Headmaster's Letter
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The 2019 MERCHISTONIAN Headmaster’s Letter It is with great pleasure to and memorable event and a great here, the rewards are there to enjoy. introduce this year’s example of the strong bonds that the Merchiston community shares. Challenging - in the most positive Merchistonian magazine - it is possible sense. Merchiston is a School of very hard to believe that it On the sports field, we have had yet proud tradition and the challenge to all has been a year since I wrote another stunning year of success; of us that hold the School in such high personal highlights include our U18 regards is to ensure that continues. my very first introduction; Tennis Team winning back-to-back time certainly flies when you national titles, our Rugby Fives players Seriously Enjoyable - I return to enjoyment; it is such a key aspect of are enjoying yourself! winning two national titles in one year (doubling our previous total of titles in what we want our pupils to experience My first year at Merchiston has been one one visit!) and of course, our 1XV and I am pleased that I have been able of great enjoyment; getting to know the winning the Scottish Schools’ Cup for to share that feeling. pupils and their families, colleagues, and a record sixth time. Watching the team I am immensely proud of the many and of course, the many Merchistonians and play such fast paced and skilful rugby varied contributions by every pupil and Friends of Merchiston all over the world. through the mist of a cold December member of staff to this School. I hope 1 evening was certainly a memory to As always there has been so much that you agree that this magazine reflects our treasure, not least because we fitted the the School has been able to celebrate and flourishing community, and the lasting occasion into an already very busy drama many highlights on which to reflect, so memories of friendship, busyness, production week - which takes me to here are a few of my favourites. challenges, success, and most another fond memory of a wonderful importantly, fun! Academically, despite reform and performance of Beauty and the Beast demands for greater rigour, our boys yet in collaboration with St George’s. Having spent my first year getting to again (under the guidance of our excellent know the boys and staff and immersing There are of course many more great Merchiston staff) performed remarkably myself in Merchiston life - in the success stories and to list them all, well in public examinations. As another classrooms, on the sports fields, and in would be hugely unfair; suffice to say cohort of Merchistonians move on to the the houses - I am excited about the that this year, like many others in the next exciting phase of their lives, we future ahead. We look forward to School’s illustrious history, has been a congratulate them for their achievements another year of success and demonstration of excellence from the boys. and wish them every success, safe in the achievement, and it is certainly shaping knowledge that there will always be a Someone asked me to sum up my first up with some exciting developments, life-long bond with this place. year at Merchiston in three words; a task namely the refurbishment of the Dining which is of course nigh on impossible, Hall and the soon to be completed On Remembrance Sunday we gathered but if I were to distil my experiences indoor tennis facility. I’m sure you will to mark the 100th Anniversary of the down to just (about) three words, I hear more about that in next year’s conclusion of the First World War, with would go with the following: Merchistonian. our massed band of 100 pipers and drummers leading the ceremony - this Manic - Merchiston is a busy place! I am Ready ay Ready symbolic act the brainchild of one of our proud that we make no excuses, for the Jonathan pupils. It was a tremendously poignant boys show that by putting plenty into life The 2019 MERCHISTONIAN Contents Headmaster’s Letter 01 Staff 04 Speeches 16 Academic Reviews 24 Music 60 3 Drama 66 Library 72 Chaplaincy 80 Activities 84 Cecil Stagg 102 Sport 116 Year Reports 166 Volume CXXXIX 2018-2019 Editor Joanna Tennant Sports and Year Reports Mr John Troxler Design EC Design Studio Print J Thomson Photography Mrs Tracey Gray and other members of the Common Room Thanks Ms Lucy Campion, The Common Room, External Relations, Gillian Macaulay The 2019 MERCHISTONIAN Staff New Staff Rachel Gibb In three words sum up your first year at Merchiston? As a librarian what is your specialist area of interest? Books, reading, fun! I love discovering new authors, and when I’m not in school I’ll be found loitering in independent bookshops and festivals or Where did you work before and has this experience bothering friends in publishing. I always champion the success had any bearing on your time at Merchiston? of children’s authors, especially today where young people I previously worked at Edinburgh Napier University Library, have electronic alternatives, which compete for their time. across all campuses at some point, and therefore helping students who were studying wide varieties of subjects. Every Who have you become closest to in the Common day was different and always a challenge. Helping students and Room and is there anyone you feel you would like staff with research and book recommendations has been the to thank? 5 perfect foundation for working in a school library. These days Everyone in the Common Room has been incredibly kind my library users are younger, but no less enthusiastic, and now and welcoming, and the English department, in particular, I get even more satisfaction from readers enjoying their books. have been a huge support to me. Also special thanks to Jenny Moran for great company and chat. I am also most grateful What was the most surprising thing you encountered to Julia Williams for her incredible support, encouragement in coming to Merchiston? and patience throughout my first year. It has been a pleasure Being called Ma’am, and in my first days continually looking working with Julia, whose passion and devotion to the library behind me to see who the boys were talking to! has gifted me the most incredible foundations on which to Can you tell us about the high points and the low continue to promote and develop in the boys a love of books points of the year? and reading. The high point for me has been seeing the boys’ enthusiasm Are you looking forward to the summer holidays? for reading, hearing their opinions on books, genres and What are your plans? authors, and helping them discover and select new and classic This summer I’ll be recharging the batteries outdoors as texts. I’ve had no real low points; the busy last days of term much as possible, walking the dog and travelling in Europe create organisational challenges,but these just call for a little and England with my children. I’m also looking forward more creativity in fitting everything in! to catching up with friends and family. The Edinburgh If you had to isolate one area of your professional International Book Festival in August is also one of my role here that you have really enjoyed -what would it favourite events of the year. be and why? I enjoyed watching the boys discover and enjoy new books through taking part in book groups, reading incentives and engaging in author visits. I also enjoyed the creativity of fostering a love of books and literature. The 2019 MERCHISTONIAN Richard Lilley In three words sum up your first year at Merchiston? As a teacher of Biology where does your academic Teach. Sport. Repeat. heart lie? I’m a marine biologist, or more specifically a seascape Where did you teach/work before and has this ecologist. So for me, having the opportunity to teach ecology experience had any bearing on your time at to the boys has been fantastic. Whilst the sea isn’t on our Merchiston? doorstep for lessons, we have some fabulous grounds, and a I previously taught at secondary level first at Queen Mary’s super Outdoor Classroom, which means we can really make Grammar School in Walsall, England, and then Musselburgh the most of dry days and get out into nature. Grammar School in East Lothian. Both schools challenged 6 me in different ways. It was definitely a positive to have Who have you become closest to in the Common Room experience of the Scottish Curriculum and the SQA National and is there anyone you feel you would like to thank? Qualifications before joining the school. Will Donkin and I joined at the same time, we both coached junior Rugby together in that first term, and we both live What was the most surprising thing you encountered locally. So sharing the first year journey with him has been a in coming to Merchiston? huge help. I’d definitely like to thank the Science department Just how much you can fit into a day! for making me feel so welcome, and for supporting my ideas. Can you tell us about the high points and the low In particular I’d like to thank Kelly Ryan (our technician in points of the year? Biology); she is a superstar! Term time is so busy, and so the last few weeks of each term Which Boarding House are you with and what has the can feel a little bit like you are running on empty.