prep co-curricular
We believe in an all-round education so we introduce our pupils to new opportunities and adventures that will develop their skills and create memories that last long after their journey through Fettes Prep.
broadening horizons As well as providing a myriad of after-school activities, we take our pupils out into the beautiful city of Edinburgh, the spectacular Scottish countryside and further afield to learn new skills, fire their imaginations, and broaden their horizons. Your children could find themselves learning to fence, visiting one of Edinburgh’s museums or galleries, white-water rafting on the Tay, or singing in Provence. Whatever their choices, our ambition is for pupils to uncover their talents and pursue their interests as far as they can.
clubs and activities Art and Design
Badminton
Cooking
Climbing
Drum On
Parkour
Jordan Singers
Performing Arts
Snowboarding
Sphero
Tennis
Cricket
Riding
Golf
Multi Activities
Shooting
Stopmogo
Lacrosse
Dance
Croquet
Judo
Circus Skills
Chess Club
Football/ Rugby
Fencing
Fives
Jewellery Making/Craft
Board Games
Basketball
Netball
Ski Race Training
Skiing
Table Tennis
Swimming
Volleyball
Hockey
Yoga
Whether your child is a boarder or day pupil, we offer them the opportunity to be part of an exciting and stimulating activities programme. After a busy day in school, our clubs and activities give the pupils time to relax, have fun and learn new skills together. With over 40 choices a year there really is something for everyone. In addition, suggestions for new activities can be made via the Pupil Council.
Activities include badminton, parkour, film animation, skiing at Hillend dry ski slope, Art & Design, cooking, yoga, fives, fencing, golf at Archerfield Golf Club, watersports at Port Edgar as well as shooting on our own rifle range and climbing using the school’s purpose build climbing wall. We regularly review and update the activities on offer and listen to feedback from our busy little bees along the way.
Evening Activities 6pm–7pm M Form P Form S Form T Form 1st and 2nd Form Number of evening activities allowed
Autumn Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Hillend Dry Ski Slope Hillend is a minibus ride across the city and caters for beginners as well as our keen race skiiers. It is a perfect practice ground for learning new skills and improving race technique and many of the instructors that we meet on these slopes also come out with us on our annual ski trip.
Cookery Club The ever popular Cookery Club meets once a week in the beautifuly appointed Arran House kitchen where they produce a delicious two-course meal which they can all sit down to at the end of their activity session. The club usually invites a guest member to dine and also enjoys the company of guest chefs from time to time.
trips ‘A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike.’ John Steinbeck
We are hugely appreciative of our spectacular location, which is hard to beat as a playground of learning. The curiosity and excitement we feel when we are somewhere new and challenging enhances the learning experience and creates longlasting memories. Put simply, being out and about, learning, exploring and laughing with friends, is unforgettable. In addition to the cultural city of Edinburgh with its magnificent galleries and museums, we have The Pentland Hills, the beaches of East Lothian and the Firth of Forth on our doorstep. We can, and do, go further afield.
The Highlands and Islands are a minibus ride away, as are visits to the Glasgow museums and historical destinations throughout Scotland. History and Geography can be seen close up and personal on a truly grand scale and the city and country mix provides inspiration for many other subjects including English, Sciences, Art, Music and Drama.We can be learning in the classroom at the beginning of the day, and climbing in the hills of Perthshire by lunchtime. We love to venture abroad on our regular ski trips, choir and sports tours. French, Drama and History trips are very popular. Destinations have included Andalo, Passo del Tonale, Monaco, Picardy, Provence, Bordeaux, Paris and London. These trips provide the opportunity to learn about new cultures, practise our language skills and bond with our classmates.
‘The most amazing thing about Fettes Prep is the vast variety of trips because they are really fun and exciting.’
We’re Out and About in Scotland
M Form trip to the Pentlands The Pentland Hills, just 10 miles from Fettes but a world apart from the city, are a real haven, with upland pasture, forestry plantations, rivers and reservoirs as well as a myriad of flora and fauna. We love to take our junior geographers and scientists to the hills. Here are M Form taking a look at Threipmuir and Harlow reservoirs.
1st Form Trip to Stirling Castle 1st Form were learning about the Medieval world, so where else to go but the favourite residence of the late medieval Scottish monarchs? We discovered what life was like during the 14th centuary at Stirling Castle, from the splendour of the royal apartments to the heat and smells of the dungeon kitchens.
We’re Out and About Internationally T Form Trip to Rome One very special trip takes place for our T Form pupils every year. We think the best way to show our 10 and 11 year old pupils what the Romans did for us is to take them to Rome, one of the world’s most amazing outside learning spaces.
the city of the dead. Next, we walked down the Main Road to the centre of the town and found a bathhouse. We then went to the Roman takeaway and up an insula (block of flats). “I learned I could somehow survive being away from my parents for a whole week! (Gasp!), I also overcame all my fears and ‘Oh No’s’ about the Rome Trip.
Before they head off they meet a gladiator, learn how to march, enjoy a Roman feast and have a couple of essential Italian lessons; it is important that everyone knows “What surprised me the most is that the how to say ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and can Pantheon is the world’s largest free-standing order their favourite variety of gelato! dome! We don’t think we can better the words of “Something built over 2,000 years ago is Tom, who describes what the trip to Rome still standing and is still the largest in the did for him. Like all of us, steping out of world. Amazing, incredible, stunning! his comfort zone was daunting at first but, of course, reaps huge rewards as in this “I have taken away lots of things from the case, where he quicky fell under the spell of experience: bravery; good memories; The Rome and Ostia Antica. Colosseum; Trevi Fountain’s coin toss; and St Peter’s having 456 crossed keys. It was “Yes, I went to Rome! incredible – the size and scale of everything “My highlight was Ostia Antica, the Roman blew my mind!” town. First, we explored the Necropolis,
talks In addition to heading out for inspiration, we have a number of visitors who come and tell us about their experiences. Our guests range from authors talking about the joy of writing, musicians performing beautiful music, charity founders explaining how our donations may help them and international sports stars giving us clues to their success.
Victoria Cross Assembly Mr Du Vivier, Fettes College History teacher, joined us for our assembly with not one but two Victoria Crosses. Both were on loan from the Ashcroft Collection at the Imperial War Museum and awarded posthumously to Old Fettesians, Hector Maclean and Bertie Anderson.
We learnt that the VC is the highest decoration in the Armed Forces of Britain and other Commonwealth Countries. It was established by Royal Warrant in 1856 and awarded for valour in the face of the enemy rewarding ‘individual instances of merit and valour’. After the assembly, we were lucky enough to have a close-up view of both VCs.
charity Dr Potts’ message of loving kindness is very close to our hearts and therefore raising money for charities is a regular part of our school year.
The charities we support can be close to home, with a Fettes Family connection or have a wider national and international base. Our Charities Committee, comprised of pupils and chaired by a member of staff, meets each term to discuss how well our fundraising initiatives are going and to discuss upcoming events. We regularly hold bake sales, discos, dress up and dance days, an annual parents event and even put our trainers on to take part in the Fettes Runs.
Macmillan Coffee Afternoon Every September our T Form pupils are involved in a very important fundraising occasion. The Macmillan Coffee Afternoon gives our pupils the chance to set up and run their very own fundraising event, providing much needed funds for a vitally important cause. They prepare by making posters, drawing still life pictures for auction, setting up their cafÊ, selling raffle tickets and serving cakes made by themselves, staff, family and friends. It’s a huge team effort which raises thousands of pounds annually.
Our co-curricular programme offers something for everyone at Fettes Prep and enhances our learning experience.