I start this week’s update reflecting on what was a truly action-packed half term, filled with wonderful opportunities and experiences for our pupils—moments that captured the spirit of adventure, learning, and connection that define life at Merchiston.
Our Rugby Festival continues to go from strength to strength, with this year’s event marking its sixth and most successful edition yet. The quality of rugby on display was outstanding, the atmosphere electric, and the sunshine generous. It was heartening to see so many members of our community gathered around the pitches, celebrating the very best of the game – skill, courage, communication and teamwork. The vision for this festival has always been simple but ambitious: to grow the game in Scotland, to bring together schools and clubs, and to raise standards through collaboration and competition. That vision was brought to life in every tackle, pass, and try. Walking the grounds, I felt immense pride—not just in the competition, but in the shared energy and joy that the event generated. It was also wonderful to see so many new schools already expressing interest in next year’s festival, eager to join what has become one of the flagship fixtures in the Scottish rugby calendar.
Meanwhile, in a very different landscape, a group of pupils was experiencing the wild beauty of Sweden’s lakes and forests on an unforgettable canoeing and survival expedition. In contrast to the roar of the rugby pitches, there was stillness here—moments of silence broken only by the ripple of water against the canoes and the crackle of campfires built to brew tea and cook meals. The boys learned that living in the wild demands patience and simplicity; everything takes time, from gathering wood to lighting fires. There were challenges, laughter, and more than a few discussions about the foods most missed from home—but above all, there was connection: with nature, with one another, and with the rhythm of life lived slowly and deliberately.
Further afield still, 15 Sixth Form pupils travelled to Peru for a fifteen-day expedition that was as demanding as it was extraordinary. The group journeyed from the dense, humid expanse of the Amazon Basin to the high altitude of the Andes and finally across the sweeping silence of the Atacama Desert. They experienced the rainforest canopy at dawn, travelled by canoe through oxbow lakes alive with birds and insects, explored Inca ruins high above Cusco, and stood at the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu as the morning mist rose. Their adventures continued west into the desert, where they sandboarded down enormous dunes and visited the Ballestas Islands—Peru’s “mini-Galápagos”—to see penguins, sea lions, and ancient rock art. This was a journey of discovery in every sense: cultural, physical, and deeply personal. Each pupil returned with stories, friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime. My heartfelt thanks go to the staff who invested their time, expertise, and care to make these experiences possible – their dedication enriches the lives of our pupils and embodies the very best of our community.
By Monday morning, the energy of the community had returned to campus in full force. Walking up the drive, I felt that familiar mix of excitement and anticipation that comes at the start of a new half term. Seeing pupils reconnect—laughing, talking, and sharing stories of their holidays—was a joy. Over lunch with Upper Sixth pupils, I heard about time spent with family, revision efforts, and even the first UCAS offers beginning to arrive. These milestones, big and small, are moments of pride for us all.
Early in the week, our U15 Golf Academy team travelled to Fife for the Scottish U15 Strokeplay Championships at Elmwood Golf Club. I am delighted to share that Merchiston were crowned champions, triumphing over strong fields from St Leonards, Loretto, Dollar, and Edinburgh Academy. The boys’ consistency and composure across two rounds were remarkable, and individual honours went to our players in first and third place—an incredible achievement that speaks to both talent and teamwork.
Tuesday’s Whole School Assembly marked the beginning of a new series of reflections on trust. During the first half of term, we explored vulnerability—how openness and courage can precede trust. This half, we are considering how trust grows, and how our expectations and mindsets shape our ability to build it. This week, pupils participated in the “Trust Game”, a lively exercise that revealed how our predictions about others can differ from reality, and how easy it is to default into threat-based, self-protective thinking. In the coming weeks, we will continue to explore this gap between assumption and reality, and what it means for the relationships we form every day.
Tuesday also brought creativity to the fore as we welcomed author Louis D. Hall, who led a fast-paced creative writing workshop inspired by his time at the University of Oxford. Pupils wrote using imaginative prompts, learning to silence self-doubt and write continuously, “pen never leaving the page.” The stories produced were inventive and bold, and it was a joy to see pupils embracing the challenge of sharing their work aloud. Hall’s visit concluded with a book signing, each copy stamped with the imprint of his horse’s shoe from his European journey—an evocative symbol of storytelling and adventure.
Later that day, the 1st XI football team took to the field for their first post-break fixture against Loretto. After a hesitant start and a 2–2 halftime score, the team rallied brilliantly to claim a 5–2 victory—an impressive turnaround marked by energy, composure, and teamwork. The season ahead looks promising, with a run of home fixtures that will allow the team to build further momentum.
On Tuesday evening, a group of pupils and staff attended the Lyceum’s acclaimed production of The Seagull, Chekhov’s timeless exploration of art, love, and ambition. The performance was rich with humour and humanity, and it was wonderful to see our pupils engaging so thoughtfully with such complex material. Edinburgh’s vibrant arts scene continues to be a valuable extension of our classrooms, offering experiences that inspire conversation and creativity long after the curtain falls.
Wednesday brought both culture and competition. Our Upper Sixth Classical Civilisation students travelled to London to see Euripides’ Bacchae at the National Theatre—a striking modern interpretation that reimagined ancient themes for contemporary audiences. Meanwhile, our Senior Hockey players faced Edinburgh Academy in the first round of the Cup. After a testing first half, the team fought back with spirit and skill, dominating large spells of the second half and creating multiple chances. Though the final scoreline was not in our favour, their resilience and teamwork shone through, and we look forward to their next challenge in the Plate competition.
Academically, there is a real sense of momentum. The UCAS cycle is now in full swing, and it has been a pleasure to see our early applicants receiving their first offers from leading universities such as Manchester and Queen Mary, London. Meanwhile, conversations are ongoing about alternative pathways, including Graduate Apprenticeships—competitive, rigorous, and rewarding options that are increasingly valuable in the modern educational landscape. It was timely, then, that this week’s Wednesday Wisdom from our partners Tooled Up Education explored this very topic. Our goal remains constant: to prepare pupils for the tests of life, not just a life full of tests.
Our Lower Sixth Enterprise and Entrepreneurship class have also been developing their understanding of business and innovation by welcoming local entrepreneurs to share their start-up journeys. Recently, they heard from Ash Staines, founder of Volunteero, an Edinburgh-based tech company supporting volunteer organisations, and the team behind Munro Coffee in Colinton. These visits offered pupils the chance to engage directly with entrepreneurs, gaining valuable insight into creativity, resilience, and leadership in action. The group look forward to welcoming more guests in the coming weeks as they continue to explore what it means to turn ideas into impact.
Elsewhere in the academic sphere, Lower Sixth pupils have embarked on independent research projects on topics ranging from the chemistry of sound to the economics of earthquake regions and the impact of AI on medical practice. These projects exemplify our belief in intellectual curiosity—the freedom to explore questions for their own sake, and the joy that comes from following an idea wherever it leads.
I have been emboldened to see leadership in action across the School. Our Lower Sixth pupils have embarked on the L6 Helper Scheme, an initiative that gives them practical experience of responsibility within our boarding houses. Whether offering academic guidance, supporting younger pupils, or organising activities, they are learning that leadership is about service, empathy, and example. As they reflect on key benchmarks—leadership, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and independence—they are building foundations for the prefectship process ahead, and, more importantly, for life beyond school.
Thursday brought a special visit from sixteen Fives players and staff from Mount Kelly in Devon for their first ever fixture at Merchiston. It was a pleasure to welcome their Head, and to share in thoughtful conversations about holistic education, nurturing character, and the importance of curiosity. On court, the matches were fiercely competitive, with our U14s winning thrilling series of games, and the U15s securing convincing victories. The evening was a showcase of talent, sportsmanship, and camaraderie, reinforcing the strength of Fives at Merchiston.
On Thursday evening, the Spawforth Library was transformed into the atmospheric backdrop for A Night of Dark Academia—an evening of mystery, intellect, and literary curiosity in support of Euan’s Guide. Acclaimed author Gareth Brown, creator of The Book of Doors and The Society of Unknowable Objects, joined Dr Kate Anderson, Head of the Faculty of Languages and Literatures, for a fireside conversation exploring his creative process, the inspirations behind his stories, and the imaginative worlds his characters inhabit. It was a privilege to meet and speak with Gareth before the event, to hear him reflect not only on his writing but also on the importance of creative endeavour for young people—the idea that creativity is a deeply human trait, one that nourishes us in ways both intellectual and emotional. Gareth spoke candidly about how observation, empathy, and a fascination with the unknown shape his work, and shared that it was Stephen King who first inspired him to write. Guests, including parents, alumni, and friends of the School, embraced the dark academia theme with a touch of tweed and an evident enthusiasm for storytelling.
As we look ahead to the weekend, it promises to be another busy and exciting one, with multiple fixtures and activities, plus a trip to Murrayfield to see Scotland take on the USA.
This week’s update reminds us once again of what makes this community so special: the balance of challenge and care, ambition and humility, tradition and innovation. From the quiet reflection of Sweden’s lakes to the roar of the rugby pitches and the heights of the Andes, our pupils have embraced the world with courage, curiosity, and joy. Those same qualities are evident every day here on campus—in classrooms, on pitches, and in friendships formed.
Wishing you all a great weekend,
