The Merchistonian Magazine 2022-23

THE 2022-2023

MERCHISTONIAN

HEADMASTER’S WELCOME, AUGUST 2023

Welcome to the Merchistonian 2022-23.

The magazine is, as you will shortly see, a celebration of some remarkable achievements during this past academic year, from activities in the classroom, on the sports pitches, in the Houses, and beyond the Castle Walls. It is a tremendous collection of memories from what has been another outstanding year at Merchiston Castle School.

The diverse range of activities, and the success which has followed, is a testament to the enthusiasm of our boys and the dedication of our staff in supporting their ambitions. In my Prizegiving address, I took some time to thank my colleagues for their energy and commitment; characteristics our boys have clearly absorbed and embraced. Merchiston continues to be a School where success and brilliance can be found around every corner – a strong and vibrant community that builds strong foundations and readies for life beyond these walls.

As I write, we are eagerly awaiting the reopening of the Chalmers Houses as our newly refurbished and redesigned

Middle Years Houses – an exciting evolution in the life of the School, and we look forward to welcoming the Middle Years boys into their excellent new Boarding House spaces. We are also busy with plans to open our new Forest Nursery and Junior School in the environs of Pringle House in September 2024 – another exciting development for Merchiston, which you can learn more about within this magazine.

To those in the Upper VI who left us this year, I wish you all the very best of luck as you continue your journey with all that you have learned in this place – I hope that this magazine serves as a warm reminder of your time with us. To those new to the School, I trust that this will provide you with a snapshot of all that Merchiston pupils can and do achieve across the course of the year.

Finally, this chronicle simply would not exist were it not for the tireless enthusiasm and editing prowess of Mr Philip Rossiter, to whom I extend my most sincere gratitude. A huge, and special, thank you to you, Philip.

Jonathan Anderson, Headmaster

COMMON ROOM

TEACHING STAFF ARRIVALS, AUGUST 2022 – JULY 2023

During the period covered by this magazine, August 2022 – July 2023, we have been pleased to welcome the following as new members of staff at Merchiston, all of whom have quickly become valued members of our community:

REBECCA AJODANI - Admissions / Events

LIZ ATKINSON - Teacher of Mathematics

NATASHA CALLAN - Teacher of English

GIADA CANDERLE - Marketing Manager & Alumni Relations

LACHLAN GADDIE - Graduate Assistant

PETER GARRATT - Teacher of Mathematics

CALLUM LLOYD - Tennis Academy Lead Coach

JAKE MILLS - Graduate Assistant

ALICE STROUD - Teacher of Physics

KYLE WARREN - Director of Pipes & Drums

NATALIE ZINDANI - Registrar

TEACHING STAFF DEPARTURES, AUGUST 2022 – JULY 2023

During the period covered by this magazine, August 2022 – July 2023, we have been sorry to bid farewell to the following members of staff, thank them whole-heartedly for the important contribution which they have made to Merchiston life, and wish them every happiness in the future:

BRUCE AITCHISON

Bruce arrived at Merchiston, together with Katy, Maisie and Nichola, in the completely normal summer of 2019. Previously, he had been a Depute at Hawick High School. How much his previous experience, and that peaceful, happy summer on site, prepared him for what came next, it is really hard to know.

Bruce was inspiring, however, throughout that incredibly challenging Covid period. He did an amazing job of encouraging and motivating staff: a truth we have all learned from Bruce is that a happy song will always make things feel a bit better. He did an even better job of encouraging and motivating the boys in his House. Dr

Calum Mechie comments: “It was incredible to see the attendance that Bruce could get at a House meeting on Zoom, at 8.30am, with kids from all over the world. The sense of community and belonging that he has been able to build around him has been amazing to witness. I have learned a huge amount from Bruce as his Deputy and then colleague, and I earnestly hope I will be able to take some of that ‘star dust’ I saw from him forwards in my own career. I know it will go with him in his”. As well as challenges, the Covid lockdowns brought good things to some of our lives too. One of these, for the Aitchison family, was Maggy, their beautiful golden labrador. She is much loved by the boys in Bruce’s House and will be very much missed around the School.

The main theme of Bruce as a House Parent is his genuine care for all of the boys in his House; all of his efforts are very much focussed on their happiness, wellbeing, safety and sense of purpose. He has become renowned for his coaching conversations and for working hard to understand the young person he has in front of him, so that he may help, guide and support that young person in achieving a positive outcome. This was especially true with that first Covid cohort, which Bruce took onwards with him from Chalmers East into Rogerson House in 2020. The relationships built over those two years, many of which have continued through the House prefects and the senior rugby team, are incredibly special: there is a beautiful symmetry in Bruce’s time at the School ending at the same time as theirs - they will all be missed.

Dr Mechie is not the only colleague on whom Bruce has made a lasting impression. Miss Carragh Nash, Deputy House Parent in Rogerson, says: “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Bruce this year - it's a shame it was only the one! He's been both a supportive colleague and friend throughout the year and has established a real team atmosphere in Rogerson - something he should be proud of, even if Mr A's Angels will sadly be assembling no more!”.

Mrs Fiona Darling, Housemother and then Assistant House Parent with Bruce throughout his time at Merchiston, shares: “I have always been impressed with Bruce's passionate support for the boys and insistence that standards are met, encouraging them all to stretch themselves in sport, life and work. I have always relied on Bruce knowing exactly what was what, every nuance of every boy. My favourite moments were seeing Bruce in his crazy patterned pop art suit, which he wore to lift the mood one dreich Friday afternoon. Another moment was when he waltzed me round the dayroom whilst singing at top of his voice! He loves a good song (and some pretty terrible ones!). He has been an incredible colleague and friend.”

Bruce also brought with him his rugby coaching prowess – being part of a coaching team that has won the U18 Scottish Schools Cup twice! Mr Roddy Deans describes Bruce as being committed and passionate and reflects on how lucky he feels to have had Bruce by his side at Murrayfield in the last two years. Roddy goes on to say that Bruce has been the ideal partner for him and he has really helped him develop as a coach and person. The photobook presented by the squad to Bruce at this year’s Rugby Dinner is a touching memento and a worthy addition to Bruce’s vast collection of memorabilia.

Miss Amy Warke, Resident Tutor in Rogerson, says: “Working with Bruce has been a joy and a privilege for the

last two years. His kindness, care and passion for getting the best out of every boy is infectious. I have enjoyed learning from him, whether that be listening to him talking honestly to the boys or showing his appreciation of staff! I will be forever grateful for the many times he has rescued me from being locked out of my flat and his graciousness when I set the fire alarm off … again!”.

With the resumption of public events, Bruce’s skill in public speaking has been on show for all to see and enjoy. Once he has microphone in hand and outlandish (sometimes questionable) tartan dinner jacket on his back, he is unstoppable and fills the room with his anecdotes and witticisms. Who knew that ‘Happiness is Egg Shaped’? Bruce has a prolific on-line presence – just Google him and see for yourself! His efforts of late have been in fundraising for the MND charity My Name’5 Doddie www.myname5doddie.co.uk, inspired by the late and great Doddie Weir. Bruce recently completed the Edinburgh Marathon in a time of ??? - Bruce wouldn’t tell us his time: he says it doesn’t matter, and he is right. To date, he has raised well over £6000 for My Name’5 Doddie – an incredible achievement.

Bruce, in his short time at Merchiston, has been an inspiration to boys and staff. He will be hugely missed and we have no doubt he will go on to influence many more people on his new journey, leaving a positive impression, like the one we cherish here, wherever he goes. Dr Clare Nugent, long-time collaborator/conspirator, sums this up best: “it’s tough to condense my strength of feeling for someone who’s unlike any other person you’ve ever met! Unbelievably special, indefatigable, utter fun – they’d be the few words I’d use about Bruce”.

Will Ogilvie-Jones, Assistant Head Pupil Support

GORDON CAMPBELL

Gordon joined Merchiston in 1988 as one of the School’s piping instructors, bringing with him extensive experience as solo piper, band member and teacher. Over the years, he has also taught at Glenalmond, Fettes, St George’s, St Margaret’s and St Denis & Cranley Schools.

Initially employed at Merchiston to teach piping to individual pupils and to assist with the coaching of the Pipe Band, he has instilled a passion for piping in countless Merchiston boys, which has continued with them long after leaving, and has been loved and respected by them. Gordon’s role at Merchiston gradually expanded to the point that, in 2005, he was appointed Master i/c Piping and Drumming. In this capacity, he has continued to teach

individual piping pupils, has directed and led the School’s Pipe Bands, organised internal competitions and concerts, and taken the boys to compete in local and national competitions. In addition, under his direction, the Pipe Band has performed at innumerable Merchiston events, including the annual Burns Supper, at which it is always a major contributor. In recent years, he has played a vital role in Merchiston’s “Sounds Like Friday” initiative, working with pupils from local maintained sector schools, which, unfortunately, came to an end when Covid restrictions were imposed.

There have been many highpoints to Gordon’s time at Merchiston: the tours to Guingamp in Brittany, which many Merchistonians will remember fondly; tours to Russia and Canada; and the annual trip to play at the Bo’ness Children’s Fair, always a popular event in the piping and drumming calendar. Many will also remember the 100 Pipers and Drummers who played on Remembrance Sunday in 2018, organised by James Lascelles, to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War – this important Merchiston piping event could not have happened without Gordon’s major input.

Gordon retired from his position as Master i/c Piping and Drumming in July 2022, with the intention of continuing to do some work at Merchiston as a piping instructor. We are sorry that ill health has prevented his continuing links with the School, wish him well in retirement, and thank him whole-heartedly for all that he has contributed to this important area of School life.

Philip Rossiter

MARTA CORDINGLEY

Marta took on the role of Shop Manager in 2003, in which capacity she was often the first person to meet new pupils and a welcoming face to those visiting the School Shop at the start of their Merchiston journey. Her warmth has reassured many a nervous pupil and her expertise has ensured that they are well turned out.

In addition, Marta supported the boarding life of the School during Jason’s time as a Housemaster and helped with the supervision of the Spawforth Library in the evenings, enabling the pupils to use the space for quiet and effective study.

Merchiston is incredibly sad to say farewell to Marta, but we wish her every success as she moves on to new and exciting challenges.

Pippa Axon, Bursar

KAREN COYNE

When Karen joined the Merchiston staff in 2018, she already knew the School well as the mother of nowMerchistonians, Finlay and Arran. Having previously worked at Pembroke House Preparatory School in Kenya, she adapted to her role as Resident Housemother - initially in Laidlaw South and subsequently for the whole of Laidlaw - with ease, and played a major part in the establishment of this vital pastoral role. Her duties increased and she took on the role of Deputy House Parent (Laidlaw North) and also Careers Adviser. In the latter role, she organised careers talks, presentations, workshops and newsletters at all levels of the Senior School, and offered individual careers advice to Sixth Formers in the House and in the VIA Club.

In her pastoral role, Karen made a very significant contribution to the lives of those living in Laidlaw, and was always ready to offer a listening ear and provide support when needed. She organised many activity and social evenings for the boys, both in the House and in the VIA Club, along with providing endless quantities of hot chocolate and additional eats, all of which were greatly appreciated by the boys. Her assistance in all aspects of the administration of a busy boarding house was invaluable to the House Parents.

We wish Karen every happiness in the future as she leaves us to return home to Kenya. Her wise counsel and commitment to every aspect of her roles at Merchiston will be greatly missed.

Philip Rossiter

LIZ FIROOZI

Liz joined us in 2014 as Secretary to the Academic Leadership Team, bringing a wealth of academic administration experience to the team. She quickly became a key contact for staff and students, always with a willing ear, a smile, and a solution to whatever was the challenge of the moment! Liz was very adept at juggling the myriad challenges which came her way from the Academic Leadership Team, and her patience was legendary: we thoroughly appreciated all of her support and guidance across the broad range of activities we undertake. Examples of this include her crucial work in putting together timetables, and her sensitive approach with students of examination results’ days – two perfect examples of her technical attention to detail and her care for our students. Liz leaves us with an open mind as to what the future may hold, and we wish her all the very best in her endeavours.

Dale Cartwright, Deputy Head Learning and Teaching

JUDITH FISHER

Judith joined Merchiston in September 2006 as a Housemother in Chalmers West with Philip Rossiter, having had a career break and bringing up her three children. Prior to this, she had trained and worked at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion.

This was a new role for the Fourth Form, on which she quickly put her own stamp with dorm socials and making copious quantities of hot chocolate and cheese toasties! The benefits of this additional support were quickly recognised, and the following year, Judith started helping in Chalmers East too.

Judith’s connections with Merchiston started many years before as she met her husband, Graham, whilst he was a pupil here, aged 15, at a Scottish country dancing practice - as they say, the rest is history! Both their sons, James and Harry, are former pupils.

Having spent several years in the boarding house, Judith decided to put on her ‘nursing hat’ again and joined the staff of the Medical Centre in April 2010, where she has provided ongoing support for the boys. Her caring attitude went above and beyond, and her help with a vast number of School trips, vaccinations and rugby camps has been invaluable.

We will all miss Judith’s wealth of knowledge and expertise in the Medical Centre and wish her all the best for the next chapter in her life. With a house move to East Lothian, enjoying the beautiful beaches for walking the dogs and playing a lot more golf will certainly keep her busy!

Sonja Mclean, Senior Charge Nurse

DEBBIE MARSHALL

Debbie joined Merchiston in January 2014 from being a First Responder with the Scottish Ambulance Service. Her role, initially, was as Healthcare Assistant in the Medical Centre, where she helped with general admin and supporting us in the department. She was also hugely involved with the medical provision required for the School’s rugby and, for many years, helped with the rugby camps over the summer holidays. In March 2014, she covered a period of maternity leave in Chalmers West as Housemother, which then was quickly followed with spells in Chalmers East and Rogerson Houses. Latterly, her role was in Evans House, supporting boys and providing a listening ear when needed.

As well as her Medical Centre and House commitments,

Debbie became involved in the CCF and was promoted from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant Marshall: she was never a fan of the uniform - designer trainers and handbags were more her look! She also helped with numerous CCF camps and supervising at the shooting ranges in the Summer Term.

Debbie leaves Merchiston to pursue her vast knowledge of first aid and to start her own business. We wish her all the best for the future.

Sonja Mclean, Senior Charge Nurse

RORY M C CANN

Merchiston was Rory’s home for over ten years, and if we strip it back, it’s been some journey for him and his family. It was a big move for him from Belfast: no family support, a new city, a new job, raising his two lovely boys, Flynn and Teddy, whilst living at various times in North and South Lodges.

Merchiston has clearly played a massive part in his life and the McCanns truly made Merchiston their home!

Rory has organised and run many, many sporting tours, to such countries as Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Spain, South Africa (three times), New Zealand and Portugal. Some of the sporting achievements that the School has celebrated under his tenure as Director of Sport include: annual Tennis and Golf Academy successes, reaching no. 1 in the UK on numerous occasions; producing international sportsmen across a number of different sports, achieved because of his buy-in approach to the individual and his detailed eye to ensure what is best for that boy; five Scottish Cup trophies in rugby; the setting-up and organising of various sporting events, most notably the Merchiston 7s, various Prep School events and, most recently, the formation of the October Rugby Festival, which, arguably, is the biggest upand-coming schoolboy event in Scotland, and potentially the UK. All of these achievements are based on the culture he has created, the behaviours he wants the boys to possess, the dedication he has displayed to the School, and the relationships he has built with his colleagues. This is something which is hard to achieve in schools of Merchiston’s size: Rory has done it with ease.

Rory is very much a team player and loves being part of the department and boarding houses. He loves the togetherness of team sports, but what makes him really tick is the independence he craves. Rory needs his own space to work, which is something that his new school, Bryanston, will discover.

We all wish Rory and his family every success and happiness in their new lives at Bryanston, and very much

hope that he will keep in close contact with his friends at Merchiston.

Craig Harrison, Head of Physical Education

RICHARD M C CORKELL

Richard joined Merchiston in September 2012 from Queensferry High School, as a teacher of Mathematics. Over the next ten years, he filled that role with dedication, talent, humour and genuine care for his pupils and colleagues, all of which made him a very popular member of the Merchiston community.

In the classroom, Richard taught the full range of Maths courses, from enthusing Pringle pupils to delivering A Level Maths and the SQA Higher qualification, as well as taking on the teaching of Further Maths Mechanics in his final term.

A core member of the Maths Department for over a decade, Richard’s positive and collegial attitude could always be relied upon: whether the situation called for a laugh, advice, or a discussion of pedagogy, Richard was ready and willing to help. As a founding representative of the Maths Department’s strong Northern Irish contingent, there was always good 'craic' when Richard was around! His patience, calm demeanour and ability to break down difficult concepts were highly valued by the pupils, both in lessons and when on duty in the Houses, where boys frequently sought him out for additional support.

As well as his academic work, Richard was involved in the boarding life of the School at all levels. He began as a tutor in Pringle House before serving for two years as Assistant Housemaster in Chalmers West. Richard then took on the role of Evans Housemaster in 2016, where he served until 2020; this was followed by a continuing role as a VI Form tutor in Laidlaw South.

A man of many talents, Richard also served as a successful coach of both rugby and cricket throughout his time here, but his main contribution to the sporting life of Merchiston was perhaps in hockey. A keen player himself (and one who has played for the Scottish Masters O35 team), his passion for the sport was vital to the growth of hockey at Merchiston over the past decade. In 2012-13, Richard recalls that the U18 and U15 teams played just one fixture each and, prior to the construction of the AstroTurf pitch at Merchiston, training took place in an off-site weekly evening session. Over the years, the programme developed to the point of having one hundred fixtures per year at all ages, from U9 to U18. Highlights of Richard’s time as a hockey coach included the U18 team winning the Aspire Plate in 2019 and the U15s winning the Scottish Plate in

2019 and 2020, as well as seeing a number of players represent Scotland. Richard’s involvement was instrumental in all of these developments, and he leaves Merchiston hockey in a very strong position.

In other activities, Richard played a key part in organising initiatives such as the Maths Fun Day, whilst Mr McCorkell’s Scottish Maths Week quizzes invited participation from both students and staff (anecdotal evidence suggests that staff needed more support with the puzzles than the pupils did…). His superb contributions to the Maths Department’s ‘Cake Fridays’ were also much appreciated, particularly when ingredients were sourced from his allotment!

Ready for a new challenge, Richard left Merchiston in December 2022 to join Stewart’s Melville College, where his gifts in teaching and coaching (and baking?) will be as valuable as they were at Merchiston. We wish him, Louise and Elsie all the best for the future.

Naomi Steen, Head of Mathematics

ALAN MURDOCH

Alan leaves Merchiston at the end of the Summer Term 2023, having been Director of the School’s Golf Academy since it was founded in 2011. Previously, he had enjoyed a successful playing and coaching career at home and abroad. Under his leadership, the Golf Academy has been at the forefront of the sporting life of the School, and there have been many successes, in local, national and international competitions, which have all contributed to make Merchiston one of the leading golfing schools in the UK. He also oversaw the Golf Academy’s move from its original home, Kings Acre, to the more local Swanston Golf Club.

Alan has developed real depth to the golfing talent in the School, and every year has seen considerable success for both our junior and senior players. He has shown a real attention to detail in his approach: coaching programmes have been tailored to meet the needs of every boy in the Academy, as have his comprehensive match and tournament schedules. He has also shown a remarkable level of care for every boy with whom he has worked, not least in ensuring that academic work has not suffered because of golfing commitments which cut across the School timetable, sometimes for considerable periods of time. Indeed, some of the leading golfers have been some of the best organised and most academically successful boys in the School.

Amongst Alan’s achievements during his time with us, the Golf Academy has secured the No 1 ISGA ranking and remains amongst the top golf schools in the UK. It has also

produced players who have been selected for national representation, along with selection for the very best golf programmes around the world.

Alan is clearly highly-respected by the boys in the Golf Academy. Those who have moved on to achieve golfing success after leaving Merchiston would be the first to admit that they owe him a great deal.

Alan’s commitment to Merchiston has extended beyond the sphere of golf. In September 2020, he was appointed to a residential position in Chalmers West, and subsequently in Chalmers East. He fulfilled his residential duties with distinction, and his pastoral contributions were greatly appreciated by pupils and staff alike.

Alan leaves us to take up a post as Director of Golf at the Junior Asia Golf Academy. He will be greatly missed at Merchiston and we wish him every success.

Philip Rossiter

JULIET VAUGHAN

Juliet Vaughan joined Merchiston over fifteen years ago and has made her mark with staff and boys alike. Having grown up in The Cedars, when it was a road of staff housing near the main gates, she has been a part of Merchiston for much longer than her time teaching with us: her father, Julian, taught Maths at Merchiston, and as a child, she enjoyed everything that our beautiful campus has to offer.

Originally starting her employment here as the First Form class teacher, Juliet then became Head of Support for Learning and Deputy Head Academic in the Junior School. She brought with her a wealth of experience from her time teaching down south and in Further Education, and also a warmth that has made her a firm favourite with the boys. Today, Juliet juggles her leadership roles with Maths and History teaching, and she is known for her interactive, practical and engaging lessons. I have watched several boys’ faces light up when, after their initial disappointment at being told that they are going into B set for Maths, they realise that Ms Vaughan will be teaching them. She is warm, caring, and immediately makes the boys and staff around her feel calm and capable. She has been a real asset and will be sorely missed.

Over her years here, Juliet has successfully ensured that the Junior Curriculum is meaningful, current, and has academic rigour. Her expectations are high and she pushes to ensure that each boy reaches his potential. With her Support for Learning hat on, she has supported children not only in their academic journeys, but also emotionally and socially.

Juliet is moving to St George’s School, where she takes on the role of Head of Support for Learning. Our loss is their gain, and we all wish her every success for the future.

Alexandra Torrance, Pringle Centre Lead

CAROLE WEAVING

Carole Weaving retired from Merchiston at the end of the Summer Term after being part of the School community for seven years. She came to Merchiston in September 2016 from her previous role as Head of Support for Learning (SFL) at Austin Friars in Carlisle. She started as a full-time teacher of Support for Learning, mostly working with the Middle Years supporting GCSEs, and as resident V Form tutor in Laidlaw South. Her previous career in Public Health meant that her knowledge of microbiology often took the boys by surprise! She did such a good job that her role gradually expanded, working with more year groups and taking added responsibility for exam arrangements until taking over from Irene Stewart and becoming Head of Support for Learning two years ago.

Carole considers the SFL pupils to be the most interesting people in any school due to their neuro-diverse creativity and different approach to learning and study, which makes working with them really enjoyable. Sometimes, SFL can have a huge impact on the lives of the pupils and at other times the role is more to support and develop mindsets to aid confidence and success. All Merchiston colleagues recognise Carole’s dedication; in particular, she worked to forge stronger links between Departments and SFL. However, there are also those who have worked with her as parents themselves of boys requiring SFL support. They hold her in high esteem, having witnessed first-hand the difference her expertise and direct approach, balanced with warmth and encouragement, made.

SFL aside, Carole has been involved in various facets of the School community: Pringle camping and activity weekends, cookery with J4, CCF, squash, skiing and chess. She also enjoys the culture on offer in Edinburgh, accompanying pupils on practically every trip on the Arts Programme.

Beyond Merchiston, Carole is an outdoor person –camping and walking are her go-to activities. Her epic retirement journey started immediately, when she and her husband headed to the most southerly tip of the UK, The Lizard. The plan is to head round Land’s End, and spend the first three months of retirement walking to the north of Scotland - we look forward to being updated on their travels and wish them all the very best!

Susan Hardman, Head of English as an Additional Language

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS

THE FOREST SCHOOL

In the course of the Autumn Term of 2022, a series of communications went out to parents and Merchistonians giving details of exciting plans for the School. Preparations are now well under way for the ground-breaking plan to open a co-educational Forest Pre-School (for children aged 3 – 5) and co-educational Forest Junior School. The latter, which will initially accept boys and girls into Primary 1 to Primary 3, will open in September 2024, and will become fully co-educational by 2030. Nestled in our expansive, wooded campus, we believe that this development will be a positive addition to the whole community, and will meet

the demands of the buoyant Edinburgh market and the booming demand for outdoor learning for younger pupils. This is an extremely important development for Merchiston. Work begins on the conversion of existing buildings around Pringle in the Autumn Term of 2023, and much more detail of the preparations for this new initiative will feature in next year’s edition of The Merchistonian

The Headmaster, Governors and School Leadership Team wish to stress that there is no intention for Merchiston to become co-educational in the Senior School.

CHALMERS HOUSES RENOVATION & NEW HOUSE STRUCTURE

The brief was ambitious: to replace ageing infrastructure and create a sector-leading space for 21st century boarding, but within the necessary constraints of a historic, listed building and in the midst of a fully-operational school site. The aim was to deliver facilities which are comfortable and homely for our students, whilst simultaneously being sustainable and practical from a maintenance perspective; facilities which afford all necessary privacy, but which also draw students into welcoming communal spaces; facilities which feel reassuringly familiar and are in keeping with our historic site, and yet which use innovative configurations and fully tailored furnishings to maximise space and light and to accommodate a range of age groups for the first time in our Middle Years, with spaces suited to each.

Such was the challenge posed by our renovation of Chalmers West and Chalmers East, remembered by many as the home of our IV Form and Shell pupils. This multimillion-pound project started in 2021 and has been expertly delivered by Linear Design & Construct, under the careful guidance of our on-site Facility Management Team, led by Mr Rob Bryson (Operations Manager) and Mrs Pippa Axon (Bursar).

The project was also only possible thanks to the flexibility and professionalism of our House teams and the unstinting work of our facilities and domestic teams. Having undergone a significant reshuffle in Autumn 2021, further accommodations were required in Autumn 2022 in order to allow the refurbishment to forge ahead. The following structure was therefore adopted:

Pringle J4 – III Form

Chalmers West Off-line for refurbishment

Chalmers East IV Form. Off-line for refurbishment. Relocated to Evans House (part of the former Rogerson East)

Rogerson Shell Form

Evans V Form and LVI Day Pupils.

Relocated to a temporary facility in the Chalmers Quad.

Laidlaw South V Form, LVI & UVI Boarders, plus UVI Day Pupils

Laidlaw North V Form, LVI & UVI Boarders, plus UVI Day Pupils

As the project now nears completion, ready for a grand opening for the 2023-24 school year, the brief has been more than fulfilled, enhancing the future Middle Years boarding experience by catering to the often-conflicting demands of communality and privacy; comfort and practicality; and familiarity and innovation.

With ageing and ailing infrastructure replaced with stateof-the-art technology, including remotely-controlled LED lighting and radiant panels, these newly-refurbished boarding houses will accommodate a total of 100 students and provide them with an entirely self-sufficient facility, including a variety of sleeping spaces, day rooms, libraries and cooking facilities. A landscaped recreational area, which replaces a previously dank and largely unused courtyard, provides the final flourish and offers an environment well suited to harnessing the many benefits of the outdoors for our students’ wellbeing, as well as facilitating an unprecedented level of interaction between the two Chalmers Houses.

With the new Houses comes a new House structure, designed to further strengthen our pupil support:

Pringle Centre J4, J5 & I Form Day Pupils

Pringle II & III Form Boarders & Day Pupils. Relocated to Evans

Chalmers West IV Form, Shell & V Form Boarders

Chalmers East IV Form, Shell & V Form Boarders

Rogerson IV Form, Shell & V Form Day Pupils

Laidlaw South LVI & UVI Boarders and Day Pupils

Laidlaw North LVI & UVI Boarders and Day Pupils

There is a compelling rationale for the revised structure and we are confident that it will allow us to harness the very best from Merchiston’s House teams.

First and foremost, the move towards verticality in the Middle Years seeks to replicate one of the great strengths of both Pringle and Laidlaw, namely the consistency which is afforded by spending more than just a single year with a House Parent and House team. Avoiding an annual transition ensures consistency, allows the House staff to build a meaningful rapport with all of the pupils, and strengthens our already excellent pupil support systems. The forging of cross-year connections and friendships, the greater scope for some friendly inter-House rivalry, and the

increased opportunities for pupils to begin learning about leadership all represent further benefits of the new framework.

The move - for all of next year’s II & III Form, day pupils and boarders - to a new Pringle, based in the Evans building, is also a hugely positive development which will bring lots of benefits to these boys. This move will see them based much closer to their classes and to other support structures within the School, which will be of benefit to pupils and staff alike, and it will also provide strong foundations for their full integration into the Senior School in the IV Form.

The creation of a new Day House in Rogerson reflects the growing Day Pupil population, particularly in the Middle Years. To have their own House with their own space, own facilities and own routines appropriate to their day pupil status will mark a much more fitting, fulsome and holistic provision for our Day Pupils in those years.

It has been a period of intensive development and we very much look forward to reaping the many benefits when we welcome our pupils back in September.

Danny Rowlands, Deputy Head Wellbeing

ACADEMIC REVIEWS

ACADEMIC OVERVIEW 2022/23

2022-23 felt in many ways like a real return to “business as usual” in the School. Academically, everything was very much back to being more predictable after a fluid couple of years, and this predictability was reflected in the implementation of our new timetable structure. We moved from the previous 8-day cycle to a 6-day cycle, meaning that we could at last return to referring to Monday as Monday, rather than by one of Days 1, 3, 5 or 7! The new timetable structure has bedded in well, and really enables us to make sure that we can continue to provide a range of excellent learning experiences, whilst also increasingly drawing on the specialisms of staff to enhance these even further. It has also enabled us to introduce a different sort of programme on a Saturday morning: our Electives programme now sits alongside our well-established sporting fixtures, and has provided a real breadth of opportunity informed by student voice. Examples of Electives on offer include Kitchen Chemistry, Sports Desk, Model Making, Model UN, Chinese Board Games, e-Sports, Climbing, Robotics, Introduction to Spanish, and Science Media. This offering will continue to develop, and we are really excited by the opportunities here.

In a more traditionally academic sense, there has been much in the way of excellent practice on show. As ever, we want to continue to develop our approaches to aspects of Learning and Teaching, and will continue to have a focus on positive behaviours for learning, and on effective professional learning for staff. The latter is incredibly important, both for motivation and development of staff,

along with ensuring a positive impact for our learners. On the examination front, some headlines for 2022-23 include:

A Levels / Advanced Highers

99% pass rate (A – E)

61% A* - B grades

67% A grades at Advanced Higher

University outcomes

83% achieved Firm choice

93% achieved Firm / Insurance choice

IGCSE

48% grades 9 – 7

81% pass rate (9 – 4)

Fifteen students 5 or more grades 9 / 8

Higher and National 5

86% pass rate (A – C) at Higher

71% A / B grades at Higher

100% pass rate (A – C) at National 5

91% A grades at National 5

So, there is much to be celebrated on this front, with a particular focus on the excellent outcomes and destinations for students which sit behind these numbers. I am very conscious that so much sits behind the journey to such outcomes, and I cannot reasonably cover that here. However, the upcoming articles by subject areas will add real colour to these, and I hope you enjoy reading them.

Dale Cartwright, Deputy Head Learning and Teaching

ART

Without doubt, the highpoint of the year for the Art & Design Department was our shared trip to Venice with the Design & Technology Department. Venice is a city where art, creativity, workmanship and design have continuously succeeded in finding fertile ground in every period of its history. Indeed, we were all carried away by the fantasy of this unique place and its superb wealth of art. Whilst there, we enjoyed many of the museums, galleries and its architecture, whilst taking every opportunity to photograph and sketch what we saw.

Back in the Department, our pupils have explored a wide range of themes in their Art classes, from the First Form’s investigation into animals to the Upper Sixth artists’ personal investigations. This year’s wide-ranging mix of work has taken us through the Second Form’s study of both

Da Vinci’s and Picasso’s portraiture, the perspective drawings of the Third Form, and the very popular themes of graffiti, sculpture and Pop Art with our Fourth Form. The Shell and Fifth Forms have explored the more traditional art movements in their work, such as Impressionism and Cubism, whilst the Sixth Form artists have started to follow their own artistic journey along the themes of interiors and Expressionism. Nearer to home, the Department also ran trips into Edinburgh to explore some of its galleries and museums. We have also continued to celebrate our pupils’ achievements throughout the year through a varied programme of work exhibited on the Headmaster’s easels outside the Memorial Hall.

Jason Cordingley, Head of Art

V Form Art

CAREERS DEPARTMENT

It has been another busy year for the Careers Department and it has to have been the ‘Year of Careers Cafes’! The success of this programme is due to the fantastic support of many Merchistonians and parents, amongst others, who generously give up their time to share their expertise; we are extremely grateful. We have been able to offer a full calendar of events each week over both Autumn and Lent Terms, introducing many new and diverse topics and career pathways as well as providing opportunities for networking. The boys have engaged fully, interacting with experts in video production, international relations, sports psychology, journalism, civil engineering, modern agriculture and renewable energy, to mention a few. We have even had a John Deere tractor to visit, which the boys thoroughly enjoyed!

The boys find these events informal and informative, with space to discuss, to ask questions and, on occasion, seek individual advice. For pupils, this is a great chance to find out more about fields that are perhaps completely new to them and might well become their future interests and career.

‘I found the Careers Cafe an enjoyable and productive place to be at. The relaxed atmosphere meant I felt confident asking any questions I had. Some of my favourite talks were around

agriculture: I learnt how complicated and sophisticated farming is and even had the chance to sit on a John Deere tractor!’ Nick de V, Shell Form

Other favourites, well attended by a range of boys from Shell to UVI, were the Sports Science and United Nations events, summed up with great enthusiasm by Nick de V:

‘Another talk I enjoyed was the UN talk on International Relations. This showed me how many parts and job opportunities there are with the UN. For me, the Sports Science talk, given by a Merchistonian, was another really good one and showed me how many jobs are available in this area.

I enjoyed the talks I attended and would recommend others get involved. The sessions are relaxed and jam-packed with ideas.’

The Department has also contributed significantly to Senior Assemblies over the year, offering insights into careers with the British Forces, InvestIn’s immersive work experience programmes, graduate apprenticeships and gap year opportunities, which the boys have found both valuable and enjoyable.

Overall, feedback from the boys concluded that these were very stimulating insights, expanding the landscape of post-school pathways whilst providing food for thought.

‘Over this year, we listened to a variety of representatives from many different industries coming to School and talking about their respective jobs and experiences every week. This was an extremely informative experience as it introduced to us many different types of jobs that we might not even know about or given much thought to. This encompassed talks from the military, all the way to businesses. The speakers were interesting and passionate about their work, and it was an eyeopening experience to listen to them.’ Rohan, LVI Form

Unifrog continues to serve us well from VI Form upwards as a comprehensive careers platform and has been instrumental in the integration of Skills, PSHE and Careers over the past two years, offering a wide range of resources from webinars, to careers profiles, subject profiles, videos and podcasts.

Transferrable Skills are at the top of most employers’ agendas, and very much the topic of the times in the careers arena. Here at Merchiston, we place a high importance on skills development which, headed by Ms Williams and threaded through both the Careers and PSHE Programmes, is a central element of the integration of these three departments, as well as a focus of academic tutorials, supporting the boys in building a portfolio which will contribute towards their CVs, personal statements and employability.

'Our academic tutorials in the Middle Years have been geared around skills development and the boys have been enjoying discussing, analysing and recording their skills used across multiple areas of the School in their Unifrog profile, ready to access it in the future when they come to write their

personal statements'. Ms Williams, Skills Department

Coincidently, Unifrog, in addition to their Interests, Personality and Working Environments Quizzes, have just introduced a Skills Quiz, which completes their careers profiling tool ‘Psychometric Testing’. As I write, our Shell pupils are undertaking all four quizzes, exploring their interests, strengths, and areas for development, the result of which will be a comprehensive Careers Profile to share with their parents as well as tutors. This will be discussed with the Head of Careers early next term to see how the results relate to possible careers and subject choices.

We have continued to expand the Careers Hub Library with many new additions this year, including titles such as ‘Which GCSEs? Which A Levels?’, ‘The Ultimate UCAS Personal Statement Guide’, and ‘The Careers Handbook: the Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Future’, as well as a range of books on “acing” your CV, interview techniques, writing a covering letter and much more! The boys are welcome to browse or borrow these books at any time. The Hub also houses up-todate university prospectuses and many other publications advertising gap year, work experience and educational experiences. We have also distributed subject careers-related posters to all academic departments illustrating, for example, ‘Which Careers Link to STEM’, to help bring academic subjects to life and linking them to real careers.

The remainder of the Careers Programme continues with regular drop-in sessions, advice as requested on alternative pathways to university, such as apprenticeships, gap year opportunities, and assistance with gaining work experience, guidance on writing CVs and covering letters, as well as keeping the boys informed of upcoming careers events and opportunities via regular bulletins and newsletters.

Karen Coyne, Careers Adviser

CLASSICS

It has been another busy year in the Classics Department at Merchiston. The largest ever GCSE Classical Civilisation set has just sat its GCSE exams and this year also saw the largest ever uptake for the A Level Classical Civilisation course in the Lower Sixth; both are very pleasing statistics and show that Classics continues to thrive within the School. A smaller, but very enthusiastic Upper Sixth Classical Civilisation set has represented and promoted the subject extremely well and has been a pleasure to teach.

Our annual trip to Hadrian’s Wall with the GCSE Classical Civilisation set again took place this year. It is a fun but also very useful day out, which allows the boys to improve their knowledge in preparation for the War and Warfare GCSE module. They enjoyed visiting the Roman Army Museum and the archaeological site at Vindolanda, where they saw the remains of a real Roman fortress and learnt more about

how the legion would have lived. This was followed by a walk along Hadrian’s Wall itself to see the remains of one of the Milecastles built by the Romans.

Next year will see even more exciting trips, with Merchiston’s first ever Classics trip to Rome, confirmed and booked for November 2023, as well as trips to the British Museum in London for both the GCSE and A Level sets in the Lent Term 2024. The boys are very much looking forward to these trips and they will again add great value to their learning; reading about the prescribed sources in a textbook is one thing, but seeing them in person is a totally different experience. For those studying Latin, there will be plenty of Latin inscriptions in Rome to practise their translating skills too!

Matthew Hillier, Head of Classics

DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING

PRINGLE PARENTS’ FESTIVE EVENT

As Christmas approached, the DT&E Department opened its doors to thirty Pringle boys and their parents, grandparents and guardians. The evening got underway on the computers, with everyone using the 2D Techsoft design software to come up with their own personalised Christmas decoration, which would later be laser cut. Our Pringle pupils were able to help guide those who accompanied them - many pupils were familiar with this software from their DT classes.

Icing biscuits kept our young designers occupied whilst waiting for their designs to be manufactured on the laser cutter using plywood. Thanks to Mr Hall, we took loan of an apple press and our Lower Sixth helpers got a production line of fresh apple juice flowing! The Sixth Form also took the opportunity to complete a recent Enterprise project by marketing and taking orders for personalised chopping boards.

Our laser cutter was kept busy, manufacturing over thirty Christmas decorations in one evening! Well done to Alex, who won the Lego Christmas Decoration competition! This was a great evening, enjoyed by all.

LINKS WITH INDUSTRY

Design Technology in the 21st century is enhanced by realworld connections. We are grateful to three companies which have given their time and expertise to our boys to help their design projects truly come alive. Our Shell boys continued their ‘Crazy Golf’ connection with Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf, comprising client Zoom calls and a site visit to One Under in Glasgow. This year’s winning design was Murray B-H's with his interpretation of tubing. Other notable mentions were Miles R’s Las Vegas-inspired design and Alexis’s LEGO hole.

We met Steve Pearson of Sm@rt Technologies at the Arkwright Award ceremony, where he was representing The Institute of Electronics. Later in the year, Steve spent a morning with boys from Shell to Upper Sixth Forms sharing his own innovative designs, including the Sm@rt Button, as

well as discussing new and emerging technologies and inclusive design in their broadest sense.

This year’s team entered the EDT Industrial Cadet Bronze Award: we thank Linear Design and Construct for their help with Sponsorship and Mentorship, which was of great value to the team. Gwenyth Blair (CSR & Project Support Manager), having previously mentored for the EDT programme in the past, gave her time and knowledge in fortnightly meetings with the MerchiSTEM team and also led a tour of the new Chalmers Boarding Houses.

ARKWRIGHT ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS 2022-24

In October, our three Arkwright Scholars - Kit N, Rohan R and Richard Z - headed to the EICC to meet their respective sponsors and collect their Awards. The ceremony officially marks the start of their two-year scholarship, which includes £2,000 each to fund self-led projects, mentor days and university visits. The boys presented themselves with confidence and can be proud of their achievement, earned through the rigorous application process, aptitude test and interview phases. To date, the boys have bought components for their team CanSAT and are planning a trip in the summer break to universities that they are interested in applying to.

ROGIE AWARD

The Department was tasked to run a competition on behalf of Rogerson House to design the new ‘Rogie Award’. Eithan L created the winning ‘handshake’ design, inspired by the House’s motto ‘I belong, you belong, we belong’. John, our

hugely talented technician, set about making the award using a combination of 3D printing, woodturning, cement filler and gold spray paint.

Clare Nugent & Florence Chapman, Design, Technology & Engineering Department

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Our year in English began in a most dramatic fashion with our Lower and Upper Sixth Form A Level trip to Stratfordupon-Avon. Chaperoned by Ms Binnie and Dr Anderson, the pupils enjoyed touring the beautiful town and, of course, visiting Shakespeare's Birthplace and New Place. On both nights, we dined in Stratford's only surviving thatched inn and attended fantastic performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The first play we saw was the tragedy (and/or history play) Richard III. Always thrilling for its dark portrayal of greed and tyranny, this production by Gregory Doran featured a disabled actor in the lead role. On the second night, we enjoyed Blanche McIntyre's modernised interpretation of All's Well That Ends Well, which had us all laughing at its clever twists and jokes.

Before departing on Sunday, we enjoyed a visit to Anne Hathaway's idyllic family home, situated amongst glorious orchards and gardens. One pupil, Felix, totally surprised us when he revealed he knew how to play an ancient board game on display in one of the Hathaway bed chambers! All in all, it was a lovely break from a 'normal' weekend at School - and the pupils gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Bard, which will undoubtedly serve them well in exams.

Two of our Shell classes began their study of J B Priestley’s play An Inspector Calls in the winter, coinciding fortuitously with the Edinburgh tour stop of Stephen

Daldry’s celebrated National Theatre production. Seeing and hearing the text in its intended form has led to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the pupils’ coursework text. As Shell pupil Nicholas reflected, “the play really helped me to imagine the world of the play, allowing me to expand my essay further”. We are so lucky to be situated in a city with such meaningful cultural opportunities, especially ones which complement our learning so effectively!

The new Saturday Electives programme allowed us to offer some engaging opportunities for weekend attendees. Dr Mechie and Ms Callan helped to staff the Sports Desk programme, which saw budding sports journalists visiting fixtures on the fields to gather material for their writing. Dr Anderson offered English SAT training for Sixth Form pupils Sam and Tim, both of whom applied to American universities this year.

On a somewhat damp June morning, our IV Form cohort enjoyed a historical walking tour of Colinton, orchestrated by Mr Douglas. Along the way, they discovered the roots and influences of our local literary hero, Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson spent much of his boyhood in Colinton visiting his maternal grandfather, Dr Lewis Balfour, who was minister of Colinton Parish Church. The commemorative trail, which opened in 2014, includes the churchyard and the ancient yew tree from which part of

Stevenson’s famous swing still hangs. The walk continued through Colinton Dell and on into the vividly painted Colinton Tunnel, culminating in a classroom workshop in which the pupils wrote creative prose and poetry inspired by their learning from the day.

In staffing news, Dr Anderson has thoroughly enjoyed her rewarding first year as Head of English. In September, our own Ms Callan will step into the role while Dr Anderson is on maternity leave for the Autumn and Lent Terms.

Kate Anderson, Head of English

ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE

The EAL Department is located at the centre of our Merchiston community in the Harvey Hub. From an EAL perspective, this brings the international boys straight into the heart of the School – highly valuable in today’s globalised society.

In EAL, we have had a wide range of pupils from all levels across the School, J4 through to Upper VI. Countries represented this year included Spain, France, Japan, Luxembourg, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Austria, Mexico and Russia. The majority of them are long-term pupils but we also have a vibrant number of short-stay pupils, here for from two terms to one academic year. They come to Merchiston to improve their English but also to experience Scottish boarding school life. They have a lot to learn very quickly: making new friends, sampling new cuisines, playing new sports (many have never played rugby or cricket before) and getting up to speed academically - all in a second language too! However, international students also have a lot to offer. They bring new world views, subject discussions are enhanced with students’ varying experiences, all students expand their horizons and become more tolerant of people and cultures that are ‘different’, and an international

network is created based on shared experiences.

The EAL Department is a welcoming space where the pupils can relax and learn English at the same time –obviously, the two go hand in hand. Miss Arrowsmith and I recognise that to get the best out of the boys, they need to feel relaxed, but not too relaxed. It is a fine line and mutual respect is an important part of the success of the EAL classroom ethos. The pupils share a lot with us but they are definitely here to learn English. Based on recent quotes from a few of the boys, I would like to think things are going well:

‘I loved every single lesson! The relaxed and welcoming environment was ideal for my B2 preparations. Your EAL lessons were certainly a highlight of my year at Merchiston.’ (Alexis B)

‘I have a lot of hard times away from home and there are tough decisions to make in this year. I always feel so comfortable to share my thoughts and difficulties with Ms Hardman and Ms Arrowsmith, who are my IELTS teachers. I feel at home every time I walk into their classroom - they are always so welcoming’. (Michael C)

‘It was a great year, and EAL was definitely my favourite class of the year’. (Javier C)

‘It was a wonderful year. The teacher couldn’t do it better.

We learnt so much about the English language and also about other students and their countries and cultures. Everyone built great friendships in these classes and everyone developed a love of English’. (Franz S)

‘In EAL classes, I was always excited. The teachers take time for you and even give you the opportunity to study in their free time. I have never had such a great teacher and lessons like that before.’ (Max W)

We encourage our pupils to enjoy learning English by personalising things as much as possible. We try to ensure that it is relevant and appropriate to them by making things topic-based, cross-curricular and current. Spelling also continues to be a focus in EAL and a particular surprise this year was how much the pupils enjoyed spelling challenges. The current most commonly misspelt words in the UK are ‘calendar’, ‘liaise’ and ‘necessary’!

The international boys appreciate that a good command of English is a life skill, useful for travel and future careers. To that end, most of them will take an English exam at some stage, either Cambridge B1, B2 or IELTS. This helps give them a goal and motivates them with their language studies.

2022-23 has been a busy Cambridge EAL exam year and the boys did really well, with the majority of these candidates achieving their required grade on first sitting.

B1 Preliminary- 5 pupils

B2 First - 18 pupils

IELTS - 14 pupils

Effort, achievement and progress in English over the course of the academic year are recognised in the end-ofyear awards at the annual Prizegiving ceremony. Our EAL academic prizes for 2022/2023 went to:

Juniors– Jason K (Hong Kong)

Middle Years – Franz S (Germany)

Seniors– Robin R (France)

We believe that the EAL Department is a special place, quite rightly at the heart of the School community, the purpose of which is to welcome, include, educate and celebrate the diverse nationalities and cultures here at Merchiston. This provides a boarding school experience within a multicultural environment, which has many benefits for all students and teachers.

Susan Hardman, Head of EAL

GEOGRAPHY

Geographers rarely keep still for long! We have all enjoyed another busy year of dedicated study, lots of fieldwork, and adventure. Fieldwork has seen the Second Form, with much energy and enthusiasm, wade through crosssections of the Water of Leith down in the Dell that borders the southern edge of our campus, measuring river variables including width, depth, flow velocity, pebble size, and pebble roundness, to research how these variables change as the river flows further from its source. Dogs being walked by their owners could not believe their luck that we were using dog biscuits as floats to measure water flow – few biscuits got the chance to biodegrade and enter the river’s natural ecosystem food chain! The Fourth Form braved downpours as we undertook field research into the geography of crime across four contrasting communities in Edinburgh. The Fifth Formers loved following up their start-of-year assessments with revision of their urban zones and coastal defences by active research through Edinburgh’s suburbs, inner city, and CBD, followed by Portobello beach’s sea defences and coastal processes.

The Lower Sixth formers explored the processes and landforms of several parts of the Lothian coast to bring alive all the necessary coastal processes and landforms for the Coasts unit of their A Level; this was followed by three days of coursework fieldwork, researching their individual research questions focused on the regeneration of Leith (the port of Edinburgh). Much of the latter part of their year is taken up with undertaking and writing up their research,

to achieve as many of the 20% of the marks of their final A Level grade as possible. Similarly, Shell boys undertook their rivers coursework fieldwork at the start of the Summer Term on an enjoyable and sunny day, following the Lyne Water from its source in the Pentland Hills to its mouth as it enters the River Tweed just west of Peebles. They have since been learning how to write up their research in a review of how rivers work, explaining their methodology through both description and annotated photos, presenting their data in a variety of graphs, calculating the validity of their findings using the Spearman’s Rank statistical analysis, drawing conclusions with regard to their three individual hypotheses, and, finally, evaluating the extent to which their research really has answered their research question. All year groups are to be commended for their energy, effort and application, and, sometimes, tenacity, to complete all parts of their research to a good, if not excellent standard.

We also had a super time this Easter with fifty-two Fourth Form and Shell pupils joining us on the biennial expedition to Iceland. We had amazing adventures, including seeing the best ever Northern Lights, stretching from one horizon up and over us like a dancing golden rainbow, all the way over to the opposite horizon – an amazing experience and tantalisingly impossible to photograph! For more details of this expedition, see the separate article. In February, Fourth Form geographers diverted into researching the causes and the devastating impacts of the Turkey-Syria

earthquake. They deftly summarised their findings in a power-point, which they presented in a Whole School Assembly, to inform the Merchiston community of the reality behind this devastating and tragic event. In particular, they focused on the extent to which the severity of impact was due to the ‘human’ factors present (such as building codes to make buildings earthquake-proof not being implemented), rather than being an unavoidable

consequence of the physical power of nature – a sorry tale of devastating consequences when money is prioritised over people’s safety. They gave further information in a wall display outside the dining hall. We enjoyed the Saturday Elective this year, analysing documentary film about diverse parts of the world.

The Fifth and Upper Sixth Forms have worked hard to be fully prepared for their external examinations. It is always a pleasure to guide the Upper Sixth pupils through their final topics of Energy Security, Superpowers, Water Insecurity, Human Rights and Geopolitical Interventions. The causes and impacts of the 2014 Russia–Ukraine conflict have been sadly updated to the 2022-23 conflict in our case studies: with so much of the Upper Sixth A Level syllabus having relevance to explaining world affairs in headline news, the relevance of Geography today cannot be underestimated. All pupils deserve to have done well, and we do hope the examinations have gone well for them.

It is now time for us to tidy up from this year, motivate the Shell and Lower Sixth formers to ensure that, over the summer, they have fully digested and learnt (through perfecting condensed revision notes and flash cards) this year’s work, the first half of their two-year external exam courses, and to reflect on all we have achieved. Thank you all, and well done on a good job done! We now look forward to the year ahead.

Tanya Bower, Head of Geography

HISTORY AND PPE FACULTY REPORT 2022 - 23

They say that the Chinese have a proverb that doubles as a curse: “May you live in interesting times”. It’s the curse of the teachers in our faculty (where we teach History, Politics, Economics and Entrepreneurship) that our times have rarely been more interesting! Globally and domestically, the world seems to grow more turbulent with each passing year. These times can be a curse for those forced to live at their sharpest end, but for students studying them they are also fascinating - gripping, even.

With our A Level Politics boys, we discussed NATO as the debates were raging over whether Turkey would permit Sweden’s and Finland’s membership. We discussed the intricacies of Parliamentary scrutiny whilst Boris Johnson was preparing his defence before the Commons Privileges Committee, and we talked about Devolution whilst the Scottish National Party was involved in its search for a new leader. Our Economics classes discussed the world banking system as Credit Suisse was swallowed up by UBS, and our History students learnt about the Tsars’ treatment of Ukraine whilst we watched Putin’s forces fighting around Bakhmut. These events reflect a world in turmoil, but our subjects give the boys the tools they need to start making sense of it.

We have had no curriculum changes in History, Politics or Economics in the past year, but we continue with the exciting innovation of a BTEC in Entrepreneurship. There is a strong academic component to this qualification, but it is more practical than an A Level, with the boys encouraged to study successful entrepreneurs and to run their own

mini businesses in School. Several sporting events have been hijacked by VI Formers selling something to guests on campus, and we are grateful to the Merchistonians, old and young, who have spoken to the BTEC boys about their own businesses, either in person or virtually.

Entrepreneurship continues to be taught by Mr Golden, who is also our Lead Teacher of Economics. In this, he is ably partnered by Mr Richard Glover, who teaches both Entrepreneurship and History. Mr Glover has been a Merchiston member of staff for several years, serving as a resident in two boarding houses, a sports coach, and a teacher of English and Classical Civilization. History is his first love, however, and we hope that he has found his natural home teaching with us in History & PPE. We are certainly delighted to have him: his positivity, enthusiasm and academic rigour make him a natural fit for us, and he works very well with the rest of the team: myself as Faculty Head, Mr Golden as Lead Teacher of Economics and Entrepreneurship, and Mrs McDiarmid as Lead Teacher of History and Politics.

Away from Entrepreneurship, we have been pleased to see that the uptake for our subjects has remained very strong in each year group. In particular, we have a Lower VI History class of more than twenty students at present, which leads to some top-notch debates as we chew over interpretations of the past, and there is often a crackle of intellectual excitement in the air. Our uptake across the VI Form remains strong, and we have some excellent boys opting for History at IGCSE Level as well.

This year, we have managed to resurrect some of our trips that were dormant due to Covid. Our trip to Durham Cathedral, to explore the Reformation and the legacy of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, was back for its second year in a row, and we also managed to visit First Minister’s Questions at the Scottish Parliament for the first time since 2019. We are also planning on taking III Form to New Lanark to explore the Industrial Revolution. We were also very pleased to receive a generous donation from Merchistonian Mr R J Hewat. Mr Hewat was at Merchiston from 1951 to 1956. History, and particularly military history, is one of his passions, and when I spoke with him he was full of enthusiasm for something he loves. He has given us some books from his rich collection to help pass on some of his interest to today’s Merchiston students, as well as a generous financial contribution so that we can keep updating our library.

So, our faculty remains in good health, with good staff and good students in a supportive environment. I mentioned earlier that these events reflect a world in turmoil. Studying History, Politics, Economics and Entrepreneurship might not provide easy answers, but they help our boys to make sense of a turbulent world and, we hope, give them some stars by which to steer as they step out into it.

Simon Thompson, Faculty Head of History and PPE

MATHEMATICS

Once again, 2022-23 has been a busy and successful year in the Maths Department.

Following the return of external examinations in 2022, we began the year with news of our A Level, IGCSE and SQA qualification results; we were delighted that the hard work of so many students and staff was rewarded with some excellent performances, both on the individual and cohort level. Highlights included 75% of pupils achieving A*-A grades at A Level Further Maths, and 83% of pupils earning the top A grade at SQA Higher. Meanwhile, our IGCSE pass rate at grades 9-7 was, at 53%, the highest it has been in several years; after the disruptions many of these pupils faced during their IGCSE studies, their results are testament to their resilience and determination and to the endeavour of both the boys and their teachers.

The academic year was again marked by a number of mathematical competitions and celebrations. In September, Mr McCorkell’s annual Scottish Maths Week Quiz was well received by both boys and staff (although some staff requested more support with the puzzles than the pupils did!).

We were pleased that a number of pupils again entered the Scottish Mathematical Challenge, which encourages pupils to independently focus on a series of problems over a period of weeks and to thoughtfully produce full written

solutions. One of our V Form pupils, Sam Y, achieved a Gold Certificate and was invited to attend the prizegiving at Edinburgh Napier University; Sam scored full marks in his Lent Term entry, which was a great achievement.

On 14 March, International Pi Day was, as usual, a focus within the Department, with this year’s activities including memorisation of digits of pi, the creation of some very artistic “Pi Skylines”, and consumption of some delicious pi(e).

Once again, there was great uptake for the UKMT Mathematical Challenges. In the Autumn Term, our Senior pupils achieved thirteen Bronze and four Silver certificates, with Oliver Z earning Gold, along with a place in the follow up Senior Kangaroo competition. In the Lent Term, Shell and V Form pupils (along with some intrepid IV Form boys) had a very successful Intermediate Challenge, with thirteen Bronze, twelve Silver and seven Gold certificates achieved. Five boys qualified for the Pink Kangaroo competition, and we were delighted that Sam Y, Adam H and Phillip G all earned certificates of Merit at this level. Teiyoon K, meanwhile, did exceptionally well in the Challenge and was one of around 600 students invited to participate in the Maclaurin Mathematical Olympiad. The final competition of the year was the Junior Maths Challenge; once again, many boys were keen to participate and there

were several very strong performances. On this occasion, pupils earned nine Bronze, six Silver and nine Gold certificates, with Samuel O, Anton S, Alasdair L, William B, Callum W and Stepan M all qualifying for the Junior Kangaroo.

We are very pleased with the engagement and success of boys at all levels, and hope that even more pupils will be encouraged to take part next year.

This year, the introduction of the Saturday Electives programme led to new opportunities for pupils to work on Maths problems outside the curriculum, or in contexts not usually seen. Middle Years pupils developed their problemsolving, mathematical communication and group work skills, as they engaged in additional training for the UKMT Challenge and completed some very competitive relay competitions! Senior pupils, meanwhile, were faced with stretching problems and group tasks from across a range of interwoven topics, and had the opportunity to develop their use of Excel in data analysis and presentation by signing up to Mrs Duncan’s excellent short course in the Lent Term. Other activities have introduced the boys to various puzzles, logic problems and mathematical art activities, which allow them to use what they know in a less formal setting.

In staffing changes, this year we were delighted to welcome Miss Elizabeth Atkinson to the Department, having completed her teacher training at Oxford University.

The end of the Autumn Term, meanwhile, marked the departure of Mr Richard McCorkell after more than ten years at Merchiston. Richard is a dedicated and well-liked teacher, tutor and coach who was always willing to go the extra mile for the pupils in his care and who had great success teaching at all levels throughout the School. We wish him well as he continues his career at Stewart’s Melville College.

We were subsequently very pleased to be joined by Mr Peter Garratt, who ably took on the challenge of starting his role in the middle of the academic year. Both Liz and Pete are enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate about developing pedagogy and finding ways to help their students achieve the best possible outcomes; each has been a great asset to the Department in their short time with us so far.

As a Department, we look forward to seeing the progress and success of this year’s examination cohorts, and to everything that 2023-24 will bring!

Naomi Steen, Head of Mathematics

MERCHISTON JUNIORS

This has been an exciting academic year in the Junior School. We are very proud of our broad, challenging and interesting curriculum and, of course, of the continued academic success and progress of Merchiston’s very youngest pupils. The curriculum for the Juniors is designed to ensure challenge and enjoyment, personalisation and choice, progress, depth of learning and, crucially, to help the boys in the Junior School gain the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for life. We have a strong focus on promoting literacy and numeracy through outdoor learning, and on fostering a true love and desire for lifelong learning; the

needs of the junior pupils are at the heart of all that we do!

Our curriculum was brought to life this year with a number of different trips in a range of different subjects. The Pringle Centre went to Edinburgh Castle and spent a wonderful morning touring the different exhibits and learning all about the Stone of Destiny, which was being primed to travel down to Westminster for the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. Although now residing in Edinburgh Castle permanently, the stone was originally seized in 1296 by King Edward I, who had it built into a new throne at Westminster. From then on, it was used in the Coronation ceremonies of English, and then

British, monarchs. It was a treat to learn this piece of history so close to such a generationally important day. The trip to Holyrood kickstarted a unit on the Tudors and Stuarts for First Form and The Victorians for J4 and J5. Later in the year, the boys then went to the Science Museum and enjoyed watching an iMax film on Space and taking part in various workshops throughout the day. The First Formers started Spanish this year and their learning was taken into the heart of our city with a visit to the National Museum of Scotland. The boys did a treasure hunt, in Spanish, and then sampled a Spanish delicacy, churros, in Princes Street Gardens.

In the Second Form, the boys have relished a more secondary approach to learning with all lessons taught by subject specialist staff, and the year group has enjoyed utilising the wonderful facilities in the main School, from the Design Technology workshop to the Science and Languages labs. Some of the boys’ academic highlights this

year include a ‘play in a day’ drama workshop in History, based on the exciting events of 1066, and going down into the Dell in order to complete fieldwork in Geography. The latter is a highlight as the boys enjoy paddling in the Water of Leith and recording their findings, including velocity, depth and rates of erosion.

The oldest boys in the Juniors, our Third Form pupils, have loved the breadth in the curriculum; from studying three separate Sciences, being introduced to Electronics, and learning Mandarin, Spanish and French in the Modern Foreign Languages Department. Independent tasks have taken centre stage in recent months as these, and Progress Tests, prepare these young men for the transition into the Senior School.

Maths Week is always a highlight for the boys in Pringle and our youngest boys take great pride in completing challenges set throughout the School. The Pringle prefects

were invaluable in their help with solving Maths riddles and inspired the younger ones to take part and embrace the challenges from class. Mrs Torrance’s group focussed on symmetry in nature, with Patrick and Rohan producing some particularly memorable shots. Outdoor problemsolving activities were a highlight for all. In other areas of Maths, Callum, Hamish and Stepan received Gold awards in the UK Junior Maths Challenge Competition, with more children receiving Bronze and Silver awards.

The Cecil Stagg Society, part of our provision for the most able pupils in the Juniors, has flourished this year, with pupils taking on a range of exciting learning challenges designed to extend their thinking. A highlight of the year was the annual quiz, with an array of different questions, covering Maths, English, Geography and Politics. Congratulations to our winners: Calum R, James R, Gabriel, Alan and Harry F.

We were delighted to welcome a range of authors to

address the boys in the Junior School this year and provide inspiration for the next generation of young writers. Particular highlights included the visit of Dr Alex George, who talked about his book on mental health and wellbeing, and the award-winning author, Janis Mackay, who inspired the boys with her stories and anecdotes. As well as author visits, Ms Gibb also organised a Book Fayre in the Spawforth Library, which ran from Thursday 10 to Thursday 17 November, in conjunction with the Edinburgh Bookshop. This was a fantastic opportunity for boys to purchase books that they may not, ordinarily, have chosen.

Music has continued to play an enormous role in our boys’ lives here at Merchiston and the highlight is always the Junior Music Cup. This year, the winner was Alan T, who played Rachmaninoff’s ‘Prelude in C Minor’, on the piano. The Director of Music at Cargilfield, Dr Joanna Allsop, described his performance as being ‘Spine tingling’.

Elsewhere in Music, Orhan was the soloist in the Chapel Choir at Christmas and he, along with others, have been preparing for the New York Music trip in 2024.

Other exciting events include Ollie being filmed on his pipes for a BBC documentary on bagpipes, Winterwatch, a day of learning based on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Halloween activities such as slime making and challenging Mr Ogilvie-Jones to a chess match when a rugby game was cancelled due to the weather. This year has been one of academic highs in the Junior School and

we are delighted that the boys have relished the many opportunities that have been presented to them. Our Junior pupils have a strong academic base to build on and we are confident of their continued success as they progress on their Merchiston journey!

Alexandra Torrance, Pringle Centre Lead & Juliet Vaughan, Deputy Head (Academic) – Merchiston Juniors

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Merchiston continues to offer a selection of foreign languages to pupils through the School - Mandarin, French, Spanish, German and Russian. In addition, we often present pupils for qualifications in other languages, this year in Italian, and for HSK proficiency in Mandarin, and support language tuition with our Japanese tutor.

A fun-filled and educational trip to Edinburgh Zoo was enjoyed by the Shell Mandarin class. The boys had a great time and engaged well with the Mandarin tasks set for them, which involved learning animal names in Mandarin as well as planning the trip and giving the directions to animal enclosures in Mandarin. This was a great opportunity for our language students to put into practice the skills and vocabulary they have learnt in the classroom, and it challenges them to apply them in real life. This might have been one of the last opportunities the boys would have to see Yang Guang and Tian Tian, the giant pandas. These pandas are the only ones in the UK and are due to return to China in 2023, after spending more than twelve years at Edinburgh Zoo. A great trip cannot be complete without a great meal and, the boys were indeed treated to a fantastic Chinese dinner! It was a great experience for everyone involved.

The Fourth Form Mandarin class enjoyed a visit to a Chinese supermarket and had a traditional Chinese hotpot meal in their Mandarin classroom in May. The boys learnt about various Chinese cuisines and traditions. It was great to see the boys use the Mandarin knowledge that they learned in class to organise their shopping list, ask the shop assistant questions, and pay their bills. Everyone also mastered their chopstick skills during their yummy hotpot experience. Their happy faces sum up the trip!

Eating is a common theme in encouraging language skills and cultural awareness! German Kaffee und Kuchen events and French breakfasts have similarly contributed to enjoyment and to learning about formal and polite communication, traditions and, of course, numbers. At the end of the Lent Term, the Third Form French class ordered food and drinks in French before adding up their bills at our

French assistant’s pop-up breakfast café. Those taking the Spanish Elective on Saturday mornings have had the chance to refine their own cooking skills, following instructions in Spanish and recipes from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries, including Tortilla Española, Patatas Bravas, Colombian Arepas and Chilean Chorillana.

First Form boys have enjoyed showing off their artistic skills in Spanish this year whilst learning about Mexican traditions and festivals. They designed their own Calavera skulls and Alebrije spirit animals and practised their speaking skills by describing their creations to the class.

Pupils have also participated in language-based competitions. The whole of the Shell year group participated in GCHQ’s language challenge, each team and individual having code names allocated to them such as “Adorable nice fly” (winning team) and “Famous careful falcon” (highest individual score). The organisers challenge school pupils to use context, logic and clues from different languages to solve challenges. Connections can be made to careers information and transferable skills, to communications, coding and logical thinking. We do, however, have to report that one agent went rogue - we are still debriefing on this!

Different year groups again participated in the Anthea Bell Translation Prize Competition, run by Queen’s College, Oxford. The excellent resources and the context of the challenge allow pupils to reflect on language skills in a different way, seeing the connection to their English literature work or creative writing - fingers crossed for some more certificates here!

We bid farewell to this session’s Language Prefects, who have encouraged younger year groups and contributed to the life of the Department. Some notable examples of this are Max dM, presenting on GCHQ to Middle Years assembly, Lukas helping with planning for the Chinese New Year dinner, Max D visiting Fourth Form classes to introduce German music, and Robin helping the Fifth Formers in their Houses with speaking exam preparation. We wish them well.

Clare Flanagan, Head of Modern Foreign Languages

PSHE AND LIFE SKILLS 2022/23

PSHE and Life skills are subjects that, although they are not formally assessed, are absolutely vital to the development of young minds. In the past year, the value of providing pupils with opportunities to reflect, discuss and engage with real-life topics could not have been more important.

Providing a slightly less formal space for pupils where they feel comfortable to talk openly, learn about, and debate the topics at hand is vital. These lessons, in partnership with excellent work across the whole School, help to tie much of the Merchiston boy’s School life together. We continue to work closely with Ms Coyne (Careers Adviser) and Ms Williams (Skills Co-ordinator) to provide high quality opportunities for our pupils to develop both their academic and social skills. Our aim is to develop young adults who are ready to meet the challenges of life outside Merchiston with confidence and dignity.

In PSHE & Life Skills this year, the topics the pupils have engaged with include:

Rights & Responsibilities, Assessing Risk, Hygiene for Health, Sexual Health and Relationships, Risk Taking - Alcohol and Substance Misuse, Wellbeing, Health in Our World, The Media and Body Image, Mind MOT – coping with pressure, Equality, Bullying Awareness, Internet Safety, Eat Yourself Happy!, Attitude – build your brand, Resilience – easier said than done, Be Yourself – peer pressure, Revision Skills, Poverty & Development, Economic Wellbeing, Citizenship & the UK Political System, Bereavement & Loss and a Review of the Year.

Visiting speakers

We have been lucky to have a variety of excellent guest speakers for both pupils and parents, including:

● Leonie Griffin and Catriona Scott of the Stewart Ivory Educational Trust, ran online financial workshops for the Sixth Form.

● Allison Havey, from The RAP Project, came and spoke to both our UVI and V Forms. The focus for the UVI was to support them in the ‘BIG LEAP’ outside the castle gates at the end of this term. For the V Form, aspects of mental health and the importance of healthy relationships were discussed.

● Emma Cole was able to return to Merchiston in November in order to speak with Shell about her experience of being HIV positive and on the topic of HIV and AIDS awareness more generally. Her frank, thought-provoking and entertaining delivery was very engaging.

● As part of LVI Life Skills, we partnered with the Medical Centre to provide the pupils with a 4-week Basic Life Support Course. This covered the basics of CPR and also moved on to the treatment and management of both minor and major injuries. Many thanks to Mrs Fallowfield for her support in this.

● Our V and VI Forms were fortunate to hear from Scotblood at one of our Senior Assemblies. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is the national blood, blood product and tissue provider. It makes up a Strategic Business Unit of NHS National Services Scotland.

Youth Philanthropy Initiative

Over the course of this year, the Fourth Form boys have been working hard in small groups to select and contact local charities and to present their chosen organisation to a panel of judges and pitch for a cheque for £3000. This culminated in June, when all groups made their pitches and were judged on a variety of criteria, such as engagement, impact, passion, presentation skills and creativity. It was a hard-fought battle and all groups put forward a compelling case for a whole range of very worthy charities.

The final winners were Xander,

&

who put forward a highly persuasive case for supporting Empathy in Mind, an organisation which seeks to provide mental health services across the Lothians.

The importance of the topics and issues investigated in PSHE & Life Skills are central to the development of fully rounded young adults. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our fantastic PSHE & Life Skills teachers for their commitment to putting their pupils at the heart of their practice.

Samuel Z, Samuel O, William

Alasdair,

Stuart Buchanan, Head of PSHE

SCIENCE AND OUTDOOR CLASSROOM REPORT

The outdoor classroom has been playing host to an increasing number of plant and animal species. Our greenhouse is blooming with J4 to V Form experiments. The pond is thriving and playing host to a variety of organisms and the raised beds are growing potatoes, onions and garlic.

Upstairs in Gibson House is home to our tortoise, Rankin dragon, two corn snakes, ball python, stick insects, African hissing cockroaches, our 52-year-old giant African land snail and an array of tropical and cold-water fish (the neon tetras have been happily reproducing very successfully). The boys love exploring them all and we have had a great group of dedicated Shell boys for the entire year coming up every Tuesday afternoon to look after them - cleaning out their cages, feeding them and taking the snakes out for ‘walks’. Some of them do it for the Duke of Edinburgh Award but many of them just do it for enjoyment! Our Science prefects have been a dedicated team, helping out with junior classes and gaining leadership skills themselves.

It has been a busy year in Physics. In November, we held a Science Society event to listen to a live-streamed evening with Randall Monroe, the former NASA engineer and now well-known webcomic writer and author. We have seen the

return of our extension classes, with boys able to learn more about special relativity and how time is not quite as simple as it seems. They have also been able to further develop their practical skills with some advanced investigations into Poiseuille's Law and learn to use the travelling microscope, amongst others. We have also launched our new competitive robotics groups in collaboration with the Electronics Department. We have been designing and building a robot to enter the VEX V5 robotics competition that runs each year. Recently our GCSE and A Level year groups have had the opportunity to sit the Physics Challenge papers. These are challenging problem-solving papers, designed to stretch the best students in each year. A large number of the students that took part received certificates for their performance - a very commendable achievement!

This academic session, our A Level students have taken part in the RSC Chemistry Olympiad competition, which comprises additional problem-solving work beyond the core syllabus. The four Upper Sixth students did extremely well, achieving two silver and two bronze certificates. Achieving a silver certificate puts students in the top 30% of chemists nationally. We are looking forward to continued

success in the Lower Sixth competition (C3L6) in the Summer Term. In terms of trips and visits, four Lower Sixth students attended a Chemistry ‘lab day’ at Heriot-Watt University. The students had the opportunity to spend a day in the life of an undergraduate chemist, completing complex practical work, and analysing their synthesised product with sophisticated analytical equipment. We are looking forward to opportunities to participate in the Schools’ Analyst Competition and the Salter’s Chemistry Festival. The former is an extra-curricular Chemistry competition for A Level students, where they undertake analytical Chemistry practical-based problems as part of a team. The Salter’s Festival is for younger (Third Form) students to attend a lab day at Heriot-Watt University, with a mixture of practical experiments and exciting lecturedemonstrations.

In Biology, the boys have been getting close up with nature. The Fourth Formers have practised ecological survey techniques, including belt transects and pond dipping, then using the data collected to measure biological diversity. The Sixth Form students entered the UKBC Biology Olympiad and acquitted themselves admirably with a couple of Bronze medals and several ‘Highly Commended’. The Upper Sixth Formers have also

had experience using the capture-recapture technique with almost real goldfish! In January, we ran our forensic DNA day with Upper Sixth Form Biologists. They got to prepare samples of DNA and amplify it using our PCR machine, pour their own agarose gel to carry out gel electrophoresis and study the DNA profiles to determine who committed the crime. This is a good way of showing how some of the theory they learn is actually applied in real life. We also like to take our students out to learn from scientists in the real world. We took our Lower Sixth Form to the Royal College of Physicians to a lecture on Ethical Dilemmas in Medicine and then later in the year took them to a university lecture in Edinburgh. This lecture utilised the records of paleopathology, stable isotopes, pathogen genomes and ancient DNA, body mass and stature, and paleodemography to identify and interpret fundamental changes in health and well-being, providing the behavioural contexts and consequences of the most impactful subsistence transition in human evolution.

We cannot wait to see what next year brings and are looking to get lots of dates in our diary for Science Society talks and trips!

Hannah Williams, Faculty Head of Science

CHARITY

BURAM VILLAGE WELL PROJECT, THE GAMBIA

Through our catering company, Chartwells, and the purchase of water from the company named Life Water, a sponsor of water wells in The Gambia, Merchiston has become associated with a water supply project there. The Clean Water Project is funded through purchases of Life Water, every bottle or can of which helps to fund clean water projects across the globe through the charity Drop4Drop. This is part of a campaign of projects that actively reduce carbon emissions, enabling communities to save their much-needed wood, which was previously being burnt daily to boil water. The campaign has also eliminated the many thousands of hours previously spent on walking to collect water.

Through purchasing Life Water, Chartwells is able to

support these clean water projects. Opportunities periodically arise for wells to be allocated to one of its schools which buys Life Water from the company. And so, in November 2022, Chartwells nominated Merchiston.

The details of the Buram Village Project, with which Merchiston is now associated, are as follows:

“Buram village is a small and isolated village about 7kms north of Kabocorr via the Trans-Gambia South Bank Road. The community is primarily made up of the Jola tribe, which largely depends on fishing of tilapia and bonga along the banks of the River Gambia in the area called Bintang Bolong. The tribe also engages in small-scale subsistence farming, growing rice and groundnut. The water source in the community has been broken for a long time, so the people

have had to rely on drawing water from open wells which are often contaminated by bats and frogs. The infestation of bats in the community’s open wells had become so severe that they had to go to neighbouring villages in search of water, often travelling several kilometres daily, which has made their lives depressing and hard.”

The Buram Village Well Project has now been completed and is providing clean water to 200 people in the village. Merchiston is proud that its name is associated with this extremely worthwhile project, and thanks all those who have made its successful completion possible.

A VERY MERCHISTON CHRISTMAS FAIR – DECEMBER 2022

On Saturday 3 December, Merchiston hosted its inaugural ‘A Very Merchiston Christmas Fair’, held in our festivelydecorated Memorial Hall. The event featured over twenty local suppliers and producers and we were delighted to welcome back alumni, former parents and staff with their own businesses.

The Fair was a resounding success, with over 300 people joining us throughout the afternoon for some festive shopping and delicious refreshments, kindly provided by our catering team.

‘A Very Merchiston Christmas Fair’ also provided an opportunity for us to raise funds to contribute to one of the schools our pupils have been visiting regularly, as part of their Community Service. Friends of Braidburn supports all of the hard and fundamental work carried out at Braidburn School in its mission to provide an inclusive learning environment for learners with additional support needs.

Everyone’s kind contributions, through donations at the door and Christmas raffle, meant that we were able to raise a phenomenal £1,433 – an amount which speaks for the

generosity of our community and which will go a long way in supporting and helping the education of pupils at Braidburn.

The event was a perfect opportunity to bring the Merchiston community together to celebrate the festive season. As always with events of this scale, the list of ‘thank yous’ is rather long – so much work went into ensuring the Christmas Fair was a success.

‘Thank you’ to our pupils, Sixth Form and Pringle, who helped running the Merchiston stalls, selling Merchiston merchandise. By the end of the event, they definitely had a grasp on stock management and promotional pricing! ‘Thank you’ also to everyone who kindly donated prizes for the raffle – it truly was a great selection and we had many lucky winners. And, not to be forgotten, our Pipe Band, which welcomed visitors at the main door before performing a wonderful rendition of ‘Jingle Bells’ on the main stage.

We are also extremely grateful to all the parents who came along to help us decorate the Memorial Hall and main stairwell; we would have created such a stunning backdrop for the event without them.

Finally, a special ‘thank you’ should be extended to Ms Arrowsmith for encouraging the idea of a Christmas Fair at Merchiston and for working alongside the Christmas Committee to make this a reality.

We are very much looking forward to making this event a regular occasion in the Merchiston calendar and sharing some festive cheer with our Community.

Giada Canderle, Marketing Manager

Details of further charity fund-raising activities can be found in the 'Events' and 'House Reports' sections of the magazine.

Upper VI Art

MUSIC

MUSIC REVIEW 2022-23

It is fitting to begin this year’s Music review by mentioning a member of the Department’s staff who is one of the School’s longest serving teachers. Kay Nicholls came to Merchiston as a piano teacher in 1983, and taught here until 2020 - many will remember her as an inspiring teacher. She was also an active member of the Common Room, and did so much for the rights of instrumental teachers in the School. Her two sons, David and Richard, were educated here. I would like to thank Kay for all her years of tireless work with her piano pupils, investing in their musical development, and to wish her all the best for her retirement in Colinton, very close to the School.

The theme of this year in the Music Department has been “getting back and getting out”. This has been an opportunity to re-start our full range of activities after Covid, and it has been a pleasure and privilege to witness so much quality music-making in the Department. We have seen an array of new teachers join our ranks: singing teacher Gordon Robertson; a return to piano teaching for Paola Pierce; new flute teacher Laura Cioffi; and brass

teacher Craig Anderson. However, we have been sad to bid farewell to Catriona Clark, Jane Osmani-Pierce and Jason Lewis. The biggest change has been the appointment of Kyle Warren, our new Director of Pipes and Drums, under whom this area of musical life has gone from strength to strength and the Pipe Band has achieved good placings in national competitions.

The Autumn Term kicked off in its usual fashion, but this year we were very much rebuilding our ensembles and choirs. The first outing for the Chapel Choir was the Harvest Festival service on Sunday 9 October, at which it performed the round “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” with great aplomb for a relatively inexperienced choir. After halfterm, we started our teatime concert series, with concerts for piano, woodwind and brass, strings, and a contemporary concert to round off the term. It was great to see so many performers involved, from our most experienced musicians to those who have just begun their Merchiston musical journey. The first opportunity for our ensembles to perform came at the November Choral and Instrumental Concert,

which took place on Friday 25 November in a full Memorial Hall. The boys performed admirably, and the evening included some great performances from the Jazz Band and Wind Band. However, the “show stealer” was the Close Harmony Group, with a solo from George B. Other solos at the concert came from Erik S, Dougal M, Ryan W and Adrian W. We were then into December and the run-up to the Carol Service: with coughs and colds, there were times when this service looked in doubt, but the boys rose to the challenge, despite some “squeaky” descants! We rounded off the term with an evening of musical performances by members of the Junior School and some great performances from the rock bands, including the staff band, at the Christmas meals. This was an exciting and rewarding first term.

The Lent Term flew by. The teatime concerts restarted, along with a new series of outreach concerts to retirement

homes in the local community. Some lovely performances from members of the Fifth and Sixth Forms were greatly enjoyed by the residents of Old Farm Court and Davidson House, who also thoroughly appreciated having the opportunity to speak with the performers afterwards. In this term, there were fourteen musical performances, both in and out of School, and four competitions. The first of these was the Ogilvie Bowl for Contemporary Music, which took place in a packed Robertson Hall on Thursday 2 March, adjudicated by composer and friend of the Music Department, Mr Jon Beales. All the performers were excellent: Xander M-B was placed third, George B second, and the winner was Dougal M, with an eardrum-splitting technical rendition of 'Tom Sawyer' by Rush on the drumkit. Dougal is the only pupil who has won both classical and contemporary competitions at Merchiston!

In the course of the second half of the Lent Term, several

of our pupils competed against strong musicians from other Edinburgh schools in the Edinburgh Competition Festival. Adrian W was selected to perform in the final concert of the Festival, held in St Cuthbert’s Church, Lothian Road. Credit must go to Miss Robson, our Graduate Music Assistant, for organising and escorting the pupils, and to Mr David Turner, our wonderful organist and accompanist, for accompanying Adrian’s performance on the flute of Chaminade’s demanding 'Concertino'.

On Thursday 9 March, our classical music competitions, the Forbes Bowl for Senior Music and the McLeod Cup for Middle School Music took place in the Memorial Hall, adjudicated by Mrs Liz Beeston, our former violin teacher. This was a splendid evening of music-making, and included some of the best Merchiston performances I have heard. In the McLeod Cup, Samuel O took third place on the saxophone, Gabriel P took second, and Philip G was placed first, with his beautiful rendition on the piano of music by Schumann. The Forbes Bowl was hotly contested and must have been very difficult to adjudicate: Mrs Beeston placed Dougal M third for his performance on the timpani, joint second place was given to pianists Ryan W and Eric S, and the very promising young musician, Adrian W, achieved first place, again performing Chaminade’s 'Concertino'.

In the Lent Term, by popular demand, the Chapel Choir took a break from performing sacred music, and sung a number of hits by Coldplay in a concert which also featured the Wind Band, Jazz Band, Close Harmony Group and soloists. It has been wonderful rehearsing this repertoire with the Chapel Choir: music means so many things to so

many people, and each individual’s response is truly unique. One response that is often overlooked is that it is fun: I hope that this was the experience of the Choir when we performed Coldplay.

In the Summer Term, we always reduce the number of musical performances so that the pupils can focus on their examinations. One student who completes his time at Merchiston this term is Dougal M, who has been offered places at American music colleges: a Scholarship at the LA College of Music, but it looks likely that he will choose to attend the Berkeley College of Music. Congratulations must go to Dougal for this incredible achievement. He has worked

hard on his music throughout his time with us, and has contributed so much to the Music Department’s activities.

The musical year at Merchiston concludes with students performing in bands at barbecues and other end-of-year events. Before these came our final competition of the year, the Junior Music Cup, held on 23 May and adjudicated by Dr Joanna Allsop from Cargilfield Preparatory School. This fantastic evening of musical performances saw our pianists come through strongly: Haoran Z won the J4/5 category;

Francis B won the First Form category; Aziz competed on both flute and piano, winning the Second Form category on the flute; and Ruaridh V rocked the room with some splendid electric guitar playing to win the Third Form category. The overall winner was pianist Alan T, with his virtuosic performance of Rachmaninov’s Prelude in C Sharp Minor. With such talent amongst our junior pupils, it is clear that Merchiston music has a very bright future.

Stephen Dennis, Director of Music

PIPES AND DRUMS 2022-23

The Merchiston Pipes and Drums have had a very busy year. We said an unexpected farewell to Mr Gordon Campbell, after initially hoping to have his guidance and support continue with the boys in a reduced capacity, as he stood down from his role as Master in Charge. We wish Mr Campbell a speedy recovery from illness and a happy retirement, and thank him for his huge contribution over thirty-five years here at Merchiston. More can be read of Mr Campbell’s commitment to the Pipes and Drums in the Staff Leavers’ section of this magazine.

We have welcomed Mr Andrew Lawson, multiple World Champion snare drummer, to take over from the departing Jim Walker. We thank Mr Walker for his efforts with the Pipes and Drums over many years here at School.

This past year has seen the numbers involved in the Pipes and Drums programme increase by around 90%, with particular growth in Pringle, boding well for future years.

This busy year started with many changes being made to our musical equipment and music, and to our programme – notably, a drive to becoming more active in Pipe Band competitions as a means of pushing our standards higher in the future. Group practices on offer to boys have increased by 150%. More contact time and a clearer defined pathway for progress will streamline each boy’s musical journey as piper or drummer, and ultimately offer more opportunity across the different age ranges and stages of each player’s development.

A total of fourteen performances took place in the Autumn Term, ranging from solo pipers to the full Pipe Band in action. A particular highlight was Glen C piping the All Blacks off the team bus as they arrived to train at School ahead of their Autumn Test against Scotland. Of course, this match was second in importance to the Scottish Cup Final between Merchiston and Edinburgh Academy, at which

the Pipe Band enjoyed performing on the Murrayfield pitch prior to kick-off.

With all the changes made, the Autumn Term could be best described as ‘pre-season’ for the Pipe Band. After starting the New Year with a very enjoyable Burns Supper and performance at Dynamic Earth, the Lent Term saw our boys compete as a full Pipe Band for the first time this academic year. First of all, it competed at the George Watson’s College Indoor Contest, where the Band achieved a fifth place finish out of twelve pipe bands, in a highly competitive Junior grade. The Pipe Band then backed up this strong start with a second place at the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships and first place in Drumming in the Junior B grade. These results, competing against more established pipe bands, were a credit to the boys’ hard work and dedication and offer a strong platform on which to build in the future.

The Summer Term saw the introduction of the Whole School Merchiston Massed Pipe Band practice, held on Friday mornings in front of the main School building. Bringing together all boys in the Pipes and Drums programme who have moved on to the bagpipes, and all drummers who have reached the introduction practice group, it has been a sight and a sound to behold. Near fifty boys in total have marched up and down the lawn, many for the first time, trying their best to keep in step with the older boys as they look to grasp the fundamentals of Pipe

Band drill and remember their tunes, all at the same time. The improvement week by week has been clear, as has the enjoyment of those involved and those watching as they arrive to start their day at School.

The Pipe Band’s final competition of the academic year took place during the half-term holiday. Boys gave up their Saturday for a practice and Sunday to compete at Edinburgh Academy, where, once again, the Pipe Band made the prize list, coming third in a small but strong standard Junior grade. This was a fantastic achievement, and special thanks go to the parents for helping to accommodate our attendance at a difficult time of the year because of holidays and exams.

Looking ahead, the Pipes and Drums are in full planning and practice mode for their participation in the New York Tartan Week in April 2024. Our music has been selected, the boys have their practice goals set for the summer, and we continue to plan our fund-raising to aid our phased upgrade of all uniform and musical equipment. The Pipe Band’s foray into the competition world has engaged the boys and shows that our standard is sufficient to feel confident in entering more and larger contests in 2024 and beyond. Our aim is to register with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and to compete in the Novice Juvenile B grade in the near future, further showcasing Merchiston beyond the Castle Walls.

By this time next year, Merchiston will have three active

Pipe Bands - the Firsts, the Development Band and the Pipe Band Club. As our Pipes and Drums go from strength to strength, we inevitably have to bid a fond farewell to leavers: Pipe Major Glen C, Leading Drummer John W, Bass Drummer Dougal M, Piper Callum B and Drummer William T, all leave the Pipe Band with our sincere thanks and very best wishes for their future, and in the hope that they find a little time for their piping and drumming in their next stage of life. We also give our thanks and best wishes to Kit

N, who steps down from his role of Drummer in the Pipe Band ahead of a busy final year at School.

Finally, thanks go to all parents for their support of the boys involved in the Pipes and Drums - it can never be underestimated. I look forward with anticipation to 202324 and all that awaits our boys in the Pipes and Drums.

Kyle Warren, Director of Pipes and Drums

DRAMA

DRAMA REVIEW 2022-23

This year, six of our boys from IV, Shell and V Forms were back on the stage, collaborating with the St George’s girls in their production of ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ by Bertolt Brecht: Ali J, Anish M, William B, Sikai C, Hamish H and Samuel M showed great commitment, travelling to St George’s twice a week for rehearsals in the Autumn Term. Their hard work culminated in three excellent performances, from 9 to 11 November, which were very well received by parents and a particularly enthusiastic audience of Merchiston pupils and staff on the opening night. Sikai brought light-hearted humour and enthusiasm to his confident portrayal of the young prince. Ali

impressed audiences with assured performances throughout the run. He showed great versatility, doubling up as the threatening sergeant and showing excellent comedic timing as the inebriated monk! William, Hamish, Sam and Anish tackled some challenging choreography in the Soldier’s movement piece and showed great creativity with their freestyle dance moves in the final scene! Congratulations to all of the boys involved: we hope to see you back on the stage next year.

In the Summer Term, II Form boys had the chance to create and perform their very own ‘Play-in-a-Day’, based on topics they had been covering in History lessons. They

devised scenes, adapting a script and using movement to add plenty of humour to their re-telling of the story of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. After rehearsals, blocking and learning of lines, the day culminated in a confident performance of their piece to an appreciative audience of staff members and J4/5 and I Form boys. Alex W and Logan M delivered their humorous lines with great timing and the fight scene between Alan and Paul had everyone laughing! This was a great opportunity for junior boys to get a taste of what goes into a successful performance.

J4/5 and I Form boys enjoyed drama workshops this year as part of their English curriculum. The boys have worked on using movement and voice to create character and have been building their confidence in delivering scenes in front of an audience. J4/5 enjoyed using props and

costume to create entertaining sketches, performing these for their peers in the Memorial Hall. Patrick and Angus showed commitment to staying in character throughout their performances and Omar and Haoran brought great energy to their sketches. I Form pupils worked on devising their own original versions of ‘The Three Little Pigs’, using their creativity to adapt the script, considering the key elements of character and plot. The boys showed great teamwork, rehearsing their lines and blocking and taking on board feedback to refine their performances. It is clear that we have a lot of dramatic talent at Merchiston, and we are looking forward to seeing these boys take to the stage in future productions!

Amy Warke, Head of Drama

HOUSE REPORTS

PRINGLE HOUSE REPORT 2022-2023

The start of any academic year is an exciting time and September 2022 was no exception. Boys arrived from all corners of the globe and started to make Pringle House their home, with the help of Mrs MacLennan and her team. Shortly after the boarders were in, the day boys arrived with a skip in their step at the prospect of a new timetable and lots on offer throughout the year. Second Form pupils were excited to finally be in the House and Third Formers could not wait to be in charge!

Unfortunately, high spirits did not last long as it was with great sadness that the world learnt of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s death. The boarding boys went into Edinburgh to pay tribute. The cortège, carrying her coffin, made the 180-mile journey from her beloved Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire and headed down the east coast to Edinburgh's Palace of Holyroodhouse. The coffin was draped in the Royal Standard, with a wreath of flowers gathered from the Balmoral estate, including white heather, pine fir and sweet peas. It was a historic moment for all.

As the term motored on, boarders went on a range of trips at the weekend, making memories and building lifelong bonds with peers. Combat Laser Tag was a favourite in that first half-term. This features a purpose-built outdoor combat arena, with mock buildings, barricades, sand bags and army land rovers for cover! Before the weather closed in, the boys were keen to get down to the beach and try their hand at something new - surfing! The boys headed to Dunbar for an afternoon of beach games and surfing at the Coast to Coast Surf School, which was fantastic. Several boys managed to stand up and everyone gave it a go. However, some of our boys from further afield agreed that

the water could have been a tad warmer!

Halloween is always a highlight in Pringle House and Mrs MacLennan is known throughout School for her incredible decorations and spooky evening games. This year was no different and the boys were in for a treat: apple bobbing and treacle doughnuts in the Secret Garden, next to the fire. Closely following Halloween, Bonfire Night was another highlight of the Autumn Term, with the boarders watching the fireworks being set off all around the city, polished off by a mountain of hot dogs and hot chocolate.

As the snow fell, it was time either to embrace the winter weather and associated sports or run for the metaphorical hills and get well away from the biting cold outdoors! The Pringle staff and prefect teams did exactly that, with plenty of different trips for the boys to get stuck into. Ollie S’s father kindly organised for the boys to try their hand at curling, which they thoroughly enjoyed. A few weeks later, the boarding house headed off to Gravity and bounced the afternoon away and had an absolute blast. Thankfully, there were no injuries (always a huge relief!).

International Week was a highlight this year, as it always is, with the prefect team doing an incredible job in the House with their decorations. We have boarding boys from all around the world and this was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the culture, food, customs and history of different countries. There was a quiz on the Wednesday night and Mrs Hardman also organised a feast from around the world – it was a great night!

Before we could say, ‘Ready, Ay Ready’, Christmas was upon us and it was the end of the first term. Some of the boys helped out at ‘A Very Merchiston Christmas Fair’. Jason,

Harry, Henry and Oscar showed off their retail skills whilst entertaining their customers into the bargain! The weekend ended with a Christmas movie marathon, interspersed with laps of the Cross Country!!! The Merchiston Juniors’ Christmas event in the Memorial Hall was enjoyed by all.

A huge highlight for all of Pringle was the Scottish Cup Final at Murrayfield. This was made even more exciting for the boarders because a resident prefect, Lorne, was playing. Lorne had a lovely send off to the game through a tunnel of cheering boys and all the boarders were thrilled when Mr Deans casually put the Cup on their breakfast table next morning.

Winter turned to spring and the rugby season came to an end, but the boys had their sights firmly set on Easter and all the chocolate that was coming their way. Pringle put on an Eggcellent Easter egg hunt. James, a prefect, dressed up as the Easter bunny and was chased around

campus – it was great fun!

After Easter, thoughts turned to outdoor activities and how to raise money for Pringle’s charity of the summer: Foodbank. This year, it was decided to play football continuously from 8.00pm to 8.00am in order to raise funds. The friendship, support and camaraderie were a joy to witness and we are extremely proud of our Pringle superstars. The boys raised over £2000, which was an amazing effort and a huge help for this wonderful charity. Other events included cricket and croquet, a trip to Foxlake and Sundays spent playing Bubble Football with friends and off exploring Edinburgh and the local area.

It has been an amazing year, full of fun-filled activities and flourishing friendships. Thank you to Mrs MacLennan, Dr Mayoh, The Pringle Tutor Team and all of the prefects.

The Merchiston Juniors’ Leadership Team

CHALMERS EAST REVIEW 2022-23

A U T U M N T E R M

The beginning of the year was very exciting, with new boys joining and new friends to make, as well as the Senior School and a new House to settle into - for some of us, this was for the first time after seven years in Pringle! We met our leadership team and found our way through the first days of School. Miss Donaldson was the Deputy House Parent for our first term and we all loved the activities she produced and the support she gave us.

For many, a highlight of the year was rugby, in which we were coached by Mr Glover and Mr McLaughlin in the As and Bs respectively. As they coached us through the block games together, we all grew as individuals and as a tightly-knit team. International Week gave an opportunity for many to express their fondness of their native countries: there was a special assembly, House quizzes, sports, and the highlight is always the rich and diverse catering for the week.

After the half-term break, we moved into the former Evans building so that Chalmers East could be refurbished.

This required a lot of work from staff during the holidays, which we were all extremely appreciative of. Boys settled in quickly, helped by the House team, and soon this was our new home. Table tennis increasingly became a breaktime hobby and through such House activities, friendships were forged. There were also opportunities to make friends outside of School through socials with Kilgraston and St George’s: we enjoyed discos, bowling and, of course, pizza. We also had the amazing opportunity to go to BT Murrayfield to see Scotland play: the match against the All Blacks had an incredible atmosphere. Another trip to that same stadium came as we watched our U18 boys win the Scottish Schools Cup Final for the second year runningeasily the best rugby atmosphere anyone had experienced. As the end of term drew closer, our Christmas celebrations began. Miss Donaldson set up an Advent calendar for boys to collect treats in the run-up to the end of term. We were so sad to say ‘goodbye’ to her - she really made this House feel like a family.

Xander

L E N T T E R M

After a well-deserved Christmas break, we dived straight back into the new term with a new Deputy House Parent, Miss Thomson, starting, and a few new boys joining. With Chinese New Year around the corner, Mrs Chang arranged a Chinese New Year dinner at Beijing Banquet - we are all grateful for Mrs Chang for arranging this meal. We also enjoyed a ceilidh with St George’s on Burns Night. The Design and Technology group went on a five-day trip to London, where they visited the Design Museum in Chelsea and enjoyed numerous other activities.

We started the second half of term with an enjoyable Six Nations Rugby Fantasy League, with a new winner coming out on top each week. We also had a trip to BT Murrayfield to watch Scotland play against Ireland, although some left disappointed about the final result. With the Whole School Cross Country coming up, many boys were getting ready to run the two laps of the rugby fields. Meanwhile, our musicians were practising for the McLeod Cup and Forbes Bowl music competitions. For one of our Sunday outings, we went to Edinburgh’s Chocolatarium, where we learnt about how chocolate is made, tasted different types and flavours, and lastly created our own. We also visited the Ninja Warrior course, and paintballing at Skirmish followed the week after. We all enjoyed our time there, playing numerous different games, ‘capture the flag’ being one. This Sunday trip was memorable.

A group of five boys in the House travelled to Currie High School for a competition in which they pitched their design and idea for a future proof building.

Just before the end of the rugby season, we had our Rugby Awards Dinner, at which we had speeches about our rugby teams, and handed out categorised awards for players throughout both teams in the year group. There was an emphasis on the values of the game which

promote service for others and teamwork.

To finish the term, most boys in the House flew to Iceland on a Geography trip: for five days, we visited famous places across Iceland and took in the beauty of the scenery and the Northern Lights. We all thank Dr Bower and the other staff who organised this trip. Returning to Scotland, we then started our Easter holidays.

Sikai

S U M M E R T E R M

At the start of the Summer Term, new pupil Vincent arrived. We also enjoyed waking early and working hard whilst learning from the older boys during the Tuesday and Thursday gym sessions. We had a social with Kilgraston, at which we enjoyed competing in a scavenger hunt, enjoyed a “Just Dance” competition, and shared food and drink. The weekend before the half-term break, the boys completed their DofE Bronze expedition in the beautiful but very wet Trossachs! Many memories were made during that trip, none of which can be written about!

We had a very busy start to the second half of term as we all had our end of year exams, so we were all really busy studying for them. The boys studied very hard in every prep session and enjoyed every moment that they had to get outdoors to practise their beloved sports. There were bright evenings and ‘manhunt’ became a favourite game to explore the School grounds. To reflect our increasing maturity as a group, we were allowed to go into town without a teacher, so the boys knew they had built a lot of trust with Mr Noble. We had a social with St George’s, at which all the boys enjoyed the scavenger hunt, whilst socialising through the games we played. We all also found out which Houses we would be moving to in September. We have been able to spend the last couple of weeks with the new prefects, getting to know them, and becoming

good friends. We had a really fun Sunday morning gokarting with the boys in the year above us: we all enjoyed it and put up a good fight against the older boys. We had a tough cricket season, with wins and losses: the Bs’ best match of the season was definitely against Watson’s, when two of our team-mates scored half-centuries and we left the Watson’s field victorious, with some amazing bowling and fielding from everyone. On a sunny afternoon, we set off for Dunbar and enjoyed a couple of hours at Foxlake, where we climbed and jumped from the inflatables. Ryan and Dylan also built the courage to dump-tackle Mr Deans into the water! We enjoyed being on the ringos and going in the water on a nice hot day.

We would like to thank all the teachers who helped us this year in our classes and across our co-curricular activities. We would also like to thank all the prefects, and, in particular, Mr Noble, the other House staff, and Heather, our housekeeper, for keeping us organised and looking after us so well.

Kyle

The boys have been incredible this year and are a credit to their families in the way they have supported each other. Their enthusiasm for School life gives the staff so much energy and motivation. When we had to move across to the former Evans House to facilitate the major renovation work in the Chalmers East building, the boys coped with the challenge amazingly. I have fond memories of the break-times in the day room and evenings on the pitches, playing games and sharing laughter. Watching their presentations in the final YPI showcase highlighted how far their confidence has developed over the year and provided a lasting memory. They have shown a willingness to have a go at new opportunities and are a strong enough group not to get lost in competition with each other.

I will look forward to continue working closely with the group over the Middle Years.

Iain Noble, House Parent of Chalmers East

ROGERSON HOUSE 2022-23

“We belong…”

The theme for the House this year was ‘Belonging’. We have promoted behaviours that show belonging: turning up on time; being organised; wearing the correct uniform; showing respect to the environment, others and self; celebrating success; helping others; and kindness. Every Thursday lunchtime, we have celebrated this with the awarding of the ‘Rogie’, to recognise the House member who had shown the qualities of ‘Belonging’. The award was designed by Eithan, and produced by the amazing staff of the Design, Technology & Engineering Department.

‘My highlight of the year was the first day of the School year. The prefects took the whole House out to the rugby pitches to play a game of touch rugby. It was a really sunny evening and it was very enjoyable to see people from across the whole world, most of whom had never met before, bonding through a sport that most international boarders had never played. I loved the way everyone got involved and was having fun.’

William (Prefect)

The Autumn Term brought excitement and anticipation for the year ahead, without the stress of following the Covid procedures of the previous years. Parents were welcomed into the House to help the boys settle in and friendships were made quickly as everyone enjoyed the freedom to socialise again without restrictions.

The prefect team took great pride in their role in the House, setting standards and engaging well with the boys to support them. They provided help with prep, organised activities in free time and role-modelled the behaviours we

wished to see. The kitchen in the House is always a hub of activity and the prefects taught the boys how to make pancakes and made sure there were enough for everyone to enjoy!

The socials with our sister schools are always fun and give the boys a chance to build relationships and learn from others. Mrs Darling was always heavily involved through creating ice-breaker games and activities, as well as the refreshments.

In the House, the theme weeks were popular, as well as Mrs Darling’s legendary dorm socials! From SPLAT, to food tasting, to human pyramids, they provided an opportunity for the boys to relax and build stronger relationships with each other and Mrs Darling, who puts a lot of time and energy into supporting the boys in a wide variety of ways.

‘The Dorm Socials with Mrs Darling are always fun!’ Ruairi

The Christmas festivities bring a buzz to the House and the special lunch in the dining hall is always eagerly anticipated. This year, we were back to the tradition of singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and it was great to see the boys enjoying the company of others, with smiles all around! After the Christmas Carol Service, the boys returned to the dayroom and sang it again with great gusto, with the boys

and prefects having the responsibility of two days of the song! These are special moments to share as group.

As part of the theme of ‘Belonging’, the boys enjoyed a trip to Livingston for some Christmas shopping, where they also bought toys to donate to the Mission Christmas appeal. There was a great buzz on the bus home as the boys showed each other what they had bought for children in the local area. To think that children woke up on Christmas Day to a present bought by a Rogerson boy is heartwarming and, although the impact could not be experienced first-hand, we hope this experience will be a life-long lesson to help others in need.

Burns Night was a special event: we had bagpipes and poems and a hearty rendition of Auld Lang Syne to finish off the evening, as well as haggis bonbons washed down with Irn-Bru! Great fun was had by all, and those from overseas were given a glimpse into the life of the Bard and the customs of Scotland.

‘I loved the Burns Night celebration, having fun with my friends and trying the Scottish Food.’

Keith

The staff and prefects made a great effort throughout the year to bring a variety of experiences and events to the boys. International Week included sport and a quiz night, with the House again decorated to represent the home countries of the boys in the House. The Middle Years Assembly had presentations from the boys, giving information on their homeland and also their favourite things about it - food featured in all of them!

We had a Chinese New Year celebration with more creative decorations from Mrs Darling, and we had an Eid celebration with an educational video and some treats in the dayroom.

The boys who play instruments have featured in our Middle Years Assemblies, with a wide variety of instruments represented. The commitment and dedication of these boys to manage their practice alongside everything else in their

Shell year is commendable, with the result being an ability to play with confidence in front of the most challenging of audiences - their peers! The piano in the kitchen is well used and keeps everyone entertained whilst they prepare their meals and treats and wait for the toast to pop!

‘Playing in the Whole School concert was my top memory of the year - I never imagined that I would have the confidence to do it. It was an amazing evening and I was delighted!’

Phillip

As well as the charity drive at Christmas, the boys have been involved in DoddieAid, raising funds and awareness for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. This ended with the annual School cross-country race, which had Arlene from the Forth One Breakfast Show as the guest starter and Mr Aitchison running in the Junior, Middle Years AND Senior races! The boys also donated used sports kit and clothing to the Changing Lives Malawi charity. This has been sent to the projects in Malawi and gives children a chance to take part in sport wearing the appropriate kit. More information can be found here - www.changinglivesmalawi.com/. Other donations have been made to the following charities www.sportingstart.org and www.schoolofhardknocks.org.uk

A great sign of ‘Belonging’ is taking part in the various activities and competitions that take place in School. Ignasi won the Stop Bullying Campaign design competition and we all took great delight in celebrating his achievement and wearing the stickers that we made.

‘I was very proud to win the competition and it felt great when my friends congratulated me.’

Ignasi

The return of School trips was VERY welcome and the boys made the most of them: Iceland for Geography, skiing, Venice and London with Design & Technology and Art, Langley for rugby, Nottingham for cricket, West Linton for GCSE Geography, Duke of Edinburgh excursions, and Mountain Biking.

‘I loved going on the Mountain Biking trip. It was challenging, but a lot of fun and very different from the other activities on offer at the School.’

Luke

Some of the boys have experienced significant life ‘firsts’ this year through the trips on offer: our first ever football match, when we went to Newcastle to watch Newcastle Utd v Chelsea; the first trip to Murrayfield to watch the 1XV win the Cup, and later to watch an emotional moment when Doddie Weir delivered the match ball before the Scotland v All Blacks game, and then back again in the Spring for the Scotland v Ireland match. Also, the Go-Karting trip was competitive and full of fun!

‘My highlight of the year was when Mr Aitchison organised a trip to Newcastle to watch the football.’

Javier M

Sport has played a large part in the lives of many of the boys this year, with some memorable performances, trips, visitors, records, and triumphs. Seeing boys selected for elite level squads is a great reward for the commitment and effort shown over a long period of time and reflects well on their team mates for giving that chance to shine. The success the prefects and older boys have experienced provides great motivation to the Rogerson boys to keep working hard.

‘I loved the atmosphere when the 1XV played against Edinburgh Academy in the Cup Final at Murrayfield.’

Javier R

The development of the boys over a School year is hard to measure: tests and results help, but the emergence of the person these boys will become is a privilege to witness firsthand. The manners and respect they show to others, the confidence to speak in front of their peers or an assembled audience, the challenges they face and negotiate with the support of others, the cultures they are exposed to and the way this helps to shape them is a very powerful thing. This is more than a School and more a boarding house - it is a place for these young men to belong and to flourish.

‘I have made a lot of friends and been made to feel very welcome.’

Craig

Bruce Aitchison, Rogerson House Parent, and members of Rogerson House

EVANS HOUSE REPORT: 2022/23

As we come to the end of the year in Evans, it is great to have an opportunity to reflect. Without doubt, this year has been one of the most fulfilling of my career. Having the opportunity to work with and support such a diverse, engaged and genuine group of young people has been fantastic. Despite the obvious disruption of being moved into our temporary accommodation, the young men in this House have been positive and have risen to the occasion. Life in ‘The Box’ has, in many ways, suited us as the shared communal areas have allowed for a much more natural mixing of peer and year groups to take place. The result, I feel, has been a more bonded and cohesive group, with an even clearer sense of identity within the School. I would go as far as to say that some may even have shed a tear when our temporary home was removed!

In Evans, our mission is to create a safe and positive community environment within the House. It is vital that the pupils feel a real sense of identity within the School. Our philosophy in Evans is driven by the three core values of kindness, respect and responsibility - traits which are always worthy of recognition and praise.

One of the real strengths of Evans has been its combination of both the V Form and Lower VI Form dayboys, which is a real asset to the House. Over the course of this year, this has enabled the Lower VI to step up and take on the mantle of role models to our new V Form. At the same time, pupils entering the V Form, have had the opportunity to see the VI Form at work, providing an invaluable insight into the next stage of their Merchiston journey. Whether it be during the wonderful hot chocolate, nachos and pizza

socials organised by Mrs Marshall, or a very competitive FIFA tournament on the PS5 at breaktime, it has been brilliant to see both year groups mixing and socialising. I am proud of how well they have gelled over the course of the year.

Regardless of year group, academic studies have demanded more of the pupils’ time than in previous years. They have been expected to take on greater responsibility for their academic progress, and have needed to balance competing demands from multiple subjects. These are not easy skills to master, but I have been very proud of how well the pupils have managed their competing demands.

I feel fortunate to have had such an experienced House team, consisting of Deputy House Parent Mr McCann and Assistant House Parent Mrs Marshall. As they both move on to pastures new, I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their incredible support throughout the year.

Thanks also go to Mr Douglas and Mrs Darling, who have both joined the Evans team this year. I am equally grateful to the excellent UVI Prefects; Torin M, Aaron G, Owen F and Harry B. Their commitment to Evans and willingness to support the pupils and House team has been invaluable.

As all our boys move to Laidlaw next year, I hope they will look back on their time in Evans fondly. The change in our House structure is both an exciting and positive prospect, but also bittersweet as there will no longer be an Evans House in the School. However, as the boys have repeatedly commented, ‘Evans is a way of life, not a place’.

I would like to thank and congratulate all of the Evans pupils and staff on a very successful year. I hope that all will take advantage of a much-needed and well-deserved summer break!

Stuart Buchanan, Evans House Parent

LAIDLAW SOUTH HOUSE REPORT: 2022/23

This has been another fantastic year in Laidlaw South, which is very difficult to summarise in such a short report, but here we go!

All the boys were welcomed back to the School on the first sunny day of September. New pupils arrived at the School early, to be greeted by prefects and guided to the House. They were then given time to unpack before going to Laidlaw reception for tea and cakes and to meet their fellow new pupils. After a bit of admin and introductions to tutors / teachers having been made, the remainder of the boarders soon arrived. A start of year BBQ then took place, which provided a great opportunity for the boys to integrate and connect with their fellow housemates. The start of term also included an outing to Fountain Park, where we had a chance to bowl at Tenpin Bowling and enjoy its arcade area. On top of that, we had a buffet at Mr Basrai’s, a truly unique dining experience, complete with the freedom to choose from a wide range of global

cuisines. Many of the boys attempted to beat Tim R’s impressive feat of ten portions of food, but no-one could step up to the plate! Additionally, the first of the highlycontested North vs South football games took place, with North unfortunately narrowly grabbing the victory. These opportunities and events created strong foundations of friendship and confidence that were further built on throughout the year.

It was certainly another eventful year with regard to organised House social events. With COVID restrictions lifted, we were once again able to socialise with our two sister schools, St George’s and Kilgraston, with the highlight being our Halloween disco in the Theatre, run by the infamous DJ, Dougal M. This was an extremely enjoyable evening for all involved and the South boys certainly had a great time. There was also the return of the St George’s Ball at Christmas time, the Kilgraston Spring Ball and the Merchiston Highland Ball, held in the beautiful Memorial

Hall. These evenings were filled with many ceilidh dances and ended with a fantastic meal provided by the catering teams. These occasions were certainly tremendous fun and very memorable for all. The St George’s Burns Supper is a highlight of every academic year, and this year was no different. Laidlaw South boys represented the School amazingly, with Mikhail B reciting the Selkirk Grace, Mungo B reciting ‘Tae a Haggis’ and Tim R giving a vote of thanks. This impressive public speaking from our Upper Sixth boys made a strong contribution to a wonderful evening.

Laidlaw South has countless thrilling activities organised, including such trips as to the Fife retail park trip for minigolf and Nandos, and day trips to Livingston Outlet, which is the largest shopping centre in Scotland! We celebrated the approach of Christmas with a three-course traditional dinner at Toby Carvery, at which the festive atmosphere was definitely present. Added to that, Secret Santa then followed back in the House. After our Christmas holidays, Nerf Wars and Tubing at Hillend were enjoyed - they were new experiences for most of us, but greatly enjoyed by all who participated. In the final days of the School year, we are going to take part in Paintball as well as Karting & Combat, which promise to provide an adrenaline rush and to be great fun.

The International Week is a really big event at Merchiston: Laidlaw South is one of the most international Houses in the School, so this celebration is a really important event for its members. For this event, our housemother and some Upper Sixth students decorated our dayroom and international flags were everywhere in our House. On Monday evening, International Week kicked off in style with our annual ‘South Flag Day’. All the boys, whether international or from the UK, dressed up in their international shirts and carried flags to represent where they are from: football, rugby, American football, baseball or colourful tee shirts were worn to represent the national diversity in Laidlaw South. After that, we took a big group photo to mark the special occasion. Food was a large part of the week too: Mrs McGregor cooked some wonderful meals and snacks, such as Swedish fika, a selection of international cheeses and Mexican quesadillas. Mr Lieberman cooked nearly 200 dumplings for Chinese New Year too: we all enjoyed the food and decorating the House for such a very special celebration.

We always have a multi-talented House, and this was especially so in 2022-23. Micah VB continues to excel in all swimming competitions, both national and international, and we wish him all the very best in his swimming career. Adrian W has now won the Forbes Bowl Music Competition three years in a row, including this year’s, playing the flute - he hopes to make it five consecutive years!! Thure G was selected for East of Scotland Tennis and travelled with Merchiston’s Tennis Academy to the Glanville Cup.

We all believe that this year was really good and all the boys enjoyed it. From the new prefect team and all the boys, we want to say a massive ‘thank you’ to all members of staff and tutors in Laidlaw South: Mr Thompson, Dr Steen, Mr Jackson, Mr Garratt and Mr McLaughlin. We also wish to thank Mr McCorkell, who left Merchiston at Christmas. Thanks also go to the Upper Sixth formers and the outgoing Prefect team - they have been great friends, housemates and an inspiration to us all.

Especially, we wish to thank Mr Mills and Mr Glover, our two resident members of staff, who have helped and guided the boys and the House throughout the year. Mr Glover will be moving to become House Parent in the new Chalmers East and we wish him all the very best in the future. Mr Mills is often the first up in the morning for gym and then the last to bed after evening duty - he will be looking forward to some sleep over the summer break!

A big ‘thank you’ also goes to all the other staff working in Laidlaw South – the wonderful domestic, catering and facilities teams in Laidlaw South, without which the House could not run. And finally, the biggest thanks of all goes to Mr Lieberman and Mrs McGregor: they have done a fantastic job taking care of all the boys in Laidlaw South: they have organised many events which have created a lot of good and long-lasting memories for the boys. They made our lives in Laidlaw South really enjoyable and fun.

Fedor M, Campbell M, Morgan H, Tom C, William A, Amos C (members of the Laidlaw South Prefect Team 2023-24)

LAIDLAW NORTH HOUSE REPORT: 2022/23

W E LC O M E N OT E

Welcome to the 2022-23 year of Laidlaw North! We have been a VI Form and V Form House this year because of the renovations on the Chalmers Houses. It has been a great year in Laidlaw North. We have had a lot of fun this year with sports competitions, House socials and House dinners. The only downside of it has been that it has gone so fast! We have also had a great time welcoming some new faces into Laidlaw North, who have really taken to the House and the School. We are all now ready for next year and the excitement it brings.

Bruce L

E X P E R I E N C E S O F A N E W E N T R A N T

Joining Merchiston in September last year from England was a daunting move. However, it was very easy to integrate with the boys, and I believe that boarding made this process much easier.

I was able to spend lots of time with the boys in my year group and was able to get to know them very quickly. I was really surprised when I joined by the wide range of activities and sports competitions which are held every week, which keep us all entertained throughout the whole week.

Euan R

I N T E R N AT I O N A L W E E K A N D OT H E R E V E N T S

As a boarding school, Merchiston always respects and integrates international cultures into the community. One major highlight of the year just past was the International Week, during which fun activities and special meals were

arranged. All North boys attended an international quiz in our common room, well-decorated with flags representing a rich variety of nations. We particularly enjoyed the international games night held on the astro, where some of us had an exciting American football session with a specially invited coach. Many boys in the VI Form also participated in the international beer tasting in the VIA Club and had a lot of fun that night. Additionally, edible continental treats were provided during break-time for us. The International Week concluded with a sectional assembly on Friday, with a band playing famous songs from across the world, using traditional Scottish instruments. At the end of the assembly, our international prefect, Jack, gave a speech on the innovative celebrations which had been enjoyed over the week.

Oliver Z

C A R O L S I N G I N G A N D T H E H O U S E

C H R I S TM A S D I N N E R

The carol-singing competition and House Christmas dinner are two monumental events that take place towards the end of the Autumn Term at Merchiston. These events bring so much joy and pleasure to every boy, especially those in need of a morale boost when approaching the end of a long first term. Starting with the carol-singing, which is an annual competition against Laidlaw South: both Houses rehearsed, practised, and then performed their carols in front of the opposition (Laidlaw South). The best performance was selected as the winner by a panel of judges, led by Rev Blair. Musical or not, the carol competition

creates a real sense of camaraderie and passion which it is truly amazing to be part of. Next came the House Christmas dinner, which is a truly momentous occasion. We squeezed around seventy boys into our dayroom for an evening of fun and games, starting with the amazing food, of course, prepared by our outstanding catering staff. Then we moved on to ‘Secret Santa’, for which every boy, three weeks in advance, picks someone’s name out of a hat to buy a small but impactful present to give at the dinner. We then played some fun games and thoroughly enjoyed the evening, looking back on what had been another amazing term at Merchiston.

Freddie J

H O U S E S P O R T

This year we have had a number of House sporting competitions - the sports we played were football and basketball. October saw the first game of the year, North vs South in football. The game ended 4-4 in normal time, and then went to penalties, which Laidlaw North won 3-1. Next, we had House basketball, and after a well-fought and difficult game, we just missed out on the win by a couple of points. The competition is always intense and the tensions run deep!

Lewis K

S O C I A L E V E N T S

Thanks to all Covid restrictions being lifted, we were able to enjoy multiple socials this year with St George’s and Kilgraston, which all the boys greatly enjoyed. We had great socials in-house as well, such as our in-house breakfasts, which all the boys love. In the Summer Term, we enjoyed BBQs and volleyball in the front garden of North. It was also great to see lots of boys showing up to watch the Six Nations and football World Cup, supporting and cheering

their countries. The VIA Club this year was great, as ever, and was open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, where boys would gather to chill, talk and socialise, with plenty of snacks and drinks.

Morton D

S U M M A R Y/C O N C LU S I O N

This has been some year! It has been full of success on many levels, full of laughs and enjoyment, with, yes, of course, our challenging weeks: however, they are hugely outweighed by the serious highs of the 2022/23 academic year.

My thanks must go to the members of our glorious domestic team: quite simply, we could not do what we do without their time and support each and every day. It is an outstanding team, professional, supportive and totally caring. The boys and I are very, very fortunate to have them by our sides!

Secondly, my thanks go to the House tutor team, both non-resident and resident. Their time and excellence in so many different facets of School life really do help to shape each and every individual, placing them in such fortunate positions when they leave this very special School.

Finally, I wish to than our leavers, our brilliant UVI formers. They have worked tirelessly over the past couple of years to make Laidlaw North the best possible place it can be. Thank you to the team of House prefects, who have guided their peers and also the year groups below them, and for placing the House in safe hands for future years.

Onwards and upwards! #Wegoagain

Michael Raikes, House Parent

Written by the Laidlaw North Lower Sixth Prefect Team Elect

FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ROYALTY FOR THE EVENT OF A LIFETIME

royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES

VENICE TRIP

On 10 October, the Design, Technology and Engineering, and Art and Design Departments took twenty-four pupils on a MerchiSTEAM trip to Venice.

The trip was jam-packed with activities involving Venice’s rich culture, stunning landscapes and mouth-watering cuisine. The boys were able to walk the streets of the 118 small islands, separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. Averaging no less than 20,000 steps a day, they certainly covered a lot!

The trip started with a water taxi, which took the pupils to the hotel from the airport. Whilst on the water taxi, the boys were able to see Venice from the Adriatic Sea. This was a real highlight, and got everyone excited to get a little closer. On arrival at the hotel, bags were left and the first walking tour of Venice began. Many sites were seen en route to St Mark’s Square, with the highlight of the day for many being the gondola rides we took from St Mark’s Square through the canals of Venice.

Teatro la Fenice was our last stop before dinner. This is a spectacular building which has twice been the victim of fire. The boys enjoyed being able to explore this truly spectacular building; including a stop inside the Royal

OCT 2022

Palace box designed for Napoleon Bonaparte, who visited the Teatro in 1807. Teatro la Fenice was noted by many of the boys as being their favourite building - the interior really is remarkable.

Following the gondola rides, a little time was spent in St Mark’s Square, soaking up the atmosphere and the glorious Italian sun. Dinner that evening was Spaghetti Bolognese, followed by Pork Milanese and then ice cream at a local restaurant - it was delicious! After meeting at Edinburgh Airport at 5am, an early night was encouraged, ahead of another busy day in Venice.

Day Two had a gentler start, and all the boys were in great form. The day began with another walking tour, which included the Rialto Bridge and some less touristdense locations. We had a little time for lunch in the Campo della Carità area, ahead of two Museum visits – to the Gallerie dell'Accademia and the Ca' Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art. The boys were given free time to wander around the museums in small groups and discuss their interpretation of Renaissance and Contemporary Art. Dinner on Day Two was lasagne, followed by chicken cutlets and crème caramel.

TRIPS

On Day Three, an early rise was offered to those who wanted it. The keen photographers and sketchers joined staff for a sunrise visit to key Venice landmarks; the pictures speak for themselves - incredible! After breakfast, the group enjoyed some time at the Doge’s Palace, where the ceilings are elaborately decorated with paintings embellished by gold carvings. The tour of the Doge’s Palace included a walk over the Bridge of Sighs. According to legend, the bridge takes its name from the despairing sighs of prisoners gazing out at the beauty of Venice through the shuttered stonework as they were led away to their dark future of imprisonment. Thankfully, none of our boys were imprisoned and instead we enjoyed a trip up the St Mark's Campanile and an island cruise of Murano and Burano!

Murano is famous for its manufacturing of glass. It was an incredible experience to be able to watch the glass blowing process in person. Many pupils noted the production of a glass horse as a favourite aspect of the trip. Burano has become one of the most visited islands for its colourful houses. Every so often, it is compulsory for neighbours to

paint the façades of their homes: they are not allowed to choose the colour, but are notified of the specific shade according to where their residence is located. According to legend, the houses were painted with bright and cheerful colours so that the sailors could see them on the gloomy and foggy days. It is as beautiful as it sounds!

Dinner on Day Three was pizza and chips, and, as you can imagine, there wasn't a slice of pizza left (after walking another 24,000 steps)! Another early night was had by all after packing for another early departure the next morning; the next stop was Edinburgh.

Venice is a truly stunning city, and it was an absolute pleasure to be there with some of our future designers, artists and engineers. There was a real buzz from the boys throughout the trip and it was clear to see they really appreciated the culture and history they were surrounded by.

Florence Chapman Design, Technology & Engineering Department

ICELAND EXPEDITION

With much excitement and anticipation, fifty-two pupils and eight members of staff tucked into an early breakfast on the penultimate morning of the Lent Term, stuffed their cases into the holds of two coaches, and headed for Glasgow Airport for their Icelandair flight to Reykjarvik, prior to the commencement of lesson 1 for the rest of the School. Herding all sixty members of the expedition team of some seven nationalities through the luggage check-in, security, boarding, disembarking, baggage collection, passport control, and being met by our Icelandic guide, Gudmundur, involved considerable logistical tactics, which thankfully were accomplished without a hitch.

To channel the excited energy of sixty people positively, we headed straight from the airport to Reykjavik’s municipal geothermally-heated outdoor swimming pool, braved the very different (to what we are used to) etiquette of the public changing rooms, and then frolicked in the incredible experience of air temperatures barely above freezing, with geothermally-heated warm water. Some played water polo, others enjoyed the water slides, others the water assault course, others just floated and swam, and others found the outdoor salt-water hot tubs, sauna, and the ice bath. After initial trepidation about the idea of outdoor swimming, we then, of course, struggled to get people out and back onto the coach so that we could get to our hotel – the very characterful Viking Hotel, at which we arrived just as the sun was setting over the bay. We barely had time to allocate groups to rooms before it was

time for a well-received hot supper, during which we were serenaded by Vikings singing of tales of their past. There was much snoring from all rooms that night as members of the expedition team slept soundly, happily exhausted after a long day, and excited about what lay ahead.

After a filling breakfast, during which we all made ourselves sandwiches for lunch, we started our day’s adventures with a walking tour of Reykjavik city’s main highlights, prior to a fascinating tour of the country’s main geothermal power station. Our Chemistry teacher, Mr McLaughlin, explained lots to us outside the imposing plant with hot steam billowing out behind, and then we were given a formal tour, which included fascinating and clear explanations about the geology and tectonic activity of Iceland, how this makes geothermal power production so easy, and the many uses of the hot water by-product. These included it being piped below roads and pavements to keep them snow-free and into houses for free heating (which made the adults very envious), and an explanation about how geothermal energy is renewable and the new methods being used to trap carbon inside basalt rocks to capture emissions. CarbFix, which started this project, predicts that it will be able to capture half of Iceland's emissions with one plant by 2031.

We then continued our journey east: whenever we travelled from one place to the next, we were entertained by Godmundur telling us stories all about the landscape

and myths and tales of the austere and dramatic landscape we were travelling through – the lava fields, fossil sea-caves inland from former lower land levels (since uplifted by tectonic activity), and significant lack of anything growing. One of our favourite tales was that if anyone tells you they are lost in a forest in Iceland, just tell them to stand up! We could see that the few trees that grow in such a harsh environment are very stunted – even where they have clearly been planted to attempt to make a wind break for an isolated farm house, they barely reach chest height!

Our next adventure was hiking to the Eyfjallajokull glacier. All members of the party were very excited about donning ice crampons, and doing their best to walk without falling either flat on their back, or flat on their face. The landscape was breath-taking, with different layers of ice within the glacier marked out by layers of volcanic ash from eruptions from surrounding volcanoes. We hiked up the valley and onto the glacier at its snout, keeping very carefully in single file in small sub-groups, each led by a professional guide, to help ensure that none of us slipped down a crevasse! We hiked past very cracked and crevassed glacier surfaces onto the smooth glacier’s spine, from which the views both up-glacier (disappearing into the distance), and down-glacier (disappearing into a glacial meltwater lake), were breath-taking. The pupils especially enjoyed drinking straight from the meltwater stream running along the spine of glacial ice.

After our hike, we continued to our hotel, with Godmundur recounting tales about eruptions in Iceland's history, including an eruption from which the ash subsequently caused poor harvests across Europe, which was eventually a cause of the French Revolution! The day's

travel ended in Nupar, where we stayed at the Fosshotel, which was also a highlight - dinner was an incredible buffet, within which the unlimited salmon was an awesome treat for the teachers and the boys. We sang “happy birthday” to Miles and then headed outside together for a snowball fight. Just as we were all going to bed, we were called out again, this time to see the Northern Lights, which we captured with some incredible photos. The lights stretched right across the sky, from one horizon to the other, like a shimmering golden rainbow. Those with cameras took some spectacular photos of the lights on either horizon – there was no way one could take video footage with our equipment to capture the 180-degree arc, which was so stunning, but we will remember the unworldly experience forever.

The second morning began with what every young boy dreams of (according to the pupils contributing to this article!) - a limitless buffet breakfast of salmon, herring, bacon, eggs, cakes, pastries, and much, much more. Everyone ate as much as they could manage, ready for the eventful day which lay ahead. There isn’t space in this article to go into the wonders of every day in full detail, suffice to say that on the remaining four days, the highlights included: getting soaked as we clambered along a mossy and rocky narrow river bank, some 20 metres along a natural tunnel eroded through rock by river erosion, into a cave to be met by water plummeting some 30 metres through the roof of the cave from a cliff edge just visible in the mist above us; trekking along black basalt beaches, exploring the columnar basalt columns and eroded caves, arches, stacks and stumps whilst keeping an eye out for ‘sneaker waves’ that crash into the shore with dramatic

effect, periodically catching out the unwary; and enjoying trying to photograph the famous Geysir when it periodically bursts water some 20 metres into the air without warning; and marvelling at the famous Gullfoss Waterfall, which looks every bit as big as the Niagara Falls - what was visible was entirely frozen, due to it being an unexpectedly cold winter, from which much of the landscape had not yet thawed.

Needing special mention was the unexpectedly heavy snow on the fourth day, through which we took the ferry some thirty minutes south to the Westermann Islands. The ferry ride was a delight, drifting past the snow-clad cliffs of small islets whose cliffs were covered in nesting sea birds. Pupils enjoyed throwing snowballs off the deck into the sea, and seeing the upward spurts of water from whales swimming purposefully by. We landed on Haimaey at the only town on the edge of this steep, small island, where our coach found it impossible to drive because of the heavy

snow, and so we all ended up with a longer hike than expected, sliding on our feet along the steep paths and roads instead. We soon noticed buildings half buried in lava from the famous 1973 eruption of the Eldfell Volcano, of which we were climbing the lower slopes. We had intended to walk up to the rim and around the crater, but the slopes proved unclimbable without specialised equipment. Nonetheless, the views from where we could walk to were spectacular. The time we would have spent climbing the volcano we diverted into a ‘make a snow angel’ competition, followed by a humdinger of an organised snowball fight, in which it was very useful having an ex-army Major and marine Lieutenant amongst the staff present. Even the members of staff joined in, making it an unforgettable adventure for all.

Everyone sat on a large mound of snow, silently eating their packed lunch, happily exhausted from the exertions of the fight and very hungry from all the exercise and fresh

cold air. Just before body temperatures were beginning to fall below acceptable levels, we all piled into the Eldfell Museum, which is sometimes referred to as the “Pompeii of the North”. As we walked through the museum (which included excavated homes that had been buried by the lava in the eruption), first-hand accounts of the town’s inhabitants caught up in the eruption were fascinating to all, delivered as an audio guide through headphones and video footage played on the walls, triggered when one walked past. There were also excellent exhibits that caught the attention of the pupils on the neighbouring Island of Surtsey, which had only appeared above the sea level in 1963. It was then a treat to find a local supermarket, where we all bought some much-needed snacks, before taking the ferry back to the mainland, where the boys enjoyed the now clear skies and new stunning views.

Our last evening started with a very relaxing swim and soak in the famous Blue Lagoon - a natural outdoor lagoon of geothermally hot water, known for its healing properties (yet another unforgettable experience of air below freezing, water naturally some 70-80 degrees C, mist and steam rising all around, and natural springs trickling in at some 100 degrees C in places), prior to reaching our final hotel.

We enjoyed fabulously fresh local fish and chips, and were again serenaded by Vikings singing tales of their past. Everyone was awarded prizes for whatever their special contribution to the trip had been. All went to bed in a happy haze of contented exhaustion once again, and this time knowing reveille was to be at 4.30am to catch our flight back to Scotland.

Travelling in a party of sixty takes a lot of organisation. It also requires all pupils to listen to instructions, so that they know where they need to be and when, with what is needed, and every member of staff to respond ‘on their feet’ to ever-evolving conditions and events in the dramatic, wild, and untamed landscape that is Iceland, for many hours at a time. Real teamwork is also necessary, with everyone looking out for one another, and pulling together as one. We run this expedition every other year, just for members of the Fourth and Shell Forms, but no two expeditions are ever the same. Thanks go to everyone involved for making this such a successful and enjoyable trip.

Tanya Bower, Expedition Leader and Head of Geography, with contributions from Fourth Form expedition members Alex MB and Hamish H.

COMBINED CADET FORCE 2022-23

groups, rank-related instruction is given on supervisory skills, low-level leadership and the management of time, personnel and equipment.

0830hrs, 06 July 2023: Forty cadets are on parade ready to deploy to the MOD ranges in Dreghorn Barracks. Today marks the end of a year’s training and the last day of CCF Camp 2023.

Throughout the year, the cadets have been following the CCF Syllabus in rank-related training, with an emphasis on acceptance of responsibility and an understanding of the Standards and Values of the cadet movement. The Shell year group have been issued uniform and received instruction on the acceptable levels of turnout and appearance. What may seem to be a trivial lesson forms the base-line understanding of the importance of personal administration, leading to the detailed care of serviceability and cleanliness of all kit and equipment used by the cadet. This year group have also received instruction in Drill, Fieldcraft, Cadet Rifle and have all successfully passed the six-monthly Weapon Handling Tests.

The LVI and V Forms have received advanced instruction on previous years’ lessons, enhancing the skills and drills in all areas of the cadet experience. Within these year

For reasons beyond our control, CCF Camp 2023 has been a non-residential camp, utilising the military training estate close to the School. Over the four-day period, fortyeight cadets from Merchiston and St George’s have been fully immersed in the infantry cadet role. A 36-hour exercise included hide occupation in a wooded area, clearance patrols and sentry duty. Further tasks were driven by intelligence reports and included the construction of defensive positions against a perceived enemy threat. Observation posts were also deployed in the overwatch of known enemy positions. Intelligence gained from these tasks resulted in section attacks, with the cadets engaging in contact drills and casualty evacuation procedures. As this article is being written, cadets are firing live rounds in elementary and advanced application of fire at the Dreghorn Barracks. All cadets who have attended a full year’s training in School and attended the CCF camp will be eligible for promotion in the next academic year.

In looking forward to the next academic year, we have our Biennial Inspection from the military and as a contingent will be hosting the Scottish Schools CCF Pipes and Drums Competition.

Maj Alan Ewing, Contingent Commander

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Merchiston’s Community Service programme, previously known as “Koinonia”, re-started in September 2022 after a three-year gap due to Covid. It is a Wednesday afternoon activity that gives the boys a chance to give back to the local community. Charity work and looking after people in the community is such an important value for the boys to learn, and this programme gives them the opportunity to do so. This year, our boys got to be part of the lives of children outside Merchiston through volunteering to work in three local schools: Braidburn, Longstone Primary and Sighthill Primary.

Braidburn is a school for children with disabilities or special educational needs. The boys helped the students in their lessons, whilst learning how the school looks after them, embracing and supporting their individual requirements. This was a valuable opportunity for the boys to learn that education can take many forms and that it is important for it to be adaptable to an individual’s needs. Both Longstone and Sighthill Primary Schools are state schools in areas of Edinburgh which are different to Colinton. This was a way for the boys to see how, even in their local area, there can be a huge wealth disparity. At Longstone School, some of our Merchiston boys contributed as rugby coaches, whilst others played basketball, badminton, or board games with the pupils. At Sighthill, the Merchiston boys helped in lessons, sitting with the children and assisting the teacher.

As Merchiston’s Community Service Co-ordinator, I was incredibly impressed with the attitude of our boys. They were all respectful, mature and polite in their dealings with all the children and also with the staff. The boys showed commitment and worked hard to build relationships with their mentees. I felt proud to be part of this scheme and

to lead the boys into an experience that had such a profound effect on them, and on those they worked with.

The boys who took part had volunteered, either as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award or simply because they wanted experience of working with children from different backgrounds or children with physical or mental challenges. The highlight of the year was the Christmas Party: the mentees and staff from all three schools were invited to Merchiston to enjoy games, dancing, arts and crafts and time with Santa. It was a fantastic afternoon and huge thanks go to Rev Nick Blair for donning a (rather tight!) red Santa suit. Also, we bought each child a book for Christmas, wrapped up for them to open on Christmas Day, handed out by the boys. The schools were incredibly touched by this gesture.

In total, around fifty boys took part in the Merchiston Community Service programme over the year. Here are some of their comments about what they enjoyed about their involvement in the scheme:

“I enjoyed going outside my comfort zone” - Henry

“It was very rewarding to see the children enjoying the class” - Richard

“Learning new skills like leadership and the ability to communicate with young children” - Amos

“An eye-opening experience” - Alasdair

“Gaining the children’s respect” - Sam

“Watching the kids develop their skills and seeing them enjoying themselves” - Tom

“Taking ownership and having some responsibility”Krish

Charlotte Arrowsmith, Community Service Co-ordinator

Shell Form Art

Shell Form Art

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME

The 2022-23 season has been another busy one for DofE at Merchiston, with a total of fifty-four boys newly undertaking the award across the three different levels. One of the strengths of Merchiston’s DofE programme is the breadth of activities we can offer “in house”. We have had boys participating in all manner of activities for the “Physical” section – rugby, rock climbing, hockey and fencing being some examples. For the “Skills” section, we have boys cooking, playing e-sports, learning languages, picking up photography, playing bridge, target shooting, advocating for Amnesty International, learning about the environment, etc - the list of possibilities is truly vast! Finally, for the “Volunteering” section, the DofE regional office produces a report on the social value of the boys’ contributions. I am pleased to pass on that we have

completed a joint total of 338 hours of voluntary service in this past year – to an estimated value of £1625, but I am sure of immeasurable value to those who have benefitted from our boys’ time and commitment.

Bronze Expeditions

The Bronze expedition is always a large undertaking, with almost the entire Fourth Form participating. We had six groups of seven boys out in the hills around the Lochearnhead area, each taking different routes and camping in different locations. For many pupils, this was their first experience of camping, let alone “wild camping”, with all the challenges that brings. Their instructors were very complimentary about the hard work our boys put in, and on how the teams gelled together, despite being put together at random. The leadership qualities of many were

highlighted – adversity and “type 2 fun” often brings out the best in people. I hope that many of these pupils will now complete their award in the Shell year – it really is very easy to do in a school like Merchiston!

Silver Expeditions

The Silver group (Fifth Form) undertook a canoe expedition – practising on Loch Sheil before qualifying on Loch Awe. Canoeing was a new skill to these boys, and they acquitted themselves well in trying circumstances. The midge season has been particularly vicious in these areas, and anyone who has experienced the black cloud of ‘flying misery’ will sympathise with what our boys experienced! (Fun fact, or perhaps terrifying fact – it is estimated that 181 trillion midges live and die in Scotland each season!) In any case, all came home safely, and with lifelong memories made. Again, the instructors were extremely complimentary about our boys’ attitude and commitment to having the best expedition they could.

Gold Expeditions

The Gold group decided to explore the area around Ballater for their practice expedition: the weather was

mostly kind, and the expedition proved an excellent learning experience – particularly in honing the boys’ navigational skills. At the time of writing, the qualifying expedition has not yet taken place, but the group has a cracking route planned for September 2023 on the fabulous island of Skye. I hope to report a successful trip in the next issue of the Merchistonian

I am pleased to report that four of our UVI leavers from last year have completed their Gold awards, and congratulate Patrick B, Callum R, Freddie C, and Max M. If anyone reading this wants to get in touch to complete their award, I remind you that you have until the age of 25 to do so!

Finally, I would like to pass on my thanks to the other staff in the DofE team – Robin Greenwood, Ewen Dobbin, and Liz Atkinson: we could not run the award without their time, expertise, and commitment. I thank them all for their work with the boys this past year, and look forward to another successful season in 2023-24!

David Thomson, DofE Award Manager

INTERNATIONAL WEEK, 7 – 11 NOVEMBER 2022

Merchiston is fortunate to have a number of boys and staff from different countries: this diversity and their contribution to the School community deserves to be celebrated, and so, once again, the School enjoyed an exciting and varied International Week.

Every year, we try to add something new and we certainly succeeded this year by adding a musical element to the sectional assemblies. We were entertained by our talented group of international musicians who showcased the following beautiful pieces of music:

Pringle Assembly - Alan T on piano playing Traumerei by Schumann;

The musical highlight, however, undoubtedly took place during our Whole School Assembly and resulted in the following quotes from boys:

• ‘Assembly was AMAZING!’

• ‘I’ve never witnessed any Tuesday assembly morning like that – it was so much FUN!’

• ‘It was the best assembly we’ve had at Merchiston’

Middle Years - Julian A on piano playing music by Haydn; Seniors - trio of Adrian W (flute), Ryan W (piano) & Dexter L (violin) playing Navarra (Spanish Dance) by Pablo Sarasate.

There was an unusual sight awaiting everyone on the stage – a live 4-piece band with DJ and the biggest speakers ever! What were we in for? What was going to happen?

UNISON, that’s what - who then proceeded to ‘blow the roof off’ the Memorial Hall. Most of us had never seen or heard anything quite like it. Their Scottish-Indian fusion music was modern - most of us knew the tunes, but they were performed with a powerful Indian dhol drumming and piping twist. It was so loud! Participation was encouraged (and most pupils happily obliged) with handclapping and Indian dance moves. It was so much fun! There was also a ‘drum off’ between Laidlaw North and Laidlaw South prefects, John W and Tim R. Unison were incredible and everyone, staff and pupils, was buzzing when we headed to our morning classes. Never had there been an assembly quite like it. It really helped to set the scene for a very memorable International Week!

Aside from musicians, a number of our international students stepped up and supported International Week by proudly presenting their nation and culture in sectional assemblies. Here are a few examples of some of the things we learned:

Abu Dhabi – the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest carpet;

Croatia is the birthplace of the tie, pen and parachute; Switzerland has 7000 lakes;

Ukraine has the highest literacy rate in Europe;

France – the Notre Dame Cathedral is visited more than the Eiffel Tower;

In Austria there is a cinema where the lights remain on during the screening;

Laos contains the world’s widest waterfall.

International Week would not be International Week without the exciting lunches! A massive ‘thank you’ goes to

Chinese Cuisine

Spanish Cuisine

Slavic Cuisine

our catering team for providing such impressive international fayre. This year, the lunches reflected the three largest nationality groups in School – from Germany, Spain and China. South Korean and Slavic cuisine also featured, with dishes that the pupils were less familiar with and wanted to try. Such a variety of flavours!

It also was not all about the food, however. A number of House activities took place, organised and led by the House prefect teams and House Parents: competitive quiz and sports nights, Laidlaw international beer and cheese tasting, continental pastries for break and Swedish Finka. There were also Moroccan tagine and chilli cook-offs, and foreign films in the evenings, which all brought an internationalism to the School. Then, as if all this was not enough for International Week, the All Blacks arrived!

Academically, the Spawforth Library was very much involved in International Week, hosting an International Week Book Quiz. Pringle classes looked at international currency in Maths, a daily international dimension was brought into Economics lessons, food and festivals were discussed in EAL, and MFL hosted ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’ for the German pupils. House prefects led a session on the international rights of the child, exploring how rights for children are being upheld (or not) in various countries.

It was an exciting and varied week, celebrating Merchiston’s multi-culturalism, with so much going on in all areas of the School. A big ‘thank you’ goes to our International Prefects for 2022 – 23, Runmeng C & Mikhail B.

Susan Hardman, Head of English as an Additional Language

Korean Cuisine

German Cuisine

MARKETING & ADMISSIONS NEWS 2022-23

This has been a very busy year for the Marketing & Admissions Department, with new personnel, whose fresh approaches are already positively impacting Merchiston.

A NEW TEAM

As many readers might be aware, we have a brand new team across both Departments, the members of which have worked hard to hit the ground running and create a synergic approach to our recruitment strategy, both domestic and international.

With expertise originating from both within the independent education sector and other industries, the team has truly come together positively to overhaul the admissions approach and deliver a comprehensive marketing strategy. This has included successful Open Days, international trips to a variety of destinations and coordinating other wider community events.

Our new Head of Admissions, Mrs Natalie Zindani, brings with her a wealth of international recruitment expertise. Alongside Ms Rebecca Ajodani (Admissions & Events Manager), they have done a fantastic job at making every single family coming through the doors feel truly welcome and looked after, as they move through their Merchiston journey.

In the Marketing Department, Mrs Giada Canderle looks after our communications output, media and, alongside our agency ‘Represent’, public relations. She is also currently overseeing Alumni Relations. The new team has been supported by Gemma Gray, a marketing consultant with a

wealth of experience of independent school education: her focus was initially on recruiting the team and now it is on developing the overarching communication strategy and The Forest School at Merchiston.

OPEN EVENTS

One of the first resilience tests for this new team was certainly our Open Day in October 2022. Following the forced hiatus imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we felt that this was a crucial opportunity to welcome prospective families back to the School and showcase the essence of Merchiston. The event, which focussed on interactivity, was designed to allow families access to all of our wonderful departments, where they could engage in hands-on activities with pupils and staff. Individualised tours were then offered to each family, under the guidance of one of our senior students. With over fifty families signing up, this was a very well-attended event and resulted in a healthy recruitment conversion – whether families decided to register at the event itself, or came back again in the course of the year to attend a further follow-up event or taster day. March 2023 offered a further in-house recruitment opportunity, in the form of our Information Morning. In a departure from previous formats and in recognition of the differing target audiences at this time of the year, the event was shaped as a departmental fair. Held in the Memorial Hall, this Information Morning allowed prospective families time and space to have those very important conversations with departmental staff, as well as with the Academic

Leadership Team. This granted us the opportunity to discuss our dual curriculum options and gave each department a forum to talk about their programmes in more detail. Numbers for our Information Morning were again incredibly positive, with over thirty-five families signed-up, many of which decided to register for 2023-24 and beyond.

RECRUITMENT

Within the Admissions Department, we look to maintain the balance we have between UK and international students joining us. We are therefore looking at a number of different locations so that there is a rich breadth to the countries that Merchistonians come from. On the international recruitment front, the Admissions team has attended a number of educational shows across the world. Starting with Turkey in September 2022, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong followed throughout the Autumn and Lent Terms. These trips have proved incredibly valuable, not only from a recruitment perspective, but also in re-establishing and revamping relationships with international markets and educational agencies. The Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia trips, in particular, have given our team the opportunity also to reconnect with our local alumni and current families – an incredibly valuable exercise, especially in view of the fact that, during COVID, some parents might not have had the chance to meet with members of staff in person. A busy calendar of international events is already in place for 2023/24, broadening the locations to include more places where demand for British boarding is high, to ensure we give Merchiston an international platform for promotion and to build on existing relationships. All these events have been supported by digital advertising to reach new audiences and sell the benefits of a Merchiston education, as well as encouraging people to meet the team internationally.

On the domestic front, the lifting of restrictions has allowed our staff to get involved in other types of events which present a recruitment and branding opportunity. Quite a bit of activity has taken place in the Scottish Borders, starting with our involvement in and sponsorship of the Melrose 7s Junior Rugby Clinic, led by our Director of Rugby, Roddy Deans. This event was a perfect stage to showcase our rugby programme and it was brilliant to see so many Merchistonians coming along to coach and support Mr Deans and the team. It was a great morning spent in the sunshine, connecting with

Borders families and young rugby talent.

Our teachers and coaches continue to engage with prep schools throughout the UK to keep Merchiston at the forefront of their minds. We are building on these successful relationships and developing next year’s strategy, which will utilise the new Director of Sport, Nick de Luca, alongside Heads of Department and our Director of Pipes & Drums, Kyle Warren.

Later in the Summer Term, Melrose was also the location for our ‘Merchiston in the Borders’ drinks reception, co-hosted by Headmaster Jonathan Anderson and St Mary’s Preparatory School’s Headmaster, Mr Liam Harvey. This event was a perfect way to connect with our Merchiston community in the Borders, by bringing together current families, alumni and prospective joiners. It was a great evening and many valuable connections were made and experiences shared. Current parents and Merchistonians offered new and prospective families a unique opportunity to ask questions and to hear first-hand the experiences of their Merchiston journeys.

With regards to marketing and PR, we have adopted a fresh approach to telling the stories of Merchiston life across social media, in our news section of the website and in the press too. Mrs Canderle has worked tirelessly to get to know all that takes place at Merchiston in order to present the rich, vibrant community we all know and love. Working closely with Represent, our chosen PR agency, they have utilised their PR expertise to ensure high levels of media coverage across a range of publications. The focus of all communications is to bring Merchiston to life and encourage prospective families to find out more, with a view to joining. Statistics across all socials have shown increased engagement and followers, with a breadth of messaging across all aspects of Merchiston, including sport, academic life, boarding, co-curricular activities and the Arts.

Readers may also have seen some of the ‘sit down with’ films, produced to introduce a number of Merchiston staff. These warm and welcoming short films, with interesting insights into staff roles and ethos, have been a real hit with families - we look to build on these in the future.

We feel that excellent groundwork has been done by the new team this year and we look forward to another busy and successful year. A Warm Welcome Awaits!

Giada Canderle, Marketing Manager

MerchiSTEM COMPETITIONS ACTIVITY

MerchiSTEM and indeed, MerchiSTEAM, which introduces the Arts and Aesthetics into STEM competitive endeavours, is gathering much momentum across Merchiston departments. A variety of opt-in co-curricular STEM opportunities are offered through the weekly Design Technology activity session, producing some incredible projects this year.

#DigiInventors Challenge, September – December

In November, we were delighted to announce that one of our teams had reached the Scottish finals in the 2022 #DigiInventorsChallenge. ‘OxyJ’ was designed by a team of IV Form pupils - Arthur, James, Blair and Archie.

The #DigiInventors Challenge, in association with Glasgow Warriors, Raise Scotland, City of Glasgow College and the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI), asks young people to identify health and care challenges that could be helped by a digital solution. The finalists took part in a two-day bootcamp in Glasgow, where they learnt how to present and market their ideas to a panel of expert judges at the finals in December. The team wrote:

“Our product is a device that helps to regulate your breathing. This could be used at a variety of times, including times of stress and anxiety. Not only does the product have digital indicators, both visual and audible, it also has lines on the back of the device that you can follow with your finger. The process of following these lines will also improve your

mindfulness and breathing as the tracing of the lines with your fingers helps to guide and focus your breathing.”

Listening to presentations from business and design experts allowed the team to refine and develop their product and final pitch. This included input from Ted X and the Scottish Tech Army. Following the final pitch, the team was asked a series of questions by a panel of judges, in both Scotland and Dubai. OxyJ was not picked as the overall winner, but it was a fantastic experience for everyone involved.

There were three more excellent entries to the #DigiInventor Challenge this year. ‘Oxigen’ by Kit, Richard and Rohan; ‘IMPACT’ by Max, Yuqi, Eithan and Ghani; and ‘Endless Water’ by Beltran, Shiran and Sam. Through this work, our pupils get to explore their creativity and innovation in a range of mediums: sketching, rendering, 3D CAD modelling, rapid prototyping and block modelling, to name a few.

Design Ventura, September ‐ February

Design Ventura challenges students to design a new product for the Design Museum shop. This year we had two teams participating. The Design Museum’s flagship learning project is an opportunity for students to develop design thinking, creative and business capabilities and employability skills. The project was launched in 2010 in partnership with Deutsche Bank, as part of the bank’s global youth engagement programme Born to Be, and has seen over 108,250 students participate.

This year, the challenge invited teams of up to six to be inspired by ‘places’, and to create a product that improves everyday life by meeting the needs of a specific audience group or by addressing a social, educational or environmental issue. Entries were to be accessible and sustainable. We entered two teams from IV Form and Shell: Beltran, Shiran, Magnus and Sam, who produced an ecofriendly mould for use in gardens; and Yuqi, Max, Ghani and Eithan, who worked on a geography board game.

CityZen, October ‐ December

The Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) CityZen competition is a structured activity, supported by an ICE STEM Ambassador, in two parts: a digital game played over 4 - 6 one-hour sessions and a creative video project for students to pitch their idea of how civil engineering could be used to improve their local environment. The ICE CityZen experience gives students the opportunity to develop such skills as teamwork, critical thinking, communication and problem-solving, offering an insight into a respected, exciting and globally-vital career option. Our competitors also gained insights into STEM topics, including content relevant to Geography and Design Technology.

This was our first year running this engineering competition and two teams of LVI Formers jumped at the chance to compete. Both teams worked on transportrelated projects, creating fantastic videos, including hints of humour and presentation skills beyond their years! Team A was successful in securing a place in the top four shortlisted videos, narrowly missing out on a winning spot.

CanSat, November – April

Our second year competing in CanSat saw two teams comprising V Form and LVI boys reaching the Scottish Regional Finals at Elvington Airfield, York, on a blustery, wet day before the Easter holidays. The European Space Agency competition is open to 14 to 19-year-olds and requires teamwork, report writing, design, electronics, programming, patience and resilience! This year, our squad comprised Rohan R, Kit N, Richard Z, Peter W, Raymond C, Adrian H, Adam H, Jiale Y, Dalton Y, Lincoln P and Oliver Z. Teams are challenged to fit all major subsystems of a satellite into the volume and shape of a soft drinks can ahead of launch day, when the CanSat rocket reaches altitudes of approximately 1 km and speeds of over 200 mph. All teams aim to complete the same Primary Mission – to measure temperature and air pressure and send the information to the ground station. There is free choice of Secondary Mission.

Team MerchiCAN’s Secondary Mission was to create a system to drill and collect samples of the ground. The can spins on contact with the ground so that, if on a greater scale, there would be suitable storage for sample collection within the can. Team CastleCAN’s secondary mission was to use a first-person view camera to live stream images of the ground. In a real-life space mission, this would be used to record ground surfaces and would be data to map terrain and find potential landing sites. Both CanSATs successfully transmitted all primary mission data the teams needed and back on the ground, devices received data for the teams to interpret and analyse. Secondary Missions were also a success!

To ‘relax’, we were given access to the University of York’s Astro Campus, where boys heard about the developments in space travel, satellites, planet mapping and the moon. We were also allowed into the observatory and got the chance to hold a real-life meteorite!

In addition to all that was achieved on the day, all competitors received an Engineering Development Trust Industrial Cadets Silver Award, which requires a minimum of 30 hours of project work. Boys had to display skills in a variety of areas, including careers, teamwork, company involvement, creativity, innovation, digital literacy, communication and collaboration.

Whilst the teams did not progress to the national-level round of the competition, valuable knowledge was acquired. Two nights away from School with rocket launches, curry, toasting marshmallows, an astrophysics lecture and a friendly horse made for an action-packed activity!

Engineering Development Trust Industrial Cadets Bronze Project, November ‐ February

The Industrial Cadets Bronze Project run by EDT (The Engineering Development Trust), is an exciting STEM challenge for teams of six pupils working over twelve weeks on a project based around the digital world, circular economy and renewable energy or the environment. They are tasked with finding a solution to the issue at hand and presenting this through a written report, model(s) and a virtual presentation. As well as graduating from the scheme as Bronze-level Industrial Cadets, national accreditation for STEM work, students gain valuable employability skills such as communication, problem-solving and project management. Each team is supported throughout the project by an industry mentor, a STEM professional from their partnering company who provides valuable subject-specific knowledge and insight into their organisation and career journeys. This

year we were paired with Linear Design and Construct, the contractors currently working on the renovation of the Chalmers East and West Boarding Houses. We thank them for all their help.

Six of our IV Form pupils – Hamish, Sikai, James, Anton, Fergus and Blair – successfully graduated with their Industrial Cadet Bronze Award, as well as Bronze CREST Award and Young STEM Leader Level 4 Award. The Graduation Event took place in person for the first time since 2019, at Currie High School.

In answer to the Future Proof brief, the EDT Team came up with “Life is Up” - a flood-proof apartment building that is carbon neutral and constructed using modern ecofriendly materials. The team has also been announced as a finalist in the National Big Bang Competition, and we look forward to attending the awards event at the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham in June.

#DigiInventors Primary Challenge, January – February

2023 marks a relaunch for the #DigiInventor Challenge, in which Primary School pupils are now invited to participate! II Form boys took this in their stride, creating a range of exciting proposals to the brief: to research common health and care challenges and come up with ideas that could be transformed into a digital health and care solution. We had a range of creative solutions, including 3D-printed prosthetic limbs that are stronger and cheaper than the average prosthetic limb (Euan, Raife, Issa and Logan), and a bracelet that has a scanner that can scan

the food that you ate in one day (Bosco and Paul). We were delighted to find out that team ‘Smile’, comprising Alan, Stepan and William, was announced as a Runner Up in the P7 category and invited to attend the Awards Ceremony at the City of Glasgow College, presenting its proposal to business professionals, parents and fellow participants. As described by the team, ‘Smile’ is a product that consists of one phone-sized camera and one smaller camera on a small stick. The bigger camera captures your front teeth and processes it while you take photos of your side teeth. The future is safe in the hands of these innovative minds!

London Design Ventura Trip, February 2023

To supplement our work in the annual Design Ventura Competition, this year we organised a threeday trip to London. which included a visit to the Design Museum. A landmark in itself as a building, the Design Museum in Kensington exhibits product, industrial, graphic, fashion, and architectural design. In addition to visiting two other exhibitions there, we took part in two design workshops, run by design professionals: one highlighted the role that design plays in addressing the issue of waste; and in the second we were able to explore the weird and wonderful world of unconventional design, looking at objects that use a playful or experimental approach. This workshop also touched on product analysis, user-centred design and solving design briefs - skills that are better delivered in context in preparation for GCSE studies.

In addition to this museum visit, we navigated our way around the London Underground with stops at Harrods, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, as well as a variety of delicious restaurants and food stops! A river trip on the Thames and a chance to go on the London Eye were the highlights for many, making this a great trip.

‘Engineering, naturally’, in association with the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship programme

Merchiston has a twenty-year history with the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship programme. Since 2002, twentyseven boys have been awarded the prestigious two-year scholarship. In addition, we see Merchiston’s bi-annual sponsorship of a home-schooled or state-sector candidate. Routinely, successful candidates have gone on to university, apprenticeships and careers across the diverse field of engineering disciplines.

Our three current scholars, Kit N, Rohan R and Richard Z, together with a prospective scholar, Adam H, successfully led one team each to find “a biomimicry-inspired, smart solution to human needs, for example, cooking, shelter and hygiene during nature-based learning”. This challenging brief required investigative skills, critical thinking, 3D modelling and report writing. Former scholars contacted through the Merchistonian Club volunteered to join each

team in an advisory and mentoring capacity. The boys were hugely appreciative to have the help of Colm MacDonald, who visited the Department one weekend, and Tomas Palacios, who responded via Zoom calls, as well as numerous emails between boys and participating alumni. Judging took place in late April and we are thankful to Joanna Cherry MP and Steve Pearson, CEO Sm@rt Technologies for their time and input.

Congratulations go to the joint winners: Team M (Kit N, George A and Eithan L) and Team T (Rohan R, Thomas S, Yugi C and Ghani R). Special mention also goes to Max A for his contribution, which showed true leadership potential. For 2024, plans are under way to extend this collaborative interaction to include alumni engineers who previously attended St George’s School and Kilgraston and existing students at these schools.

& Engineering Department

Clare Nugent & Florence Chapman, Design, Technology

LEADING THE WAY IN STEM EDUCATION FOR BOYS: MERCHISTON WINS THE STEM NATION AWARD

WHAT DO YOU THINK GAVE MERCHISTON THE EDGE WHEN IT CAME TO WINNING THIS AWARD?

Merchiston is delighted to have been awarded the prestigious STEM Nation Award by Education Scotland, in recognition of our commitment to effective practice in STEM education. The first independent school to win the accolade, the award is an incredible achievement for Merchiston and specifically our Design, Technology and Engineering Department.

Comprising five key elements (Leadership in STEM, STEM family and community learning, Employability and STEM partnerships, STEM curriculum and learner progression, and Equity and equality in STEM), the STEM Nation Award celebrates Merchiston’s Whole School approach to STEM development and improvement planning.

Florence Chapman (FC), Merchiston’s STEM co-ordinator, and Dr Clare Nugent (CN), Head of Design, Technology and Engineering, talk below about winning the award and how Merchiston is leading the way in STEM education.

HOW DOES MERCHISTON INTEGRATE STEM EDUCATION INTO THE CURRICULUM?

FC: STEM education has been integrated into both the teaching and learning curriculum, as well as our cocurricular activities, through careers cafes, clubs, pupil leadership opportunities, Saturday Elective programme, School assemblies and end-of-year Prizegiving. MerchiSTEM (as we refer to it here at Merchiston) has been embraced by pupils and staff alike: involvement in STEM events, competitions and accredited STEM programmes continue to go from strength to strength, with pupil involvement increasing each year.

FC: Merchiston has a co-curricular STEM offering unlike any other school. Over the course of the year, pupils engage with a variety of national and international competitions. These give pupils the opportunity to work collaboratively with their peers, whilst also strengthening their knowledge of the STEM subjects and developing the 21st Century Skills we now know to be key for future success, namely critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. MerchiSTEM also offers a variety of opportunities for parents to be involved in the STEM learning experience, such as the MerchiSTEM Exhibition and Christmas Craft Evenings. Merchiston believes that engagement with our parent body and local community will strengthen the role STEM plays in our School.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS TO GROW MerchiSTEM?

CN: MerchiSTEM is at its most exciting juncture, with the STEM Nation Action Plan now under way. We see staff, students, parents, business partners, alumni and other members of the Merchiston community working to further improve participation, leadership, employability, equity and equality in STEM learner pathways. Provision is incorporated into the School Improvement Plan 2024-26 and the future is bright. It's not just the staff who have high praise for MerchiSTEM, students are equally happy with Merchiston’s STEM education. Kit N, an Arkwright Engineering Scholar and MerchiSTEM Prefect, comments: “engaging in STEM at Merchiston has enhanced my creativity and critical thinking. My post-18 aspirations are for a design and engineeringrelated degree and career." Likewise, Richard Z states: “STEM at Merchiston has allowed me to explore different skills and ideas and make lots of new friends!”

As the very first and only independent school in Scotland to have won the STEM Nation Award, Merchiston is honoured to be seen as leading the way in STEM education for boys.

MerchiSTEAM DAY (PRIMARY SCHOOLS)

Pre-pandemic, Merchiston had a long history of inviting local primary school as well as prep school children each Autumn Term to our Primary and Prep Schools Science and Technology Days. This year, the programme and format enjoyed a revamp and MerchiSTEAM Day was born! The theme was Space and our STEAM Departments got involved in providing a host of fun activities!

The Science Departments worked in their respective disciplines, with Chemistry providing a mix of activities: initially, a teacher demonstration based on the theme of extreme temperatures, starting with dry ice and moving on to classic ‘whizz-bang’ chemistry, screaming jelly-babies and cannon-fire demos, and culminating in the launch of our very own hydrogen rocket. The visiting pupils then had an opportunity to participate in hands-on Chemistry, under the supervision of our UVI pupils – pupils could work on

gas testing, growing crystal gardens, creating a secret message in invisible ink and testing the pH of household substances. In Physics, we used the success of the new James Webb Space Telescope to investigate lights and cameras. We experimented with mixing different colours of light and investigated how the colour of light affects the colour of objects we see. The students then experimented with building a pinhole camera, finally placing a lens on their camera to take home. Biology had the departmental animals out, and the pupils had a great time with them. Meanwhile, in Art, measuring was key when creating a onepoint perspective spray painted piece of art: the pupils created a space scene with a rocket as the main feature piece. In Design, Technology and Engineering, the pupils designed their own paper rockets and were afforded the chance to race them. Great fun was had by all!

THE SPAWFORTH LIBRARY, 2022-23

This academic year has been another busy one in the Spawforth Library, with author visits, bookish events, competitions, puzzles and lots of reading.

The Autumn Term saw the boys return to School with lots of enthusiasm for reading and books. Book Groups have been particularly popular this year - especially the lively Graphic Novel and Manga groups for Middle and Junior years. These groups bring together boys from different year groups, all with a common interest in sharing thoughts and recommendations in this great literature. Our Book Groups for individual year groups have been equally enthusiastic about their reading this year, and together we have explored fantasy realms, Arthurian legends, literary fiction and much more, over tea and themed cakes. Alan, who is a member of Junior Book Group, was happy to share his thoughts;

“I’m a member of Book Group, at which we meet up often to discuss the book we have chosen to read. This is a great opportunity for keen readers to explore different types of books and share our views. Cakes and juice are always included!”

Quizzes and competitions have brought additional visits to the Library from all age groups and, in collaboration with the Modern Foreign Languages Department, our International Week book cover quiz was particularly popular this year. Similarly, Christmas saw the return of the naughty elves hiding in the Library stacks: prizes were won as they were hunted down. The welcome return of ‘Blind Date with a Book’ in February saw many boys read books they would never have chosen had they seen the cover first, and new favourites were discovered! Treats were well earned for the

best reviews. World Book Day is always a great time to celebrate books and reading with puzzles and prizes, and this year, members of staff were also happy to share their favourite books with the boys. A Design a Bookmark competition completed the week, and two talented winners were very deserving of their book token prizes.

At Merchiston, we love an author visit and this year have had the immense privilege of welcoming A&E doctor, mental health ambassador to Downing Street and TV personality Dr Alex George to School to speak to our junior boys. In an interview with our own Mrs Binnie, Dr Alex spoke to us about his career and education, and also about our mental health and well-being, and how to deal with set-backs in life. He then led us in some breathing exercises. The boys had some great questions for Dr Alex and there was lots of chat after the event, when he kindly stayed to sign our copies of A Better Day. This event created a huge buzz in School, with many staff members attending the event and delighted to meet Dr Alex too.

Our juniors were treated to another event in the Summer Term, when best-selling and award-winning author, Janis Mackay, came to visit us and our invited guests from St Mark’s RC Primary School. We were transported back in time with a captivating reading from Janis’ first (and very popular) Accidental Time Traveller book and we were delighted to hear all about her inspiration to write this series, the great characters and the great settings too. Janis also led us in a creative writing exercise, giving us prompts for starting a time travel adventure, and the results were fantastic. Some of us shared our story beginnings – it was clear that we have some wonderful budding authors at

Merchiston! Janis was happy to take lots of questions about her career, books and characters, and promised to come back to School very soon for more bookish chat.

In our atmospheric Memorial Hall, in the Autumn Term, our Fourth, Shell and Fifth Forms had the pleasure of welcoming award-winning author and expert story teller, TL Huchu, to School. Tendai Huchu is the author of the incredible Edinburgh Nights series and spoke to us about his career, about using story and myth in narrative, and about how we can be inspired by legends - including Messi! In an informal event, Tendai chatted to us about conspiracy theories, rugby, ghosts, cheese and much more. This event was timed to coincide with the release of his second book in the series, and a long queue of fans was delighted to have first edition copies dedicated and signed after the event. We are all very much looking forward to book three in the series, and we were treated to hints about what this story might entail. Yarema, in the Fifth Form, shared his thoughts on the event:

“Tendai Huchu visited us with what seemed to be the goal of promoting his in-progress Edinburgh Nights series. Whilst attendance was compulsory for my year group, the evening turned out to be more than enjoyable. Huchu tackled the subject of death, the focus of Library of the Dead,

which progressed into talking about conspiracy theories, as well as growing up in Zimbabwe and moving to Scotland. What stayed with me personally, however, was when the following question was thrown into the audience: “Who among you wants to be an artist, writer or musician?” Nobody put their hand up! Before this, he had given genuinely good advice, supported by examples from his life, which I found very inspirational. However, the lack of hands in the air after the question had been posed made me painfully aware of just how few true dreamers are left! People like Tendai Huchu take time out of their schedule to share their experiences and motivate young people to pursue creativity: a selfless act, regardless of honorarium. I got to exchange a few words with Huchu afterwards, who asked me about the origin of my name, signed my book with a reference to it and called me “hardcore” upon finding out I am familiar with the writings of Dostoyevsky, which is a memory I cherish. I sincerely hope that everyone attending that evening remembers at least one thing from Huchu’s peroration and would like to thank him for setting a precedent for future attendance at similar seminars, even when optional, with such a high-quality speech.”

The Autumn Term also saw us reflect upon our right to read during Banned Books Week. Many young people

around the world are experiencing the censorship of literature in unprecedented levels; voices are silenced and histories erased. We took the opportunity to celebrate our freedom to read, learn and express ideas.

Celebration has certainly been the theme of the year, and, in the Library, we are big fans of royalty-related reads. The Coronation saw the Library decked out in bunting, street-party style, and book highlights included some written by the King himself.

With lots still to look forward to as the year is quickly coming to an end, Middle Year volunteers are taking part in the Yoto Carnegie Book Award and the juniors are ‘flying’ around the world in the Summer Reading Challenge and

receiving lots of stamps in their Reading Passports. Our Reading Leadership Team members are also collaborating on lots of projects in our aim to achieve a prestigious Reading School award, and we look forward to working with the School community and beyond as we spread the joy of reading and our love of books and literature.

This busy and successful year would not have been possible without the continuous support of the English Department, colleagues in the IT, Events and Marketing Departments, and our Registrar.

Rachel Gibb, School Librarian

ARTS PROGRAMME 2022-23

Merchiston’s Arts Programme is one of the things that makes us unique. We are a boarding school on the edge of Edinburgh, so we have quick access to the great outdoors and the wide-open nature of the Pentland Hills. However, we also have easy access to the wonderful facilities of a capital city, including some first-rate theatres, concert halls, galleries and performances. Merchiston’s Arts Programme gives our boys the opportunity to sample some of the Arts and Culture that Edinburgh has to offer and, we hope, to light in them a spark of interest that one day they will want to take further.

Of course, the Arts Programme had to go into deep freeze during the pandemic, with all the theatres being shut

for such a long time. It was more than two years between our last trip in March 2020 and our next trip in September 2022. However, this academic year we were back, with a range of performances that reflects Edinburgh’s rich variety.

As a flavour of what the boys sampled, our events ran from classical concerts at the Usher Hall and opera performances at the Festival Theatre, to plays at the Lyceum and musicals at the Playhouse. Our boys heard the Royal Scottish National Orchestra play Beethoven and Brahms with their Music Director Thomas Søndergård, and saw Scottish Opera give their first performances of Puccini’s miniature trilogy Il Trittico At the Lyceum, we watched Macbeth (an undoing), Zinnie Harris’ reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy from the

perspective of the female characters, and You Bury Me, a coming-of-age romance set in Cairo in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. We saw the musical Bugsy Malone and, at the more uproarious end of things, our senior boys went to The Book of Mormon on its Scottish tour. We also watched the Rambert Dance Company giving its own unique take on the Peaky Blinders story.

The Arts Programme is important because it widens the boys’ horizons and gives them the opportunity to attend events that they may otherwise never go near. I always tell them that it will never be easier for them to try something new, like a ballet or an opera, because they can sign up for it with their friends and all the admin is taken care of for them.

I often reflect that the real benefits of the Arts Programme might not be seen in our boys until long after they have left

Merchiston. I hope that, one day in the future, they will walk past a poster advertising an opera or a ballet or a concert, remember their experience of that at Merchiston, and buy a ticket because they enjoyed it once so they might do so again. It’s one of the most important things we offer at Merchiston, and I think it makes us unique as a boarding school: if there’s another school out there with a systematic programme like this, then we have not heard of it. Thank you very much to all the boys who have given it a go, to the staff for coming along and supervising, and to all the parents who pay the cost of the ticket on their end-of-term bill. Without you, none of it would be possible!

Simon Thompson, Faculty Head of History & PPE Director of the Arts Programme

RIGHTS RESPECTING SCHOOL AWARD

After the award of Silver Accreditation, referred to in last year’s magazine, we have continued our Rights Respecting journey, setting our sights on Gold Accreditation. A Rights Respecting group has been formed from this year’s LVI pupils and the group has worked through the list of ideas for Gold Rights Respecting actions as well as contributing their own ideas. The group has also led other pupils on Rights Respecting activities, such as:

• Supporting J4/J5 pupils in Creating a Rights Respecting display in the Pringle Centre;

• Working with other pupils to create UNCRC Article posters;

• Adding Rights Respecting information to House newsletters;

• Creating a Merchiston Year ‘Rights Respecting calendar’;

• Reviewing the terminology used in the Anti-Bullying staged model;

• Working on what a ‘Rights Respecting Classroom’ looks like, with a view to embedding a Rights Respecting ethos;

• Looking at the Pupil Charter - re-visiting the wording as well as connecting to UNCRC Articles;

• Connecting current School groups, such as Sustainability Committee and Students’ Forum, to UNCRC Articles and Rights;

• Linking the work of STEAM to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As a Rights Respecting School, we are teaching about rights, through rights and for rights: the adults in our Merchiston community are the duty bearers and our pupils are the rights holders.

From the UNICEF Rights Respecting website:

“The Rights Respecting Schools Award puts children’s rights at the heart of schools in the UK.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) works with schools in the UK to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive. Our Rights Respecting Schools Award embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens.

Using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as our guide, we are working with more UK schools than almost any other organisation. Over 1.6 million children in the UK go to a Rights Respecting School and nearly 5,000 schools up and down the country are working through the Award. Schools work with us on a journey to become fully Rights Respecting.

The Award recognises a school’s achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into practice within the school and beyond.”

For more information – please visit: www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/ Please watch this space for more information on how you can support the School in this journey.

Will Ogilvie-Jones, Rights Respecting Schools Award Co-ordinator

YOUNG FARMERS

After five exciting years of Young Farmers, our boys are well into the swing of what to expect and have built up strong relationships on the farm. Some of our eldest boys, in the Upper VI Form, have been members of the club since it began and are now confidently instructing the younger participants and other members of the Middle Years on a Wednesday afternoon. Over the winter, as the poorer weather set in and the boys busily spent their afternoons tinkering with machinery in the sheds to keep warm and dry, Dr Nugent treated the boys after their hard work to baked goods and stops en route back to School for pizza. As we moved into the spring, the longer and lighter evenings gave way to longer afternoons on the farm and evenings spent out on the hills with the dogs and livestock.

This year has seen the addition of Highland cows at Carsewell Farm, which has meant that the boys have been hard at work putting up new fencing in the Pentland Hills. Although lamb numbers were lower than expected, there

were several sets of triplets, which meant that there were plenty of opportunities to bottle feed and lots of work to do in the sheds. One of the first orphaned lambs that the boys looked after a few years ago, named Ginger, successfully birthed triplets, which was exciting for everyone. This year has also seen the boys work on the wider Penicuik Estate, helping with land management. The highlight, as always, has been using the quad bikes to zip up to the fields and bouncing along in the back of the pickup trucks. There is also a new sheepdog, Gyp, who is a firm favourite and has been spoilt rotten! Everyone has been keen to have a go at working with her.

Thank you to the Davidson family who continue to host us and to HRN Tractors in Perth, for kindly sponsoring us and providing the clothing for this activity.

Alexandra Torrance, Young Farmers Co-ordinator

MASTERCHEF 2022-23

“Anyone can cook!”. This famous line from my favourite Disney Pixar film, Ratatouille, really sums up the ethos of Masterchef at Merchiston. Given the right environment, encouragement and ingredients, anyone can cook. The vision for Masterchef, however, goes a little further, and the aim is that every boy will discover that anyone can cook AND enjoy it too.

This year, there have been many rewarding moments when it has been clear that the boys have really enjoyed the whole experience of Masterchef. The best evidence of this is when they get to the end of their sessions and they ask to come back and do more! This enjoyment factor, I believe, is the foundation for a lifetime of cooking.

The best measure of the success of any Masterchef session is undoubtedly how good the food tastes. Generally, there will be a real sense of satisfaction in the dining room as the meals are consumed. Occasionally, a meal may not come up to expectations – maybe too much chilli was added or not enough flavourings. This is never seen as a failure, but rather an opportunity to learn and adjust so that the next meal will be more enjoyable.

Each Masterchef graduate is encouraged to “Keep on cooking”, and it is always my hope that they will continue to develop this essential life skill.

Mairi Lucas, Masterchef Co-ordinator

STUDENTS’ FORUM 2022-23

The Students’ Forum has evolved in recent years into the central forum for the School, with other committees feeding in and sharing ideas with it. This has proved more effective and efficient, particularly in the case of the Food Forum, where pupils’ suggestions are co-ordinated by the leaders, who meet with catering staff each term. This has seen real improvements in the variety and quality of the food and the boys would like to thank the staff for this.

From September 2022, Finlay, Torin, Chi and Cole have stepped up to lead the Forum. They, alongside representatives from each of the Houses, were able to canvas the School community and establish what issues pupils wanted addressing. Our meetings this year have had

a renewed focus on food in the dining hall. However, the emphasis has very much switched to reducing food waste. In addition, representatives have been able to raise points relating to the use of laptops in School. Finally, there have been opportunities for discussion regarding the move away from the 8-day timetable.

I would like to thank all of the representatives for their excellent contributions to this important aspect of School life. Once again, it was excellent to see the pupil voice alive and well within the School.

Stuart Buchanan, Students’ Forum Co-ordinator

M E R C H I S T O N

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

S C H O O L

NEWS FROM MERCHISTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 2022-23

Merchiston International School (MIS) in Longhua, Shenzhen, was the first overseas campus of Merchiston Castle School and is the first and only international school in Shenzhen providing a British education and boarding system. The campus first opened in August 2018, providing the best education to boys and girls aged 4-18 (Early Years to Year 13).

At MIS we are proud to be: "Founded in Scotland, Established in China, Ready for the World".

UNIVERSITY GUIDANCE COUNSELLING

The MIS University Guidance Counselling team has been hard at work this year supporting students with their university applications. Whilst a majority of students have set their focus on studying at tertiary level in the UK, an increasing number of students are eager to study in other countries, including the US, Australia and Hong Kong.

ARTS

COUNCIL OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS MEMBERSHIP

During the 2022-23 academic year, we were delighted to receive membership status with the Council of International Schools (CIS). This esteemed organisation sets the highest standards in International Education for continually improving the outcomes of student learning.

Our Performing and Creative Arts Department members have worked tirelessly throughout the year to support our students in participating in a host of events, including the Festival of Carols, choir and musical ensemble performances, a Seniors’ production of Phantom of the Opera, hosting the Shenzhen Schools International Musician of the Year event and a vast array of art, textiles and photography competitions.

CHALLENGE WEEKS

Finally, after a long wait, our Junior and KS3 students were once again able to travel outside of the school campus to engage in a variety of activities during the annual Challenge Week trips. In addition to giving students the opportunity to participate in activities like rock climbing, caving, river walking and kayaking, this also provided a perfect chance for our students to display the MIS values and represent our school in the wider community.

SPORT AND THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS LEAGUE (ISL)

Sport and exercise play a huge part in our daily lives at MIS and the Cross-Country Run, Sports Day and Swimming Gala are amongst the most anticipated events of the year. We are also highly invested in our Junior and Senior students participating in the Shenzhen area International Sports League. Fixtures are arranged throughout the year for football, basketball, volleyball, badminton and swimming. Who knows - maybe next year we will add rugby to the list?!

OUTREACH – FUNDRAISING

At MIS, students, staff and parents alike share a passion for supporting those less fortunate than ourselves in the local community. Through our Student Council bodies and in collaboration with our parent association (MISPA), the MIS Outreach programme has organized a variety of events to raise money for local charities.

INTERNATIONAL DAYS

Whilst teaching and learning are always fun and engaging at MIS, we also take great joy in celebrating international days of significance. This year, great fun was had during World Book Day, Halloween and Pi Day.

CLANS AT MIS

The four Clans of MIS are Balmoral, Edinburgh, Lomond and Nevis, and these form the foundation on which all student activities and engagement are built. Regularly, throughout the year, specific time is allocated for Clan activities to help students develop team spirit and collaboration…not to mention the Clan Cup, awarded to the Clan with the most Clan points in June.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (CCA)

Once our students have completed a fun-packed day at MIS, they then get the fantastic opportunity to join a wide array of CCAs that help develop their skills and talents, as well as providing opportunities to explore new avenues of interest.

BOARDING

Boarding at MIS offers the opportunity for our students to foster strong connections with their teachers, who regard their position not as a job, but more of a vocation. Our Tutors and Houseparents become important role models in the lives of each of their students. Boarding at MIS offers a wealth of opportunities to encourage the all-round development of both the individual and the community.

MIS SHEKOU CAMPUS

In late August 2022, Merchiston Juniors Shekou (Years 2-5) opened its doors for the very first time; the newest member of the Merchiston family of schools. As the year has progressed, MIS Shekou has gone from strength to strength and will be formally opening its Merchiston Pre-School and Early Years class in August 2023.

A few words about our location: Shekou is located in Shenzhen and is not far from Hong Kong - one can be there within forty minutes via the prestigious Shekou ferry! Traditionally, Shekou was a historic fishing village, and under the auspices of Deng XiaoPing, the Shenzhen Industrial Zone was established there in January 1979. Like our mother school in Edinburgh, the sea is never far away and Shekou is a popular destination for travel, trade, commerce and, of course, education.

Our inaugural days after opening were spent in lockdown, due to the Covid19 pandemic. However, a week of online learning did not stop both staff and students from welcoming each other!

MIS Shekou School comprises five floors: floor 1 houses our Merchiston History Room, the Auditorium for assemblies and recitals, as well as the Carousel of Languages academy, where students of all ages can learn up to six languages after school and at the weekends. This will become our Pre-School in due course but will retain its strong emphasis on learning several foreign languages from an early age. Floors 2-4 are where our extensive learning and teaching takes place, and our outdoor facilities are located on floor 3. Floor 5, with its beautiful tartan carpet, is a useful meeting room for lectures and presentations.

MIS Longhua has collaborated strongly with us and the Shekou curriculum shares many relational strands. Chinese, Maths and English are taught daily. Specialist Music, Sport and Spanish lessons are heavily featured, and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is taught in each year group. From learning about chocolate to Ancient Egypt, a diverse range of topics is introduced each term and many projects are enthusiastically completed.

A great strength of our Scottish mother school and, indeed, our Longhua campus, is the diverse range of co-curricular activities on offer. In the competitive international school market of Shekou, we at MIS took the unusual step of offering two hours of co-curricular activities on certain days. Ranging from international chess to calligraphy, music ensemble, design and make, drama, curling, golf and martial arts - one could easily be at Pringle in Edinburgh! Like the other members of our Merchiston family, we are keen to develop the whole child, providing as many opportunities as possible for each student to discover their own talents and develop their interests.

As an emerging school, Saturdays usually witness an array of admissions and marketing events. These have included curriculum mornings, ‘Come and Learn’ sessions, drama and sporting activities, as well as special festival events like Halloween, Christmas and Chinese New Year. It is true to say that the MIS staff are ‘always ready’ and have fully immersed themselves in the MIS motto.

The MIS values that underpin the Merchiston education are key cornerstones of our school community. Moreover, every effort is made to ensure that these important words become a part of the everyday vocabulary and character of our students and staff.

Our Friday morning assemblies are a moment when our school family comes together to celebrate and recognise the achievements of all of our students. Termly trophies made from gold (the students actually think they are real

gold!) are presented. The trophies are awarded for demonstrating all ten MIS values, for academic work in a range of subjects, for excellence in both the expressive arts and co-curricular activities, for polite manners and for smart dress. These trophies are not easily obtainable, but the students are as competitive as ever! Their width and depth reflect that we at MIS believe that each child has the potential to attain and achieve excellence in many areas.

MIS Shekou is proud of its Merchiston heritage and reputation for high quality teaching and learning. Opening during the travel restrictions imposed by Covid19, it has done well to appoint some excellent, experienced international teachers and more outstanding staff are joining in August 2023. The staff and students have created a unique MIS family school in which each student is

valued and encouraged in all that they do. The magic of the Merchiston education ensures that staff, students and parents are ‘Ready Ay Ready.’

We thank the leadership teams of MIS Longhua and MCS Edinburgh for their support throughout our first year of operation. Such partnerships are intrinsic to the further success of MIS Shekou.

SPORT

SPORTSMAN’S DINNER

We open our Sporting Review of 2022-23 with the speech given by Mr Craig Harrison at the annual Sportsman’s Dinner, held on Friday 23 June:

“If we look out of the window and see Chalmers West and East, I think we can all agree that the building looks similar to last year. Sorry, Headmaster and Mr Rowlands, but what has been going on?

Yet, come August 2023, these buildings will be very different. Superficially, they look the same, but the unseen work taking place in these boarding houses will vastly improve the boarders’ experience at Merchiston.

Removing the asbestos has been a monumental task but yet we see no difference when we look out of this window. Re-wiring the electrics and upgrading the plumbing also took great effort, yet when we look out of this window, again we see no difference. Checking the foundations, fixing the roof - the list goes on, but yet we see no difference when we look out this window. However, if the work had not been carried out and we had just painted over the cracks, then we would have been obliged to fix ongoing issues further down the line or even close the boarding houses again for more major work.

Now, you’re probably wondering why Mr Harrison is talking about buildings and not sport, but actually there are parallels to be drawn here. These boarding houses are like the teams we play in at School. We need to work on our foundations. We need to work on the unseen effort that allows teams and players to succeed.

Most people think that the foundations of sport are established by developing the core skills at a young age. Indeed, hopefully, with the 10,000 hours we dedicate to our sport, we CAN produce excellence. BUT building strong foundations in sport is not just about developing skills, tactics and physiques. It is the unseen work on yourself which is the vital cog for success in the sports you play.

The successes we have had in the Senior School this year are built on the foundations we set in Pringle: our wins in the U18 Rugby Cup, U18 Cricket, U18 Tennis, 4x100 relay team, and beating Stewart’s Melville at Hockey in the Scottish Cup… I could carry on. So, what are the key foundations that will make your teams successful?

Are you shaking hands at the end of matches and making eye contact?

Are you supporting team mates who are struggling within the game?

Are you being inclusive within your year group, both out on the sports fields and in the boarding houses?

Are you helping the coaches by being on time and wearing the correct kit?

Are you creating an environment where it’s okay to make mistakes?

Are you doing your own analysis after each game?

These are just some of the questions you should be asking yourselves. Reflect too on whether you do these automatically, even when the coach isn’t there.

For me, it’s about creating young men who have the following:

• Respect for others

• Love of learning

• Being a world-class team mate

When it comes to the pressure of Cup matches, other teams and players may look at you and see no changes at a first glance year on year. They may not see the team morale we have built, the positive sporting culture, and the group cohesion we have instilled. But if these foundations are ingrained within, you will then support each other when the going gets tough and success will come. And this will be very evident to those watching: the foundations will help beyond the sports fields, after your graduation from Merchiston, as a university student, and as an employee, and will remain at your core throughout your life. Winning teams come from the bonds you create with each other and with your coaches, the ups and downs you share with each other, and the positive experiences you have in all the sports you do. It is the unseen work which builds strong foundations.

As a School, we are very lucky to have produced role

models who prioritised the unseen work as they progressed through School. Here this evening, we have two Merchistonians who fall into that category. Cammy Adam is a product of our Junior School, who, from a young age, learnt to be respectful, supportive and to have the manners which make parents and grandparents proud. This ultimately helped him to achieve his golfing success and it is a pleasure to watch him thrive. Scott Steele was only here for one year but he fitted into our environment with ease. He had worldclass team mates around him, which meant that his transition from Dumfries to Colinton was seamless and helped him to progress into an exceptional international rugby player. As sports fans, we love the stories of elite athletes who can excel in sport. However, we recognise that whilst only a handful of boys will fall into that category each year, it’s equally important for us as a School to nurture 'young men of integrity'. I believe that sport plays a vital role in achieving this goal.

So, I ask you all to dig deep, work hard and dedicate time to becoming the best possible version of yourself. Establish strong foundations, don’t paint over the cracks and success in sport and life will follow.”

“Ready, ay ready”.

1XV RUGBY

It started in the mountains…

‘Seeing the older boys achieving success and building on the legacy of the School drives me and the squad to carry that on and do our best. We want to be successful in every game we play in.’ Isaac C

Due to Covid, School terms, rugby seasons, days, months and years seem to have blended into one. The 2021/22 season brought so much: a return to fixtures, another Scottish Cup win, 7s, Rosslyn Park and a joy to be back to ‘normal’. However, at the time of writing, it feels like it just finished yesterday!

After a Summer Term break, we reconvened in August with sixty-four senior players and six members of staff for a pre-season tour to Northern Italy. Heading for the first camp in the beautiful Dolomite mountains was an unforgettable journey, and training at altitude was the perfect start to the season. Why start easy?!

The squad took no time at all to gel, training twice a day, followed by a dip in the mountain fresh lake. Team-building activities and socialising together made established relationships stronger and gave the new boys to the School an immediate sense of belonging. Integrating the new boys into the School is an important step to developing the rugby programme. Wearing the same kit brings a sense of pride in the group and begins to set the foundation of the standards expected. Training in the heat challenged the group and team spirit grew with each session. In the evenings, sessions were focused on being a ‘World Class Team Mate’ and the behaviours expected from individuals to benefit the wider group. The emotion and focus displayed in these moments was an amazing part of the growth of the group and was referred to throughout the season.

‘Joining a new school was nerve-wracking. But it has been a great choice! I was welcomed by everyone and was able quickly to feel part of the School as a result of a very inclusive rugby squad.’ Yeadon D

A walking tour to a nearby village with local guides was a welcome break from training and gave the boys a chance to soak up some of the culture of the Dolomites. Filling water bottles from the fresh spring and seeing the decorated chalets in the sparkling sunshine was a calming, restorative way to spend time before a return to the training paddock.

Next stop, Caribe Bay Water Park! The journey between the mountains and the seaside was broken up with a day of fun. Signing a waiver for a water slide was a unique experience… but loved by all! The boys and staff enjoyed ‘switching off’ and had a great time. Then it was onwards to the Bella Italia Village, home to many elite level sporting camps. Being back down at sea level after a psychological break and preparing for the game against local club side Trieste, sharpened the focus for training. The urgency to gel, understand the shape of the team and put together the game plan lifted the intensity and the players started to take on more responsibility, a sign of trust amongst the group. A day trip to Venice had been eagerly anticipated: on the way, the V Form boys received their GCSE results and it was a positive atmosphere as we boarded the boat to take us to one of the most famous cities in the world.

It was hot! A walking tour of the city and then some free time gave the tour party an enjoyable day to make lasting memories.

Match preparations took over and it was a great feeling to pull into the club at Trieste to a very warm Italian welcome. The boys prepared well and were excited to kick off.

The 2s squad performed well, with many stand-out performances. Enjoying the hard ground and good weather meant the home team struggled to live with the MCS pace and skill level. Although the sky darkened and a storm threatened, it was the players on the pitch that brought the thunder! They were relentless and keen to put a marker down that the work covered was worth it.

The 1st team gave great support and were desperate for their chance. After a short break, they quickly picked up where their mates had stopped and played rugby at high tempo, with effective decision-making that thrilled the home crowd and the many travelling supporters who had joined us.

The score long forgotten, it was time to sing songs and enjoy the hospitality of our amazing hosts. Food, song and friendship marked the end to a day that will last long in the memory banks. Seeing the players swap kit, take pictures and exchange contacts was a pleasure to witness - rugby bringing people together.

Tour over, relationships strengthened and a clear playing style to build on, the excitement for the season kick off was huge. Bring it on…

‘The Merchiston rugby programme has immensely improved my rugby skills and knowledge and given me confidence and friends for life.’ William T

Base Camp…

Although Loretto play in a different Conference, a strong performance was needed to overcome the team that went on to the quarter final of the Scottish Schools Cup, only to lose out with the home team rule after drawing with Edinburgh Academy.

A week of no games after the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth meant more time to prepare to play Stewart’s Melville at home. Last season, losing, with a chance to win it in the last moments of the game, was still a painful memory. This year, winning 31-28, was a sign that this group was willing to dig deep. There was a lot to work on and the mid-week visit of Fettes College brought a big win with some outstanding attacking play.

Back to earth with a bump against Edinburgh Academy at home was a painful lesson in playing until the final whistle. Leading after half-time and playing some creative attacking rugby was not enough to curb the swing in momentum towards our oldest rivals and their dogged determination to keep going paid off. There was time to make improvements and the October Festival was a welcome challenge for the squad to focus on.

Reaching the final and playing a strong, well-coached Ipswich School was a great way to build confidence and resilience. These qualities would be needed as there were more challenges to come. Seeing the playing fields filled with schools from north and south of the Border was magnificent, with the spirit of the game in full flow and the standard of rugby on a very high level.

The rearranged game v Dollar brought a big victory before attentions turned to the away fixture v Watson’s. The game was fiercely contested and our opponents presented a unique game plan we had not seen before, kicking well for field position and applying pressure with a wellorganised kick chase. Although the score line was close, there were a lot of tactical improvements to make for the future, with Watson’s rightfully claiming the Conference title.

Doubling of efforts to ensure the lessons were learned, the intensity on Coach Logic to analyse the performance and look for gains in vital areas was the priority for players and coaches alike. A trip to Strathallan brought much of the learning to the fore and a 33-12 win was the result. Finishing third in the Conference brought a Cup quarter final against Watson’s, again at Myreside, as the reward.

Four days after the Strathallan match, the 1XV travelled along Colinton Road and turned in, arguably, the

performance of the season. 31-11 only tells part of the story. The relentless defence and team work, tackling to protect the goal line and then the desire to attack and support each other were spectacular. Many players appeared to grow before our eyes. Lessons were learnt and the appetite for more was heaving.

Back to Strathallan for the semi-final and the players were keen to maintain the momentum that had been building. Momentum was important and, although for 55 minutes we looked comfortable and able to score, Strathallan showed great determination with two scores to put on late pressure. The Merchiston resolve was tested to the maximum and the final whistle came as a relief and a signal of a chance to play at Murrayfield.

The Cup means a lot to Merchiston. The buzz around School was a joy to witness and the encouragement from the players’ mates lifted the spirits of the 1XV squad. The selection of the twenty-two players was challenging as many players had represented the team over the course of the term.

The players who were not selected showed the attributes of the ‘World Class Team Mate’ we had discussed in Italy - they helped to prepare the squad and stayed positive. The challenge at training was intense and the squad was confident in its preparations and analysis.

‘Rugby has been an integral part of my Merchiston journey and it has allowed me to thrive on and off the field. My UVI year has been really special and a fitting end to my rugby at School.’

Callum B

The journey to the top…

The preparations are different on a Cup Final day. The squad met and got organised whilst having lunch together. The bus journey was short, but with a calm, determined atmosphere. It was a real bonus and motivation to find we had been allocated to the Scotland home changing room! The players, staff and ball boys were very excited and enjoyed exploring the International luxury!

The warm-up was focused and, by that stage of the season, was led by the players. It was a joy to see so many supporters excited by the occasion and to have to whole Merchiston community there as part of it. Just before kickoff in the changing room is a unique experience, away from the outside world, no cameras, no distractions and filled to the ceiling with anticipation. Standing in the tunnel with the crowd noise building to fever pitch and the lights on at BT Murrayfield is over in flash, although at the time seems to take an age!

Out onto the pitch, a ferocious start saw Edinburgh Academy rocked with 19 unanswered points. The intensity

of the defence gave EA very little time or space to get into an attacking rhythm: this was a huge improvement from the game earlier in the season, when EA was allowed to build momentum by getting over the gain line. Tries by Callum B, Ben R and Lorne W looked to open the floodgates, but there was to be no further try scoring. CoCaptain Isaac C converted two of the tries and was awarded Player of the Match. Tom C, Co-Captain, put in a defensive display that showed dogged determination and a desire to give everything to the team.

The second half resembled a heavy weight boxing match in the twelfth round, both teams being knocked over, continuing getting up and going again. To see and hear the energy of the crowd was a huge lift for the players and motivated them to get to the final whistle and enjoy the celebration, the aches and pains disappearing momentarily.

The time spent on the pitch and stands with the extended community before retiring to the changing room was filled with memorable moments and seeing the elation this result brought to so many was a great reward for the hard work and effort that gone into it. Songs filled the Scotland changing room and the boys savoured the time together.

Reaching the summit…

Winning a Scottish Cup is the climax to many moments,

some far away from the view of the crowd: gym sessions and analysis; extra skills and Sunday morning goal kicking; sweeping the sheds and supporting your team mates; taking feedback and working to be better; training and playing; looking after each other and celebrating the success of friends - all whilst studying, learning, completing duties, future planning and finding time for teenager things. Other schools do it too, but we have the ‘Merchiston Way’.

Finding another Peak…

The Lent Term brought more action and the chance to play as a LVI group, to support the development for next season, and an UVI group, as a way to celebrate the end of the Merchiston journey. The LVI squad worked on leadership and taking responsibility, whilst the UVI group played with freedom and enthusiasm, making the most of these chances to play together. The atmosphere at training was supportive and Saturdays were eagerly anticipated before the 7s season kicked in.

‘I’ve played rugby at School for six seasons and it has given me a great understanding of team work. I know my team mates well - we live together and this made playing together enjoyable. This is a massive factor in our success.’

Bruce Aitchison, 1XV Coach

C

RUGBY SEVENS ROUND-UP

Merchiston Rugby Sevens Tournament

This season, we have joined eleven other schools in the new National Sevens Competition, competing over three consecutive weekends at different venues. This means we are no longer running our own Sevens Festival. Although this is unfortunate, our boys have loved the new structure as it gives them the opportunity to play against different schools and to build momentum by playing back-to-back tournaments, which is a tough challenge.

George Watson’s College “Caritas” 7s

Our first tie was against an impressive High School of Glasgow. They scored two quick tries to go 14-0 up, which certainly gave us a much-needed wake-up call. We just managed to sneak one try back before half-time (to match later in the article), to make it 14-5 at the break. Teo T then entered the field and brought much composure and creativity to our play and scored our second try to make it 14-10. With time up and behind our own goal line, Yeadon D worked his magic and found space to put Ben R away the length of the field. We scraped through 14-15. We did not perform well in this tie; however, we found a way to win.

Our next opponents were The High School of Dundee: we emerged comfortable 24-7 winners, with Teo T again showing his class with two quick tries, which ultimately killed off the game. We then faced Stewart's Melville College in the semi-final and were quickly under pressure with William T in the bin for a high tackle: we luckily limped into half-time only 12-5 down. We managed to regroup

quickly when back up to a full complement, to score three unanswered tries through Teo T, Ben R and Lorne W, which took the game out of sight, finishing 24-12.

On to the final, in which we would face our familiar opponents, Edinburgh Academy. We started well for the first time all day, with Oliver P catching the kick-off and showing outstanding footwork and pace to score from long range. This set the tone for the rest of the match, as we really stepped up our intensity in defence, pushing really high and applying pressure to force errors with our dogged and physical attitude. It was pleasing to see when the squad settled into our sevens shape in attack, which created some beautifully well-worked tries through Myles M, Teo T, Yeadon D and Oliver P scoring a hat-trick, making the final score 34-7. As a squad, we were absolutely delighted to win this tournament and keep driving our standards, as we all knew there was plenty to improve and more in the tank. Mr Aitchison and I were extremely happy with the way in which our boys’ attitude and desire went up a few levels in the final, which again displays their desire to play for each other and the School.

Heriot’s 7s

Goldenacre was in good condition after a night of heavy showers. With the squad for Rosslyn Park 7s in London not available for selection, it gave a great opportunity for others to step up and display the strength of depth within our senior programme. The first round group stage consisted of The Glasgow Academy and High School of Dundee.

The first tie was won 19-7 against a strong Glasgow Academy. The squad showed the ability to apply pressure with a high defensive line targeting winning the contact area. Some great turnovers were made and defensive efforts forced mistakes which were capitalised on, with Thomas S displaying his power with a try and Krish showing his finishing ability with two tries. Todd B and Jamie M made dominant impacts that set the tone for the day.

The momentum carried on building into the second tie with The High School of Dundee. The team showed great work rate in covering the field and supporting each other. Finlay M scored two tries with his electric pace and Todd B powered over to take the game out of sight.

Moving on to the semi-final, the team met old rivals, Stewart's Melville College. The boys started very strongly, again applying real pressure which forced a turnover. The ball was spread quickly wide and Finlay M created his own try, beating defenders in little space with great footwork and power, before rounding the final defender with speed. The game was very tight and the opposition capitalised from lineouts, scoring two quick tries. The defensive effort from the team was exceptional and the team had the upper hand in the contact area. Both teams were exhausted from the effort and final opportunities to score just did not stick. Sevens is a very cruel game and if you do not take your opportunities, you often get punished.

Rosslyn Park 7s

We travelled south to London, excited and full of confidence after our recent win at George Watson’s College and the progress made in training. Our first match was against Eton, who we knew would be strong due to their impressive 15s season. We were quickly out of the blocks and laid down the physicality marker, winning the collisions and applying real pressure on both sides of the ball. William T was in the thick of everything and was a real thorn in their side with his intelligent interceptions and effective pressure at the breakdown. Myles M blew them away with his pace and power, scoring with an impressive hat-trick of tries.

Our second match was against Hereford, for which we made seven changes, which displayed the depth across our squad. Cole M again showed his searing pace with two excellent tries. Thomas S provided the power and it was rewarding to see Ramsey B show his impressive skills set to unlock the defence and score his own solo try. Callum B also showed us his class with a beautifully weighted grubber and gather to score the winner. We emerged 2422 winners in a very tightly contested match.

Next up was a very strong Mill Hill and Belmont Schools, which had recorded another impressive season. This was a top-level game of sevens, with both teams keeping the ball

well and scoring very well worked tries. With the last play of the game, we displayed excellent scramble defence and forced a knock on when it looked the match winning try would be scored. We had one chance: we attacked from a scrum on our own line and managed to create space on the edge, which allowed Myles M to pin his ears back and score from our own line. The conversion was made to win the game 14-12. Yet again, we dug incredibly deep, stayed in the fight and found a way to win.

We finished top of our group, which meant we moved on to our qualifying tie against Blundell’s School to make it into the competition on Day Two. We lost this game 24-12 and did not really fire a shot, apart from Ben R and William T scoring our tries. To give Blundell’s credit, they had clearly done their homework on us and deserved their victory. Right from the kick-off they tore into us defensively and put us under real pressure - we did not control the ball well enough and played right into their hands. They won the physicality battle which meant the gain-line was lost and ultimately we lost control of the game. There is no hiding place in sevens and sometimes you just have to ‘take your medicine’ and learn from it. We were out but had no complaints – Blundell’s played well and fully deserved to qualify.

Rugby School Bicentenary 7s Festival

It was an honour and privilege to be invited to play in the Rugby School Bicentenary World Sevens Festival. There were twenty teams from all four corners of the globe, competing over two gruelling days which included nine ties of sevens for our boys. The setting, atmosphere and pitches were simply incredible. We were even housed in the William Webb Ellis boarding house, which felt very special for us.

We were under no illusions that this was going to be a very tough challenge: after returning from Rosslyn Park 7s, this was our second long trip south in five days.

We were in a strong group on Day One and knew we

had to be firing on all cylinders to make it into the Cup competition on Day Two (the top two teams qualify for the Cup). We talked about enjoying the experience, expressing ourselves in every game and making our School and Scotland proud.

Our first game was against Whitchurch, from Wales, which has a rich production line of international players, including Sam Warburton. Both teams were very skilful and displayed the ability to keep the ball and score from deep. We just managed to emerge 26-24 winners in a high-quality contest. Myles M, with his new-found confidence, displayed his power and pace to score the winning try from long range.

We then faced Royal Belfast Academical Institution, where we ran out comfortable 28-12 winners, with Olly G and Ben R showing their power and pace to take us out of sight.

In our third game, we faced a strong Clifton College, fresh from the semi-finals of the Rosslyn Park 7s. This was a titanic battle up until the last minute, when they scored from their own line in the last play to win 21-19. This was a valuable lesson in how to defend with patience and not give away silly penalties.

In our final game, we put in an excellent all-round performance to defeat Shawnigan Lake School from Canada 38-12. James R stamped his authority on the tournament with his high work rate and physical nature and Cole M displayed his searing pace and athleticism to score an impressive hat-trick of tries.

Amazingly, we managed to emerge as group winners, due to us scoring a bonus point in every game and our points difference being higher than Clifton College. This certainly instilled our boys with the required confidence to have a real go on Day Two. This was always going to be a tough challenge; however, our boys were very motivated and excited to take on all challenges of the strongest schools from Day One.

Our first game was against a strong Marlborough

College, which had impressed on Day One with its robust and hard-working approach. We started slowly in this game, with Marlborough managing to score the first two tries. With our ability to keep the ball and stretch them, we managed to regain our composure, which allowed us to build tries and win the match 26-24. Hamish M used his impressive rugby intelligence to kick the ball deep into space, which resulted in us applying pressure to score the match winner.

Next up was Michaelhouse from South Africa, who certainly looked like the favourites at this point. We lost this game 29-15 through kicking away too much possession. We managed to create plenty of try scoring opportunities; however, their determined defence and squad depth were just too much for us. They also decided not to attack the breakdown, which was a valuable lesson for us as we overcommitted at times and left them too much space. We lost the game; however, we had done enough to make it into the last eight.

Next up was the quarter final against Nelson College from New Zealand, who looked very impressive with a real mixture of power, skill and well-balanced players. We played a very intelligent game of sevens and applied pinpoint pressure through Hamish M’s outstanding restarts and our relentless collective breakdown work. Chris T scored the game-changing try with his impressive footballing skills: we won 26-14 and marched on to the semi-final to meet the famous Blackrock College from Ireland. A special mention must be made of Henry W (still in V Form), who played a vital part in our victories with his outstanding skills set, pace and mature rugby brain.

We started the game well and led 14-5 at half-time, with Ben R displaying his constant threat of power and pace with two excellent tries. Unfortunately, we made a couple of basic mistakes when receiving kick-offs, which gave them two quick scores. Sevens momentum can change in the blink of an eye and Blackrock took all their opportunities to take the game away from us.

In our final game, we played the legendary Llandovery College from Wales in the third / fourth position play-off

and just ran out of energy. To be fair, Llandovery played lovely sevens and fully deserved to win.

I have been lucky to attend many rugby events in my lifetime. I feel very lucky to have attended this with my best friend, Bruce Aitchison, our incredible squad of boys and a very supportive parent group. I was extremely proud of the boys’ efforts on and off the field. We certainly did our talking out on the field and we certainly made Scotland and Ned Haig proud with our skilful and ambitious ability to play the game of sevens. I was more impressed with the way they carried themselves humbly off the field and how much they embraced the opportunity to meet new friends from all across the world. All boys were outstanding ambassadors for our School and their families. We will all remember this experience for the rest of our lives.

A special mention must be made of our sevens skipper, William T, who has been an inspiration to all our boys. He has been brought up in the ‘land of sevens’ through Kelso RFC, so it is no surprise his rugby sevens intelligence is very high. He always has time on the ball, has the ability to see the next phase before it happens, and possesses an extremely high work-rate, which allows him to excel under real pressure. He has also captained Kelso Harlequins RFC when back home and led them successfully to winning the Kelso 7s for the first time in thirty-one years, Melrose 7s for the first time ever and Jedburgh 7s. This has been a wonderful and memorable season for William.

Roddy Deans, Director of Rugby

2XV RUGBY

The 2XV enjoyed a very successful season this year. Our success can be measured simply by our match results, in which the boys came very close to being unbeaten. It can also be measured against, arguably, more important criteria.

As all three senior squads train together, the 2XV provides a platform for development. It serves as a vital support to the twenty-two players, nine of whom progressed to the 1XV ranks over the season, which took to the field to win the Scottish Schools Cup Final.

It was rewarding to see Callum B start his season with a try-scoring MVP performance to beat Stewart’s Melville in our first 2XV fixture and progress to scoring a try at Murrayfield. Equally impressive was Cole M’s journey from scoring a fantastic try in the season’s first fixture to his performances at the Rugby International 7s Tournament in the 1st squad.

The squad showed some real dominance in skills, tactics and physicality against local rivals Fettes and Edinburgh Academy. Stand-out performances were given by V Former Carl N: scoring twice from prop, he has an exciting future. John W enjoyed success in both attack and defence, with some memorable dominant tackles. Ramsay B found new confidence and his kicking ability started to position the team to launch attacks. Thomas S relished a hat trick performance against Edinburgh Academy, finding new lease in moving this season from wing to back row.

The squad was then challenged in a triangular format

3XV RUGBY

The mighty 3XV started off its season by welcoming Stewart’s Melville College to Colinton on a bright Saturday morning in September. A squad of twenty-five keen players assembled on the pitches, ready to do battle. All were vying for starting positions and a potential move up to the 2XV squad in the weeks ahead. A rousing player-led team talk provided the clarity required to dispatch our city neighbours.

against some 1XV competition. This often evens out any disparity in physical preparedness and challenges the players’ decision-making under pressure. Heriot’s certainly provided this and defence played a big part in a 12-0 victory. This was something that had been progressed in training with the senior squads. Captain Owen F led with his strong work ethic across the field and leadership in set piece. The team was primed for the second game against Peebles and ran out 34-0 winners. I was most impressed by the clean defensive record on this day.

The squad kept this momentum moving forward, beating Dollar 34-0 before beating Strathallan 22-5. Confidence had grown in the systems, in each other and in themselves as individual players by the time we met local rivals, Watson’s, in the last fixture before the Christmas break. Many players had moved on to the 1XV by this point, and a 26-5 win again demonstrated the progress made across all the senior squads as players transitioned between the teams.

Overall, it has been extremely rewarding to see the friendships made and enjoyment shown by the players when expressing themselves on the field. This talented group has successfully added to the legacy in the School’s rugby programme - I wish all the leavers the best as they move on to the next stage in their lives.

Iain Noble, 2XV Coach

Bruce and Campbell excelled in the pack, with Ramsey and Will running the show at the back.

Our players waited until October to resume their season, and this time we welcomed George Heriot’s to our sunny campus – it never rains in Colinton!! Many members of the original squad had tasted some 2XV rugby in the intervening weeks, so there was a point to prove for those who wished

to make a permanent switch to the 2XV. Not even the refereeing of yours truly could interrupt the flow of the Merchiston game, as a comprehensive 45-10 score-line was confirmed by the shriek of the final whistle.

Our November fixture was a trip down the Colinton Road to George Watson’s in what is always a tasty and testing encounter. A “complete” performance from the squad allowed us to comfortably build our lead to eventually finish with a 43-5 victory.

To finish off the term, we welcomed George Watson’s to a return fixture in sunny Colinton in December: both sides treated the assembled crowd to a fantastic feast of try scoring, whilst the defending was dreadful! A 53-21 victory was a great way to end the term and my time coaching the 3XV at Merchiston, as I moved on to pastures new. An

unbeaten half-season tie will surely be in the post?!

Mr Hall took over coaching duties for the Lent Term. A 2112 reversal at Stewart’s Melville was followed by a 32-5 victory over George Watson’s. A first home defeat since 2019, 14-10 against Dollar, rounded off the year in disappointing fashion.

It is always a pleasure to coach the 3XV. There is a perfect balance of playing quality rugby whilst also being a welcoming team for new boys and beginner players. The results help, but there are always great memories made over the course of the season for every member of the squad.

Richard McCorkell, 3XV Coach

MERCHISTON U18 OCTOBER RUGBY FESTIVAL 2022

After the success of last year's event, we made the decision to increase the Festival to include up to sixteen teams, which made for a very exciting field of teams from across the UK. This is now becoming a very popular tournament and destination for schools to come and test themselves in Scotland.

Personally, I feel the format of our tournament gives all teams the opportunity to further develop and test themselves over the weekend: Day One provides a real opportunity to get out of the blocks and make a statement in a strong field of four groups, and Day Two becomes more like-for-like fixtures, especially when you have to back up

from Day One. Our goal is always to grow the game and to give all participating teams the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and test themselves against different opposition. We are very passionate about the game and we feel that bringing the schools and clubs together will only strengthen our partnerships and allow more boys to experience quality rugby which will ultimately allow them to develop further. Next year, we have exciting news: the Scottish Rugby Union will be entering two U18 district teams from Edinburgh/Borders and Glasgow/Caledonian regions. Again, this will allow more players in Scotland the opportunity to play against quality opposition and learn how to compete over a two-day format.

“Thank you so much for giving our players this opportunity. It's by far their favourite weekend in our fixture list and all our boys relish the challenge to play against tougher and different opponents.” (Colin Duck, Ayr RFC Head Coach)

We loved seeing different styles of play and many ferociously competitive games over the weekend. The standard of rugby was very high and it was rewarding to see all boys expressing themselves in a highly competitive environment. A special mention must go to the Merchiston senior squad players, who displayed amazing effort and commitment over the weekend. We selected thirty boys,

which gave everyone an excellent opportunity to step up and put their hand up for selection in our Cup run. All boys contributed to some outstanding rugby, during which we executed many free-flowing tries. Ben R’s try from a first phase strike play in our own half of the field went on to win our Try of the Year Award. Getting to the final was an impressive achievement for this squad of players and we certainly learnt some lessons on how to play fast, skilful and accurate rugby against Ipswich, who were worthy Festival winners.

I feel that the experiences of our Festival have directly contributed to us becoming back-to-back Scottish Schools U18 Champions, as it has allowed us to grow more depth in the squad, experiment with different positional combinations, and develop confidence and leadership skills, whilst playing against some of the top schools in the UK.

We already have our sixteen teams booked in for October 2023, which will make for a very exciting tournament.

Many thanks to everyone who helped to make this Festival a huge success.

Roddy Deans, Director of Rugby

U16A RUGBY

Having enjoyed an undefeated season at U15 with Mr McCann, this year’s U16s began the 2022/23 season with high hopes - so much so, following a short preseason, the group set itself three goals:

1. To develop a team culture;

2. To achieve an undefeated season;

3. To win the Under 16 Scottish Schools’ Cup.

Following a promising performance in a preseason friendly against Loretto School, the U16s went on to lose their opening Conference fixture in a tight encounter against this year’s U16 Scottish Schools’ Cup winners, Stewart’s Melville College. This was the first competitive fixture this group of players had lost in a long time; however, rather than losing confidence, the boys showed their resilience by redoubling their efforts at training and securing three consecutive victories against Fettes College, Edinburgh Academy and George Heriot’s School.

Momentum is key to success in sport and regrettably, following the half-term break, the U16s struggled to find the form they had shown in their dismantling of Heriot’s and were subsequently well beaten by a competitive Dollar Academy side in a rearranged midweek fixture in early November. A matter of days later, the U16s put in what was to be their finest performance of the season in a home fixture in the Conference against local rivals, George Watson’s College. Despite their best efforts on the day, the team lost by a single point. Looking back, the players probably never fully recovered from this agonising defeat, going on to lose their final Conference fixture against Strathallan before falling short in the quarter-finals of the U16 Scottish Schools’ Cup to a spirited Marr RFC side.

After what has been a long and challenging season, I am disappointed to report that this year, we fell considerably short of achieving our goals, finishing the season with a lowly win rate of 25% and a points difference of -108 points, as well as exiting the Schools’ Cup in the quarter-final stages. These statistics make for difficult reading; however, it is important that we take stock of our shortcomings and look to the future rather than dwelling on the past. Ultimately, a winning culture can only be developed through the lessons learned from our defeats, and so I believe what will ultimately define this year’s U16 players is what they go on to achieve by this time next year in the Senior Rugby Programme.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the

players for their efforts this season, especially Captain Henry W and Vice-Captain Ross S, as well as the other members of the Player Leadership Group: Luca M, Theo DM, Lyall R and Robert HP. Losing streaks are extremely difficult to navigate and I would like to thank these boys for their dedication to the ongoing improvement of the group in the face of adversity.

I would also like to pay special thanks to Mr McCann and Mr Hall for their invaluable help and support this season. From my perspective, the coaching team could not have given much more in the preparation of this year's U16s: whilst we are disappointed with this season's outcomes, I know that, as coaches, we will take away important lessons which will help us in future campaigns.

Finally, as most of you will be aware, Mr McCann will be leaving Merchiston at the end of the Lent Term after eleven years’ service to take up a Director of Sports role in the south of England. He is a consummate professional as well as a close friend and his departure will be a huge loss, not only to the rugby programme, but also to the wider Merchiston community. On behalf of myself, Mr Hall and all the players, I would like to wish both him and his family all the very best in the next chapter of their lives.

Ready, ay ready.

Stephen Douglas, U16 Coach

U16B RUGBY

This was not an easy season for the U16B team. A Cup year always means that more players are required for the A team as injuries take their toll, which makes it hard to keep a consistent team together. Probably the best performances came at the start of the season when the team had a number of players who would go on to make it into the A team. Both the Stewart’s Melville and Dollar fixtures were great contests, but despite being in the lead at half-time, the team was unable to secure a win, which would have given the confidence boost that the players needed. As the season

B1 RUGBY

This is the fourth year that I have been fortunate enough to lead and mould this particular group of young men, and this season did not disappoint in any way. U15 rugby is a real step up from what the boys have experienced in previous years, and we knew that with the continued development of physicality and power, our technical ability needed to be better than any other team on the circuit if we were going to be deemed as ‘successful’.

Now, what defines ‘successful’? Do we measure success in terms of the number of wins against losses? Do we measure success by the number of tries that we collectively score? Or do we measure success by overcoming adversity, or that when the going gets tough, the group stands up and gets ‘stuck in’ for each other and the team around the individual? I would sum up the efforts from each and every member of the team as gutsy and dynamic, as in a ‘David and Goliath’ sort of scenario. The events of the season were shaped, I feel, by five important fixtures:

Stewart’s Melville (h):

This is always a tough encounter against a strong, wellorganised, forward-orientated team. It is a difficult encounter to have as the first of the season and one which we knew was going to set the tone for the season ahead. It was a fierce encounter, with end-to-end open play from both teams, and, with the Merchiston group heading into the half-time break just a try down, we were well into the fight. Unfortunately, with their dominating pack carrying momentum brilliantly

progressed, we were often short of having a full XV for some fixtures, but the boys still played with lots of spirit and those new to the game were given the chance to play. The team had to wait until the last game of the season against Melrose to get the win that they deserved for their efforts. Well done to the players for their perseverance over the season and for playing the game with a smile. I look forward to seeing them enjoying their rugby further up the School.

Ben Hall, U16B Coach

in the second half, Stewart’s Melville kicked on from the break and finished the game way ahead of the chasing pack. The score-line, however, did not reflect the game - it was one which we knew would stand us in good stead in our future games.

Fettes College (a):

A similar battle entertained us all against our friends and rivals from Stockbridge. Once again, both teams were there to play some ‘proper rugby’, and for us, it was a chance to redeem ourselves from the previous year’s result. End-toend rugby was the order of play, and with a few minutes to go, a fantastic 50-22 from the ‘boys in blue’ changed the momentum of the game. Tries were scored and we fought back brilliantly to finish a couple of points ahead. This was a great win, and a huge statement of ‘success’ after last year’s result, which was a convincing loss.

Langley U15 National Festival (a):

The Langley trip in October is always highly anticipated from the start of the season. With some extremely tough competition in store, the boys knew that we would be up against it from the off. Some success in the first game against Norwich School set the tone as we embarked on a monumental fixture against a pillar of the game in English rugby: we knew that Wellington College, Berkshire, would be a huge scalp for us to take and the game did not disappoint! Drawing up until the final play of the game, we were awarded a penalty from the opposition's 10m line. The kick was successfully taken, and we came out victorious - a win which the boys will remember for many years to come. Further games against Brighton College (a draw) and Abingdon School (a win) meant that we finished top of the group and were into the Cup draw for Day 2. We put everything into our first game against Hurstpierpoint College, losing narrowly by 3-7, which meant that we played Bedford School in the final game. They were too good for us, and after a tough couple of days, we finished in third place out of sixteen schools. This was a brilliant effort from the whole squad and a trip that the boys will remember for a long time to come!

George Watson’s College (h):

The Watson’s fixture is also a game that is targeted from the start of the season as ‘one to watch’. We knew that, after narrowly losing to the same team in the Conference encounter just a week or so before, the game would be right in the balance from the very start. It did not disappoint: we hit the ground running from the off, creating space, being dynamic at the breakdown and ripping Watson's defence apart from the first whistle. This game provided a real opportunity to show how far this group had come since the start of term, and they piled on the pressure. The finishing score-line was an impressive 35-5 to the ‘boys in blue’, meaning that we finished the first term and on a real high as we entered the Christmas holidays.

Conference 7s Circuit (various):

With the new addition to the rugby programme culminating in three 7s tournaments around Scotland in the final three weeks of the season, we targeted these as a potential real highlight of our calendar. We tend to focus all of our attention on 7s post-Christmas, firstly because it

allows us to get fully conditioned and up to speed with a very different style of playing, and secondly because it allows us all to gain in hand/catch/pass skills running into the tournaments after half-term. Boys playing in different positions is always a benefit to all players, and it was with that that we went into the first tournament at Stewart’s Melville in a really good frame of mind. Although we were missing a few players due to birth date regulations, the boys did not disappoint: coming up against some very strong opposition, notably from St Aloysius’ College, we finished the tournament in a creditable fourth position. Snow, wind and rain caused the cancellation of the High School of Glasgow 7s, which left the George Watson’s tournament to finish our season. Playing some unbelievable rugby from start to finish meant that we faced an impressive Stewart’s Melville in a hard-fought semi-final. On this occasion, the opposition was quite rightly the better side - an impressive force to be reckoned with in our future encounters. However, we did not go down without a fight, and finished the game on our terms and with our heads held high!

All in all, it was once again a real pleasure to coach this group of boys, who are fast approaching ‘young men’ status! They form a talented, tight-knit group, who would do anything for any member of the squad. They were brilliantly led by the leadership group and my thanks go to them for another year of dedication and loyalty to each other. We go again, however, next season, and I look forward to continuing to coach this fantastic group of players as we venture into U16 rugby.

Michael Raikes, B1 Coach

B2 RUGBY

The year was one marked by high levels of enthusiasm and a determination never to give up until the final whistle; despite the mounting score-lines! The squad was ably led by Blair A and George A and proved very resilient. We played nine matches and our best performance was in a 26-50 loss to Watson’s, although our highest tally was 28 points in a loss against Stewart’s Melville in January. Whilst most matches saw the opposition score highly, this did not always reflect the balance of play. Breakaway tries and poor tackling sometimes flattered the opposition’s final score. There were some impressive displays by a large number of players, many of whom were new to rugby. Franz S and Bruno D P were two such boys, who were immense in tackling and, when playing, brought a strong defensive line for the rest of the team to support. Javier C and Pablo M-G

C1 RUGBY

What a season we have had this year with this brilliant group of C1 players. Despite a challenging season that witnessed its fair share of losses, there were some terrific wins and moments of brilliance to be celebrated. I believe that this season will be a memorable one for all the players involved, due to the resilience and maturity demonstrated by all.

We began the season with a relatively small player pool of approximately 31 players for both the C1 and C2 teams. This was further limited by a raft of injuries that were picked up in the early games, which included the loss of fly half Archie S, full-back Angus J and winger Ewan G. Despite these setbacks, several players were able to step up into new positions and cement their places in the team. Specifically, we were grateful to William M for taking on the role of no.10 and Roddy MS that of no.15.

In our first four games, the team competed in hard fought games against some of our main local rivals in the Conference. Despite early losses to Stewart’s Melville and Fettes, the team bounced back in fine fashion to record two comprehensive wins against Edinburgh Academy and George Heriot’s School. Strong performances from our pack players were key in these successes. One area of particular success was in our back row, which enjoyed a commanding season, harassing other teams at the breakdown. The

were our fly-halves and main kicking options: both scored a good number of conversions. Our wingers were brilliant in attack and defence: special mention should go to Tim W, Keith L and Ghani R, who all played their part admirably. The front row was ably led by Max A, Freddie P and Carlo G, with Peter Q, Alexis BA and Adrian W supporting in the scrum and breakdown areas of play. There were, indeed, many excellent performances and the whole squad should be very pleased with how it responded in difficult moments, giving 100% effort at all times. Player of the Year was awarded to Carlo G for his motivational ‘can do’ attitude along with some strong defensive play.

Peter Golden, B2 Coach

players taking on this task were Joel VB, Egan H and Ben H, who became champions at turning over the ball and putting in solid tackles consistently throughout our season. Our season became much more challenging in the latter half of the term, when there were some tough losses, including a gritty loss to Dollar. It was at this point that we discussed in depth as a group the importance of resilience and maintaining a positive attitude, regardless of the score line. As a coach, it was great to see players put this into practice with a “never give up” attitude, which resulted in putting our own scores on the board right into the death of the second half of games.

We targeted the return home fixture against Dollar in January as a game in which we could reverse the previous result and get back to winning. The game was played in horrendous conditions, with strong wind and rain a feature throughout. At half-time, the score was 0-0 and we knew we had a chance to achieve our goal. Sam M was a powerhouse in this game with strong carries and tackles, which allowed us to keep the pressure on Dollar. William M equally distributed the ball well and added to our attacking threat. However, even with this attacking advantage, we quickly found ourselves 5-0 down early in the second half. The break came when a speculative offload found the

hands of Samuel O, who scored a brilliant try in the corner with a difficult conversion to come. Roddy MS was successful in his kick attempt, which helped us to a fantastic 7-5 win!

It was moments like these that defined our players, who never gave up and always gave their best. Players’ Player of the Season, Dylan O, must be commended for his fantastic tenacity, which really helped us to stay competitive in all of our games. His centre partner of William B complemented his team mates’ physicality with excellent tackles against strong opposition. As the season progressed, we also saw some great individual performances emerge in our forwards

C2 RUGBY

Autumn Term

The C2 XV at Merchiston is mainly drawn from the IV Form. Overall, this year we had a smaller IV Form year group than usual, the result being that both C1s, and especially the C2s, were always destined to play with a limited pool of players.

As the C2s were also the “international brigade”, the players involved possessed a wide spectrum of rugby experience. So, together we set about practising the basics of the game, working on our passing and formations.

The team’s maiden game, away to Stewart’s Melville, resulted in a crushing 30 – 0 defeat. However, this game gave an early glimpse into the team’s character, that would develop into the players’ “never say die” attitude and determination to take away useful and positive experience from each and every game. In addition to weathering the gruelling attrition of a run of defeats, the team suffered a number of setbacks due to losing much-needed players to injury. In fact, their captain, Hamish H, suggested that the C2s should be planting trees to offset the paper required for their off-games slips! Nevertheless, the team’s determination, emerging skills and fortuitous availability of reinforcements at home, resulted in a long overdue, well-deserved and hardfought win against George Watson’s in early November.

Autumn Term Results

17 September v Stewart’s Melville (a)

22 September v Fettes (a)

1 October v Heriot’s (h)

8 October v Heriot’s (a)

1 November v Dollar (a)

5 November v Watson’s (h)

12 November v Strathallan (h)

through the work of Lewis F, Ryan M and Sikai C. Lastly, Xander M-B was instrumental in showing his versatility to play in almost every position on the pitch as the season progressed!

Huge congratulations go to all players involved and for making this a season that has witnessed some incredible learning, development and, most importantly, joy in the great sport of rugby. Lastly, thanks go to all our wonderful parents and supporters: your support was crucial in helping us through!

Richard Glover, C1 Coach

Lent Term

A more assured C2 team entered 2023 with a win against Dollar on home turf. Unfortunately, this was followed by a 50 – 10 home loss against our old nemesis, Stewart’s Melville, played in atrocious weather. Even so, the team remained undaunted, continually demonstrating improvement, and most importantly, “humour in the face of adversity”. Finally, all the stars aligned in a titanic end-to-end battle at the High School of Glasgow, where, with the unheard-of luxury of substitutes from the accompanying Ds, the team eked out the narrowest of wins, 31 – 28, following an epic defensive effort in the dying moments of the game. The season ended at home with a narrow victory over Watson’s, in which one of our tries was scored by a Watson’s player who was making up numbers for the C2s: he was immediately rewarded with the accolade of “Honorary Merchistonian” by team and supporters alike!

This season, I have watched the C2s evolve as a team, in the real sense of the word. I have always told them that if they could see themselves from my vantage point on the side-line, they would witness first-hand their indominable spirit and the huge strides made in their rugby development.

Lent Term Results

– Lost: 0 - 30

– Lost: 27 - 53

– Lost: 14 - 52

– Lost: 28 - 33

– Lost: 6 - 42

– Won: 25 - 15

– Lost: 28 - 40

14 January v Dollar (h) – Won: 7 - 5

28 January v Stewart’s Melville (h) – Lost: 10 - 50

4 February v High School of Glasgow (a) – Won: 31 - 28

25 February v Watson’s (h) – Won: 22 - 20

Stephen McLaughlin, C2 Coach

D1 RUGBY

Well, where should I begin?

The statistics above speak volumes about this talented group of boys, who were led superbly by Adam W (C) and Calum R (VC) throughout the season.

This unforgettable season will be cherished by all in the squad and I am sure that they will remember it for the rest of their lives. However, within the twenty matches played, there were some cracking tests, some of which I have highlighted below.

September

The season started in September, which gave the boys some really good matches, particularly against Stewart’s Melville at home and Fettes away. Both were great games which tested our resilience and leadership as a group.

Stewart’s Melville 27-12

Fettes 21-7

October

October, potentially, saw our first big obstacle as we hosted a very talented Edinburgh Academy team which pushed us all the way. We also had two of our starting backs absent that day due to injury, which meant that Tom B moved position to play at 13 and Angus R stepped up from the D2s to start at 9. Jack D had a memorable day against his old school as he managed to score a very impressive solo try towards the end of the second half, which gave the boys enough breathing space to celebrate the victory.

Edinburgh Academy 14-5

November

November provided the squad with two big hurdles as we hosted an undefeated Dollar side, and then we travelled along the road to play a strong George Watson’s team. Dollar Academy were first up - for me, this was the standout game of the season. Training that week had a particular focus on defence, due to our opposition scoring freely against all other schools. We had an added bonus as, in the run-up to the game, our VC Calum R was back from a concussion that he sustained against Stewart’s Melville and our starting scrum-half also returned from a nasty hand injury. This ultimately raised the team’s morale and helped the boys put on an exceptional display for coaches and parents to witness. To win in the manner they did against a big, strong and physical Dollar team was truly inspiring. Four days later, we made the short trip to Myreside, where a resilient George Watson’s team was tough to break down and the exciting attacking rugby we had showcased thus far was not to be seen. A 14-7 lead with five minutes to go was always going to be tough to hold: Watson’s scored with about one minute to go, but fortunately for us, they missed the conversion, which that meant the D1s sneaked a 14-12 win.

Dollar 19-0

Watson’s 14-12

December

On 10 December, we had the return fixture against Watson’s, this time at home, and what a performance the boys put on! The attacking rugby we had witnessed at the start of the season was showcased on a cold December morning. This highlighted that, when we got ‘front foot ball’, the backs could play. Halcyon H was Man of the Match, as his ball-carrying meant that our backs got time to play with the ball and execute some wonderful team tries. This was a great way to finish 2022.

Watson’s 35-7

January

January saw a few games cancelled due to the weather but we managed to get down to Inverleith for another

encounter with Stewart's Melville. This crisp morning was a superb challenge for the boys as our opposition started the game well and put us on the back foot. For the first time this season, the boys were second best for the majority of the match, until a try from captain Adam W before half-time gave the boys hope. Similarly, in the second half, we struggled to retain the ball and a clever try from Stewart’s Melville gave the hosts a narrow lead. With twenty minutes left to play, our top try scorer of the season, Toby G, scored a great solo try to put the boys ahead as ‘Mr Consistent’ (Jack D) converted the try. This meant that the last ten minutes of the match was a nervy encounter and one which showcased the boys’ defensive capabilities. The togetherness and resilience they showed in this period of the game was second to none, and, for me, highlighted their bravery. Tackle after tackle after tackle was all that the boys could do as they could not get the ball off a welldrilled team. A monumental display meant that the boys sneaked the win in a gruelling match.

Stewart’s Melville 14-12

February

Throughout the season, I repeated the message about building momentum and also that we were not just a 13man team! We would also need to call upon the wider squad to contribute to the overall success of this season. The D2s and D3s also had a great season, which meant that when boys needed to step up, they could easily fit into any team. This was definitely the case in the final game of the season. Callum R and Toby G had been called up to the U14s due to their standout seasons, which meant Arjun and William R would start on the wings. The boys had a battle

on their side as an unbeaten Lathallan were out to prove they could beat anyone. They had pace and power throughout their team and it definitely gave our boys a fright. Adam W could see that the boys were nervous and knew that we needed to be at our best in order to break down this team - the boys demonstrated that in the second half. Some of the best tries of the season came in the last fifteen minutes of the season as both Adam W and William R scored the tries which won us the game and also AN UNBEATEN SEASON!! A PROUD COACH! Thank you, boys!

Lathallan 12-5

Rugby 7s

On Sunday 6 November, Ardvreck hosted its annual 7s competition. This is an event which Merchiston has always competed well in and this year did not disappoint.

The D1s started the day superbly, with strong wins against Sedbergh 2s, Ampleforth and Strathallan in the pool stage. Topping our pool meant that we set up a quarter final match against a strong and physical Loretto team. The boys knew that they needed to be at their best and that is what they delivered. An outstanding showing in the first half meant Loretto were down four tries within the first four minutes and they found it extremely hard to come back into the match. The final score in the quarter final was 25-4, which resulted in a semi-final against Sedbergh 1s. Sedbergh had progressed to the semi-final in a similar manner to us because they have been scoring tries for fun and managing to keep other teams at bay. This was the BIG ONE! Similar to the quarter final, we started the match superbly and found ourselves up by one try at half-time. We were seven minutes away from the final and needed to maintain the standards we had set throughout the day. Yet again, the boys played some fantastic rugby in the second half and won the semi-final in a convincing manner. Progressing to the final meant that we were to play Fettes, who had beaten Belhaven in the quarter final and Lathallan in the semi-final. The D1s’ starting 7 were clearly a little nervous in the final and did not start as brightly as previous matches, but a great solo try from Toby G settled the boys into the game and we began to showcase some fantastic 7s. By half-time, we were two tries up and we knew that an early try in the second half was needed to give us some breathing space. Yet again, the boys did not disappoint and an early score in the second half meant that the boys won

the final in great fashion. Final score: 18-0.

March 2023 saw the 7s squad take part in another three competitions: after the success we enjoyed in November, the boys were clearly keen to get the ball rolling. The first two 7s tournaments gave some others an opportunity to play because the change to the 1 January cut-off meant that a few players had to play up.

First up was our own 7s tournament, where we managed to get into the semi-final against Stewart's Melville after beating Glasgow High School and Dundee High convincingly. The game was played on the famous ‘Rogie Slopes’: unfortunately, we were stuck at the bottom of the slope and could not get up it at all. A lot of lessons were learnt and room for improvement evident as the boys knew they could have performed better. Stewart’s Melville progressed through to the final and won against Dollar. A similar squad then travelled to Stewart’s Melville for their second 7s tournament, which was also played in the same fashion. We had two pool games against Hutchesons’ Grammar and St Leonards, which did not cause too many problems and meant that we progressed through as winners of pool 4. This resulted in a cup semi-final against George Watson’s; in the other cup semi-final were Stewart’s Melville and Dollar. A tough match against our Colinton neighbours was always on the cards, but a few lucky bounces of the ball meant they managed to sneak the win and progress to the final. Our final 7s game in Scotland was against Dollar, who had beaten Stewart's Melville and seemed to have won fairly easily. This was a strange final as both finalists were travelling down to London the following week to the Rosslyn Park 7s and were drawn in the same pool. Dollar ended up winning the match after a convincing display, which meant they had a dragging right before we headed down south to the National 7s.

National Rosslyn Park 7s

Squad: Callum R (c), Adam W, James R, Hamish F, Tom B, Gabriel C, Ruaidhri V, Halcyon H, Jack D, William R, Winston K

The above squad members were beyond excited about playing outside their comfort zone and against some of the best prep schools in the country. Millfield Prep, Epsom College, Clifton College, Caldicott Prep and Dollar Academy were the challenges the boys had to face in what was undoubtedly the toughest draw we had seen in years. With the format still run as a festival, the main aim was for the boys to win the group. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case as we were a little sleepy in our first game against Millfield. However, like any good team, we bounced back and won our next game. A narrow defeat to Dollar meant

D2 RUGBY

At the end of another successful season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the fantastic achievement of our D2s this year. With a record of 17 wins and only 4 losses, it is clear that all the boys' hard work and dedication to training has paid off. This team has shown a determination to improve and develop its rugby, regardless of conditions on the rugby field - through the wind, snow and rain. Our rugby programme is designed to challenge the boys who need challenges. Due to this, many boys got the opportunity to play up a level for the C2s, and even the C1s. This was a great experience for them and an important learning opportunity.

Our team has grown significantly over the course of the season, both in terms of skill level and team cohesion. Each and every player has worked hard to improve his individual abilities, and our success is a testament to the hard work the boys have put in to build a strong, well-rounded team. We have had many D3 players step up and make a great impact in games, so special mention goes to Iain D for making the step up so successfully. We have also had some D2s getting the ‘call up’ to the D1s, such as Logan M - well done to him. This movement of players across teams just highlights the strength in depth and high level of rugby we play at throughout this age group. Thanks go to Mr Harrison and Mr Wells, who both played a vital role in the development of the squad through the course of the season.

Congratulations must go to Toby C and Angus R, who

that we had to win our final two games to leave with our heads held high. Did this team deliver? Of course, it did, which meant that it finished second in its pool. This was an amazing achievement, which again demonstrated how talented and hard-working these boys are.

Game 1: Merchiston 5 - Millfield Prep 30

Game 2: Clifton College 5 - Merchiston 30

Game 3: Dollar Academy 20 - Merchiston 15

Game 4: Caldicott Prep School 10 - Merchiston 30

Game 5: Epsom College 5 - Merchiston 15

Finally, what a brilliant season this has been, and one that I hope the boys will remember for a long, long time - I'm sure I will!

Craig Harrison, D1 Coach

co-captained this year's D2 squad. They played an essential role in navigating the team through the highs and lows of the season. The Fettes game was a high point for the team, in which we were in control and playing the structure we wanted, whilst putting 52 points past their defence. The home game against Stewart's Melville provided an opportunity to learn about ourselves, being defeated 2129. We struggled to play any structure and were not together as a team; however, this was early in the season and served as a catalyst for things to improve. The boys used this sore loss as fuel to the fire for the success that followed.

As coaches, we are immensely proud of the way our players have developed over the course of the season, both on and off the field. On the field, we have seen improved communication, better decision making, and a much deeper understanding and execution of the structure we aim to play. Off the field, a strong commitment to teamwork, leadership and a great attitude towards improvement has been evident. It is these skills that have ultimately contributed to our success and ability to win the tough games. A massive “well done” to all boys who participated in the D2 team. I look forward to watching them all progress through the rugby programme at Merchiston.

Jake Mills, D2 Coach

D3 RUGBY

The mighty D3’s! My first year as a coach has been a complete joy. As a Merchistonian, I wanted to instil the culture of the School into everything we did. The boys, who always came prepared, focused and put in maximum effort, were an excellent group, and really gelled as the season progressed. In September, we had boys who had never even heard of rugby and boys with a good understanding of the game. By March, all had a good understanding of the game. Our training sessions occurred in all weather conditions and contained lots of drills, focusing on the basics. By March, the hand-catch-pass standard had transformed, with the ball being passed from touchline to touchline. Bravery in a tackle is something that can never be taught, only the technique: watching the last few games from start to finish, the boys were throwing themselves into tackles and hardly missing any. The main change, however, was the camaraderie and cohesion between the players as they got to know each other better and the white line fever was reduced.

When it comes to writing about the moment of the season, it’s the easiest job I’ve had all year! One cold November Saturday, we played Watson’s at Myreside: the first half was tight, with a few controversial decisions going the way of the opposition. We regathered at half-time to discuss improving our tactics and about what it means to play for the School and against our biggest rivals. Within five minutes, we had pulled away and were playing a fast, exciting touchline to touchline style of rugby, too strong for the opposition, to achieve a great win, with which we were delighted. A week later, history repeated itself with another match against Watson’s, this time at home. It was evident that Watson’s had made some changes to strengthen its team after the previous week’s loss. The first half was a great

battle between two strong sides, with the game balancing on the smallest of margins. Another half-time chat proceeded to raise spirits and confidence levels, with the focus on playing the game with our own identity of speed and width. However, the Watson’s boys were up to the challenge and pulled two scores ahead. With two minutes of the game left, Merchiston had a scrum at six points down - a converted try would win the game, and anything less would result in a tough one-point loss. However, the Merchiston back line had other ideas. With some fast hands, the ball was moved to the wing, Jean R scored in the corner, and a conversion was needed to win the game. Was he up to the task and would his nerves hold? Unfortunately, he hit the post. Then, with thirty seconds left on the clock, Watson’s had a tap and pass restart. Suddenly, there was a chip and chase, conjured up by the Watson’s stand-off, but it went horribly wrong and Merchiston secured the ball. The ball was moved from side-line to side-line, an agonising watch for the parents! Merchiston had the ball on their 10-metre line, a long way from the try line. Through seven phases, the ball was moved out wide and the boys created a 2v1 opportunity, a skill we practised at every session. The ball was moved into the hands of Charles R, Jean’s twin brother, who had the space and pace to go all the way: he scored in the same corner as his brother two minutes earlier, but this time no conversion was needed - Merchiston had beaten Watson’s again!

We finished an excellent season with ten wins and three losses, two of which were against a strong Stewart’s Melville side.

Struan Wells, D3 Coach

F1 RUGBY

This was a tough season for the F1s in terms of results - however, a season should be judged, at this level, on how players developed and how the team unit improved.

So…

Angus D developed himself into an effective no 9 with a fast break; Patrick became the rucking machine, hitting every breakdown with speed; Joshua went from being unsure in the tackle to making dominant trysaving tackles; Kwame improved his passing and game awareness; Harry D got over the gain line and learnt when to offload; Henry improved in all aspects of his play, including managing emotions on the pitch; Barney learnt when to pass and support and when to run (wow, he can run!); Angus H learnt where the offside line is and improved his pass; Sacha learnt about teamwork and the work you have to do without the ball; Harry L improved his distribution and game

U10 RUGBY

A huge “well done” to the Lords – the U10s, who had a busy season, making some excellent progress in terms of skills and teamwork. The boys played a number of schools, local and slightly further afield: Belhaven, George Heriot’s, Fettes, Loretto Junior and Stewart’s Melville, with wins against Craigclowan and Cargilfield and a draw with Ardvreck. Much fun has been had during all of the fixtures, and the minibus trips away have been a highlight, completed with some tasty match teas!

We have been focusing on teamwork during training sessions, asking the boys to look out for each other during play, as well as thinking about what their individual role is

management; Jack put in some huge tackles throughout the season; Oscar learnt to pass and support, linking up well with his teammates on the wing; Oliver, when he attended with the correct kit (!), showed his great pace and try-scoring ability; Nicol learnt about attacking space; and Harry F developed his tackling and running onto the ball at pace.

It all came together in the last match in Ayr. The boys were on terrific form in terms of their attitude and behaviour on the bus and pre-game. This showed in the match, during which we put everything we had been working on into action. It really was a fine display of running rugby and teamwork: everyone contributed and did it in an extremely positive manner, even when there were mistakes - long may that continue. I wish every boy well in his rugby journey at Merchiston.

Stevie Gilmour, F1 Coach

when they have the ball. I have been impressed with the enthusiasm with which the boys have played and trained, especially during the colder weather! Their awareness in defence has improved, with more of a defence line being played, instead of runners breaking the line.

“Well done” to all of the boys who have represented the U10s and “thank you” to the more experienced players who have supported the coaching sessions and during the games.

Will Ogilvie-Jones, U10 Coach

REFLECTIONS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

This has been another remarkable and memorable season at Merchiston with a first-class group of senior boys. Looking back, it has been filled with so many highs which make me very happy and proud to lead so many impressive young men and outstanding members of staff: from the togetherness and love in Italy, to the pain and hurt of losing to Edinburgh Academy, to the ultimate high of winning the Scottish Schools Cup for the second consecutive year. I have always been a firm believer that everything in life happens for a reason, and the last two seasons have certainly played out that way. We also had to do it the hard way to win the Cup, which makes our season even more rewarding.

It was extremely rewarding to see so many boys step up in our October Festival and pull on the 1XV jersey against high quality opposition. It really displays how much talent and depth we have had over the past two seasons. It is also very encouraging to see our boys take every opportunity given to them and engaging in all our high-performance programmes. Boys travelling in to School three times per week at 6.30am, from as far away as North Berwick, says it all. We love it when a 3XV player ends up playing for the 1XV, something that has happened frequently in recent years. From starting in the 3XV in the Lower Sixth to scoring Cup Final tries in the Upper Sixth tells us that our programme is working.

Our Cup quarter final performance against our local neighbours, George Watson’s College, was a combination of all the squad’s hard work over the past two years. It was an extremely high-level tactical contest, which meant we had to execute to perfection to progress to the semi-final. We dug in very deep and weathered many a storm to then execute and score some outstanding free-flowing tries and planned set piece plays. We then moved on to play Strathallan away, which is never an easy place to get a result, and so it proved to be with a very tight and hard-fought win.

After this match, when the boys found out who their opponents would be in the final, we could see that the look in their eyes and the mood on and off the field quickly went up a few notches. There was no need for any motivational team talks - the talking had been done. Our preparation was one point, and everyone in the senior squad bought into every session and we “walked the walk” back to Murrayfield.

Yet again, under extreme pressure, we delivered an extremely mature and clinical performance, full of ambition,

accuracy and execution. It was a joy to watch and be a part of. Thank you again for more incredible memories. Thanks go to all of the boys involved, for their support of each other and for another memorable and successful season for all our senior rugby teams.

We extend an especially warm “thank you” to those who are leaving Merchiston this summer, who have contributed so much to our rugby programme during their time with us. A few will join the ranks of Merchistonians who go on to play professional or semi-professional rugby. The full list of those currently doing this is as follows:

Fraser Brown (’01 – ’07) - Glasgow Warriors & Scotland

David Cherry (’02 – ’09) - Edinburgh Rugby & Scotland

Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (’06 – ’11) - Benetton Rugby & Scotland

Scott Steele (’10 – ’11) - Edinburgh Rugby & Scotland

Tiziano Pasquali (’10 – ’11) - Benetton Rugby & Italy

Magnus Bradbury (’11 – ’13) - Bristol Bears & Scotland

Patrick Kelly (’10 – ’14) - Glasgow Warriors & Scotland / Great Britain 7s

Zach Mercer (’13 – ’15) - Gloucester Rugby & England

Dan Nutton (‘’05 – ’15) - London Scottish

Stafford McDowall (’14 – ’16) - Glasgow Warriors & Scotland

Lomond MacPherson (’15 – ’17) - Watsonians FC (Super 6)

Aaron Tait (’14 – ’16) - Ayrshire Bulls

Kieran Watt (’15 – ’17) - Watsonians FC (Super 6)

Matthew Davidson (’15 – ’17) - Heriot’s RFC (Super 6)

Jamie Dobie (’12 – ’19) - Glasgow Warriors & Scotland

Dan Gamble (’16 – ’19) - Southern Knights (Super 6)

Matthew Currie (’13 – ’19) - Edinburgh Rugby

Rudi Brown (’16 – ’20) - Southern Knights (Super 6)

Ben Afshar (’14 – ’21) - Glasgow Warriors

Robbie Deans (’14 – ’22) - Edinburgh Rugby

Tom Currie (’17 – ’23) - Edinburgh Rugby

Isaac Coates (’18 – ’23) - Edinburgh Rugby

Ben Riley (’21 – ’23) - Watsonians FC (Super 6)

Roddy Deans, Director of Rugby

RUGBY AWARDS 2022-23

Senior Solid Castle Award – William G

Tackler of the Year – Tom C

Most Improved Player – William T

Try of the Year – Ben R

Service to the 1XV – Isaac C & Tom C

3XV Players’ Player of the Year – Ramsay B

2XV Players’ Player of the Year – Owen F

1XV Players’ Player of the Year – Isaac C

Coaches’ Player of the Year – Isaac C

U16

Solid Castle Award – Talorcan PdeB

Most Improved Player – Robert HP

U16A Players’ Player of the Year – Theo DM

U16B Players’ Player of the Year – Sam F

Coaches’ Player of the Year – Luca M

U15

Solid Castle Award – Reggie H

Most Improved Player – Miles R

B1 Players’ Player of the Year – Nicholas DV

B2 Players’ Player of the Year – Keith L

Coaches’ Player of the Year – Fergus F

U14

Solid Castle Award – Xander M-B

Most Improved Player – Samuel M

C1 Players’ Player of the Year – Dylan O

C2 Players’ Player of the Year – Sikai C

Coaches’ Player of the Year – Joel VB

1XI CRICKET

The cricket season is always highly anticipated, especially when it involves a ‘pre-season’ tour to such a fantastic place as South Africa - Cape Town and Stellenbosch, to be a little more precise.

Travelling during the February half-term holiday, the 1XI consisted of fifteen players, all awaiting an experience to remember from one of the world’s leaders in terms of school-boy cricket. We were not to be disappointed! After two mammoth plane journeys and plenty of movies

watched, we arrived in a very sunny and rather warm Cape Town, ready to get the tour underway and eager to test ourselves mentally, physically and, of course, to experience the many different cultures of the ‘Rainbow Nation’. Day 1 consisted of a light training session, followed by a walkaround, with sightseeing opportunities of the ‘Water-Front’ of Cape Town. The morning of Day 2 was one which will the boys and staff will remember for many years to come: a trip up Table Mountain, with not a breath of air or a cloud

in sight - sun cream was most certainly at the ready for many of the touring party, after escaping a damp and gloomy Edinburgh just forty-eight hours earlier.

Game 1 - Fairmount High School, Durbanville:

A blisteringly hot day in the Cape Town suburbs was a slightly different experience from what we were used to! With the hosts batting first, it was evident that, to start off with, player rotation was going to be an important factor to tie into each game, to enable us to deal with the harsh conditions. We battled through our twenty-five overs; however, with the hosts scoring a respectable 126. An underlying story re extras would be a common theme of the group for many of the games in the course of the season ahead. The Merchiston 1XI batted superbly, and without worry - our batting style suited the hard and somewhat flat wickets of the Cape Town pitches. We knocked off the total, just one down, after twelve overs. A fantastic start to the season!

Some more sight-seeing and ‘Seal Island’ adventures across the Western Cape entertained the touring party on the next day. Penguin watching and a beautiful lunch in Simon’s Town followed and then on to Cape Point - what a ‘tourist day’! It was another one to remember and there was more to look forward to in the coming days.

Game 2 - Wynberg Boys’ High School, Cape Town:

A muggy morning in Cape Town set the scene for the second game of the tour, and one which was highly anticipated! Wynberg Boys’ High School was once home to a Mr Jaques Kallis, ‘master extraordinaire’ of South African cricket - we knew that we were going to be up against it during the longer-formatted game that was in store. The hosts, again batting first, set 248 off their forty overs, and with a strong bowling line up, we knew that our game would have to be at its very best to chase down this total. We were not quite up to the task, but got stuck in well, and some stand-out performances from the skipper and other senior members at the top of the order meant that we scrambled to 144. We were beaten by the better team on the day, but knew that we had more in the tank as we moved forwards.

Another touristy day followed, with an epic look into the life of the great Nelson Mandela. Our trip to Robben Island provided another life opportunity that the whole touring party will never forget: it was an eye-opening experience,

which gave a genuinely emotional insight into the great man.

Game 3 - Reddam House, Constantia:

This was a shorter-formatted game against a talented side, for which we knew that our attacking but wellrounded bowling and batting line-ups needed to be on top form if we were to come away with a win. We did not disappoint! Losing the toss for the third time running (another story throughout the long season), we were asked to bowl in some more considerable heat. Limiting the hosts to just one run per ball, the target of 120 meant that we knew this time we had a win in our sights. A brilliant game ensued, and some clean hitting from the ‘boys in blue’ meant that we reached the total with four overs to sparea brilliant performance and one to remember.

Safari time was next, as we ventured north to Hartebeest Kraal and some R&R in the nature reserve. Big 5 sightseeing, time by the pool and spa, and some hearty food was a fantastic way to relax as we started our second leg of the tour and moved on to Stellenbosch. Some fun nights, pub quizzes, and star gazing ensued, and we then set our sights on our fourth and final game of the tour.

Game 4 - Stellenbosch High School, Van der Stel:

At last, we were able to bat first and enjoy the free running of a brilliant deck. The boys got stuck in! Half centuries for many of the top order meant that we set the hosts a huge 265 to win. Brilliant performances from the entire bowling unit, and most notably the entire squad in the field, showing our athletic prowess and attitude to attacking fields, proved too much for the South Africans, and we comfortably bowled them out for 86 in a game enjoyed by all, even a young Merchistonian on the side-lines, who was able to bowl the final over of the tour, picking up a wicket as well! Touring is always fantastic, for the squad that you are trying to build, and also for the fact that you get to experience cultures that you might otherwise never have had the chance to. You make friends, you create memories, and, from a sporting point of view, you set yourself up for the season ahead in the best possible way - a theme that I will touch on in the words to come! Thanks go to all - our hosts, our travelling supporters and to the players for an epic ten days on the road (and in the air!). #WestlifeForever.

The 1XI ‘normal’ season started in the wet! A cancelled first encounter against Glenalmond meant that we were going into the national Cup tournament without playing a game. The new format of the competition, with it now being a national tournament hosted by Cricket Scotland and the InspireSport touring company, meant that we were straight into ‘knock-out’ cricket. Kelvinside Academy were the hosts of our first game, and bowling first, we bowled and fielded brilliantly, limiting the hosts to just 32 runs. Our batsmen were in the mood to enjoy themselves and we knocked off the total in just three overs. A great start to the campaign!

Regular ‘friendly’ games ensued, with impressive wins against Loretto at home, on a very cold day, and beating a great opponent in Stewart’s Melville, in a tightly-contested game, again at home, meant that we set ourselves up brilliantly running into the weekend leave and approaching exam season.

After a loss to the Edinburgh Academy, a good side full of Edinburgh club cricket players, we knew that we had work to do to finish off games, especially in eradicating extras in our bowling unit, and also in the way that we batted and ran between the wickets: hard attacking hitting – yes; but also learning to run the first run hard, and put pressure on the opposition fielding unit. This was something that we would really work hard on in the coming games. Some more wins followed against Dollar Academy and Stewart’s Melville again, which set the squad up brilliantly

as we entered the longer-formatted game against Fettes College, this year to be played in Stockbridge.

The Fettes match is always a highly anticipated game, and one which the players always thoroughly enjoydonning the whites and playing red ball cricket is something that we look to expand on in the seasons ahead. Batting first on a slow and tacky deck meant that we would have to work hard for our runs: a brilliant partnership between the top order, with the captain scoring an impressive 151 and other members topping up the total, meant that we set the hosts 240 to win. Bowling, but particularly fielding well, we limited the Fettesians to just 172 off their thirty-five overs - another great ‘scalp’ and much learnt as we entered the business end of the season.

A win against the Merchistonians on a fantastic evening at the Castle came next, followed by a close encounter but unfortunate loss against our friends from George Watson’s, setting up a quarter final against the same hosts the following weekend. This was to be make or break. Batting first at Myreside, always a tough challenge, against another side full of club and representative players, we needed to be at the top of our game. Somehow, we scrambled to 120, setting the tone for what was to be an outstanding game of schoolboy cricket. A superb performance in the field and later with the ball, meant that the ‘boys in maroon’ needed just 6 off the last over. A brilliant ‘death bowling’ performance saw the hosts bowled out with two balls to

spare and with four runs needed. We were into Finals Day!

We met Strathallan first, a good side and, in particular, with a strong top order, so we knew that we needed a good total on the board to protect. Sitting at 3 for 2 in the second over, it was not the best start, but two fantastic innings from the captain and vicecaptain meant that we scored an impressive 207 in our twenty overs. Bowling and, again, fielding superbly, notably in our ground fielding, meant that we defended the score and had high hopes of winning our first ever Scottish Schools T20 Cup! We met Stewart’s Melville in the final.

Batting first, a whole squad performance saw us post 180 from our twenty overs, and with the Stewart’s Melville boys coming out firing, they scored a brilliant 70 off their powerplay! They were out to get us. A game-changing run-out, and then an ‘over of the century’, with three wickets falling after drinks, meant that the momentum was ours. Eventually, we bowled our opposition out for 140, and were crowned Scottish U18 National Champions for the first time in the School's history! A day, a week, and what a season to remember!

There was more to follow: historic wins against the MCC and RGS Newcastle completed the season, and what a season it was. Played 16, Won 12, Scottish Champions and a legacy set for others to follow! This was a brilliant group of young men to coach: exciting prospects are in store for many of the squad who return next year. #WegoAGAIN!

Michael Raikes, 1XI Coach & Alasdair Evans, Head of Cricket

2XI CRICKET

The 2XI season started in impressive fashion, with an extremely convincing victory away to Glenalmond. Bowling first, we skittled the opposition out for a measly 22 runs, with Harry D taking 3 for 7 in three overs. We knocked off the runs in only 3.3 overs, to win by 9 wickets.

A thumping victory over Loretto followed. Again, bowling first, we restricted the opposition to 59 all out, with John W taking two wickets for only 1 run! In response, we again scored quickly to win by nine wickets, with William G making 39*.

A tougher game against Edinburgh Academy came next, with the opposition making a much more competitive 1258 in their 20 overs. Jake M was the pick of the bowlers this time, taking 4 for 28. We were put under pressure with the bat, but 54* off 27 balls from Teo T (his final game for the

2nds before being promoted to the 1sts) resulted in an 8wicket victory with 3 overs to spare.

Our fourth game of the season was a real nail biter. Stewart’s Melville batted first and scored a competitive 122 (Freddie A 2-20). A regular loss of wickets put our batsmen under significant pressure and, despite a valiant 48* from Gabriel T, we fell just short, losing by a mere 4 runs.

The dream of an unbeaten season was over, but the quest to prove ourselves to be the best 2XI in Scotland continued and the boys quickly put aside their disappointment and bounced back impressively against a good Fettes side. Bowling first, Fettes made 124-3 in their 20 overs. We chased this down in the eighteenth over, thanks to a fine display of batting by Todd B, who scored 60* off 44 balls.

A re-match against Stewart’s Melville followed and revenge was at the forefront of the boys’ minds; they did not disappoint! Bowling first, we restricted the opposition to 114 in their 20 overs. A dominant batting performance followed from Harry D, who scored 68* off 52 balls to secure another very convincing 9-wicket victory.

Another fixture against Fettes came next, where we produced our highest batting score of the season, making 179-3 in our 20 overs. This included a fine 50 off 40 balls from Oliver P and 57* off 50 balls from John W. Fettes made a very good fist of the chase, putting us under real pressure in the field, but we managed to keep our nerve at the end to win by 16 runs. Archie C was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 24.

Our final game of the season came against George

U15A CRICKET

The first half of the season for the U15A team was slow to get going, with a couple of call-offs and a couple of one-sided games, none more so than the first round of the Cup, when we bowled out Glasgow Academy for 15 and chased it down in 2.3 overs!

The season was kick-started with an evenly-matched game against Watson’s B team, when useful contributions from Nicholas and Zayden with the bat got us to a competitive total. Some excellent straight bowling and fielding resulted in us restricting the Watson’s batsmen, with the game ending in a victory for Merchiston by just one run.

Later in the season, we took on the Watson’s A team, fresh from their victory in the U15 Scottish Cup final. This was a tough ask for the Merchiston boys; however, we were up for the challenge. A brutal innings of 80 (from less than forty balls) from their number 4 catapulted their innings. However, some excellent

Watson’s, who we bowled out for 89 runs. Hamish M was very impressive with the ball, taking 4 for 9 in his 4 overs. In response, captain Callum B, playing in his final game for the School, scored 50* off 35 balls to bring the side home in a thumping 9-wicket win.

Overall, it was a fantastic season; a great group of boys to coach, who played with so much enthusiasm and effort throughout. Special mention must be made of the three UVI leavers, Callum B, Freddie A and John W, who have been pivotal members of the side for the last three years. They will be missed. However, the rest of the squad will return next year and the quest continues for that illusive unbeaten season.

Matthew Hillier, 2XI Coach

‘death’ bowling, in particular from Massimo, restricted our visitors to 157 off their twenty overs. With almost every batsman chipping in, we were still in the game with one over to go. Particular mention must go to Ben S, who very nearly got us over the line against his old school with some lusty blows and hard running, finishing on 27 not out.

The team enjoyed a tour to Nottingham in the last week of term. Thanks go to Mr Hillier and Mr Glover for looking after the boys on a memorable trip.

Lastly, ‘thank you’ to all the boys who represented the U15A team this season. I saw a marked improvement through the season and enjoyed coaching the squad. I hope that all the boys will continue to enjoy their cricket throughout the remainder of their Merchiston journey.

Stevie Gilmour, U15A Coach

U15B CRICKET

The Under 15Bs experienced a challenging season, losing all eight matches played. Despite the unfavourable results, however, there were noteworthy performances and great individual achievements.

The most notable moment of the season occurred in our first game, against Glenalmond, when we lost by a narrow margin of just one run. Had Will W clung on to his caught and bowled chance off the last ball, could the entire season have turned out differently? Who knows – but no hard feelings, Will: just remember to keep coming in off that short run!

Whilst the rest of the season gave us fewer close finishes, and a fair few (to use a good Scottish word) shellackings, the boys were still able to pull together some excellent individual figures.

Spencer B emerged as the standout batsman of the season, delivering a remarkable performance against Watson's at Myreside. His unbeaten knock of 45 showcased his skill, determination, and ability to anchor the innings. Spencer also developed his leadership skills hugely throughout the season, and led the surge in positivity that marked our performances in the field over the latter part of the season – a surge in which Kai G, Anish M, Thomas S

U14A CRICKET

The boys have had a season of growth. Many of the matches have been challenging, but it has been very pleasing to see their positive attitude towards improvement, their teammates, opponents, officials and the game.

The team line-up has varied throughout the short season due to other commitments, but the determination has remained the same. William was a strong leader,

and Mylo M were also hugely vocal parts of.

In the bowling department, Ruari M stood out as the season's best bowler. His exceptional figures of 9 for 3 in the final game against Watson's at home demonstrated his talent and ability to make significant contributions to the team's performance. Ruari was ably supported in this game by Ahmed A and Eithan L, who both delivered crucial wickets which turned what should have been an easy chase of 42 for the Watson’s batters into quite a squeaky one!

Pablo M exhibited significant improvement throughout the season. He dedicated himself to mastering his bowling skills and successfully achieved a beautiful length. Pablo's progress is promising, and there are hopes that he will represent Spain in the future. Carlo G, Javier M and Javier C can look forward to similarly positive futures in this esoteric game when they return home over the summer.

In the end, we managed to enjoy some great times together over the course of a year which was difficult results-wise, but a good laugh all the same – which, after all, is what B-team cricket should be all about.

Calum Mechie, U15B Coach

encouraging the players and setting the field positions. He kept motivation high, and, with Egan performing well with the bat, sending the Loretto bowlers for 6, and Dylan helping with both bat and ball, they showed a lot of maturity to support their team-mates. Angus had the wicketkeeper’s gloves for most of the matches and the fielding improved throughout the season, with a number

of run-outs, taking the wickets of the opposition. Moving forward, this group will become important players in the School’s senior cricket programme: Benjamin, Ryan and Ewan all showed a high skill level. This team has

U14B CRICKET

It is not often that we manage to get a full season of cricket – Edinburgh’s early summers can be wet affairs. However, this year, after a cold start, we were blessed with a dry and sunny June.

It was a real pleasure to coach the U14Bs this year. This group of boys conducted themselves at all times in exemplary fashion. Over the past few seasons, there has been more and more needless chat during games, which just becomes irritating and adds nothing to the experience. This year’s U14B boys were competitive but never crossed the line in this regard. They also organised themselves before, during and after the games – a real blessing for a coach! All the boys contributed to this, but they were well led by their captain, Sam O.

Despite the team only winning three games during the season, it was only against Edinburgh Academy that there was a real gulf in ability between the teams. By far the most satisfying of the wins came against Watson’s, winning by two runs in the final game of the season. The boys had been soundly beaten a week before by the same team. However, the team put this defeat to one side and produced an excellent all-round performance. 50s from Blair A and Kyle D set a target of 134. Excellent fielding from the whole team and then a tense final over by Sam M provided a dramatic victory. This was the perfect way to

the ability to score a lot of runs and entertain the crowds. The future is very bright!

Bruce Aitchison, U14A Coach

finish the season, especially as it provided Mr Golding with his first ever win at Merchiston.

Well done to the whole team for their excellent contributions this season. Thanks also go to Jacob, Jimmy, Shiraz and Laurie for stepping in when needed, especially in the Stewart’s Melville game; to Fergus W for catching just about everything that came his way; and to William B for his high energy fielding, saving more boundaries than anyone else. Other notable performances came from the following: Hamish H was impressive behind the stumps, especially with his stumpings against Loretto and Dollar; Will M for his match-winning performance against Loretto; Kyle for his destructive batting; Blair for his classical stroke play; James, Arthur and Noah for their (at times) accurate bowling, with James and Noah so close to achieving hat-tricks against Stewart’s Melville; Archie, along with Sam M, for being the best bowlers; Rhodi for being a bit of an all-rounder; Xander for being the calm head of the group and for his wickets against Loretto; and finally, Sam, for leading the team and for bowling so accurately at the start of the innings.

Thanks go to everyone for an enjoyable season – I look forward to seeing your progress in cricket as you move up the School.

Ben Hall, U14B Coach

PRINGLE 1XI CRICKET

There are always three aims for a Pringle 1XI season: to be competitive in each and every game, to progress and gain experience in all three aspects of the game, and, finally, to improve, with set targets and with boys being able to think about their individual pathway moving forward. These, I think, have been achieved, and for a brilliant bunch of young and inspiring cricketers, most of whom returned for their second season or more for the Pringle 1XI, exciting times were in store!

A tough opening weekend always faces the group by meeting a strong Cargilfield side in the first weekend back after the Easter break. We were, without doubt, ‘undercooked’, and although fielding and bowling well, we gave an already strong batting unit too many extras with ball in hand, followed by a poor performance with the ball. We lost our opening game by 86 runs, but knew that it was a good starting block, with much room for improvement moving forward. Unfortunately, the annual triangular versus Sedbergh Prep and Cargilfield was cancelled due to bad weather – always a brilliant fixture, which we most

certainly look forward to next year down in Cumbria.

A flurry of wins against Craigclowan, Fettes, Loretto and Dollar saw us come into the break over weekend leave in a really strong position and confident with our progress as a group. A tough contest against a very strong Edinburgh Academy side brought us swiftly back into line, and after a tough first innings with the ball and a further difficult innings with the bat, we sat down and reflected on our loss and on points which we could take on into the next block of fixtures. Energy at the crease, taking our run-out opportunities, and ensuring that we were not ‘dotted-up’ when batting, were points to take forward into the next two-thirds of the season.

Strong wins against Belhaven Hill, St Mary’s Melrose and Stewart’s Melville set us up perfectly for our annual Merchiston Super 8s competition. A lovely day in Colinton saw the best of the Edinburgh cricketing circuit come together for a brilliant day of school and club cricket. Unfortunately, we lost to Carlton CC in the opening game, followed by a strong performance against Murrayfield DAFS CC, setting up a 3rd/4th place play-off against our

friends from Watsonians CC in the final game of the day. A long day in the Edinburgh sun had taken its toll and we came out second best. The converted Bat Trophy was won by The Grange CC on this occasion. The tournament was a huge success and one which we will look forward to again next June.

Another batch of wins against Fettes again, this time at home, and George Watson’s set up our final fixture, against The Edinburgh Academy again. We knew that we had come a long way since our loss during the early season, but we knew we needed to start strong and keep the pressure on at all times. We did just that: bowling first and taking

U11A CRICKET

The U11 cricket season has witnessed some amazing displays of talent, with total passion and sportsmanship from our young up-and-coming cricketers. These young players have showcased their skills and determination on the field, winning over half of their games. The boys played a number of schools in both home and away fixtures, including Ardvreck, Cargilfield, St Mary’s, Belhaven, Watson’s, Stewart’s Melville, Dollar, Craigclowan, Fettes and Loretto, as well as the Merchiston Super 8s fixtures against Carlton CC, Watsonians and The Grange CC.

Each and every member of the team has developed his skills over the course of their fourteen matches. Angus D has a keen swing and eye for the stumps, pushing up the Merchiston run rate, whilst keeping the opposition numbers low. Patrick M has found his stride when it comes to taking wickets – he is one to watch out for in future seasons. We have been impressed by the steady strike rate from Callum D, improving his accuracy as the season progressed. Kwame A has shown off some dynamic fielding displays, as well as being ever hungry for those extra runs. Henry D has bowled with precision, inspiring his fellow team mates to do the same. Oliver F has been a steady pair of hands at the wicket, fearless in the face of the oncoming red projectiles! Harry D also shared the wicket-keeping role, providing another safe pair of hands, as well as pushing up the run rate when he has bat in hand. Barney G, honing and fine-tuning his established skills, batted

advantage of some early wickets, we tightened the screw and bowled them out cheaply. Our batsmen took confidence from their previous performances and knocked off the total in just twelve overs - what a way to finish the term! This was a very successful season and one to remember for many reasons. In addition to some narrow and clinical victories, each and every boy had represented the Pringle 1XI with pride and with a main goal - to gain experience as a squad and to take forward the lessons learnt into future seasons. Mission completed!

Michael Raikes, Pringle 1XI Coach

fours with apparent ease, as well as bowling at a sonic speed. Sacha H provided us with one of the most memorable finishes to the season’s fixtures. Against Belhaven, Merchiston bowled second and went into the final over of the game needing to take four wickets for the win. The prospect seemed unlikely, but then up stepped Sacha. Bowling with pinpoint accuracy, he took three wickets in three balls, leaving Merchiston within one agonising wicket of victory. Harry L has led the way in terms of speed around the wickets and out in the field, always putting in maximum effort, as well as improving his bowling accuracy. Joshua M has really stepped up as the season has progressed, taking a stinger of a catch on a cold Saturday at the start of the season, and thus setting out his stall. Jack W has impressed us all with his spin-bowling accuracy and capacity to hit the wickets with much deception! Fionn M has developed both his batting and bowling. Also, Oscar M deserves huge thanks for stepping up to play for the team on more than one occasion.

Over the whole season, what has stood out for me has been the demonstration of teamwork, always encouraging each other, learning from each game and steadily improving the team’s performance. The season was filled with excitement and competitive spirit. As these young cricketers continue their journey, their experiences this season will undoubtedly shape their future success in the sport.

Will Ogilvie-Jones, U11A Coach

ATHLETICS 2022-23

This has been another great season for athletics, in which the squads have been very busy with matches against Heriot’s, Fettes, Strathallan, Belhaven, The Compass and Robert Gordon’s. All have been excellence fixtures, with the most memorable being competing at Goldenacre with St George’s. The change in Merchiston’s teaching timetable gave me a chance to look at where we trained on Saturday morning. With the refurbished Meadowbank having opened in July 2022, it gave an opportunity to travel with the boys to train on tartan on Saturday mornings. This was warmly received and the boys loved training there throughout the season. In addition to our School competitions and Saturday track sessions, we also ran two superb Games Days, which were well supported by all

pupils and parents. Stand-outs at the Senior Games were Cole M with his impressive high jump, as he beat the Games record by jumping 1m92, and Tim R, who also had an outstanding day at the Senior Games as he achieved a new record by throwing the shot putt 12m92, which is 2cms off Angus Sinclair’s School record of 12:94cm. Prior to both the Junior and Senior Games, we ran the annual Franklin Tankard 5000m race down at the arena, which is an open event for any pupil in the School. We had over twenty boys competing for this prestigious award and, for the first time ever, the winner was a Pringle student, Ollie S. Ollie thoroughly deserves this prize as he has dedicated a lot of time and effort to his athletics and cross country this year, highlighting his talent in this activity.

We also had success at the Scottish Schools event throughout the year.

Indoor Championships

O16 Long Jump – Gold Medal (Cole M)

U16 Long Jump - Bronze Medal (Henry W)

O16 Shot Putt - Silver Medal (Tim R)

Relay Championships

GOLD Medallists after regaining the Athenian Cup:

O17 Boys 4 X 100m - Amos C, Cole M, Kyle M, Finlay M

Individual Championships

O17 Boys Shot Putt – Silver Medal (Torin M)

O17 Boys Javelin – Bronze Medal (Hamish M)

New School Records

Over the season, three new School records have been set, which is a remarkable achievement. Toby G beat the two old records set by Rudi Brown and Finlay M. Rudi’s record for the 200m was 25.98s. Toby managed to beat this time at Goldenacre with a time of 25.49s.The 100m record was 12.09s, which was beaten by Toby at the Junior Games when he ran an impressive time of 11.98s in the qualifying heat for the 100m. Toby now leaves Pringle as the fastest

man ever in the House - he has set the standard extremely high. More success came for Pringle as Oliver F also set a new U12 100m School record during the visit to Goldenacre, beating Rory Wilson’s record of 14.24s. Oliver set the new record of 14.15s.

Back in January, Cole M set the new long jump record at the Scottish Schools Indoor Championships with a mightily impressive jump of 7.08m, which beat Henry Clarkson’s old record by 1cm. This makes him the best jumper in Merchiston’s history.

Finally, our Captain of Athletics this year, Finlay M, has had a great season and has been a fantastic role model to the rest of the School. Finlay was a vital cog in the 4 x 100m Boys’ A relay team, which won the Scottish Schools with an impressive time of 44.98s. Finlay possesses all the qualities of a fine young athlete: his achievements on the track have been known to many since his days in Pringle, where he set the standard. Watching Finlay coaching the junior boys has been one of the major highlights this Summer Term. He is a genuine inspiration to all at the School and we look forward to seeing his future successes. Thank you, Finlay.

Craig Harrison, Head of Athletics

CROSS COUNTRY

The lovely February Scottish sun was shining on all runners for the Whole School Cross Country, which meant that boys competed superbly in all three races. Again, we held this as a Clan event and it was amazing to see all boys out competing in such good spirits. There was something very special about seeing all the boys running in a fun, yet competitive setting. It was also great to run this event for the charity Doddie Aid Foundation. With this focus, a big thanks must also go to Mr Aitchison, who managed to run in all three races and also managed to convince Arlene Stuart, from Forth One radio station, to start all of the races. Arlene was a welcome addition to the event as her good humour and motivation inspired the boys, and her words of encouragement about the Doddie Aid Foundation really touched home with the boys.

SENIORS

Prep School Cross Country relays

This was an amazing event and something that the School should be proud of. Having over two hundred prep school children running around the campus was a truly amazing experience and I am sure that we can grow this event even more next year. The three boys’ teams we entered all covered themselves with glory as they battled hard against stiff opposition. Our U9 boys came 11th and gained valuable experiences from their first exposure in this type of event. The U11s managed to secure a silver medal as they narrowly missed out to a strong Craigclowan team. The U13s team also secured a silver medal as they lost to an extremely fit Fettes Prep, which managed to pip Toby G on the line for an unbelievable end to all the races. Four records were broken on the day, which shows the high level of competition. Congratulations go to the following schools:

U9 Girls - St Mary’s (new record)

U9 Boys - St Mary’s

U11 Girls - The Compass School (new record)

U11 Boys - Craigclowan Prep

U13 Girls - Strathallan Prep (new record)

U13 Boys - Fettes Prep (new record)

Scottish Independent Schools' Invitational Cross-Country Championships

Mr Mills drove the twelve keen athletes to the John Muir Country Park on Sunday 26 February to compete in the U11 and U13 boys’ competition. With over two hundred boys competing, it was always going to be a challenging event which would push the boys outside their comfort zones. The boys rose to the challenge and the School was extremely proud of their achievements. Special mention must go to the following boys:

U13 Boys - Toby G (5th), Alex P (8th)

U11 Boys - Henry D (7th)

Craig Harrison, Head of Physical Education

FIVES

It has been another excellent year for Merchiston fives, with some strong performances at senior level and some very promising younger players coming through. In the U18 Scottish Schools Singles, Sam P was in fine form, progressing through the rounds before winning a hard fought final, 116, 11-8, to secure the Cup. Lucas F, still only U15, played extremely well against older opposition in order to win the Plate. In the U18 Edinburgh Schools Doubles, William G and Thomas R partnered and lost a really tough game in the semi-final of the Cup, 16-14, after having several match points! Fergus F and Nick DV, both U15, played exceptionally well to win the Plate. Due to the change in the School’s timetable, this year allowed the opportunity to start the U13 boys playing fives properly with a weekly activity session;

their progress has been outstanding and their dedication was rewarded with a trip down to London to play in the U13 Nationals at St Paul’s. James R played particularly well and lost in the semi-final of the Singles Cup, an agonising 12-11. He then partnered with Hamish F again to reach the semifinal of the Doubles Cup, and again lost by the narrowest of margins, 12-11! This was a really tough one to take, but a great learning experience and an impressive achievement to reach the top four in the UK. Angus R and Adam W also played very well in London and both reached the semifinals of the Singles Plate, which Hamish F went on to win. They all look forward to returning to London for the U14 Nationals next year.

Matthew Hillier, Master i/c Fives

BASKETBALL REPORT 2022-23

Our basketball team has responded brilliantly to a tough, long and competitive season, with many pleasing achievements as well. All the boys are improving their level of basketball under the professional help of our coach, Cairn Simpson. In the Scottish Schools Cup game, unfortunately we failed to progress into the knockout stage – however, we all performed well and spared no effort to contribute to

the team. In the league games, our starters stood out – Ezio, Gabe, Adrian, Jack, Wilson and Oliver have been absolutely outstanding, putting us at the top of the league, with only two losses. Huge thanks go to them for those hard-working training sessions. Well done, boys!

Jack C (Upper VI Form), Captain

FOOTBALL

This year was again a year of transition, in which we have been trying to rebuild the momentum from years gone by. With a lot of last year's squad amongst the leavers, we had to find new players, a process which was aided by the amount of participation by boys from all year groups.

Our first game was a friendly at home to Loretto, which we won 3-1. This game served as a confidence booster for everyone, especially for those who had not played in a competitive 11-a-side game before. Additionally, it served as a way of getting to know everyone after a whole summer away and a new core to the team.

Our second game was a disappointing, narrow loss to Fettes, given our promising start. One of the learning points from the 4-3 loss was that we had to improve our fitness after a long summer, the effects of which were still being felt! However, the boys were keen to bounce back when the opportunity arose later in the year at home, where we put in a solid performance, beating them 3-1. Our work in training with the wonderful Kevin Macdonald from Kevin Thomson Football Academy helped to improve fitness and keep our shape on the pitch. This really helped us in this game and we were rewarded with a win.

We started our Cup journey with ambition and a newfound sense of confidence. In the first match, we played against Loretto. In the first half, we played poorly and went down 2-0; in the second half, we fought back and almost had the draw when Felix G fired a shot in the dying minutes of the game. Unfortunately, it was saved off the line and the match ended 2-1. This was a big blow to our confidence, being so competitive in previous games. This game was followed by another disheartening loss to George Heriot’s and by a tough run of games against Stewart’s Melville and George Watson’s, both finalists in last year's Cup competition. Unfortunately, we lost those games

1-0 and 2-1 respectively, but there were definitely positives to be taken from them. We played well as a unit, faced the adversity of a hard opponent and came out with the mindset that we had played good football.

Wilbert N and Max DM, our courageous football leaders, enjoyed following the Hibernian FC under-19 team in its European Cup journey. The boys went to watch the young Hibees defeat Nantes in the quarter final, which led to a match against Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final at Easter Road. A narrow 1-2 defeat meant the Hibees were knocked out of the competition, but what an experience for our football leaders!

With our renewed belief, we won the last two out of three games, beating Fettes 3-0 and George Heriot’s 2XI 52, ending the season on a high note. With the core of our squad consisting of younger boys, hopefully they can take on more senior roles within the team and lead us to a bright future. Thank you to all the leavers - Felix G, Jacob A, Aaron G, Nicolas SP and Cornelius L - for countless memories and enjoyable times as a team.

We have been very successful in our 2XI development structure, which takes in footballers in U17 and U16 year groups, with the leaders often being Upper Sixth pupils. These boys have trained very well all year and achieved some very exciting and high-scoring victories. These boys will be working towards the 1XI next year: it is great to see so many promising footballers at Merchiston.

Huge thanks go to all our coaches: to Kevin Macdonald, who comes in three times a week and travels to most of our games; to Dr Mechie and Mr Dobbin, who are always there for their insight and motivating half-time talks; and finally, special thanks to Mr Lieberman for organising all the games on top of his duties as a football coach.

Wilbert N (Captain) & Max DM (Vice-Captain)

POLO

Polo continues to go from strength to strength with a move this year to Edinburgh Polo, located in the grounds of Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club. This club was established in 1973, offers a range of lessons and chukkas, and is also the home of polo at Edinburgh University and The Dick Veterinary School. James Douglas, a 3-goal arena and 2-goal outdoor player, ably coaches the boys and makes the most of his time with them by offering 1:1 time on the wooden horse before the boys mount and head out on their ponies, most of which have been home-bred by James.

Sikai was new to polo this year and has taken to the sport like a ‘duck to water’: his previous riding experience stood him in good stead as he picked up a mallet for the first time. Max, whose family owns Edinburgh Polo, continues to

impress with his strong ride-offs and confident riding style. Magnus, who is now a handicapped player in Spain and playing competitively there in his holidays, is mastering technique and becoming a strategic player. One of the highlights for all our Merchiston players has been the opportunity to play chukkas on a Sunday with, and against, other young players from Edinburgh. The friendly competition has been good for the boys and their game. This summer, we hope to put a team together for the SUPA championship in Cirencester, where the boys did very well with a new team last year.

Thank you to Edinburgh Polo and James Douglas for hosting us.

Alexandra Torrance, Common Room

GOLF ACADEMY 2022-23

in a challenging way, so scoring was going to be tough. The boys played really well, with Archie C leading the way with a fine 71, Jacobo with 73 and Will with 75.

A new tournament was next for the boys: the North-East Links Championship, played at the superb Goswick Golf Club. This time, we took ten players as it provided an opportunity to give boys the experience of playing a competitive round over a world-class golf course. The boys played brilliantly over the links: the course certainly provided true links conditions with a 30mph wind blowing!

The first tournament of the year was the ISGA Southern Open at the Marriott Tudor, Kent. Despite the long two-day trip, by train and hired car, the boys played well: the team secured seventh place, with Archie C leading the way with a 73, closely followed by Tim R with a 74, and young Jacobo, playing in his first event for Merchiston, scoring a very creditable 75.

It was not long before the boys were back on the road again, this time to play in the AQ Invitational, a world ranking event played at the renowned St Pierre Country Club in Chepstow. It was a fantastic trip, with the boys finishing in third place in the team event.

The schedule then turned to Manchester and a venue a little closer to home! The Marriott, Worsley Park was set up

Merchiston won the team event, with Will A scoring an incredible 3 under par 69 to win individual honours.

This win gave the team huge momentum going into the Lent Term, when the tournament schedule resumed in late March. Just before term ended, the senior boys had an ISGA Matchplay against Dollar. Again, the boys were full of confidence and managed to win convincingly. This match qualified the boys for National Finals later in the year.

During the winter months, we were extremely fortunate to be able to use the fantastic indoor training centre, built with funding from Kingsfield and the Stephen Gallacher Foundation. This gave us ten sessions at which the boys were given access to two golf simulators - TrackMan measuring their analysis and PuttView. This was a great opportunity, especially as the wintry conditions were often harsh. This facility really gave the boys a super environment in which to train.

In March, we resumed our schedule, and this time we were at the British Schools Open at Fleetwood in Lancashire. Again, as the event was not too far away from School (3½ hours), a team of ten golfers was selected to play. This event provided another great opportunity for all our Golf Academy students to represent the School.

Through last year’s Order of Merit placing, and finishing top school in Scotland, the senior members of the Golf Academy qualified to represent Scotland in this year's Home Internationals at the New Golf Course in St Andrews. It was always going to be a big ask for us to beat the topranked school in the UK, Rossall. Our boys played their hearts out and fell just short down the home stretch, and so we had to be happy with the runner-up position.

Due to severe weather conditions, the Home Internationals tournament was played on the same day as the ISGA Scottish Open, and again, a large group of Merchiston Golf Academy pupils took full advantage of playing at the ‘home of golf’, St Andrews. Despite the weather, the boys loved their day out.

There are two very important matches in which some of our boys are asked to play and to represent the School. This year, our captain, Tim R, and Max D were selected to play for the Scottish Wayfarers’ team against the R&A. It is not only an honour to be asked, but for Tim to be selected as captain of the schools’ team and to be paired against the R&A captain, over the Old Course, things can barely get any better!

The final match of the year was, again, a very special date on our fixture list: the annual match against the Merchistonians at Muirfield, which is a favourite match for the boys, whether they win, lose or draw. To play at Muirfield against great opponents and to experience the lunch… well, again, does it get much better? This provided another great opportunity for the boys in the Merchiston Golf Academy.

Alan Murdoch, Director of Golf

The ISGA UK Schools Senior Boys’ final Order of Merit (to 13 June 2023)

THE JUNIOR GOLF ACADEMY

The junior golf team has had an incredible golf season, finishing fifth in the 2022/23 ISGA UK Schools ranking list Order of Merit. This is a fantastic achievement and also, finishing top school in Scotland, all bodes well for the future of Merchiston Junior Golf.

The boys had a busy year, starting off with the ISGA Matchplay, where, although there was a disappointing entry from Scottish schools, Merchiston qualified as Scottish area winners, which guaranteed automatic qualification for the UK National Finals.

Over the winter, the boys enjoyed their weekly visits to Kingsfield, where they gained invaluable information and some quality indoor practice using the TrackMan simulators and PuttView area, honing new skills and improving putting lines.

This year, we gave some of our juniors the opportunity to play with our seniors in tournaments, most notably the North East Salver, played at Goswick Golf Club, one of the UK’s most well-known links courses - a great experience for them. Recently, the boys have competed in four UK National Junior events in England, with some great success.

They finished in the top 5 in every event they played in, and success came both in team and in individual performances: James R took home the trophy for best individual in the UK Junior Salver, played at Pyrford Lakes; also, Alan T had a top three individual finish in his age bracket, with Harry M a second-place finish in his age bracket at the UK Junior Open on the very difficult Drayton Park course.

All-in-all, the Juniors have had a super season, with all boys making huge progress in their golf.

Alan Murdoch, Director of Golf

HOCKEY

This was another fantastic season for hockey at Merchiston, with the introduction of the new timetable providing increased opportunities for boys to access hockey alongside their other sporting commitments. Indeed, every boy at the School from J4 all the way up to Shell now has the opportunity to have one dedicated training session and one dedicated slot for a fixture each week. This, including the senior fixtures, has seen the number of matches scheduled to be played across the School almost double this year to over eighty.

In Pringle, there were numerous fixtures against Cargilfield, Fettes, Ardvreck, Craigclowan and Belhaven across U13, U11 and U10 age groups. Such was the demand for hockey this year that most Wednesdays saw seven junior teams out playing matches, with, at times, the School managing to field nine teams, including six U13 teams - a true reflection of where hockey is moving to in the School. The season came to an end with a festival of hockey for all boys against George Watson’s College. A very close contest, played with a lot of smiles on faces, saw Merchiston come home with four wins and one draw: a fitting end to an excellent term of hockey that saw the boys grow and develop as people and hockey players.

This year, we amalgamated the U14s and U15s into two ‘Colts’ teams, allowing all the boys across IV Form and Shell to train and play together. The benefit of the new timetable meant that all these boys had a focused hockey session built into their weekly timetable. It was great to see over forty boys choose to take up this option and enjoying their hockey. Fixtures included matches against Loretto, Watson’s, Balerno / Boroughmuir, Fettes and others. Although results were mixed, the development and improvement were clear to see, making it to the semi-final of the U15 Scottish Schools

Plate before falling short to a very good Stewart’s Melville side. The side included a large number of U14 and U13 boys, showing that the future is bright.

Also, special mention must go to Toby G, Hamish F, Tom B, Jack D (all Pringle) and William M (IV Form) for being selected by East of Scotland to play in the Under-14 Interdistrict Hockey Championship.

The 1XI was made up of a small but dedicated squad of boys this year, many of whom had many other commitments during the Lent Term. Despite this, it was really pleasing to see them prioritise their hockey and commit as much as they could. This led to a very competitive season with lots of close, well fought games. One of the highlights was progressing past the first round of the U18 Scottish Schools Cup for the first time ever, with a 1-0 win over Stewart’s Melville, with us scoring with the last touch of the game. Other results saw the team have a couple of wins over Heriot’s, a draw and close loss to Watson’s and another close loss to very strong Balerno / Boroughmuir side. The team was a real credit to itself this year, with many excellent performances. With the majority of the squad being made up of LVI boys, the building blocks are there for an exciting hockey season next year.

Finally, everyone involved in hockey at Merchiston would like to thank Mr Richard McCorkell, who left the School this year, having worked tirelessly over the years in his role in charge of hockey, to grow the hockey programme to where it is today. With around eighty fixtures played across all ages and around 240 boys playing in matches, hockey goes from strength to strength, and it would never have possible without him.

Alasdair Evans, Master i/c Hockey

SHOOTING

This year, Merchiston’s shooting got off to a rocky start, as many from last year’s team had moved on from the School. Therefore, we had the task of creating a new team for this year, made up of new firers who were willing and eager to take their shooting to the next level and to represent the School in the team. We opened an activity on Tuesdays and Thursdays to bring in some new faces and to see who would be suitable for the team. We have had many boys come along - some who had shot in some way, shape or form and some who were completely new to this activity. It was great fun, and many enjoyed their first experience of handling the target rifles. There were some stand-out shots in the activities and these boys went on to join the team and take shooting further: Amos C (LVI), Morgan H (LVI), Rohan R (LVI) and Ryan W (Shell), as well as Ptolemy R (UVI) and myself (LVI) from last year. This new team was excited and ready to shoot, and it has been a delight for Major Ewing and I to coach and work with them and to see the staggering progress they have made. They have progressed from starting off the year shooting small rifles off a stand and learning the basics of the rifle, to now being fully-experienced shots in jackets, selfcoaching and scoring into the 90s with their targets.

We have had a quiet year overall, with the main target being the Merchiston vs Merchistonians annual shoot on 14 May. It was a delight having some former pupils around, some of whom had just left recently. Having lost in the clay pigeon shoot early in the day at Cluny Clays, back at School, it was up to the team to try to scrape a win for Merchiston. It was a big ask as we were up against people who had represented their country in shooting, whereas, for most of the boys, this was their first shoulder-to-shoulder competition, let alone their first Merchistonian shoot. Unfortunately, we were unable to

win and lost by 60 points, but overall, it was a great experience for us. We were able to learn much from the great tips given and gained valuable insight from those who had been in our position before - we learnt lots from them. This was a great competition - well done to the Merchistonians. Hopefully, we can secure a win against them next year.

Pringle boys have also had a chance to try their hands at target rifle shooting this year: this has been led by Mr Thomson, who has taken on the big task of training these boys - his first task after recently passing his Range Conducting Officer’s licence. He has had the help of myself and, later, Rohan in the Summer Term. It has been a learning experience for us all, with highs and lows; however, some of the boys have really taken on the challenge and have gone up into jackets, shooting 5 and 10-bull targets. Special mention should be made of Paul C (III Form), for scoring an impressive 99 on a 5-bull and on his final shot of his time at Merchiston, a 93 on a 10-bull. The other boys who have also performed very well are Orhan B, Milo C and Finn C (all III Form) - they have really advanced in the course of the year. This has been a great first year for these boys. Whether they are staying in the School or moving on, we hope that they continue with target rifles.

Special thanks go to Major Ewing for organising events and coaching us and to Mr Thomson for coaching the Pringle recruits. I would also like to thank Ptolemy R, who will be leaving this year and who has been a great help to the team. Hopefully, next year will be even better and more enjoyable for us - I look forward to it.

Richard T (LVI), Captain of Shooting

SMALL-BORE SHOOTING 2023

On Sunday 14 May 2023, select boys represented the School in the annual shoulder-to-shoulder shoot against the Merchistonians. A six-point average between the two teams would be the deciding factor.

This academic year has seen similar numbers to previous years participating in small-bore shooting. Over thirty boys

have shot at various levels, either enhancing skills as return firers or, in most cases, being introduced to the discipline at entry level. The junior level has been highly active under the guidance and coaching from Mr Thomson: indeed, during the Summer Term, more than most have now progressed to shooting jackets and slings. Boys from the

middle and upper year groups have made significant progress during the first two terms. In the Summer Term, the decision was taken to have an invitation only policy, due to the time constraints and lack of shooting for our high-performance squad. The shooting captain, Richard T, was joined by Ptolemy R, Morgan H, Amos C, Ryan W, Rohan R and Arthur B. These boys have all progressed over the term in both their personal shooting and as coaches, the latter being rather important looking towards the next academic year and the boys’ ability to assist in coaching inexperienced firers.

It is rather unfortunate that some of our boys missed out on selection for county and national teams this year, even more so after seeing the results of those who were selected from across the shooting world. Looking forward, it is hoped that we can again enter the external competition world individually and as a team: the first test will be the

Watson’s Open in December 2023.

Richard T, Ptolemy R, Ryan W, Amos C and Rohan R represented the School in the annual Merchistonian shoot, for which the Merchistonians arrived with a few internationalists in their ranks. The match was over ten cards, with a maximum of 1000 points up for grabs. Each boy would shoot two cards, with the Merchistonians shooting one and a select one or two firing two cards. The final scores were Merchistonians 936/1000, with the boys shooting a very credible score of 876/1000 - a Merchistonian win by a 6-point average over the boys.

With the growing number of internationalists in the Merchistonian ranks, we hope to see them pop into the range and pass on tips to the boys - a win-win situation for shooting and for Merchiston.

Alan Ewing, Master i/c Shooting

TENNIS 2022-23

There has been a continued strong competitive element to our progress during the year and there have been many pleasing achievements within our Tennis Academy programme. All the boys are improving their tennis level and there is opportunity for all boys to maximise their tennis education on site.

Notable achievements this year include:

Second place at the Under 18 National Glanville Cup in Nottingham, losing to Reeds School in the final. This was one step further than our efforts last year, when we came

third. The team consisted of:

Euan M, Luke M, Alexander B, Lance N, Michael C.

Winners of the U18 Scottish Cup, beating Strathallan School in the final. The team consisted of:

Lance N, Michael C, Sam P, Euan M.

In addition to the performance element of our programme, the introduction of House tennis on Monday nights and the continuation of our “Merchi Minis” have continued to be well received. These introductory sessions allow players

to ‘discover’ the game of tennis and, hopefully, plant a lifelong love of the game into the next generation of tennis players.

Overall, approximately 57 boys play tennis consistently every week across the year, which is 15% of our School population. This represents a good return, especially in areas of talent identification from within our School Sports Programme.

The introduction of our vision and strategic framework motivates us to capture specific information each week during our programme, and the table below presents a breakdown of what has happened. Our Tennis Academy staff even attend academic lessons to see how our teachers and boys work in the classroom.

Simon Pender, Director of the Tennis Academy

EVENTS, SPEECHES & DINNERS

MERCHISTON’S SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION AND PRIZEGIVING 2023 CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS' SPEECH

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I welcome you to our 2023 Prizegiving and may I extend a particularly warm welcome to today`s speaker, Mr Ronnie Hassard. Ronnie, we have all heard quite a bit about you from the Headmaster and I can assure you that we are all looking forward to hearing much about him from you!

This afternoon, my task is to give you a brief `state of the nation` update on where we are and where we are going with development at Merchiston. It has been very clear for all to note the refurbishment initiative in the Chalmers Houses. Prior to a recent meeting, the Finance and General Purposes Committee toured the two Houses and were very impressed with the progress made. The main contractor, Linear, are confident that they are on schedule to hand the Houses over in the third week of August and I am sure that, when boys and their parents see the job they have done, they will be delighted. That Linear are on schedule is quite an achievement in itself, due to the fact that a company contracted to remove all asbestos in the basements of these boarding Houses singularly failed to do so and we had to employ another company to carry out that crucial work again, thus bringing the refurbishment works to a halt until we were absolutely certain the buildings were clean.

We also had an unexpected issue in the Pringle Centre, where problems with a ceiling required a full inspection, which revealed that when the building was constructed, poor quality materials had been used. This necessitated a major refurbishment, which is now complete. I would like to thank our facilities manager, Rob Bryson, who brought his expertise and experience to bear in planning and overseeing the refurbishment of these buildings, and to our Bursar, Pippa Axon, for her financial stewardship in what has been a stressful experience.

Our Forest Nursery will launch in fourteen months` time, along with a revamped Junior School. The considerable degree of interest already shown in these initiatives bodes well and, in what are very uncertain economic times, it is most encouraging to be able to widen our sphere of activity

and ability to bring in income.

The use of our School campus throughout the summer holiday, in particular, brings in a considerable amount of income, with language schools, musical schools and sports coaching all adding to the pot and helping us to keep increases in fees as small as we possibly can. I must pay tribute to our catering and domestic teams for the sterling work they do to accommodate these activities throughout the holidays – the turnaround after the boys leave for their summer holidays is immediate and very intense to prepare for our summer clients.

All of the development and refurbishment mentioned above is obviously to support our core activity, which is to enable us to educate your sons, to add value to every pupil here and to help them all to out-perform whatever individual strengths they have. For me, the most fulfilling element of being a Governor is watching happy boys here at Merchiston doing just that. I know that the Board`s job is to oversee the operation and development of the School and to help the Headmaster and his team deliver for the boys and their families, but it is the stories of the boys, whether in the classroom, on the sportsfield, in music and drama, that provide the ‘feel good’ factor. I should also add to that, that watching the manner in which they conduct themselves brings great fulfilment as well - and a recent experience with the senior boys exemplified that. I`m not daft enough to think that everybody`s as ‘pure as driven snow’, but the strengths and qualities articulated so well in our Men of Integrity video sets a high bar and level of expectancy. I was kindly invited by Roddy Deans to join the celebration of winning the Scottish Schools U18 Rugby Cup, so generously held at Carlowrie Castle by Andrew Marshall. It was a super evening and a joy to watch the boys and their families come together in celebration. Bruce Aitchison provided a hilarious commentary on each member of the squad as they went up to receive their ties. Just before leaving, I thanked Roddy for inviting me, and said what a credit the boys were to him and his coaching team, to the

School and to their parents. He said “yes”, but the thing he was most proud of them on that particular night was that they all looked him in the eye when they came up and shook his hand - a small thing, you might think, but it speaks volumes about their values and how well prepared they are to go out into the world from Merchiston.

Behind all that personal development is the commitment shown to the boys by our wonderful staff, who work so hard to get the best out of each boy: on behalf of the Board, I would like to thank them all for their hard work. To the Headmaster and his Senior Leadership Team, who have had a very demanding year on a number of fronts, I reiterate the Board`s gratitude. Merchiston is an £11m turnover business and it`s a complicated one, with a huge regulatory burden which seems to increase by the week: quite how they keep on top of all that particular workload is of enormous credit to them.

With regard to the Board, over the course of the last year we have welcomed three new Governors. Ian McArlie, a current Merchiston parent, brings his legal and corporate skills to the Board; Ken Greig is a former Headmaster of

Pangbourne, Hutcheson`s Grammar School and Brighton College`s school in the Middle East, and brings enormous educational experience to us; and Ann Deans, a former Merchiston parent, who is a GP, will be hugely valuable in health and pastoral matters. They have contributed much over the last year and have been an extremely valuable addition to the Board of Governors.

To you, the parent body, who make such sacrifices to send your sons to Merchiston, I offer huge thanks. It is clearly a time of considerable uncertainty for the whole country and the independent education sector is undoubtedly feeling the draught of inflation across a whole set of indices. We will do our absolute best to keep fee increases to a minimum and I`m sure that we all hope that these inflationary pressures relent in the near future. May I wish you all a super summer holiday and, to our leavers, I wish you all the best in the future. I have absolutely no doubt that you will all gather together regularly in the future - please make sure to come back and see us.

Thank you.

Gareth Baird, Chair of the Board of Governors

HEADMASTER’S SPEECH

Ladies and Gentlemen, invited guests, Governors, Staff and Boys - good afternoon.

Today, in this gathering, we bring together our Commemoration of the foundation of Merchiston Castle School and our Prizegiving ceremony. In doing so, we begin by remembering the history of our glorious School and its founder, Charles Chalmers.

Having started a School in the late 1820s, in May 1833, Chalmers took the lease of Merchiston Castle, the former home of John Napier of logarithm fame, which at that time stood in rural surroundings, and opened his Academy. Charles Chalmers started with thirty boys. We took on the Napier motto “Ready, ay ready”, which exists to this day and remains embedded within our School values. Like his famous brother, the mathematician, physicist and theologian Dr Thomas Chalmers, Charles was an original thinker in Maths and Science. However, his vision was also broader than that, and a depth of intellectual curiosity in the wider arts was also fostered. As Merchiston grew, so did the boundaries of the City of Edinburgh. After WW1, in 1919 the School applied to the city council for permission to build a memorial hall. Apparently, permission was refused, so the Governors made the enlightened decision to move the School to Colinton so that the 210 students could once again enjoy the advantages of both town and country. The new School opened its doors in 1930 and today’s roll stands at almost twice that number.

Today is about celebrating the founding of this School and honouring those who had and have the vision to make it what it is today.

Today I am delighted to welcome Mr Ronnie Hassard to Merchiston as our honoured guest and speaker. I have a few snippets of Ronnie’s life journey that I would like to share with you. He was born in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, and his passions at Portora Royal School, his alma mater, were English Literature and rugby - in that order. He began teaching English in a deprived area of Belfast, and then became Head of English at Ballyclare High School. Following that, he was Vice Principal of Grosvenor Grammar School, Principal of Wellington College, Belfast, and Principal of Ballymena Academy. Appointed Principal of Ballymena Academy in 2004, Ronnie led eight fellow Principals in the formation of Ballymena Learning Together, recognised as a best practice model for inter-school collaboration and a challenge to sectarianism.

Since retirement, he has remained educationally active, keeping in touch with schools, Principals and a number of educational bodies. As the representative of fifty Voluntary

Grammar Schools, he sits on the Board of the Education Authority of Northern Ireland, and is a Governor of Campbell College. Ronnie was High Sheriff for Co Antrim in 2019. Recognised as a successful Head with an abiding interest in educational improvement, he has a long-term interest in developing and supporting leadership. He taught post-graduate students for several years and he is still active in numerous roles, including coaching aspiring and recently-appointed Principals. A keen historian and an avid reader with an extensive knowledge of Ulster and Irish writers, Ronnie is regularly invited to speak on varied topics: literary, educational, historic, and cultural.

My connection with Ronnie goes back to his days at Ballyclare High School, where I was a pupil and Ronnie at that time was Head of the English Department. If Ronnie’s passions were English and rugby in that order, he will probably remember that sport, then perhaps Geography, then History, and then finally English Literature were probably my priorities! Ronnie coached me rugby in my under-15 year and I have incredibly fond memories of my first ever sports tour abroad to Italy: in those days, it was quite a big deal for young people like us to get that opportunity and Ronnie was determined that we got the very most from the experience – not just on the rugby field, but through the culture and history of Rome and the surrounding regions. And Ronnie taught me English Literature at A Level - a subject that did not come easily to me at all. Some would say “forget literature, you’ve yet to master the English language”, but there we go…

So, English Literature was perhaps not my forte: I can remember my first set of Lower Sixth exams being an utter disaster, but Ronnie nurtured, cajoled, and encouraged me. It was not my best A Level grade, but if asked, I would say that I learned more about myself through studying English at A Level and I probably enjoyed those classes the most out of all of my subjects. A fondness for literature was kindled in me and, for that, I have Ronnie to thank. So, when we think of today, a day that is all about the celebration of achievement, I am delighted, indeed humbled, that Mr Hassard accepted my invitation to present the prizes and to share some of his thoughts with you. I was a huge beneficiary of his wisdom - and I know you will be too.

It is a question that is often asked in the biographies of successful business people, celebrities, inventors, and other significant achievers – “who inspired you?”, “who had faith in you?”, and “who supported your dreams and ambitions?”. Alongside family, more often than not, it is a teacher, or teachers, who are offered up as the answer – those people,

who knew how to help unlock potential and, with patience, affirm the unsure, nudge the under-motivated, and stretch the ambitious. For me, being a teacher and being involved in the education of young people is a huge privilege, largely inspired by those who taught me. I would like to think that amongst our audience of prize-winners and pupils, all of you have been inspired, encouraged, nudged, cajoled, motivated and affirmed across this year - and that you have your teachers, tutors, House staff and coaches to thank for that.

If I go back to my own educational journey, so much of what I loved about my school I see in Merchiston today. I think, in part, that is what drew me to education - I loved the environment. My formative years were in a school with a strong sense of community; we were not a boarding school but we might as well have been. School days were busy: full of learning and book-ended with sports practices, matches, orchestra, choir and drama rehearsals and I just loved it – I lapped it up. I made great, lifelong friends – they were classmates, team mates, fellow cast members, and my teachers. I see so much of that collegiality here, day in and day out. Merchiston is a special place to live and work.

We have a value here at Merchiston – ‘Seizing Opportunities’: so much of what we derive from education is about taking those chances that present themselves, even those activities and areas that we are not readily drawn to. Such opportunities exist because of the hard work and dedication of all the staff here at Merchiston and

they succeed because those same staff encourage and celebrate involvement and giving of your best. I wish to take this chance to give a special vote of thanks to all my colleagues for what they do in support of our boys and for their hard work this year.

I studied Dickens as part of my A Level English Literature studies – Great Expectations to be precise, in which there is a quote that I would like to reflect upon this morning. I stand ready to be corrected by Mr Hassard on this, once again! Herbert Pocket, a friend of the principal character, Pip, is in conversation with Pip about another central character, Miss Havisham, and her former suitor. Herbert shares his view, or, more precisely, the view of his father, in relation to upbringing, background and class, which are key themes of the novel. He says the following:

“No varnish can hide the grain of the wood; and the more varnish you put on, the more the grain will express itself.”

In other words, you cannot disguise the true colour of something by coating it in a nicer finish – and, try as you might to hide it, you remain a product of your environment. The culture is engrained and cannot be glossed over. Let’s apply that metaphor to the Merchiston culture and the Merchiston character. Both are deeply ingrained in each and every pupil in this Hall and are a wonderful part of our shared experience. However, it is not something to hide or gloss over – not in any sense. Barely a week goes by when I do not receive a message from someone not associated with Merchiston, complimenting our boys on their

demeanour, their sportsmanship, their gratitude, their consideration or their initiative. I, for one, am proud to see that ingrained culture and character, expressed by our boys in the most positive of terms, wherever they go.

I often say to the boys that ‘busy people are successful people’. By extension, a busy school is a successful school and, goodness me, our busy-ness has filled this year with countless successes across every facet of School life. I’m not sure whether we should look at the year thematically or chronologically, but in either case, the efforts and achievements that we have seen across the School have been prolific.

MerchiSTEM, our very own Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths initiative, has flourished this year under the guidance of Dr Nugent and Mrs Chapman. Entering a huge range of design and problem-solving competitions, the teams of all ages have seen great success, as well as enjoying a trip to Venice. Our EDT Bronze Industrial Cadets won Young STEM Leader Award and CREST Award and in June we were awarded the National STEM Award, developed to celebrate, promote and build on effective practice in STEM education within and across sectors. Success in this arena has also been recognised by the Royal Society of Arts, with three of our pupils travelling to London

next week to receive an award for their design work.

We have achieved success in the same vein in the UK Maths Challenge, the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad, and Biology and Physics competitions.

Our Pipe Band, under the expert tutelage of Kyle Warren, has gone from strength to strength, testing itself in competition, performing in numerous venues and preparing for what promises to be an amazing experience, playing in New York during Tartan Week next year. The number of pipers in the Junior School bodes really well and an exciting future beckons.

In sport, we continue to set the standard: retention of the Scottish Schools Rugby Under 18 Cup was, of course, a highlight, but also an unbeaten season for the Under 13 group points to a positive future. Our Under 18 Schools Festival, hosted here each October, continues to grow in reputation and calibre, marking us out as one of the eminent schools for rugby in the UK.

The danger is that we are forever known as a rugby school: that we are, but we are so, so much more. National success has also come to our tennis team, crowned national champions just last week, not long after our U18 cricket team won, for the first time, the national 20-20 trophy. We also retained our national senior relay title at the

Scottish Schools Athletics Championships, alongside a series of fine individual performances. In golf, we were runners up at the Home Internationals, and in both golf and tennis, the pipeline of talent coming through our academies continues to impress. Internationalist ties have been awarded in swimming, fencing, diving, golf and rugby, along with growing representative honours in hockey – just showing the breadth of opportunity we can accommodate and inspire in a school such as ours. During the holidays, we have seen expeditions to Iceland and Venice, and sports tours to Italy and South Africa, alongside countless opportunities to reach out beyond the School grounds through Duke of Edinburgh and CCF.

Committing to our community is another key value of ours - that is, both our School community and also the community beyond. The breadth of charitable and fundraising activity across the School, from Pringle all the way up to and including staff, demonstrates our commitment to those in society who need our support. A whole range of activities, from kilt walks to 24-hour football challenges, even marathons, all in aid of meaningful and heartfelt causes - I thank and congratulate boys, parents and staff for what they have contributed to those causes. It has been an energetic year – ‘busy people are successful people’, as I have said.

And as we draw the School year to a close, I would like to turn to those colleagues who will be leaving us at the end of the term and say a few words about them.

Bruce Aitchison joined us in 2019 as Housemaster of Chalmers East. He quickly established himself as an attentive and caring pastoral leader, as well as a valued rugby coach. He led his House through Covid, and in a prescient move, became the first Middle Years Housemaster to follow a year group into their next year at School, rather than receive a new cohort of boys, thus demonstrating the value that such

stability brings. Bruce’s energetic and relentless contribution to the boarding and sporting life of the School will be hugely missed and we wish him well as he explores new ventures in both teaching and rugby.

Karen Coyne joined the School in 2018 as Resident Housemother in Laidlaw. Karen was very much a pioneer in what was, at that time, a hugely revised but crucial pastoral role: she helped to establish a standard for the role, and in developing and growing her responsibility to become a Deputy Houseparent, she once again led the way in shaping that role for others to follow. Karen also took on the role of Careers Adviser: I know boys will miss the supportive chats in the House and in the VIA Club, and colleagues too will miss her ever-present support.

Carole Weaving arrived at Merchiston in 2016 as a teacher of Support for Learning, and in 2021 she took on sole leadership of the Department. Throughout her time with us, Carole has cared for and nurtured those boys who need that additional guidance when it comes to unlocking their potential – her patience, persistence and wholehearted dedication will be sorely missed as she moves to her well-deserved retirement.

Alan Murdoch joined us when we established the Merchiston Golf Academy, a programme for golfing excellence and development, in 2011. Over the years, many boys have benefitted from Alan’s expertise and have gone on to successful careers in golf, securing golf scholarships in some of the top programmes around the world. We will miss his encyclopaedic knowledge of the game, his coaching prowess, but also his pastoral approach. We saw him put those skills to good use when, in 2020, he joined the boarding community in Chalmers West, quickly becoming a highly-regarded House tutor. Alan leaves us to further his career in the Far East and we wish him all the

very best with this new adventure.

Judith Fisher became a member of the Medical Centre team in 2006 and, as someone who knew Merchiston well and its reputation for sport, she knew the job was going to be a busy one! In Judith, we say ‘goodbye’ to a committed and caring nurse – countless boys, day and boarding, when at their most fragile, have been cared for and convalesced by Judith, and for that we are very grateful to her.

Juliet Vaughan joined us in 2006 and very quickly established excellent credentials in relation to teaching Maths (a family trait) and Support for Learning. Her skills and talents led her to a succession of leadership roles in the Pringle setting very quickly indeed, and I have hugely appreciated her presence in that team over the past few years. Juliet leaves us and moves across the city to St George’s, and whilst we will miss her caring, supportive approach, we wish her every success in the next exciting stage of her career.

Across the course of the year, we also said goodbye to Rory McCann as Director of Sport, Maths teacher Richard McCorkell, shop manager Marta Cordingley, and Debbie Marshall and Liz Firoozi from the support staff team. We have already had the chance to bid them farewell as they move to pastures new, but I take this opportunity to thank them for their contribution to the life of Merchiston over their years of service to the School.

I would also like to say a special ‘thank you’ to Finlay, Cole and Glen for their outstanding leadership of the student body this year, and also to our House captains, senior prefects, prefects and student leaders. They have led the School by fine example and they have sought to set the right tone throughout the year, leaving the most positive of impressions. The Prefects’ Service earlier in the year was a great encapsulation of what they have brought to the School.

I would like to say a few words about Finlay, if I may. He has been a wonderfully supportive Captain of School. Without going into detail, I can say that he was an inspiration to me and my family when we found ourselves in our darkest time back in September. To be comforted and counselled by such an impressive and caring young person showed me what tremendous capacity our boys have to teach us just as much, if not more, as we claim to teach them. Thank you for your support, Finlay.

We will have the chance to thank our prefects properly next week at the Graduation Service which marks our end of term, but so many of you will not be able to attend that event. If we can show our appreciation as a School today, that would be fitting. Boys, thank you for all that you have done in support of and in service to Merchiston.

My next thanks go to my colleagues and to the Governors here at Merchiston. To the leadership team of Pippa Axon, Dale Cartwright and Danny Rowlands, I say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for your support of me and my family over this past year in particular. I know that, with you, the School is in the safest of hands and your tireless energy in support of all that we seek to do is deeply appreciated.

I have spoken already about the dedication and inspiration of our teaching, House and sports staff, and I would like to add to that list our support staff: teaching support, Marketing and Admissions, our grounds and estates teams, led by Rob Bryson, our domestic and catering teams, led by Alison Hannah, and our IT team, led by Diane Boys. So much of what they do behind the scenes contributes to the health and happiness of our pupils. They, alongside our teaching and House staff, work so hard to create and maintain the right environments for our boys to flourish and excel. For many, their work is not confined to term time – it’s over fifty weeks a year and we thank them all for their hard work and commitment to the School.

We now look ahead – and there are exciting times ahead. As part of our Commemoration, we remember Charles Chalmers and his foundation of the School 190 years ago – so it is entirely apt that this year we will return to a newlyrefurbished and renovated Chalmers building, which will provide modern, sector-leading boarding spaces for pupils in the Middle Years to enjoy. We move our House structure to a vertical format to mirror the model of Laidlaw and we commence work on our new Forest Junior School and Nursery, ready to welcome a new generation of younger Merchistonians to our wonderful School. We look ahead, safe in the knowledge that the School is in a strong place; much has been said in the news of late about the value of independent education and the Labour Party’s questioning of the status of schools such as ours if it were to come to power. We recognise that parents and families make tremendous sacrifices to send their sons to Merchiston, but we know why. It is on days like today when you see not only the heights of achievement, but also you see the breadth of activity - it is then that you understand the depth of commitment of our staff in every area of the School, invested in making Merchiston the very best it can be for the boys. It is when you see this that you realise that there is so much more to education that some political parties would want you believe.

Finally, to our parents, I say ‘thank you’ for your support of Merchiston and all that it sets out to achieve for your boys. And to you all, thank you for listening.

Jonathan Anderson, Headmaster

SPEECH FROM GUEST SPEAKER AT COMMEMORATION & PRIZEGIVING RONNIE HASSARD

Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is an honour to participate in this commemoration and celebration. Well done to everyone receiving awards today. Aiming to do well, aspiring to do better, seeking to excel, are noble endeavours. English Literature and rugby football, were the fascinations of my school days. The curriculum is important, but co-curricular activities and informal exchanges enrich an individual’s learning experience and help bind the various components of schooling together.

The Headmaster mentioned our earlier connections. I know the current Principal of that school very well and recently got access to archived pupil reports. I remember a colleague writing florid but sardonic reports, such as: “His history mark shines like a candle in a naughty world” (Not about your Headmaster!). I’m sure you’d like to hear a few snippets from his reports - so would I. Sadly, the school’s Data Handling Policy means that pupil records are disposed of after a certain period. Even if his reports were available, there’d be no coruscating comments. I recall an able and engaging young man, with a winning smile, throwing comic but never impertinent comments at his English teacher. At least they were not perceived as impertinent. His appointment as Head Boy indicates the respect he was afforded within the school community.

I co-coached a successful junior side in which he played; still the only time the school has won that trophy. The lightning-fast winger with the distinctive hair colouring became an important member of the 1XV, and excelled as an elite athlete: Irish Champion at 100 and 200 metres and in a relay team. My fellow rugby coach was also his athletics coach: one of the best compliments I can pay is that Tommy, my very dear friend, held you in the highest regard.

All schools need effective leadership. That applies particularly to a school as successful, aspirational and accountable as Merchiston. I am passionate about education, particularly developing and supporting school leaders. ‘A Quick Look at Leadership’ seemed an appropriate theme for this talk. Some leadership gurus reduce this complex subject to simplistic slogans. My 5-year-old

granddaughter told me “Team Work Makes the Dream Work,” and her seven-year-old cousin knows, “If You Don’t Plan to Succeed, You Plan to Fail”.

I was pleased to see that Merchiston seeks to provide each boy with “a sense of who he is and a respect for others, having learnt what it means to have true integrity and character”. As a values-driven school, leadership is prioritised, enabling young men to “acquire the self-belief and leadership skills to succeed in a dynamic and global world”.

Now for some audience participation: we’ve got permission to break that basic rule of etiquette, ‘Don’t point!’. Could you, please, point your finger at me? You’ve got three fingers pointing at yourself. That’s the trouble about blaming. We can find, facing difficult issues, that we ourselves are part of the problem. They say that a politician (no names mentioned) who can smile in the midst of a crisis has found someone to blame, but blaming has no place in leadership. Leadership that learns from experience benefits individuals and communities. When infants take their first steps, there are many stumbles. What do we do? Blame them for falling? No - we console them, give them a cuddle, encourage them to try again, and they toddle into childhood.

If I were to ask each of you, prize winners, what sort of leader you are, what would you say? You will be amongst the leaders of the future, the influencers of your generation. That doesn’t mean you have to be a politician, public figure, or celebrity. Leadership can be quiet. A parent is a leader; a friend can be both leader and follower. Leadership opportunities are endless and all of them matter.

A leadership story which many of you may know is that of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the explorer, who challenged himself to lead the first expedition across Antarctica on foot: the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Even before reaching the frozen continent, his ship, Endurance, was trapped in ice and eventually sank. There followed unbelievably testing months camped on unstable ice, on the edge of starvation, with frostbite an ever-present danger. The situation seemed hopeless but Shackleton

sustained the men’s morale. After much hardship, and unflinching courage on his part, he got them rescued from Elephant Island. Without him, the group would have starved to death. Of course, there were tensions, serious mental and physical health issues, but they were overcome because of his leadership.

Shackleton was far from perfect, making serious misjudgements at various other times, but it is remarkable how he led on that occasion. Shackleton’s men remarked how often he asked them about their feelings. When they spoke, he listened. Even in those dire circumstances, he ensured there was fun and laughter, by harnessing the creative energies of group members in impromptu concerts and various competitions. I found it touching how often Shackleton performed a service for others: serving hot drinks after a perilous boat journey; giving another man his mittens; rubbing frozen feet to restore circulation - small things when retold now, but hugely significant then.

These were hard-bitten seafarers but they saw his genuine concern in those acts of service and responded to his leadership. May you never find yourself in such a predicament, but Shackleton’s example gives two

leadership imperatives for our very different world: communication and respect. Many in this Hall will see the year 2100, when effective leaders will still be those who communicate well and show respect for others, whatever technology may be available.

One of my favourite poems is ‘Epic’, by Patrick Kavanagh. The title suggests an ancient narrative full of Gods and Goddesses, but it features two Irish peasant farmers disputing a boundary. The poet felt inclined to despair. Then, asserting the importance of respecting ordinary people, he tells us:

Homer’s Ghost came whispering in my ear

‘I made the Iliad from such as these Gods make their own importance.’

I am impressed by Merchiston’s shared sense of purpose and extend best wishes for the future to all who make it the great School it is. May boys, parents, staff and Governors know God’s richest blessing.

Please indulge me one moment more. Could the prize winners please stand? Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating the prize winners for 2023 and their leadership contributions to this community.

LEAVERS’ PRIZEGIVING CEREMONY

HEADMASTER’S SPEECH

Good morning - a warm welcome to you all.

And so, we gather again this morning to say a farewell, of sorts, to our leavers of 2023. We celebrate their achievements, and we formally welcome them into the Merchistonian family.

This service for me, is so important. It’s a unique opportunity for us, as a School, to dedicate a special time to thank these boys and their parents for all that they have contributed to the School in their time here, whether that be our most recent joiners or those who have been here since the youngest years of Pringle. Last year, in deciding who would speak on this occasion, we felt there needed to be a connection - a link to that year group. Revd Blair, a parent in that year group, was an apt choice. This year, we will hear from a member of staff, but not just any member of staff: a member of staff who too joins the ranks of leavers in this, his last day as a colleague of ours - Mr Aitchison. He is the member of staff who guided this year group in front of me through some of the most challenging years of education the world has had to endure, and in doing so, I know he has developed a special bond and a particular affinity with this group of young men. I would also like to thank some of our parents of leavers who have agreed to read for us. In what might develop into another tradition in respect of this service, they too are members of staff at the School.

This morning, I’m also delighted to welcome Andrew McDonald, President of the Merchistonian Club, who joins us this morning to present our leavers their club ties, and also Gareth Baird, our Chair of Governors, who returns to help with the presentation of prizes.

Boys, I’m going to speak mostly to you, our leavers, if I may. Over half-term, I had the chance to see Bruce Springsteen, live, at Murrayfield – probably the most talented display on show in that arena since that night in December when our 1XV took to the pitch! You note, I excluded the Ireland rugby team there, I hope! Anyway, back to Bruce Springsteen, a talented performer and wordsmith, not at all unlike our very own Bruce Aitchison. However, by his own admission, our Bruce never quite mastered the guitar!

Bruce Springsteen, about half-way through the show, paused to reflect on his life in music and where it had all started for him. In a band when he was 16 with four other guys, they played together for a few years before they broke up. Bruce went on to superstardom and the others, whilst remaining friends, drifted away: one joined the US Marines and was killed in the Vietnam war, and the other sadly passed away later, leaving Bruce as the last surviving member. He reflected on what he saw as one of life’s big shifts. That shift, as he put it, he expressed as follows: you go from ‘tomorrows and hellos’ to ‘yesterdays and goodbyes’. As you get older, your perspective changes: you are looking back more than looking forward, you are saying ‘goodbye’ more than you say ‘hello’.

Today is a bit of a mix of that, isn’t it? We look back and remember the friendships, the great memories, the highlights, and perhaps the odd lowpoint, all experiences, often shared experiences, that mark out your time as member of this Merchiston community.

Yesterdays and goodbyes: you are saying goodbye to this place. Perhaps some of you might not return to see us for years and years to come – we hope you do, but life might take you to new and different places and a trip back to Edinburgh might not be possible. You might fall out of contact with people at School – it happens.

Tomorrows and hellos: today is also about the future, your future, and those tomorrows – the world that is your oyster: those opportunities that lie ahead, the people you will meet – the ‘hellos’ you will get to say as you go to university, head into the world of work, find new interests, or even join a band like our friend, Mr Springsteen. A lifetime of ‘hellos’ awaits, a life of new days and new beginnings.

There are a few more things that I would say about that – you will say ‘hello’ again to this place. You are not saying ‘goodbye’ at all. No matter where you are in the world, the solid bonds forged in this wonderful melting pot of a School, will bring you back here – they will keep you in touch. Merchiston will be a part of your tomorrow, as much as it has been part of your today, and your yesterday. Last Saturday, I spoke about this place being ingrained in you

all – and there it will remain. Today you become a Merchistonian and you join our alumni community: your first new ‘hello’ will come from Mr McDonald. That ‘silken cord’ stretches on ahead of you, not just in your wake.

Our visiting speaker at last week’s Prizegiving selected a poem called Blessing, by John O’Donohue, which was wonderfully read by Cole. I am going to use the last two stanzas of that later in the service, as our blessing on you as you leave Merchiston. I hope that you will be able to listen to its words. But for now, I’m going to read another snippet of a John O’Donohue poem, entitled For The Traveller:

When you travel, you find yourself

Alone in a different way,

More attentive now

To the self you bring along, Your more subtle eye watching

You abroad; and how what meets you

Touches that part of the heart

That lies low at home:

How you unexpectedly attune

To the timbre in some voice, Opening in conversation

You want to take in

To where your longing

Has pressed hard enough

Inward, on some unsaid dark,

To create a crystal of insight

You could not have known.

When it comes to poems about adventure, this one by John O’Donohue does well to explain the changes that occur within us when we travel, or when we move on. We may see new horizons every day, and we may meet new people around each corner, but the thing that can change the most is the heart and mind of the traveller.

However, never forget that you are in our hearts and minds and there you will remain. I hope that you will keep this place, and all of the wonderful friends and acquaintances you have made in your mind and close to your heart as you move on to new ‘hellos’ and new ‘tomorrows’.

We will hear from Finlay in a while and, to him, to Glen and Cole and to the wider prefect team, I say a special ‘thank you’ for your sterling work in support of the entire School. Boys, to you all, I thank you so much for all that you have done: you have been an inspirational group of young men, and you have been a fine example to us all of what can be achieved with the right mind-set. We wish you ‘God speed’ as you prepare to leave us. Don’t forget this place – we will not forget you.

Jonathan Anderson, Headmaster

CAPTAIN OF SCHOOL’S SPEECH EVENTS, SPEECHES & DINNERS

Good morning, Governors, Parents, Grandparents, Guardians, Teachers and other members of staff, Guests and Friends.

The day has finally come!

This speech has gone through a couple of drafts, as I’m not quite at the stage of being able to improvise a speech, despite having spoken from this stage nearly every week over the past year. Anyway, I also think that it’s probably good to have something to fall back on if I start to ‘lose it’. I had thought about putting my speech on the screen behind me today, so that, when I inevitably start to lose coherence and become unintelligible through the sounds of my sobbing, you would still be able to read what I have prepared. However, I feel that I would be leaving my friends with a missed opportunity to watch me making a fool of myself again from the podium, as I have with the “joke of the week” in assemblies throughout the year. So, if things go wrong, please bear with me!

Firstly, I pledged in my last Headmaster’s Assembly that I would tell one final joke from the podium, so here it is:

What did the DNA say to the other DNA?

- “Do these genes make me look fat?”

Swiftly moving on, secondly, and more importantly, I would like to say “thank you” to all those who have made

our Merchiston journey so special. To our teachers, House teams and coaches, who have taught us and worked with us over the years: unfortunately, I do not have the time to thank each of you individually; however, there is no denying the impact that each and every one of you has had on our lives. Massive thanks to you are in order for stewarding our successes throughout the years we have been here. You have put up with us when we have been irritating, grumpy and difficult to deal with, which is no mean feat. Thank you for all that you have done.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all who help the School run smoothly behind the scenes: those who work in IT Support, Accounts, Marketing, Admissions, and all other support staff. The School Leadership Team also merits special mention for leading us through a time in the School’s history when things have been far from easy – our thanks also to the members of this team.

Next, I would like to thank our parents, grandparents, wider families, guardians, and all who have enabled us to experience such a brilliant place. Quite obviously, we would not be here without them. I certainly feel immense gratitude to my family for giving me the opportunity to come here and to meet such great people, especially my

friends sitting in the audience in front of me - I know that they feel the same gratitude.

This brings me to perhaps the most important thanks from me today – to my friends and peers. We have achieved so much this year, both in our sport and in our work, and also in the way in which we have acted together as a group. In sport, there have been so many achievements, both individually and collectively, all whilst maintaining our academic standards. I think that it is testament to our collective character that we have been able to support each other through everything this year. Rev Blair – and we all send him our best wishes – was keen to talk about carrying this forward when we leave Merchiston. This is something that I have no doubt will happen. I will miss being able to see you all regularly, but I am sure that we will meet up whenever possible, so this is definitely not the end. The Headmaster commented at last week’s Commemoration and Prizegiving that Merchiston is a ‘rugby school’, but also that it is so much more – I totally agree with that. Our sporting prowess, as I mentioned, is pretty good, but when measured against the friendships and sense of community here, it pales into insignificance. It is this that makes Merchiston great and what allows our successes to be great. We could not have achieved as much, and the successes would not have been as fulfilling, without this core spirit at the heart of our School. Such is the strength of the

Merchiston family that I am sure that we will remain close for years to come. Whilst we will be separated from each other physically, the bonds and friendships established here will be lifelong – I, for one, intend to ensure that this is so. Returning to Rev Blair, whose presence here remains strong in spirit, despite the fact that he is not able to be with us today, I wonder if you might turn to the person beside you, as he often requests us to, and say – “It is a pleasure to be with you today”. This is a small action, but the reason I ask you to do this is to highlight how much a pleasure it is to be part of this community. For me, it has been a real pleasure to spend the past nine years with you all – I could not be more grateful for the experiences and the support which you have given me. We have all been through the highs and lows together, but it has been the strength of the friendships with those around us that have sustained us.

It has been such a privilege and honour to take on the role of Captain of School over the past year. I could not have done it without the support of so many in this Memorial Hall today – thank you, all. I am so lucky to have had such amazing experiences, to have met such amazing people, and to have made such amazing friends here. It has truly been a pleasure.

Ladies, gentlemen and friends – thank you for it all.

Finlay M, Captain of School 2022-23

UVI LEAVERS’ BALL

On Friday 30 June, our Upper VI Leavers’ Ball took place, as last year, at Edinburgh’s beautiful and historic Prestonfield House Hotel. It was both a poignant and happy occasion, bringing together our UVI formers, their parents and other guests, and members of staff, and provided an opportunity for everyone present both to reminisce and to look forward to what lies ahead. After drinks, a wonderful meal was served, which was followed by speeches, and the evening concluded with a disco and ceilidh. It was a memorable evening, which will be long remembered by all present.

CHINESE NEW YEAR DINNER

I would like to start by saying “thank you” to the Headmaster and Mrs Chang for their support of the annual Chinese New Year Dinner with St George’s. I am sure everyone who attended the event at Beijing Banquet Restaurant on Tuesday 24 January 2023 would agree that it was a wonderful event and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. This was the first time we have held the event since 2019 due to the pandemic. The Chinese New Year celebration was boosted by our wonderful musical performances: many thanks go to our talented young musicians, Lincoln and Philip, who played the banjo and the piano for us,

which created a wonderful atmosphere throughout the restaurant. We all received a red packet, which is a Chinese tradition, containing money, and a beautiful poem by Liu Guo, who is a famous poet from the Song Dynasty. As the Mandarin prefect, a Merchiston leaver this year, I would like to take this opportunity to borrow this poetry to wish all Merchistonians and my fellow students - “May everything be a little better than you expect, and everything be hopeful and worth waiting for.”

Lukas M, Mandarin Prefect 2022 - 23

MERCHISTON REMEMBERS HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II

In the 2021-22 edition of the Merchistonian, we reported on the School’s Summer Term celebrations of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. It seemed only a few weeks later that we heard, with great sadness, of her death at Balmoral on Thursday 8 September 2022. Only a week into the new academic year, plans were quickly drawn up to enable the School to mourn and to mark her passing, a very significant event in the history of this country. As was written in the last magazine, in the seventy years of her reign, she had seen fifteen Prime Ministers, fourteen US Presidents, man walking on the Moon, the fall of the Berlin Wall, 9/11, the Covid 19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and many other significant historical events.

Over the course of a ten-day period, numerous events and presentations took place at Merchiston which commemorated her life, the national loss, and the constancy which she had provided during her seventy years on the throne. Throughout the

period of national mourning, the Union Flag was flown at half-mast in front of the main School building, a Message of Condolence was put on social media, and no fixtures were played over the weekend of 10 / 11 September.

On the morning of Saturday 10 September, the School came together for a special assembly to commemorate the life of Elizabeth II. First of all, Mr Rowlands, Deputy Head Wellbeing, spoke about how the nation would be marking her passing over the following ten days, explained the significance of the constitutional monarchy, and briefly looked at a number of significant world events which had taken place in the course of her long reign. The Chaplain, Rev Blair, then talked about the Queen’s family, the royal visit to Merchiston by her father (the future King George VI) and mother in 1933 to mark the School’s centenary, and her own visit in 1983 to mark our 150th anniversary. He also discussed how the School has marked royal jubilees and births with the engraved benches in our grounds, and referred to the fact

that the Queen has been the “golden thread” touching the fabric of the lives of everyone in this country.

The following day, the School met for its Sunday evening Chapel service, also attended by day boys and parents, at which again Rev Blair and Mr Rowlands were the speakers. Rev Blair took as his theme “The Servant Queen and the King she served”, focusing on the Queen’s life of service and her personal faith. Mr Rowlands then spoke on the themes of change, dedication and service.

On Monday 19 September, the day of the Queen’s funeral, Merchiston’s day followed a totally different format, and day boys were allowed to remain at home to watch the funeral on television with their families. After a late

breakfast, the School gathered in the Memorial Hall for an assembly led by Mr Thompson, Faculty Head of History and PPE, who spoke about the historical significance of the funeral, after which the boys returned to their Houses to watch the funeral on television. And finally, before lunch, the School again gathered, this time at the flagpole, for a lament played by Mr Warren, Head of Pipes and Drums, followed by a prayer and blessing given by the Chaplain, ending the School’s marking of this very significant event in our history.

BURNS SUPPER 2023

On Friday 27 January, the Merchiston community of parents and friends came together, after a two-year hiatus, at our Burns Supper to commemorate Robert Burns’s life and works. This much-awaited fundraising event was co-hosted by the Edinburgh-based charity Cyrenians, and took place at Dynamic Earth. All funds raised through the event have been equally split between the work of this charity and the School’s Pipe Band (which has been invited to play at Tartan Week in New York in 2024).

Following a welcome from our Headmaster, Mr Anderson, and Ms Bell from Cyrenians, the evening’s proceedings followed the traditional format of a Burns Supper: Reverend Blair opened with his rendition of the Selkirk Grace, whilst Mr Ogilvie-Jones stunned the audience with his Address to the Haggis. Mr Rowlands took the floor after dinner with an incredible Immortal Memory, followed

by Mr Payne’s Toast to the Lassies and Ms Davies’s Reply.

The evening progressed into a very special Silent Auction, with some incredibly generous prizes donated by our community. Overall, the event raised a staggering £5186 each for Cyrenians and the Pipe Band – we were truly blown away by everyone’s generosity and support. It was fantastic to arrange such a social gathering after the restrictions of the Covid period.

Sincere thanks go to our Pipe Band and our Pipe Major, Glen C, who played an important part in the evening, and to Merchiston’s Director of Music, Mr Dennis, who accompanied the singing of Auld Lang Syne to round off an extremely enjoyable evening.

Will Ogilvie-Jones, Common Room Organiser

MERCHISTON’S CORONATION PARTY

On 6 May, Charles III was crowned King in Westminster Abbey. This was the first coronation in the UK in seventy years. To celebrate this historic and momentous occasion, we held a competition to create a design for a tote bag. The winner was Harry F in First Form.

Then, on 9 May, we held a Coronation Party at Merchiston.

EVENTS, SPEECHES & DINNERS

Picnic benches were set out in front of the School, which was covered in bunting, and the School’s catering team created a delicious menu.

There were stalls selling the Coronation tote bags and other Coronation-themed memorabilia. We also had red, white and blue sweets, and strawberries and cream biscuits. There was also a raffle. We had all sorts of Coronation-themed prizes.

The Houses had games for the everyone to play and the weather was beautiful. The day was completed with a performance by the Merchiston Pipe Band.

The whole event was in support of the charity, Hope and Homes for Children. This a charity that works to help close orphanages and place the children with loving families.

Charlotte Arrowsmith, Common Room

THE MERCHISTONIAN CLUB

Fellow Merchistonians

As I write this President’s Report, I am reminded of the James Bond film ‘Never Say Never Again’ – of course, having the privilege of returning to the role of President after a seven-year gap is the closest comparison I will ever get to the late Sean Connery!

The Club has recently experienced a number of changes and has, of course, endured the challenges imposed by the Covid years, so I am indebted to my predecessor, Gavin Thain (‘79-‘85) for being as safe a pair of hands as he was during our 1XV days.

For a successful Club, there needs to be a dedicated and hard-working team behind the scenes, so I am grateful for the efforts of the Committee, Sports Secretaries and Area Representatives for playing their parts in providing varied opportunities for members to participate in Club activities. These activities involve a great deal of planning and coordination, so I am especially delighted to welcome Giada Canderle as our new Club Secretary, who, along with the assistance of Philip Rossiter and Pippa Axon, will, I am sure, provide the future driving force for the Club.

Our Area Representatives and Sports Secretaries are looking to organise a full and active social and sporting programme of events and functions for the forthcoming year - I would encourage you to support as many of these as you can, both for the health of the Club and for the

enjoyment of the company of fellow Merchistonians.

This year, as well as organising the Club’s calendar of events, your Committee will also look to refresh the Club’s merchandise offering and keep you informed through regular emails and social media regarding Club and School life, so please ensure we have your correct details on file.

In my next update, I hope to be able to report on a busy and successful year for the Club.

In the meantime, enjoy the latest edition of your Merchistonian magazine and I look forward to the opportunity of meeting as many members, parents and friends of Merchiston as possible throughout the coming year.

Ready ay Ready

W Andrew McDonald (‘79-‘85) President

Dear Merchistonians

Another year of the Merchistonian Club has passed and it has certainly been another one to remember. After the hiatus imposed by Covid on events and reunions, we were delighted, once again, to be able to welcome our alumni to the School and to come together as a community on a variety of different occasions.

We have very much enjoyed the return of face-to-face gatherings: we would like to continue building on this going forward, and are looking to reinstate events which we know play an important role within the Merchistonian network, such as our annual Edinburgh and London dinners.

Our monthly newsletter has also made a regular appearance this year and we would like to extend a special thanks to all those who have contributed to the content, month after month. We always try to include content which we find to be relevant to the community and we hope that this monthly communication acts as a means of revitalising that connection with the School and the Club. On an adminstrative matter, if you are not currently receiving the newsletter and would like to do so, please get in touch with the Office at merchistonians@merchiston.co.uk . Putting together the newsletter gives us an opportunity to celebrate achievements – and, indeed, there has been much to celebrate: from sporting successes to academic and professional ones, this has been a busy and incredibly positive year for our community and we are excited to see what the future holds.

This has also been a busy year for reunions and it was great to welcome back to the School Merchistonians from across a whole host of different generations. With many reunions already in the calendar for Autumn 2023 and for

2024, we look forward to opening the doors to many more of you and showing you around the School, which will no doubt hold some very specials memories.

During the Summer Term, we were also able to visit the Scottish Borders to reconnect with an area which has always been an integral part of our community. In collaboration with St Mary’s Preparatory School in Melrose, we were delighted to be able to host a drinks reception to bring together our alumni, parents and prospective families in the Borders and surrounding areas. It was a brilliant occasion and it was a real pleasure to meet so many of you on that evening.

Aside from reunions and other events, we have also welcomed a number of alumni to the School for a visit –from all corners of the world. For some, this was their first return after graduating and many brought their children and families to visit their old stomping ground and share memories of their time at Merchiston. We have very much enjoyed meeting you. Seeing the connection which brings you back to the School truly reflects what we think is one of Merchiston’s greatest assets – its sense of community.

Giada Canderle Secretary

t. 0131 312 2201

e. merchistonians@merchiston.co.uk

www.merchistonians.co.uk

/merchistonians

/merchistonian

in/merchistonianclub

A Stamp of approval

ANDREW DAVIDSON (’71 – ’74), an artist, has enjoyed recent prominence as the illustrator of the new Coronation stamps for King Charles III. This is only the third occasion in history that the Royal Mail has issued coronation stamps, the previous two being for George VI and Elizabeth II. Andrew writes below about his pathway to this notable achievement.

“Like at many schools, studying Art in the 1970s was not given the respect that it is now. Gavin Scobie, my Art teacher at Merchiston, however, encouraged me to take this subject seriously and introduced me to many aspects of Fine Art, Illustration and Design. This led me to leave Merchiston at the age of 16 to attend the General, and then the Foundation course at Carlisle College of Art and Design. Gaining further O Levels and two A Levels led me to study for a BA Hons in Graphic Design at Norwich School of Art, followed by a three-year postgraduate course at the Royal College of Art, from which I graduated in 1982.

The RCA opened my eyes to the world. The influence of the Arts surrounds us on a daily basis: the theatre and television, fashion and textiles, graphic design and computer games, automotive and industrial design, and architecture and technology – all stem from the subject of Art and are often influenced by its forms and philosophy.

Since leaving the Royal College of Art, I have run my own

illustration business, and have been fortunate to have worked with some exceptional and talented people on interesting and diverse commissions: from designing over seventy stamps for the Royal Mail, to working with the late Ted Hughes on his novel The Iron Man, as well as working on packaging for Waitrose and poster design for Rolex Monte Carlo tennis tournaments.

For the set of Coronation stamps for His Majesty King Charles III, I was asked by Marcus James, Head of Design for the Royal Mail, to work with the highly-respected designer Ian Chilvers of Atelier Design. The brief from the Palace was to come up with designs which embrace the following causes close to the King’s heart:

Sustainability and Biodiversity

The Commonwealth

The Coronation ceremony

Diversity and Community

A Stamp of approval continued...

Fortunately, I had worked on the design for the front cover of Harmony, a book written by the then Prince of Wales, and contained within its 300 pages were these very subjects. The challenge was to reduce all these ideas and aspirations onto four 23mm stamps. All of the stamps and, indeed, the background of the mini sheet, have been illustrated using wood engravings, a medium to which I was introduced whilst at the RCA. Then, the blocks on which I had engraved the designs were printed on my 1859 hand press in my studio in Gloucestershire. I worked closely with both Ian Chilvers and Marcus James on the design and compositions in order for us to achieve the best possible printed results.

In many ways, this commission perfectly illustrates my job: looking at and understanding the brief, coming up with an idea, and then illustrating the solution. My job, in reality, is solving problems with images.

The Sustainability and Biodiversity stamp depicts natural landscapes alongside sustainable farming methods, and features renewable sources of energy, such as hydroelectric power and solar panels.

The Commonwealth stamp reflects the themes of global trade, co-operation, democracy and peace, with images including an imagined Commonwealth meeting, a representation of the Commonwealth Games, some flags of Commonwealth nations, and a Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.

The Coronation stamp depicts the moment when the St Edward’s Crown is lowered onto the King’s head, as he sits on the Coronation Chair holding symbols of his spiritual and temporal power. The scene is set in front of

Westminster Abbey, with fireworks above and a gun salute in the background, whilst celebrating crowds attend a street party and watch the ceremony on a giant screen.

And finally, the Diversity and Community stamp, reflecting the multi-faith community and cultural diversity of Britain, features figures representing the Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist religions, and is representative of all faiths and none. The background shows aspects of rural and urban Britain, including many places of worship.”

A visit to Merchiston

BILL (JW) DONALDSON (’44-’49)

Bill is certainly steeped in Merchiston. He followed his father (JR Donaldson, 1916-21) here, and both in their time were appointed Captain of School. In this capacity, one of Bill’s responsibilities was to sing the first verse of the (then new) School Song as a solo. Amongst other distinctions, Bill played for the XV for four years, captaining it for two years. Subsequently, he taught at Merchiston from 1955 until 1973, during which time he was Housemaster of Chalmers East from 1963 to 1968, and of Chalmers West from 1968 to 1973. The free-standing cross, which takes pride of place on the stage in the Memorial Hall, was presented to the School by his family. He moved from Merchiston to become Head of The High School, Newcastle-under-Lyme, from which he retired back to Colinton in 1990. Further strengthening the Merchiston connection, his wife, Sarah, was niece of Cecil Evans, Headmaster of Merchiston from 1936 to 1957, and after whom the current Evans House is named.

In retirement, Bill has been a regular visitor to Merchiston, supporting 1XV matches, attending Chapel services and other events, and has been guest speaker on two occasions at Whole School assemblies. His visit on 28 September was organised to celebrate his long-standing connection: he was hosted in the Memorial Hall by Rev Nick Blair (Chaplain) and Danny Rowlands (Deputy Head Wellbeing), along with other members of staff and the current Captain of School and two 1XV Captains. He was presented with an “unbeaten season” tie, and was filmed speaking about what he is grateful for in life, focusing on his links with Merchiston: this film then featured at the School’s Harvest Festival Chapel service, alongside others in the community expressing their thoughts on the theme of ‘thankfulness’.

We know that Bill will continue to show a keen interest in the School, albeit from further afield, and wish him and Sarah every happiness in their new surroundings.

Bill Donaldson with the Captain of School, Finlay M, and the Captains of Rugby, Tom C and Isaac C

Festival of Remembrance

HAMISH McKEE, 2022 Leaver, writes about the honour and experience of representing the Falkland Islands and speaking at the annual Festival of Remembrance, televised by the BBC, which took place on Saturday 12 November 2022 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Whilst driving back from surfing in mid-October, I received an unexpected phone call from a girl claiming to be from the BBC. At first, I thought it might have just been a rogue call; however, it quickly transpired that the Falkland Islands Government had provided the BBC with phone numbers for all the Falklands university students in the UK. After a few general questions about life and growing up in the Islands, the conversation turned to 1982 and my understanding of the events of the War, how it is remembered and the monumental impact the War had on the Islands, changing them for ever. We spoke also about the immense sense of heartfelt gratitude which Islanders hold for all the servicemen and women involved in the War. After ten minutes of chatting, the call ended and I still had no real idea of what was going on!

This conversation took place several months after I left Merchiston and I was getting on with life at Exeter University’s Cornwall campus. A few weeks later, I then received an email from the BBC, offering me the opportunity to say a few words at a Service of Remembrance in London. I agreed to attend, although at the time I really

did not comprehend the magnitude of the event, presuming it would probably just be a small Remembrance Service.

The following week, I took the train up to London, where, on arrival, I was taken to a hotel by the BBC and then enjoyed a reunion with a few other Falklands students. The following day, we were taken to the Royal Albert Hall for the first time to prepare for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance. From that point on, the whole experience suddenly became quite surreal. We began by going over a few fundamentals and then gradually moved towards dress rehearsals. Over the course of a few hours, the penny started to drop….. Out of the group of nine students, I was the only one speaking, it was all being broadcast live on BBC1, a military band would be accompanying my speech and there would be 5000 people attending the service, including the King and Queen Consort, senior members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and hundreds of Falklands veterans.

The whole magnitude of the service was incredibly overwhelming, and I rightly felt an immense amount of pressure to deliver our part in the service to the best of my

ability. This was our opportunity as a group of young Falkland Islanders to represent the Islands in the best possible light at a national level, to express our heartfelt gratitude for the immense sacrifices made in 1982 and in the years that followed and, most importantly, possibly to help to bring slightly more closure for even just a few veterans.

The day leading up to the service was largely spent reciting my few lines over and over in my head, whilst drawing on any public speaking lessons experiences I could think of. To the forefront of these, thoughts turned to Rev Blair, a class covering a few basics and the opportunities I had to speak in Chapel at School. Though daunting at the time, these all served to increase my confidence for the Royal Albert Hall, for which I was so grateful.

Even just waiting backstage in the Hall was an unforgettable experience. I had the opportunity to speak to many incredible veterans and artists, including a 97-yearold D-Day veteran and RAF Navigator, John Nichol, who was shot down and imprisoned in Iraq. I remember just generically chatting with him for a while, without any idea who he was, only for him then to recount resisting interrogation from Saddam Hussein’s forces a few minutes

later as part of an introduction to the service.

The time came for me to speak and, along with the other young Islanders, we walked onto centre stage of the Royal Albert Hall. 1982 veterans and bereaved relatives spoke before us, accompanied by very moving music, culminating in our part in the service. After my cue, I just zoned out, to detach myself and speak as best as I could, imagining I was just speaking alone in front of a mirror, as the band music reached a crescendo at the end of my few words. It was definitely the most moving and humbling experience of my life, which I hope did justice to the immense gratitude felt by all Falkland Islanders to all who served and died.

“On behalf of the younger and future generations of the Falkland Islands, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of those who served during the conflict forty years ago.

It is because of you, and those who laid down their lives, that we are able to live in such a special place that we are proud to call home - in peace, and with freedom.

To all who served and died, we will continue to honour you always - your sacrifices will never be forgotten.”

South Loch Distillery and a Merchiston Gin

JAMES SUTHERLAND (’95 – ’00)

I left Merchiston in 2000 with the original plan of going into property, studying first at the University of Aberdeen. I left the School with some very key skills which I honestly didn’t realise I had. Confidence and public speaking, as well as being a “people person”, were skills I firmly believe were instilled in me almost as second nature at School and have helped me greatly since in life and work.

Aberdeen was an amazing place to be a student, but, as many students do, I got a job working in a bar. I was extremely lucky: instead of pulling pints, I found myself thrust into the cocktail world, learning from some of the very best in the industry in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. In 2008, I took a huge plunge at the age of only 24 and opened my own bar, 56 North, in Edinburgh. Our emphasis was on being a “Gin Bar”, with cocktails and food also playing a key role. Back then, gin was not something people cared about or were overly interested in, so this was a very bold move. Everyone always asks me if I knew what was coming and how the gin industry would grow so aggressively in the subsequent years, but in reality, my passion for gin was my reason for centring it as the key spirit in the bar.

56 North has gone on to become more than just a bar. We’ve been lucky and have become a key component of Scottish Gin and the growth of it, with over three hundred gins stocked. Almost every gin brand in Scotland is younger than 56 North, so our work helping brands develop and watching them grow has been highly rewarding and fun. We’ve also done gin tastings and experiences for over 50,000 people - a great way to appreciate great liquids, enjoy gins and learn, all at once, whilst helping the industry

to develop further.

I had always been wondering if I should get involved in distilling myself. Gin production involves a highly complex recipe – however, production is far more straight forward than other spirits, such as whisky. The common misconception is that “gin is easy to make”: I would argue that the production is one of the hardest to do well. All gin producers add botanicals and flavours by distilling those flavours into neutral spirits. Yes, it’s just flavoured vodka, but with juniper legally making it gin! All gin distilleries, therefore, have nowhere to hide! We rarely age gins: the recipes are the key component. If it’s poor or the distillery hasn’t done the hard work of research and development, you, as the consumer, instantly know. This, for me, was always the attraction: quality and flavours always have to be paramount.

So, after flirting with the idea of gin production in 2017, I finally took the plunge into the production side as well as running the bar. This left me in a quandary as, like most small business owners, time is my most valuable resource - so I needed talented help. I have been very lucky to have a loyal, talented and determined team around me from day one and still have employees who date back to our inception in 2008. My mission was simple: I had to find a highly talented distiller who could complement my skills, which I did by hiring Lindsay Blair, who had completed a Masters’ degree in brewing and distilling at Heriot-Watt, no less.

Next, the stills had to be sorted. I took an early decision that I wanted these to be in the bar. This limits their size and also our space, but it allowed us to offer “gin experiences” as well as having highly flexible batch sizes:

South Loch Distillery and a Merchiston Gin continued...

this allowed us to make as few as eighty bottles, if we had a client wanting smaller amounts. In late 2017, we fitted two stunning copper pot stills to the bar, which are on show if you ever visit.

The next problem was naming the gin and what to make. The name came to us after days spent in the local library. The Meadows in Edinburgh used to be the site of a loch and had provided the drinking water for the city before it was drained in the early 1700s. This fact was our inspiration for “South Loch Distillery”, as the loch was called South Loch by the locals, to differentiate it from Nor Loch, which ran around Edinburgh Castle. Our styles and flavours are the complex part. We wanted to make gins which had a relevance but also gave a nod to the history of gin production. Our first gin was a London Dry Gin (“London” denotes how it’s made, not where it’s made!), with loads of fresh citrus. South Loch Citrus & Lime Flower launched in October 2019 after over a year of test batches and tasting panels. We use lots of fresh lemon and lime peels as part of eleven botanicals, to produce an incredibly smooth and balanced liquid. The reason for the citrus element is that it denotes the classic G&T or martini, with a twist, both of which are firm favourites in my household!

I’ve gone on from that gin to launch a Black Raspberry Old Tom and a Rhubarb New Tom. The festive spiced gin is a wonderfully complex gin called Spiced Cranberry and Clementine and we have a new gin, Exotic Citrus, launching in summer 2023, which is bursting with pink grapefruit, blood orange peels and citrus. The team and I like to take our time and get things spot on! As such, we are extremely proud that every gin we make has won a medal at the Scottish Gin Awards. This is no mean feat, given that there is only one gold, one silver and one bronze in each gin category and we are competing against some superb Scottish gins. Citrus & Lime Flower and Spiced Cranberry & Clementine have both picked up gold medals.

We’ve expanded our production now to include producing “white label” gin, where we work with clients to make gin exclusively for them. This has proved a huge hit with hospitality venues as well as with corporate clients looking for something unique and different to pass as gifts or have in the office. Working with Gleneagles Hotels has been a highlight of this process. During Covid, I worked with the extremely talented bar team in the Gleneagles American Bar to design for them three unique gins for the martini trolley. Each of these gins is based around different juniper from different countries, distilled in different ways to create something bespoke, unique to them and memorable for hotel guests. This sort of project is what I love to do and get out of bed in the mornings for!

I’m very excited now to be now working with Merchiston on a pupil-driven gin development project. This idea came about on the back of the very successful Edinburgh Christmas Market, at which South Loch had a stall. The starting place for any bespoke white label project involves a huge amount of thought: the design, packaging, costings, tax, sales, websites and the distilling side is chemistry all rolled into one, which covers so many areas in which pupils can learn and test real world skills. South Loch was a natural fit for the boys as they can each contribute, using their own strengths, to what ends up being the Merchiston gin in the future.

So, the next time South Loch is attending an event at the School, please come and say “hello” - I’m always happy to talk all things gin!

British Empire Medal

Merchiston congratulates PETER KWOK (’00 – ’04) on being awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours List. His route to this remarkable achievement is detailed below.

student welfare at the Students’ Forum and International Students’ Forum, and became a proud prefect. More excitingly, I learnt to lead our School’s Young Enterprise company with classmates, which won the Best Business Idea and was runner-up in Lothian in 2003. All that helped me discover an entrepreneurial interest in serving the community.’’

Scotland is renowned for its broad and comprehensive educational system, which suited Peter’s learning appetite perfectly. Looking back, his time at Merchiston was colourful, with no lack of opportunity to develop himself. He writes: ‘’I can still remember when I assisted children with their learning at a special needs school, discussed

Nevertheless, as with many diaspora students, starting a new life abroad was challenging for Peter, even having spoken some English in Hong Kong before he came to Merchiston. After university (Imperial College), he returned to Edinburgh and started his first diaspora association. ‘’I would like more diaspora professionals to receive the same level of care and support that helped me during my childhood in Scotland.’’ In 2010, Peter was invited to give a speech on his diaspora experience at the Cross-Party Group on China at the Scottish Parliament, and the vision of his Diaspora Association, which was well received. That was the time when his service to the Chinese diaspora professional community in Scotland began.

The more Peter committed to community building, the more he found out that diasporas needed support. As his Diaspora Association developed further, more professionals joined from the rest of the UK, which later led to the establishment of the UK Federation of Chinese Professionals.

Since then, the Federation has been a platform for professionals in the UK to develop their charitable initiatives, such as offering career support and HR research. In 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Federation expanded temporarily with 200 volunteers to support East and SouthEast Asian communities. After years of service, Peter’s work was recognised and he was nominated Charity Chair of the Year by Third Sector Awards in 2020. Two years later, he was named in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours List and received the British Empire Medal (BEM).

The word ‘diaspora’ is often overlooked but not unfamiliar if we look around us. Today, there are 281 million diasporas, with a large proportion of them needing urgent help. As a veteran, Peter was surprised to discover that diaspora organisations seldom work together, even though they amount to hundreds of thousands across the world. At an event organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Peter addressed this and proposed to combine the efforts of diaspora organisations for greater

global solidarity when the pandemic was achieving the opposite. This later led to the founding of the Global Diaspora Confederation (GDC). Since then, the GDC has been the umbrella-led civil society organisation to convene the world’s diaspora organisations and create the Global Diaspora Week. As the Confederation Chair, Peter further devotes himself to diaspora support in humanitarian, development and sustainability areas. At an event at the UN General Assembly, he commented: ‘‘Integrating global diasporic co-ordination can enhance the trust, resource mobilisation, agility and flexibility needed for the Humanitarian-Peace-Development nexus’’.

Peter concludes this article with the following words: ‘‘I am thankful to have attended Merchiston, which helped to shape who I am today. There, I started my diaspora journey, learnt to run my first business, lived with my Scottish-Fijian guardian family, had my brother join me later, and met my wife at the Highland Ball’’.

This is a remarkable story from a young Merchistonian.

Merchistonian News

Class of ‘93 Reunion

Saturday 24 June 2023

On Saturday 24 June, members of the class of ’93 gathered at Merchiston for their 30 Year Reunion. Organised by Simon Henderson, the group assembled in the Old Library for coffee, where there was a chance to chat and to look at some photos of their year group, ranging from those taken whilst in Pringle House to their VIA Leavers’ photo. Further opportunity to reminisce was given during their tour of the School, led by Giada Canderle and Philip Rossiter. They saw

many changes: a refurbished Gibson House, the Spawforth Library, the Roberson Building, Laidlaw House, the refurbished Dining Hall, and numerous other developments, including the exterior of the Chalmers Houses, currently undergoing extensive renovation work. The weekend continued with lunch at the Spylaw Tavern and dinner in town, for which more members of the year group joined the party.

Class of ‘99 Reunion

Saturday 30 October 2022

On the occasion of the Scotland v Australia Autumn Series game at Murrayfield on Saturday 30 October 2022, eleven members of the Class of ’99 gathered for the match and

thoroughly enjoyed meeting up. Merchistonians travelled from Cambridge, Kent, London, the Cotswolds, Devon, the Borders, Newcastle, Lyon and Edinburgh itself.

Class of ‘12 Reunion

Saturday 25 February 2023

Ten years – or the length of time to go through the School from the age of eight to eighteen – seemed like a long time when in the Upper Sixth, but the following ten years seem to have passed rather more quickly! This year provided the opportunity for the 2012 cohort of leavers to return to the School for its ten-year reunion, after a delay of a year because of Covid. There was a real sense of excitement and anticipation as the event approached.

On Saturday 25 February, a group of twenty Merchistonians met two stalwarts of our time at the School, Rev Blair and Mrs Binnie, at the rugby pitches, to watch a very professional Development XV in action. A tour of the School followed, in the course of which we revisited many of our old haunts. Some areas had changed hugely: the Dining Hall felt completely different, whilst other areas felt very familiar and looked almost identical to when we were last there.

It was particularly interesting to hear of the improvements which are currently being made to the Chalmers Houses and the plans for the Forest School in Pringle House. We will be keeping a keen eye on how these plans progress and are hopeful that they will add to the appeal of the School, whilst maintaining the spirit of community and friendship that made it so special for our year group.

A highlight of our return visit to Merchiston was hearing where each of our teachers is now. They made a huge impact on us during our time at the School, and so there was a real sense of nostalgia as we spoke about each of them.

The afternoon and evening which followed were spent sharing memories of our time at the School and hearing about what everyone is doing now over a curry in town. We look forward to future engagement with the School and the Merchistonian Office, and greatly enjoyed our reunion.

Rupert Thompson, Class of 2012

Obituaries

In addition to the deaths of Merchistonians which have been announced in the monthly Merchistonian newsletters, we print below the obituaries which have been sent to us and send our condolences to their families and friends.

John Addie (Jack) Forrest (‘35-’39)

Jack Forrest was born on 13 April 1921 and died on 27 February 2023, aged 101. He attended Merchiston from 1935 to 1939, and was awarded full colours for shooting during his final year at School. His plan to study Marine Biology at Cambridge was thwarted by the outbreak of war: he joined the RAF, serving in 277 and 137 Squadrons. He provided air cover for troops during the D-Day Landings, and received a Mention in Despatches for shooting down a VI flying bomb.

Demobbed in 1946, Jack then attended Glasgow’s Royal Technical College, qualifying as a mechanical engineer. He joined the 602 (City of Glasgow) Auxiliary Air Squadron, which he went on to command in 1952-53, retiring with the rank of squadron leader. His final flight was to Le Touquet in northern France in 1949 to represent the RAF at the fortieth anniversary of Louis Bleriot’s crossing of the Channel. His most famous plane, Spitfire Mark 21 LA198, is now on permanent display suspended from the ceiling of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery. He took part in a fly past at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, flying his spitfire down the Mall and over Buckingham Palace. He also danced with the Queen Mother at an event at Holyrood Palace.

As a mechanical engineer, Jack worked for the family engineering company, and worked on large-scale engineering projects at home and abroad. He was also a keen sailor and curler, was secretary and treasurer of the 159th (Glasgow) Sea Scouts for many years, and was a senior vice-president of Govan Rotary Club. In 1963, he formed his own yacht business, Seaward Boats, before retiring in 1982.

In 2016, Jack was awarded the highest French decoration, the Legion d’honneur, for his role in helping to liberate France.

Jack leaves four children from his second marriage, to Margaret, who died in 2016.

Where available, the extended obituaries can be found on the Merchistonian Club website (www.merchistonians.co.uk). Every effort has been made to ensure that the information included within the obituaries is accurate and we are grateful to the Merchistonian community for sending in newspaper clippings and published articles for this section.

Alastair W McDonald (‘40-’46)

Father of the current President of the Merchistonian Club, Alastair William McDonald (brother of HS McDonald, ’36 – ‘41, and son of W McDonald, 1909 – ‘14) was born in Bearsden, Glasgow on 3 May 1929. Prior to Merchiston, he followed his family tradition of attending Kelvinside Academy as a primary school pupil. At Merchiston, he became a junior prefect and was awarded the Wyville Thomson Prize.

After attending Glasgow University, he completed his National Service, then moved to Liverpool to work in his father’s Grain Merchants business. Returning to Glasgow with a young family after the war, Alastair founded Westcars car dealership in Crow Road in 1960.

A change of career and scenery was initiated by the purchase of Brandedleys Caravan Park, near Dumfries, and, with his wife, they successfully developed it into a multiaward-winning business.

Retiring to Killearn, Alastair pursued his interest in genealogy and renewed contact with his fishing companions in the Bohemian, Kelvinside Academical and Merchistonian Angling Clubs.

Alastair passed away peacefully at Erskine Home on 7 June 2021 aged 92, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marjorie, children Iain, Fiona, Gordon (’73–‘78) and Andrew (’79–‘85), eight grandchildren, including Lewis (2015 - present), and eight great grandchildren.

W Andrew McDonald (‘79-’85) President, Merchistonian Club

David W Mitchell (‘45-’51)

David died peacefully on 23 June 2023, aged 90. He followed his brother (RA Mitchell) and father (WB Mitchell) at Merchiston. Here, he became a junior prefect, was awarded the Duffus Medal, his 1XI colours, and was CSM in the CCF. He was the beloved husband of Lydia, deeply loved father of Louisa-Jayne, and treasured grandfather to Olivia and Georgina.

Dr Tony (Peter Anthony Stewart) Davidson (‘46-’51)

Tony Davidson passed away in Adelaide, South Australia, on 20 November 2022, at the age of 89. At Merchiston, he was awarded an Evans Scholarship and became a Junior Prefect. He remembered his School days fondly, despite having to undergo a knee replacement in later life as a result of a rugby injury in a game he played in at School at the age of 15! After Liverpool University, he pursued a successful and prestigious veterinary career in Australia.

Tony represented the School in Adelaide along with his cousin, John Kirk – together, they made a good effort at singing the School Song!

Tony is survived by Rachel, his wife of sixty-three years.

Peter J Wilmshurst (‘48-’52)

Peter John Wilmshurst died on 5 October 2022. He was born on 21 January 1935 in Colombo, the capital of what was then Ceylon. He was the second of three sons, all of whom were educated at Merchiston (Kenneth, ’43-’49, and Colin, ’54’59). His parents were part of the ex-pat community, his father working as a manager for Lipton’s Tea Company.

Peter was sent home to Scotland to be educated, and shortly after the Second World War had ended, he joined Crawfordton House School in Dumfriesshire, spending his holidays with his maternal grandparents, who lived in Glasgow. Secondary schooling at Merchiston followed, where he excelled at Languages and loved sport, particularly cricket and rugby, playing for the 1XV at hooker. He was also a Junior Prefect.

Peter’s father had been successful in business without the benefit of a university degree, and so he saw no need for further expense on education. Therefore, on leaving Merchiston, Peter immediately joined the Royal Artillery as part of his National Service. Having studied German A Level at Merchiston, he was selected to learn Russian at the Joint Services School for Languages. There then followed two years spent learning Russian to degree standard so that he could work as a military interpreter.

During his early married life, Peter worked for a number of companies but principally as a sales rep for Shell and BP. Perhaps recognizing that he was ill-suited to this career path, he enrolled for and successfully completed an external degree in Russian with French at the School of Slavonic Studies, part of London University.

Peter’s mother-in-law suggested that he might like to put his language skills to good use and teach. Peter saw a job advertised at The Edinburgh Academy and applied. With no formal teacher training qualification, he was offered and accepted a temporary post in 1966, which was converted to a permanent position within a term. He was

employed as a linguist to teach French and Russian at all levels. He took school parties to Moscow and Leningrad/ St Petersburg, also fostering relations with St Louis de Gonzague, a school in Paris.

Peter was a keen sportsman, having represented Surrey at rugby and at the Academy he coached rugby and cricket with enthusiasm and skill. He was Master i/c Rugby and Cricket, setting the highest standards. His refereeing progressed from school matches to Scottish League Division 1, U21 international level and top level French club matches. He was touch judge for the Scotland v Ireland international at Murrayfield in 1978 and also acted as an interpreter for visiting French referees to Murrayfield until the mid-1980s.

Peter joined The Academy CCF and before long was Commanding Officer, encouraging all three sections. In 1987, he became Housemaster of one of the then boarding houses at The Academy, Jeffrey House, supported by his wife, Jill. He was a keen member of the Mountaineering Club and the Scottish hills and mountains were an enduring passion throughout his life.

On retirement in 1995, Peter and Jill lived in Edinburgh for a while, before moving to Longniddry, which suited their lifestyle much better, with plenty of space for dogwalking. He also became a Volunteer Guide at the Royal Scottish Museum, allowing him to give entertaining tours supported by his great language facility.

Latterly, as dementia took hold, Peter and Jill moved to Kirriemuir to be close to their son Andrew, a local GP. Peter passed away peacefully at home in Kirriemuir on October 5th 2022. Their other son, Ian, taught at Merchiston from 1992-2005 and is Headmaster of King’s Bruton, whilst their daughter, Helen, is Head of Fettes College. There are eight grandchildren.

Alexander Macfie (‘48-’53)

Alexander Macfie passed away on 9 May 2023. Born on 14 August 1935, he was the eldest of four boys, who all attended Merchiston. He was the son of A Macfie (‘17 – ‘22).

Alexander spent his career in the motor industry. He married his first wife, Patricia Thomson, in 1962, and they had three children, Rachael, Jane, and Malcolm, who they brought up in Peebles. After his wife died, he moved to Birmingham, where he met and married his second wife, Carole Pearson, in 1998.

He enjoyed the motor business and visited Silverstone many times for the Formula 1 events. He and Carole enjoyed their holidays in Northern Spain and went there on a number of occasions over the years.

Euan P Macfie ('59 - '63)

AM (Morison) Zuill (‘50-’55)

Morison died on 25 April 2023, aged 86. Brother of JAS Zuill (’53-’58), at Merchiston, Morison was captain of the 1X1, member of the 1XV and a Senior Prefect. He then studied to become an accountant at the University of Edinburgh, which became his career. A club cricketer for Stenhousemuir Cricket Club over a period of some thirty years, he made his debut in first-class cricket for Scotland against Warwickshire at Edgbaston in 1962, achieving fifteen Scottish cricket caps. He later became a national selector for Scotland.

John Macmillan, Captain of the Merchistonian Golf Club, writes:

“No-one has been a more prominent figure in Merchistonian golf over many decades than Morison. His contribution has been in myriad ways: he represented the School in 118 Halford Hewitt matches, which is our record by a distance. These matches spanned the period 1961 to 2008 and included tournament wins. He was Captain of the Golf Club from 1980 to 1982 and won the Gold medal ten times at the annual meeting. Even when his Gold powers were waning, it was his custom to return home with armfuls of other trophies – in short, he was a star of the Club”.

We extend our sympathy and condolences to all of Morison’s wide family at this sad time.

Roger J Connel (‘52-’56)

Roger died on 5 April 2022 in Ecclefechan. After attending a prep school in England, he moved to Merchiston and settled in quickly. He specialised in the Sciences, and developed a great interest in Engineering, frequently working on B-P’s motorbike, instead of attending Corps on Thursdays. He went on to study Aeronautical Engineering at Hatfield Technical College, whilst also working as an apprentice at the de Havilland Aircraft Company.

Roger married Julia in July 1961 and they had two children – Jane and Joanna. The family moved to Australia for three years, where he worked for Solartron, until returning to the UK in 1970. Soon after, he set up his own electronics company, PPM Instrumentation.

Roger was always passionately interested in motorcars and owned a series of sports racing cars, culminating in a TVR Griffith (with a 5-litre engine). He raced this with great success: he was actually asked to stop entering races in one class in order to give others a chance of winning! His other great passion, which he developed later in life, was diving, and he qualified as a master scuba diver.

After his marriage broke down, Roger lived with Ginny. They moved to Lochmaben, where he remained until his last years were clouded by Alzheimer’s and he had to move into a care home.

Roger is survived by his daughters, his two grandchildren and his brother Andrew (MCS ’56-’60 ).

Neil H Burnet (‘52-’57)

Neil Holbourn Burnet passed away peacefully at home in San Anselmo, California, surrounded by his family, on 20 October 2022, at the age of 83.

Neil was born on 21 April 1939, in Hatton, Sri Lanka, to Charles Burnet from Crieff and Anne (Moscrip) Burnet from Newcastle. He was joined later by a sister, Caroline. The family lived on a tea plantation, Nayabedde, close to Bandarawella in the high country of Sri Lanka. Neil attended elementary school in Nuwara Eliya, up in the hill station in the mountains. His father arranged for Neil to have golf lessons in Nuwara Eliya and thus began a life-long love of the game. He also enjoyed playing soccer, rugby, tennis and cricket.

Aged twelve, Neil was sent to Merchiston for his secondary education, after which he attended Edinburgh University, where he completed a degree in Civil Engineering. There, he joined the University Air Squadron, gained his pilot's license and had the opportunity to fly de Havilland Chipmunk planes over England and Scotland. He worked for several years in both England and Scotland for the civil engineering company Robert MacAlpine. In 1967, he emigrated to San Francisco, where he began working for Bechtel, where he spent the rest of his career working as a civil engineer and cost schedule supervisor on nuclear power plants in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Georgia and Australia.

At a birthday party, Neil was introduced to Eileen Ormiston, originally from Glasgow, who became the love of his life. They later married in June 1991. Neil played an important role in the lives of Eileen's children, Tom and Margaret, and in later years in the lives of their children: Cameron, Misako, Fiona and Maclay.

Neil was an excellent golfer, having a membership of the Olympic Club for many years, and playing almost every Saturday with the same group of friends for over thirty years at San Geronimo Golf Club. In Scotland, he learnt the art of fly fishing from his father, which was a continuing interest throughout his life, not least in California, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, as well as on trips to Canada, Argentina and Chilean Patagonia. Eileen accompanied Neil on all these trips, recording the scenery with her travel water colour set. Neil and Eileen loved to travel and visited countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, South and Central America and Mexico. A memorable trip was back to the high country of Sri Lanka.

Neil had a keen sense of humour, loved a party, was a

sympathetic listener, and was thoughtful, kind and generous. One of his key characteristics was his loyalty to family and friends. This was true of organizations as well. He maintained his contact with Merchiston throughout his life, organizing a celebration for its 175th Anniversary in June 2007: a party was held at the Olympic Club with eight “old boys” from the School in attendance. He maintained his contact with the Edinburgh University Air Squadron, participating in the fund raising for memorial statue for Captain Eric Winkle Brown, Britain's best WWII pilot, and was present at the unveiling of the statue at Edinburgh Airport in July 2018. He continued his contact with his Bechtel colleagues until shortly before he died through their biannual meetings.

Neil is survived by Eileen, his step-son Tom and his wife Mari, his step-daughter Margaret and her husband Micah, his beloved grandchildren Cameron, Misako, Fiona and Maclay, and his sister Caroline Scott and her husband, John.

David WG Mitchell (‘55-’59)

David passed away on 21 April 2023 after a short illness. His sons, John (’83 – ’88) and Robbie (’85 – ’90) followed him at Merchiston. At School, he was a prefect, cricketer, rugby player and fives player. In later years, he played golf with the Merchistonian Club.

John Rigg (‘55-’59)

John Rigg died peacefully at home in Loanhead on 9 November 2022. Son of WHB Rigg (‘21-’24) and brother of WA Rigg (’60-’65), he leaves his wife, Dorothy, his son, Michael, and his daughter, by whom, and other family members, he is sadly missed. His funeral took place in Edinburgh on 21 November.

Ronald Hunter Lamb (‘56-’61)

Ronnie Lamb, son of JH Lamb (’23-’27) and brother of MD Lamb (’53-’55), passed away suddenly at home in Gullane in June 2023 at the age of 80. After Clifton Hall, where he was Head Boy and captain of both cricket and rugby, at Merchiston, he also became Captain of School, again captained both the 1XV and 1XI, and was awarded the Rogerson Prize. He is described by one of his peers, who was with him at both schools, as an “exceptional schoolboy”. He then moved on to St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he read

Geography and Public and Social Administration / Business Studies from 1961 to 1965. Diffident and modest in his approach, at university and in business life, he developed a strong and distinctive leadership style.

Ronnie won three Blues in the 1962, 1963 and 1964 Varsity matches and was part of a strong Scottish contingent during that period at Oxford University, which included full-back Stewart Wilson, wing / centre David Whyte and hooker Alastair Whyte. His highlight was captaining Oxford to a 19-6 victory against Cambridge in 1964. This victory went against expectation and proved erroneous the newspaper headline prior to the match of “Lamb to the Slaughter”. The headline of the Glasgow Herald’s post-match report was “Lamb, hero of Oxford’s emphatic victory”. Ronnie also captained the Combined Oxford / Cambridge team on its tour to Argentina in 1965, which included a draw and a victory against the emerging “Puma” international side. In addition, he captained the Edinburgh Wanderers club for three years before moving south, which included its centenary year in 1968. He was selected for and played in a Scotland trial, and was capped numerous times for the then Edinburgh District XV. One of his proudest rugby moments was when he captained the Scotland Districts XV against the South African Springboks in the Borders in April 1965, prior to Scotland v South Africa the following Saturday at Murrayfield: Ronnie’s team convincingly won this encounter 16-8.

Ronnie enjoyed a very distinguished industrial career: he became Managing Director of Doulton and Co, followed by Solaglas, and subsequently Chair of Highway Glass Ltd, followed by a similar position with Fusion Glass Designs Ltd. He also held the post of Chairman of Oxford University RFC for a great many years, and served as the RFU Representative for Oxford University on the RFU Council.

Ronnie commanded huge respect from his peers and did much for Merchiston over the years – he was truly a great Merchistonian. We send our condolences to his wife, Rosie, his other family members and his friends.

Graham Laing (‘75-’82)

Graham died on 18 February 2023, aged 59. A wellattended service was held to commemorate his life at the Borders Crematorium in Melrose on 3 March. He spent most of his life in the Borders, where he was a well-respected member of the community, worked in the motor industry, was an avid cricket fan and a supporter of Glasgow Rangers. He leaves his wife, Janice, and other family members and friends, by whom he is sadly missed.

Martin Stephens (‘97-’02)

We are very sad to record the sudden death of Martin on 3 June 2022. Brother of Philip (‘97-’04), at Merchiston, where he was a day pupil, he became a Prefect, and was involved in golf, skiing, drama and the CCF. He was also a successful participant in the School’s La Villette scheme. After School, he moved to the University of York, where he studied Maths and Physics. In his subsequent career, he had progressed to a partnership with KPMG, where friends and colleagues held him in the highest esteem. To quote from what one of his colleagues has written: “…. He (Martin) would want us all to remember the positive energy he brought to every conversation, his ambition, love for adventure and, most of all, his love for his family. He was a force of nature in Insurance, in Finance Transformation, a passionate player and champion at bridge (at which he was a junior Scottish international player), a fantastic climber, and, most of all, a great husband and dad to three beautiful children. You only had to spend a little time with Martin to know his family: they were at the front of his mind and his everything”.

Another colleague has written: “Martin was a total oneoff person. I’ve learnt so much from him. Coming through the partner process together, he was never shy to give me feedback – but I always felt that he had my back and wanted to share in successes together. He talked about Sally and the kids all the time, and we often shared stories of our adventures with our families. He was such an open and honest person and I think that’s why our clients really trusted him”.

Many of his colleagues reached out to describe the incredible impact that Martin has had on them as individuals and their careers, and his willingness to go out of his way to support junior colleagues, which was always authentic and without fanfare.

Merchiston sends its condolences to the Stephens family on Martin’s sad passing – to his wife, Sally, and their children, to his parents, his brother, Philip, and to all his friends.

Shooting Club Report 2022-23

The annual match against the pupils took place on Saturday 14 May. The team met at Cluny Clays in Fife for a morning coffee before setting out on the 50-shot course. Lots of laughs were had, with the end result being that Euan Jennings was the high gun for the Merchistonians (46/50), with Richard Macmillan just one clay behind. The high gun for the School was Ptolemy R, who scored 33/50.

In the afternoon, we all re-gathered at Merchiston for a rifle match against the School. The Merchistonians had a three-way tie for top gun: Bertie Galloway, Patrick Costello and Charles Tuke, all scoring 96/100. Richard T was the top scorer for the School.

It was great to see a number of recent leavers in the Merchistonian team. In the evening, we met up for a curry, beer and chat.

Tom Diggle is planning on putting on a clays-only shoot in September. For information about this and other shooting events, please send him an email on td@yeomanrigg.com

Tom Diggle (’08-’16)

Golf Club Report 2022-23

holes were lost in the so-called ‘dormie zone’, so that all three of the matches were destined for extra holes. We then suffered the pain of losing all three matches, the first at the 22nd, the second at the 20th and the last one at the 19th, in that sequential order. We repaired to the clubhouse to lick our wounds. Six of the team then progressed through two rounds of the Plate at Princes and then lost on the Saturday afternoon in the quarter final. Watson’s meanwhile lost in round 2 of the main event on the Friday afternoon. Eventually, our friends at Loretto went on to win the main prize for the third year on the trot. Many congratulations to them.

Senior Scottish Wayfarers – Western Gailes:

September 2023 saw the first Annual Meeting in three years, held at a new venue, Duddingston Golf Club in Edinburgh. A fun day was enjoyed by all over a challenging golf course, with Duddingston proving to be excellent hosts. There was a plethora of prizes to be won, with Michael Rolland taking the Gold medal with a Gross 70 and tying with Hugh Morris in winning the Silver Medal with a net 71. We return to the same venue on Saturday 2 September 2023 – this will be reported on in next year’s magazine. Those interested in playing in 2024 should put the first weekend of September 2024 in their diaries and should get in touch with our club Secretary, Sandy Robertson, on sandyrob11@gmail.com

REPRESENTATIVE COMPETITIONS

Scottish Wayfarers – Elie: After three convincing wins on the Saturday, we suffered two narrow defeats to Glenalmond and Edinburgh Accies on the Sunday, to just miss out on the Stenhouse Quaich, finishing second to Glenalmond.

Halford Hewitt – Deal:

The draw saw us pitted against our nearest neighbours, Watsonians, in the first round on the Friday at Deal. Our team was Stein and Ward, McIntosh and Rolland, Mair and Biggart, Smith and Crummey, Bremner and Simpson. That was the playing order on the course, after some letting through early on.

Our first two pairs were always seemingly in charge of their matches, coming in with 4&3 and 3&2 victories. The other games were looking okay, if not quite so well placed. We were eventually 1 up with 1 to go, 1 down with 1 to go and 2 up with 2 to go, respectively. Remarkably, all of these

The team of Harry & Donald Thomson, Chris Cowan, Donald McIntyre, David Hutchison and Guthrie Batchelor was excellent, not only winning the event but also retaining it from last year.

Cyril Gray – Worplesdon:

Team: H Thomson, D Hutchison, D McIntyre, L Mair, M Stein, D Cowan.

A new look team with two debutants (Stein and Cowan) headed to WGC full of confidence. A first round comfortable victory over Taunton 2.5 - 0.5 (including an 8&7 win for the two new boys and a generous conceded half by Hutchison & McIntyre) sent the team into round 2 against Dulwich. A close loss (2&1) at the top for Hutchison and McIntyre was offset by another comfortable win for Stein & Cowan (5&3), leaving the tie coming down to the last hole in the final match. Playing the 18th one down, Thomson holed a terrific putt from 20 feet for a battling 4, only to see the opposition follow him in from 15 feet for a half; this was enough to see Dulwich through. Although a disappointing finish, fun was had by all in very warm conditions and there is a determination to come back stronger next year. The competition was won by Rossall.

The game against the School was evidence of the increasing strength in the School team and the Merchistonian side was no match for them: the School ran out 3-0 victors.

If you would like to join the club please get in touch with Sandy Robertson, sandyrob11@gmail.com

Membership is very reasonable and completely free to those aged under 25.

Sandy Robertson (’75-’79)

Curling Report 2022-23

We had better results this season, with wins against Old Glenalmond, Glasgow Accies and Aberdeen Grammar School FP. We lost only to Kelvinside Accies. We came second in the league, behind Kelvinside. All of the matches took place at Greenacres rink, near Uplawmoor, Renfrewshire.

Our pool of curlers consisted of Douglas Harvie, Allan Higgins, John Duthie, John Mitchell and Alastair Campbell. New recruits for next season are welcome, and the matches are likely to be played again at Greenacres. Please contact the curling convenor, Alastair Campbell (ajcampbell82@hotmail.com; telephone 0141 638 1753), if you are interested.

Congratulations to Hammy McMillan and Grant Hardie as members of the Scottish team that won the Curling World Cup this year. If you fancy a game for the old School.........

Alastair Campbell (’62-’67)

Fishing Report 2022-23

This season, a number of fly fishing outings will be arranged. These outings are geographically varied and usually from boats on established fisheries (not that this guarantees fish being caught!). These occasions are very sociable and you certainly do not need to be an experienced fisherman to get involved.

Anyone interested in attending, please contact Andrew McDonald to be included on the mailing list.

W Andrew McDonald (‘79-‘85) andrewmcdonald67@blueyonder.co.uk

Rugby Club Report 2022-23

The Merchistonian Rugby Club is still going strong. We had a very successful run out at the North Berwick 7s, at which we were just pipped in the final by a well-drilled Musselburgh side. Over the summer, we have a team playing in the ever-popular Edinburgh City 7s, which is run by Merchistonians Donald Crawford and Lachlan Gaddie. Then, on 15 July, we are pulling together a XV to play in Merchistonian George Crawford’s Legacy Trust memorial match at Netherdale. A large number of Merchistonians are currently playing professional / semi-professional rugby. A list of these appears in Roddy Deans’ article in the rugby section of the School magazine.

Doug Crawford (‘09-‘14)