MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Richard Llewellyn (Mo 1987–1992)

It has been a privilege to be President of the OFA in the first full year back to events, having received the Chain of Office from my predecessor, Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984), at what was my own Commem.

We all endured a few exceptionally challenging years of separation, through Covid induced travel restrictions. Now, on the other side, we must re-group and I warmly encourage you to check your Fettes Community emails and sign up to attend Old Fettesian Association events, once again!

In this vein, I personally felt a special sense of joy and belonging to join the celebrations of a full Commem programme on 1st October last year, along with over 350 OFs on the Fettes campus, many of my 1992 contemporaries, 30 years after we left school. I have been pleased to play my role in helping keep Fettesians connected and to meet many of you from across the generations at events such as the London Carols and the Edinburgh drinks. It is wonderful to see OFs gathering, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. The work of the OFA is all about supporting lifelong connection and reconnection wherever you are in the world.

To the 2023 leavers, our newest Old Fettesians, I take much pleasure in offering you a special welcome into the OFA. I have met some of you through Evan Weir prize interviews and at school events (I am also, proudly, a current parent!). You are a fantastic group, with the world at your feet. You are just leaving Fettes, but the OFA and events are for you also and we hope you jump enthusiastically into being an Old Fettesian and all this offers!

In terms of making connections and organising events, I owe thanks to the wonderful Regional Representatives of the OFA around the world, who provide support and a warm welcome to OFs new (and old!) in so many locations. Along with them, the Fettes Community Portal is a tremendous resource helping Old Fettesians to connect. This has the Digital Archives and an online directory of over 2,200 members with 42% willing to help with careers, mentoring and support. Please do sign up at fettescommunity.org, if you have yet to join.

Closer to home, I am also very grateful for the work, guidance and support of the OFA Exec. (Philip Church (JS-Gl 1985–1993); Cordelia Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982–1984); Carla Bannatyne (Inv-CE 2005–2013)) and of the wider OFA Committee. If you have ideas about shaping how the OFA could support you or you would like to get involved, please do contact us at ofa@fettes.com – we would love you to join the Committee and Exec or to lead an interest group, club or region in other areas of the OFA!

However, little of this would happen without the enthusiasm and energy of our Old Fettesian Coordinator, Vivienne Clark (Staff 2020–present) and Fettes Community Engagement Manager, Karen Jones (née Houston) (Ar 1989–1991, Staff 2012–present). I know the effort they put in, daily, and in producing this wonderful

Newsletter. I would like to offer them, from us all, a huge thank you for their continued support in keeping us informed, dealing with many enquiries, running events and in managing the Fettes Career Partnership programme. Finally, I offer thanks to the Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present), for her phenomenal leadership of our great school and her fantastic vision for Fettes Moving Forward You can find out all about this vision on pages 22 and 23. Looking forward – one piece of exciting news is that we are widening access to the OFA AGM. This is normally held on Commem weekend, but this coming year we will hold it online, which will allow more OFs across the world to join us and find out more about what the Old Fettesian Association has been doing throughout the year. Please save 12noon on Friday 6th October 2023 in your diaries and visit bit.ly/ OFAAGM2023 to sign up to receive the joining instructions. Wrapping up, I will reflect, one year into my time as President of the OFA, on what has been a poignant year. I have been considering what the Fettes experience means, through my own conversations and connections, but also because my son is now making his way in Moredun Third Form, as I did 35 years ago. Friendships made in House, in class, on the sports pitch and in the many clubs, societies and activities are the beginning for us all and they remain for a lifetime. Something which bonds us and, for which all OFs can be truly grateful.

I look forward to all the opportunities to gather that are coming up and hope that you will be able to attend an occasion near you.

Floreas Fettesia!

Richard Llewellyn (Mo 1987–1992), President of the OFA President.OFA@fettes.com