2026 Founders' Day and Highland Games

St Andrew’s celebrated its 109th Founders’ Day on 13 March with all the best Scottish traditions on display. Always a highlight on the St Andrew’s calendar, it was another great community occasion, bringing together students, staff, parents, guests, and a large group of Old Collegians who returned for their 60 Years On Reunion, together honouring the Presbyterian founders of the College and its formation in 1917.

Highlights of the Founders’ Day Assembly included a dramatic and entertaining performance of Address to a Haggis by Year 13 student, Scarlett Ryan, and the orchestra’s performance of a Disney Medley.

Senior choir, Staccoro, sang a beautiful rendition of the traditional favourite Skye Boat Song, to honour the 2026 Robert Burns Scholars, Lucy Norton and George Suter (both Year 12), announced at the assembly, who will represent St Andrew’s on a three-week trip to Scotland in the September holidays, visiting a number of Scottish schools.

Guest speaker at the Founders’ Day Assembly was Tomo Yee (OC 2008), an Old Collegian and Head of Development and Community Relations at St Andrew’s.

A number of awards were also presented at the assembly, including two special Old Collegian awards, which are traditionally presented each Founders’ Day. Annabelle Rippin (Year 13) won the G A M Hilson Memorial Accounting/Economics Award, and Imogen Stewart (Year 13) won the Henry Dowling Memorial French Award.

Lunchtime saw haggis tasting, followed by the Highland Games, which was another great occasion of noise, colour, chants, games, songs, and House spirit. The whole school, including the Preparatory School, joined on the lawn outside Strowan House to enjoy the competitive fun, taking part in everything from wheat sheaf tossing, to medicine ball throwing, the two-person dead lift and carry, and Highland dancing. An inter-House haka was another highlight of the Games.

Rector, Mark Wilson, said another highlight was welcoming legendary oarsman and Olympic rowing gold medallist, Athol Earl (OC 1970), as one of the day’s special guests, who presented awards to current rowing students.

“We were delighted to have Athol and many other special guests join us for the Founders’ Day Assembly and fun, colourful Highland Games, which was another great celebration of the past and present at St Andrew’s College.”

The afternoon wrapped up most appropriately with a wonderful display from the Pipe Band. Founders’ Day was another great community celebration, marking 109 remarkable years of St Andrew’s College.