MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present)

As I write this message, we are heading into the final weeks of a Fettes year and the sun has been shining on our summer term. We have just had the now traditional Second and Third Form ceilidh, an opportunity for those joining us next year from the Prep School to mix with the year above them and, thanks to the weather, we were able to be outside on the Queen’s Lawn. The sight of around 150 young Fettesians dancing enthusiastically in the evening sunshine with our beautiful building as the backdrop was very special indeed and was a reminder that a Fettes education can be a uniquely enjoyable and inspiring experience.

This year, after a period of consultation, we have launched an exciting new vision for the school. It is called Fettes Moving Forward and it focuses on what we believe Fettesians should aspire to be, the skills they will need in life and the impact we want them to make in the world. There is a lot to tell you about it and I know that you will be able to read it in more detail in other parts of the Newsletter I believe that the plans we have for Fettes will indeed move the school forward without changing its ethos and culture which ensures we launch good people into the world ready to make a positive mark.

On the back of very impressive external examination results last summer, our candidates this year have been very focused on what needs to be done in the exam hall, all hugely supported by our dedicated and inspirational staff. We remain very proud of our academic achievements throughout the school and are excited about the addition of Engineering, Enterprise and Technology as a compulsory subject for all in the Third Form next year. We are always thinking of ways to develop our provision and to ensure our students have the skills necessary to flourish in the future. What goes on in the classroom matters as much as it ever did and we want our pupils to be stretched, challenged and feel confident that they can make the absolute best of their talents.

We also know that happy people learn and flourish, so excellent pastoral care remains absolutely key to what we provide. Our community know that kindness is at the core of everything and that looking out for others has to be central to our ethos. Our proactive education programme that helps our students navigate through life is the envy of other schools and will only be enhanced by the new Wellbeing Centre that is about to become a reality.

Fettesians remain busy and active; the wealth of sporting, academic, creative and cultural activities ensure an enjoyable and productive school life. There are so many highlights deserving of mention: superb concerts in St Cuthbert’s and the Chapel Choir singing in St Giles’, the boys U18 and U15 teams being crowned national hockey champions, a thought-provoking school play, Third Form Field Week back to the normal format, U14 girls’ netball team winning a nail-biting national final, a charity 24 hour log-carry for SuperTroop, Lego Robotics Regional Champions or the Pipe Band Beating Retreat on the Castle Esplanade… the breadth of opportunity and the talent and enjoyment displayed can only make a Head very proud.

It has been a year in which we have relished the ability to welcome everyone back to campus and it was wonderful to be able to host the first full Commemoration since 2019. Unfortunately, owing to family reasons, I was unable to be in school but I know that all those who attended the Commem events, and the superb Carrington 150th celebrations the next day, enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with friends, be back on campus and meet some of our current Fettesians.

It has also been wonderful to welcome back OFs who have given of their time to talk, educate and inspire our students. Some of those who have come back this year include Jake Wightman, Matty Jackman, Martin Lees, Peter Gray KC, Duncan Keith and Mike Gammell, Poppy Mitchell-Rose as our Founder’s Day Guest of the Day as well as many others who have been involved in discussions about studying in the USA, Career Insight evenings and helping with the Higher Education Fair. This insight from our OF community is invaluable and I am so grateful to everyone who has been involved. We are very proud of our leavers and they are heading out to study an interesting array of courses in an impressive range of institutions throughout the UK, while increasingly, many are heading to Europe and to the States. Thank you for your continued interest and support of Fettes. Please do know that a Fettes education continues to matter to all who have the opportunity to experience it.