voices Ambassadors empower our young people to recognise and tackle gender inequality and

gendered violence. They lead sessions to develop and change the language to support inclusivity and diminish bias.

Our staff are trained in the mental health issues that affect young people. We also have a friendly Listening Team who are located in key places across the campus at key times so that anyone can pop in for a chat. The Listening Team is made up of staff members from both the Teaching and Operational areas of the school who have a listening ear to hear any issues. Sharing your problems is the best way to get a resolution.

The PSE programme runs a specific Health and Wellbeing Strand looking at nutrition, mental health, wellbeing and mindfulness with interactive sessions for small tutor groups, classes or tailored year group sessions on topics such as:

Healthy eating – nutrition for success/healthy eating habits/healthy snacking

How to appreciate sources of stress and develop techniques to manage stress

Mindfulness – we run a 10-week block in 4th Form with drop-in mindfulness sessions twice-a-week for the whole school

Importance of sleep

Techniques on how to help your friends

Resilience

Taking a tech break – Fettes now has ‘phone-free-Friday’ Self-belief/self esteem

Self-checks (cancer)

And much much more!

Our brilliant Medical Centre, Matrons, Support for Learning department, Counsellors, Life Coach and team of Psychologists are on hand to provide their professional help to the students and staff when appropriate.

The Fettesians of today develop healthy habits and coping strategies so that they can have strong mental fitness for their adult lives ahead.

PSE and Academic Prefects

CENTENARY OF THE WAR MEMORIAL Dedication of the New Plaques

Friday 15th October 2021 marked 100 years since the Fettes College War Memorial was unveiled. We chose this day to commemorate not only the Centenary of the War Memorial, but also to dedicate the new additional plaques for the Lost Boys, namely:

40 Old Fettesians and eight school employees who lost their lives through war, 1896–2004

36 Old Fettesians who lost their lives on peacetime military service, 1892–1986

We are very grateful to the Fettesian Trust for their support with this project and for their support in recording this important ceremony.

If you would like to watch the recording of the poignant event to hear the names on the new plaques being read by the Head, prayers from the Chaplain and a short address by staff member David McDowell (Staff 2005–present), Head of Politics and member of the History Department, along with Senior CCF participation, a piper and a moving performance of the Last Post, please visit: https://bit. ly/3zFKqCi

David conducted significant research to ensure that the right names are represented on the plaques. His address of dedication is noted below:

A hundred years ago today, the Fettes family gathered for the dedication of the war memorial. It began with a chapel service so well-attended by relatives of the fallen that there was room for only a few pupils to attend. The school then assembled round the memorial, which was draped in the Union flag, for its unveiling by Major General Sir William Macpherson (SH 1870–1875). He was trebly honoured as Colonel-General of the Royal Army Medical Corps, a Fettes ‘patriarch’, and father of a fallen OF. In his address to the

school, he said that the 246 names beneath the fallen highland officer were a record of heroism of which Fettes should be proud.

In this Memorial (he said) you hold their memory and the memory of their gallant deeds in trust… Duty and sacrifice are the foundations of patriotism, justice, and freedom… Carry these principles into your lives and so keep the spirit of those who sacrificed theirs for them a living presence amongst you.

Sir William’s son Duncan is one of the 246. It’s said that on the morning of the younger man’s death, they had met near the front in Flanders; after Duncan was killed, the general could never speak publicly of him again. Their medals are united in the clan museum in Newtonmore. However, not all the Fettes fallen were being held in trust. The difficulty of communications a century ago meant that two of those recorded behind us were not dead at all, whilst others who had died were left off.

This was not a new problem, as Andrew Murray (Staff 1981–2014) and I often discussed; avid readers of the Fettesian will know from its March 1900 issue of the heroic death of G.G. Smith (SH 1875–1880) in the South African War; he was killed while helping the wounded at the Battle of Spion Kop, literally smashed to pieces by a shell; his commanding officer believed he deserved the VC, but for some reason he didn’t make it onto the black memorial in chapel. Nor did several others who died of wounds after it had been cast.

Andrew felt that Smith and other people we ‘forgot to remember’ should be commemorated on new panels. We have known for some time that getting onto Fettes memorials was rather hit or miss. In the First World War, like the War Graves Commission, we only recorded military

The unveiling ceremony of the new Fettes College War Memorial on the 15th October 1921

deaths, but in the Second the lists expanded to recognise civilian casualties.

Aviation pioneer Harold Barnwell (Ca 1893–1897), killed whilst testing a night fighter, was one who was missed off because of this; he now joins his school friends on this memorial.

There was also confusion over names; William Thomson (Gl 1891–1897) was lost when his ship sank in 1917 but archive documents suggest that he was mixed up with an OF killed in France. Kenneth Mackenzie (SH 1906–1913), who fell at Messines in 1914, seems to have been conflated with a Kenneth Mackenzie (Gl 1896–1901) killed in 1918. These lost OFs now join their school friends on this memorial.

We have also added those who died of the effects of combat or captivity after war’s end, like Lieutenant Anker Elsworth (Gl 1907–1910), who succumbed to wounds from the Somme and Passchendaele in 1923, and also eight nonteaching staff killed in World War I. People killed in neither World War, and thus not covered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, were added; these include victims of terrorism like Insp Tennent McNeill (Ca 1901–1903) and Lieutenant Ronald Hendy (SH 1906–1911). They too join their friends on this memorial.

Those who died on peacetime military service also receive recognition, on the wooden plaque in chapel,

notably Squadron Leader Christopher Johnson (SH 1926–1928), killed on a rescue mission in the New Zealand alps in 1953.

Many people helped with the lengthy research process: OFs like Hugh Macrae (CE 1961–1966) and Brigadier Ian Gardiner (Mo 1963–1968); parents, notably Iain Gale; colleagues, especially Estates, Captain Rowlands (Staff 2014–present), Peter Worlledge (Staff 2009–present), and archivist Andrew Murray and his successor, Craig Marshall (Staff 2014–2022), to whom I owe a great deal. The financial support of the Old Fettesian Association and Fettesian Trust was of course essential. To them, and to the Fettesians helping us today, I offer heartfelt thanks.

Our memorials are historical touchstones, linking the Fettes community of today with those predecessors who died in the service of others and enabled us to live as we do now. By rescuing these ‘lost boys’ from historical oblivion, they are added to that cloud of witnesses which surrounds us when we stand here as a school on Remembrance Sunday.

The names on these new panels join the list of all our fallen which personalises General Macpherson’s principles of duty and sacrifice. It reinforces the sense that, like a family, Fettes stretches back into the past just as we look forward into the future.

Our ‘Lost Boys’ are no longer lost – they are here.

FETTES COMMUNITY PODCAST AND SOCIAL MEDIA

During the pandemic we moved lots of our content on-line. Our webinars and Zoom events were popular and will be continuing along side our physical events and activity. We now have podcasts which are edited recordings of our Zoom events or bespoke interviews. A summary of the podcasts from the last year are below.

You can listen to these by searching ‘Fettes Community Podcast’ on your usual podcast provider or by visiting this page: bit.ly/3QZnq7p

Fettes in Conversation – Start-ups, Technology and Innovation with Tech Entrepreneurs

Fettes in Conversation: Climate Change with Old Fettesian, Martin Lees

Fettes Talks Climate Law: with Navraj Ghaleigh

Fettes in Conversation: Finance and Climate Change with Old Fettesian Wai-Shin Chan

Social Media Highlights

We use Twitter to update OFs on events, highlights and achievements. To keep in touch, follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/oldfettesians twitter.com/fettescommunity

Highlights of the year include:

Fettes Talks Adventure: with Old Fettesian, Mark Agnew Fettes Talks Sandy Gunn, OF Spitfire Pilot

THE STRENGTH OF FRIENDSHIPS MADE AT FETTES

It was a privilege for Karen Jones (née Houston) (Ar 1989–1991, Staff 2012–present) to sit in the café at Westwoods at Fettes on a quiet and sunny afternoon in June and ask Andriy Dudko (Inv-Ki 1993–2000) what Fettes friendships mean to him. The following is an account of their conversation:

Andriy has joint Ukrainian and British nationality. He came to Fettes in 1993, joining the Prep School as a boarder. He moved up to Kimmerghame in 1995 and left Fettes in 2000 to read Business, Finance and Accountancy at Regent’s University in London. He returned after graduating to his native Ukraine where he worked in the family manufacturing business, met his wife and became a father to two lovely girls. They lived happily in Kyiv amongst friends and family. The girls attending an English-speaking international school. In his spare time, Andriy, a keen 1st XV rugby player at Fettes, was involved in developing the national game in Ukraine.

Everything changed, as it did for every Ukrainian, in February 2022.

Andriy talks of deep concerns of Russian attacks in early February and decided to take precautions, sending his wife, Maryna and their two daughters Anna (10) and Sofia (8) to Bulgaria.

At 5am on 24th February Andriy was awoken in his house by the windows shaking. His home is near the airport in Kyiv. The unthinkable was happening. Missiles were falling on Kyiv. He visited his Grandfather next door and told him it was time to leave. His Grandfather resisted, having survived the German occupation in Odessa, choosing to stay in Kyiv and take his chances.

Andriy described the fear as overwhelming, trying to concentrate on packing and leaving, imagining that you may never return, that you may not survive. He told me that before the missiles struck, he had imagined if war came that he would stay and fight. Now, in that moment he questioned whether to hide inside from the missiles or stay outside, trying to rationalise whether it was better to die outside or inside under rubble. The need to leave intensified. He spoke to Maryna on the phone and agreed he would pack, take the stockpiled fuel they had, and drive to central Kyiv to collect her mother. He would leave with her and head to Romania, then to Bulgaria so that they could reconvene as a family.

Andriy showed me footage he took on his phone of driving to the city centre. The traffic was jammed on the exit roads but clear driving in. No-one wanted to travel into the centre of Kyiv, away from escape. He was unable to reach his mother-in-law’s street. He parked up and asked her to walk to him. Whilst he waited, he shared a live video message on his social media channels which he showed to me. He appeared emotional and very stressed, not the usual happy go lucky positive Andriy that his many friends knew. It was this message that sparked concern and a reaction from his

many Fettesian friends providing him with vital strength and support in the challenging days ahead.

Malcolm Rollo (Inv-Ki 1992–2000), texted Andriy’s mother: How are you? Where are you? Regular GPS location pins were sent and regular morale boosting support provided.

The Kimmeghame compatriots of Peter Nokes (Ki 1996–2000), Otto Bell (Ki 1996–2000), Angus Thomson (Inv-Ki 1993–2000) and Ross Gamble (Ki 1995–2000) were all readily in touch. How could they help?

Razman Vulcanescu (Ki 1995–1997) kept in touch and offered the lifeline of immediate refuge if they made it to Romania.

Milen Bozhilov (Ca 1995–1999) was in place ready to help once they reached Bulgaria.

Bojidar Bojinov’s (Ki 1996–1997) family also offered help in Bulgaria.

As Andriy progressed along the roads towards Romania he suddenly had 15–20 offers of safe houses and places of refuge around the world from New York to Thailand.

Andriy said the drive to the border was immensely stressful. Anyone who could was escaping and everyone was terrified. Stopping was not an option for him as he would never get back into the flow of traffic. Exhaustion and danger were extreme, children were driving cars to allow adults to rest. Old people were driving who should not be driving. Emotional and terrified people were driving. Those who could not drive were driving to make the desperate escape. He spoke of how he used a mixture of nicotine (he does not smoke) and caffeine to stay awake for three days continuously to drive whilst navigating and perpetually consulting phones. The news of war, missiles, and the outpouring of emotions from Ukrainian friends on the phone was intense, addictive and all consuming. Off-line maps were essential as GPS was also under attack. He said you don’t realise how much you rely on satnav or your phone to navigate. There were fears that the Russians would attack

the columns of cars. Cars were trying to overtake, each with a story more desperate than the last – pregnancy, illness, hunger, sheer desperation. In the end Andriy and adjacent convoy drivers struck up a pact that they would work together not to allow drivers to overtake. It was the only way to make progress to the border.

As the border approached there was real dread as safe passage was so uncertain. There were thousands of people on foot. There were now cars travelling in the opposite direction with exhausted men hunched at the wheel driving back into Ukraine. Distraught at having said farewell to their wives and children and heading back to fight, as martial law had come into force and men were no longer permitted to leave. Karen asked Andriy how he felt at that time. Did he have any idea as to whether he would be able to pass over the border? He said he was so exhausted and it was so uncertain as to what would happen. He recalled that the border crossing was like a scene from the embassy evacuation scene in Good Morning Vietnam, where people were pressed against closed gates trying to escape the country. The foot passenger border control and the vehicular border control were manned differently. There were thousands of women and children on foot and the queue of cars slowly passed through. The emotion on the faces he saw combined with his own concerns are frozen in Andriy’s mind forever.

To Andriy’s relief passing through the border was straightforward. He showed his identity cards and was able

“I am very grateful to everyone I had the pleasure of studying with at Fettes; with all the support you have shown, my family never felt alone. Thank you to Fettes College and Fettes community, especially to Mrs Harrison and The Governors for all the support and care you have shown that allowed our daughters to continue their normal life away from the horrors of war. Floreas Fettesia!”

to leave. At that time there were five people from border control processing 40,000 people within a 24-hour period. Andriy recalls that once they arrived in Romania local people were already organised with very welcome food. That evening in the refuge in Romania arranged by Razman Vulcanescu was the only evening when Andriy experienced what it felt like to be a refugee. There were lots of people coming and going all night. All were emotional, exhausted and fearful, but all felt safe away from the war in Ukraine.

Before this the only feeling of extreme sleep deprivation that Andriy can compare this with is CCF overnight in 5th Form when he accidentally stayed up all night and had to go on exercise the next day with a heavy pack!

Upon crossing the border between Romania and Bulgaria Andriy and his wife Maryna were speaking on the phone about where to go to. They had previously thought that they would make a life in Bulgaria. Due to the immense support and friendship received from Andriy’s Fettes friends they both decided to make the journey to Edinburgh to start their life again. They are indebted to the kindness of Angus Thomson who invited the family to stay for several months. Due to the generosity of others, both of Andriy’s daughters started at Fettes in the Prep School after Easter. They are adapting well to life in Edinburgh. Both Andriy and Maryna are very grateful that the girls did not experience the war first hand in Ukraine, whilst they have had to adapt to a new life, thankfully they haven’t had their childhood cut short.

“Fettes feels like a family, it is always part of your life. It makes you an international and cosmopolitan person. I am so grateful for my Fettes friendships.”

The family safe together in Edinburgh with Angus Thomson (Inv-Ki 1993–2000)

Angus and Andriy join their Fettes peers at the Summer Reunion Evening on Friday 27th May

HANDOVER AND HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL FLAG

The bold colours of the school flag will have featured throughout every OFs time at Fettes whether that be above the school roof or around the sports fields. First flown on the 21st March 1928 on the occasion of a hockey match against Loretto, the design of the school flag is taken from Sir William Fettes’ coat of arms. William Fettes was awarded a baronetcy in 1804 which entitled him to adopt a coat of arms. He chose a shield with two stars above a chevron and a crosslet supported by a lion and a chaine stag, a helmet above, surmounted by a bee and the motto ‘Industria’. This formed the basis for the College’s crest and the central shield was used as the design for the school flag.

Over the years the school flag has been flown around the campus on numerous occasions and taken on away fixtures and trips to display our pride for our school. The flag has even made it to the top of Norway’s highest mountain when, in July 1989, a group of staff and students ascended the 2,469m high Galdhøpiggen. At the summit they draped the Fettes flag over some rocks for an excellent photo

opportunity. After its many adventures the school flag had begun to look a little worse for wear, so the school was delighted when the OFA generously offered to gift a new flag to Fettes. The design remains the same and will continue to bring back memories for many OFs.

A small ceremony was held on Friday 4th March, when, President of the OFA, Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984) officially handed over the bright new flag, on behalf of the OFA, to Fettes. In between rain showers, the Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present) and Henry along with the Heads of School, Elliot Wilson (PS-Gl 2016–2022) and Freya Bathgate (PS-Ar 2015–2022) and the Pipe Major, Clara Johnson (PS-Ar 2014–2022) all gathered on the east roof for the handover, before the new flag was raised to the wonderful sound of the bagpipes.

Fettes is very grateful to the OFA for this generous gift, which will be enjoyed by current students and alumni for generations to come.

Clockwise from below: Pipe Major, Clara Johnson (PS-Ar 2014–2022), the Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present), President of the OFA, Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984) and the Heads of School, Freya Bathgate (PS-Ar 2015–2022) and Elliot Wilson (PS-Gl 2016–2022) gather on the east roof; The President of the OFA hands the new flag to the Heads of School; Freya and Elliot drape the flag over the banister above Callover.

Opposite page: The school flag at the top of the 2,469m high Galdhøpiggen in July 1989.

FAREWELL

TO THE

EDWARDS

Adam Edwards, Headmaster of the Prep School 2003–2022

Jill Edwards, Teacher of Modern Languages in the Prep School 2008–2022

Adam’s youngest years were spent in West Africa. He was educated at The Royal Grammar School in Colchester, followed by the University of London, Goldsmith’s College, and the University of Birmingham. He joined Gresham’s School in Norfolk in 1985 where he showcased, utilised and developed his broad array of talents nurturing his versatility in the classroom, in the boarding house in outdoor education, the CCF and in sport. He was a resident House Tutor, Head of History, Housemaster and Head of Boarding. He was heavily involved in both the CCF and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. He coached rugby, hockey and cricket and at one time regularly produced plays. It was at Gresham’s where Adam met his wife Jill and where they were when they had their four children – Henry, William, Robert and Catherine.

Jill was born near Norwich, she studied at UEA and then in Strasbourg before starting at Gresham’s where she taught French in both senior and prep schools. They lived in Edinburgh House at Gresham’s, leaving to come to Fettes when their youngest child, Catherine was just six months old.

After Adam’s first year as Headmaster of the Prep School, Michael Spens (Headmaster 1998–2017) said in his Founder’s Day Address:

“The Fettes College Preparatory School has had an excellent year and has gone forward from strength to strength under the leadership of Mr Adam Edwards. He and his team have done a first class job, and the report on the year delivered by Mr Edwards at the Prep School Prize Giving yesterday was a delight to listen to. It is very

significant that of the thirteen scholarships awarded for entry into the Senior School at 13+, nine were won by members of our own Prep School. This speaks volumes for the state of health of our Prep School and the quality of its pupils and Staff. Mr and Mrs Edwards have made a distinguished start to their tenure in the Prep School, and I am most grateful to them.”

Growth and development of the Prep School under Adam Edwards

When Adam and Jill Edwards arrived there in 2003 there were 135 pupils in the Prep School. Ten years later in 2013 there were 197. Today, at the end of the Summer Term in 2022, there are 217 students in the Prep School.

As well as the growth in numbers, Adam has overseen many important improvements to the built environment at the Prep School, with the hugely successful development of bespoke classrooms and learning facilities in William House which opened in 2009, the creation of the very well used all weather play area, upgrades to boarding facilities in Arran and Iona House and the recently installed new poly-tunnel to name a few.

Prep staffing and expertise has evolved to support unique small class sizes for that nurturing environment.

Adam and Jill have been a marvellous team and are leaving a very strong Prep School built on kindness and a commitment to the all-round education of every child for which we are most grateful. Prep pupils develop a broad set of skills preparing them to thrive during their senior school

2004 – Adam and Jill Edwards

The Edwards family at the Fettes Prep School Prizegiving in 2022

education and develop confidence and self-awareness that sets them up for life.

The whole Edwards family have grown-up at Fettes and lived together on campus in Malcolm House throughout Adam’s tenure. All four of the Edwards’ children have thrived at Fettes in all aspects of school life (just like their parents).

Henry Edwards (Inv-Gl 2003–2011)

At Fettes: Captain of 1st XI Cricket; Scotland under 19 Cricket; Vice-captain of 1st XI Hockey; 1st V Squash; 1st IV Fives; Colour Sergeant and Head of Section CCF; House Prefect; College Cap; The Challenge Clock for Most Outstanding Sportsman.

Beyond Fettes: Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education Teaching and Coaching from Oxford Brookes University; PGCE with QTS, Physical Education from the University of Buckingham; Graduate Sports Coach and Resident Housemaster at Royal Hospital School; Head of Academic PE at Ryde School.

William Edwards (Inv-Gl 2003–2014)

At Fettes: School Prefect; House Prefect; Vice Captain 1st XV Rugby, Full Colours; Captain 1st XI Cricket, Full Colours; Scotland Under 19 Cricket; Green Gang; Hugo Fraser Award.

Beyond Fettes: Bachelor’s Degree in History from Kings College London; Currently working for Nike in the Netherlands as Marketplace Operations Lead for Nike Direct responsible for the supply chain of Nike’s Franchise stores in EMEA as well as looking after their fleet expansion.

Robert Edwards (PS-Gl 2008–2019)

At Fettes: 2nd XV, 2nd Hockey (vice-captain), Captain 1st XI Cricket, Full Colours; Scotland Under 19 Cricket; 2nd Football; Spanish Guitar; MSPF; College Cap; DofE Bronze

Beyond Fettes: Final year undergraduate studying a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Science at the University of Bath. Cricket XI University of Bath. Hoping to work in Data Analytics.

Catherine Edwards (PS-CE 2010–2021)

At Fettes: All-Rounder Award; School Prefect; House Prefect; 2nd XI Hockey; 1st Girls’ Cricket Captain; Scotland Under 19 Cricket; Athletics; Squash; Governors’ & Bannatyne Thomson Memorial Prizes for Physical Education; Hugo Fraser Prize; College Colours & Cap; DofE Silver.

Beyond Fettes: Catherine is on a gap year and is playing cricket and coaching men, women and juniors. Catherine is going to the University of Edinburgh to study Applied Sport Sciences in autumn 2022.

On behalf of the many Fettesians who have passed through the Prep School since 2003 we all wish the Edwards family well in their lives ahead.

Adam and Jill Edwards and their family in 2012

William and the XI celebrating a win in 2014

MCC Match in May 2019 with Robert as Captain of the Fettes XI and Henry playing for the MCC

Catherine, Captain of Girls Cricket, Summer 2021

REUNIONS OF 2020 AND 2021

Celebratory Black-tie Reunion Dinner – Friday 4th March

On Friday 4th March, the OFA hosted the first of two reunion events offered to those OFs who had missed their Commem weekend reunion due to the pandemic. We were absolutely delighted to be able to host the first black-tie dinner at Fettes College since 2019. OFs were warmly welcomed back onto campus to the rousing sound of piping from current students, Pipe Major Clara Johnson (PS-Ar 2014–2022) and Archie Simpson (Mo 2017–2022). The event had all the hallmarks of the Commem dinner. The top table were piped in before Rob Harrison (Staff 1992–2021) kindly said the Fettes Grace. Everyone was then seated for an amazing dinner that was well received by all and described by one OF as the best food he has ever had at Fettes. Following dinner, the Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present) and the President of the OFA, Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984) both delivered fantastic speeches. Pipers Clara and Archie returned for a toast with the President after which they played a medley of songs, much appreciated by those in attendance.

After some much needed catching up and a few glasses of wine, the evening was rounded off by an enthusiastic rendition of Floreas Fettesia, wonderfully led by Tom Worlledge (PS-Mo 2009–2016) and Hugh Findlay (PS-Gl 2007–2015)

It was a very special evening, and we are grateful to all those who joined us and made it so. It felt wonderful to host an in-person event once again after so long.

Summer Reunion Evening – Friday 27th May

Around one hundred OFs from across the generations gathered together for the second of our Commem replacement reunion events, on Friday 27th May.

They enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere on the Head’s Lawn with cocktails and delicious food. There was much reminiscing, mingling and laughter, particularly when looking at the range of archival photographs on display to help OFs remember their time at Fettes. Guests were warmly welcomed by current Lower Sixth student Will Farquharson (Ki 2018–present) playing the pipes and short speeches were delivered by the President of the OFA, Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984) and Senior Deputy Head, James Weatherby (Staff 2007–present).

It was fantastic to see how OFs embraced this alternative event, especially the Classes of 1990 and 1991 who attended in large numbers.

OLD FETTESIAN EVENTS 2021–2022

29th September – Fettes in Conversation with Tech Entrepreneurs Jonathan Quin (Mo 1991–1992) and Conrad Irwin (Inv-Ca 2000–2007)

employees, where are the global hubs for developers and, is email dead? We are extremely grateful to both Conrad and to Jonathan for giving us their time and for their very valuable insights.

This event is available for you to listen to as a podcast by visiting bit.ly/3OkT4uk or by searching ‘Fettes Community’ on your usual podcast provider.

Tech Entrepreneurs Jonathan Quin and Conrad Irwin joined us on 29th September 2021 for a live webinar with audience Q&A to talk Start-ups, Technology and Innovation.

Jonathan co-founded World First in 2004, with the goal of making it faster, easier, safer and cheaper to make international payments. The business grew to 700 people and $15 billion of turnover with offices in 7 countries. It was in the top 100 fastest growing companies in the UK five times, was twice awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, and Jonathan was a finalist of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year. World First was acquired by Alipay in 2019.

Conrad is a programmer and startup founder. He focuses on creating software to help people feel happier and more productive. Currently the CTO of Superhuman, he is working on improving professional communication by helping you get through your email in half the time. Conrad was recognised in the Forbes ‘30 under 30’ in consumer technology in 2019 for his work at Rapportive and Superhuman.

During this interesting and insightful conversation, we heard how they got started, their thoughts on technology and on innovation. We learned of their start-up journeys and the phases of creating and growing a successful business. They talked about scaling and the pitch and partnership with investors for growth funding. Topics explored in the questions included what makes a good team and how to find the right

On Saturday 2nd October, the Old Fettesian Association AGM 2021 took place via Zoom. OFs joined us from all corners of the world to hear updates from the President of the OFA, Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984) and the Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present) As well as the usual approval of Honorary Fettesians and the Fettesian Trust Trustees, there was an overview of all the OFA activity in the last 12 months delivered by OF Coordinator, Vivienne Clark (Staff 2020–present).

We are so grateful to the OFs who joined us for meeting, but would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support of the OFA and wider Fettes community.

If you couldn’t attend, you can watch the recording here –bit.ly/3na4sNB

15th October – Dedication of the New War Memorial Plaques Friday 15th October 2021 marked 100 years since the Fettes College War Memorial was unveiled. We chose this day to commemorate not only the Centenary of the War Memorial, but also to dedicate the new additional plaques for the Lost Boys:

40 Old Fettesians and eight school employees who lost their lives through war, 1896–2004

Thirty-six Old Fettesians who lost their lives on peacetime military service, 1892–1986

We are very grateful to the Fettesian Trust for their support with this project and for their support in recording this important ceremony. If you would like to watch a beautiful recording of the event to hear the names being read by the Head, prayers from the Chaplain and a short address by staff member David McDowell (Staff 2005–present) along with Senior CCF participation, a piper and a moving performance of the Last Post, please visit bit.ly/3zFKqCi

28th October – Dubai Drinks

On the evening of Thursday 28th October, Middle East OF Regional Representative Luke Daly (Ca 2001–2006) very kindly hosted a drinks reception at Folly, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. This was Luke’s first event as the OF Regional Rep for the

2nd October – OFA AGM

Middle East and we were so thrilled to see OFs and members of the Fettes community gathering together in such a beautiful setting.

I think we can all agree the photo from the event is fantastic!

2nd November – Fettes in Conversation: Climate Change with Martin Lees

Although the traditional OF photo in front of the War Memorial could not take place due to social distancing, we did manage to capture a physically distanced photo from above featuring most of the OFs in attendance.

It was clear from the conversations over coffee, that the guests thoroughly enjoyed being there for such a special event.

If there are any new “Old” Fettesians and Fettesiennes in British Columbia, please make your presence known to the Regional Representative for Canada, Nigel Grant (Ca 1949–1952) at: pngrant35@shaw.ca

19th November – Fettes in Conversation: Finance and Climate Change

To coincide with COP26 taking place in Glasgow, we were honoured to be joined by climate change expert Martin Lees (CE 1955–1960) on 2nd November to hear his thoughts on climate change. It was a fascinating conversation that was attended live by over 400 members of the Fettes community including OFs, current and past parents and current students and staff. Martin is a true expert in sustainability and climate change having been working with governments across the globe on these critical issues for the last 26 years. If you have not yet heard this conversation or would like to listen again, we have released the recording of the event as a podcast so you can listen to it wherever suits you best. To listen, visit bit.ly/3xyvtiI or search ‘Fettes Community’ on your usual podcast provider.

14th November – Remembrance

Sunday

It was a pleasure to be able to invite Remembrance regulars to the College Remembrance Day Service, on Sunday 14th November 2021, to honour all those Fettesians who died and those who served their country during two World Wars and in other conflicts.

Over 40 guests attended and it was good to welcome people in person to Fettes again for a Chapel Service with the Upper Sixth and the Act of Remembrance at Fettes War Memorial with the whole school.

Old Fettesians of British Columbia held a dinner on 18th November 2021, at Casa di Amici in West Vancouver, the same restaurant as past years but under new management (the original chef) and with a modified name. Still excellent food as before.

Nine OFs attended: Andrew F Milligan MBE (SH 1938–1941), our resident nonagenarian (97); Nigel Grant (Ca 1949–1952); Sandy A Aird (Ki 1955–1959); Jonathan Maillie (CE 1956–1960); Michael J Weddle (Ki 1956–1959); Derek V Morris (CE 1966–1971); Denis Morris (CE 1967–1972); Mike L Robertson (Ca 1967–1972); David G Tait (JS-Gl 1975–1984)

David G Hunter (Gl 1948–1953) should have been there but he lives in the city of Chilliwack up the Fraser Valley. As the result of an “atmospheric river” just over a week prior to the dinner, the Fraser Valley was devastated as were several other areas of the province. Chilliwack was an island with all road and rail communications broken. We missed him because he always regales us with his adventures.

As usual, a good evening was had by all.

After COP26 was over, we hosted a Fettes in Conversation: Finance and Climate Change webinar with Global Head of ESG Research at HSBC, OF Wai-Shin Chan (Gl 1993–1998). This webinar reflected on the outcomes of COP26 as well as the broader Finance and Climate Change topic. It was attended by students, staff, OFs and parents and is available to listen to by visiting bit.ly/3aTiYGC or searching ‘Fettes Community’ on your usual podcast provider.

10th December – Hong Kong Christmas Dinner

Three generations of OF Leavers from the 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s had a Christmas dinner in Dec 2021 in Hong Kong. Attendees are keen to have more female OFs to attend future events in order to achieve better gender balance!

16th December – London Old Fettesian Carol Service

Despite the pandemic and the rise of the Omicron variant a small congregation chose to gather together at St Michael’s Church in London on 16th December 2021 for

18th November – OF Dinner in British Columbia, Canada

the annual London Old Fettesian Carol Service. Around fifty OFs from across the generations participated in the traditional service of Carols and Lessons with mulled wine and delicious mince pies alfresco on what was conveniently a mild evening for some socially distanced socialising before Christmas.

The Service was led by Revd Robin Weekes (JS-Mo 1983–1991) Peter Foggitt (Ki 1998–2001), Director of Chapel Music at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, kindly played the organ for us. A bijou Chapel Choir of seven who were in exceptional voice complimented the congregational carols with harmonies and small group solo verses.

The lessons were read by Henry Cave, President of the OFA (SH 1980–1984), Revd Jonathan Simpson (Ca 2001–2006), Samantha Brown (Ar 1992–1997) and James Weatherby, Senior Deputy Head (Staff 2007–present) and the Christmas Message was delivered by Revd Mark Simpson (Inv-Gl 1992–2000)

Special thanks must go to Revd David Simpson (Mo 2001–2006) who continues to organise the London OFA Carol Service so brilliantly. This year the gourmet mince pies were kindly provided by Jemima Hastings-Dasent (CE 1988–1992) and the team at Leakers Bakery (www.leakersbakery. co.uk).

We do hope that many OFs will be able to join us for this year’s Christmas service on 14th December 2022.

21st January 2022 – Newcastle OFA Dinner

It was such a pleasure to gather Old Fettesians from the North East of England together at the Northumberland Golf Club for good food and conversation on Friday 21st January.

This was not only the first OF Dinner of 2022 but the first time OFs have been able to gather for dinner in the UK since the pandemic started in March 2020. Spirits were high in

Newcastle across the generations, with representation from 1951 through to 2015.

The dinner began with a brief update from the College by Karen Jones (née Houston) (Ar 1989–1991, Staff 2012–present), Fettes Community Engagement Manager. Iain Nicholson (Ca 1953–1957) delivered very warm words of welcome and friendship and Regional Representative for the North East of England, Alastair Ross (JS-GL 1981–1990) delivered a message of thanks to all who had joined us.

February – Fit in February

generously offered to gift a new flag to Fettes. The design remains the same and will no doubt bring back memories for many OFs reading this update.

A small ceremony was held on Friday 4th March, when President of the OFA, Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984) officially handed over the bright new flag, on behalf of the OFA, to Fettes. In between rain showers, the Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present) and Henry, the Heads of School, Elliot Wilson (PS-Gl 2016–2022) and Freya Bathgate (PS-Ar 2015–2022) and the Pipe Major, Clara Johnson (PS-Ar 2014–2022) all gathered on the east roof for the handover, before the flag was raised to the wonderful sound of the bagpipes.

Fettes is very grateful to the OFA for this generous gift, which will be enjoyed by current students and alumni for generations to come.

4th March – Black Tie Dinner

Throughout February members of the Fettes community were encouraged to get out and about to take part in the month-long friendly competition “Fit in February” with Strathallan School.

After 2,385 activities (runs or walks) were completed in week 3 of the challenge, there were only 3km between us and Strathallan. The Fettes community completed a tremendous effort of 6,844km with Strathallan edging slightly ahead on 6,847km.

By the end of the month though Fettes had taken the lead completing a total of 28,147km across the whole month. Between both schools an impressive 55,378km were covered in the 28 days.

Well done to everyone who took part in this challenge and counted towards that amazing total!

4th March – Handover of new school flag

Over the years our School flag has begun to look a little worse for wear, so we were delighted when the OFA

The OFA were absolutely delighted to be able to host the first black-tie dinner at Fettes College since 2019. OFs were warmly welcomed back onto campus to the rousing sound of piping from current students, Pipe Major Clara Johnson (PS-Ar 2014–2022) and Archie Simpson (Mo 2017–2022). The event had all the hallmarks of the Commem dinner. The top table were piped in before Rob Harrison (Staff 1992–2021) kindly said the Fettes Grace. Everyone was then all seated for an amazing dinner that was well received by all and described by one OF as the best food he has ever had at Fettes. Following dinner, the Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present) and the President of the OFA, Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984) both delivered fantastic speeches. Pipers Clara and

Archie returned for a toast with the President after which they played a medley of songs, much appreciated by those in attendance.

After some much needed catching up and a few glasses of wine, the evening was rounded off by an enthusiastic rendition of Floreas Fettesia, wonderfully led by Tom Worlledge (PS-Mo 2009–2016) and Hugh Findlay (PS-Gl 2007–2015). It was a very special evening, and we are grateful to all those who joined us that made it so. It felt wonderful to host an in-person event once again after so long.

8th April – NYC Dinner

7th

The first in-person event in three years was held in New York following the AGM of our US charity, Friends of Fettes Inc. Due to last minute Covid call offs and cancelled flights, the final number round the table was 16. Most of the attendees were new to the NYC gathering and it was a great opportunity to talk about the Fettes of today, share memories and discuss what type of events people would like in the future. The guests certainly enjoyed themselves.

8th April – Yorkshire Drinks

The Old Fettesian Association were delighted to welcome OFs to The Bathwick Boatman in Bath for lunch on Saturday 7th May. This event, kindly hosted by OF Regional Representative for the South West of England, Nigel Shepherd (Mo 1975–1979), was well attended and enjoyed by everyone there.

Thank you to all who came along to make it such a wonderful occasion. Saturday 6th May 2023 has already been pencilled in for next year’s lunch, so mark your diaries and we will be in touch closer to the time with further details.

27th May – Summer Reunion

On Saturday 28th May, 400 members of the Fettes community, including current families, Old Fettesians and staff gathered together on campus for a wonderful day in the sunshine at the Fettes Festival. The day was relaxed and full of fun for every generation.

Aside from an absolutely delicious BBQ lunch there was so much to do including touch rugby, hockey, the fantastically well received Fettes Family Trail, the low ropes course and frisbee golf. After lunch, guests were able to enjoy the Old Fettesians of 1990 Cricket XI vs the Fettes Community Scratch XI. To help everyone cool down, ice cream was available for all, thanks to the generosity of Graham’s the Family Dairy, who supported the event.

OFs were invited to join Regional Representative for Yorkshire, Dariel Pitt (Ar 1982–1984) for drinks at the Sora Sky Bar at the Malmaison in York. A fun evening was had sharing stories and catching up in an atmospheric venue. As a bonus, the view of York was fabulous but it was still a little too cold to sit outside.

Everyone who attended enjoyed it and appreciated the more informal nature of the event.

Around one hundred OFs from across the generations gathered together for the second of our Commem replacement reunion events, on Friday 27th May.

They enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere on the Head’s Lawn with cocktails and delicious food. There was much reminiscing, mingling and laughter, particularly when looking at the range of archival photographs on display to help OFs remember their time at Fettes. Guests were warmly welcomed by current Lower Sixth student Will Farquharson (Ki 2018–present) playing the pipes and short speeches were delivered by the President of the OFA, Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984) and the Senior Deputy Head, James Weatherby (Staff 2007–present)

It was fantastic to see how OFs embraced this alternative event, especially the Classes of 1990 and 1991 who attended in large numbers.

One of the day’s highlights was a Tug of War competition like no other, when a large team of children were victorious over slightly taken aback catering and staff teams. This was followed by a stunning finale performance by the Reunion Pipe Band, a great feat from some who had only attended Zoom practice sessions and were in the band some decades ago. The spirit of the Fettes community is truly alive and well.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on campus and helped to make it the joyful, celebratory occasion it was!

We are delighted to see the return of in-person events at Fettes College and in various regions around the world. Our Regional Representatives are working to plan events and establish deeper connections with the OFs in their region. A full list of OF Regional Representatives can be found on page 48 so you can contact your local representative.

To keep up to date with upcoming events, please sign up to the Fettes Community Portal (fettescommunity.org) where we will share details of our plans. We very much look forward to seeing you at an event in the future.

May – Bath Lunch

28th May – Fettes Festival

OF REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

ARGENTINA

Sean Cameron (Mo 1978–1982) seandcameron112@gmail.com

+54 9 2262 40 9044

CANADA (WESTERN)

Nigel Grant (Ca 1949–1952) pnigelgrant@outlook.com

+60 4 922 0059

ENGLAND (LONDON)

James Macpherson (Gl 1997–2002) jfsmacpherson@hotmail.com

+44(0)7929 233772

ENGLAND (NORTH WEST)

Norman Rowbotham (Ca 1963–1968)

normanrowbotham@aol.com

+44(0)7747 141666

AUSTRALIA (TASMANIA)

David Graham (Ki 1946–1950) davidkategraham@netspace.net.au

+61 036 228 5261

CHANNEL ISLANDS

Jeffrey Giovannoni (Ki 1989–1994) jeffreygiovannoni@voisinlaw.com

+44(0)1534 500300

ENGLAND (LONDON)

David Simpson (Mo 2001–2006) davidmoodysimpson@icloud.com

+44 (0) 7896 818167

ENGLAND (SOUTH WEST)

Nigel Shepherd (Mo 1975–1979) shepherd947@btinternet.com

+44(0)7581 008128

AUSTRALIA (VICTORIA)

David Davidson (Inv-Ki 1961–1965)

ddavidson1@optusnet.com.au

+61 417 552 757

CHILE

Donald Filshill (CE 1949–1952) dmfilshill@gmail.com

+56 9 9325 6438

ENGLAND (LONDON)

Urosh Teodorovich (Inv-Ki 2001–2008)

u.teodorovich@gmail.com

+44(0)7985 178823

FRANCE

Neil Robertson (JS-Mo 1973–1980) neil.robertson@orange.fr

+33 6 80 03 83 03

BRAZIL

Colin Pritchard (CW 1954–1958) colinpri.alp@terra.com.br

+55–11-9-9901-5844

EAST AFRICA

Alexis Sarikas (Mo 1978–1982) flexnbi@hotmail.com

+254 722 380290

ENGLAND (NORTH EAST)

Alastair Ross (JS-Gl 1981–1990) alastairross33@hotmail.com

+44(0)7789 247912

GERMANY

Berthold Nicklas Lange (Ca 2008–2010)

bnl@langefo.com

+49 170 4002140

HONG KONG

Joseph Ng (Ki 1983–1986) joe.cf.ng@gmail.com

+852 6731 4638

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

David Baxter (Mo 1983–1988) drbaxter1970@gmail.com

+353 86 853 6966

SINGAPORE & MALAYSIA

Rosie Thompson (SH 1984–1986) rosiethompson68@gmail.com

+65 9477 4725

SWITZERLAND

Christopher Milne (SH 1974–1979) christopher@thewiseelephant.com

+41 77 513 56 68

HONG KONG

Alice Stevenson (Ar 2006–2011) alice.stevenson@hkland.com

+852 9337 2339

JAPAN

Shizuka Harada (Inv-CW 1993–2000) shizy999@gmail.com

+81 90 1849 2110

SCOTLAND (GLASGOW)

Rory Macdonald (JS-Ca 1990–1997) rorycmacdonald@hotmail.com

+44 (0) 7920 887497

SWITZERLAND

Norval Gough (Ar 1976–1980) norval@perso.ch

+41 76 522 2625

INDIA

Duncan Watkinson (Ca 1961–1965) dpwatkinson@gmail.com

+91 81055 22555

MIDDLE EAST

Luke Daly (Ca 2001–2006) luke@moosa-daly.com

+971 506132681

SCOTLAND (ORKNEY)

Barbara Graham (Gl 1975–1977) bjmgraham@gmail.com

+44(0)7710 404892

USA

Elena Jacque (née Poleganova) (Inv-CW 1994–2002) epoleganova@gmail.com

+1 267-304-9449

If there is a region you would like to volunteer for, please contact Vivienne Clark at ofa@fettes.com.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Jason Johnston (Gl 1988–1993) jason.johnston496@gmail.com

+44(0)7971 206972

NEW ZEALAND

James Purves (SH 1980–1985) jamespurves@mac.com

+64 21 274 1850

SOUTH AFRICA

Stephen Fish (SH 1980–1981) fishman@iafrica.com

+27 83 253 3766

OF NEWS

1950s

His Honour Anthony Cleary (né Beardmore) (CW 1959–1964) was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday honours list for services to family law.

1960s

In April 2022, Jeff Todd (Gl 1964–1969) retired after owning and operating a mobile x-ray company for 32 years.

Charlie Jeffrey (Ki 1965–1969) joined the Tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl as part of the One Ocean Expedition from Grand Canary to Curacao in October 2021; 4006 nautical miles in 31 days, under sail except for three hours, entering port. Charlie writes: “I joined the ship in Las Palmas with 105 ‘medseilers’ after we passed strict Covid–19 protocol. Life onboard was very active, assigned a hammock in a banjer with 40 other crew, on Blue watch from 08–12 and 20–midnight each day. Regular tasks included Bow watch, fire watch and man overboard watch, in addition to one hour on helm (steering), and don’t forget a shift helping the Galley staff at mealtimes.

“On watch we worked setting the sails in all weathers, sanding and varnishing woodwork and polishing all

the Brass in the last weeks.

“It was not all work! Off watch we had time to relax on deck, learn 12 sailors’ knots, sing shanty songs, learn how to make sailors knives with sheath, sew cotton bags, navigate by the stars (sexton), watch a movie once a week on deck when the film was projected onto one of the sails.

“Learnings: We were 105 persons aged from 13 to 83 years who joined as fellow sailors, many had no experience of sailing, living in close quarters for 30 days, and working as a team. The younger members were somewhat shocked the first days as there was no mobile coverage and no internet! With no landfall across the Atlantic, just following the trade winds.

“For myself it was fascinating to observe the interaction between an international group of sailors, so I have signed up to the leg across the Indian ocean from Jakarta to Mauritius in November.”

Professor Neil Jackson (Gl 1965–1969) is generously supporting a new annual award for OF Architecture students. Named in honour of the Edinburgh Architect who designed Fettes College, The David Bryce Award will be awarded annually by Professor Jackson to the OF applicant who presents the best digital portfolio of design work and transcript of marks at

the end of their first year of an RIBA Part 1 accredited course. A written reference from a studio tutor who sees the student on a regular basis is also required.

Professor Jackson is Professor Emeritus in the School of Architecture at the University of Liverpool. He has published many books on architecture including Japan and the West: An Architectural Dialogue (2019), Pierre Koenig: A View from the Archive (2019), and the award-winning Craig Ellwood (2002). He is a chartered architect (RIBA), a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and, until 2021, a Trustee and President of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain. He has met with Lower Sixth formers thinking about studying architecture in person at Fettes and, during the pandemic, on Zoom and is a great source of advice and encouragement for them. It is wonderful therefore that he is providing further encouragement to budding OF architects at an early stage in their studies.

The first award was made in person by Professor Jackson to Eilidh Townend (CE 2017–2019), last September, fittingly, at the V&A Dundee. We are extremely grateful to Professor Jackson for his continued support.

His Honour Anthony Cleary OBE The Tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl joined by Charlie Jeffrey

Professor Neil Jackson and Eilidh Townend

1970s

Iain Stewart (Mo 1971–1976) published his first book Knights of the Air, Book 1: Rage! in November 2021. It is a historical novel that is faithful to the history of WW1 air aces and begins by following the lead character from East Africa (where Iain was also based when at Fettes). Fellow OF Alastair Reid (Mo 1970–1975) said about the book “I can't recommend the book more highly for its twists, unexpected narrative, excitement and close regard to the history and conditions of the time.”

In December 2020, Antony Wong (Ca 1974–1979) was awarded the Freedom of the City of London for 36 years of contribution to the City of London.

Allan Jardine (SH 1976–1980) published his first book Never Mind the Bagpipes: A Piper’s Tale in June 2021. The book is a true story of the trials and tribulations of a young boy struggling with the pipes and oversize kilts, before mastering this iconic musical instrument. It is a humorous look at Scottish culture, illustrated with cartoons and features a good few chapters set in Fettes College. Michelle McManus, presenter of ‘Our Lives’ on BBC Radio Scotland said “It’s an incredible collection of stories and

I hope everyone gets a chance to pick up this book.”

On 31 December 2021 it was announced that the Queen had appointed The Rt Hon Tony C Blair, PC (Ki-Ar 1966–1971) a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (KG).

The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III of England in 1348. It is the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system, outranked in precedence only by the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. Appointments are at the sovereign’s sole discretion and are usually in recognition of a national contribution, for public service, or for personal service to the sovereign. Membership of the order is limited to the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 living members, or Companions. The order also includes supernumerary knights and ladies (e.g., members of the British royal family and foreign monarchs).

The ceremony took place on 13th June 2022.

1980s

Victor Tsien (Ca 1985–1989), Gillem Tulloch (Ca 1984–1989) and Kwong Yu Lam (Ca 1985–1989) met up at

the Royal Hong Kong Yaught Club in Hong Kong on 7th October 2021. Carringtonians together again.

1990s

Adam Gordon (JS-Ki 1988–1992) achieved a career high in April this year when Candidate.ID, the recruitment technology company he founded in 2017 was acquired by iCIMS, Inc, a US-based HR software giant. Industry analyst Madeline Laurano hailed the move, describing Candidate.ID as, “One of the most exciting companies in talent acquisition.”

Lorne Balfe (JS-Gl 1987–1995) has produced the score for Top Gun: Maverick working alongside Harold Faltermeyer, Hans Zimmer and Lady Gaga.

Stephen Cheong (Ki 1995–1999)’s second son, August William Guici Cheong, was born this year on 24th April 2021.

Victoria Baldie (née Morrison) (CW 1989–1992) has recently raised over £11,000 for Pancreatic Cancer in memory of her mother who died in April 2021. She ran the Edinburgh marathon with fellow CW buddy, Sarah Mayo (JS-CW 1986–1994) at the end of May.

Top: Sir Tony Blair at Garter Day: Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph

Allan Jardine’s first book: Never Mind the Bagpipes: A Piper’s Tale

Top: Victor Tsien, Gillem Tulloch and Kwong Yu Lam

Above: Victoria Baldie (née Morrison) and Sarah Mayo

2000s

Alistair Paul (Ki 2000–2005) is delighted to announce that he got married to Katherine Paul (née Badenoch) in April this year. OFs Andrew Shearer-Collie (Ki 2000–2005), Jamie Kelly (Ki 2000–2005) and Bobby Stewart (Ki 2000–2005) attended the wedding celebrations which were held in London at St John’s Wood Church followed by Hawksmoor Guildhall.

Charlotte Purchase (née Preston) (Ar 2006–2008) and her husband Jack welcomed their first child Imogen Florence Purchase in September 2021. First grandchild for Nigel Preston (Gl 1969–1974) and great-great-niece for George Preston (SH-CW 1944–1950, Staff 1955–1991)

Alex Starritt (Mo 2001–2004) has won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for his latest novel, We Germans. This

story of German soldiers in the Second World War is Alex’s second novel and was the 2021 Winner in Fiction. The Dayton Literary Peace Prize recognises the power of the written word to promote peace. The prize is awarded to books that have led readers to a better understanding of other cultures, peoples, religions, and political points of view. We got in touch with Alex shortly after hearing the news to pass on our congratulations and to hear his thoughts on winning this special award:

“This wonderful prize strikes a deep chord for me and is something I profoundly believe in. I often think about how, in the First World War, practically none of those fighting knew anything at all about their supposed enemies. Most had never travelled outside their county, let alone to other countries. My hunch is that the more people understand about each other, the higher the bar

that generals and jingoists have to get over to convince the public that the French or the Germans or the Chinese or whoever are inherently baddies. So I actually think that EasyJet deserves a Nobel peace prize – cheap air travel has done more for international understanding than a thousand wellmeaning projects. But the other part of understanding each other is knowing something about each other’s cultures – so watching Netflix shows with subtitles and reading books that give a glimpse outside the national box we were born into.”

Andrew Shearer-Collie (Ki 2000–2005) tells us that his son, Logan Shearer-Collie was born on Dec 8, 2020 in New York City.

Velocity C Airey (Inv-Ar 2000–2009) has been awarded the highly coveted Sword of Honour at The Sovereign’s Parade. We received the news on behalf of the Commandant

Top: Alex Starritt’s Dayton Literary Peace Prize winning novel, We Germans

Above: Daughter of Charlotte Purchase (née Preston) and great-great-niece of George Preston

Top: Velocity C Airey

Above: Alistair Paul with OFs Andrew Shearer-Collie, Jamie Kelly and Bobby Stewart at his wedding

of The Royal Military Academy who wished to inform Fettes College that our former student Velocity was awarded the best cadet of the intake. They wrote “The Sword of Honour was awarded to Senior Under Officer Velocity Charlotte Airey. Considered by the Commandant to be the Best Cadet in the Army Commissioning Course 203, she is to commission into The Royal Lancers.”

The Sovereign’s Parade took place on Friday 6th August with Boris Johnson representing Her Majesty the Queen.

At Fettes, Velocity was an active member of the CCF participating in the Fettes College CCF 100th anniversary celebrations in 2008 and was awarded a University Army Scholarship with admission to Sandhurst in the same year.

Urosh Teodorovich (KI 2001–2008) and Venetia Sheppard were married in London in early November 2021. The church service was held at the Orthodox Cathedral of the Divine Wisdom in Bayswater with the wedding

reception at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park. OF attendees included Roderick Dirkzwager (Ki 2001–2008), Roshni Best (CW 2001–2008), Adam Cuthbert (Ki 2003–2008), Daniel Park (Inv-Gl 2002–2008), Bill Chater (Inv-Gl 2002–2008), and Sue Yin Yong (Ar 2005–2008)

We were very grateful to Adventurer and Old Fettesian Mark Agnew (Gl 2005–2009) who was our Keynote Speaker at Careers Day. Mark also recently recorded a podcast with us: Fettes Talks Adventure with OF Mark Agnew. Mark Agnew is an adventurer and a journalist. At 30 years old Mark has already had two endeavours at rowing the Atlantic. Mark is now attempting the ‘last great first’, the Northwest Passage. Rowing 2,500 miles over two months as a crew of eight from the Atlantic to the Pacific, an adventure scheduled for July 2022 that has just been postponed to 2023 due to the favourability of the ice. We talked to Mark on the Fettes Community Podcast, find us on your usual podcast provider and listen in.

2010s

Elliot Graves (Gl 2007–2012) wrote to us with an update: “A little update from my life as I progress through my career as a Director specialising in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality productions. Recently I was nominated for two Emmys for Micro Monsters with David Attenborough – a cutting edge mini-series that revealed the world of bugs in ways never done before using VR for Meta. Also this year the iPhone and iPad AR app Museum Alive with David Attenborough on which I was the Creative Director became a finalist at Apple’s Design Awards. Since then I’ve launched another landmark film, David Attenborough’s First Life, for Meta Quest VR and even featured in the National Geographic documentary, Back to Titanic, in which we dove in manned submarines to RMS for the first time in 15 years as a technical supervisor.”

Felicity Clifford (Ar 2008–2010) has recently been promoted at STV

Mark Agnew

Top: Urosh Teodorovich and his wife Venetia on their wedding day

Above: Andrew Blair helped build this 78m long footbridge in rural Rwanda

from production journalist to multimedia reporter based in Dundee.

“In my previous role I worked behind the scenes filming and interviewing experts on the pandemic, and I was part of the production team for the Holyrood elections in May working with the politics team preparing for the elections and STVs election programmes.

“My new role sees me reporting on camera on all the major stories in Tayside and Fife.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for me to take as reporting is something I’ve always wanted to do. I really love speaking to people and listening to their stories, a skill I learned at Fettes during my outside service where I would take a sweetie trolley around a care home.

“The part of my new role I’m most looking forward to is telling the stories of people and working with the disabled community to get voices heard on issues and better representation in the media.”

Andrew Blair (Inv-Ca 2003–2010) volunteered with charity Bridges to Prosperity (through his company Balfour Beatty) to build a 78m long footbridge in rural Rwanda for a community of 10,500 people. This

was 16m above the Rubyiro River, where sadly people have died trying to cross. The bridge build was a tough experience, competing with steep access to the site and tropical rain downpours, and all undertaken by hand tools, but was completed safely and on time – just before the local mayor arrived and the singing and dancing started!

Sophie Cullis (CE 2012–2017) graduated from Columbia University in the City of New York with a high distinction (4.0 GPA) in the Master of Arts (MA) in European History and Politics. She ws awarded a rare A+ (98%<) in her MA Thesis titled, Adoption or Adaptation? An Analysis of the 2020 Anti-Racist Movements in France and Great Britain in the Context of the US BLM Movement Sophie has now commenced the PGDL / Law Conversion having been awarded the Jules Thorn Scholarship from The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple (Inn of Court) and a Career Commitment Scholarship from BPP.

Jake Wightman (Gl 2008–2012) has been putting in some world class performances. On 9th January, Jake clocked 7:50.97 for 3000m indoors, making him just one of four Britons to have broken 1:45 for 800m and

8:00 for 3000m. The others are: Seb Coe, Steve Cram and Steve Ovett. On 5th June Jake won the 1500m at the Wanda Diamond League in Rabat with a time of 3:32.62. On 16th June Jake became the fastest Scot to complete a mile with a time of 3:50.30, a Scottish record that has been unbroken for 40 years.

Harry Paterson (PS-Gl 2011–2019) made his international debut for Scotland 7s at the Singapore International 7s competition in April 2022. He made his second appearance at the Vancouver International 7s the following week.

Tom Banatvala (Gl 2015–2020) played in the U20 Scotland XV against England U20 on 4th February 2022.

Melissa Wilson (CW 2009–2011), elite athlete, along with Hannah Mills, brought together Olympic and Paralympic athletes from over 40 different countries in a video to World Leaders for COP26 encouraging them to race like athletes, adopting ambitious action in the face of climate change. Melissa also came in to Fettes in March to talk to the Third Form as a keynote speaker to kick off their Project Week on Oceans.

Jake Wightman

Harry Paterson in the Scotland 7s squad

Tom Banatvala in the Scotland U20 XV

Former Staff

The Revd Dr David Weekes (Staff 1974–1994) has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and published another book, John Buchan’s Faith Experience in His Life.

Mark Peel (Staff 1983–2007) has been shortlisted for the Sports Book Awards for his biography of Douglas Jardine, Never Surrender. The synopsis is noted below: “Never Surrender: The Life of Douglas Jardine is the enthralling story of England’s most controversial cricket captain, forever associated with bodyline bowling on MCC’s tour to Australia in 1932/33. Despite his privileged upbringing and amateur status, Jardine’s steely personality and win-at-all-costs ethos was more akin to the professional

game. Confronted with the run-making genius of Australia’s Don Bradman in 1932/33, Jardine resorted to a form of intimidatory bowling that helped England regain the Ashes, but his tactics shocked Australia and brought relations between the two countries to the point of collapse. To restore harmony, Jardine was disowned by the MCC cricket establishment and shunned thereafter, but now – in a more modern, competitive age –his reputation has undergone a rehabilitation, not least in Australia. Drawing on fresh material, awardwinning cricket author Mark Peel reappraises an outstanding leader whose care for those he valued knew no bounds.”

We always love to hear about your news, achievements and memories from your time at Fettes. Please share these with us throughout the year on the Fettes Community Portal feed (fettescommunity.org/feed) or by emailing ofa@fettes.com.

To keep up to date with the news from your fellow OFs, visit the Fettes Community Portal (www.fettescommunity.org) or follow us on Twitter @OldFettesians and @fettescommunity

This October we will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of Carrington House. We have planned to mark the occasion with an event on Sunday 2nd October which all Carringtonians are welcome to. To further celebrate this occasion, we would love to hear your memories and highlights from your time in Carrington. Please email your stories or photos to ofa@fettes.com.

Mark Peel’s Sports Book Award shortlisted biography of Douglas Jardine, Never Surrender

SADLY DEPARTED

We would like to thank family members, friends and colleagues who have notified us of the deaths of Old Fettesians and other Friends of Fettes listed in this edition of the Newsletter. This list includes news of deaths that we have been made aware of up until 16th June 2022. If you know of any omissions, please do let us know by emailing ofa@fettes.com or calling +44 (0)131 311 6741.

Throughout the year when we are notified of a death, we update the following page on our website: www.fettes.com/ familyforlife/alumni/sadly-departed

1930s

PROFESSOR IAN G STEWART (Gl 1937–1941)

Professor Ian G Stewart passed away on 23rd September 2021, aged 98.

Ian attended Fettes College in the late 1930s where he was Captain of the Shooting XIII and was a Sergeant in the CCF. His brothers Bill D Stewart (Gl 1942–1944) (Deceased) and Tom H Stewart (Gl 1950–1954) both attended Fettes after Ian. His granddaughter Ally K De Haan (PS-Ar 2007–2013) also attended Fettes. As a distinguished Professor of Economics he was elected in 1976 as the Edinburgh University representative on the Board of Governors. After serving as Chairman of the education sub-committee and taking a very active part in the Fettes–2000 Appeal, he became Chairman of Governors in 1986 until he stepped down in 1989.

The following was written by William Carnegie (Ca 1950–1955):

As well as a long life and a distinguished career as an academic economist, Ian had an adventurous and much travelled one. One would never have guessed this from the mild, gentle and modest man I knew in the last forty years of his life.

After leaving Fettes and spending a year at St Andrews University, Ian was called up into the RAF. Following training in the UK and North America, in October 1944, he qualified as a Sunderland flying boat pilot and spent the next two years flying East from Africa, on at least one occasion as far as Japan. He returned to St Andrews University taking a First-Class Honours Degree in Political Economy and Political Science and spent 1948–50 as a Commonwealth Fellow at Chicago and Harvard Universities, coming back to this country as a Research Officer in the Department of Economics at Cambridge University. During this time, he investigated the National Income of Nigeria, which, as on both occasions when he was in North America, resulted in considerable travel there.

In 1957 he came to Edinburgh University as a Lecturer in Economics and progressed up the career ladder there

becoming Head of the Department in 1971 and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences in 1973, retiring in 1984. Ian was a Governor of Fettes in the 1980s and Chairman “on a short-term basis” for his last three years in office. He faced difficulties in that capacity, but in his calm, nice but effective manner, he dealt with them admirably, thus helping to provide the basis for the subsequent success of the school. Fettes, therefore, owes him a considerable debt of gratitude. He married Mary Oddie in 1949; they had two daughters and a son.

IAN T HALL (Ca 1938–1942)

Ian T Hall passed away on 19th August 2021, aged 96. Ian came to Fettes in 1938 and was joined by his brother Kenneth M Hall (Ca 1939–1944) (Deceased). After Fettes, Ian was a Captain in the Royal Engineers. He lived and worked in Bangalore from 1954–1964. During his retirement he enjoyed golf.

The following was published in the Peeblesshire News: HALL Ian Telford (Peebles) Passed away peacefully at Archview Lodge, Dalkeith on 19th August 2021, aged 96. Beloved husband of the late Rita and dear father of Gordon and Michael. Any donations to be made to “Good News For Everyone”, a Christian charity.

1940s

DAVID GAULT (Ca 1942–1945)

David Gault passed away on 29th November 2021, aged 93. David played cricket and gained his 3rd XI Cap in 1945. In 1943 he won the boxing at bantam weight and in 1944 he performed in the Carrington House Play. After Fettes he became a shipbroker. He kept in touch with Fettes, occasionally attending London Old Fettesian events.

The following was written by William Carnegie (Ca 1950–1955):

David leaves Jane, his wife of seven years, five children, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. David was a shipbroker and Managing Director of H Clarkson & Co, a leading international shipping line. In 1968 Sir Alexander (‘Sandy’) Glen (Ca 1926–1930) (Deceased), who had been an Arctic explorer in the 1930s and had had a distinguished naval career in the Second World War, was Chairman of Clarkson. He provided money, partly from his own resources and partly from the company’s, to set up a fund in the Fettesian Trust controlled by the Head. The purpose of the fund was “to assist boys and girls annually in travel or some enterprise of this kind showing rather unusual initiative”. For the last 50 years, therefore, Fettesians have benefited from Clarkson’s generosity which has allowed them to travel throughout the world in interesting ways and they are continuing to do so.

ANDREW L GUNN (SH-Ki 1943–1950)

Andrew L Gunn passed away on 16th October 2021, aged 90.

During his time at Fettes, Andrew was a keen sportsman playing in the 1st XI Cricket team, the 1st XI Hockey team and the 1st XV Rugby team. He was also Head of House, a House Prefect, a School Prefect, an Assistant Librarian and a member of the Music Club committee. Andrew’s brother John A Gunn (Ki 1947–1953), his Great Niece Sacha A Bushby (Ar-Da 2011–2016) and his Great Nephew Mark R Bushby (Mo 2013–2018) also attended Fettes College.

The following was written by John A Gunn (Ki 1947–1953):

Andrew L Gunn came to Fettes as a Foundationer in 1943, a few days after reaching the age of twelve. He was the youngest boy in the school. He started on the Classical side and won a scholarship to Clare College, Cambridge in 1949. He decided that he wanted to go in for medicine and stayed at Fettes to read biology etc for A levels. When he left in July 1950, he was a School Prefect and Head of Kimmerghame, and by now the oldest boy in the school. He was Captain of cricket and played in the first XV.

He qualified in medicine at Cambridge and subsequently at Guy’s Hospital Medical School. After various appointments in London, Bedford and Nottingham he became a consultant in orthopaedic surgery in Ipswich.

Andrew is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, four children, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and his younger brother John.

ROBIN J MALLINSON (Ca 1944–1947)

Robin J Mallinson passed away on 17th March 2022, aged 93.

At Fettes, Robin was Head of House, a Sergeant in the CCF and captain of both the 1st Cricket XI and 1st Hockey XI. He also played fives and squash and was a member of the Shakespeare Society. Robin’s father Lieutenant Colonel Ernest H Mallinson (SH 1911–1916) (Deceased) also attended Fettes.

The following was written by his son, David: Robin Mallinson started at Fettes in the middle of World War II in January 1944. He was four months late but had a very decent (and certainly one of the more interesting excuses) having been stranded in a troop garrison in Egypt for six weeks on his journey back from the family home in Kashmir! He loved the sporting life at Fettes captaining the cricket team and the hockey team as well as playing squash and fives for the school with distinction. Robin’s father

E H P (Simon) Mallinson also captained the cricket team and Robin (an agile fielder) slightly guiltily recalled that he ran out his father when playing against the Old Boys. He also prospered academically at least enough to secure a place at Oxford. Robin claimed to be the only student at Fettes at the time to take Geography despite it not being on the syllabus, there being no staff able to teach it and only one book. Apparently on arrival Robin persuaded his teachers that he could not take up Classics having never studied it in India and that Geography was the obvious option given his global experience – the teacher begrudgingly agreed, and Robin was very proud of achieving a self-taught credit.

He was born in 1928 on a houseboat on the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir, the houseboat being rented by his parents because Europeans were not allowed to own property there.

His father was an officer in the Indian Army, 17th Dogras, and Robin, his two sisters and mother followed his postings around the sub-continent. Summers were spent in Gulmarg, also in Kashmir, until he was dispatched back to the UK in 1943 aged 15 to complete his secondary education at Fettes. He was an irrepressible raconteur, many of his stories relating to his early years in India which perhaps became embellished with the passing of time. He contributed many of these stories to a two-volume compilation called Last Children of the Raj, a collection by Laurence Fleming of the early memories of many individuals born between 1911 and 1940 who spent their childhoods or adolescence in the British Raj or the Princely States, published in 2004.

After Fettes, Robin went to University College, Oxford in 1948 following National Service in the Royal Artillery. He took mods in Mathematics and Finals in Jurisprudence, and on graduating he trained as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers in London. On qualifying he joined Alcan Aluminium where he spent the large part of his career, with postings to Banbury, London, British Guiana/Guyana, London and Rio de Janeiro, where his last position was finance director of Alcan in Latin America. The final years of his career were spent with Blue Circle Cement in Indonesia and the UK.

Sport played a large part in his life: at Oxford he gained a blue in hockey and half blue in Rugby fives, he played hockey for Oxfordshire, was a cricket lover who qualified as a playing member of the MCC and became an accomplished golfer with a low handicap of 3. Among his achievements at golf was becoming the Open Golf Champion of British Guiana (admittedly not the foremost of golfing nations), winning the prestigious Seniors club individual and foursomes trophy and recording a hole in one at North Hants Golf Club at the 8th hole on the 8th August in his 88th year. He also represented the Old Fettesians and played in at least one winning team in the Cyril Gray trophy. He finally hung up his clubs aged 89 having scored below his age every year since he was 69.

He met Elizabeth Jukes-Hughes, one of a pair of mischievous identical twins whilst at Oxford and they married shortly after and went on to have four sons (none of whom attended Fettes sadly).

Robin and Elizabeth lived in quiet retirement in Crondall, Hampshire, for many years, interrupted only by a stint as a district councillor for the Conservatives in the Hart District. Not a natural politician, his arm had been twisted to run in possibly the safest Conservative ward in the land in 1992 as the party was at such a low ebb and there were no other volunteers. He was always willing to answer the call and make his contribution. He died peacefully at home on 17th March 2022 aged 93, Elizabeth having pre-deceased him by four years.

DAVID A MCGOUN (Ki 1946–1950)

David A McGoun passed away on 21st March 2020, aged 87. During his time at Fettes, David was a member of the Senior Music Club, the Choir, and the Reel Society. He also took part in the Geographical Society and was a Corporal in the CCF.

The following was written by his wife, Barbara:

David went into National Service in the British Army and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Tank Regiment serving as a Troop Commander in the 4th Tank

Regiment in Egypt from October 1951 to December 1952. He was then promoted to Lieutenant in the Territorial Army Queens Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry Regiment.

He went on to spend most of his working life in Nigeria and eventually retired to Horning in Norfolk.

He was very proud of his time at Fettes and was the most kind and gentle man. He is greatly missed.

KENNETH C S YOUNG (Ca 1948–1953)

Kenneth C S Young passed away on 31st October 2021, aged 87.

Kenneth came to Fettes in 1948, joining his older brother, Donald S Young (Ca 1946–1951), both following their father Andrew B S Young (Ca 1915–1919) (Deceased) Kenneth was a House Prefect and a keen sportsman, competing in both the Hockey XI and the Cricket XI. After Fettes he went on to study Classics at St. John’s Cambridge before working at the Exchange Telegraph Company. His daughter Kate Eckett (née Young) (Gl 1979–1981) came to Fettes as one of the early girls. She too was excellent at sport, becoming Girls Sport Captain whilst representing Fettes at tennis, golf, badminton and basketball.

Based largely on information from Kenneth’s wife and daughter, the following was written by William Carnegie (Ca 1950–1955):

Kenneth did well at Fettes where he was a House Prefect and in the 1st XI for two years. He got his place in the XI by making a century against it while filling an empty place in the OF cricket team. His other notable experience was being in Carrington in March 1952 when there was a major fire in “Upper Big” and other dormitories. Like many of the rest of us, all his clothes were destroyed and, much to her annoyance, his mother had to take him to buy a completely new set. He also did well when he followed in the footsteps of his father, who was a rugger blue, to St Johns College, Cambridge where he took a degree in Classics and played for the College squash and tennis teams.

Kenneth had a distinguished career connected with, and then in horseracing. He worked for the Exchange Telegraph Company (EXTEL) becoming a director of the business which transmitted news from racecourses to betting shops throughout the country after the legislation of offcourse betting in 1961. He and his colleagues fought off an unwanted bid from Robert Maxwell, but in 1988 EXTEL was acquired by United Newspapers.

In 1992, as a result of his experience in EXTEL, Kenneth was appointed Chief Executive of the Horse Racing Advisory Council, which represented all parts of racing and negotiated with the Jockey Club when the British Horse Racing Authority was established. In retirement he acted as a Steward at Lingfield Park and Warwick Racecourses and was chairman of the Buckinghamshire branch of The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. He married Elizabeth Benn in 1961. Through their daughter Kate they have two grandchildren, Thomas and Alice, but sadly their other daughter Miranda died. Kenneth was a marvellous person,

kind, generous, thoughtful and loving and is sadly missed not only by his immediate family but also by his brother Donald and his sister Ann Laughland.

GRAHAM G CUMMING (Ca 1949–1954)

Graham G Cumming passed away on 15th March 2022, aged 86.

At Fettes, Graham was the Head of House and Captain of the 1st XV. He was also in the 1st Hockey XI, captain of the Fives team and won the 1952 Steeplechase. Unsurprisingly, he won the Challenge Clock in 1954. Four generations within the Cumming family have attended Fettes; Graham’s father Alexander I Cumming (Ca 1922–1925) (Deceased), his brothers Andrew M Cumming (Ca 1952–1954) (Deceased) and Robert A Cumming (Ca 1956–1956), his cousin Michael R Cumming (Ca 1954–1958), his children John A Cumming (Ca 1977–1981) and Andy A Cumming (Ca 1979–1983) as well as his grandson Alexander P Cumming (Ca 2016–2021).

The following was written by Donald Steel (Gl 1950–1956):

From whatever angle you look, Graham Cumming was the most versatile sportsman in modern times (maybe ever) to have donned chocolate and magenta although he would certainly never have laid claim himself. In 72 years of knowing him well, he was the pillar of modesty. In the battle with his final illness, he was typically brave and quick to switch the talk to cricket or golf. However, he was unmistakably proud of his family’s Fettes heritage. Father, brother, two sons and grandson embraced four generations of noble Yorkshire stock.

“Lies, damned lies and statistics” is a quotation said to have its roots in the University of York but, more apt in this context, is the blunt assertion of an old Australian cricket coach who maintained “you can’t argue with figures”. Well, here goes. The truth cannot lie.

Graham played 1st XI cricket for five of his six summers, the last two as captain. A fast medium bowler, Number 4 or 5 batsman, and a fielder who set a wonderful example, he was always in the game. In his final summer, he topped both bowling and batting with respective averages of 9.64 and 42.55. Under his captaincy, his teams were unbeaten against Scottish schools. One painful memory lingers of the 1953 House Match final in which Graham made 201 for Carrington against Glencorse in what seemed more like a timeless “Test Match”.

Changing to winter, Graham was full back in the 1st XV 1952–54 which also never lost to a Scottish school. He was a reliable place kicker who had conspicuous success even with the old leather ball that weighed a ton when wet. Yet, for all his penchant for joining the attack, his was a comforting last line of defence with special power as a drop kicker. The December 1953 Fettesian magazine described the goal he dropped from a mark against Glasgow Academy, as “the rarest of rugby spectacles”. By way of due recognition, Graham was selected for the Scottish Schools XV in 1954.

For the following Lent term, he took over as Captain of rugby, and Head of Carrington, from Malcolm Swan (Ca 1948–1953) (Deceased), and was later his Best Man at a service at St Margaret’s, Westminster, “The Church of Parliament Square”. Swan won eight caps for Scotland in 1958–59, but Graham’s three school victories, when in command, were aided by two other Scottish internationals, Gordon Waddell (Ca 1950–1956) (Deceased) and Frans ten Bos (Gl 1951–1955) (Deceased). The following year, John Brash (Gl 1952–1957) (Deceased) joined the list. It was a golden age.

Fettes were fortunate regarding their Coaches and Masters-in-Charge of games whose aim was not merely to spend enjoyable practice afternoons and win school matches. Charles Whittle (Staff 1948–1972) (Deceased), Peter Henderson (Staff 1948–1963) (Deceased), Bruce McKenzie (Staff 1952–1957) (Deceased) and Ian Sutcliffe (Staff 1946–1979) (Deceased) are foremost in mind. They were guided by the greater force of equipping their charges with ambitions to graduate to higher levels at university, club, county, and even country. It should be priority in any school.

National Service in the Army enabled Graham to raise his playing sights a few notches in company with several who, on return to Civvy Street, became household names. Graham played top class Club rugby for Harrogate and a varied array of cricket for the MCC, Free Foresters and Yorkshire Gentlemen, one of the oldest amateur Clubs in the land. At golf, at nearby Pannal, he was a low single figure handicapper at his peak, frequently going on tours with chums not least to St Andrews.

Back at Fettes, he was a solid sixth former, gained 1st XI colours for hockey, was king of the Fives Court, first home in the 1952 Open steeplechase, and, hardly surprisingly, made the annual Challenge Clock his own. Victor ludorum in every sense. He never spoke of his successes – a tough competitor yes with plenty of belief – but a man who never changed –companionable, cheerful, fair, kind, and ever approachable. Oh yes, and when he wasn’t playing games, he was a hardworking farmer like father and son, Andrew. What a man.

1950s

DAVID HOWARD, EARL OF EFFINGHAM (CW 1952–1957)

David Howard passed away on 26th February 2022, aged 82. Whilst at Fettes, David was a House Prefect and was in the Cricket XI.

The following was compiled from The Telegraph and with contributions from William Carnegie (Ca 1950–1955): He left Fettes for his National Service and joined the landing ship HMS Meon at Ras al-Jufair, Bahrain, helping to keep peace in the Persian Gulf. He was given the role of navigator’s yeoman, helping to plot co-ordinates on to a paper navigation chart. In 1962 he was selected for officer training at the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, specialising as a signals officer. Here followed a very distinguished career. As a young officer he was given command of a ship in his twenties. He was approachable and empathetic. Key to his career in the navy was his contribution to intelligence gathering during the Cold War. In 1980 he was promoted to commander and invited to join the directorate of naval operational requirements. He was

given access to highly classified Outboard passive listening devices which provided the navy with real-time intelligence about the enemy. After a couple of years, it led to his command of the special communications unit based at Leydene House, Hampshire, a school that had trained naval communicators since the middle of the Second World War. His restructuring of the training and deployment patterns for a new generation of communication technicians brought the Royal Navy in line with the US navy.

It made sense that his next posting should be to Washington, collaborating with the Americans to bring both countries up to speed with Outboard operational procedures. Between 1989 and 1992 Howard was on the British defence intelligence liaison staff in Washington during the Gulf War. Four years into his retirement Howard succeeded his uncle in the titles, becoming the 7th Earl of Effingham and 17th Baron Howard of Effingham. He sat in the Lords as a crossbencher where his experience meant that he could contribute to issues including naval strategy, war pensions, noise-induced deafness and Far East prisoners of war. In retirement Howard was not short of interests: some leisure, including squash, tennis, rugby, cricket and horse racing; others calling on his sense of duty. He was deputy lieutenant for Essex and involved with the Essex sea cadets and the Royal United Kingdom Beneficent Association. In 2003 he was elected national president of the Royal British Legion. As the holder of this office he attended the Remembrance Ceremonies at the Albert Hall and at the Cenotaph. In 2003 he was cruelly affected by a stroke leaving him paralysed apart from his right arm. He died on 26th February 2022, aged 82 after a long period of illness.

ALAN M L POTTS (Ki 1950–1955)

Alan M L Potts passed away on 20th August 2021, aged 84. Alan was the great grandson of the First Headmaster of Fettes, Dr Alexander Potts (Staff 1870–1889) (Deceased). His grandfather Dr William A Potts (SH 1879–1885) (Deceased), father Dr Charles L Potts (SH 1915–1920) (Deceased), uncle Ronald G Potts (SH 1923–1927) (Deceased) and brother Gerald G Potts (SH-Ki 1943–1949) (Deceased) all attended Fettes before Alan. During his time at school, Alan was a House Prefect, played for the 1st XI Hockey team and was presented, in Chapel, to Her Majesty the Queen on 4th July 1955. Alan was also a choral scholar, gaining a Choral Exhibition to Caius, Cambridge. He initially followed the family into education as a Schoolmaster at Christ’s Hospital, moving on to a school in Bishops Stortford. Alan then worked in business as a manager at DTC Sellotape and then at a components company. He became a lecturer at Plymouth College of Further Education from 1989–1998 before moving into consultancy and then into retirement.

CAPTAIN HARRY E FERGUSON (Gl 1950–1953)

Captain Harry E Ferguson passed away on 2nd June 2021, aged 84.

At Fettes, Harry played football with the Junior Colts. The following was written by his wife, Anne: He left Fettes at the age of 16 and transferred to HMS Conway to begin a career in the Merchant Navy. He obtained his Ocean going Masters Certificate in 1960.

In 1965 Harry became part of a team of Hovercraft Pilots operating a Private Enterprise service on the Clyde. In 1966 he was invited by the Shell Oil Company to become their sole Hovercraft Pilot in Brunei. The Hovercraft was dispensed with in 1967 and Harry was appointed to Brunei Shell’s Marine Department. There followed a successful thirty-year career with Shell International Petroleum Company during which time he worked in Brunei, Nigeria, Sarawak and Thailand. He retired in 1994.

I send warm congratulations to Fettes on this the 150 Year Anniversary. I am saddened that Harry is not here to enjoy the beautiful, commemoration Newsletter. He would have been proud to have been part of the celebration.

JOHN

A F MILLER (Ki 1951–1953)

John A F Miller passed away on 20th July 2021, aged 84. John was on the athletics team during his time at Fettes. John phoned Fettes a month before he died to tell us that he was in palliative care and had only weeks to live. He wanted to provide some information about his life for his Fettes connections to read. He is exceptionally grateful to Fettes, saying that Fettes taught him first and foremost to stand on his own two feet. He left at 16 and very much regrets not having taken up the Headmaster’s offer of a Foundation Scholarship for his final two years. He lived in the Southwest for most of his life and has two sons, Alastair who lives in Australia and Nigel who lives in Plymouth. John had more than 50 happy years in the Southwest and spent much of his career in the motor trade.

DAVID G MIDDLETON (Gl 1952–1956)

David G Middleton passed away on 9th December 2020, aged 82.

David played cricket at Fettes and was in the 3rd Cricket XI from 1955–1956. He was followed at Fettes by his brother Alan R Middleton (Gl 1956–1960) and then by his daughter Lindsay E Middleton (Ar 1983–1985) and his son James D Middleton (Gl 1989–1990)

The following was written by David’s wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Lindsay:

David looked back fondly on his time at Fettes and maintained a keen interest in the school, attending centenary celebrations in 1970 with lifelong friend Michael Stewart (Gl 1953–1956) and many OF dinners in Newcastle with Garry Turner (Ki 1946–1948)

David qualified in chartered accountancy in Sunderland aged 22 and enjoyed a successful career as a partner in a Middlesbrough firm.

Sport, though not rugby, was hugely important to him. A talented footballer, he captained his prep school team which included Tony Gilroy (Mo 1952–1956) and finally hung up his boots at the age of 30. He was a fine squash player, a founder member and secretary of Ashbrooke Squash Club in

Sunderland in the early 60s and a member of his club team in Middlesbrough, which won the county championship in 1972. Team tennis and friendly golf were also thoroughly enjoyed. Although fiercely competitive, he was scrupulously fair and magnanimous in victory. The talents of brother Alan Middleton (Gl 1956–1960) lay in cricket and golf.

David’s enduring passion was Sunderland FC. A highlight was being at Wembley in 1973 to see his team lift the trophy for only the second time in the club’s history. He remained a lifelong devotee despite almost annual relegation battles.

David was generous with his time and financial expertise, acting as treasurer for many sports clubs and local charities. He also served as a magistrate for 10 years.

OF friend Barrie Lloyd (Ki 1953–1958) has written amongst other things: “David was a man without any side: outgoing, friendly, open and interested in others rather than himself.”

A devoted husband and father of Richard, Lindsay and James and grandfather, David is sorely missed.

PROFESSOR ALEXANDER (SANDY) J WEDDERBURN (Gl 1955–1960)

Professor Alexander (Sandy) J Wedderburn passed away on 31st March 2018, aged 75.

Alexander was academic whilst at Fettes leaving with three Governor’s Prizes and a Classics Scholarship to go to St. John’s College, Oxford.

The following was written by Professor Loren Stuckenbruck, Professor of New Testament at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich:

He was an outstanding scholar, who in every respect and in each of his publications came across as a highly reflective, uncompromisingly thorough, and competent theologian. His first monographs on Baptism and Resurrection: Studies in Pauline Theology against Its Graeco-Roman Background (Tübingen 1987) and The Reasons for Romans (Edinburgh 1988) demonstrated his skill in arguing a particular case with circumspect and nuance, combined with a profound feel for theological issues. Wedderburn carried out some of the most thoroughgoing research to date on the various factors which led Paul to write his Epistle to the Romans. Common to all Wedderburn’s publications was a grounding in ‘historical critical method,’ which he applied in a balanced yet persistent way. He had the capacity to grasp issues in all their variety, whilst inferring meaning in that very variety and complexity itself. Born 30th April 1942 in Edinburgh, Sandy Wedderburn had a gift for ancient languages, first at school and then from the early 1960s as student in Oxford (MA 1967) and Edinburgh (BD 1967). Early on, he developed a strong linguistic foundation in Greek and Latin, as well as a mastery of commenting on texts and objects of study with a methodological distance that would become so characteristic of his work. Between 1967 and 1971 at King’s College, Cambridge under the supervision of C.F.D. Moule, he wrote a doctoral dissertation on “Adam and Christ: an Investigation of the Background of I Corinthians 15 and Romans 5.12–21.” Both during and immediately after his doctoral studies, he engaged more directly with the German theological world during periods of research, first under the guidance of Günther Bornkamm (1969) in Heidelberg and then with Bernd Schaller in 1971–1972. Thus equipped, Wedderburn began his long spell of service at

the University of St Andrews, first as Tutorial Assistant in New Testament Language and Literature (1972–1974) and then as Lecturer (1974–1989). In 1975 he was ordained in the Church of Scotland. In 1990 he moved to the Faculty of Theology at Durham University (Lecturer 1990, Senior Lecturer 1991–1994). From 1991 to 1995 he became editor of the renowned journal New Testament Studies. In 2006 Wedderburn had to leave his public teaching duties, as his health increasingly worsened. A few years prior to this, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, a Festschrift had been dedicated to him, Paul, Luke and the Graeco-Roman World (Leiden 2002; Hgg. A. Christophersen, C. Claussen, J. Frey and B. Longenecker), the contributions to which built on the research of Wedderburn’s earlier period. After his retirement, his scholarship was able to flourish, thanks to sound medical care he received in Munich and to the great support of his wife Brigitte, whom he married in 1971. Despite his increasing physical limitations, no less than four monographs appeared between 2010 and 2015. New Testament Scholarship has changed a lot in the last three decades. In the English-speaking realm narrative-literary, gender-oriented, contextual and reception-historical approaches have come to the fore. Over against such developments, the writings of Sandy Wedderburn kept alive an awareness that the holy scriptures of Christianity still pose strictly historical questions, not only today but also in the future; the scholarship of biblical theologians cannot, since the Enlightenment, ultimately get away from challenges growing out of the gap between verifiable history and claims made through the lens of faith. The theological world takes its leave of the theologian and person, Sandy Wedderburn, but his legacy will surely live on.

ANTHONY J MUSGRAVE (Ki 1955–1960)

Anthony J Musgrave passed away on 19th October 2021, aged 79.

Anthony came to Fettes in 1955, following his father John R Musgrave (Ki 1930–1934). Whilst at Fettes Anthony was a School Prefect and he was in the Shooting VIII. He went on to the Royal College of Art and worked in Interior Design with Colquhoun & Miller.

PETER N M SMITH (CE 1956–1960)

Peter N M Smith passed away on 17th September 2020, aged 78.

At Fettes, Peter was a School Prefect and Head of House. He made an impact on the stage in his final term, sharing the starring role of Hamlet and Horatio in the School Play with D. Richard Thorpe (CW 1956–1961) as noted in the Fettesian: 1960, Issue:1:

“When we heard what was to be the School Play the first question we all asked was ‘Have you got a Hamlet?’ When we heard that the School could provide not one Hamlet, but two, we realised not only that the drama at Fettes was flourishing in no common way, but that those of us who could attend on two nights were being offered a theatrical experience that was probably unique. To see two different actors play ‘Hamlet’ on successive nights is to invite comparison, and on comparisons Dogberry has said the last word. I have no intention of saying that either was better than the other. I assert confidently that both Thorpe and

Smith played the part better than at least two professional actors whom I have seen.

“The differences between Thorpe’s and Smith’s interpretations were too many to catalogue; but they may be summed up by saying that Thorpe’s was the more poetical and Smith’s the more dramatic. Here we had both poetry and drama; and it was the attraction of the former for Thorpe and the latter for Smith that made the contrast between their performances so fascinating; but it must be said that Thorpe’s relish of the poetry did not cause him to miss any of the drama, while Smith’s valuation of the smallest dramatic possibilities tended to occlude the poetry. Smith’s histrionic equipment is more developed than Thorpe’s: his mastery of expression, attitude, gesture, and delivery commanded universal admiration— as when he replied to Polonius’ enquiry – ‘Words, words, words.’ All this must have cost immense study and thought, which the perfection of the result must be judged to have amply repaid.”

The following was written by his son, Alex (Gl 1987–1992): After Fettes, Peter went on to Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge to read English Literature. Whilst at Cambridge Peter continued acting, where he shared the stage with a renowned vintage of performers at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. Peter’s career in marketing saw him traverse multiple countries and continents, before retiring in Phuket, Thailand in 2002. He is missed by his wife Joyotee and his son Alex.

ROBERT A M YOUNG (Gl 1958–1963)

Robert A M Young passed away on 16th June 2021, aged 76. Robert followed his uncle The Lord Harry R W Moncrieff (Gl 1929–1933) (Deceased) to Fettes. Robert was a House Prefect in Glencorse and gained his colours for athletics. After Fettes, Robert went to the University of Birmingham and became a computer programmer.

The following was written by Robert’s wife, Kin LundbergYoung:

Robert was the best husband ever and we had nearly 40 years together.

1960s

CAMPBELL C WATSON (CW 1961–1965)

Campbell C Watson passed away on 26th November 2021, aged 74.

Campbell was a House Prefect and attended Fettes alongside his cousin David J Macmillan (Ca 1962–1966) with another of his cousins, Ian G Macmillan (Ca 1965–1969), following in their footsteps.

The following was published in The Scotsman:

Born in 1947 in London, Campbell was sent to board at Drumtochty Castle Preparatory School and later Fettes College in Edinburgh. The experience perhaps instilled in him the independence, self-assurance and consummate ease in social situations which defined him as a person.

Campbell completed his education at St Andrews University, graduating in law in 1972. After a spell in the Caribbean working in investment banking, where he met his wife of 37 years, Pauline, he returned to Scotland to work as a solicitor and became a partner at Andersons LLP in Kinross (formerly JL Anderson & Co). He was instrumental in

building Andersons into the thriving business it is today, and continued working there until his illness.

A man of wide and varied interests, Campbell was blessed with family and a legion of close friends with whom to share those interests – skiing, golfing, diving and making music, to mention just a few.

He was particularly proud of his status as a Munro completist since 1998, and he deeply valued the time he spent in the bothies and hills with family and friends in the pursuit of that goal. He continued to enjoy spending time in the outdoors right up until the end.

It would be difficult to name a sport Campbell didn’t have an interest in, but it was football he loved the most. A Dundee fan in his youth and a long-suffering follower of the Scottish national team, he was old enough to remember good times for both; Dundee winning the league in 1962 and bunking off school in 1963 to see Scotland beat England 2–1 at Wembley.

His greatest love, however, was Liverpool FC and, as a season ticket holder he regularly travelled to Anfield to see them play.

A deep interest in people and place meant that Campbell travelled widely during his life. From his travels around South America after university to his life in the Caribbean; from his diving expeditions in the Pacific to following Liverpool, Scotland and the British Lions abroad, he managed to see much of the world. If pressed, however, he would name Assynt as his favourite place on earth.

And on a cold, wet winter’s-day, Campbell was most happy at home in Kinross in front of a roaring fire and the football.

He is survived by Pauline, his brother George, his children Ian, Stuart and Verity, and his grandchildren Barney and Lucille Watson and Sam, Isla and Alex Thwaites.

ANDREW L H ROBERTSON (Gl 1961–1965)

Andrew L H Robertson passed away on 20th August 2021, aged 73.

Andrew followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Laurence H Robertson (Gl 1897–1901) and his great uncle Archibald Robertson (1899–1903). During his time at Fettes, Andrew was a House Prefect, School Prefect, in the 1st XV, Captain of Athletics and Drum Major.

The following was written by Andrew’s sister, Sue:

After attending Fettes College in Edinburgh where Andrew excelled in athletics and always the rebel against the rule (he was expelled at one point for flagrant disobedience) he took his artistic leanings to Edinburgh Art College. Here he was known as Bobby and made very good and longlasting friendships. He spent some time in Canada where he briefly joined the Canadian Stock Exchange as a trainee.

Andrew was always one for new adventures, with a quirk for doing things his own way. Leaving Canada, Andrew began a decade of travel, in the late 1960s and his 20s, and into the 1970s, particularly travelling in India but also covering Turkey, Greece, Austria, Moscow, Spain, New Delhi, Iran, Afghanistan and Niger. During this time, he conducted overland trips in small groups and hardy vehicles. Andrew’s affinity to the country and culture of India led to ultimately contributing to the co-writing and illustrating of a guidebook to the birds of Periyar National Park in Kerala using his own field observations.

It was on one of these trips that he met Jamie and they were married in London in 1979. Andrew and Jamie lived in California followed by four years in New York. During this latter time Andrew worked with the Bronx Zoo – a perfect job for this man who had an affinity for wild animals – and he once again conducted small visiting groups of people to another country – this time to Africa. Coming to live in the UK in 1984, Lily was born in 1986 and the family settled in Gloucestershire, taking a year out when Lily was only eight months old to return to India.

Divorced in 1997, Andrew continued to forge an individual life in the south of UK, coming back to live in Scotland in 2008 where he joined a Camphill community in Perthshire. This offers residential care to 25 adults unable to live at home providing various workshops in which Andrew both participated and ran. Very much part of the community, Andrew proved to be a valuable member of staff, bringing all his DIY and mechanical skills as well as his understanding of the vulnerable to this environment for eight years – until 2016 when evidence of PSP began to appear. Little known and without alleviation, progressive supra nuclear palsy, causes lockdown of motor faculties and Andrew died peacefully and was released on 20th August 2021 with his beloved daughter at his side.

A memorial service was held online in September 2021 at which his friends from all over the globe and going back many years gathered to celebrate Andrew’s life – a life filled with travel, adventures, dedication to his interests and always a desire to gain new experiences.

DAVID R FORTUNE (Ca 1961–1965)

David R Fortune passed away on 6th July 2021, aged 74. At Fettes, David played Gregory in the Carrington House Play Out of the Frying Pan and Jamy in the School Play Henry V. He also played in the 1st and 2nd XI and was a Lance Corporal in the CCF.

The following was published in East Lothian Courier: David Ramsay Fortune of North Berwick died peacefully at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on 6th July 2021, after a short illness, aged 74 years. Beloved husband of Ailsa, dearly loved dad of Alice, Mary Louise and Catherine, much loved by Ailsa’s children Rachel, Jamie and Sarah and by the sixteen grandchildren.

MICHAEL N C GASCOIGNE (Ki 1962–1967)

Michael N C Gascoigne passed away on 11th June 2021, aged 72.

At Fettes, Michael was a House Prefect, a School Prefect, Flight Sergeant in the CCF and he gained a Flying Scholarship in August 1967. In the same year, he also won the Governors’ Prize in Economics. Michael attended Fettes alongside his brother Lieutenant Colonel Patrick E Gascoigne MBE (Ki 1964–1968)

The following was written by Michael’s brother, Patrick, and published in The Scotsman:

Michael Gascoigne was brought up by his paternal grandmother from the age of three and awarded a scholarship to Fettes at thirteen. He participated fully in life at Fettes, becoming a School Prefect and excelling in the Flight section of the CCF. He secured a conditional place at Cambridge but, due to an administrative error, he ended up

reading law at the University of Aberdeen.

In 1971 he was appointed as an articled clerk to Brodies WS in Edinburgh – one of Scotland’s foremost law firms. On arrival the senior partner advised him that it would benefit him to apply for membership of two august bodies: The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Muirfield) and The New Club, Edinburgh. With characteristic obstinacy he applied to neither. Instead, he took up trackside marshalling with the Scottish Motorsport Marshals’ Club – an unusual pastime, but one to which he devoted many years. It gave him enormous pleasure to be made President of the club in 2020. He vowed never to play golf, and kept true to his word throughout his life. At twenty-four he was the youngest person ever to be made a partner by Brodies. A sound technician, he developed a full knowledge of the law with an acquisitive interest in all aspects that affected the countryside. He became a specialist in agriculture law where his expertise and encyclopedic knowledge were regarded throughout his profession as second to none. Perhaps best described as a lawyer’s lawyer, he was a pastmaster at finding clever but sensible solutions to the knottiest legal problems and tracing a way through the maze of a complicated property transaction. He was renowned for his diligence and his deft care for clients who ranged from crofters to many of Scotland’s wealthiest and most influential landowners, all of whom he treated with the same loyalty, humility and respect. Remuneration from his cases was of no importance to him: the only thing that mattered was what was right. Foulis Castle, his childhood home, is the ancestral seat of the chiefs of the Clan Munro. When he came of age, his uncle Pat Munro, then chief, persuaded Michael to join the Council of the Clan Munro Association. He served continuously for over forty years and proved himself invaluable both in giving wise general advice and in all matters legal. This included completely rewriting the Council’s constitution, setting up the Clan Munro Heritage Museum Trust and delivering a £1.3m development at the Storehouse of Foulis on the shore of the Cromarty Firth. After Brodies, he joined Gillespie Macandrew, first as a partner and latterly as a consultant. Consultancy suited his talents, enabling him to avoid involvement with the day-today housekeeping of the business. Kind and understanding by nature, he devoted himself to mentoring young lawyers and passing on his deep knowledge, particularly of agriculture law. He had three children from his first marriage to Anna Milne: Jamie, himself a father of two, is an ecological process designer, Gemma works for Visit Scotland and Peter who is the strength and conditioning coach for the Great Britain Cycling Team.

Two years after the birth of Peter the marriage was dissolved, and in 2000 he remarried. He retired in 2016 and, cruelly, a year later Alzheimer’s was diagnosed. With unfailing support from his second wife, Linda, he battled against the odds until, out of the blue with no warning signs, he was diagnosed with incurable cancer. Eight weeks later, he died.

Michael Neill Clifton Gascoigne was born in Inverness on 1 February 1949, and died in Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy on 11th June 2021.

PETER J YOUNG (Ca 1962–1965)

Peter J Young passed away on 5th November 2021, aged 72. Peter was the son of George B Young (Ca 1928–1932) (Deceased)

The following was written by Peter’s family: Peter joined Fettes from 1962–1965 and was in Carrington House. He was a member of Fettes Pipe Band where he played the bass drum. He participated at the Centenary Celebrations of the band in 2012. He contributed and enjoyed sports, including Rugby, Cricket, Boxing and Basketball. After Fettes, Peter had a long-term career in the International Removal Business where he relished travelling the world. Peter retired in his 60’s and pursued courses in Psychology at Strathclyde University and loved his time working as a volunteer with the MacMillan Cancer support Charity as a Team Leader.

He leaves his wife Vivian Sheila Young, children Jonathan and Zoe and grandchildren JoJo and Rosie.

ALAN E ARMITAGE (CE 1964–1968)

Alan E Armitage passed away on 1st June 2022, aged 71.

During his time at Fettes, Alan was Head of House and won four Governor’s Prizes in Music and English. He was a Sergeant in the CCF, a member of the Choir and Orchestra and he gained an English-Speaking Union Scholar for St James School in Maryland.

The following was compiled from contributions by Jane, Alan’s wife, Marian Wain, his sister, and many friends, especially Alan’s OF buddies – Patrick Anketell-Jones (CE 1965–1969), Grant Lawrence (CE 1964–1968), James Mackintosh (CW 1963–1967) and Anthony Orr (CE 1964–1968):

Alan Armitage died suddenly on 1st June 2022 whilst on holiday in Ireland.

Alan was born in Jos, Northern Nigeria. His father was Director of Public Works, having previously worked as a personal advisor to the Minister of Works for Northern Nigeria. Alan was proud of his Nigerian background and all his life took an affectionate and authoritative interest in matters Nigerian. During his time at Fettes, he read a paper to the Paramaecium on a civilisation which had flourished in part of what is now Nigeria from the thirteenth century onwards. It was the first any of us had heard of the civilisation of Benin, whose bronzes are today at the centre of a heated post-colonial argument.

At the age of six Alan became a boarder at New Park Prep School in St. Andrews. By the time Alan arrived at Fettes (having won a scholarship), the family had returned to the United Kingdom, living first in Sunderland and then in Broughty Ferry since Alan’s father had been appointed a lecturer in engineering at Dundee University.

Alan was allocated to College East which was in many ways an inspired choice since the Housemaster was Michael Lester-Cribb (Staff 1949–1988) (Deceased) who was also Head of Music. Alan had no particular interest in organised games preferring a gentle game of fives (which could include an exchange of news and views between opponents) to the rough and tumble of the scrum. His real love was music. He sang tenor in the Choir and played the clarinet in the Orchestra. He also played the piano and walked off almost invariably with the top prize in whatever category of the Piano Competition he was playing. He acted both in School

Plays (Ben Johnson’s Volpone) and House Plays (Terence Rattigan’s Ross). He studied for scientific A Levels and was appointed Head of College East in his last term – in many ways a courageous decision by David Pighills (Staff 1960–1975) since “heartiness” (of the sporting type) had previously been seen as a requirement for the post.

After two terms at St James School in Maryland USA on an English-Speaking Union scholarship, Alan went to York University and graduated with a BA Honours degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. He then went to work for International Computers Ltd. (ICL), based primarily in the UK but also with a stint in Brussels. In 1981 Alan married Jane and the clan grew with the arrival of Alice, Edwin (Win) and Eleanor (Nell). They lived firstly in Aylesbury and later in Oxford. Alan continued to work for some years for ICL but after a shorter period with another company decided to launch himself full time into politics. He represented local wards on both the Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council where he ended up as Lord Mayor of Oxford. He also unsuccessfully contested the Westminster seat of Wantage in the 2010 election, where he came a respectable second with 28% of the vote.

At the end of his time as Lord Mayor, Alan returned to his roots in Edinburgh settling in Stockbridge – a very different place from the Stockbridge of the 1960s. His life there was hectic but that was how he liked it. By his own admission he sat on any Committee which invited him. He became a regular presence at the New Club.

Alan’s greatest enthusiasm was music. Wherever he was – York, London, Brussels, Aylesbury, Oxford, Edinburgh – he would join the local choir and orchestra. If there was not a suitable one Alan would create one. He conducted, composed, played, and sang with them and for them. He would also stand in where necessary. The string section is short of double bass players? Alan would sit down and learn the double bass. Nor was he anything if not eclectic in his tastes – Beethoven and Berg were for Alan part of the great tapestry of music.

Alan is survived by his wife Jane, his sister Marian Wain, his three children and now three grandchildren.

PETER WYATT (Ca 1967–1972)

Peter Wyatt passed away in October 2021, aged 67.

Whilst at Fettes, Peter participated in judo, and was in the ski team and the ski section of the CCF. He was in subaqua and played in the 3rd XV and the 3rd XI. He left Fettes to study law and became a solicitor. He was joined at Fettes by his brother, Eric Wyatt (Ca 1971–1976), in 1971.

The following was written by his brother, Eric, and Philip Wragg (Ca 1966–1971):

Peter Ronald Macdonald Wyatt was born in Alor Star, Malaya in 1953. He attended Prep School in the UK at the age of eight and came to Fettes at thirteen, followed by his brother Eric. Whilst at Fettes he showed great flair in sport such as cricket, rugby, fencing, judo, sub-aqua, CCF ski section and… managing to date the Housemaster’s daughter. Peter attended Dundee University where he gained his degree in Scottish law. He then attended law college in England to allow him to practise English law. After finishing as an articled clerk, he worked for a London firm that also sent him to run their offices in Washington and Riyadh. As a lawyer, he had a great skill in talking to clients first and

applying the law later. He really got to the nub of a client’s problem. He had great compassion and a solid sense of justice. Peter’s Fettes friends, Philip Wragg (Ca 1966–1971), Stewart McConkey (Ca 1967–1972), Alistair Campbell (Ca 1967–1971), Neil Bennett (Ca 1967–1972) and Jock (Mike) Robertson (Ca 1967–1972) all recall him as full of fun, generously spirited, congenial, and supportive. Peter is missed by his wife Maki, his daughter Izzy, his brother Eric, and sister Joanna, along with his friends and colleagues.

PETER R C WALSH (Ca 1967–1970)

Peter R C Walsh passed away on 23rd July 2021, aged 68. He was in Carrington 1967–1970. Whilst at Fettes he was in the School Play, he was Treasurer of the Stamp Club and enjoyed the Motor Club and the Photographic Society. He went on to study business. He lived in Burford, Oxfordshire where he passed away in July 2021.

SIMON A SCOTT (Gl 1969–1974)

Simon A Scott passed away on 15th July 2021, aged 65. Simon followed his father John M Scott (Gl 1933–1938) (Deceased) and his uncle Freddie B Scott, MC (Gl 1935–1939) (Deceased) to Fettes College. His sister Sarah E Boisseau (née Scott) (Ca 1974–1975) also attended Fettes and became the first Fettesienne to send her child to the School when Simon’s niece Lora E Ward (née Boisseau) (Inv-CE 1995–2001) joined. Simon’s nephews Charlie D Boisseau (Gl 2001–2002), Harry J Boisseau (Inv-Gl 1999–2006) and Bun G Boisseau (Inv-Gl 1999–2009) also attended along with Simon’s children Tom S Scott (Inv-Gl 2000–2007) and Jack B Scott (Inv-Gl 2000–2008).

During his time at Fettes, Simon was a House Prefect and a Secretary of the Phoenix Society. He played in the Hockey 3rd XI and played many roles in various School and House Plays including ‘a very realistic Lucy’ in the Glencorse House Play, The Rivals. Simon was awarded the Governors’ Prize for History in 1974 and gained a 1st class Army Scholarship to Sandhurst.

The following was written by Ross Leckie (Gl 1971–1975) and published in The Guardian:

My friend Simon Scott, who has died aged 65, was one of the most accomplished advertising copywriters of his generation. “You can’t get better than a Kwik Fit fitter” was Simon’s. If he overdid it with “Bank of Scotland, a Friend for Life”, his campaign for the Scottish Labour party in 1998–99 under the tag “Divorce is an expensive business” is still considered the reason for the SNP’s poor showing in those first elections to the Scottish parliament.

Simon was born in Harare, Zimbabwe (then known as Salisbury, in Rhodesia), to Lora (née Miller), an interior designer, and John Scott, a major in the Cameronians regiment who later became a stockbroker. In his father’s eyes, Simon was destined for the army, and after attending Fettes College in Edinburgh, where he and I were contemporaries, he went to Sandhurst.

However, his time there was not a success, and a subsequent law degree from Sussex University also failed to bring forth his vocation. He followed his father into stockbroking, but that did not fit either.

Already writing in snatches and snaps, Simon joined

MacLean Dubois, writers and agents, in Edinburgh. From there he moved to Collett Dickenson & Pearce, where clients included Heineken, Benson & Hedges and Dewars, and then to Saatchi & Saatchi, working for Tennents and the Scottish government. Next, he took his brio to Faulds, a new agency, as creative director before, in 1996, he co-founded, in Edinburgh, the Union, which has since become as successful an agency as any outside London.

With his wife Jane (née Starrett), a graphic designer whom he married in 1984, Simon restored and furnished a number of fine Georgian houses, where they raised their sons, Tom and Jack, and entertained friends and family with great generosity and flair. They bought – and sold – a farm in South Africa, before settling finally in East Lothian.

There they seemed very happy. Simon loved his family and many friends; parties, poetry and laughter, wine and whisky and song. He also loved buying and selling antiques, reading, and, of course, writing.

But in the end, the vagaries of his mind overcame him. Simon decided, in Yeats’s words, which he quoted often, that he “must lie down where all the ladders start/ In the foul rag and bone shop of the heart”; and he took his own life.

He is survived by Jane, Tom and Jack, and his sister Sarah.

1970s

RICHARD GOODWIN (Gl 1973–1977)

Richard Goodwin passed away on 6th September 2021, aged 62.

At Fettes, Richard was a House Prefect and in the Choir. He was a Library Secretary and was a member of the Royal Navy Section. He left Fettes to study Classics at the University of St. Andrews. He has a younger brother David C Goodwin (Gl 1980–1985)

The following was written by his brother, David:

My brother Richard sadly succumbed to cancer on 6th September 2021 after a very brief battle with the disease. He was 62.

At school, I know he was in the navy side of the CCF as he mentioned sailing from Granton harbour.

He graduated from St Andrews with a degree in Classics, joined HMRC in IT for a number of years before moving to Aberdeen where he worked for NHS Grampian, then moved to SAIC where one of his project managers was Richard Prime (Gl 1977–1982) and latterly he was employed by Wipro until he took early retirement. Unfortunately, with the pandemic and then sudden diagnosis of cancer, he didn’t get the chance to enjoy the benefits.

He leaves his wife Elaine and a number of nephews and nieces as well as myself, his brother, missing him lots.

BRUCE A DINGWALL CBE (SH 1973–1978)

Bruce A Dingwall CBE passed away on 3rd August 2021, aged 61.

As a student at Fettes, Bruce was House Prefect, Captain of both the swimming team and the 2nd Squash team. He also played in the 3rd XI Hockey team and the 2nd Shooting team. He was a member of the Film Club and was a Lance Corporal in the Army branch of the CCF. Bruce’s brother, Hamish H Dingwall (SH 1969–1974) attended Fettes before him. Bruce then sent his three sons, Jack (Mo 2007–2012), Hugh (Mo 2009–2014) and Archie (PS-Mo 2012–2018), to Fettes. Long after Bruce left Fettes, he continued to make significant contributions to life at school, becoming a Foundation Trustee in 2008 and then Chair of the Foundation from June 2017 until his passing. He was also a Governor of the Fettes Trust from July 2013 until his passing and Deputy Chair of the Governors from 2016 to 2020. His impact on the school cannot be underestimated and he is greatly missed by many people who had the privilege of working with him at Fettes.

The following was written by Bruce’s wife, Philippa, and his eldest son, Jack:

Bruce was born 1st October 1959 in Point a Pierre, Trinidad. Son of the late Ian and Kathleen Dingwall, the family moved to the West Indies in 1956. Bruce grew up enjoying an idyllic childhood living in bare feet with a school, golf course, pool and yacht club all within walking distance of the family home.

In 1973, aged 14, Bruce arrived at Fettes College in Edinburgh. He revelled in meeting new friends and embraced every opportunity he was offered. Fettes had a profound impact on Bruce throughout his life; his three sons Jack, Hugh and Archie all attended whilst Bruce was later appointed as a Fettes Foundation Trustee in 2008 and Chairman in 2017 along with Governor of the School in 2013 and Deputy Chair in 2016.

After leaving school in 1978, Bruce went on to study Geology at the University of Aberdeen. Swimming remained a large part of his life with Bruce being awarded a sporting blue and competing for Scotland. It was also at Aberdeen he met Philippa.

Bruce then worked for Exxon for two years before joining an independent British oil company, LASMO. There followed a brief stint in London and in 1988 Bruce was posted abroad, initially to Pakistan. He and Philippa were married in 1992 and made their first home in Karachi. It was no surprise that when Bruce returned to Scotland in 1997 to start his new business, Venture, many former colleagues and friends joined him.

Venture had its roots in Trinidad but focussed on the UK North Sea. Bruce shook up an industry which had previously been dominated by major oil companies. Whilst

CEO of Venture, Bruce was also President of UKOOA (United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association). He was awarded a CBE in the 2004 New Year’s Honours List for services to the oil and gas industry and was recently described as “one of the North Sea’s leading lights”. Venture was ultimately acquired by Centrica in 2009 for £1.3bn.

Trinidad remained in Bruce’s heart so in 2004 he acquired Venture’s Trinidadian, a business that he led until his death in August. Bruce combined his love for his birthplace with an overarching passion for oil and gas to create what is now a successful business based in Trinidad, just three miles from his birthplace.

In 2005 he introduced his family to sailing and they spent many wonderful holidays on the water in remote areas of the world. Bruce had recently returned to the pool competing in several Masters events around Europe – even managing to bring home some medals!

What really set Bruce apart was his ability to make “his friends believe they could achieve more” and his total enthusiasm for life. His passion, fun and positivity rubbed off on everyone he met and all of us are better for having known him.

Bruce is survived by his wife Philippa, sons Jack, Hugh and Archie, siblings Louise and Hamish and mother Kathleen.

SCOTT P DOUTHETT (SH 1973–1976)

Scott P Douthett passed away on 16th July 2021, aged 63.

During his time at Fettes, Scott was a House Prefect and in the History VI. He also regularly played his electric guitar in House and took part in Outside Service.

The following was published in The Westport Local Press:

Scott Peter Douthett, 63, of New York and Tunkhannock, passed away at Allied Hospice on Friday 16th July 2021.

Scott was born in Pittsburgh, on 31st December 1957, the son of the late Scott H. Douthett and Anne E. Harris.

Scott was an IT consultant and had a long career in the financial services industry. He started out at Merrill Lynch and worked as a project manager at various financial services groups including Thomson Reuters and Wipro.

Scott grew up in Westport, Connecticut, then went to high school at Fettes College in Edinburgh, Scotland. He graduated from Columbia University, and lived in Battery Park City, N.Y., for most of his life before moving to Tunkhannock. Scott enjoyed sailing for many years and was happiest on the water. He loved music and was a talented guitarist.

He is survived by his daughter, Emma Dawn Douthett of Tunkhannock; his sister, Diane Surat of Connecticut, and in London, England; his step-mother, Gill MacCabe; sisters: Gillian and Amy Douthett; niece, Chloe; and nephews: Felix and Tom.

the One Act Play. He left Fettes to study Medicine at the University of Glasgow.

The following was published by The Women’s Clinic in Hong Kong:

Alexander chose to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology, he embarked on postgraduate training in the UK elevating to Clinical Fellow at St. George’s Hospital, London in Reproductive Medicine and Foetal Ultrasound Imaging. He returned to Hong Kong in 2001, joining The Women’s Clinic where he was Medical Director. He was highly respected amongst both his patients and his colleagues and is greatly missed. He died aged just 55, beloved husband of Ivy, devoted father of Alistair Milton and Isaac Atherton.

1980s

GAEL ROBERTSON-GORVY (NÉE ROBERTSON) (Ar 1982–1987)

Gael RobertsonGorvy (née Robertson) passed away on 6th September 2021, aged 52.

During her time at Fettes, Gael was Head of House, a School Prefect and she was Captain of the 3rd Hockey XI. Gael was also a Corporal in the CCF and played in the Pipe Band. Gael’s sister Sallie J Robertson (Ar 1982–1984) also attended Fettes.

The following was written by Marjorie Coughlan (née Corner) (Ar 1982–1987):

Although Gael had been living with cancer for five years, she kept her illness hidden from all but a very small circle of family and friends, so her death is not only a huge sadness, but it has sent a shock wave through the wider circle of the many people who loved her – especially in our own age group for whom mortality is perhaps something we tend to hold at bay.

DR ALEXANDER K DOO (SH 1979–1984)

Dr Alexander K Doo passed away on 3rd July 2021, aged 55.

At Fettes, Alexander was a School Prefect and a genuine all-rounder. He excelled in sport, he was in the 1st XV and competed in athletics, notably discus. He played tennis, swam and enjoyed fencing. He was in the Orchestra, the Wind Band and the Choir and was the winning Producer of

Gael arrived at Fettes in September 1982 at the same time as her older sister Sallie went into the Sixth Form. It was the first year that girls were admitted into the lower school and there weren’t very many of us; Gael was one of the first three girls to go all the way through the school. More often than not, she was to be found in the art room and she contributed her skills as a writer and an artist to the editorial team of The Fettesian, as well as set and costume design. She was a drummer in the Pipe Band. She was a wise and popular Head of House and School Prefect. Her A-level teachers all wanted her to pursue their subject, but it was the Pippa Donald (Staff 1984–2006) (Deceased)/Tony Reeves (Staff 1983–2014) dream team that won the day, and Gael truly excelled at English. She went on to read English at Pembroke College, Cambridge.

In her final year at Cambridge, two life-changing events happened: Gael became ill with ME and she met Sean, whom she would go on to marry. Her struggles with her health meant she had to postpone her plans to return to Edinburgh following her graduation, to study for a year at Leith School of Art under Marc Cheverton and Lottie

Cheverton (Staff 1983–1987), who, along with John Brown (Staff 1971–1986), had been her much loved art teacher at Fettes. And so, alas, this was not to be, as the couple were tragically killed in a car crash in September 1991.

After supporting Sean in completing his PhD, they moved to London where Gael pursued her training in both fine arts and photography and later also as a writer. Following the atrocities of 9/11, Gael’s response was to seek unity, and the result was an exhibition Breathing Spaces (2002) shown in and taken of each of the interiors of four community buildings: the Roman Catholic Brompton Oratory, the Protestant St. Columba’s Church, Westminster Synagogue, and the Ismaili Centre – details of often overlooked parts of their buildings, an interplay of light and shadow – all very understated but powerful and giving gentle nudges – so Gael! With this and future work, she garnered a reputation for her sensitive response to architectural and interior spaces. Further exhibitions and publications were As Fire Fades (2004), Thoroughly Modern Living (2004), Memories, Dreams and Fairy Tales (2006) and Naming the Beloved (November 2018).

Rowing and cycling both figured large in Gael’s family life. She had done some rowing in her first year at Cambridge. Sean rowed for the university and inspired by him, Gael became involved, supporting him in setting up Crabtree Rowing Club for Cambridge University Boat Club alumni and learning to scull herself. Their son Cal also rowed at Eton (where his housemaster was Johnnie Jackson (Ki 1994–1999)) and, before switching to rowing, was on the British Cycling Talent Development pathway. Again, Gael became actively involved herself, giving her all, as she did in everything she put her hand to. In 2019, Gael and Sean cycled from her London cancer hospital to the Cambridge Cancer Research Centre at Addenbrooke’s to raise money for One More City, and there is now a JustGiving page for donations to One More City in Gael’s memory: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GaelGorvy-Robertson

It speaks volumes for Gael’s character that her anonymous Instagram profile was not only filled with beautiful and intellectually stimulating content, but also became a support hub for other women across the world with stage 4 breast cancer. Unsurprisingly for all those who knew her, her focus was as much on the bigger, future picture as on her determination to live life as normally as possible. Gael managed to tick off some of her bucket list. She came back enthused and energised from a trip to the US with Kirsty Wilson (SH 1986–1987) in 2019, taking in a Bruce Springsteen concert and Yosemite National Park.

When lockdown and isolation descended in March 2020, Kirsty along with two other close friends provided both practical and emotional support, sometimes, heartwrenchingly, just to leave a bag of groceries on the doorstep. Sallie moved in to care for her in her last few months. Gael had always been there to support her beloved Cal and was so proud of him. She was determined to be there to celebrate his 18th birthday and see him head to university, and against all the odds, she more than managed both, so happy to see him head to the US and towards his future.

There have been a few Fettes reunions, both formal and informal, over the years, and Gael loved them. The next one certainly won’t be the same without her, but we will no doubt raise a glass, share stories and memories of our beautiful friend, and feel her presence among us.

2000s

NED CARPENTER (Ki 2001–2005)

Ned Carpenter passed away on 23rd January 2022, aged 34.

At Fettes, Ned was Head Boy and a keen sportsman, competing in the 1st XV, the 3rd Cricket XI and the 4th Hockey XI. He also gained his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award while at school and was awarded the Governor’s Prize in Physics.

The following was written by Ali Paul (Ki 2000–2005) and Ned’s brother, Guy:

It is with great sadness and difficulty that I sit here today tasked with writing this message. Ned was a truly unique and talented man who entertained, challenged, and philosophised. He was on a different plane from most of us, but he never looked down – he was humble, appreciative and self-deprecating. This was despite his very many achievements at Fettes and beyond.

At Fettes, Ned excelled academically, played for the 1st XV, sang bass in the Chapel Choir, amused us on stage, and demonstrated incredible talent as an artist. Ned was an allrounder but not in the average sense – he was at the top of his game in every department.

Ned’s range and depth of talents were offset by a soft eccentricity, cheeky sense of humour and a desire to test authority. Ned did not, therefore, find the position of Head Boy particularly comfortable but, as ever, he rose to the challenge inimitably. He was a unifier not in spite of but because of his differences. He used his humour, intelligence, and thespian instincts to lead the school. We – and Fettes –were lucky to have him.

After Fettes, Ned studied Engineering at Cambridge and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) before embarking on a career as an engineer, ending up at Dyson where he took on various roles including teaching students at The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology. Copied below is the speech that Ned gave to his students on their graduation in 2018 – it says it all. They, too, were lucky to have him.

“Work hard to find your special strength. We’ve all got one, whether it simply be a matter of comparative advantage turned real or a true tendency or gift. And hold onto it. Daren’t forget it. Let no one try to normalise it. That part is you. You’ve all got a bushel and there’s something hiding in it. Work hard to find it and then help it to grow. Like a chick within a shell, at some point the home you know will be too small for you. At least I hope so.

“Be sensitive to the way people feel. Obey the rules of command and human decency. These are universal and you know what they are. Be fair always. Be harsh when needed to be, but don’t be seduced towards enjoying punishment, whether received or inflicted. That’s just nasty. Be gentle with those who don’t have the requisite knowledge. Once they have it, they may well surprise you. However, do not confuse knowledge with ingenuity. The latter requires none of the former, and the former none of the latter.

“Be free in your expression and language. Quite when the compartmentalisation and segregation of subjects began, I am not sure. What I do know is that this has caused lost growth. Art and science need not be at two ends of a spectrum. Unfading beauty resides in engineering. You do have to scratch away sometimes, mind! And there are more useful tools to be pilfered from thespians and historians than you will ever find in a user manual.

“Above all, grow. This is your time, and everyone else’s. We all have the potential to run apace through this life. Listen and you may well accomplish this. Listen to elders, that should be obvious. Listen to juniors, it is often the ‘unsullied’ mind that pierces through the fog. But more importantly than these, listen to yourself. Have faith in your instincts, they have taken some time to develop! Listen to your bodies. I would advocate yoga, but other means to connect the mind with the senses are also available! Be sure to negotiate that standing desk into your work contract!

“Don’t stop to smell the roses for too long. You may get caught in a thorn.

“Denounce everything in the search for truth. Forget Rumsfeld’s unknown unknowns, at your peril. You will never know everything there is to know but what stale hell would we live in if we could! The joy is in the journey. We’ve all heard that before, yes. The part that’s missing is that the journey need not stop!

“As far as I am concerned you have been through a long test of introductions. You have met the principal subjects in your chosen field. But this is just the beginning for you. You are no engineer, just yet! That will come with practise. Lots and lots of it! There is virtually no end to what engineers can do. They make the world; bankers just move it around (so I paraphrase my old director of studies). We need you. We need you urgently. That’s obvious.

“My parents’ generation squandered, and with such panache and flair! Just think 70s flares and the hair of the 80s! Wowser! My generation was worse, though. We are the embodiment of the second son. The one who buried the coin in the hope that it would still be there for his father’s summons. My generation has put its head in the ground and is waiting for a miracle.

“That younger generations fix the problems of old is self-evident. You will create more problems for the next lot behind you, of that I can be sure! The hopes of the old seek the young. Listen to them, for their perspective is impossible to attain without years. They are by and large hilarious, too, as they shed their outward beauty years ago, and selfish pride with it. Old people are awesome! Get to know one, or several.

“Never ever, ever stop learning! If I hear that you have stopped asking questions and no longer engage with debate, I will be deeply sad. Engineering is spoken in mathematics, but it is more than endless calculation. It is a powerful mindset of enquiry, through which the accomplishments and optimism of humanity are founded.

“It is only through enquiry that we can break new ground and satisfy our explorative nature. Never stop asking, just learn when to leave it until the next day! Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Yes! That’s what we are, I’ve said it enough. Intrepid explorers. And what joy that is, and it will remain so if you choose for it.

“You’ve been lucky. You’ve been unlucky. That’s just part of life. But it’s through adversity, not comfort, that we grow!

“Discern what is of good quality. Hold it high wherever you

find it, whether it’s your doing or not! Widespread mediocrity is no excuse for mediocrity. Please take that and store it somewhere safe and easily accessible. The subjugation of man has created a class structure and with it, in some, a desire to control. Don’t turn the other cheek, just run.

“Don’t wish for war. It has been overly romanticised. The reality is that PTSD can break anyone. Instead, wish for challenges. Wish for adversaries! Were it not for an ideological battle between two nation states, man would never have reached the moon. Learn to love your adversaries, for you owe them much.

“Learn a skilful and hasty apology. Mistakes happen. Be the first to recognise them and favour with further. Try not to ridicule. Some have found themselves in the wrong profession. Be forgiving up to a point. Allow no patience for a third chance. Life is short but therein lies its value.

“I said run earlier. What I meant was fly. This paradigm of nature’s superiority should be a constant reminder of man’s limitations. If not flying then, why not hovering, eradicating, cooling. Bring joy as well as an armoury of sharp well-honed tools. You’re going to need both. Good luck and do yourself proud!”

Former Staff and Friends of Fettes

DORIS JONES (NÉE SHAW) (Staff 1948–1976)

Doris Jones (née Shaw) passed away on 2nd November 2021. Doris Jones (née Shaw) was Matron in Schoolhouse from 1948–1976. She married staff member F Alan Jones (Staff 1952–1976) (Deceased) in 1957. Doris played a great part in Fettes activities, having helped to costume eleven school plays. Doris and Alan had two sons, Nicholas (SH 1973–1977) and Nigel (SH 1977–1982).

JOHN H ROBSON (Staff 1956–1959)

John H Robson passed away on 14th June 2021, aged 88. This extract from The Fettesian 1959 shows John’s many contributions to Fettes:

“John Robson came to us in September 1956, and it is with no ordinary or conventional regret that we bid him goodbye. He has given something far more than fine classical scholarship to the classical VIth, for his thoughts are not bounded by the classics. Nor has his interest in Fettes been confined to his classical specialists. He has, for instance, become a keen student of the game of rugger, which a disability prevented him from playing himself. He has sought opportunities to teach Latin to low forms and has devoted himself to the work of assistant Housemaster of Inverleith. He has run the Shakespeare Society and the Chess Club; and he has set the standard in any discussion group which he has joined for an evening, and his conversation has always been both interesting and stimulating; for his views on a great variety of subjects command respect. It has been a delight and a privilege to have him here, and we hope he will keep in touch with us and come and visit us.”

The following was written by his brother-in-law, Andrew J Edwards (Ca 1953–1958):

Brought up in Staffordshire, John came to Fettes after completing a double first at Oxford. We all regarded him as perhaps the cleverest man we had ever met. Razor-sharp in intellect, incisive, and full of insights on a formidable

variety of subjects, vigorously projected in a strong voice, he made an unforgettable impression. He loved to dissect weak arguments, by politicians, sportsmen and visiting preachers not least, always in a highly entertaining way.

Alongside this, he took the keenest interest in people at Fettes, staff and pupils alike. Fifty years later, he still recalled with relish the eccentricities of fellow masters, not least Freddie Macdonald (Staff 1925–1962) (Deceased) presiding with a massive typewriter over collective composition of the Founder’s Day Vive-la. For his pupils, he managed to transform the teaching of an extraordinarily narrow curriculum, based on translating difficult classical texts, into an enlightening experience. His pupils at Fettes later won many scholarships to Oxbridge or other universities which he helped them to choose.

After Fettes he became ever more successful, the more senior he became. Having taught at Merchant Taylors’ and Bristol Grammar Schools, he served for 20 years, 1969–90, as a highly esteemed Headmaster of Bury Grammar School in Lancashire. Staunchly Conservative, he led the former State Grammar School to independence and developed there a highly successful independent school, with outstanding teaching and facilities across the sciences, arts and games and a keen focus, as at Fettes, on giving all pupils the best possible chance of achieving academic distinction and success in life.

Retiring to Ludlow, he read voraciously and devoted much time to preaching and visiting the elderly as a greatly respected Reader in the Church of England. No less exemplary was the care he gave to his wife Ruth, my sister, who survived for five years after some debilitating strokes. His family will miss him sorely, as will countless former pupils, colleagues and parishioners.

SUSAN LESTER-CRIBB (Staff 1976–1992)

Susan Lester-Cribb passed away on 8th June 2021, aged 89. This extract from The Fettesian 1992 shows what an important part of Fettes Susan was:

“Part time music teacher, Full time pillar of the establishment, Confidante to generations of pupils musical or not for 30 years.

“Mrs. L-C, like Nanny, was always there. You never questioned it. She’d be in her room, busy, waiting, just for you to come in. And then she’d be whoever, or however, you needed her to be that day, and still be nanny underneath. You see, you could talk to her — really talk. Tell her what had gone wrong, or right, tell her what you didn’t really know you knew until you heard yourself telling her — and then you knew that that was what you’d wanted to talk to someone about all day. And she’d listen, listen quietly and sympathetically, humorously. When you’d finished, she’d say something kind and bolstering, and then talk about something else whilst getting you started on your scales or sight reading.”

The following was written by Susan’s daughter, Martha (Da 1985–1987):

Mum, the eldest daughter of a vicar and a cellist, was born in the Australian outback. Music was in her blood –her grandfather was organist at Salisbury Cathedral and assistant at Westminster Abbey (coronations a speciality – he played for three!). He was, however, appalled by her Aussie accent. Resultant elocution lessons gave her beautifully rounded vowels.

During the war, her school was evacuated to The Bishop’s Palace in Wells where she delighted in climbing the ruins and swimming in the moat. From 1950 she studied piano at The Royal College of Music, winning several prizes. Later she won a scholarship to study bassoon (her second instrument) in Vienna.

In 1963 she took over a set of teaching jobs in Edinburgh, becoming 2nd bassoon in the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, 1st in the Reid Orchestra, teaching at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow and playing in the Edinburgh Wind Quintet. One of her schools was Fettes where, her mother told her, “That frightfully nice chap, Michael Lester-Cribb, works” (Dad too had Wiltshire roots). They married in Salisbury during the 1966 February half term. Together they contributed a huge amount to Edinburgh music, including running The Occasional Orchestra and putting on countless recitals.

From the early 1970s until the late ’80s our lodgers were a series of 6th form Fettes girls, two at a time – first at 5 West Woods and then at Wardie Avenue. Mum was a surrogate mother to many and long-term friends with most. She was responsible for the Fettes Junior School music – believing children should be introduced to a range of hobbies and giving all pupils the experience of making music via their Form Band.

Mum was an enthusiast – for other people’s interests as well as her own. She wrote poetry, loved the theatre and cinema as well as concerts. An incredibly generous and supportive person and my greatest friend. Typically, her last words were “Thank you” and I was glad to be able to be with her when she died peacefully at home.

JEAN WEEKES (Staff 1979–1994)

Jean Weekes passed away on 16th October 2021. Jean was the wife of The Revd Dr David Weekes (Chaplain 1974–1994) and Senior Girls’ Mistress from 1979–1982. In 1982 Jean became the first Housemistress of Fettes College when she began looking after Arniston from 1982 until 1994. David and Jean’s three children, Dr Richard Weekes (JS-Ca 1976–1984), Catriona Bhatti (née Weekes) (Ar 1982–1986) and The Revd Robin Weekes (JS-Mo 1983–1991) also attended Fettes College. Jean was an important part of Fettes’ history and valued by staff and students alike as can be seen from the following extracts from her Valete in the 1994 Fettesian:

“Arniston was chosen to have its boys dispersed and be filled with girls. Jean seemed the ideal person to run such a house, and the years since have done nothing but confirm the wisdom of that decision. It was a crucial one.

“Warm, sympathetic and wise, she was the sort of person girls naturally turn to in trouble, and she could spare infinite time and concern for their worries.

“As Chaplain’s wife as well as Housemistress, Jean knew how to make Arniston a hospitable place, and endless groups of assorted pupils (and staff) will gratefully remember the warmth of the atmosphere and the way they could relax there, as conversation flowed and the world was put right again and again.

“What made her such a fine Housemistress? Probably, above all, the way she cared so intensely about her girls. If ever they found themselves grumbling that she was too fussy about dress or expected too much of them, they knew

deep inside that it all came from her concern for them. She wanted them to be the best people they could possibly be, and they seldom wanted to disappoint her. This is what so many of them will remember, and what Fettes will remember.”

The following was written by Jean’s son, Robin:

As the first ever housemistress at Fettes, my mother Jean Weekes blazed a trail in a unique and wonderful way. It all began when the Headmaster’s wife, Mrs ChenevixTrench, asked her to teach cookery in the kitchen at The Lodge as a voluntary activity to mixed groups of boys and girls. Aware of her gifts, one of that Headmaster’s last acts was to appoint her as Mistress in charge of the forty Sixth Form girls scattered around in private homes outside the College. Then at Arniston, one of the many girls who passed through her care was Jess Connell (Ar 1990–1992) who was appointed Head of House. She recalls, “Arriving at Fettes in the Lower Sixth, hundreds of miles away from home, lacking in confidence and not having been through the school from the beginning, you can imagine that anxiety levels were off the scale. I shouldn’t have worried because from day one someone had my back. Mrs Weekes was the most wonderful and caring person who shaped my final years of school education and provided me and the other girls in Arniston House with the building blocks needed to step forward into life’s arena. I was lucky enough to spend time with Mrs Weekes during Religious Studies (RS) lessons and within the evenings and weekends in house. I valued these times and got a lot out of our discussions together. I will be forever grateful for her guiding hand and wisdom.”

However, as Jess points out, there was much more to Mum than being a Housemistress. She started out as and remained a very fine teacher. As Head of what in those days was called the Remedial Department she taught English, both as a foreign language, especially to Japanese pupils, and learning support. In addition, she went on to teach religious studies. I’m sure countless OFs will remember discovering great things in Mark’s gospel as my mother taught them GCSE Religious Studies. I enjoyed RS so much that I chose it for A level. The RS department was rather small at the time, consisting of just my mother – and my father! So, I had the unusual joy of having each of them for six periods a week. My love for the Old Testament in particular was ignited by my mother, and all those I know who opted for RS A level never regretted it.

Others will remember my Mum for opening up her home. Many new staff over the years found themselves welcomed early on in their time at Fettes round my parents’ dining table enjoying a meal, or in our sitting room having coffee. And who can forget the weekly “Open House” my parents used to run first in the West Woods and then in Arniston? Pupils crammed into every nook and cranny of their sitting room demolishing my Mum’s world-famous flapjacks and nanaimo bars as we enjoyed exploring the claims of Jesus Christ together and their significance for us.

Mum is much missed. She leaves behind an amazing legacy of girls’ education at Fettes. And as a wonderful teacher of, and witness to, the Christian faith.

ELSA MCQUAKER (Staff 1981–1991)

Elsa McQuaker passed away on 26th May 2021.

Below is Elsa’s Valete published in The Fettesian 1992:

“Mrs Elsa McQuaker retired at the end of the autumn term 1991 after more than 10 years of loyal service as Accountant. Elsa first came to Fettes in February 1981 on a temporary basis but within a very short time became indispensable and was appointed to the position of Accountant.

“Elsa originally trained as a nurse and her nursing qualifications combined with her accounting skills ensured that the finances of the school were in safe and caring hands. Over the years Elsa became a good friend of parents and pupils and her sympathetic and friendly attitude often gave great solace to a new third former or, as often as not, an older and supposedly wiser sixth former who had produced somewhat sheepishly from an inside pocket, a crumpled cheque for the term’s fees, rather later than the first day of term.

“Elsa was also a great help to members of staff at all levels in dealing with the arcane convolutions of income tax, insurance and other tedious matters sent to try them. One of Elsa’s major achievements whilst at Fettes was the introduction of the computer but such was her adaptability and interest in the new technology that very soon she had become the Scottish expert in computerised school accounting systems. Many bursars and accountants in sister schools owe much to Elsa for the help she gave them in sorting out their bits from their bytes and roms from rams.

“Elsa also devoted much of her time to looking after the finances of the Common Room – a task not to be underrated and probably more onerous than looking after the finances of the school!

“Elsa was, and still is, a great traveller and one of the highlights of her time at Fettes was her participation in the 1987 expedition to the Himalayas when she was a tower of strength in often very challenging circumstances. It was very appropriate therefore that at her farewell party last December, Elsa was presented with a camera which has been put to good use in recording the several foreign journeys which she has made since her retirement.

“We wish Elsa and her husband Alan many more happy years of retirement and travel. Fettes is indebted to her.”

ROBERT DOUGLAS MILLER (Former Governor

1981–1986) Robert Douglas Miller passed away on 9th June 2021, aged 84. Robert Douglas Miller was a Governor of Fettes College from 1981–1986. His son Edward J Douglas Miller (Ar-Ki 1980–1983) attended Fettes during the time he was a Governor.

The following was published in The Scotsman: Robert Douglas Miller, who has died aged 84, was the Chairman of Jenners which was until 2005 the oldest independent department store in the world, having first opened its Edinburgh doors in 1837. A descendant of James Kennedy through his mother, Douglas Miller joined the family company in 1963. Douglas Miller took over from his uncle as Managing Director and realised that urgent change was required and set about the huge task of refinancing and reenergising the business. The Jenners business had a significant property portfolio across Edinburgh which he re-structured to invest into the Jenners building on Princes Street.

Douglas Miller also played an active role within the Edinburgh business community. Whilst Chairman of the Royal Warrant Holders Association he hosted a visit to Jenners by The Queen which coincided with the 150th Anniversary of the Jenners business.

He was President of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer to the Royal Company of Archers and a non-executive Director on a number of Investment Trusts in Edinburgh.

Douglas Miller was born on 11th February 1937 in Bridge of Allan. From prep school at St Peter’s Court in Kent he passed into the “Scholar set” at Harrow. After Oxford, where he read Economics, Douglas Miller was commissioned into the 9th Royal Lancers and subsequently served in the Scottish Horse as a Territorial Army officer. His determination to enjoy all aspects of life was evident in a lifelong interest in fishing, shooting, farming, gardening, and conservation.

After the sale of Jenners in 2005 Douglas Miller retired and turned to his love of field sports and observing an everincreasing number of horses appearing at the stables of the family home in Midlothian.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, his three sons Andrew, Robbie and Edward, his daughter, Emma and numerous grandchildren.

STEWART PERRIN (Friend of Fettes)

Stewart Perrin passed away in March 2022.

He was an accidental almost honorary OF and staunch supporter of Cricket at Fettes for decades. We say ‘accidental’ as Stewart came to Edinburgh to watch a men’s rugby match at Edinburgh Accies, but when it was cancelled because of the state of the pitch, he made his way up to Fettes in case there was anything on here. By chance there was a 1st XV game, and Stewart stuck loyally to Fettes ever since.

The following was written by Bruce Russell (Staff 1997–present):

Stewart was the most wonderful, kind and supportive gentleman, the most delightful man, very knowledgeable about sport, but never opinionated or critical, just very supportive of the boys, (and the staff). He was also much loved by many cricket-watching parents over the years.

OFA OFFICE BEARERS

President

Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984)

Vice–president

Richard Llewellyn (Mo 1987–1992)

OF Governor

Roy Leckie (Ca 1985–1990)

Hon Secretary

Cordelia Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982–1984)

Hon Treasurer

Carla Bannatyne (Inv-CE 2005–2013)

Auditors

Messrs Chiene and Tait, CA Committee

Brian Cameron (CE 1956–1960)

Philip Church (JS-Gl 1985–1993)

Abigail Gliksten (Ar 2009–2011) David Hay (Ca 1991–1996)

Rona MacVicar (Staff 1984–2019)

Nigel Shepherd (Mo 1975–1979)

THE FETTESIAN TRUST

Trustees

Henry Cave, President OFA (SH 1980–1984)*

Richard Llewellyn, Vice–president OFA (Mo 1987–1992)*

Roy Leckie, OF Governor (Ca 1985–1990)*

William Carnegie (Ca 1950–1955)

Ian Gardiner (Mo 1963–1968)

Amanda Forsyth (née Baker), Treasurer (Ar 1982–1984)

Nichola Lyons, Secretary (JS-CE 1984–1990)

*Ex-officio Trustees (OFA)

Compiled and edited by Vivienne Clark, OF Coordinator and Karen Jones, Fettes Community Engagement Manager

Designed by Kenneth Gray kennethgray.design

Printed by Lavenham Press

For information about life at Fettes College, please visit fettes.com

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