SIGNIFICANT STAFF CHANGES

Sue Bruce (Staff 2000–present) is not leaving us, but she is leaving her role as Houseparent of College West, having been in post since 2006.

“After 17 years in College West I feel very discombobulated. College West really has become my family home. I will miss the College West girls and the feeling of being in the thick of student life. Whilst I am going on to a new and very exciting role here to head up Wellbeing and manage the new Wellbeing Centre project, I know it will be a huge transition. In my time as a College West Houseparent I have supported almost 350 girls within the House, it has been an immense privilege to watch them all grow up into wonderful young women whilst at Fettes and beyond. I do hope my Westies will continue to keep in touch with me at Fettes and through the OFA. I always look forward to reconnecting and hearing news.”

Claire Montgomery (Staff 2009–2023) – Claire, ‘Monty’, came to Fettes as a newly qualified teacher in 2009. She has been a key member of the Modern Languages Department, and became Head of French in 2012. Claire has also been key to the pastoral side of the school, having been Assistant Houseparent in Arniston, then College West, and is now leaving us from Kimmerghame.

“I am now quite overwhelmed by the thought of leaving. Fettes has been a huge part of my life. I came here as a new teacher, and I have lived on campus, working seven days a week, for 10 of my 14 years. I married my husband in Chapel, and we now have two young children who live with us here too. It will always be an incredibly special place for me. I am moving home to Northern Ireland, to work in a day school, where I will have much more time to be able to be with my own family in the all-important early years of their lives. I am terrified, devastated and excited in equal measure to be leaving Fettes for this new chapter in my life. I will miss the exceptional community life we have here a great deal and very much hope to keep in touch through the Old Fettesian Association.”

Bruce Russell (Staff 1997–2023), over his 26-year tenure, has made an immense contribution to sport at Fettes as Head of Cricket, 1st XI Hockey coach for Boys and Girls and Squash guru. He is a much-loved member of the sport and PE staff team.

“With sport having played a huge part in my life, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to come to Fettes originally as a part-time sports coach, then my job was made permanent, initially attached to the Prep School games programme. I enjoyed the contact with pupils from all ages from seven upwards, and to this day, it is this aspect of my job I will miss the most. The Fettes experience demands huge commitment from its staff, but when I look back, there are so many highlights. Among these for me were the opportunity to build teams in cricket and hockey, and to enjoy the highs (and even the lows) of these journeys, with my teams. Special highlights are the overseas tours, with my two cricket trips to Sri Lanka being foremost. And as I write, our girls are shortly to embark on a trip to the Northeast of England for a cricket tour. The development of the girls’ cricket programme is definitely one of my proudest achievements.”

Nicola Pickavance (Staff 2015–2023) has been Director of Development at Fettes College for almost eight years. During that time Nicola has made many Fettes friendships and connections and has made a huge impact on the life of the school. She has worked with our donor community to raise a staggering £8m towards bursaries and capital projects. As Director of Development she has also led the relationship between the school and the Old Fettesian Association, has championed best practice with the OFA Committee and improved the performance of those in her team to enhance the OF events, communications and programmes to keep OFs connected to each other and to Fettes.

“It has been a very difficult decision for me to leave Fettes, after nearly eight wonderful years here surrounded by brilliant people. However, this decision is absolutely the right one for me. It will allow me to spend more time with my partner, Mike, who is based in Broughty Ferry and, in due course, to branch out on my own to pursue some parttime consultancy contracts. I can’t thank the Old Fettesian community enough for their support and encouragement over the years. It has been an absolute privilege to become part of this very special family for life.”