School Projects

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY THE TRUST 2019-2020

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY THE TRUST 2018-2019

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY THE TRUST 2017-2018

In December 2016 Sir Fraser Stoddart became the first former pupil to be awarded a Nobel Prize.

• Lego Construction Kits – Used by Primary 5 during wet play times
• Rucksacks – Supply of 50 litre rucksacks to be used by Cadet Force during field-craft exercises
• Puppet Making Club – Purchase of a wooden puppet theatre to be used by Primary 5
• Athletics – MES Athletics Club received a supply of starting blocks and starting pistols, which will improve the quality of home athletic fixtures. The starting pistols are also used on ESMS sports day
• Ballot Boxes – Purchase of 2 ballot boxes have upgraded the overall appearance of School mock elections and to raise awareness of politics in School
• Shooting Club – Supply of additional equipment : shooting mats, spotting scope and extra slings. This enables further students to participate in the after School club.
• Orienteering Kit – The new equipment has been used in a number of activities, particularly at Carbisdale, ‘taster’ sessions for Girls in Senior 2 and within the CCF section. With the extended range of equipment, the School are aligned with many of the orienteering clubs around Scotland

• SMC Hockey – Purchase of a Hi Pod camera and mast allows the hockey coaches to film from a height of 20 feet (in HD) for both Primary and Senior school training and matches. The footage can then be used to analyse the performances of what is now a very successful School sport
• Malawi Trip – The purchase of charity suitcases enabled the transportation of various items of equipment for use by The Edinburgh Girl’s High School in Malawi
• World War 1 and 2 Memorabilia – A number of artefacts were purchased to enhance the collection of World War items for the History Club
• Quiz Clubs – Senior 1 and 2 have been able to purchase a new set of buzzers and quiz books
• Pipe Band – The band replaced 4 tenor drums and has provided an opportunity for junior members to participate in engagements
• Comic and Anime Club – This is new Club and the support from the Trust has provided the opportunity to borrow relevant titles for discussion and develop pupils evaluation and group work
• Table Tennis Club – Purchase of a new table has allowed additional players to participate
• Coding Club – The Club were able to purchase 8 Raspberry Pi computers. These computers control all the various projects that are being worked on. Other kits used by the Club were also purchased

• Shooting Club – Supply of shooting jackets and gloves, helping to develop team technique and performance
• Boxing Ring Floor – Purchase of a Boxing Ring to help the Boxing Club with training and sparring sessions
• CCF RAF Daysacks and Leadership Training Kits – Supply rucksacks to RAF section, so every cadet can now be issued with one when they join. Two additional training kits purchased for the RAF section, aiding team building and competitions
• MES Allotment Club – Purchase of additional equipment and seeds for the Club
• History Club Artefacts – Further support of the History Club to purchase additional artefacts for the Victorian Soldier kit, First World War and Second World War Collections
• Restaurant Venture – Purchase of aprons for Primary 6 children to allow participation in the preparation of evening meal for parents and friends
• MES Netball Club – Purchase of Netball equipment which is now integrated into the curriculum for S4 and S5 girls, in addition to the lunchtime club for all senior girls
• CCF Honours Boards and Trailer – Provision of four honours boards to record names of senior cadets from Army and RAF sections, and a replacement twin-axle trailer for camps and field exercises

• Unicycle Club – Purchase of 15 sets of replacement pedals
• MES Rebotics Club – Supply of 2 lego mindstorm kits for the new Rebotics Club
• Javelin Trolley – The trolley aids both the primary and senior athletics clubs.
• Latin Club – Purchase of equipment for the S2 Latin Club
• Hockey Trophy and Medals – Provision of new trophy and medals for the P7 inter-school hockey tournament
• Geography Exploration Library – Purchase of new library books to assist Higher and Advanced Higher pupils
• Nursery Waterproofs – Purchase of 32 waterproof dungarees and jackets which are used to enhance the Forest Kindergarten programme, allowing boys and girls to spend more time outdoors
• Product Design Project – Purchase of a range of tools for the Junior School.

• History Club – Purchase of various military artefacts to stimulate boy’s interest in History
• MES Climbing Club – Mary Erskine girls obtained grant to buy additional climing equipment
• Junior School Chess Club – The Junior School received support to develop chess skills, with many of them going on to receive certificates from Chess Scotland
• MES Allotment Club – Purchase of essential equipment to establish Allotment Club at Mary Erskine.  Grant also helped school construct a permanent resource for girls studying Biology, Geography and Environmental Science
• Pipe Band Drums – The band received support to purchase replacement snare drums

• Junior School Library – The Library benefited from the purchase of 6 Kindle Fires, to allow children access to eBooks and online magazines which are not available elsewhere
• SMC War Games Club – The Club were able to supplement their existing supplies with the purchase of more strategic games
• Electronic Keyboards – The Music Department were able to purchase additional keyboards, which allowed additional practice sessions to be organised, and pupils were also able to practice in their own time
• Silva Ranger Compasses – This purchase helped the newly formed Orienteering Club at Mary Erskine and both schools when they take part in projects at Carbisdale
• Junior School Climbing Club – Support was given to allow the Club experience open rock climbing under the guidance of qualified instructors

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY THE TRUST 2013-2014

• Mary Erskine Rowing Club – Support was provided to purchase 4 sets of sculling oars
• Junior School – Grants were provided to a number of projects which supported the purchase of a portable Dance Floor, free-standing ballet barres for use during ballet lessons, 3 roller mats for the benefit of the Gymnastic Club, the provision of materials for the building of outdoor furniture to be used by the children in the Junior School playground and for pupils in primary 4, who have been working in partnership with the John Muir Initiative support to create wild spaces, garden areas and habitats for insects
• Ukuleles – An expanding group of ecletic musicians received the provision of 3 ukuleles to allow more opportunities for boys to take part

• Dads and Lads – A grant was allocated to the ‘Dads and Lads’ evening club, which arranges visits from authors who write specifically write for teenagers, and this encourages the boys to stimulate their interest in literature
• F1 Club – Now a thriving Club, a grant was able to provide a jig and software
• Outdoor Education – A number of activities received the Trust’s support.  Grants were given to replenish and upgrade stocks of items of equipment used by a large number of senior boys and girls on school projects such as Carbisdale and as well as on smaller expeditions by the Walking Club and outdoor education groups. Specific items purchased include rucksacks and snow shoes.  Additional Walkie Talkies were purchased to supplement existing supplies for both Stewarts Melville and Mary Erskine pupils on outdoor expeditions. Canoe buoyancy foam blocks were purchased to replace outdated equipment, which aid the learning techniques of canoeing

• Climbing Club – The Club were able to purchase 10 climbing harnesses and storage boxes, thus minimising the hire of equipment.
• Scripture Union – A grant was provided to engage the services of a professional storyteller and purchase new teaching resources to develop the lunchtime sessions of the group
• Boarding House – 50th Anniversary. Dean Park House – the School Boarding House in Queensferry Terrace, celebrated it’s 50th anniversary in 2013. To mark the event the Trust donated a new electronic piano and large screen television

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY THE TRUST 2012-2013

• Junior School – Primary 7 have gradually been constructing a very large and impressive den. From initial design to final construction virtually all the work has been carried out by the children ranging from sawing to drilling, hammering to concreting and a small grant was used to purchase materials required to complete the project.  Primary 2 received a grant to purchase wooden table and benches as part of a programme to renovate and upgrade the playground
• Outdoor Education – A grant was provided to replenish and upgrade various items of equipment used by senior boys and girls on School projects such as Carbisdale and expeditions by the Walking Club.  New tents were purchased to replace old ones no longer waterproof and high quality kayaks were bought to be used on more advanced expeditions by senior boys and girls.  The Junior School Flash Dance Group received support to purchase a set of costumes
• Mary Erskine Climbing Club – The Club purchased 2 ropes to help girls develop their climbing skills

• Table Tennis – A new table was purchased for the use by boys in Stewart’s Melville CollegeChess – A grant was provided to the Junior School Chess Club to allow them to register with the National body, thus allowing them to take part in competitions
• Swimming Equipment – The Mary Erskine Swimming Club were able to purchase additional equipment to allow girls to train more professionally
• World War 2 Artefacts – Stewarts Melville History Department were able to increase their range of artefacts and help increase the relevance of the subject to boys studying this period of history
• Rowing Club – A new Club has been established at Mary Erskine and support enabled equipment to be purchased and enable the Club to develop
• Unicycle Club – The increasing popularity of unicycling both in the Junior School and in Stewart’s Melville College led to a request for the purchase of a small number of additional unicycles to reflect the popularity of the sport