This year’s Founder's Eve concert on Friday was a bumper edition with 16 acts performing to an audience of over 800, and got off to a great start with a piping duet which ensured audience participation of much clapping and foot tapping right from the get-go! The performances throughout the concert were outstanding – delivering a massive feel-good-factor and evoking so many memories of the past year for everyone present. 

Our fabulous Founder’s Day celebrations on Saturday brought our summer term and academic year to a fitting end; where we said farewell to our Leavers of 2026 who are on the cusp of momentous change in their lives, in true Fettes style. There were other fond farewells too…

In a packed marquee of students, staff and parents, our Head, Helen Harrison, delivered her final Founder’s Day address reflecting on the numerous triumphs and achievements of Fettesians throughout the past year, and also spoke movingly and very poignantly of her 30 years at Fettes and the many and varied aspects of Fettes life which make it so distinctive and so special.

It was also the final Founder’s Day for Chair of Governors, Lady Wise who opened her address by saying “This is the last occasion on which I am enjoying the tremendous privilege and pleasure of standing before you on behalf of the Governors, this year as the departing Chair, of a school that is so brilliantly run and in optimistic spirits, despite the continuing seismic challenges being posed to all in the independent school sector.”  Lady Wise paid tribute to “our legendary Head Helen Harrison” saying there were insufficient superlatives to describe “our dedicated, fabulous, hyper-busy, inspirational and proactive Head who has been the most intensely passionate and enthusiastic ambassador for the school that any parent could ever wish for…knowing every student and being the most visible presence on campus.”

It was very fitting that the Board of Governors had invited Rob Harrison, husband of the Head (as his name badge states!) to be this year’s Guest Speaker.  The marquee was filled with smiles and laughter as Rob delivered what can only be described as one of the most entertaining, enlightened, inspired and moving speeches that we have heard at Founder’s Day!  The level of continuing applause for both Helen and Rob showed the huge amount of warmth and appreciation felt by all in the marquee.

The proceedings continued with the presentation of prizes for outstanding achievements by students throughout the year, and an entertaining rendition of The Vive La by Heads of School Valentina L and Henry L.  The joyous singing of our school song Floreas Fettesia by all concluded the morning’s proceedings.

In the afternoon, the rain held off just long enough for our Pipe Band to bring Founder’s Day 2026 to a close  in Beating Retreat on the Head’s Lawn.

Floreas Fettesia!