A VIEW FROM THE COMMON ROOM

Neil Ward (Staff 2008–present)

Fettes life has been very much back in full flow this year and it seems bizarre to think that it was only two years ago that we were still in the middle of the pandemic. Any thoughts that this might be a year of consolidation were quickly dispelled in September with the Head’s announcement of the public launch of the school’s new vision, Fettes Moving Forward. Although we had all been involved in its creation in some small way, it was inspiring to have it presented in its entirety, outlining the exciting journey ahead.

While the promise of new facilities often makes the headlines in such announcements, for the Common Room, the most immediate impact would be welcoming a new academic subject to the school: Engineering, Enterprise and Technology. Very few in the staff have been at Fettes long enough to remember the old Design and Technology department and, even if they did, I doubt they would recognise some of the high-tech kit going into the classroom this summer for this innovative new course. With EET to be taken by all in the Third Form, it aims to provide a welcome addition to the skillset of every future student that passes through our gates, highlighting the school’s commitment to ensure Fettesians are prepared for the ever-changing world of work ahead of them. We look forward to welcoming Michael Alton from Warwick School to lead this exciting new department.

Another strand of the vision announced to us in September focussed on promoting the wellbeing of the Fettes community. While the reveal of the plan for a new Science and Innovation Centre a few years down the line sparked the imagination of many in the room, the more immediate plans for a new Wellbeing Centre seemed so well-timed. With all that we have been through over the last few years, leading the way with such facilities to continue to provide the care and support so valued by everyone in the community feels like such a positive step.

Having finally returned to full fixture lists last year, coaching and supporting sports teams continues to be a highlight of the job for many in the Common Room. For some, our contribution is more limited to register taking and enthusiastic support, while others are equipped to provide more expertise and experience. Some of the most valuable experiences I have had as a teacher at Fettes have been coaching alongside some of the real experts in the various sports. We are blessed with a fair few within the Common Room, but one who is regarded among the best is Bruce Russell. Bruce is retiring this year after an incredible 26 years at Fettes, and it seems apt that in the year he departs, the boys’ hockey teams and the new girls’ cricket team he has nurtured over the last couple of years hold the Scottish Schools trophies. An unbelievable talent who has played at the top level in so many sports and contributed to so many Fettesians’ sporting achievements, Bruce will be sorely missed by everyone in the Common Room.

Having started this article talking about inspiration for the future, I’d like to finish by celebrating that this summer will mark the fifth year of SuperTroop at Fettes. SuperTroop is a charity that provides holidays for children and young people with disabilities, and it has been a personal privilege of mine to be involved with the holiday each year, volunteering alongside many of our amazing Sixth Form students, colleagues, and a growing number of OFs. When introducing the vision in September, the Head described Fettes as a place, and the first thing that came to my mind was how this place, this community, has helped make things like SuperTroop a possibility. This year, members from throughout that community raised an incredible £10,000 for SuperTroop through a 24-hour log carry. It was yet another one of those events that made me proud to be part of this place.