150th Anniversary of Fettes College

Even a global pandemic did not stop us celebrating the milestone 150th anniversary of Fettes College. We would have loved to invite everyone back to Fettes to celebrate with us, but due to restrictions we had to change our plans and keep everyone safe. However, we did all that we could to mark this special occasion. The long-term plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary have had the beautiful book, Fettes: Our Place at the heart. We were therefore delighted to be able to launch the book (virtually) on 2nd October as planned with an interesting session led by much loved member of the English department, Rob Harrison (Staff 1991–2021). Rob directed questions to the author of the book Ralph Hughes (Staff 1985–2017), to our Archivist Craig Marshall (Staff 2014–present) and to Karen Jones (née Houston) (Ar 1989–1991, Staff 2012–present). The team was able to talk about the journey to create and curate the book, sharing their choice of favourite nostalgic photographs, printed materials and objects from across the generations, which reflect life at Fettes on our beautiful campus over the last 150 years. The event was recorded and is available to watch here: vimeo.com/466071475/ d15a413bb2.

Research into the archives showed us that the school had been granted a half day holiday in 1891 to celebrate the ‘coming of age’ of Fettes College.

On the morning of 5th October 2020, the 150th birthday of the College, the Head chose to grant the students a birthday lie in. During this time, the Head Boy Torran Evans (PS-Mo 2013–2021) and School Prefect Ianthe Fraser (CE 2017–2021) joined the Head and Pipe Major Jamie Burnet (Mo 2016–2021) for a rooftop ceremony. The school flag was raised to the familiar sound of the bagpipes.

After this small ceremony, those who were gathered on the roof descended to Callover Hall. They were joined there by School Prefects and Heads of Houses to hear the Head read the names of the first 53 boys to come to Fettes, exactly as would have been done by Dr Potts (Staff 1870–1889) 150 years ago to the day.

The Head, Torran and Ianthe then laid a laurel wreath at the bust of Sir William Fettes to commemorate all Old Fettesians who are sadly no longer with us, reviving a Fettes tradition dating back to the 1930s.

Fettes: Our Place

Diary entry of 1891 showing half day holiday

150th anniversary rooftop ceremony

Representatives of the school gather in Callover

A laurel wreath was laid at the bust of Sir William Fettes

The small group of Prefects and Heads of Houses, representing the school, then made their way to Chapel where they were welcomed by the Head. There were readings from Torran and Ianthe and the Chaplain led those present in prayer. David Goodenough (Staff 1998–Present) played the organ, including Floreas Fettesia. It was hard to resist the urge to sing, which was against Covid safe guidelines.

The Head, Torran and Ianthe then proceeded to the Queen’s Lawn to cut a special birthday cake and raise a toast to the first 150 years of Fettes College.

Video highlights from the 150th birthday celebrations can be viewed here: vimeo.com/465683764/6ba55c5a2f

At morning break, all the Houses were presented with a copy of Fettes: Our Place. All staff and students then enjoyed cake and were gifted a commemorative badge to mark this momentous day.

The commemorative badge design was replicated from a beautiful music programme from the archives for a ‘Private Concert, Friday 4th April 1879’. This design has also been used on specially designed sports shirts in our anniversary year for the First and Colts A Teams in the College, and Senior Teams in the Prep, across a range of sports. These shirts were kindly sponsored by Graham’s The Family Dairy.

Following lunch break on our 150th birthday, some Third Form students gathered with the Head and Senior Leadership Team at the College West arcade to re-enact the first school photograph. This image was then used to launch an in-House photo competition which saw all the houses recreating a selection of photos from the last 150 years.

The day was rounded off with the premiere of our specially commissioned film, introduced by the Chair of the Governors, Michael Osborne, along with the Head, Torran and Ianthe. It emotively conveyed the true sense of Fettes and has been enjoyed by over 4,000 members of the Fettes community all over the globe.

We were so sorry that our Head Girl Lucy Redmond (Ar 2016–2021) was unable to participate in the celebrations. Lucy was, however, able to be part of our celebrations later in the year.

During the 150th birthday week, each Head of House was asked to handwrite a letter to Sir William Fettes from the House. These letters are featured on pages 40–43. Each clearly shows the House’s gratitude to Sir William for his bequest to establish Fettes and notes why they are proud to be here today. The letters have been safely placed in the archives for future generations to be able to reflect on this point in Fettes history.

The week-long in-House photo competition launched on the 150th birthday was a real success. Students had such enthusiasm to recreate images either as they were originally or with a modern twist. Opposite is a selection of the images, some of our readers may find themselves in the original versions!

An event that was able to run as initially planned was the Fettes College 150th Anniversary Global Golf Competition, but even then we extended the entry period to ensure everyone could get a tee time. Old Fettesians, students, staff, former staff and parents, past and present, were invited to take part by playing a round of golf on any course in the world with a world handicap rating. Golfers were asked to play during the competition period 1st May – 20th June 2021 and email in a copy of their scorecard. Golfers participated across the globe in the UK, Malaysia, USA, UAE, Canada, France, Australia and Hong Kong. Students from the College and the Prep School also played in their own competition and those with a world handicap rating were able to enter the global competition.

A milestone anniversary with no OFs on campus, no Commem, no Chapel, a term of learning from home and no physical Founder’s Day is certainly not how we had planned the celebrations, BUT the Fettes community are truly resilient. We quickly adapted to new ways of doing things and embraced technology. We are so grateful to all who took part from across the globe. Floreas Fettesia to you all!

vimeo.com/464504965/aaa5079d56

Letters to Sir William Fettes

OF Golfing Society Secretary Andrew Soulsby (JS-Ar 1973–1980) with current students

Then - 1971 Kimmerghame Prefects Now - Kimmerghame Boys

Then - 1875 School House Now - Dalmeny Girls

Then - 1909 Glencorse House Up Now - Glencorse Boys

Then – 1907 Moredun Gymnastics Now – College East Girls