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Week 15
On Tuesday afternoon, the 1st XV's last fixture of the term, against Methodist College (Belfast) was narrowly won by Merchiston, and the final event of term time was the Carol Service at 6 p.m. (photo left), after which most pupils departed for the holidays. A party of senior rugby players headed for Northern Ireland on Wednesday for a brief tour, continuing the tradition started in recent years by the late Dr Stranock: the match against the Belfast Royal Academical Institution will be for the David Stranock Memorial Quaich. Week 14At the start of the week, trips out of school included Sixth Form Historians going to Glasgow to spend two days studying using University facilities, and at the other end of the School, members of the First Form went to Newcastle on a combined History and Sport visit. This week's dramatic production was at St George's, where some of our senior boys were taking part in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and junior musicians played in a variety of solo and ensemble groups, along with some readings, at the Pringle Concert on Tuesday. Thursday saw a group of Pringle boys competing in this year's Euroquiz. On Friday, the 1st XV scored a narrow victory in their latest match for the Scottish Schools' Cup. Numerous social events were held towards the end of the week, and as it ended on Sunday evening, the Colinton and Merchiston Choir gave its Christmas Concert in the Memorial Hall .
Week 13
Week 12
Week 11Pringle classes sat exams in some subjects during the week leading up to the 2nd leave-out weekend of the term. Nicola Morgan returned on Tuesday, this time to talk to Shell pupils about different ways of using the brain, and different approaches to learning or memorising things. Week 10The Care Commission visited us for the first of their three visits this year. They said they had found the School a welcoming place, and were generally pleased with what they saw. As normal, we will now work to implement their latest recommendations. Week 9
We were distressed to hear news that Merchistonian Cameron Johnston was very seriously injured in a rugby match for his club in Newcastle at the weekend. He is very much in all our thoughts and prayers; we are encouraged by his progress so far. Mr Heathcote is to be a Sixth Form Housemaster when the new House opens next September. Half-term and Week 8During the break, the rugby teams had success in Wales, and the trip to Russia visited many interesting sites. Back at School, Geography staff indulged in some decorating. With term getting underway once again on Tuesday, the first external visit was by some Pringle boys to the China Scotland Leadership Conference. The weather was good for the rugby matches on Saturday, when many visitors toured the School during the first of the year's Information Mornings. Week 6With warmth and sunshine most of the week, it did not really feel like the last week of the half-term! A number of senior boys were involved in the CCF Review on Wednesday; the Pipe Band performed outside in the morning. Other musical performances, by junior boys, were given at the Pringle Parents' Dinner on Thursday. The Scottish Schools Rugby Cup match against Linlithgow saw a good victory for Merchiston. Half-term started at lunch-time on Friday; a group of Sixth Formers are visiting Moscow and St Petersburg with the History Department during the break, and 1st and 2nd XVs head to Llandovery to compete in the Vivian Jenkins Memorial Match. Week 5
On Sunday, the Memorial Hall was full for the annual Harvest Thanksgiving service. Chaplaincy team leader Nick Blair illustrated the distribution of populations, wealth and food around the world in graphic form by getting those in the congregation to stand who had relevantly labelled orders of service. The Rev. John Caperon spoke on the theme of 'a new earth', reflecting on our attitudes to many aspects of our planet. Produce donated will be distributed to needy people around Edinburgh during next week. Week 4Staff were busy writing report cards which will be given to boys next week. The Spawforth Library began its first 'Bag-a-book' event of the year: this has been extended to run over several days this time. Boys at both ends of the School enjoyed social events on Friday before a full complement of rugby at the weekend. A group of staff and Merchistonians met at Crianlarich for the annual Melluish Memorial Mountain Meet. Week 3
This week's House gatherings were for Chalmers East and Rogerson East. Younger pupils sat the Edinburgh Reading tests earlier in the week. Meanwhile Geographers were away on a Field Trip. School finished for a short break on Friday lunchtime until Sunday evening. Week 2
The Fifth Form sat tests to help them with their future career plans on Wednesday: this will set in motion a path of guidance and choices over their final years at school. Also at the weekend, Pringle headed to Loaningdale for an outdoor activities weekend. They and IV Form also had the first of this year's discos with nearby girls' schools. The week ended with an evening Chapel Service. Week 1 & Summer holidaysThe holiday was marred in July by news of the passing of Dr Dave Stranock at the age of 59. Many former pupils, along with current and past members of staff, attended his funeral. The 1st XI's visit to Holland was rather spoiled by rain, but some good play did take place. The Fiji expedition succeeded in its objective of renovating a primary school. JRB took yet another group of 27 younger pupils to Rua Fiola for its unique island adventure experience. Meanwhile, a group of older pupils enjoyed outward-bound experiences in California, ending up in Mexico before returning home. Shooters were successful particularly in the Scottish Schools part of the Bisley competition, where they were runners up. We were delighted with this year's public examination results by all the groups concerned. The first two assemblies of term included congratulation of those awarded Gibson scholarships for their outstanding performance in the summer's exams. Lessons got off to a good start on Monday morning, and a full week's teaching took place with classes and teachers meeting each other for the first time. On Saturday, in glorious weather, the first rugby fixtures of the season took place against Stewart's Melville, and the 1st XV scored their first victory of the School season. House activities at the weekend included Chalmers West enjoying a bouncy castle in the west Garden! With the School having the most pupils at any time in its history (438 this term) the Memorial Hall was very full for the first whole school chapel service of the year on Sunday.
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Three Christmas meals were held during Monday for all parts of the School, and proved characteristically boisterous, with performances by 3 rock bands: two of pupils and one of staff. 
The School Musical, 'Oliver' with its huge cast of boys and girls (from St George's) of all ages was staged each night from Tuesday to Friday in the theatre, and was very well received. A huge amount of time and effort has been expended by many staff and pupils throughout the term to achieve the end result. Those members of the Pipe Band who were not involved in the production went to play to pupils at the 
The major School Concert of the term took place on Friday evening. This featured many different instrumental groups (GCSE Music group photo left) as well as Pipe Bands and the Choir. At 2 hours, it was also the longest concert anyone could remember! Fortunately there was an extremely varied programme. Another musical venture was held on Saturday, with member of the Edinburgh Society of Organists attending a lecture/recital and masterclass by Gerard Brooks, from London, in our Memorial Hall. Meanwhile, outside on the pitches a large number of victories were amassed against Fettes in the Autumn sunshine (
Nicola Morgan launched her latest book on Saturday, as several prospective Pringle pupils arrived to spend a weekend boarding in. During the week, pupils from both Sixth and Third Forms went to a production of The Crucible at the Church Hill Theatre, both of which were deemed very good by Mr Williams. With good weather prevailing again this week, most rugby teams were in action against Glenalmond on Saturday, with the 1st XV winning a convincing victory in the 
Once a year Merchiston hosts the 'Prestige Physics Lecture': this year's talk, entitled 'More is different' was very wide ranging in scope, and was attended by pupils from several schools as well as our own. Following on from theatre trips last week, a Sixth Form group went to see Friel's Living Quarters at the Royal Lyceum. UVI Geographers went to do field work in the Cairngorms at the weekend. Staff met with their colleagues from St George's for a meal and a talk from Keir Bloomer, who spoke about his thoughts on the development of education in the 21st century.
The first concert of the year took place on Friday, when 13 solo and small ensemble items were performed to a small but appreciative audience in the Robertson Hall. It included an interesting piece composed by Guy (5th Form) and played by all the members of his GCSE Music set. Pictured are Tom and Craig playing a duet.
On Thursday, almost all boys in the Senior School went to listen to Rudi Oppenheimer, a holocaust survivor, talking about his experiences. Later that afternoon, rugby fixtures were played against Dollar. 
The first of the year's 'House Gatherings' took place for Pringle and Chalmers West. Sports fixtures included
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