 We have welcomed a new member to the Board of Governors, Michael Ridley. Michael is a retired schoolmaster: he was successively a Housemaster at Wellington College, Berkshire; Head of English at Merchiston (1982-86); Headmaster of Denstone College; and finally he spent 17 years as Principal of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. When one talks to previous Governors about this role in a private school they mention the occasional sumptuous lunch and the joy of being a Governor. I still believe that there is much joy to be gained from this responsibility but these days there is a huge amount of accountability laid at the doors of Governors. The Board at Merchiston encompasses the Finance & General Purposes Committee, the Education & Pastoral Committee, the Health & Safety Committee, and the Fundraising Committee. I am most grateful to the Chairman, Malcolm Gourlay, for the way in which he steers the Board, and offers me wise counsel. I now see this part of life from the other side of the fence as I sit on the Board of Governors at Ardvreck School, Perthshire, and Kilgraston, Perthshire.
It is fitting that I end this newsletter by thanking the School’s leaders, Deputy Heads Nigel Rickard and Fergus West, Director of Studies Marion Muetzelfeldt, Assistant Heads Academic Nigel Mortimer and Mike Gill, Head of Pringle Peter Hall, the Housemasters and the Heads of Department for their huge contributions to School life. So much of the day-to-day work involved in leading the School is not seen nor heard, but I like to believe that the careful thought going on in the background on behalf of the pupils, staff and parents is what helps to make this School so distinct. Another leader is my PA, Sharon Dow; it is never easy keeping track of my wishes and requests in the Headmaster’s Office! It is rare to find a PA who will often work a 60-hour week, yet throughout this she always smiles and tries to look after my interests and those of the School, and of course so many parents. I wish to end this section by saying that I believe passionately in the importance of leadership and I like to think that every pupil in this School is striving to become a leader of some type or other. I believe too that Merchiston is right in espousing the development of gentle men, sensitive and sympathetic men, and as they lead here they will go on to lead in the world beyond School.
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