Merchistonian Newsletter
October 2023 The weather is getting colder, and the nights are drawing in as the School approaches the second half of the Autumn Term. Things are currently rather quiet on campus, as we await the return of our pupils and staff after a well-deserved Half Term break. Despite the quiet, we have welcomed a great deal of activity during our first weekend of break, with our annual U18 National Rugby Festival. You will find more information on the event and results, in this issue of the newsletter. A big ‘thank you’ should also be extended to everyone involved in our Harvest Service, just before the break. The collection of goods in support of Edinburgh City Mission was incredible and we are humbled by the continued generosity and support of our Community.
EDITION #14
27.10.23
Melrose 7s Junior Rugby Clinic Further into November we will also be holding our annual Remembrance Service. Merchiston pupils, families and Alumni are welcome to join us for the service and further information for FP will be circulated via mailshot next week.
Merchiston is delighted to be once again sponsoring and running the Junior Rugby Clinic at the 2024 Melrose 7s. We are excited to be back in Melrose for the event and look forward to meeting many young rugby talents for a fantastic morning of sport, drills and fun.
Merchistonian Magazine
Our Director of Rugby, Mr Deans, alongside Mr De Luca (Director of Sport), current players and alumni will be there to ensure everyone has a great session and a memorable morning on the pitch.
The latest issue of the Merchistonian Magazine is available digitally via the link below: https://issuu.com/merchistonschooled inburgh/docs/merchistonian_2223_low_res?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ
The Junior Rugby clinic will run at Melrose on Friday 12th April 2024. See you there! The press release from the Club is available here
There are a few important upcoming appointments in the Merchiston calendar. In a change to previous years, our Scholarship Day will take place on Thursday 2nd of November and we will welcome both internal and external candidates who wish to apply for one of our Scholarship programmes. merchistonians@merchiston.co.uk
Obituaries We were very saddened to hear of the passing of the following Merchistonians:
Mr Ivan A Zizak 1994-2022
At Merchiston: 2009-2013 Ivan was killed in Action in Ukraine, close to Kherson, on 07.11.2022. He was a Boarder at Merchiston and graduated in 2013 to start an Economics degree at Dundee University. At School he was a football goalkeeper, played rugby in a wing position and took part in CCF.
Class of 1968-73 Reunion Earlier this month, we were delighted to welcome back to Merchiston the Class of 1968-73, A group of 14 Merchistonians enjoyed a return to the School for a muchawaited catch-up and a look around the old stomping ground. Despite the weather raining off our matches against Strathallan, the Former Pupils had plenty to explore. It was great to hear stories and memories, walking around the grounds and exploring the old classroom and boarding houses. A final stop in Memorial Hall to reminisce about their days at Merchiston and reflect on their time together here. A special thank you to Reverend Blair who joined us and led the tourthrough the pouring rain!
National Rugby Festival A couple of weekends past, Merchiston became the centre of our annual U18 National Rugby Festival and we enjoyed two incredible days of Rugby, blessed by sunny, albeit very cold weather.
This year, the fourth edition of this event, saw 16 Teams across schools and Clubs, battling it out on the pitch to win the much-awaited tournament trophy. Competition was tough and all teams truly displayed incredible talent and resilience throughout the weekend. Which is why we are even prouder of our boys who managed to come through victorious after a series of well-played matches and lifted the trophy for the first time in the tournament’s history. Below the final standing of the tournament: Merchiston Castle School Glasgow Caledonians Durham School Seaford College Edinburgh Reivers, Dollar Academy Mount St Mary’s College Boroughmuir RFC Barnard Castle School Collegiate School St Benedict’s School Dame Allan’s School Norwich School Peebles RFC Wycliffe College Ayr RFC
merchistonians@merchiston.co.uk
Mr Deans, Director of Rugby, commented after the event: “I’m delighted to win the tournament, but for us it’s not actually about winning: it’s about performance and building momentum for the rest of the season and in particular going into the Cup competition,” he said. “To beat a wellorganised and well-coached GlasgowCaley side is the icing on the cake. I thought in the final our boys played intelligent, skilful and high tempo rugby. They scored at the right times.” “I’m happy for the boys but I’m happier about the Festival itself. It’s growing and getting better all the time. I love the fact that the district teams are here, and it was awesome to have representation from the SRU on campus over the two days." A huge ‘thank you’ is to be extended to everyone who contributed, helped and supported the event- and of course to all the teams who joined us for another year of incredible sport and growth. Already looking forward to next year!
Merchistonian success on court Merchistonian Jacob Fearnley continues to impress on court after a Summer of success which saw him winning the doubles title at the Nottingham Open, alongside fellow
Merchistonian Johannus Monday, and entering the wild card draw at Wimbledon. An unstoppable Fearnley has recently claimed both the singles and doubles (with Connor Thomson) titles at the ITF EDGBASTON ROUND UP. Fearnley came through qualifying into the main draw and won his first round in straight sets (6-4, 6-2) against second seed Charles Broom. In the final, Fearnley was against wildcard Kyle Edmund. The qualifier and Edmund stayed close at the start, however, eventually Fearnley broke serve and took the lead. The second set saw Fearnley dominate Edmund, breaking more or less at will. Edmund was unable to get back into the set and Fearnley took the title in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. In the doubles, Fearnley teamed up with Connor Thomson forming a second seed entry. The final was an exciting and close one against Charles Broom & David Stevenson. In the first set, the seeds forced a tiebreak and dominated to take the lead. The second set saw Broom & Stevenson fight back, forcing another tiebreak. The final match tiebreak was very close, but eventually, Fearnley and Thomson edged through to lift the title 7-6(2), 67(5), 10-5.
merchistonians@merchiston.co.uk