Merchistonian Newsletter
January 2025
A frosty start to the month at Merchiston as the School returns to its usual busyness after the Christmas break Boys are engaged with mock exams and on a recruitment front staff are busy with planning and finalising events, both on-site and on the international circuit
A good amount of news coming from the Merchistonian world, particularly in the context of sport – please continue to keep us informed and send any piece of news you would like to include in the next issue of the newsletter to merchistonians@merchiston co uk We would love to hear from you!
Open Morning
On Saturday 8th March, Merchiston will welcome prospective families to the School, as part of our recruitment strategy If you are a Merchistonian interested in a Merchiston education for your children, we would love to see you, welcome you back at the School and introduce you to our current teaching staff
If you are interested in coming along for the event, please register your attendance by following the link here
If you are a former parent or a Merchistonian and would like to join the event as a Parent or Alumni Ambassador, we would love to welcome your input Please get in touch at marketing@merchiston co uk
SAVE THE DATE
Merchistonian Pre-Calcutta Cup dinner in London
The Merchistonian Club is organising a pre-Calcutta Cup dinner in London on Friday 21st February.
The event will be held at The Clachan in Kingly Street Merchistonians are invited to meet from 6:30pm Dinner 7:00pm- 9:00pm
A direct communication with further details and RSVP link will be circulated next week to all Merchistonians on our database
Early RSVP is encouraged
Merchiston Rugby Camp
Do you have a son or grandson who has a special love for rugby? Our very popular Rugby Camp is back this July (Mon 21 to Fri 25) and registrations are now open
The Camp is expertly designed by our coaching team and is a great opportunity for players to kick-start their season
To secure a space, please register via our website here
Fives
The Jesters Fives weekend, where Fives players from across the U.K. gather in Edinburgh for a weekend of matches, has happened for decades. A Merchistonian side has not played the Jesters for more than 10 years.
However, on Sunday 12th of January, six Merchistonians gathered at the School to defeat a Jesters side 110-77. Angus Sinclair, Alex Cranstoun, Chris Bell, Marcus Mulvey, William Gale and Oliver Gordon represented the Merchistonians in an excellent encounter.
The quality of fives on display was highly impressive!
Matt Hillier (master in charge of Fives) is keen to arrange more Merchistonian Fives events in the future If you are a former Fives player and would like to be added to the Merchistonian fives email chain, please contact Matt on mhillier@merchiston co uk
International recruitment
Merchiston’s Marketing and Admissions Team will be travelling to Saudi Arabia and Dubai in early February, as part of our international recruitment strategy.
We will be attending the Anderson Education events in Al Khobar, Riyadh and Dubai – more information and registration for these events is available here .
We have contacted parents and alumni for whom we hold addresses in these locations, but please do get in touch if you have moved or are perhaps travelling here. We would love to see you on location. You can get in touch at marketing@merchiston co uk
We would also appreciate it, if you could spread the word in these locations, particularly if you have friends and family looking for a British education for their children The team are keen to meet with as many families as possible and raise awareness about the School in these markets
Jacob Fearnley
Tennis enthusiasts won’t have missed the incredibly exciting performance of Merchistonian Jacob Fearnley (MCS 2012-2019) at this year’s Australian Open Jacob is a living testament to the incredibly strong programme offered at Merchiston’s Tennis Academy, which afforded him strong foundations to build on, during his tenure in the US Collegiate circuit.
Fearnley played his way passed big pronames like Kyrgios and Cazaux with resilience and determination and only folded in his third round, against the mighty Zverev.
The Times covered his success in a brilliant article and the School was approached for comment. You can read the article here .
Luis Masaveu
Luis Masaveu (MCS 2015-2016) has recently join the Pro Golf ranks with LIV Golf and is certainly set on a path towards golfing stardom.
Luis, who was a stellar player within our Merchiston Golf Academy during his time at the School, is the first Spanish amateur to make the cut at the Open Championship
We wish him the very best of luck for his first pro year
You can read more about Luis here
Obituaries
For those who might have missed the communication, this month we mourn the passing of two incredibly well-loved members of the Merchistonian community.
Former Headmaster Mr David Spawforth (at Merchiston 1981-98) passed away in the night of January 4th, at the Borders General Hospital. Mr Spawforth studied Languages at Oxford and taught previously at Winchester and Wellington College (Housemaster). His tenure at Merchiston was marked by a commitment to change and improvement as testified by the construction of the Sports Hall, Theatre, Napier building, Mappa Mundi, the extension to Pringle House and the upgrades to Chalmers, Rogerson and the Robertson building His driven approach bolstered pupils' roll and the School's standing and reputation was raised thanks to improved academic standards and achievements
He is remembered fondly by former pupils who recall with affection the regular socials organised at Castle Gates by the Headmaster and his wife Yvonne
Spawforth Library was named in his honour, following his retirement and now occupies the site of the former Music Auditorium.
Mr Spawforth's 'joie de vivre' remains legendary and steadfast until the end - he enjoyed his retirement with his wife Yvonne, at their home in the Scottish Borders, beside his beloved River Tweed.
Former Director of Pipes and Drums, Mr Gordon Campbell, passed away on January 1st, following a long battle with illness
Mr Campbell joined Merchiston in 1988 as one of the piping instructors and instilled his love and passion for piping to countless pupils, gaining their outmost respect He was appointed Master of Piping & Drumming in 2008 and taught individuals as well as directing the Pipe Bands and guiding them through an array of competitions both locally and nationally. He also organised performance for the Bands at countless events within the Merchiston community. His legacy includes international tours with the Band to destinations such as Brittany, Russia and Canada.
He retired as Master of Piping and Drumming in July 2022, fully intending to continue as a piping instruction, before ill health prevented it He will be fondly remembered by all and we extend our deepest condolences to his family as this time of sorrow.