Charitable Work
It is important that your son understands the reality of the world in which he lives, a world in which two thirds of the population live in poverty.
Just as important is that he recognises the role he can play in making a difference to those less privileged; that he learns the value of giving both his time and his money to help others. He might find himself preparing and serving meals for the homeless, helping with a gardening project for elderly ex-servicemen or helping younger children with learning difficulties at a local school.
We run a variety of fundraising events each year ranging from the Charity Ball to sponsored walks. The weekly offering from the Sunday service is also donated to charity.
| Charities Regularly Supported |
|---|
| Place2Be |
| Sick Kids, Edinburgh |
| Cancer Research |
| St Catherines Homeless Project, Edinburgh |
| Rock Trust, Edinburgh |
| Sightsavers International |
| UNICEF |
| Shelter |
| St Luke's Leprosarium, Tamil Nadu, India and a nearby home for disabled boys |
Charitable Work News
![Logo for charity kiltwalk 2021]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1618931159/merchistoncouk/xhbozfauzhytpbjyxysk/ScotlandsVirtualKiltwalklogo.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1618931159/merchistoncouk/xhbozfauzhytpbjyxysk/ScotlandsVirtualKiltwalklogo.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1618931159/merchistoncouk/xhbozfauzhytpbjyxysk/ScotlandsVirtualKiltwalklogo.png","width":800}])
We are taking part in Scotland's Virtual Kiltwalk and raising money for the homelessness charity Cyrenians
![Merchiston minibus used to deliver items in the local community]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1611231715/merchistoncouk/x8rydjixfnonyphuud2o/MerchistonCastleSchoolminibusoutsidethemainbuildingwithboxesandcratestodeliverinlocalcommunity.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1611231715/merchistoncouk/x8rydjixfnonyphuud2o/MerchistonCastleSchoolminibusoutsidethemainbuildingwithboxesandcratestodeliverinlocalcommunity.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1611231715/merchistoncouk/x8rydjixfnonyphuud2o/MerchistonCastleSchoolminibusoutsidethemainbuildingwithboxesandcratestodeliverinlocalcommunity.png","width":800}])
The Merchiston community has pulled together to support charity and the local community
![Headmaster's Headlines 04-12-20]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1607531143/merchistoncouk/rgxciljng4woguxcyoru/MerchistonCastleSchoolsnowmanmadebythepupilswithhockeysticksforarms.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1607531143/merchistoncouk/rgxciljng4woguxcyoru/MerchistonCastleSchoolsnowmanmadebythepupilswithhockeysticksforarms.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1607531143/merchistoncouk/rgxciljng4woguxcyoru/MerchistonCastleSchoolsnowmanmadebythepupilswithhockeysticksforarms.jpg","width":800}])
The Headmaster discusses how humans have a huge capacity for kindness, particularly when faced with challenging situations.
![UN Sustainable Development Goals logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1607444643/merchistoncouk/vno31r6z8ifrr6rgfgv2/UNSustainableDevelopmentGoalslogo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1607444643/merchistoncouk/vno31r6z8ifrr6rgfgv2/UNSustainableDevelopmentGoalslogo.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1607444643/merchistoncouk/vno31r6z8ifrr6rgfgv2/UNSustainableDevelopmentGoalslogo.jpg","width":800}])
What is sustainability, and what does our Sustainability Committee do?
![Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals - Zero Hunger]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1607522804/merchistoncouk/avmsc5uxu5taibo6tenj/UNSustainableDevelopmentGoalsimageofGoal2-ZeroHunger.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1607522804/merchistoncouk/avmsc5uxu5taibo6tenj/UNSustainableDevelopmentGoalsimageofGoal2-ZeroHunger.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1607522804/merchistoncouk/avmsc5uxu5taibo6tenj/UNSustainableDevelopmentGoalsimageofGoal2-ZeroHunger.jpg","width":800}])
The Headmaster discusses the challenge of reducing food waste.
![Pupil Charity Challenge in Support of BHF]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1602776919/merchistoncouk/uhh11gaxlgonxggaxq8l/MerchistonCastleSchoolpupilcharitychallengelogoforBritishHeartFoundationsquare.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1602776919/merchistoncouk/uhh11gaxlgonxggaxq8l/MerchistonCastleSchoolpupilcharitychallengelogoforBritishHeartFoundationsquare.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1602776919/merchistoncouk/uhh11gaxlgonxggaxq8l/MerchistonCastleSchoolpupilcharitychallengelogoforBritishHeartFoundationsquare.jpg","width":800}])
Three friends have joined forces to set themselves a massive cycling and running charity challenge in tribute to a sporting grandfather.
![SOS Kit Aid Collection Logo Rugby Ball]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1602076756/merchistoncouk/kacok7vbwtkeejjix0ex/MerchistonCastleSchoolSOSKitAidCollectionLogo800x800.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1602076756/merchistoncouk/kacok7vbwtkeejjix0ex/MerchistonCastleSchoolSOSKitAidCollectionLogo800x800.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1602076756/merchistoncouk/kacok7vbwtkeejjix0ex/MerchistonCastleSchoolSOSKitAidCollectionLogo800x800.png","width":800}])
A Landrover full of old sports kit is off to a new home as opposed to landfill!
![MerchistonCastleSchool24hourchallengeTobyGLowerSixth]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1595858225/merchistoncouk/lig9udjvcmyiz8buwcjo/MerchistonCastleSchool24hourchallengeTobyGLowerSixth.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1595858225/merchistoncouk/lig9udjvcmyiz8buwcjo/MerchistonCastleSchool24hourchallengeTobyGLowerSixth.jpg","width":480}])
LVI pupil Toby was kept busy during lockdown by completing the equivalent of 2 half marathons in 24-hours!
![Location, Location, Location – Colinton Dell and the Water of Leith]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1593594538/merchistoncouk/b0xdhpg1cqbvaezi9hwn/ColintonWeirtheWaterofLeithriverinColintonDell.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1593594538/merchistoncouk/b0xdhpg1cqbvaezi9hwn/ColintonWeirtheWaterofLeithriverinColintonDell.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1593594538/merchistoncouk/b0xdhpg1cqbvaezi9hwn/ColintonWeirtheWaterofLeithriverinColintonDell.jpg","width":800}])
The rich biodiversity and heritage of the Water of Leith offers many recreational and educational opportunities.
![Zimbabwean mother and child wearing face masks]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1589487513/merchistoncouk/qtbaofxmj8rqpoxltbgb/OurNeighboursZimbabwecharityphotoofwomanholdingchildwearingfacemaskswithfooddelivery.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1589487513/merchistoncouk/qtbaofxmj8rqpoxltbgb/OurNeighboursZimbabwecharityphotoofwomanholdingchildwearingfacemaskswithfooddelivery.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1589487513/merchistoncouk/qtbaofxmj8rqpoxltbgb/OurNeighboursZimbabwecharityphotoofwomanholdingchildwearingfacemaskswithfooddelivery.jpg","width":800}])
An update from the Edinburgh to Bulawayo Virtual Trip 2020. Have a listen to the podcast, and donate to a good cause!
![Food Waste and the Climate Crisis]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1592301497/merchistoncouk/sb6i3ueebu9lxow694ls/ZeroWasteScotlandlogo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1592301497/merchistoncouk/sb6i3ueebu9lxow694ls/ZeroWasteScotlandlogo.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1592301497/merchistoncouk/sb6i3ueebu9lxow694ls/ZeroWasteScotlandlogo.jpg","width":800}])
Zero Waste Scotland have been working with the School to increase awareness of the impact of food waste.
![wellbeing word art in shape of bird]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1588941175/merchistoncouk/v69qt1n6sibo1xbw2ksr/MerchistonCastleSchoolwellbeingwordartinshapeofbird.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1588941175/merchistoncouk/v69qt1n6sibo1xbw2ksr/MerchistonCastleSchoolwellbeingwordartinshapeofbird.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1588941175/merchistoncouk/v69qt1n6sibo1xbw2ksr/MerchistonCastleSchoolwellbeingwordartinshapeofbird.jpg","width":800}])
A round-up of some of the charitable activities our pupils and staff have been involved with recently.
Two schools with a joint plan to travel together on a most unusual trip! Join us and travel from Edinburgh to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
![V Pupil Supports Race Against Dementia in 2020 Rally Season]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1589793625/merchistoncouk/ywlua5flgyphrhor1cgz/MerchistonCastleSchoolpupilrallydriverinfrontofracingcar.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1589793625/merchistoncouk/ywlua5flgyphrhor1cgz/MerchistonCastleSchoolpupilrallydriverinfrontofracingcar.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1589793625/merchistoncouk/ywlua5flgyphrhor1cgz/MerchistonCastleSchoolpupilrallydriverinfrontofracingcar.jpg","width":800}])
UK Young Rally Driver of the Year Nominee, Thomas, and his connection with Sir Jackie Stewart's charity, Race Against Dementia
![Encouraging Scottish Secondary Pupils to Try Mandarin]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1588329144/merchistoncouk/hgg0tt57typckn9ordgf/JennyChangTeacherofMandarinatMerchistonCastleSchool.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1588329144/merchistoncouk/hgg0tt57typckn9ordgf/JennyChangTeacherofMandarinatMerchistonCastleSchool.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1588329144/merchistoncouk/hgg0tt57typckn9ordgf/JennyChangTeacherofMandarinatMerchistonCastleSchool.jpg","width":800}])
Mandarin classes on offer for Scottish secondary pupils as part of the SCILT/CISS national timetabled, live-stream language class programme.
