Merchistonian Newsletter - Sep. 2022

Merchistonian Newsletter

Dear Merchistonians, We are very pleased to be releasing this year’s first edition of our monthly Newsletter. After a couple of difficult years, it is great to see the School bustling with activity again. In this edition, we would like to extend a particularly warm welcome to our latest Leavers. Huge congratulations on your results and we cannot wait to hear more about your next steps in your formative lives.

'The Forest' at Merchiston On September 1st, Merchiston announced plans to open a coeducational Forest Pre-school and coeducational Forest Junior School.

Nestled in our expansive, wooded campus, The Forest pre-school (children aged 3-5) and The Forest coeducational Junior school (initially accepting boys and girls in to Primary 1 to Primary 3) will open in September 2024, with the Junior School becoming To the wider Merchistonian community: fully co-educational by 2030. we would really like to ensure this Newsletter is as relevant to you as Rest assured that our commitment to possible, so please do get in touch, if single-sex education in the Senior you have any news and stories you School remains unchanged and there is would like to share. no intention to become co-educational in the Senior School.

Many of you have been in touch about our Merchistonian Magazine: we are Admissions enquiries from current delighted to announce that after a Merchiston families, Merchistonians forced hiatus, the latest edition will be and the wider Edinburgh community available next month. As previously, we should be sent to will be circulating an announcement theforest@merchiston.co.uk. when this is ready to view, with information on how to access the publication.

merchistonians@merchiston.co.uk

EDITION #1

30.09.22

OPEN DAY Saturday 8 October

Doors open 09:30 Merchiston will also be attending a selection of International School Shows this term.

Please find below our upcoming dates and countries. If you are based in the locations we are visiting, we would love to connect.

Malaysia: 28 October Singapore: 30 October Dubai & Abu Dhabi : 26 & 27 November

popular university destinations: Class of 2022 Newcastle University: 8 University of Edinburgh: 7 Heriot Watt University: 7 University of Aberdeen: 6 University of Glasgow: 6 University of Exeter: 4 Lancaster University: 3 University of St Andrews: 2

HM Queen Elizabeth II The Merchiston Community was saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022.

The passing of our Longest Monarch Reigning was marked with a Whole School Assembly, commemorating her incredible life of service. Rev.Blair also recounted the School's connections with Her Majesty: from her first visit in 1933 as the 7-year-old daughter of future King George VI to her last, exactly 50 years later, in 1983 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the School. Some of you might recall the spade, held in the The Old Library, which was used by the late Queen to plant a commemorative tree on Merchiston grounds, as her Mother had done before her.

On September 19th, the day of the State Funeral, the resident Merchiston community came together in Memorial Hall to reflect on this momentuous occasion. All those present then gathered around the flag at halfmast to observe a minute of silence, accompanied by the striking notes of a lone piper (Kyle WarrenDirector of Pipes & Drums).

The above photo from the School's archives, was taken during Her Majesty's visit in 1983.

A Merchiston Wedding Merchiston has always been very proud of its sense of community - many lifelong friendships and connections are forged here. We were therefore delighted when Rory Williams (Class of 2009) decided to return to the School on July 9 to celebrate his wedding to Rachel.

The couple tied the knot in the stunning Memorial Hall - befitting considering this is where their story began. Rachel, a former St. George's pupil, met Rory back in 2008, whilst attending a Merchiston-hosted social.

The happy occasion was a great opportunity to welcome back on the grounds quite a few from the Class of 2009, as well as Rory's familiy.

Reflecting on this time at Merchiston, Rory says: “Alongside being raised on site with my brothers, meeting some of my best friends and now my wife, it is a real privilege to be able to add my wedding day to the long list of happy memories I have of Merchiston."

On behalf of the Merchiston community we would like to extend the warmest congratulations to Rory and Rachel.

merchistonians@merchiston.co.uk

International destinations Keio University: 1 Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: 1 Santa Clara University: 1 Delaware University: 1

Obituaries We were very saddened to hear of the passing of the following Merchistonians:

John Kelman Mearns 1929 - 2022 At Merchiston: 1943-1947

Junior Prefect, 1XV Rugby, 1XI Cricket

Grounds & Facilities This Summer has been a particularly busy one for the Grounds and Facilities Teams.

Pringle House saw a complete renovation of their window glazing, as well as being fitted with a new heating system throughout the centre.

The School also undertook an extensive tree survey which recorded 4800 different species of trees on the grounds. This puts Merchiston as holding the second most diverse tree population in Edinburgh, after the Royal Botanic Gardens.

A lot of effort has also gone towards the preservation of the Colinton Castle ruins, adjecent to Castle Gates.

Our staff have put in a fantastic effort to landscape the surrounding area and securing the site.

A new fleet of Minibuses was also received and is now sporting a new branded livery.

Sports Achievements Congratulations to former internationalist Peter Walton (Class of 1987) who joined SRU this month as a Scottish Qualified Performance Player Transition Manager.

Congratulations to Matt Davidson (Class of 2017) and Patrick Kelly (Class of 2014) who represented Scotland in Rugby 7s Commonwealth Games.

Merchiston Squash The Merchiston Squash Team is looking for some new players. If you would like to get involved, please contact Squash Secretary Andy Duff at a.duff1979@outlook.com

Merchiston Tales With Pupils returning to campus earlier this month for the start of the Autumn Term, we have been collating some firstday-at-Merchiston memories.

Jonny Blair (Class of 2022), one of our most recent Merchistonians, recalls a rather unique first day at the School. As many of you know, Jonny's father Nick Blair is also Merchiston's Chaplain and back on the first day of term in 2004 he hosted the Whole School Assembly - also Jonny's first day on Campus.

Speaking on the theme of community and the link between family and school life - Jonny, then 6 weeks old, was the perfect "prop".

Rev. Blair recalls: “ First days at School perhaps don’t come much earlier than this. My son Jonny (MCS 2015-2022) was used as a 'visual aid' in my very first assembly at Merchiston in September 2004 ..aged 6 weeks! [...] He tells me the assembly stories are exactly the same!"

Philip Rossiter, who many of you will remember, offers another first-day memory. He recalls with admiration a young Pupil in 2005, who started at the School mid-term. Having arrived at Merchiston on an Autum Saturday evening, he was warmly welcomed and happily joined the other Pupils for some pizza. Only to wake up the next morning to realise he had indeed caught chicken pox! He sadly had to return home - and had another try at his 'first day' two weeks later.

merchistonians@merchiston.co.uk

James D. Watson 1935 - 2022

At Merchiston: left 1948 -1952 RAF service Ceylon, Agricultural College EDI

David R. Grant 1941 - 2022

At Merchiston: 1954-1959 Aberdeen Uni MA (English), Edinburgh Uni. (MSc WIldlife Cons. & Ecology)