Summer term 2010

30 June 2010

I would like to take this final opportunity in the academic year to thank all parents, friends, pupils and staff for their tremendous contribution to a highly successful academic session at the Edinburgh Academy.

The News Sheets over the course of the year have charted successes in a wide range of academic and cocurricular experiences for our pupils and I was delighted to see so many contribute to the success of our Senior School Games Day on Saturday last. Particular thanks must go to Clare Graham and the Parents’ Association for once again providing a magnificent Big Picnic to run alongside our Games, which created a wonderful atmosphere for all the family to enjoy.

I hope that all families will enjoy a restful and relaxing summer holiday, and for those with awaiting examination results, I hope for every success when these results are released in August.

With best wishes for the summer

23 June 2010

Hearty congratulations are deserved by all who were involved in Sunday evenings Usher Hall concert involving the Edinburgh Academy Choir, Choral Society and Junior School Chamber Choir. The refurbished Usher Hall was a fantastic setting for an evening of outstanding choral music. It was a delight for all who were there to see staff, friends, parents and pupils come together and perform to such a high standard. Our thanks are extended particularly to Mrs Rosemary Mitchell for all of her organisation in the build up to the concert and of course to the Musical Director, Mr Angus Tully, who quite literally led from the front with unbounded enthusiasm. Congratulations.

As football fans from around the World have their World Cup dreams dashed on the field of play, in the current week, we look forward to our own sporting spectacle on Saturday at Arboretum Road for our Senior School Sports Day and Big Picnic. I can only hope that the weather will hold and I look forward to seeing parents, pupils and friends enjoy what has become a magnificent sport and fundraising activity, with the support of the Parents’ Association. Do please come along and support the participants and the stalls.

16 June 2010

Parents at the Academy will be saddened at the announcement made by St Margaret’s School Edinburgh to close at the end of the current academic year. I have written on behalf of all the Academy Community to express our sympathy and support to those affected.

Contrary to press speculation over the weekend, the Academy was not approached over the placement of pupils prior to the announcement. Over this week our normal admissions processes are taking place for late applications to remaining places in some year groups.

I am pleased to report that our application for floodlighting at New Field for use with the new astro-turf pitches has been approved by the City Planning Committee. Work will commence as soon as possible this summer to allow for their use in forthcoming winter months.

A letter has been emailed to all parents regarding these and other matters.

09 June 2010

This last week has shown a truly remarkable set of athletic results for the Academy at both, the Edinburgh Schools Championships and the Scottish Schools Pentathlon and Relay Championships. Our very best wishes go now to those competing this weekend at the Scottish Tracks and Field Championship.

On Monday it was my great pleasure to announce at Assembly, the 13 nominations from among our 7ths, for membership of the Dux Club and overall Dux of the School. Those named will be given public recognition at Exhibition on the 2nd of July. The criteria used for selection is based on having achieved a minimum of five A’s at Higher or AS last year and those who are confidently predicted by departments to achieve a minimum of 3 A or A* at A level. For those who go on to achieve these grades but are not nominated in the first round, invitation is extend to join this club after results are issued. Recognition for high academic achievement is a continuing tradition for us at the Academy and I am delighted that so many this year, have already deserved such acknowledgement.

26 May 2010

I am sure that many households with Geits to 3rds are relieved to have the pressure of examinations now complete from last week. Perhaps the relief of exams finished has been followed by the pressure of results now slowly filtering back to pupils. Each pupil will have their own individual story. Well done to all who completed these assessments. The remaining weeks of this term offer much opportunity for consolidation or progress before the end of this current academic year.

The habit of sitting such exams is of course a great preparation for those examination years to come and the work of preparing the certificate year classes continues. For most the welcome arrival of half term will give some respite. My very best wishes to all staff, pupils and families of the School, for a restful few days.

I must apologise for the error in the detail of the letter regarding the Usher Hall Concert which was sent to families last week. This carried the message that tickets would not be available for sale at the door, this was in fact incorrect and tickets will be available on the night of the performance, albeit those planning to attend are well advised to place their orders with School offices for tickets to be delivered beforehand.

19 May 20010

The sun is out which inevitably means we must be in the middle of the Higher examination diet. Early reports have been of a fair set of papers and I hope that all those involved in sitting the exams have felt that they have had the chance to show their knowledge.

Having the chance to display hard work, was just one of the many qualities seen at the Queen’s Hall Concert on Saturday night. Quite literally, a cast of hundreds entertained a full audience with a very varied programme of orchestra, choir, band and even electric ensemble. The soloists, who led so excellently in some of the particularly challenging pieces, deserve our note and congratulations. Fraser Gillies, Robin Cumming, Daniel Rowbottom, Christopher Littleboy, Charlotte Workman, Samuel Nicholson, Rory Shepherd, David Ragg and Cameron Linnell. The prospect of another glittering evening, at the Usher Hall, involving School Choirs and Choral Society is also very enticing for the 20th June and I will be sending a letter to all parents this week regarding the availability of tickets for that event. Do come along.

12 May 2010

We have already completed Art exams, language orals and practical exams in a number of subjects, and this week we start the season of exam leave with the full run of public exams at GCSE, Higher and A Levels. For all those involved, this is the culmination of a year of great effort and hard work. Our very best wishes go to those who are about to sit these very important exams. To give of your very best is all that can be reasonably expected.

I would like to thank the 210 guests at the Beef on The Bone Centenary Dinner, in support of the CCF Pipe Band, for their magnificent support. Details of the events and the total raised will be reported later. The effort and organisation conducted by Mr J Macpherson and the Pipe Band Committee is greatly appreciated. The evening was the official launch of the Pipes and Drums Centenary CD recording, please do consider purchasing this for a very reasonable £10.

Our Geits and 2nds, under the direction of Mr Turley, produced a wonderful first in the history of the Magnusson Centre for the Performing Arts. A three night sell-out run of Peter Pan. The packed audiences were not to be disappointed and enjoyed a very well executed production.

Finally I look forward to seeing families and friends of the School at the Queen’s Hall this coming Saturday for our Summer Concert.

5 May 2010

My entry in this News Sheet is filled with congratulations and thanks which are much deserved. The Parents Association, through the 'Blingo Night' at the end of last term, raised the magnificent figure of £3834.80 for the Foundation Appeal in aid of Bursaries. This is a wonderful achievement and my thanks on behalf of those pupils who will benefit, goes to Clare Graham and all involved through the Parents Association.

I am delighted to report that we will be discussing with the Student Council this week, plans of seating and planters in the Yards at Senior School. This project has been supported by the Parents Association with matched funding from the EA Foundation. With final agreements reached, these features will add greatly to the environment of the Senior School, with improved facilities for pupils and visitors.

The Charity Committee at Senior School has produced another tremendous fundraising venture in the form of last Fridays Fashion Show. Huge effort was given to this, by pupils and staff alike, to make a highly professional and enjoyable evening. The final figure raised for our nominated charities will be in excess of £3000 which is a truly remarkable achievement. Well done to all and to those who supported the evening with their attendance.

The weekend activities deserve congratulations for a great Athletics meeting against Watson’s, won by 2 points. Some tight matches by our Cricketers and a very strong performance by team and individuals at the two Day Marches at Garelochhead to qualify for the Summer Nijmegen Marches. If rest for the body was required after these exertions this was found, along with rest for the soul, on Sunday evening at the St Giles at Six Concert performed by the Senior and Junior School pupils. A member of the public who attends these concerts regularly came up to me and expressed their delight at the music heard. It was ‘the most beautiful they had heard in years!’

Good luck this week to our Geits and 2nds Play, Peter Pan, 7.30pm, Thursday to Saturday in the Magnusson Centre.

28 April 2010

A very warm welcome back to all pupils, parents and staff of the School, for our Summer Term. I am particularly pleased in this 2nd week to see so many of our pupils and teaching colleagues back at School given the difficulties that they have experienced in travel. With all the planning for Swine Flu earlier in the year, the unexpected nature of this particular disruption shows that, with the best will in the world, it is the proactive response of available colleagues to deal with a particular situation that is the most effective way of maintaining the ongoing progress of the School experience for our pupils. To all my colleagues, I am very grateful for their support.

A considerable number of musical and dramatic productions are about to take place in this crowded summer term calendar and I hope that parents will support these in their attendance in the weeks ahead. I look forward to meeting you at these.

Visitors to the sports fields at New Field will have seen that the re-turfing, grassing and additional changing areas are now in place. I am delighted to see New Field returning to its usual beautiful setting for our summer sports. Please would parents be advised, now that the path is well established, that the most convenient drop-off and pick-up for Games and Saturday fixtures is now Inverleith Place as opposed to Kinnear Road. This will help hugely during the course of the school week, in reducing the congestion issues experienced in Kinnear Road. I would ask that all Senior School pupils use Inverleith Place as pick-up and drop-off. The support of parents is much appreciated.

I wish all our pupils, particularly those in examination years, a successful and hard-working term.

Spring term 2010

31 March 2010

I would like to congratulate and thank the pupils and staff of the School for what has been a very demanding but successful term since the 5th of January. A huge amount has been achieved and many plans for our Summer Term have already been laid.

Thanks also to parents for their support of our EA Foundation Bursaries Annual Giving Appeal. Last Saturday, a very lively ‘Blingo Night’ in the Dining Hall was enjoyed by all and raised a considerable sum for the appeal, details to follow.

All Parents should have received a letter from me last Friday by email or post. If you have not received this please contact rectorsoffice@edinburghacademy.org.uk and a copy will be sent to you.

Best wishes over the holidays to our various CCF and Duke of Edinburgh camps, as well as to the many pupils who will be spending a considerable amount of their holidays preparing for public exams. The reward in exams results will be well worth the effort given.

At the end of this term Mr Stewart Plimer is retiring from his duties as Head Janitor at the Senior School. Mr Plimer completes 42 years of service to The Edinburgh Academy, a truly remarkable achievement and one for which we are deeply grateful. We wish Mr Plimer and his wife a long and restful retirement.

Finally, I wish everyone in the Academy community a restful and joyful Easter. I look forward to seeing all pupils back at School on Tuesday 20th April.

24 March 2010

Congratulations are most heartily deserved for all who took part in this years School Musical ‘Anything Goes’. I counted 43 pupils on stage, 11 in the orchestra or lighting, all of whom were so ably supported by 11 staff and an equal number of friends and helpers. The production truly captured the enjoyment and fun of Cole Porter’s script and music.

Once again our U18’s 7s rugby team deserve mention for their success in winning the Heriot’s 7s.

Please note that I will be writing to all parents before the end of term, with an emailed letter update, on developments here at School and with confirmation of future session dates. Hard copies will be sent to those not registered for email. If you wish to update your email address for School records, please contact

17 March 2010

Well done to our Rugby 7’s teams who over the last couple of weeks have been performing very well and winning a number of competitions at U18, U16 and U14 levels. It is a tremendous end to a highly successful session for competitive rugby this year.

Many of our 7ths have recently received their AS Unit results and given themselves a strong platform to progress with confidence to Exams in June. All our certificate year groups are under considerable pressure currently, to prepare for exams and pupils and parents are encouraged to contact class teachers and staff if they would like advice over how best to make use of the coming weeks.

In the final couple of weeks towards the end of term I hope that all pupils will maintain their enthusiasm and commitment to make the most of the opportunities and guidance that my colleagues can give.

I will be attending the annual dinner of the Academical Club in London this coming Friday and will bring the best wishes from the School community to this grouping of former pupils. It is a great strength of the Academy that we see the links forged at School maintained by so many throughout life.

10 March 2010

I am sure parents and pupils alike will have been as thrilled as I to receive their copy of the Edinburgh Academy Chronicle 2009. I was delighted to see so many of the endeavours and achievements of last year captured in such an engaging and attractive way. Particular thanks must go to the many contributions from staff and pupils across all sections of our community and to the editorial team who have brought together such an impressive publication. I am already looking forward to the prospect of the 2010 edition.

3 March 2010

The appearance of the sunshine gives us hope that Spring will not be far away. We are all hoping at School that this is the case, not least to bring some stability to our after school games and Saturday fixtures which have been frustratingly interrupted by weather this term.

With Parents’ Evenings and reporting taking place across the Schools, there is much happening in recording and communicating of individual pupil progress. We are also completing the admission process for pupils to join us in the new session. My thanks must go to the many colleagues who are so busy at this time of the session and to the pupils who have kept up the pace of their own learning.

24 February 2010

Despite the weather, a very warm welcome back to the second half of term and this busy run through to our Easter break with the inevitable preparations for internal and external exams for all years in the coming months.

I would like to take the opportunity to recall, for our collective enjoyment, the marvellous evening enjoyed at Murrayfield on 11th February. The success of our Under 18 Rugby 1st XV, coached by Mr Appleson and captained by Fraser Gillies, is something which I know will be written into the annals of sporting achievement at The Edinburgh Academy. So many of the Academical community were there in support that I do not wish to labour the particular features of the game, other than to express how proud I was of the whole Squad. Their collective efforts in preparations and their maturity of approach in dealing with a highly pressurised end to the game will for many of the team, be the most testing experience of their playing careers. A wholehearted and appreciative congratulation was made during the following morning’s Assembly at the School and I would like to thank all of the Academy community for their generous support throughout the campaign in the Scottish School’s Cups for both Under 15’s and Under 18’s. Both teams hugely appreciated this.

Keeping to a sporting theme, I would like to acknowledge the success of our pupils in other areas, that being 4 pupils in a winning Club rugby Under 15’s team, two pupils representing the Scottish Independent Schools Football Squad and one pupil in the Scottish Team for the 2010 World Schools’ Ski Championships in Italy next week. Congratulations and best wishes in equal measure to all.

The co-curricular theme has been well maintained in other areas with a hugely successful joint Junior and Senior School Concert last Thursday and the rapidly progressing preparations for our Senior School Musical, ‘Anything Goes’ in March of this year. Please watch out for the ticket advertisements as I know that the tickets will be in high demand.

10 February 2010

I am pleased to report that following a number of unexpected delays the 2009 Chronicle publication is now in the hands of the printers. This should allow for distribution shortly after half term. I know that this is much anticipated and we will be looking at ways to bring forward publication in future years.

On other communication matters, the School has received a number of tenders in response to the invitation to redevelop the School website. We will shortly be commissioning this project and reporting developments to you later this session.

I am sure that readers of the newsletter will share the excitement here at School of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup final this Thursday at Murrayfield. Our U18 team kick-off their match at 7.30pm and the team will be grateful for all the support that they can receive on the night. Best wishes to them for a great game and occasion.

Finally my own best wishes for a restful half term break. The next newsletter will be issued in week beginning 22nd February.

03 February 2010

Following Mr Sandy Blackett’s announcement of his retirement from post of School Bursar in the coming summer, I am delighted to confirm that Mr Guy Cartwright has been appointed as new Bursar with effect from July 2010. Mr Cartwright had a distinguished career in the army until leaving to pursue a civilian career. Mr Cartwright has trained and been employed as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He has made a very successful transition to civilian life and is settled with his family in East Lothian. The role of Bursar is absolutely critical to the successful operation and running of the Academy. Mr Blackett continues to exercise these duties with great skill and attention and I feel confident that Mr Cartwright will continue the tradition of working well with our team here at School and providing strong support to the Court of Directors in the years ahead. I am sure that all families and friends of the Academy will join with me in welcoming Mr Cartwright to the School. He is delighted to be joining The Edinburgh Academy.

Saturday saw a hive of activity at Senior School with 65 candidates being assessed for entry to the School for the start of next session. This has been followed across the current week with Scholarship exams and auditions for internal and external candidates. My thanks go to Mrs Meiklejohn, Mrs Howie and all in the admissions team in managing this complex and highly important process.

Finally, congratulations and well done to all our 7ths public speakers who took part in the recent Burn’s Suppers. The many months of preparation under the tutelage of Mrs Una Stark produced some very polished examples of public speaking, a skill that will stay with these pupils throughout their lives.

27 January 2010

I would like to thank the many members of our community who came to New Field on Saturday morning, to support both our Under 15 and Under 18 teams in their semi-final rugby matches. To all who were there, the commitment and effort displayed by every member of both teams, was a tremendous credit to themselves but collectively also to the School. My thanks and congratulations go to both.

For our Under 15’s team, to exit the Cup without actually losing is accurately described in today’s Scotsman as a cruel way to suffer defeat. Despite the disappointment, I know that the team will see in themselves that they could not have given anything more in terms of their commitment. For our Under 18’s team, the prospect of the National Final at Murrayfield on the 11th February, cannot come soon enough. For their build up over the ensuing weeks we wish them our very best.

Thanks must also go to our Charity Committees who over the course of last week, between Junior and Senior Schools, have managed to raise a sum of over £1,000 for the aid of those suffering in Haiti. Such a speedy and generous response by the Academy community to this urgent need, is great testimony to the generosity of spirit, which I believe is an essential feature of the ethos of the School.

Visitors to New Field at the weekend, will have seen that the development of the paths across New Field, is almost complete and we hope this week to take possession of further temporary changing accommodation to be sited next to the main Pavilion. Once in place, instruction will be given as to how this is to be used and I will be asking for the support of parents in using Inverleith Place for drop off and pick up, now that the connecting path should allow ease of movement for pupils coming up to the Pavilion. These and further developments at New Field in the coming months, reaffirms the part our sports ground plays, at the heart of the active education pupils receive at the Academy.

20 January 2010

The distressing images beamed from Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, has caused us all at School to reflect on how fortunate we are in enjoying the day-to-day comforts and opportunities that we share. I am grateful for the efforts of staff and pupils in supporting the charity relief effort for this disaster and as a community we will continue to reflect on the needs of others.

Last week a large number of awards of Effort Certificates (Bronze, Silver and Gold) were made to pupils in the Senior School for their collected efforts since the start of the academic year. For those currently sitting their prelim exams, academic performance is clearly the priority in their minds but it was reassuring to see, in all years that effort and endeavour over a sustained period is building the confidence and knowledge of pupils to prepare for future successes. Well done to all those acknowledged last week. To those who have not been, be encouraged to re-double your own efforts in giving of your very best in all that you do here at School, both inside and outside the classroom.

I am sure that many members of our Academy community will wish to join our rugby teams at New Field for their semi-finals taking place on Saturday from 10am onwards. Our Under 15’s team will be facing Stewart’s Melville and our Under 18’s facing George Watson’s. Both teams have done exceedingly well to reach this stage in the competition and I will be passing on our collective best wishes to them for what we hope will be a successful outcome and progress to the final at Murrayfield in February.

13 January 2010

My very best wishes for 2010 to all members of The Edinburgh Academy community. Parents of pupils at the School should have received a letter last Friday by email, if registered for such communication or by hard copy in the post this week. I wish to remind all visitors to School that the winter weather has presented problems for travel in and out of School. The national shortage of grit and salt has meant that it is currently impossible to obtain such supplies for use here at School. The current rise in temperature and melt of snow has resulted in ice conditions under foot and on roadways. Please will all visitors use caution when entering and exiting the school sites.

Our prelim diet of exams has started, as have the January A Level national modules. This shows just how quickly the academic year has progressed and I am sure all readers will join me in wishing candidates well for these exams.

The New Year is full of the potential to do good deeds. Can I encourage anyone who is looking for a worthy cause to consider the various opportunities on offer through the Foundation to support our Annual Giving Appeal for Bursaries at the Academy. The ability to support a young person through their education at the School is valued by all parents, past and present. Regular donations, no matter how small, can be brought together to make a huge difference in the lives of some. Further details can be provided by contacting Mrs Lorna Duncan, EA Foundation, Tel 0131 624 4958, email eafoundation@edinburghacademy.org.uk.