News: Lent Term 2007

Week 11

The final week of term was spent by many of the senior years in preparing coursework for submission prior to the holiday. The Sevens Squad went to Rosslyn Park where they acquitted themselves well. Quite a lot of parents and other visitors came to hear Dr Michael Thompson talk about his psychological research into the way in which boys develop. He also addressed the whole school the following morning.

Some middle school boys went on the CCF Camp, while others from various year groups left for the annual ski trip, this year to Montgenèvre, on Friday. The First Form spent the week in Paris. Term ended at midday on Friday.

Week 10

Sixth Form Physicists returned from Geneva on Tuesday after their successful visit to CERN.

On Thursday, Professor John Underhill spoke to a group of interested senior boys about his researches into the location of the mythical Island of Ithaca, and whether it was the same as the modern island of that name.

On Friday we held the annual Cross Country race (pictured). Perhaps not surprisingly, this was won by Fraser S (Shell) who competes in races around Scotland and further afield. About 100 boys took part. In the evening, members of the Lower 6th and their parents attended a talk about the UCAS process, followed by a dinner with tutors.

Sunday afternoon saw the 1st XV playing the Scotland U18 squad: the latter won 17-0. In the evening, the Colinton and Merchiston Choir gave its final performance of its 10th Anniversary season. It performed Stainer's Crucifixion and a couple of shorter works.

Week 9

Visitors to School this week included Nicola Morgan (author), and Nick Barton (former Headmaster of Newlands, Newcastle). On Sunday, there were over 1,000 visitors to the School for the Annual Rugby Sevens competition.

Groups departing for out-of-school events included Sixth Form Geographers who left for a Fieldtrip to the Lake District on Thursday, and Physicists who left for Geneva, to visit CERN, on Sunday.

Our musicians were also active outside School this week, some giving a concert at Cargilfield on Tuesday, and some Pipe Band members travelling to Glasgow on Friday for a competition.

Week 8

The Spawforth Library timed its termly 'Bag-a-book' event (photo left) to coincide with World Book Day on Thursday.
Examiners from the English Speaking Board were in School for most of the week hearing boys in the First to Fourth Forms give presentations and read to them: this is another annual fixture in our calendar.

There were 14 families attending our Information Morning on Saturday, and the same day many Fifth Form parents attended meetings regarding subject choices for next year, along with a Careers Presentation.

In the Juniors, some Pringle boys attended a cross-country event at The Compass School.

The musical highlight this week was the Choral Society's performance at the evening service on Sunday, when they sang parts of Puccini's Messa di Gloria, and Parry's Blessed Pair of Sirens. This replaced the planned concert at Greyfriars, which had to be cancelled largely because of illness earlier in the term having eroded too much rehearsal time.

Week 7

On Tuesday, we had a visit from Mr Ross Leckie, who spoke in Assembly and then conducted a Creative Writing workshop. Wednesday saw Chinese pupils and others join girls from St George's for a dinner outside school (photo left) to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Pig, which began at the end of the half-term break. Other social activities this week included discos for Chalmers Houses, and Upper VI 'gathering' and theatre trips for IV and VI Forms to the Lyceum Theatre.

It was good to receive our first visit since his illness from Dr Stranock on Thursday.

On Friday evening, Ms Cohen, Miss McShane, and Messrs Anderson and Turner gave a concert in an atmospherically-candlelit Memorial Hall to raise money for St Luke's Leprosarium in India, which we have supported for some years now. Around 70 people attended and over £300 was raised.

Week 6: Half term

Week 5

There has been a slight air of unreality about the School this week, with Shell and Fifth Form not in normal classes because they were doing exams for much of the time, and the whole of the Fourth Form away on their trip to the First World War Battlefields in France and Belgium. This trip was affected by poor weather conditions in France which prevented them from visiting the Somme area as planned, but with an earlier departure from France they were able to return by the scheduled time on Friday despite further poor weather in England. Pupils from several schools visited on Thursday afternoon for the Junior Cross Country Competition. That evening the annual Highland Ball (pictured) took place for members of the Sixth Form.
A further staff appointment was announced: Mr Stephen Campbell will succeed Mrs Muetzelfeldt as Head of Maths next September.

Week 4

The annual Scholars' Dinner was addressed on Tuesday evening by Mr Andrew Beal, Head of Biology at Kimbolton School, who spoke on the theme of "Who do you think you are", in which he considered some aspects of genetics. He is pictured with Matt King (left), Merchiston's Head of Biolgy, and Seb and Ben, Upper Sixth pupils.

On Thursday, we had a visit from the Army Band who gave a workshop in which our some of our younger boys who play wind and brass instruments were joined by a group of similar age girls from St George's. The session ended with a concert at 6.30 (see photo).

At Sunday's whole School Chapel Service the Headmaster talked about the roles of individuals, communities, and their relationships.

Week 3

On Monday evening senior pupils studying History attended a lecture on Vietnam. A group of IV Form took part in the annual Construction Challenge at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh, and Sixth Form RS pupils went to Newcastle for an Ethics Talk. Chemistry pupils went to St Andrews for a workshop.

It was announced that Mr Charman will take over the role of Director of Sport from next September. Dr Pettigrew has been appointed the new Head of Chemistry as Dr Gill moves to the Academic Management Team as Head of Science with immediate effect. The Basketball team lost their quarter-final match against Marr College.

Week 2

The main event was the Rugby Cup semi-final on Wednesday, the loss of which was, of course, a great disappointment all, but to the team especially. Many boys have been suffering from the flu-like bugs which sem to be afflicting the country at the moment, and the Medical staff, along with some extra nurses, have been extremely busy all week looking after boys in the Medical Centre and Houses. Although the 5th form have not yet started on their mock exams, the first taste of these came in mock speaking tests for Spanish and German on Monday. This year's Burns Supper took place on Saturday night, and we welcomed many parents and guests.

Christmas Holidays & Week 1

During the first week of the holiday, a small group of Shell and Fifth Form pupils (pictured left) went on a visit to Cologne and its Christmas markets. At the same time, a 2nd XV rugby tour went to Northern Ireland.

We were delighted to hear that Mike Gill has received an MBE in the New Year Honours List for his 28 years of service to the Merchiston CCF.

We were once again highly honoured to have a visit on Friday from the eminent historian Professor Hew Strachan, who came to address the IV Form on the subject of the 1st World War, in preparation for their forthcoming visit to the Battlefields.

Another distinguished visitor to the School was Cardinal O'Brien, (right of photo, with Nick Blair and Rosemary Gillon) head of the Roman Catholic church in Scotland, who preached at the full school chapel service on Sunday. His theme, linked to the Epiphany season, was 'travel', and he spoke about the travel he had done to various underprivileged parts of the world helping to spread the gospel and provide aid.

Stormy conditions lead to the cancellation of rugby fixtures at the weekend, and caused more damage to trees in the grounds.