The Fettes College Middle School Diploma was officially launched on Monday 29th January with the Third Form class of 2024 being the first cohort to begin this bespoke qualification.
Jonathan Marchant, Deputy Head (Academic) said “Fettes is more than just a school, it’s a place that generates memories and experiences that shapes character. The Middle School Diploma has been designed by Fettes to give the Middle Years (13 – 15) distinction and provide balance to the student’s academic programme.”
Fettes College’s Director of Learning and Teaching, Mr Alastair Armstrong, led the team creating this unique qualification which recognises students’ achievements outside the classroom and encourages each individual to ‘Aim high and Give back’.
In line with our vision, this qualification promotes the key characteristics of a Fettesian – knowing themselves, looking out for others, thinking critically and ready to make a positive mark on their rapidly changing world. It allows achievements to be recognised, measured, and supported, and there is a competitive element too, as students can go after a Gold, Silver or Bronze qualification which will be awarded in Fifth Form.
Consisting of four components (Community; Creativity and Curiosity; Wellbeing; and Communication) plus the unique Fettes Passport, our bespoke qualification helps every student to make the most of the wide range of opportunities at Fettes and to unlock their potential, while cultivating soft skills which instil our students with the emotional intelligence to thrive in the modern world.
To celebrate the launch six Old Fettesians (OFs) spoke to our current Third Formers at the launch event – sharing stories about how their experiences at Fettes had impacted and helped them in their lives when they left school. The OFs included, Angus Thomson (Inv-Ki 1993-2000), David Biddulph (Inv-Mo 2005-2016), Kai Harper (Da 2018 – 2020), Liv Aird (PS-Ar 2009-2020) and Morag McEwan (Inv-CW 2004-2014) plus a video message from OF Harry Paterson (PS-Gl 2001-2019), currently training with the Scotland Squad in Spain ahead of the start of the Six Nations this weekend.
The celebration cake was cut by Ben M. and Iona N. and there was a lovely buzz in the Library as students chatted to the OFs with many gaining their first stamp in their Fettes Passport. During the launch event comments from students included “This is a great way to showcase skills and challenge myself.”, “I think the Middle School Diploma is a very good thing as it encourages us to do more.” and “Getting my first stamp in my Fettes Passport feels good. It is good to be starting a journey which will open up so many new opportunities for me and which I can do over a long period of time.”
Categories: Fettes College School News
