Hello, I am Gareth Edwards and I am very proud to be Principal of George Watson's College, a renowned and forward-thinking school. As Principal I am privileged to be able to spend my professional life working with young people - with pupils who are a credit to themselves, their families and to our school.

We at Watson's are very proud of all our pupils, who exhibit enthusiasm and energy on a daily basis in everything they do. What our pupils are is just as important to us as what they do and what they achieve - this is what our motto - love from the heart - means for us day by day.

The aims of the School are summarised elsewhere on our website. However, there are some distinctive features about Watson's I'd like to emphasise.

Firstly, excellence in achievement to prepare young people for all walks of life: whether we are helping to shape a future Malcolm Rifkind or Olympic Gold Medallist Chris Hoy (both former pupils of Watson's), or are working with youngsters with specific learning difficulties or helping so many of our pupils to access top universities, we pride ourselves on creating opportunities for all of our pupils to shine.

As for academic work: our examination results are amongst the very best. This summer I had the pleasure of congratulating over 600 pupils on how well they had done in public examinations. Over 50% of our S5 Higher presentations gained A grades and our overall pass rate was over 90%. As for Advanced Higher results, over 40% were at A grade and with a pass rate of 90% plus. All these results are above the average for Scottish independent schools.

But it is not just about high flyers, we want every member of our community to achieve their individual best and so we provide a particularly broad curriculum - probably the broadest of any school in Scotland.

We have an equally broad range of extra-curricular activities, from angling and athletics, through Eco-Action and the Model United Nations to Rowing and Young Enterprise.

It is the ability to be adaptable and versatile, which will provide the foundation for our children's success in the 21st century.

To help staff and pupils achieve their best, we have the clear benefit of having all our extensive facilities on one campus - and we are continually upgrading and adding to our facilities. Our latest addition - a new sports hall - is part of a major project to create the George Watson's College Centre for Sport - with its fitness rooms, multi-use gyms, refurbished swimming pool and "hub" area with views of the pool.

This facility will allow the School to maintain and develop its proud sporting tradition and also promote a healthy lifestyle for its pupils and, through the School's own Galleon Leisure Club, help keep its parents fit as well!

I never underestimate the emotional investment parents make in entrusting their children to us, nor the significant financial investment you will be making if you send your child to Watson's. However I firmly believe it will be the most rewarding investment you will ever make. Not least because your child will be joining a distinctive community, one which is committed to maintain the diversity of the pupil population, both in academic ability and background - staying true to the spirit of the school's original foundation.

We strive to achieve this through the George Watson's Family Foundation which exists to raise funds for capital projects, but primarily to provide financial assistance for parents who otherwise would not be able to consider Watson's. This year we are delighted to be giving financial help in one way or another to around 125 pupils in the Senior School - several of whom will be receiving full fee remission.

We are often referred to as a Family School - and rightly so; for as well as being a community in its own right, three out of every four of our pupils have brothers and sisters in the school at the same time.

Yes, we are a big school but we often receive comments about the family 'feel' of at Watson's and, as a family, we believe in maintaining contact long after a pupil leaves school. Our former
pupil links are worldwide and very strong indeed.

We also set great store in being a listening school. Pupils are given a level of personal care, which gives them the security and confidence to develop.

In the Nursery and Junior School, the class teacher is the prime contact with home and the one who will get to know your child so very well. In the Senior School, the Year Heads follow a year
group as it progresses through the school and this means that each child is appreciated and encouraged.

We also want parents to feel part of Watson's as we see time and time again the immense benefits of a strong partnership.

We aim for regular contact - through parents' evenings, newsletters, our extensive website and often that informal communication that goes on as we enjoy and support the children's activities
- at concerts, plays or on the sports touch line.

At George Watson's College we are always looking to the future. I hope that you will want to be part of that future.