THE LAST WORD

It’s back to school for new Truro head

ANDREW JOHNSON

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG? I had childhood dreams of being an artist or a tennis player.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB? My first full time paid job, straight after university, was consolidating patient records for the NHS.

WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS? Keys, phone, wallet, and facemask. As I write, also a London Transport Oyster card, which will have been hidden away in a drawer by the time of publication I hope.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX? I enjoy a run (although not so far or fast any more), a good movie or concert, and trying to stay slightly objective watching sport.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER? Being appointed Head of Truro School. It is a privilege to join and work for this marvellous family.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE WORST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER? Being routinely mistaken for a sixth former in my first teaching job. I resorted to a tweed jacket and jumbo chords for a year to stop that, however.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE IN LIFE? The tweed jacket and jumbo chords (see above!) WHAT WAS YOUR LUCKIEST BREAK? Not suffering major injuries when hit by a car in my teens. I suppose that’s my luckiest not break, really.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT CORNWALL? I enjoy ambling through the gardens at Trelissick, my daughter would say a breakfast shortbread from Chandlers in St Mawes, and my son would recommend eating some fine Cornish sand (but he is two!)

IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY TWO PEOPLE FOR DINNER, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY WOULD YOU INVITE THEM? I’d want guests who tell entertaining stories. Bruce Dickinson, perhaps, for tales of how you can be a nationally ranked fencer, airline pilot and heavy metal icon. I suspect he and John McEnroe might hit it off. I admire McEnroe as much for his ability to understand players’ psychology in his commentary as his maverick genius on court.

IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT MIRACLE WOULD YOU PERFORM? I would ensure that everybody followed Covid-19 guidance. We are all in this together and need to support each other as well as ourselves.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME? Enjoying being part of an economically thriving Cornish community, being baffled as to how fast my children are growing up, and continuing to find ways of improving the education offered to children by Truro School.