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

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)

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.

Caterin: 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.