After weathering an encounter with Storm Amy on Friday evening, conditions thankfully settled as we welcomed a large number of families to our Open Day on Saturday. It was a genuine team effort, and I want to thank our pupils in particular, who were outstanding. Their readiness to engage, their calm confidence, and their willingness to share their experiences so authentically were inspiring.
Our visitors were impressed by the School, by our facilities, by the opportunities on offer, but what struck them most was our pupils: their warmth, their manners and their sense of pride in the School. That, above all else, made me feel very proud indeed. It is often in moments like these, when you step back and see the School through the eyes of others, that the true character of a community shines most brightly.
Sunday’s Harvest Thanksgiving Service was a beautiful occasion and an opportunity for the whole community to pause and give thanks for all that we have, for one another and for this extraordinary community we share. The Memorial Hall, filled with autumn colours and music, was a reminder of how gratitude connects us. My thanks to everyone who contributed so generously to our Harvest donations; your kindness will make a genuine difference. And, as one of our younger pupils put it, I wish everyone “the best of luck with turning over new leaves!” – a wonderfully apt reminder that every season brings new beginnings.
On Monday, I had lunch with pupils from The Forest, which was a wonderful way to start the week. Their energy, curiosity, and sense of wonder are infectious; they also keep you firmly on your toes. The conversation was dynamic and eclectic, ranging from maths problems and capital cities to physics, timetables and new pets – with some ambitious holiday plans thrown in for good measure. What stood out most was their joy in discovery and the way each question led to another. Time spent with them is a joyful reminder of why we do what we do: to nurture curiosity, creativity and a love of learning that begins early and endures.
Tuesday’s Whole School Assembly focused on a theme I called The Three-Point Rule. I introduced the idea that for every leap in progress, success or achievement, there are at least two contributors – people whose guidance, encouragement or quiet acts of support made that success possible. The rule is simple: for every achievement, there are three points – your own effort, and at least two others to thank. I shared a few personal examples before inviting pupils to reflect on their own. My challenge to the community was to identify the three things they are most proud of since the start of term and to make sure they have thanked those who helped make them possible before they leave for half term. Gratitude, I suggested, is not just good manners, but a way of seeing the world that connects effort to empathy and success to service. I hope that might mean a few of you receive some extra thank-yous this weekend!
It was a pleasure to see pupils leading a significant part of Assembly this week. Our Language Prefects reflected on European Language Day, sharing jokes in Mandarin, Spanish, German and French, and our Reading Leaders launched the Merchiston Readathon in support of the charity Read for Good. For over 40 years, the charity has brought books and storytelling to children in hospitals, and our pupils were eager to combine their love of reading with a cause that brings joy to others. It was a moment that spoke to the heart of our ethos: learning, laughter and compassion in action.
Our Careers Café series continued with its fourth talk of the half term, delivered by Merchistonian Professor Norman Hutchinson. He shared insights into careers in property, particularly chartered surveying, and offered an engaging glimpse into university life and the courses he oversees at Aberdeen. It was a fascinating and practical session that broadened horizons and provided pupils with a tangible sense of the pathways open to them beyond School. These talks, now a regular part of our academic rhythm, remind pupils that education is not an end in itself but a bridge – to purpose, to contribution and to lives of meaning.
Fieldwork brought geography to life this week as the Lower Sixth A-Level geographers travelled to the Lothian coast to study coastal processes and landforms. They explored the geological contrasts at Dunbar, examined cliff instability and management techniques, and traced a dune transect at Yellowcraig Beach. Their day concluded at the Aberlady Salt Marshes, a stunning natural defence against coastal flooding. It was an inspiring example of kinaesthetic learning in action – where theory met experience – and I am grateful to Mr Hall and Dr Bower for leading this day of discovery. The pupils returned not only with notes and data, but with sandy boots, full notebooks and stories of learning that will endure long after the diagrams fade.
On Tuesday afternoon, I had the pleasure of watching the 1st XI footballers in SISFA Cup action against George Heriot’s. It was a game full of pace, skill and resilience. Merchiston dominated large spells, particularly around the break, creating chances through composed play from the back. Though the final score did not reflect the effort, there was much to be proud of: commitment, teamwork and lessons learned. From there, I joined our hockey fixture against George Watson’s College. It was a real privilege to be alongside our players and coaches in a different guise and to see their effort and camaraderie first-hand. It was also great to be in sports kit!
At last week’s HMC Conference, I was fortunate to spend some time with Dr Cassie Rhodes, Head of Research and Resource Development at Tooled Up Education. Our conversation centred on Merchiston’s enduring aim: to prepare our pupils for the tests of life, not merely a life full of tests. We spoke about the value of high-quality, research-based resources in equipping young people, and indeed, the adults who guide them – to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. This term, we have placed a relentless focus on connection, kindness and mutual respect: on building relationships rooted in trust, compassion and contribution. Yet, as we all know, relationships, whether in School or at home, are complex. From time to time, we all hit the rumble strips. Dr Rhodes reminded me that moments of friction are not signs of failure, but rather opportunities to learn.
This week’s Wednesday Wisdom from Tooled Up beautifully explained the nuance of friendship dynamics – the rollercoaster of shifting alliances, misunderstandings and reconciliation that every child and teenager (and adult) must learn to navigate. It encouraged parents to take a ‘meta-moment’: to pause, breathe and listen with curiosity when their child speaks of friendship struggles. The goal is not to fix every problem, but to create a space where feelings are acknowledged and children are guided towards resilience, empathy and self-advocacy. Teachers and parents cannot smooth every social wrinkle, but together we can help children build the confidence to navigate these moments with grace. As the psychoanalyst Heinz Kohut reminds us, “repaired rifts are the fabric of relationships rather than patches on them.” It is through this ongoing process of rupture and repair that true connection and deep learning emerges.
In that spirit, I am delighted that our partnership with The Anchor Practice continues to strengthen our pastoral provision. The on-site psychotherapy sessions with Dr Juraj Kralik and Mr Paul Bell are now fully subscribed, and both pupils and staff have benefitted enormously from their expertise. Weekly staff training has also proved invaluable, helping colleagues refine our systems of care and deepen our shared understanding of wellbeing and mental health. This collaboration is already making a real difference in the lives of our pupils, reinforcing our belief that emotional education and academic excellence must go hand in hand.
Wednesday was an especially proud day for our CCF as we hosted our Biennial Review. Brigadier Davies MBE, Brigade Commander for Scotland, spent the afternoon with us, accompanied by a Guard of Honour of V Form cadets. He observed a full range of activities, from fieldcraft to leadership scenarios, and a spirited performance by our Pipes and Drums. In his debrief, he praised our cadets for their confidence, discipline and teamwork, and spoke warmly of the expertise and commitment of our staff. His words reaffirmed what so many of us already know – that our CCF contingent, under the leadership of Lt Col Ewing, is rightly regarded as an example of excellence. The day captured something essential about Merchiston: courage, character and camaraderie in perfect balance.
On a cultural note, our Arts Programme is thriving. Last week, thirty Sixth Form boys attended the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s opening concert of the season at the Usher Hall, featuring Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Richard Strauss’s Metamorphosen and Sir James MacMillan’s Veni, Veni Emmanuel. For many, it was their first live orchestral experience, and they were captivated. This week, seventy pupils attended the celebrated production of War Horse at the Festival Theatre. The power of theatre to move, provoke and inspire was palpable, and for our IV Form historians studying the First World War, it brought new empathy and understanding. As I reflected afterwards, that’s the essence of our Arts Programme: encouraging our boys to explore, to take risks and to be enriched by experiences beyond the classroom.
Thursday saw our MerchiSTEAM Primary Science & Creative Technology Day, a wonderful celebration of innovation, creativity and curiosity. Primary 6 pupils from Compass, Belhaven and Cargilfield joined us for a day of hands-on exploration. From flame tests and underwater gardens in Chemistry to light experiments in Physics, collage design in Art, and musical circuit boards in Electronics, every department was buzzing with discovery. There was laughter, problem-solving and a sense of wonder that filled every classroom. It was a fantastic day for our guests and a proud one for Merchiston – showcasing the breadth of our facilities and the enthusiasm of our staff and pupils. These moments of shared discovery are what spark lifelong interest, the kind that turns curiosity into vocation.
Our Languages department also enjoyed a productive week as LVI pupils attended a Languages in Careers event hosted by George Heriot’s. Universities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, Strathclyde and Aberdeen presented on degree options, year-abroad opportunities and the many career advantages of bilingualism. Pupils returned with renewed motivation and a deeper understanding of how language learning opens doors – academically, professionally and personally. In an increasingly global world, the ability to communicate across cultures is one of the greatest gifts education can offer.
As the curtains draw on this first half of term, we do so with a sense of pride and gratitude. There is much still to look forward to: the Rugby Festival, trips to Sweden and Peru and countless moments of connection that await.
I felt compelled share these inspiring words from Captain of School, which beautifully capture the heart of our community:
“The school environment is here for everyone. What separates Merchiston is how we choose to use it: to lead, to give back, and to grow. At the heart of it all is our community spirit. Traditions like assemblies, chapel, and fixtures give us a shared identity, but the real Merchiston spirit comes from what each of us brings – the effort, the enthusiasm, and the willingness to support one another. At Merchiston, you’re not just handed an environment to thrive in; you’re encouraged to make the most of it. And it’s what we do with those opportunities that prepares us for life.”
I couldn’t have put it better myself.
As we head into half term, I am filled with gratitude – for the pupils who give this School its energy and heart, for the staff whose dedication underpins every success, and for you, our parents, whose trust and support make all that we do possible. Schools are living organisms, made up of countless small moments of care, laughter, challenge and discovery. It is in these moments – shared, imperfect, human – that our community finds its strength. Thank you for being such an integral part of that story.
Wishing you a restful and restorative half term,
