Fettes Community Podcast: Recent Episodes
Fettes Community
Join Rob Harrison (former English teacher) for an engaging conversation with acclaimed author Elizabeth Macneal. Elizabeth, an Old Fettesian and Oxford graduate, is celebrated for her bestsellers The Doll Factory and Circus of Wonders. During the event, recorded in the Fettes College Library, Elizabeth discusses her journey from Fettes to literary success, her inspirations, and the launch of her third novel, The Burial Plot!
'The Burial Plot' can be purchased from Pan Macmillan, Waterstones and from other major retailers.
Romy and Sophie present the 'ins and outs' for 2024. Tune in to hear interviews with students on their resolutions and recommendations for this year!
Tune in to hear a selection of tunes chosen by a team of students to celebrate some amazing LGBTQ+ artists. Shout out to the Arni girls who helped choose the songs!
Tune in to hear Ritisha share all the exciting highlights of languages week, alongside a selection of songs in a variety of languages.
Listen to hear OF Fergus Bolton and the Bear Necessities concert perform live for staff and students in the chapel on Wednesday 10th January 2024.
Tune in to hear some of the fabulous festive audio offerings from our senior school students from the end of term. Listen to hear the Craigleith Christmas chapel including a festive hymn and the final coffee concert of the year.
Listen to hear a recording of the Fettes Radio Official Chart show for autumn term 2023 broadcast LIVE from Fettes Radio studios.
Georgie and Iona present the chart as voted for by the school community.
Listen to hear an interview with two of our mental health ambassadors discussing their experiences and struggles with mental health, and how they coped with these challenging situations.
Listen to hear a recording of the Diversity and Inclusion group's chapel speech on Anti-Racism.
Listen to hear a recording of the Diversity and Inclusion group's chapel speech for Black History Month that celebrates influential black women.
Tune in to hear Monday 26th June's chapel! Listen to hear the announcement of the students who have been appointed head of school for next year, a classic hymn and a thrilling account of the Scottish Islands Peak Race from the students who took part.
Tune in to hear exclusive details about this year's ski trip and interviews with students who joined us in Italy last year.
If you weren't sure whether to join us in Nassfeld next year, you will be by the end of this podcast!
Please check SchoolPost for all details on how to sign up this year.
The Magenta Thread interviews James Longworth is an Eton-educated (sorry!) Airline Captain, comedian and DJ. He created Silent Adventures, the silent disco tour company and has DJed most of the coolest clubs in the UK. He also finds time to fly Boeing 737s for an airline whilst being a proud member of the LGBTQI+ community.
The Magenta Thread interviews Sue Fletcher-Watson, Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Edinburgh. Her work there mostly aims to understand all the different ways in which our experiences as children and teenagers shape who we are as adults. She’s especially interested in working to better understand autistic people’s lives. Sue is cisgender, bisexual and married to a cis man, they have two daughters
Martin Lees speaking on Managing Systemic Challenges In A New Era Of World Affairs at an event co-hosted between Fettes College and The Library of Mistakes in Edinburgh on Wednesday 15th March 2023.
Mindful of our place in Edinburgh, the talk looks back at the legacy of philosophers and economists such as David Hume and Adam Smith, linking this to present-day concerns relating to sustainability and climate change.
Martin Lees is an expert in sustainability and climate change, having been working with governments across the globe on these critical issues for the last 27 years. He is Chair of OECD IIASA Task Force on Systems Thinking, Anticipation and Resilience and Rector Emeritus at the UN University for Peace. He was a High-level Adviser to the President of COP20; Moderator of the Gorbachev Task Force on Climate Change and was previously UN Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology for Development.
The English department recently held a poetry recital competition amongst the third form, in which every student had to learn a poem off by heart and deliver it to the rest of the class. The top two performers in each class went through to the final. With such a strong field, the judges had a hard time deciding on a winner...
Listen to hear the amazing top three performances!
Tune in to hear the second of two live broadcasts covering the mammoth Supertroop charity log carry from Fettes Radio studios. Listen for exclusive interviews with the log carriers, Supertroop staff and importantly, how to donate to this amazing cause.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mr-rowlands-24hr-logcarry
Tune in to hear the first of two live broadcasts covering the mammoth Supertroop charity log carry from Fettes Radio studios. Listen for exclusive interviews with the log carriers, Supertroop staff and importantly, how to donate to this amazing cause.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mr-rowlands-24hr-logcarry
Justina Molloy is a Lawyer who specialises in acting for those who have suffered life changing injuries. She has a particular interest in cycling related accidents and became a lawyer later in life having previously been an academic, a qualified librarian and an IT Manager.
Her role combines her passions; law, medicine, psychology and people.
Tune in to the first episode of Fettes Radio's 'soundclash' podcast series!
Four students battle it out to have their song deemed 'the best' out of their selection of tracks.
Hosted by Kira (fifth form) who is joined by Hector, Jemima and Josh.
Tune in to the catch-up recording of the special festive edition of the Fettes' Official Chart Show that took place on Monday 6th December and was broadcast live across the school in houses.
The chart was voted for by Fettes' students and staff and the show is hosted by Kai, Kristina and Alex.
Listen to the live interview with Themo H Peel (Harry Dozier), who is a freelance writer and illustrator with a passion for poetry and children's literature. He has written, illustrated and published young adult novels and poems.
An award winning and motivated communicator and experienced advisor in Equality and Diversity, he is Head of Health Workforce Equality for the Scottish Government. He works to support health and social care staff from all protected characteristics to feel heard, seen and valued.
Renowned teacher of History and Head of Government and Politics at Fettes College, David McDowell talks fascinatingly about Fettes and the First World War.
David McDowell has been researching the history of Fettes College for many years. He published his first Fettes book, Carrying On in 2012. Last year, Duty and Sacrifice, a detailed study of Fettes in WW1 was published.
David McDowell joined the Fettes College staff in 2005. He was educated at Belfast Royal Academy and at Merton College at the University of Oxford.
As well as teaching David delivers the Remembrance week Chapel talks, in which current students learn about their predecessors who served and fell in war, he also organises the history department’s popular Sixth Form trips to Europe.
Old Fettesian, Elliot Graves (Gl 2007-2012) joined us to talk about his experiences and to share his personal viewpoint on the future of immersive storytelling and the metaverse: a rapidly growing area.
Elliot Graves is an Emmy-nominated Director and Creative Technologist, bringing digital content to life through immersive technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality.
Elliot has worked on the recent David Attenborough productions "Kingdom of Plants’, ‘First Life’ and ‘Micro Monsters’.
The Photo Reconnaissance Unit Spitfire that Old Fettesian Sandy Gunn (Ca 1933-1937) flew was shot down on 5th March 1942, 80 years ago. Hear our podcast on Sandy’s story with aviation expert, Tony Hoskins.
Historical aviation expert, Tony Hoskins, joined us on the Fettes Community Podcast to tell us about Sandy’s remarkable role as a Spitfire pilot in the Photo Reconnaissance Unit. Sandy’s Spitfire was shot down on a discovery mission over Norway 80 years ago. Sandy survived and was handed to the Germans. He was interrogated and imprisoned at Stalag Luft III. Sandy, with his great intelligence and physical ability was part of the mastermind team for the Great Escape, eventually escaping through the tunnel, but sadly captured and shot only a few days later.
The podcast tells Sandy’s story. Hear too of the remarkable programme to restore Sandy’s Spitfire to fly again as an emblem of the remarkable work of the Photo Reconnaissance Unit and as a feat of engineering to inspire young engineers through a legacy education programme in Sandy Gunn’s name. If you would like to find out more about the Spitfire restoration visit - https://www.spitfireaa810.co.uk/fettes
Mark Agnew is an adventurer and a journalist. At 30 years old Mark has already had two endeavours at rowing the Atlantic. Mark is now attempting the 'last great first', the Northwest Passage. Rowing 2,500 miles over 2 months as a crew of 8 from the Atlantic to the Pacific. We talked to Mark to find out more about his forthcoming expedition avoiding ice flows, rocks and polar bears from Pond Inlet in Canada to Point Barrow in Alaska. Hear his thoughts on the challenges that he will face: sleep deprivation; exertion; cold and damp. The strengths that he will need: trust; fitness; resilience; humility and mental fitness. Mark talks of his beginnings, his childhood, his passion for rugby, the joy of achieving team goals and the spirit of friendship. Mark was at Fettes from 2005-2009.
Mark's expedition is due to begin in July once the ice has melted and the Northwest Passage is open. His progress can be followed on this link. We wish Mark and the team every success.
https://nwpexpedition.com/
On 19th November 2021 we explored the linkages between global finance, investment and climate change with Global Head of ESRG Research at HSBC, Old Fettesian Wai-Shin Chan (Gl 1993-1998). We talked about the outcomes of COP26 and some key thoughts for the future.
Wai-Shin is a highly experienced analyst integrally involved in the global climate and sustainability agendas. As Head of HSBC’s Climate Change Centre of Excellence and also Global Head of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) research he oversees research across all aspects of climate change and ESG for the Bank. Wai-Shin Chan provides cutting-edge thought-leadership for HSBC’s investor and corporate clients as well as internal stakeholders. He is part of a world-class team of economists, strategists and analysts that provide thought-provoking and differentiated investment research enabling clients to consider the multi-asset implications of climate change and sustainable development.
Navraj Ghaleigh is Senior Lecturer in Climate Law at University of Edinburgh and is one of our current parents. He was previously a barrister in London and Lecturer at King's London, Navraj undertook his graduate work at the University of Cambridge, the European University Institute (Florence) and the University of California, Berkeley (Fulbright Scholar). He is also a Current Parent at Fettes.
Navraj joined us in the days immediately after COP26 to introduce Climate Law and to talk about the role Climate Law and other associated professions will have to play as we tackle the climate crisis.
Climate change expert, Martin Lees (CE 1955-1960) joined us on Tuesday 2nd November 2021 for a live webinar with audience Q&A. Martin is a true expert in sustainability and climate change having been working with governments across the globe on these critical issues for the last 26 years.
This podcast is insightful, informative and very relevant to the immense challenge that climate change brings to humanity.
Martin has an enviable CV. He is Chair of OECD IIASA Task Force on Systems Thinking, Anticipation and Resilience. He was Rector Emeritus at the UN University for Peace; a High-level Adviser to the President of COP20; Moderator of the Gorbachev Task Force on Climate Change and was previously UN Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology for Development.
Martin has a degree in Mechanical Science from Cambridge University. At Fettes Martin was in College East, he was Head of House, he excelled on the hockey pitch and achieved the mile record, he was also in the choir and the orchestra and was RSM in the CCF.
Tech Entrepreneurs Jonathan Quin (Mo 1991-1992) and Conrad Irwin (Inv-Ca 2000-2007) joined us on 29th September 2021 for a live webinar with audience Q&A to talk Start-ups, Technology and Innovation .
Hear how they got started, their thoughts on technology and on innovation. We learn of their start-up journeys and understand the phases of creating and growing a successful business. They talk scaling and the pitch and partnership with investors for growth funding. Topics explored in the questions include what makes good teams and good fit employees, where are the global hubs for developers and, is email dead? We are extremely grateful to both Conrad and to Jonathan for giving us their time and for their very valuable insights.
Jonathan co-founded World First in 2004, with the goal of making it faster, easier, safer and cheaper to make international payments. The business grew to 700 people and $15 billion of turnover with offices in 7 countries. It was in the top 100 fastest growing companies in the UK five times, was twice awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, and Jonathan was a finalist of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year. World First was acquired by Alipay in 2019
Conrad is a programmer and start-up founder. He focuses on creating software to help people feel happier and more productive. Currently the CTO of Superhuman, he is working on improving professional communication by helping you get through your email in half the time. Conrad was recognised in the Forbes ‘30 under 30’ in consumer technology in 2019 for his work at Rapportive and Superhuman.
This edition of the podcast focuses on the impact of bursaries and includes brief interviews with our Bursar, Peter Worlledge, and two Old Fettesians, Sophie and Jeremy, who received financial assistance to attend Fettes.
Listen to their stories which demonstrate the very real difference that the generosity of Fettes Foundation donors makes to bursary recipients and their families.
Join us for a fascinating conversation with:
- Alistair Campbell (Ca 1967-1971), previous Captain of HCEG Muirfield
- Chris Hilton (Ki 1963-1967), previous Captain of The R&A
- Abercrombie Nisbet (PS-Ar 2014-2020), previous Captain of Gullane Golf Club Juniors
- Graham Findlay (Ki 1972-1975), previous Captain of Royal St George’s Golf Club
- Chaired by Doug Philip (Inv-Mo 1999-2005), Captain of the OF Golfing Society
Hear this well qualified group of Old Fettesians talk:
- Golfing during the Covid pandemic
- Golf Club capacity as we move towards the new-normal
- Pace of play
- Women in Golf Charter
- Expanding the game
- Disability golf
- Technology in golf
- Sustainability
This is an intelligent, inspirational and insightful panel conversation with Dame Stella Manzie DBE (Ar 1976-1978), Dr Alison Brown, PhD (Ca 1973-1975), Dr Jo Twist OBE (Ar 1986-1991), a meeting of great minds, giving us their view on the next five years…expertly chaired by Poppy Mitchell-Rose (Inv-CW 1991-1998)
Please note we are aware of issues with the sound quality in the first 5 minutes of this podcast, the audio does improve after this point.
This is the Q&A following the light hearted rugby conversation with former international players Ian Robertson (Staff 1968-1972) and George Biagi (Gl 1999- 2004), hosted by Director of Sport Mr Mark Appleson and Head of Rugby Mr Duncan Harrison. The Q&A covers topics such as:
· Toughest opposition
· Law changes
· Centurions
· Italian Rugby
· Womens Rugby
As Fettes College celebrates its 150th anniversary so too does the international game of rugby. We took the opportunity to enjoy a reflective conversation on the changes to international rugby over the last 150 years and to discuss a little of the future too.
On Wednesday 3rd March Director of Sport Mr Mark Appleson and Head of Rugby Mr Duncan Harrison hosted a light hearted rugby conversation with former international players Ian Robertson (Staff 1968-1972) and George Biagi (Gl 1999- 2004). As Fettes College celebrates its 150th anniversary so too does the international game of rugby. We took the opportunity to enjoy a reflective conversation on the changes to international rugby over the last 150 years and to discuss a little of the future too.
Listen to our first podcast featuring long standing Director of Music, David Goodenough insightfully introducing a collection of organ music that he has chosen to play for us for the Christmas season.
Playlist:
- Gerre Hancock (1934-2012): Fanfare on ‘Antioch’ (Joy to the world!)
- J.S.Bach (1685-1750) arr. Marcel Dupré: Sinfonia, from Cantata No. 29
- Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772): Noël Suisse
- J.S.Bach: Three Chorale Preludes: Wachet auf, ruft uns die stimme (BWV 645) – ‘Sleepers, wake’; In Dulci Jubilo (BWV 608); In Dulci Jubilo (BWV 729)
- John Ireland (1914-1992): The Holy Boy (The Carol of the Nativity)
- Herbert Sumsion (1899-1995): The Holly and The Ivy
- Healey Willan (1880-1968): Prelude on ‘This Endris Nyght’
- Richard Purvis (1913-1981): Prelude on ‘Greensleeves’ (What child is this?)
- Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937): Toccata from Organ Symphony No. 5
- G.F.Handel (1685-1759): Hallelujah Chorus