A thatLegacylives on
A Legacy of Vision
At Fettes, I built lifelong friendships with peers I will never forget. What I learnt in life and in the classroom will always stay with me. Old Fettesian Guided by Sir William Fettes’ vision that education is of the utmost importance in shaping a young person’s life, Fettes will keep motivating and encouraging generations of pupils for many years to come. Upon his death, the residue of Sir William Fettes’ Estate was used to form an endowment for the Maintenance, Education and Outfit of young people whose parents had died without leaving them with sufficient funds for that purpose or who, from innocent misfortune during their own lives, were unable to give suitable education to their children. In 1864, the Trustees of the Estate instructed architect David Bryce, RSA, to design the magnificent building we know today. Six years later, in October 1870, Fettes College opened its doors to 53 boys. Sir William Fettes would undoubtedly be proud of the outstanding success the College bearing his name has achieved. His legacy not only created a school which is now at the forefront of contemporary education, but also a place that has enabled countless connections amongst people with strong principles who share in his spirit to support others.
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At around the same time as Sir William Fettes was making his will, leaving much of his fortune for the establishment of what was to become Fettes College, he wrote in his Account Book: The moments of studious reflection are the moments of Happiness and Virtue. There is more truth than is generally imagined in the maxim of dum studeo oro. Study is not a toil, but a recreation to the great. It prepares the mind for the encountering of dangers. It relieves it from many a pang, which prejudice had inflicted. It teaches us the means of happiness. It fills up in a most interesting manner the vacuity of leisure. It impresses us with serious and useful truths. It is a treasure that repays us for all misfortunes, and it renders us not only happy in ourselves, but also the pleasing companions of others.
Our Founder
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Over many years, legacy gifts left to Fettes have enabled the College to achieve so much, such as the provision of means-tested bursaries, the improvement or creation of new facilities and support for particular departments. Future legacy gifts will help us to develop and support the ambitions of Fettesians for generations to come. Remembering Fettes in your will enables the College to advance and progress with confidence. If, after you have looked after your loved ones, you choose to leave us a legacy, you will be helping the College sustain its future. However large or small, your support will be greatly valued and will make a profound difference in the lives of future Fettesians.
A Message from the Head of Fettes, Helen Harrison
At Fettes we are passionately committed to offering a safe, family-orientated environment within which Fettesians can build confidence to realise their full potential. Pupils from a range of backgrounds are offered encouragement and the tools necessary to nurture their talents. Our purpose is that every Fettesian will leave the College knowing that they can achieve whatever they set out to, whilst understanding what a privilege their education hasAsbeen.Jacek Makowski (SH 1944-1948) expresses on page 6, being given the opportunity to attend Fettes as a Foundation Scholar had a profound impact on his future and this very much influenced his decision to include Fettes as a beneficiary in his will.
Jacek Makowski (SH 1944-1948) Foundation Scholar Claudia Wellwood, Development Coordinator at Fettes, met with Jacek at his home in the Scottish Borders on a lovely Autumnal day to talk to him about his Fettes story and what is motivating him to support the College by leaving a gift in his will.
Jacek has a vivid recollection of the day that the Germans invaded Poland in September 1939: “I remember it like it was yesterday. I walked out onto the terrace of the house I was staying at in the country and there, appearing out of the bushes, was a German soldier. I quickly retraced my steps back inside.” This was the moment Jacek’s life would change so completely and the beginning of a path that would eventually lead him to Fettes College.
Jacek’s father was Commander of a Polish bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force during World War II. Jacek’s sister had been away in France when war broke out in Poland so was able to travel over to the UK. Jacek and his mother were still in Poland and had to find a way out. They were given this opportunity when a military attaché, Colonel Romeyko of the Polish Embassy in Rome, was sent to help them and, by February, they were safely in the UK. When Jacek started off at a preparatory school in England which had, like many schools at the time, been moved into the countryside, he hated it. “I said to my parents, either you send me to another school or I run away!” So, they moved him to the Oratory and Preparatory School in Reading, where he attended for three years. When they started looking at boarding schools, Jacek’s father’s friend said that the best thing he could do would be to send Jacek to a Scottish boarding 5
Following the Founder’s Lead school and he said that it had to be Loretto or Fettes. “So, when I was 12, I sat the Foundation Scholarship exam at Fettes and failed. My Headmaster quickly contacted Fettes to ask why I had not been successful. They said that although I answered the questions very well, I had not had time to complete all of them.” Jacek was given the opportunity to sit it again when he was 13 and this time, he passed and was offered a place. When Jacek started at Fettes in 1944, it was a very different place to what is it now. “All the Foundation Scholars lived in Schoolhouse.” Jacek explained, “I recall the window at the very top of House was open. You could see the haar entering one window and escaping out the other.”
When asked if there was a member of staff that was particularly inspirational during his time, Jacek replied “There were several but two stand out. I had a good relationship with my Housemaster, Beamish. He was there for me when the Yalta Conference occurred in 1945. And my Chemistry Teacher, Mason, who taught the subject very well indeed. So much so, I went on to study Chemical Engineering when I left Fettes.” Jacek knew in his final year at Fettes that he could never go back to Poland and that he wanted to do something that would not limit him in terms of where he could work in the world. He needed skills that could be utilised globally.
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Much of what has been achieved at Fettes College over the years has been made possible because of legacy gifts.
Old Fettesian
“My first girlfriend was a St George’s girl. I remember one evening in particular, when we arrived at the Founder’s Day Ball at Fettes, she adamantly refused to go inside. When I pressed her as to why, she said it was because one of the other girls was wearing the same dress as her!” When asked what inspired Jacek to decide to leave money to Fettes in his will, he explained: “Fettes was pivotal in my life and, being a Foundation Scholar, my four years at Fettes were paid for. I received a superb education which enabled me to go straight into the second year Chemical Engineering Course at the University of Birmingham in 1948. Through Old Fettesian connections, I managed to get an interview with Shell Oil in London and subsequently the Hague. I could not be hired because, after Yalta, I was ‘stateless’. However, as a result of these interviews, two weeks after I emigrated to Canada in October of 1951, I did get a job at a Shell Oil Montreal Refinery.” Jacek explained another practical motivation for making a planned gift to Fettes is to avoid the inevitable inheritance tax. He has decided that he wants to give something back to Fettes because of the role it played in his life, as well as supporting other causes important to him and his wife, Sula.
I firmly believe in sustainable development, in other words, how to put back what you take out, to minimise your footprint, whether it is the use of energy, generation of carbon or plain old-fashioned consumption.
When asked if he had a significant memory of his time at Fettes, Jacek recalled an exciting day for the boys: “On VE Day we were given a rare day off school. We could draw out some money and I recall that I went into Edinburgh and watched something like three films that day.” Jacek also remembered the many changes Crichton-Miller made when he joined Fettes as Headmaster in 1945. One such change was the introduction of dances at girls’ schools.
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My gift will support pupils whose parents cannot afford to send them to Fettes, to give them the opportunity of a wonderful education and to build long-lasting friendships like I have enjoyed. To get them started in life and onto the right path.
I was fortunate enough to enjoy 4 years as a Foundation Scholar, which got me started in life, and so it seems only equitable to give something similar back. I benefitted from the generosity of someone I never knew and in the future someone I will never know, nor meet, will now benefit likewise, with a sum to cover their complete education at Fettes.
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The son of a Glasgow shipowner, Alexander “Sandy” Richard Glen was born in 1912. After leaving Fettes, he read Geography at Balliol College, Oxford. Sir Alexander Glen was an Arctic explorer and wartime Intelligence officer before going into the shipping industry, and eventually becoming chairman of the British Tourist Authority. He was awarded the Patron’s Medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1940 and, the Polar Medal in silver in 1942. In addition, he received the Bruce Medal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the Andree Plaque of the Royal Swedish Geographical Society. Glen was awarded the DSC; the Norwegian War Cross and was appointed a Knight of St Olav. Glen was appointed CBE in 1964 and KBE in 1967. In 1975 he published his memoirs, Footholds Against a Whirlwind.
Sir Alexander Glen KBE DSC (Ca 1926 - 1930)
Sir Alexander Glen left a legacy “to stimulate and encourage Fettesians, particularly in the field of art and exploration.”
Legacy gifts have been transformational for Fettes in many ways over the years. They have provided support for a number of areas and projects which have left a lasting impact on the experiences of Fettesians. Over the last fifteen years, Fettes has benefited from £1.2 million in legacy income. Leaving a gift in your will is a simple, tax efficient way to recognise the role that Fettes College played in your life.
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Nicola Pickavance, Director of Development Begins at Fettes
When the Nazis invaded the Netherlands, Frans’s family fled to France on a cocoa boat heading from West Africa to Britain. After attending Lathallan Prep School, Frans moved to Fettes. It was, at this time, the strongest rugby school in Scotland and he played a dominant role in the famous XV which remained unbeaten in a school match for five years.
In discussion with his family, Frans ten Bos’s unrestricted legacy was also directed towards the restoration of the Pavilion.
Paddy Croker’s legacy was left without restriction and directed towards the restoration of the beloved Pavilion by the Trustees of the Fettes Foundation.
Frans ten Bos (Gl 1951-1955) Frans was an English-born rugby player of Dutch parentage. He played rugby for Scotland from 1959 to 1963 and won 17 caps. It was at Fettes that this talent was encouraged and nurtured.
Frans went to Oxford University, gaining a Rugby Blue and it was therefore no surprise when he was selected by Scotland for the 1959 Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham. In 2015, Frans was inducted into the London Scottish Hall of Fame. His international rugby career concluded where it began at the Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham in 1963. Frans went on to lead a thriving printing business in London which, upon retirement to Glen Prosen in Angus, he sold.
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Patrick Croker (Staff 1959-1965) Paddy, as he was known, was on the staff at Fettes from 1959 to 1965. He was a much-loved member of the Fettes Common Room. Paddy came to Fettes from Brasenose College, Oxford, in September 1959 and very soon made an impact on Fettes life. During his time at Fettes he was Head of History, Moredun House Tutor, Rugby, Hockey and Cricket coach, C.C.F officer and President of the Debating Society. On the games field in all seasons his voice rang out to inspire, rebuke, instruct and exhort. Cricket was one of Paddy’s greatest loves, and he gave untold hours to fielding and net practices.
Making a legacy gift to the Fettes Foundation
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Feel free to call Nicola Pickavance at any time if you have any questions on 0131 241 1003 or email n.pickavance@fettes.com Should you like to let us know of your intentions, please do call us or write to us using the details above. We would love the opportunity to thank you by inviting you to our events and keeping you abreast of our news and projects.
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How to leave a gift in your will: State in your will you would like to leave a gift to the Fettes Foundation (Charity No. SC028350). Your solicitor will be able to guide you on this. Include our details: The Fettes Foundation, Fettes College, Carrington Road, Edinburgh, EH4 1QX.
The Fettes Foundation is a registered charity in Scotland, No: SC028350. It is a company limited by guarantee in Scotland, No: SC189253 and with its registered office at Fettes College, Carrington Road, Edinburgh, EH4 1QX.
Nicola Pickavance Director of Development The Fettes Foundation, Fettes Edinburgh,College,EH4 1QX T: 0131 241 1003 E: n.pickavance@fettes.com Design by HERO Creative Photography by Angus Bremner & Allan Forbes Printed by Allander
