Fettes College – Page 2 – The NEN

Edinburgh’s young people encouraged to try cricket with support from local school

A free community cricket programme is giving young people from Edinburgh’s disadvantaged communities a safe space to play cricket and learn life skills.

The Wicketz programme was established to help break down the barriers faced by 8 to 19-year-olds living in areas with high levels of deprivation, through cricket. It was founded by the Lord’s Taverners charity, which exists to empower young people facing the challenges of inequality. Wicketz also aims to develop vital life skills for its participants by delivering workshops that focus on social issues most relevant to the areas each Wicketz project is delivered in.

On 16 and 23 October 2023, Fettes College provided its sports hall to the Edinburgh Wicketz project which enabled participants to take part in their first ever hard ball cricket sessions. Over the two days, 33 young people took part in the training.

The sessions, which are delivered by Cricket Scotland, allow young people of any gender to learn the key skills of cricket and give the game a go. The sessions combine cricket coaching and competition with workshops that are specially designed to improve the participants’ wellbeing, life skills and social integration.

Mohammad Afzal, Edinburgh Wicketz Development Officer, said: “We are so grateful to Fettes College for loaning us its fantastic sports hall for the Edinburgh sessions. It was amazing to be able to give the participants the opportunity to use the sports facilities Fettes has and to encourage more people to get involved in the sport.

“Cricket can serve as a valuable tool for educating young people on physical fitness, teamwork and communications skills, as well as improving character development and allowing for personal growth, helping young people build life skills that will serve them well in various aspects of their lives.

“The impact of Wicketz has been immense in Edinburgh.”

Mark Appleson, Director of Sport at Fettes College said: “We were pleased to host the Wicketz programme’s first ever hard-ball cricket sessions over the last couple of weeks.

“What the programme does for underprivileged children across the UK is incredible, and provides them with an outlet to learn new skills, make friends and improve their wellbeing. It was great to see people taking part and having fun.”

Colin Crichton, Chair of the Lord’s Taverners in Scotland said: “Everyone involved in the Lord’s Taverners in Scotland thank the College for its support and speed in implementing the opportunity to use their incredible facilities.

“This has been a wonderful opportunity for Edinburgh’s Wicketz participants to play the game in an environment they would not normally be able to access.”

Wicketz sessions take place weekly in Edinburgh, with the third hub launching in early 2024. To find out how to get involved, visit:

www.lordstaverners.org/programme-information/edinburgh-wicketz/.

Fettes College announces expansion of fully-funded bursary to whole of Scotland

Fettes College in Edinburgh has expanded its Kick-start bursary to now include children from any location across Scotland who can benefit from a fully-funded Fettes education.

Until now, only two students from five Edinburgh state primary schools were eligible for this transformational bursary scheme, which is supported by a charitable trust.

But this has been extended to 11-year-olds from across the country, enabling children from Midlothian to attend Fettes until sixth form of the senior school.

To be eligible for this particular bursary, applicants must receive free school meals or be in a low-income household.

Mr Charlie Minogue, Headmaster of Fettes College Preparatory School said: “Fettes College was founded in 1870 through the philanthropy of Sir William Fettes and our philanthropic mission is to help bright young students, regardless of their circumstances, gain access to a Fettes education so they can have every opportunity to make the most of their talents. Our students aim high, and giving back to the community is a really important part of our ethos.

“We provide exceptional teaching at Fettes, inspiring a lifelong love of learning. The quality of the education we deliver goes beyond achieving impressive academic results, and is much more rounded, with an extensive range of sports, co-curricular activities, outdoor pursuits and trips – Fettes is a place that matters.”

Successful students will join Fettes’ Prep School for the first two years of their education, giving them the chance to familiarise themselves with the school environment across a stunning 100-acre campus before moving up to the Senior School.

Old Fettesian (alumni) membership and access to the Fettes Careers Partnership is also included within the bursary, so the students have a connection to the school community for life.

The Kick-start bursary is part of the Fettes Bursarial Programme.

Applications for the bursary are now open and will close on 15January 2024.

More information about the bursary and an application form is available at https://www.fettes.com/kick-start-bursary.

Fettes College reveals impressive 2023 International Baccalaureate Diploma results

45 Edinburgh school students are celebrating the news that they have passed the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma.

The attendees at Fettes College received their results on Thursday 6 July and are now heading to destinations across the world at various institutions such as Columbia, Yale and Holy Cross universities in the US. Some of the diploma graduates are staying closer to home at St Andrews, Edinburgh and Glasgow, or at Oxford, Cambridge and other top English universities.

The diploma is only taught in four schools in Scotland and is open to students aged 16-19. Fettes is the only school in Scotland offering the dual pathway of IB and A Levels.

Jonathan Marchant, Deputy Head (Academic) of Fettes College said: “I could not be prouder of the class of 2023 who sat these exams having not experienced the GCSEs of previous year groups to prepare them, yet their persistence and perseverance has been incredibly impressive to witness.”

He added: “A quarter of all candidates gained 40 points or more, with 50% gaining or exceeding a score of 38 points. Four of our students deserve a special mention – two achieving 42 points, one achieving an outstanding 43 points and one scoring an exceptional 44 points with 777 at Higher Level. One student also achieved a bilingual diploma.”

Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes College said: “Our IB results are testament to a great deal of hard work from our students and superb support from our dedicated staff. Our IB students are ready for the next exciting stage in their lives and they leave Fettes ready to make a very positive mark on their world.”

For more information on the International Baccalaureate programme visit https://www.ibo.org/about-the-ib/

Edinburgh disability charity to hold summer holiday camp with help from local school

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

Edinburgh-based charity SuperTroop, which provides residential breaks for children with learning disabilities, will hold a summer holiday camp on the grounds of Fettes College thanks to the school’s generosity.

The event is a community effort, with students, teaching staff and the operational team involved throughout the week, meaning Fettes is much more than just a host for the holiday camp.

Around two dozen students will give up the first week of their summer break to volunteer with the holidaymakers and help give them support and friendship. Fettes teaching staff also volunteer to organise and support the holiday, with some taking the lead in activities throughout the week.

In just 24 hours, Dalmeny House – a boarding house on the Fettes campus – is transformed into the perfect accessible location for attendees to SuperTroop’s week-long camp.

Dalmeny House is a modern, accessible building with dorm bedrooms, shared bathrooms and lots of relaxation space. 16 children and young people with learning disabilities take part in the holiday week, receiving 24/7 one-to-one support. Many of the participants have never had a night away from home before.

Student Louisa said: “The relationship between SuperTroop and Fettes has not only provided incredible holidays but also a transformative learning experience for us as Fettesians.

“We all hold SuperTroop dear to our hearts and hope that future Fettesians can continue to support this beautiful charity in the future.”

The holidaymakers stay on campus, sleep in dorm rooms with their peers and 1:1 helpers, and eat meals as a group in the dining hall. Fettes provides a high-quality and accessible residence, catering for the week, and facilities such as outdoor spaces, swimming pool and sports hall.

Sue Fletcher-Watson, Founder of SuperTroop said: “We are thrilled with the efforts from the students and staff at Fettes College towards SuperTroop’s residential break. Their generosity will make sure that this residential break is truly special for all involved and make for some very happy campers.

“SuperTroop’s goal is to provide extraordinary holidays, creating an environment in which holiday makers feel surrounded by friends. The support we have from Fettes, as fundraisers, hosts and volunteers, is vital to provide the best experience possible.”

Mr Rhys Rowlands, Director of Service at Fettes College said: “The work that SuperTroop do to bring a fun break to these young people is truly remarkable. Fettes is proud to be able to support this charity in any way we can and help provide a fun summer for everyone taking part.”

£10,000 raised from a log-carrying challenge will allow SuperTroop to provide travel, admission to places such as Edinburgh Zoo, fun activities and art supplies for 16 young people.

In March, every Fettes College student took a turn carrying a 100kg metal log up and down the school’s drive for 24 hours, taking it in 15-minute shifts.

To find out how you can join the troop or lend your support, go to supertroop.org/

Edinburgh care home ignites intergeneration with school visit

Relationships built at ‘Fun Day’ as home hosts students from Fettes College

A partnership between one of Edinburgh’s most up-market care homes and a prestigious local school sees residents and students uniting for a fun day of intergenerational interaction.

14 students, aged 16-17, from Fettes College visited Cramond Residence as volunteers, where they were able to form connections with the residents across various activities taking place on each floor of the home, including arts and crafts, nail painting and gentle exercise classes.

The event was organised as an opportunity for the school and care home to come together and build relationships that are beneficial for both residents and students.

Craigleith House Coordinator at Fettes College, Eileen Crawford, said: “The fun day was a huge success and we would like to thank Cramond Residence for giving the students a very enjoyable trip and a new learning experience – it was lovely to see bonds formed.

“At Fettes, we want to instil the importance of our students engaging with the community in a positive way and this fun day was the perfect opportunity. The students had a great time and many of them have expressed their desire in making a trip to Cramond a monthly activity.

“There is so much that the younger generation can learn from the older – their world experience is invaluable to our young people taking the first steps in their own lives.

“This event marked the start of a new partnership between Fettes and Cramond, and some students will continue volunteering at the home for their Duke of Edinburgh awards.”

Cramond Residence prides itself on the vast array of exciting activities that its residents can take part in and enjoy, with the Fettes College Fun Day being one of the latest additions to the home’s bustling monthly program.

Designed to promote independent living and socialisation, the fun day saw residents at the home exchanging vibrant life stories with the students while basking outside in the sun, or indulging in a spot of pampering, painting and games.

Client Liaison Manager at Cramond Residence, Christian Daraio, said: “It was an incredible day for everyone involved and the students put a huge smile on the residents’ faces.

“Connecting with the wider community helps eliminate the feelings of isolation that are common in the older generation.

“These events are important for fostering intergenerational engagement that play such a big role in the positive mental health of our residents. We are looking forward to welcoming the students back for more volunteering at the home.”

Cramond Residence, launched in 2018, has provided small-group living for up to 74 residents in nine luxuriously-appointed accommodation with the highest quality of care.

The highly-trained team organises exciting activities and excursions for their residents and offer specialised and individually tailored care in respite, recuperation and dementia care provision.

The care and support provided is based on a detailed personal care plan, which is continually assessed and revised by health care professionals and other experts to ensure that the best possible care is being delivered.

The luxury home will continue to channel its efforts into improving the quality of life for its residents by introducing more innovative workshops and ideas.

To find out more about Cramond Residence, call 0131 341 4037 or visit:

https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

Just magic – Glow in the Park participants are record breakers!

Royal Blind are world record holders! Participants in Saturday’s ‘Glow in the Park’ event at Fettes helped the charity become world record holder of the Largest Magic Lesson in the World, with 1063 people successfully taking part. Magic!

A spokesperson for Royal Blind explained: “‘Glow in the park’ is our annual children’s event that launches Light Relief Week. It is a magical sponsored walk for the children to take part in whilst fundraising for Royal Blind.

“This year’s theme was ‘Magic & Illusion’ and there was some amazing fancy dress on display! We attempted to set a new Guinness World Record for “The Largest Magic Lesson” – the record was held by China and was 435 but thank you to all the people that adhered to the strict rules set out by the Guinness World Record and helped us successfully pass and take the New World Record with 1,063!!

“We saw the grounds of Fettes College transformed into a beautifully lit and enchanted walk and magic and illusion activities for the children around every corner, with a lot of the children especially enjoying the bunny rabbit at the top of the climbing wall!!! Images will be uploaded soon from this year’s event, however you can still view more images from our 2011 event click here . Thank you to all the companies that helped make Glow in the Park 2012 happen, and an extended thank you goes to Fettes College and Blacklight.”