Spring term 2010

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.

Spring term 2010

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.