Terraces Magazine 2023-24

TERRACES

TRURO SCHOOL MAGAZINE

Esse Quam Videri

A Year of Courageous Endeavors

As we reflect on another outstanding and successful year at Truro School, I extend heartfelt thanks to our parents, carers, guardians, grandparents, and friends who have played an integral role in shaping our school and for allowing us the privilege of educating your children. We recognise that it is a choice to be at Truro School, and we are deeply grateful that you have made that choice.

I also want to extend this gratitude to our Governors, staff and leadership team across Prep and Senior Schools, who provide the energy, wisdom, care and passion that drive excellence within the School. Special recognition goes to two of our longest-serving Senior School leavers this year: Melissa Duke, who has been a firstclass teacher and pastoral leader since 2011, and Heather Alford, a pillar of the mathematics

department and a consistently positive presence since 1992. We wish them and all our other leavers the very best for the future.

This year, in a time of uncertainty and change, it has been fitting that our School’s value of focus was Courage. Courage has been evident across our community, from the youngest pupils in Nursery to our Upper Sixth students. At Speech Day, our guest speaker, OT Harriet Bratt (CO03), spoke passionately about the importance of overcoming fears to become the best versions of ourselves. Her words underscored the significance of not only celebrating our achievements but also recognising the courage required in the journey to reach them. As an educationalist, I deeply respect those who show the courage to try something new, to persevere when things don’t go as planned, and to embrace growth rather than rushing to be a finished product.

Amidst the academic energy and focus that lie at the heart of our Prep and Senior Schools, our pupils have achieved remarkable success and shown endless examples of courageous endeavour. From poetry debates and coast-to-coast adventures at Prep to pupil-led drama productions and fearless determination on the sports field at the Senior School, courage has flourished. The end-of-year Summer Festival and moving speech days across both sites were a fitting culmination, celebrating the courage our pupils and students have displayed.

A few of the year’s highlights include Truro School pupils representing Team GB in their age groups in athletics, our U13 mixed football team reaching the ISFA national final, and numerous county championships across various sports. Our fencers won three overall team trophies at the public schools’ championship, and we had teams reach

the national squash plate finals for the fifth time in a row. The year also saw a genuinely West-End ready musical, Crossroads, devised and entirely written by a current 3rd Year pupil, a musical calendar that culminated in an end-ofyear Festival filled with musical treats of all genres and in many locations, and a fantastic art collaboration with the Royal Cornwall Museum.

Truro School’s identity and purpose as a place grounded in values and community responsibility remain paramount. I applaud our new Chaplain, Helen Byrne, for her orchestration of World AIMS this year, alongside the myriad of community partnerships driven by our pupils and staff. Our Sustainability Committee’s efforts in securing Green Flag Eco-Status for our School are also commendable. These initiatives prepare our pupils and students to be citizens of positive impact in the wider world, beyond the often-fortunate environment they enjoy at home or in School.

As we look ahead, it is important to acknowledge the challenges posed by the changing economic and political environment. We are doing all we can, true to our Methodist roots, to support our community in this climate. To that end, the School is grateful for the support from friends and alumni, whether through sharing expertise, advocacy, or contributions towards widening bursary provision or enhancing our facilities, such as the soon-to-bebuilt new Music Centre.

Truro School is on a strong and exciting journey. As one of the top 20 Co-educational Boarding Schools in the country last year, our recent nominations on the national shortlist for both Independent Prep School of the Year and Co-educational Independent School of the Year are further indications of our direction and impact. I, and my team, are proud of this, but also mindful that whatever the accolades, it is the individual journeys through our

School that have happened for you, are happening for others now, and will happen for many children to come, that matter most.

To conclude, I thank you for your support and interest in the evolution and ambition of our School family. It has been lovely meeting many of you at events this past year and I look forward to more exciting happenings to come. In the meantime, my very best regards, and I hope you enjoy this latest edition of Terraces.

ANDY JOHNSON Head of Truro School

Pre-Prep Life - Autumn Term

Settling In with Excitement

It was a busy start to the term for the pupils at Pre-Prep. While Nursery pupils were off swimming, Reception enjoyed a music and dance session before their first Spanish lesson. The pupils have been settling in this week, getting to know routines, learning about rules and safety in Forest School and making new friends.

Year 1 dived straight into their learning with a woodland walk before getting to grips with their IT, class rules and procedures, whilst Year 2 were learning about the life cycle of a hen in their Science lesson.

Having a Ball

Our creative PE staff have been creating a range of exciting lessons for our Nursery and Pre-Prep pupils. Progressing from balloons to balls, the objects gave the group lots of challenges to work through. The children had great fun practising their throwing skills and perfecting their aim.

The World of Light

Immersing our youngest learners in the positive world of light, Pre-Prep pupils gathered for a vibrant light party. With creativity in full bloom, pupils crafted lanterns and light necklaces, and enjoyed wearing their glow-in-thedark bracelets whilst dancing to the light. The light party doubled as both an educational and enriching well-being experience, allowing pupils to explore the mysteries of light in a fun and spiritual way.

A Juicy Adventure

From seed to bottle, our Nursery pupils learned all about apple juice production while visiting Healeys Cyder Farm. They began their experience with a special tour led by Joe Healey, before a bumpy tractor ride to see the farm’s orchard, where the apples begin their journey to juice.

A Twinkly Nativity

In the heartwarming spirit of the festive season, our Early Years’ pupils put on a fabulous performance of ‘A Twinkly Nativity.’

We were delighted to welcome family and friends to enjoy this special occasion, and our boy choristers greeted guests with a beautiful concert before the show.

Infused with the timeless tale of the Nativity and adorned with an extra touch of sparkle and shine, this wonderful play had the audience laughing, clapping and singing along. The children flawlessly recalled countless lines, choreography and a medley of songs that they had been rehearsing throughout the half-term — and their performances demonstrated just how hard they had worked.

A massive well done to all our performers who poured their hearts into the twinkly production.

Don’t be Afraid

Year 1 and 2’s Christmas Play ‘Don’t Be Afraid’ took the nativity to new heights with a modern twist.

Navigating the traditional story one step at a time, the young performers showcased exceptional talent, flawlessly delivering lines and enchanting the audience with uplifting songs.

The play’s fusion of classic elements and contemporary creativity resulted in a resounding success, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. ‘Don’t Be Afraid’ not only celebrated the spirit of Christmas but also emphasised the importance of following the light in challenging times. A remarkable performance that truly captured the joy and unity of the festive season.

The Story of the Candy Cane

Pre-Prep pupils were treated to a surprise guest in the form of Rev Helen, resplendent in a candy cane costume. A traditional part of the Christmas season, the Rev explained the true symbolism of the iconic candy in the Christian faith.

Pupils certainly enjoyed the assembly, and everyone took home a candy cane and the challenge to tell their families the story behind the treat.

Festive Paired Reading

Pupils from Prep have been busy creating a festive paired-reading session for their Pre-Prep buddies.

Paired reading takes place throughout the term and is a fantastic way for our older children to share their love of stories and inspire our younger children to get stuck into reading.

For this special end-of-term paired read, our older children made beautiful Christmas cards for their buddies, which they posted ready in a special Christmas post box.

Armed with poems, stories, books and plays, our older children also had some Christmas colouring sheets to share with their younger peers.

It was a lovely morning; well done to all of our Prep children who worked so hard and to our Pre-Prep buddies who listened beautifully.

A Glistening Christingle

Rev Helen led a beautiful Christingle service for the children at Pre-Prep. Helped by six Sixth Formers, Rev Helen explained the significance of the Christingle Service in telling the Christmas story to children worldwide.

In between songs and stories, the children learned the significance of each part of the Christingle orange in the Christian Faith.

The orange, which represents the world, traditionally has a red ribbon tied around it. The red represents that Jesus was of human flesh and, when the ribbon is wrapped around the orange in a circle, it signifies his divinity and constant guidance.

The four cocktail sticks represent the four corners of the Earth and the four seasons, while the fruits and raisins used to decorate the orange represent the sweetness of Christ and act as a reminder that Christian followers can find him in the communion bread and wine.

The children each received an orange and carefully constructed their own Christingles. Each then finished their creations with a ‘candle’ to symbolise the light of Jesus.

It was a magical service and a very special and memorable way to explore the Christmas story.

Pre-Prep Life - Spring Term

Brain, Book, Buddy, Boss

In Pre-Prep assembly, Mr Morse took the opportunity to talk to the pupils about the concept of metacognition. The focus of the assembly was to encourage the pupils to think independently before seeking assistance.

Although this may initially sound complicated, Mr Morse used the “Brain, Book, Buddy, Boss” analogy to guide pupils on the steps they should take when faced with a challenge.

This engaging approach helped the pupils understand the importance of self-reflection and problem solving and how, with inner confidence and time to think, many problems aren’t as tricky as they initially seem.

Nursery Explore Different Cars

As part of their transport project, our Nursery pupils were very excited to look around three different types of car. The pupils were excited to share the differences between these cars and learn about the special features they had.

Golden Rewards

Children earn “points” in the Dining Room for achievements such as fantastic behaviour, super sitting, trying new foods or eating brilliantly. The table with the highest number of points sits at the Golden Table, draped in a golden tablecloth with stars, flowers and a few extra treats.

Year 2 Visit Wheal Martyn

China-clay mining has shaped the landscape, lives of people and economy of mid-Cornwall for over 250 years... and our Year 2s found out what it was all about.

As part of their topic on ‘materials,’ Year 2 visited Wheal Martyn China Clay Mine. The children learned how the clay was mined, and the fascinating fact that China clay is in so many everyday things including toothpaste and bath bombs.

They also participated in a workshop to investigate which material would be most suitable for making socks for miners to wear. Working in all conditions, it was important that the material would keep their feet dry and warm, and last for a long time.

A great day was had by all.

From Beach Waste

to Eco Art

Pre-Prep children have been scouring Cornwall’s beaches in preparation for their Eco Art Day.

Inspired by the artist Rob Arnold, whose mission is to prevent harm to wildlife and “raise awareness of pollution, encourage people to reduce plastic use and dispose of it responsibly”, the Pre-Prep children and their families have been finding plastic waste on the beach and collecting it to bring into school. They then worked hard to create a collaborative artwork that makes use of the plastic waste and celebrates the beauty of our oceans and our planet.

Sailing Sponge Boats

The Nursery children were filled with excitement as they gathered around the pool, ready to set sail with their homemade sponge boats. As part of their transport project, the children enjoyed learning all about boats and buoyancy through building their own creations.

The young captains were eager to race their boats across the pool, using their problem-solving skills to find the best way to get their boats to the other side. They also had an exciting display from Archie, who brought in his remote-controlled boat, adding an extra element of fun to the afternoon.

Exploring the World of Tractors

Our Nursery class had an exciting visit from Head Gardener Tom and the school tractors. The pupils took the chance to learn all about this interesting vehicle as part of their transport project.

They enjoyed learning about all the components of the tractor and their uses, including the front bucket, flashing lights and dual brakes.

The Lord High Sheriff of Cornwall

Dressed in his regulation court dress, complete with hat, gloves and sword, Mr Ashworth, the High Sheriff of Cornwall, led the morning assembly. He introduced himself to the children before explaining his role as the King’s representative in Cornwall.

Tiny Toes Take Centre Stage

The graceful shuffle of tiny feet has been filling the Assembly Hall as our budding Pre-Prep ballet dancers enjoy their new after-school classes.

Expertly organised by Lisa Ann McNally from Cornwall Dance School, these sessions provide a structured platform for young dancers to develop discipline and creativity in a fun and encouraging environment.

Celebrating the Wonder of Reading

Pre-Prep was a riot of colours as we celebrated World Book Day 2024.

A huge thanks to all of the staff, pupils, students and their families who made the day such a memorable one. By sharing our love of books throughout the school, we hope to have inspired a greater love of reading in others.

A Surprise Visit from the Police

As part of their transport project, Nursery had an exciting visit from the Police. Not only did they get to explore a Police car, but they had a surprise visit from a Police motorbike as well.

Morning Routines in Pre-Prep

Mornings at Pre-Prep are carefully crafted to create opportunities for developing key social skills and to ready our youngest pupils for a day of learning.

In KS1, the children are given some important social time while others read with adults. This time helps to support the development of listening, sharing and problem-solving skills and allows our children to regulate their emotions and relationships with other children.

They are then ready for their more structured morning activities including phonics four times a week and handwriting or targeted intervention activities for every child in Year 2.

In Reception, the day also starts with some social time before pupils move on to daily mindfulness sessions. This calms the pupils and prepares them for their day of learning, starting with a rotation of subjects including phonics, Maths, Spanish, Music, Forest School, swimming or PE.

An Owl-some Day of Learning

Reception and Year 1 had a hoot on their visit to the Owl Sanctuary. The pupils had the chance to see birds of prey up close, as well as other native species including foxes. The children also enjoyed learning about meerkats and racoons and exploring all the site had to offer.

The highlight of the trip for the children was definitely the flying demonstration; they showed great courage holding kestrel Marley and watching her fly around the barn.

An Egg-citing Easter Extravaganza

Pre-Prep enjoyed an Easter Extravaganza, led by Rev Helen (appropriately dressed as an Easter chick), to celebrate both the end of term and this exciting time in the Christian calendar.

The festivities started with an assembly that focussed on the importance of the Easter weekend before everyone joined in to sing a Prep Easter favourite, ’Spring Chicken’. Pupils took part in activities including creating Easter gardens, making stained-glass-effect crosses and curating resurrection egg boxes.

Pre-Prep Life - Summer Term

Up, Up and Away

The Nursery team took their transport topics to new heights with the arrival of a hot air balloon at Truro School Prep.

Out on the field, the excited children were able to explore firsthand the different features of the balloon, including the basket that carries passengers and the balloon envelope that inflates with air.

Fun in the Sun

As the sun peeped out over our splendid school grounds, there were smiles of delight from staff and pupils alike. The pupils showed great creativity through play, with some interesting games such as being guinea pigs in a run and practising as members of an all-girls choir. For others, it was a joy just to be resting in the sun and catching up with friends.

Throwing Themselves into Athletics

Our Year 1 pupils were getting to grips with the basics of throwing in their athletics lesson. They first looked carefully at the balls and discovered a helpful seam to help their grip. Having felt how hard the balls were, the pupils agreed that it was important to follow rules when throwing them.

The children learnt the basics of an overarm throw and then were able to put their knowledge into practice, measuring their throws to see how far it could travel.

It was lovely to see the children listening and following instructions so beautifully and to see them improving their techniques as the session progressed.

Number Bonds

Our Reception classes have been grappling with number bonds, an important part of understanding how numbers join together and break down into smaller parts.

Our children were using metal washers to see how five and ten can be split into ones or groups of two or more. While the children had lots of fun, this understanding of number bonds will help our pupils grasp the concept of numbers, allowing them to move on to simple addition and subtraction in Year 1.

Mark-Making

Nursery children have been looking at maps, including those of the Prep School and the City of Truro. They were then encouraged to start making marks on the maps, sketching out routes they wished to explore or noting places of interest.

Mark-making is an important part of the Early Years curriculum. While the children experiment with making marks, they are developing both fine and gross motor skills. As they improve their control and perfect different grips, they also begin to understand that their mark-making can be purposeful and creative.

Year 2 at Castle Beach

Year 2 pupils were kings of Castle Beach as they visited this beautiful section of our South Cornish coastline. The children spent the day exploring the rock pools where they found crabs, sea snails and limpets. They loved finding different shells and seaweed and worked hard to identify them using their coastal marine life sheets.

With sand between their toes and soggy socks galore, it was a fun, educational and memorable day making the most of our unique location in Cornwall.

Year 1 at Chapel Porth

Year 1 had an excellent time at Chapel Porth Beach. Whilst there, the children explored rock pools looking for animals from our local habitat. They also built sandcastles in groups and played cricket in the sand. They finished the day with a lovely ice cream in the sun.

Squiggle and Wiggle

Nursery children participate in weekly ‘Squiggle While You Wiggle’ sessions, a fun and active way to support children to improve their fine motor skills and prepare them for the early stages of writing. Although it requires a great deal of concentration, it is also a fun and enjoyable session and the children love to see the results they make together at the end.

Courage and Smiles at Pre-Prep Sports Day

Our youngest pupils shone brightly, with great courage and determination shown by all, at our annual Pre-Prep Sports Day.

Designed to encourage every child to do their best, the morning was filled with track and field events, while the afternoon was a chance for our pupils to share their sporting prowess with their parents and families.

With exciting individual events such as the 50 and 75m sprints and team relays, obstacle courses and the egg-and-spoon race, it was a day of fun for everyone.

Well done to all of our pupils who got stuck in and gave it their very best. We were so proud to see lovely sportsmanship and camaraderie as they cheered their peers on from the sidelines.

A huge thank you to the staff who made the day possible, with special thanks to Mrs Egford and our Year 5 helpers. Thanks too to our amazing Pre-Prep pupils and their families for coming along to support such a memorable afternoon.

Horsing Around

Our lucky Nursery children had a fantastic afternoon as their topic on transport came to an end. They were visited by two ponies: Norris, a Welsh Section C and Toffee, a rare-breed Exmoor pony and their human owners, Harvey and his mum.

Buddies in Books

Our final Buddy Reading session took place across Truro School Prep today as our older children took their younger peers under their literary wings for some quality paired-reading time.

It was the final time our Year 6s will read with their buddies (who are now in Year 3) and the last time our Year 3s will be read to; next year they will step up into the buddy role.

These valuable sessions not only inspire a shared love of reading but also give our older pupils valuable mentoring and leadership experience. We are certain that all of the children involved relish this special time as they enjoy a muchloved book together.

Walking in a Woodland Wonderland

Our beautiful outdoor area, the Enchanted Garden, was busier than normal yesterday as our Reception pupils invited their families in to share a fabulous woodland afternoon tea.

Outdoor learning is an essential and integral part of the curriculum at Prep, particularly in the Pre-Prep where it is used daily.

It was a truly magical afternoon and was the perfect end to a fantastic year. We want to thank all of the staff, pupils and families who made the afternoon possible, with special thanks to Mrs Stableforth for creating such a unique and special outdoor learning area for us to enjoy.

Prep Life - Autumn Term

Enjoying the Outdoors

Pupils have been having a blast exploring the outdoors whilst expanding their knowledge during clubs this week. Hands-on learning is a firm favourite among the children, so it’s no surprise that Grow, Cook, Eat and Bushcraft are two of the most popular clubs.

Grow, Cook, Eat Club have been back in the garden harvesting the last of their produce and removing unwanted weeds in preparation for new plants to go in. Meanwhile, Bushcraft members were enjoying building dens and playing games in the woods.

Year 4 Music Scheme

Year 4s have been tackling new musical challenges this year.

The children started a folk music project as part of their Music lessons. The music scheme allows all Year 4 pupils to try a new instrument, with the help of expert guidance. This term, they will be playing instruments from violins and guitars to ukuleles.

Throughout the term, they will progress with their instrument before coming together with their friends to perform.

European Day of Languages

The European Day of Languages was celebrated across the Prep, with lots of events happening including a special European-themed lunch, a break-time treasure hunt and a special morning assembly.

The pupils celebrated the Prep’s diversity by guessing how many languages were spoken across the school. There was also a creative language competition, with pupils dressing up as Greek gods and some fantastic posters among the entries.

Effusive Learning

Year 4s had a fascinating visitor today in the form of Senior Lecturer in Geophysics and Volcanology at the University of Exeter, Dr James Hickey.

Dr Hickey enthralled the children with information about the different types of volcano, parts of a volcano and the different types of eruptions: effusive and explosive. He then went on to discuss how volcanoes are formed and why eruptions differ in flow, power and danger.

Courageous Efforts in House Cross-Country

Pupils gathered for the annual house cross-country competition. They showed great courage and determination as they took on the course to earn valuable points for their houses.

We were delighted to see how positively the children responded to this sporting challenge, offering compassion to their fellow runners throughout the race and all trying their best. There were some outstanding individual achievements, but everyone should be proud of themselves for taking part.

After close competition throughout, the overall house winner was Vinter.

A huge well done to everyone, it was a fantastic afternoon of great sportsmanship.

Celebration of Rugby

What a fantastic celebration of sport at Truro School Prep for our U11 Rugby Festival. A huge thank you to Mount Kelly, Truro High, St Hilary, Plymouth College and Exeter School for joining us for the afternoon.

The children took part in lots of minigames focussing on improving their skills and gameplay throughout. It was wonderful to see the group’s confidence grow as they progressed through the afternoon, scoring lots of excellent tries as well.

Inspiring Art and Writing in St Ives

Year 6 pupils travelled to St Ives to immerse themselves in inspirational art and scenery for a combined literacy and art trip.

The pupils split into three groups which rotated across three locations: Porthmeor Beach, the Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum.

It was a fabulous day and a fantastic opportunity for handson learning and experiences. Our children were a credit to the school and staff received many compliments on their behaviour during their visit.

Thanks to all of the staff who helped on the day, with special thanks to Ms Cadwallader and Miss Ashdown.

Spot-tacular Fun for Children in Need

There were spots and bright colours galore at Truro School Prep as pupils and staff gathered to raise funds for Children in Need. Even Tato, the school dog, was sporting his spotty bandana.

Whilst lots of fun was had, the children were also reminded of the vital work that this charity does for children across the UK and the importance of raising money to help others.

The Late Wise Man

There were roars of laughter, and many rounds of applause, as Year 5 took to the stage for this year’s Christmas play, “The Late Wise Man.”

“The Late Wise Man” tells the story of a forgetful wise man who, despite his best efforts, always manages to arrive late to important events. As the other wise men embark on their journey to witness the birth of baby Jesus, our late wise man faces numerous comical obstacles along the way. Will he finally make it in time to witness this miraculous event?

Our Year 5 pupils worked extremely hard to make the play memorable, and they certainly achieved that. Thank you to Mrs Gregory for your fantastic directing and all the other staff who made it a wonderful night.

Well-Being Week

Prep Pupils have been focussing on their well-being in support of antibullying week. Mrs Milne organised a range of activities throughout the week for the pupils to take part in, as they learned about the importance of their mental and physical health.

Sports and music sessions were on offer across the year groups, as well as mindfulness sessions and a well-being focus in assemblies. In lessons, Years 5 and 6 took part in Forest School sessions, lighting fires, creating journey sticks and drinking hot juice. In art, pupils created their own worry dolls and in tutor time they have been writing journals.

Roald Dahl Day

Have you ever wondered how George made his marvellous medicine? Our Year 3 Pupils found out exactly how, among other things, as they celebrated Roald Dahl in a fully immersive day based on the author’s work.

Willy Wonka-inspired hot chocolate, potion artwork, The BFG language learning and medicine creating were all on the agenda, as well as wonderful fancy dress from all the children with Fantastic Mr Fox, Matilda and the Roly-Poly Bird all on display. Mrs Cadwallader also created a wonderful display in the classroom and a balloon arch to welcome the children into their building.

Festive Paired Reading

Pupils from Prep have been busy creating a festive pairedreading session for their Pre-Prep buddies.

For this special end-of-term paired read, the older children had made beautiful Christmas cards for their buddies, which they had posted ready in a special Christmas post box.

It was a lovely morning; well done to all of our Prep children who worked so hard and to our Pre-Prep buddies who listened beautifully.

A Snowy End of Term

There was fun galore as children took part in the annual Santa Fun Run in aid of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

The older children helped their younger peers navigate the holiday hurdles on the fun-run course. Dressed in their festive finest, it was delightful to see the pupils and helpers getting fully into the festive swing.

Whilst plenty of fun was had, the school community managed to raise a significant amount for the CHSW. Well done to everyone who took part, and a huge thank you to the FTS, staff and parent helpers who made it possible.

Once the race had finished, there was a special treat in the form of Father Christmas, pulled on his sleigh by a Truro School minibus. Having greeted the children, he dashed off to prepare for the big day.

It was a wonderful end to an extremely festive period at Prep.

Prep Christmas Concert

Music filled Truro Methodist Church during the annual Prep Concert, as young voices from Year 3 to 6 infused the room with beautiful performances.

Families and friends gathered to enjoy the evening, creating a truly special atmosphere that marked the beginning of the last week of term.

The night was a very memorable celebration, showcasing the talent and spirit of the young performers, leaving everyone feeling Christmassy and joyful.

Prep Life - Spring Term

A Happy Start to the New Year

Despite the rain, there were bright and sunny smiles as pupils returned to Prep.

At lunchtime there was wet play due to the weather, so the pupils were busy reading, playing board games and using the school computers indoors.

In the Prep, Year 5 and 6 were enjoying their Afternoon Activities. Some of Year 6 were working on their First Aid skills with Mrs Cameron as a part of their John Muir Awards, learning how to use EpiPens to help with an allergic reaction.

Finally, members of Year 5 were showing off some brilliant badminton skills in their Sport Leadership activities.

Creative Clubs

Creativity was on the calendar across Prep as our pupils enjoyed starting co-curricular activities for this term.

Art is one of the most popular activities, and this week pupils across the years have been getting involved with colouring in, creating pastel and chalk sky scenes, designing templates for door signs and creating mismatched monsters.

At Prep our pupils can take part in a varied range of clubs and activities to broaden their knowledge and skills throughout lunchtimes, after school and on their dedicated activity afternoon weekly.

Thursday Afternoons

On a Thursday, our Year 5 and 6 pupils enjoy a slightly different afternoon, partaking in a carousel of activities away from their usual academic lessons.

Across the term, pupils are given the opportunity to learn new skills including first aid and bike safety as well as to take part in fun activities such as dance, cookery and kayaking.

Boy Chorister Experience Day

What’s the best thing about being a boy chorister? Boys across the county joined us for our annual ‘Boy Chorister Experience Day’, where they enjoyed a true taste of chorister life and found out from our current choristers all of their favourite things about it.

Our current boy choristers joined the visitors for a cathedral tour and rehearsals in the crypt, before performing a cushion concert for friends, family and the public.

Marvellous Manners

Manners were on the menu for the children at Prep this term. Through assemblies and form time, pupils are being encouraged to be little ladies and gentlemen and work on some key social skills to prepare them for the wider world.

Along with holding open doors, listening beautifully in class and always using please and thank you, children are being encouraged to make eye contact when spoken to and to proactively ask questions to each other and to adults, such as, “How are you?”, “How was your weekend?” and “What can I do to help?”.

It has been wonderful to see these efforts being put into practice and we have certainly enjoyed the ensuing responses from their engaged conversations.

Tudor Explorations at Kresen Kernow

Year 4 pupils spent the morning at Kresen Kernow, home to the world’s largest collection of documents, books, maps and photographs related to Cornwall’s history.

The trip, designed to bring their topic on the Tudors to life, gave our pupils the chance to explore the library and the archives before being able to look at some original Tudor inventories. After an enjoyable workshop, the children then created their own inventories using quills and ink.

Beach Guardians Talk

Year 5s enjoyed an insightful workshop about beach waste from Beach Guardian Rob. They learnt about the importance of keeping our beaches clean to protect marine life and reduce the effects of pollution.

The pupils also looked at different materials that have been found during beach cleanups, including rope, plastics and metals, and how they are all changed by the sea.

Pizza-ing Together Fractions in Year 3

Pizza was on the Maths menu for National Pizza Day at Prep! As a practical way to understand fractions, Year 3 pupils first created some paper pizzas. They then worked in groups to solve fraction problems, using the pizzas to find 1/2s, 1/3s, 1/4s and 1/8ths of different numbers.

Having worked so hard, they then put their practical maths skills to good use on a real pizza, making sure everyone got an equal piece of the pie.

Delving into the Bigger Picture

Always keen to challenge our Pupils to think in wider terms, our fortnightly homework challenge, The Bigger Picture, encourages pupils at Truro School Prep to think outside of the box, and beyond!

The Bigger Picture provides pupils with an open-ended question for them to explore and feed back on in any creative way they see fit, be that song, poetry, art, modelling or even computer programming.

The Bigger Picture has led to some truly inspiring and creative pieces of work from our children, a few examples of which can be seen in the responses from our Year 5 Children, who were researching ‘How to Survive in Winter’.

Mental Health Awareness

Pupils from across Prep took the time to mark Children’s Mental Health Week (5 - 11 February 2024).

Strategies to help pupils boost their mental health and well-being have been peppered throughout the school day for Prep Pupils, with calming music played in the Dining Room and conversation starters around topics such as being a good listener and how to talk about big feelings being used each day.

Preparing to be Pitch Perfect

The Truro Boy Choristers changed pitch to the sports field, training for their football match against the Exeter Cathedral Choristers.

Under the guidance of Mr Goddard and Mr Jeffers, the boys tuned up their skills in preparation for the match.

The match took place on March 3rd combined with a day of singing. This unique blend of song and football fostered compassion between the two sides. It showcased the diverse opportunities that being a chorister can offer, with singing at its core but also opening doors to a range of experiences.

Comparing Truro’s Churches

Year 4 have been studying Tudor history this term, learning about the impact of Henry VIII’s break from the Catholic Church and investigating the differences within the modern Church of England, visiting both Truro Cathedral and Truro Methodist Church.

Both venues have a rich history and unique features. The children were able to compare the differences and similarities to the Cathedral, taking notes as they went.

Science Week at Prep

As part of British Science Week, our Prep scientists have been busy creating their own pendulum timers.

Armed with string and weights, they experimented with ways to change the speed of the swing and even explored different types of swing to see how this changed the overall outcome.

Image Russell Sach

Image Russell Sach

Exploring the Ancient Egyptians

Year 3 pupils had an exciting visit to the Royal Cornwall Museum to enhance their learning of the Ancient Egyptians.

The group enthusiastically engaged in various Ancient Egyptian activities, deepening their understanding as ‘Egyptian spies’. They had the opportunity to examine artefacts, learn about mummification and discover the significance of the afterlife.

Coast to Coast Adventures

Congratulations to our incredible Year 5 cyclists who took part in the Cornish Coast to Coast trail before half term. The epic ride, which runs across 11 miles from Portreath to Devoran, follows the route of the old tin-mining trails. With some tricky terrain and the Cornish winter weather providing some additional challenges, our pupils showed great determination and positivity throughout.

Raising Red for Red Nose Day

Pupils across the Prep added a touch of colour to their uniforms to support this year’s Comic Relief. The children ensured that the School site was a sea of red, adding red tights, jumpers and hair accessories to raise funds for the charity all while learning about what Comic Relief does.

Agents for Change

Under the leadership of Rev Helen, World AIMS Day, which stands for World Action in Methodist Schools, challenged our pupils to become agents of change.

This was the first time World AIMS has been held at the Prep and it was certainly a memorable experience as our pupils were challenged to an exciting game of ‘I’m a Change Agent, Get Me Out of Here!’

During World AIMS Day, our pupils were given the opportunity to learn about some of the Human Rights Articles and Children’s Rights through four ‘escape rooms’. By completing the activities, the children discovered the codes to open up the padlocked key to get them out of the room. The padlocked bag also contained a stamp so pupils could mark their Human Rights Passport.

While our pupils had plenty of fun solving the challenges, important lessons were shared and understood. It was fantastic to see every child grasping their potential and seeing the importance of us all being agents for positive change, today and every day.

Welcoming our New Choristers

After nearly two terms of learning the ropes in their journey as Truro Cathedral Choristers, our four probationers, Logan, Tom, Luca and Sebastian, were made up as full choristers at the morning service on Sunday 17 March.

They were given their white surplices to denote their new status and signed the chorister register book. All members of the choir have signed this, dating back to the Cathedral’s inception in 1880.

Back in school on Monday, they were presented in assembly with their chorister ties by the Head of Prep.

Celebrating the Wonder of Reading

Morning drop-off at Prep was a literary feast for the eyes as characters from favourite books, stories and poems arrived at school.

With new judging categories including ‘The John Muir Award for the Most Sustainable Costume’ and ‘The JK Rowling Award for the Most Magical Costume’, our children certainly used their creativity to pull together some fabulous outfits. Certificates for the best costumes were handed out in Assembly before lessons began with an extract from our staff members’ favourite books.

Pupils were challenged to read at home in ‘unusual places’ whilst a book-themed treasure hunt kept them busy in their English lessons and break times.

In the words of Henry Miller, “A book is not only a friend, it makes friends for you. When you have possessed a book with mind and spirit, you are enriched. But when you pass it on, you are enriched threefold.”

Life Drawing Class

Prep’s ‘Young Leonardos’ honed their observational skills during a recent visit to the Senior School Art department by focussing on ‘drawing what you see’ rather than ‘what you think you see’.

The Year 6 art group, led by Senior School art teacher Mr Brett, explored the technical aspects of life drawing, learning key steps such as taking measurements, composing drawings using shapes and only adding outlines at the very end.

With the assistance of our life model, the pupils created their sketches using their measuring skills and enhanced their drawings with charcoal to try out different effects.

Year 3 Wow with ‘Zoom!’

Year 3 put a delightful spin on the traditional tale of the Tortoise and the Hare in their stunning production of the musical ‘Zoom!’

Opening with a glorious rendition of ‘Brand New Day’, we first meet the tortoise family, led by father Toby, as they join the other creatures in Evergreen Valley. Talk soon turns to the upcoming election for the new mayor and the two contenders, Harvey Hare and Henry Hedgehog.

We then meet Harvey himself, busy plotting alongside scheming friends Phil and Fred Fox to frame Henry Hedgehog and win the election for himself. Little does Harvey know that his dastardly plans have been overheard by Toby Tortoise; a confrontation follows and the stage is set as the two animals agree to settle their differences with a race...

A brilliant mix of comedy and emotion, with a strong moral tale woven through, we were extremely impressed with the courage and confidence our amazing Year 3 team showed in delivering this performance.

A huge well done to all of our performers and thanks to Mrs Morse, Mrs Eva and all of the amazing helpers who brought a forest full of creatures to life so beautifully.

Words and Music

As a busy Spring Term drew to a close, our talented Prep Pupils took to the stage for one last time for the annual ‘Words and Musical Interludes’ performance.

Blending poetry and musical performances, the afternoon showcases a range of talents, from humorous poems to dazzling musical solos ending with a wonderful rendition of ‘Cornwall my Home’. A huge well done to our overall winner Harvey, and the Year 4, 5 and 6 winners Ethan, Ellie and Sylvie.

Year 5 Experience

Easter

Year 5 pupils took a trip to Truro Methodist Church (TMC) for an Easter Experience, designed to give pupils from schools across Cornwall a chance to experience Jesus’s journey in the run-up to Easter.

Dressed as citizens of Jerusalem, the pupils learnt about the key events ahead of the crucifixion and resurrection including Palm Sunday and the Last Supper. They worked together to recreate the scenes, thinking about the mix of emotions Jesus might have felt.

We would like to thank the amazing team at Truro Methodist Church for creating such a fun and engaging opportunity.

Confidence and Courage for Year 6 Diplomas

Our Year 6 pupils undertake the Prep School Diploma, which has been carefully constructed to provide them with a broad foundation of knowledge and key skills for life.

To prepare for the Presentation element of their Diplomas, our Year 6 have been studying inspirational speakers and speeches from the likes of former President Barack Obama and Sir Winston Churchill. They have used this to compile shared top tips on composing and giving an impassioned speech of their own.

Well done to all of our pupils who were articulate and confident and clearly demonstrated their passion for their chosen subject.

Prep Life - Summer

A Sunny Start

We were happy to welcome back our Prep and Pre-Prep pupils for the start of the Summer Term, with some glorious sunshine. It was lovely to have the School site buzzing with activity again after the Easter break. We look forward to sharing the goings-on from what promises to be a very busy term ahead, with longawaited events including the Year 6 play of Beauty and the Beast, Sports Day, Year 5 Beam House trip and Year 6 Paris residential all taking place.

Fun and Finds at the FTS Beach Clean

On a gloriously sunny afternoon, our boarding community joined over 20 families and staff members from Truro School and Truro School Prep for the annual FTS picnic and beach clean at Watergate Bay.

Led by Rob from Beach Guardian, our beach cleaning crew were provided with gloves, litter pickers and collection bags before they scoured the shoreline to recover buckets of waste including microplastics, glass and plastic bottles, a croc and some pipe insulation.

Thanks to Rob and the Beach Guardian Team for their expert advice and support, Lynette and the FTS and all of the boarders, staff and families who joined in the afternoon.

Getting a Taste for Languages in Year 5

Year 5 linguists delved deeper into the culture around the languages they were learning by looking into the traditional foods associated with them.

They then had the opportunity to visit Truro School Cookery for a cookery workshop based on that language.

Not only is this a fantastic way to learn new vocabulary, it is also a wonderful opportunity for our Year 5s to experience the facilities and teaching at the Senior School.

Hall for Cornwall Concert

With performances ranging from Peter Warlock’s Capriol Suite and Chopin’s Étude op.10 no.3 to hits from Foo Fighters and Abba, featuring pupils from Prep through to Upper Sixth, this year’s concert was an eclectic and triumphant evening.

A magnificent well done to everyone involved in making the evening such a success, and to all the musical performers!

Year 5 Beam House Residential

Our intrepid Year 5s had an incredible time at Beam House for their three-day residential.

The pupils certainly rose to the challenge and threw themselves into every adventure with relish. There was a genuine spirit of camaraderie and our pupils excelled in supporting each other to reach their potential. With campfires (with marshmallows of course!), delicious suppers and dormitory competitions thrown in, it was a truly memorable experience.

Mr Morse said of the trip, “We are extremely proud of the amazing Year 5 children who showed great tenacity, courage and confidence throughout their three days in North Devon. It was a genuine treat to witness their good humour, resilience and superb manners throughout the trip.”

Introducing Coding at Prep

A group of pupils from Prep got to grips with an introduction to the world of coding today. The session, led by Robert Wiltshire, Education Outreach and Digital Skills Developer at Tech Cornwall, provided the class with a valuable insight into Python, a popular programming language. Python is used in AI, machine learning and data analysis and lets users work quickly and integrate systems effectively.

Year 6 Play Hardball

Two teams of Year 6s travelled to the Senior School for a friendly cricket match against our 1st Years. Played on the Astro, the game was a fun learning opportunity for our younger pupils as they transitioned from softball to hardball. The game allowed them to test and hone their cricketing skills and get to grips with wearing the full kit.

It was also a fantastic opportunity for our Year 6 pupils to catch up with their older peers, share school stories and explore the Senior School site again before they move up in September.

Choristers Shine in Salisbury

Our choristers spent Bank Holiday Monday in Salisbury, where they were fortunate enough to visit the Cathedral and take part in a performance in which the Cathedral Choir rehearsed and sang a service of Choral Evensong, celebrating the music of Charles Villiers Stanford, who died 100 years ago this year.

It was a truly uplifting experience, and we were extremely proud of our choristers who showed great maturity and confidence in their performance.

Cricket, Computing and Curriculum at Prep

Prep offers our pupils a broad range of educational experiences and an inspiring curriculum. Alongside the core academic subjects, our pupils are encouraged to delve into the humanities, arts, technology, sports and our extensive programme of co-curricular activities.

In a typical afternoon, our Prep Pupils will cover reading, spelling and grammar (SPAG) and form time and enjoy inspiring lessons including today’s offering of animation in computing for Year 4 and cricket for Year 6 on our School field, an activity so engaging even a passing Mr Morse couldn’t help but join in!

Cross-Country Success

Congratulations to everyone who competed in the brilliant crosscountry event hosted by Polwhele House School.

At the presentations, we were delighted to win the shield for Best School (children aged 11 and under), awarded to the school with the lowest totals for their top four finishers in various age groups.

Life on the Water

As the water rat once said to the mole in the classic tale, ‘The Wind in the Willows’, “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing –absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats”. This Summer Term, our Year 5 pupils have been exploring the joys of being on the water themselves.

Our Year 5 & 6 pupils enjoy Thursday afternoons offtimetable, allowing them to delve into a rich array of extra-curricular activities including BMX, sports leadership and gardening.

Some of our Year 5s have been enjoying sailing and kayaking this term, with sessions at West Cornwall’s largest inland lake, Stithians Reservoir.

Led by fully qualified and experienced instructors, the course gives the children an introduction to the skills needed for both sports, with ample time for joy along the way.

Ping Pong and Play

The space outside the Grassby Classrooms at Truro School Prep was abuzz with excitement after the arrival of three new table-tennis tables.

Alongside the swings, netball and tennis courts, this adds another fantastic place for play and socialisation. Our Year 3, 4, 5 and 6s were learning the skills of serving and returning, in a quick-fire ‘winner stays on’ game to allow the maximum amount of players a turn on the table. Pupils were squealing with delight and much fun was had by all.

Other pupils chose to play football, rugby or have a natter in the sunshine, all while enjoying a healthy snack before heading back to class.

A Bustling Book Fair

The Library at Prep was a hive of literary activity at break time as pupils flocked to the Prep Book Fair.

Organised by Mrs Morse in association with Scholastic Books, the fair offers pupils the chance to view a wide selection of books, create a ‘wish list’ and purchase a few of their favourites. Any books purchased help fund new Truro School Prep Library books.

It was fantastic to see the library so busy at break and lunchtime. Every form has another chance to visit the fair during their class library times during the week.

Grandparents’ Cream Tea

Prep was busier than usual as the grandparents of pupils in Years 3 to 6 joined their grandchildren for the first Grandparents’ Afternoon Cream Tea event at Prep.

As the gates opened, families flocked into the school grounds, welcomed with a concert from some of our talented pupils and Truro School Prep Choir. Our visiting grandparents were joined by their grandchildren with beautiful smiles, warm hugs and excited chatter galore.

The afternoon allowed grandparents to tour our beautiful school, with a chance to pop into classrooms, chat with staff and teachers and visit our fantastic facilities, including our extensive outdoor learning areas, sports hall, swimming pool and DT lab.

Our excited pupils happily showed off their work and talked about their favourite lessons and experiences at school as they proudly guided their grandparents around.

Prehistoric

Adventures at Kresen Kernow

Our Year 3s had the chance to be archaeologists as they visited Kresen Kernow (‘Cornwall Centre’), home to the world’s largest collection of documents, books, maps and photographs related to Cornwall’s history.

On this visit, our pupils delved into prehistoric Britain, taking part in a thrilling workshop that gave them a chance to examine various artefacts and maps of historic sites in Cornwall. As budding archaeologists, they were able to uncover some fantastic research that culminates their studies on the prehistoric period.

Stunning Screen Prints for Year 5

Our Year 5 pupils were treated to a screen-printing workshop this week with local artist Tony Minnion. Tony, who is based in Redruth, specialises in landscapes but also teaches screen printing to adults and children across Cornwall.

In sessions held across the week, our pupils were tasked with creating their own flag, decorated with an image of a bird of their choice.

Tony talked the children through the various techniques and tools needed including the beautiful rainbow inks, screens and squeegees.

A huge well done to our Year 5s and thanks to Mrs Ashdown and Mr Minnion for hosting such a memorable lesson.

Surf’s Up for Year 6

As their time at Truro School Prep drew to a close, our Year 6 classes headed to South Fistral Beach for a memorable surf day. The annual event is something our eldest pupils look forward to and is a special time for the children to relax after a year of hard work.

Led by Global Boarders Surf School, our courageous pupils donned their wet suits and took to the water. The session was designed to be enjoyable for surfers of all abilities, from the nervous ‘toe-dippers’ to the keen surf nippers.

It was fantastic to see all of our pupils grow in confidence as the day progressed and delightful to see them enjoying themselves in our beautiful Cornish waters.

Year 6 Normandy Trip

Our lucky Year 6 pupils have returned from an action-packed visit to Normandy. The annual trip is designed to immerse our pupils in the French language and culture as they get stuck into tasks including navigating French towns, negotiating supermarkets and ordering food in restaurants.

This year was particularly poignant as it coincided with the D-Day 80 Celebrations, which took part in the region while the children were there. Our groups visited the Caen Memorial Museum and learnt all about D-Day and the importance of securing the city of Caen, if the landings in Normandy were to be a success. We were impressed with our pupils’ reverence and respect as they began to contemplate the sacrifices made 80 years ago.

We would like to thank our wonderful hosts and all the staff who made this trip so enjoyable, but special thanks must go to our wonderful pupils who represented Prep so beautifully.

Learning on the Beach in Year 4

Year 4 pupils had a wonderful time on Perranporth Beach looking at coastal features as part of their humanities topic on coasts. Making good use of our enviable location near to some of the UK’s best beaches, our children put their learning to practical use, making models in the sand to explain how caves, arches and stacks are formed.

The RNLI then gave pupils an informative and interactive talk on beach safety, explaining hidden dangers such as rip currents and the different flags that we can use to help us navigate the beach safely this summer.

Year 5 Hang 10

Year 5 surfers took to the waves for their annual end-of-year surf trip at Gwithian Beach. Under the guidance of Global Boarders, our pupils were given expert coaching and support to help them learn new skills and improve their surfing technique.

The day is designed to be fun for everyone, from those who are already expert surfers to those who aren’t yet confident in the water. With the sun shining down on our beautiful Cornish shoreline, it was an exciting and enjoyable day, with courage, compassion and confidence shown by all.

A Science ‘Who Dunnit’ for Year 5

Our Year 5 pupils headed to the Senior School to help crack a terrible mystery… The Year 5 Science Day started with a video showing Andy Johnson, Head of Truro School, falling suddenly ill. Questions immediately followed, including was foul play involved and what was the mysterious substance stirred into the Head’s tea?

One thing was certain, only a crack team of Year 5 scientists could help to solve the mystery of ‘Who Poisoned the Head?’

A Joyful Summer Fayre

A huge thank you to the Friends of Truro School (FTS), our amazing boarders and our Truro School Prep families, staff and visitors who made this year’s Summer Fayre such a joyful occasion.

The grounds were packed with families enjoying the stalls and games. There was certainly plenty to choose from, with a silent disco, Country Fayre Competition, teddy tombola, face painting and a cake stall outside the Grassby Classrooms and everything from welly wanging, archery and a coconut shy to a huge bouncy castle on the field.

It was a truly happy afternoon and it was wonderful to see our community coming together and having so much fun.

Go Goblins!

Our hard-working DT Club finished the year with a flourish as they took their Goblin car to the GreenPower Goblin Race Day at Perranporth Airfield.

The car is made from a kit supplied by Greenpower Education Trust. This UK-based charity aims to inspire a love of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) through the excitement of motorsport. Over 700 teams, comprising 10,000 pupils, take part across the UK over 30 regional events and a National Final.

The team were delighted to have received the Sustainable Bodywork Prize.

A huge thanks must go to Mrs Sparkes who works so hard to make this fantastic project possible.

Determination and Fun at Prep Sports Day

Our pupils showed fantastic determination, camaraderie and courage as pupils, staff and families gathered to celebrate Prep’s Sports Day. Our school field looked brilliant in the summer sunshine, with a riot of colour on display supporting our four houses, Smith, School, Vinter and Wickett, and families tucked into special picnics organised by the FTS. Events, which included the vortex throw, long jump and high jump, relays and individual track events culminated in a House tug-of-war competition to complete a fantastic day.

There were some stunning team and individual performances, with new school records set and we would like to congratulate all of our winners from the day.

A Beauty of a Performance

Telling a tale as old as time: a young girl who dreams of a life beyond her village and a handsome prince, transformed into a hideous beast… our courageous Year 6 pupils’ performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr wowed audiences at the Burrell Theatre.

Held over two nights, our pupils brought to life this magical tale of enchantment, overcoming fear and prejudice and finding love in unexpected places. With a stellar cast leading the way, it was a theatrical treat for the lucky audiences.

A visual feast, performed with energy, enthusiasm, care and courage, it was a fantastic performance that every cast and crew member should be extremely proud of. Huge thanks and well done to our incredible Year 6 pupils, our brilliant Burrell Theatre, Tech and OPS teams and our phenomenal parent helpers. Special thanks to our talented staff team who get the very best from every child for these stunning performances. Well done to all!

Absolutely Fabulous Speech Day

It was with great pleasure that Truro School Prep welcomed British comedian, writer and actress Helen Lederer to our annual Speech Day and Prize Giving. Mr Morse spoke of the importance of our values and the need for kindness, honesty, work and friendship. In all of these areas, we get what we give. He reminded pupils that, as they step into their new year groups and new schools, “It is kindness and service to others that makes our school what it is.”

It was then time for a cornucopia of awards, cups and prizes to be handed out to our phenomenal Prep pupil body before Helen Lederer gave an entertaining and insightful speech to close the afternoon. Well done to all of our prize winners and thanks to the guests and families who attended the event. It was a fitting and moving end to another fantastic year at Truro School Prep.

A Joyful Prep Concert

This year’s Prep Concert was a delightful mix of music, talent and laughter. The event kicked off with Sambal setting an upbeat tone. Year 3’s rendition of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was a crowd-pleaser, complete with percussion from “Harry and the Boomwhackers.” Mr Morse’s jokes filled the interlude before the Orchestra played “Noble Maiden Fair” and “Blue Sky”. Year 4 showcased their skills on violin, ukulele and guitar, followed by a special performance by Mr Morse and the Brass Group’s “Money, Money, Money”. Year 5 took us to Japan with a magical performance, and Year 6 recapped their “Beauty and the Beast” production.

The concert concluded with “Cornwall My Home” and “Oggy Oggy Oggy” chants, celebrating the pupils’ musical talent and courage. Special thanks to parents and Peripatetic Music Teachers for their support and dedication.

Senior Life - Autumn

First Day Back

It was a busy first day back for our pupils as they spent the morning reconnecting with their friends and getting stuck into lessons before enjoying a well-earned lunch break.

After lunch, the whole school ventured to Truro Methodist Church for the annual beginning-of-term service, where they focussed on the year ahead and this year’s school value, Courage.

“We are very pleased that the hard work of all our staff has been recognised in this way. Our boarding community is diverse and close-knit, happy and purposeful. As a smaller community than in some other Schools the experience for the children is individually supported and empowering, and our School facilities – sporting, creative and educational –are first-rate.”

Truro School Head, Andy Johnson

Finalist in the Independent School of the Year Awards

We were thrilled to share the exciting news that we were selected as a Finalist in the Independent School of the Year Awards.

The Independent Schools of the Year awards are well established as the independent school sector’s leading awards programme, and delivering and supporting educational excellence lies at the heart of each award.

Up against hundreds of prestigious schools across the country, we are delighted to become one of only seven finalists in the Independent Boarding School of the Year Category.

New Dance Syllabus

Our dance classes have thrived in recent years, witnessing growth in numbers and enthusiasm, and we were delighted to announce our partnership with Cornwall Dance Studios to introduce a Graded syllabus. Our Wednesday dancers (pictured) have been enjoying every moment, contributing to the vibrant energy that defines our dance community.

New Values Awards

The first recipients of our new School Values Awards were presented with their awards.

Chosen by the Heads of Year, these fortnightly awards are given to recognise pupils who show Courage, Curiosity, Confidence, Creativity or Compassion; going above and beyond in their day-to-day duties to add value to our wider school community.

Book Club Trip to North Cornwall Book Festival

Our Book Club had an exciting trip to the North Cornwall Book Festival. The day was a reward for their fantastic commitment to Book Club and for their reading programmes last year. The Festival took place at St Endellion and included inspiring and fascinating workshops led by three authors.

Celebrating European Languages

The Modern Languages Department hosted a week-long celebration of language in honour of the European Day of Languages. They encouraged students to appreciate language and explore the origins of words, and inspired them to explore different languages celebrated within the School community.

Various activities happened throughout the week, including a friendly (yet fiercely challenging!) language quiz, fun facts and cultural activities. During form time, as well as optional lunchtime and after-school sessions, students were able to engage with new languages and expand their cultural knowledge.

5th Year Boscastle Field Trip

All three 5th Year classes ventured to Boscastle this week as a part of their Geography GCSE fieldwork.

The pupils were there to study mitigating flood risks in the area. During their visit, they measured velocity and gradient and drew field sketches of flood-management schemes. Some pupils showed great initiative in using their mobile phones as clinometers to help them with their investigations.

The 5th Years were all beautifully behaved and passers-by commented on how engaged the students were in their research. Well done to everyone who worked so hard in this valuable learning opportunity.

An Evening of Games and Laughter

Parents came together for an evening of games and laughter. While their children showcased their dancing talents next door, parents took centre stage in the Dining Room where they took part in a range of games and activities.

Black History Month

‘Saluting Our Sisters’ was the theme for Black History Month, and this year we shone a spotlight on the incredible contributions of Black women throughout history.

As a multicultural school with students from around the world, we believe in celebrating all races, faiths, countries and cultures.

Exploring ‘Our World‘

Exploring ‘Our World’, our 1st Year pupils embarked on a trip to the Eden Project as part of their Religious Studies topic. They hunted for the Fibonacci sequence within the natural world, whilst rising to the challenge of finding innovative and positive solutions to address the climate crisis.

Groovy Beats and Unforgettable Memories

There were groovy beats and unforgettable memories made at the 1st and 2nd Year Disco. Supported by our School’s Charity Committee, it was a fun event that brought our younger years together for a night of entertainment and fundraising.

The silent disco allowed everyone to dance to their own tune while maintaining a vibrant atmosphere. Adding to the fun, the Charity Committee shared their glittery facepainting skills and served refreshments to keep the dance moves flowing.

Thank you to all the staff and students whose contributions made the evening an unforgettable celebration.

World Mental Health Day

The ‘Cake and Catch-Up’ session allowed our 1st Year pupils to properly meet and chat to our new Upper Sixth ACHE counsellors. This was an informal occasion to put some names to faces and explain to 1st Year pupils about the advice and support offered by these specially trained Sixth Formers.

The gathering also served as a reminder of World Mental Health Day, emphasising the importance of discussing our mental health and seeking help if needed.

It was encouraging to witness the positive engagement between our 1st Year pupils and the new ACHE recruits.

1st Year Visit Gaia

Our 1st Year pupils had the exciting opportunity to visit Gaia, an extraordinary artwork that offers a unique perspective of our planet as seen through the eyes of an astronaut. Created using imagery from NASA, Gaia showcases the intricate details of Earth from space.

The experience sparked curiosity among the pupils, with many fascinated by the makings of the artwork writing their own ideas in their workbooks, as well as sharing how the artwork made them feel and their first impressions.

Design and Build Planters for 3rd Years

This term provided a creative opportunity for our DT pupils to design and build their own wooden planters suitable for a small plant. By now, our 3rd Year pupils had learned plenty of skills and were familiar with many of the tools in the DT Department. This is an opportunity to use their knowledge of joints and construction to develop their own container design, which can be tested, refined and redesigned if necessary.

Inspired Art Lessons

Our 1st Years have been looking at the work of Turner Prize winner Chris Ofili and have imitated his style to create close-ups of local Cornish hedgerows.

Chris Ofili was the first Black artist to win the prestigious Turner Prize and his work has been studied in Art this term alongside that of Frank Bowling, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Sonia Boyce as a part of Black History Month.

Foodbank Collections

Truro School’s Community Action Team helped to collect and load the generous harvest donations made to the Truro Foodbank as a part of our Community Action Day.

Congratulations to Class 2J who brought in an amazing 74 items for Truro Foodbank, followed closely by Class 3J with 62 items collected.

Inter-House Maths Challenges

Congratulations to Wickett on their victory in the 2nd Year inter-house maths challenge. The problem-solvers showcased their mathematical skills and teamwork during their relay race, which emphasised precision over speed.

Thank you to all the participants for their efforts and to the Sixth Form Maths prefects and teachers for their support as officiators.

French Trip to Nice and Monaco

Our 5th Years and Sixth Formers had an incredible time on a jam-packed French trip to Nice and Monaco.

Having landed in Nice, the pupils and students first set off to explore La Promenade des Anglais and La Colline du Château, a historic hilltop park that offers dramatic city and sea views, a man-made waterfall and a café.

With so many varied activities, the experience gave our pupils and students valuable opportunities to immerse themselves in the French language and culture. We would like to thank all of the staff and pupils who made the trip possible and so enjoyable.

Making Memories in Munich

Opportunities are always in abundance for our pupils, and a group of 4th and 5th years jumped at the chance to take a captivating trip to the vibrant city of Munich. The IGCSE pupils immersed themselves in a few days of culture, creating wonderful memories with their peers.

House Music Competition Finals

In an uplifting showcase, the house music competition finals, featuring pupils and students representing School, Smith, Vinter and Wickett, brought an exhilarating wave of energy at the end of this half term.

Under the discerning eye of adjudicator Timothy Noon, Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral, these talented contenders displayed their musical prowess. Their dedication and passion shone brightly on the stage, and it was a testament to their hard work and talent.

Congratulations are in order for all the finalists, with a special mention for the Cornish Brassties (Matthew, Kai, Finlay L, Martha and Jonathan) and The Trytones (Finlay M-M, Bryher and Oriana) who took 1st and 2nd place in the ensembles and Noah and Natalie who took 1st and 2nd place in the solo category.

Art Students Inspired by London

The annual London art trip is always an inspiring experience that serves as a source of inspiration for our 5th Year and A-Level students’ individual projects. During this trip, students visited renowned art institutions such as the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery, Tate Modern and The Courtauld.

Geology Take On Iceland

Hiking on a glacier, exploring an underground lava tube, seeing the Northern Lights, swimming in geothermal pools, standing on the 2021 lava flows and feeling the heat escaping from the basaltic rocks were all highlights shared by the pupils of their trip to Iceland.

There were so many amazing moments on the trip with so many memories made. The pupils were fantastic ambassadors for the school; the guide, Jónas, said that the group were remarkable and the best he had looked after in Iceland. The teachers would like to thank the pupils for their excellent company, interest and engagement during the trip.

Girls’ Chorister Tour

The annual autumn expedition for our girl choristers once again brought together extraordinary destinations and incredibly powerful musical experiences.

“Our autumn tour is always a highlight of the choir year for both the girls and staff. Performing in such awe-inspiring venues alongside world-class choral musicians is truly a ‘money can’t buy’ experience and the girls were, as always, a pleasure both to listen to and to spend time with.” Mrs Vaughan, Head of Choristers.

Manchester Football Tour

Our 2nd and 3rd Year footballers ventured to Manchester for a week of training and gameplay with Manchester City FC. The group had the incredible opportunity to train with the Manchester City coaches in private sessions at the Academy, focussing on different skills in each session

Alongside playing lots of football the group enjoyed a trip to Arndale and a visit to the Football Museum, but the highlight was watching Manchester City v Brighton in the Etihad Stadium.

We Will Remember Them

Throughout this week, our School actively engaged in activities that encouraged reflection and remembrance.

In assemblies we contemplated the significance of courageous love: to love beyond ourselves. Our purpose was to honour individuals who tragically lost their lives in conflicts across the

globe and to acknowledge the 10 million refugees uprooted due to war and conflict, as well as those who mourn the loss of community members affected by conflict.

Additionally, we recognised and appreciated the work carried out by aid workers and volunteers who assist communities worldwide.

Language Pupils

Join National Competition

We were excited to participate in the National Language Competition, organized by GCHQ. This competition serves as a platform to foster language learning through a friendly competition among schools across the United Kingdom.

Be a Girl Chorister

We were delighted to welcome so many aspiring choristers to this year’s ‘Be a Girl Chorister for a Day’ event.

The girls were given a true taste of life as a chorister. Our current choristers then joined them for Evensong. This was open to the public and was a lovely way for the aspiring choristers to end their day.

Thank you to all the girls who attended the day; we hope you enjoyed your time ‘being a chorister’.

Making Their Mark

Congratulations to every one of the nine girls in 5th Year and Sixth Form who participated in and successfully achieved certification in the UKMT Mathematical Olympiad for Girls.

This year saw the highest number of entries, with all nine girls making their mark in maths.

You Are What You Eat

Diet and nutrition is a core module in the 2nd Year Biology syllabus, with pupils learning about the components of a well-balanced diet. They are taught how to conduct food test experiments to detect carbohydrates, fat and proteins in various food items.

In this class, pupils conducted tests for lipids, starch, glucose and proteins on a specially formulated ‘wonder food’ that claims to provide all the necessary nutrients for a balanced diet, especially suitable for astronauts.

Tactical Wargaming

The WAA Wargaming group gathers to spend Wednesday afternoons in room 53, engaged in a thrilling battle of board games, accompanied by the unmistakable Spielberg-inspired anthems of John Williams.

Dr Spring has amassed an impressive collection of tactical board games for pupils, including many classics and some much rarer versions. New pupils are welcome to join, and once they have mastered a particular game they often enjoy passing on their knowledge, top tips and cunning tactics to other players.

Super Sedimentary Skills

Our Geology students have been stepping back 310 million years to work on their sedimentary rock knowledge. During a field trip to Upton Cross, these young geologists have been using their knowledge of sedimentary structures to interpret the fluctuating lake and fluvial environment where the rock has been deposited. They also work on their detailed descriptions of sandstone and shale. This trip also served as an excellent introduction to the next topic of their GCSE course, which focusses on rock deformation.

Global Earthquake Monitoring

Did you know Truro School was able to detect seismic waves from the 2023 earthquake in Mount’s Bay? We are fortunate to have our own seismometer here at Truro School. Since 2018, we have actively monitored and recorded local quarry blasts, fireworks, thunderstorms, helicopters and also earthquakes worldwide.

Our Geology Club pupils were excited to study the data collected from the

seismograph during this event and to learn about ‘P’ & ‘S’ waves and how to identify them on the graph. They then ran a practical experiment using metal slinkies to demonstrate ‘P’ & ‘S’ waves to determine which were faster. They also calculated it took eight seconds for the first tremor to reach Truro School from its epicentre just seaward of the Lizard, in Mount’s Bay.

Creative Cell Models

1st Year pupils have been showcasing their impressive biology models in class, demonstrating their knowledge of the structure and functions of a cell. As part of their Biology module on cell structures, pupils were tasked with creating their own plant and animal cell models.

Coastal Adventures

Our Wednesday afternoon surfers made the most of the small waves at Praa Sands. Embracing the spirit of exploration, they paddled around the coastline, guided by the team at Global Surfers, and played games in the water, including determining how many surfers could ride a single wave.

The level of effort and dedication put into these creations was evident, with pupils using a variety of materials such as glass, clay, wool, polystyrene, glue and gelatine to represent their cell structures. The models’ construction processes were equally intriguing, including 3D printing, CNC routing, knitting, moulding, extrusion and embroidery.

A Christmas Carol Delights

The Christmas season was launched with a resounding ‘bah, humbug!’ as Truro School Drama presented a stunning rendition of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’.

Directed by Ben Oldfield and with original music by Musical Director Ollie Jones, the production told the much-loved tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a tormented soul who, driven by his endless pursuit of wealth, had become hardened and embittered against all of the love and joy that the Christmas period represents.

“God bless us, every one!”

The production perfectly captured the essence of Victorian Britain, with a captivating set in the Burrell Theatre, transformed with cobblestones, Scrooge’s office and the Cratchit’s kitchen.

The cast beautifully balanced the bleakness and poignancy of the tale with mischievous wit and Christmas joy. The snivelling, snarling Scrooge was perfectly brought to life by Jasmine and Sam, while Diana and Diggory enchanted the audience as the three Christmas spirits.

Moving moments were brought to us from the Cratchit family, while stand-out comedic performances from the Fezziwigs and Topper (played by Celia and Dorie) provided many laugh-out-loud moments.

Well done to everyone involved in bringing the production to life, from the actors to the production team, wardrobe, set, lighting, tech, music and more; a huge thank you to you all and so, as Tiny Tim observed, “God bless us, every one!”

Christmas Carol Compositions

In a festive gathering, our talented 3rd Year musicians performed their Christmas carol compositions to friends and families. Pupils had been working on their masterpieces over the term and with everything from catchy melodies to heart-warming lyrics, it became evident that they have cracked the code to capturing the spirit of the season.

Donations Pour in for St Petrocs

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all pupils and staff members who contributed to our St Petrocs winter appeal. The donation boxes collected were filled with essential items such as food, hygiene products, gift cards and some Christmas treats. These boxes will now be delivered to the St Petrocs charity, where they will be distributed to local people who are experiencing homelessness.

A Festive Feast

Turkey with all the trimmings, a vegan feast and puddings galore were on the menu for the Truro School Christmas Lunch. With over 1000 staff, pupils and students to feed, our amazing catering team delivered a truly festive affair to mark the end of term. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff in our catering department for their dedication throughout the year in delivering nutritious meals to our community.

Library Reading Tree Takes Root

The finishing touches were added to the new-look library this week with a beautiful reading tree made by the DT department.

The tree is constructed from birch ply using the DT department’s specialised large CNC router. It also includes wipeable acrylic leaves for pupils to post their favourite reading quotes and book recommendations.

It now completes the library refurbishments with a design inspired by the huge number of British tree species located throughout the school site.

Mrs Yigit, Senior Librarian, said she is thrilled with the result and explained this is an excellent opportunity for pupils to share their book recommendations with other members of the school as part of their reading journeys.

Thank you to Mr Baker and the DT department for their expertise.

Joyful Sounds at the Christmas Concerts

With musical entertainment to welcome guests from the Jazz Ensemble and mince pies and mulled wine served, there was a festive feeling in the air for the annual Truro School Music Christmas Concert.

Our talented musicians delivered a varied programme, with performances from the Symphony Orchestra of Christmas classics including ‘I Saw Three Ships’ to open the event. There were Christmas songs from the 3rd Year and B Natural and some fantastic performances from the String and Saxophone Ensembles, the Music Enrichment Group, Cornish Brassties and the Senior Jazz Orchestra to name but a few.

We would like to thank all of the amazing musicians and our Music Department who work tirelessly to inspire our students and deliver these memorable musical moments.

2nd Year Mince Pie Run

In a heartwarming display of festive spirit and community engagement, 2nd Year pupils and staff put on their Santa hats and trainers for a ‘Mince Pie Mile’ run around the School grounds.

The purpose of this event was to raise funds for Surfers Against Sewage, a charity unanimously chosen by the students themselves. After an invigorating warm-up session in the SBA, participants raced, jogged and walked the mile-long course around the School grounds.

The event was a resounding success, with everyone putting in a wonderful effort, both in their costumes and in their dedication to the cause. Miss Overend extends her heartfelt gratitude to all who took part, marking it as the first of several fundraising events for this worthy charity.

Festive Merriment in WAA

Festive cheer filled the courts and pitches as the netball, hockey and rugby groups embraced the holiday spirit. Bedecked in Santa hats, tinsel and festive outfits, the athletes and staff added a delightful touch of merriment to the courts and pitches of Truro School.

Across the SBA car park, the tantalising aroma of gingerbread wafted from the Leiths kitchen, where the WAA group busily baked and decorated traditional Cornish fairings to take home or share with their friends, whilst the Wednesday photography group ventured to the Lemon Quay Christmas market and Truro Cathedral, seeking inspiration for their final portfolio of work. There was a wonderful holiday atmosphere to celebrate the final WAA Day of 2023.

Nine Lessons and Carols

It was a privilege to welcome children, our staff and wider school community to the wonderful Nine Lessons and Carols at the Cathedral.

If we were not already feeling festive enough from the crescendo of plays, concerts, lunches, runs, nativities and services over the last fortnight, we certainly were after the service.

Senior Life - Spring Term

Bright Smiles for the New Term

Looking refreshed and ready to face new challenges, Truro School pupils, students and staff returned to site after the Christmas break.

Rev Helen led services in the Chapel, reflecting on predictions and possibilities for the year ahead. She urged our community to make good choices, led by hope, love, joy and peace.

A-Level Taster Day

It was all about A-Levels for our 5th Years and visiting pupils as they spent the day trying out A-Level subjects that interest them and talking to teachers about their possible future options. The A-Level taster event is an exciting opportunity for 5th Years and prospective Sixth Form students to explore their future choices, putting them in the driving seat of their next steps and future career paths.

Head of Sixth Form, Ross Williamson, said, “The day has been a great success, and the Sixth Form Centre has had a lovely buzz all day with the 5th Years clearly getting a feel for what lies ahead in their educational journey.”

Delightful Delicacies

Wednesday afternoons are filled with a range of wonderful activities including a wide range of cooking in our Truro School Cookery School. This term, pupils from the 4th Year upwards have been enjoying a taste of patisserie. They perfected the art of Swiss rolls, baking a light sponge and making a raspberry filling before decorating as they wished.

Poetry in Performance

Marking the 10th anniversary of the event, our 1st Years hosted an evening of poetry in performance for friends and family to see, along with special guests from other years whose work was championed in the School’s Junior Verse Speaking Competition.

Drama Devised Performances

What a wonderful night of performances! Our GCSE Drama pupils bravely took to the stage to perform their devised pieces for their GCSE exams.

Over the past few months, the groups have been working hard on their pieces, which they have created from paper to performance, to showcase the skills they have developed throughout the course.

Culinary Skills

Delightful aromas filled the cookery school as our 1st and 2nd Years got stuck into their Spring Term cookery course. First on the menu was a lightly spiced chicken curry made with fresh ingredients, and the pupils had plenty of opportunities to practice their knife skills as well as cooking on the hob.

No Conferring Please!

In the thrilling finale of the Top House Quiz, our 4th and 5th Year teams faced a high-stakes battle of wits. With fingers on buzzers and no conferring allowed, the contestants had their general knowledge, spelling skills and familiarity with British heroes tested. The competition was fierce, and each team fought valiantly to secure victory.

Congratulations to Tom N, Andrew R, Dylan O and Felix D for securing the win for School House.

Sustainable Settlements

As part of their GCSE Geography studies, pupils have been to Nansledan to investigate whether it is a sustainable settlement.

Mrs Wormald was thoroughly impressed with the pupils’ attitude to their studies and the confidence they showed speaking to members of the public.

A Sprinkling of Snow

Snow is a rare sight in Cornwall, so when the school received a pretty dusting the pupils were very excited to make the most of it.

Pupils made the most of playing outside before lessons.

The Dynamics of Lava Flows

Our 4th Year Geology pupils have been exploring lava flows and the various factors influencing their behaviour.

To conduct their experiments, pupils substituted lava with strawberry jelly which was heated to different temperatures to adjust its viscosity.

Our young geologists have also been closely monitoring recent volcanic activity in Iceland, observing how, in some areas, the landscape has changed significantly since our last school visit in October.

Mental Health

During an assembly, the Community Action group took the initiative to raise awareness about mental health. The focus was on highlighting the efforts of two significant local charities: Young Minds and The Wave Project. Miss Overend then encouraged them to contemplate one action they could take to brighten someone else’s day, while also emphasising the significance of recognising the small things that contribute to our own positive well-being.

Dancers Shine in Showcase

Truro School dancers joined secondary schools from across Cornwall in a dazzling dance and drama spectacular at the Hall for Cornwall.

Their vibrant performances featured members of the Friday dance club and Wednesday’s dance group.

Ten Tors Training

Our Ten Tors teams embarked on their first overnight training walk of the year, covering the challenging route from St Agnes - Polly Joke - Truro.

The teams exhibited commendable perseverance, camping overnight at Polly Joke before resuming their journey to Truro the following day. A triumphant shout-out to all teams for their unwavering determination, pushing through to the finish line and successfully completing the demanding trek.

Celebrating National Croissant Day

In celebration of World Croissant Day, pupils were invited to showcase their creativity by composing a short poem or prose about this beloved pastry. In class, pupils looked at the work of French poet Francis Ponge, including his renowned poem ‘Le Pain’, drawing inspiration from his work and crafting their own pieces of writing.

1st Years First Maths Challenge

Our 1st Years had their first go at a maths challenge, competing against their peers to win points for their houses. In teams, they spent time problem-solving through a range of questions.

It was great to see so many involved battling for their house, and it really was a close competition.

Creativity and Relaxation

Our WAA braiding and bracelet club offers pupils a chance to prioritise creativity and relaxation on Wednesday afternoons. It serves as a great opportunity for pupils to take a break from academic studies, engage in conversations with friends and create beautiful braids and bracelets. This popular group provides a peaceful and calming environment for all participants.

A Celebration of Music and Community

’Celebrating the Importance of Music’ was an event held to mark the launch of the Truro School Music Project, a transformative initiative to develop a new, multi-million-pound music centre and refurbished, multi-purpose Assembly Hall. This project also paves the way for improved facilities to support pupil well-being.

As guests were seated in the Hall, Mr Andy Johnson welcomed pupils, alumni, staff, parents and guests from all over Cornwall and the United Kingdom with audiences enjoying performances from musicians from across the Senior and Prep School, including the Truro Cathedral Choristers and performances from our partners Cornwall Music Service Trust (CMST) which features students from all over Cornwall.

CMST is a charity providing music teaching, support and therapy to around 10,000 children across Cornwall. Now in its 10th Year, the charity has a longstanding partnership with Truro School, and this Music Project marks an important milestone in solidifying the partnership and strengthening and further supporting the vital work CMST does within Cornish music education.

The evening then moved to an overview of the ambitious plans for the Music Project. Scheduled for completion at the start of 2026, the Project will create a hub for musical education and aspiration in Cornwall, offering state-of-the-art facilities for pupils, the Truro community and beyond.

Lights, Camera, Collaboration

Collaboration is the key to success, as our youngest members of the senior school are discovering in WAA Drama Film Making. Our 1st Years, with the help of Sixth Formers, have come up with a story for a short film, and collectively they have collaborated on script writing and the transformation of turning it into a seven-minute short film.

Talent Shines in Junior House Music

The audience of staff, pupils and their families were taken through a musical smorgasbord at the Junior House Music Event. Held in the Chapel, the evening showcased a range of musical genres, styles and instruments, with our pupil’s talent shining brightly throughout.

From rousing drum solos from Winnie and Mikey to excellent performances on the bassoon from Patrick, the audience was also treated to Harris on the cello, enchanting oboe performances from Clara and Hanna and some fantastic piano solos from Freddie and Joseph. There was plenty to entertain and inspire.

Visiting adjudicator Timonth Noon, Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral certainly had his work cut out for him in choosing the winners. Well done to all of the performers on the night, it was a truly fantastic showcase of some exceptional musical talent.

An Immersive Experience in Alicante

Pupils from the 4th Year to Sixth Form had an exciting long weekend exploring Alicante, which included a fascinating walking tour of the town where the pupils had the chance to discover the historical landmarks and architectural wonders.

They enjoyed a tour of the food market, where they explored the stalls filled with fresh produce and local delicacies. They experienced traditional Spanish cuisine and practised their Spanish whilst purchasing goods.

Also on the agenda was a visit to the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, where students had the chance to appreciate contemporary art and a visit to Elche, where they enjoyed looking around the largest Palm Garden in Europe.

Environmental Study Insights

3rd Year Geography pupils had the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a practical setting on the trip to the River Kenwyn. Pupils measured the width and depth of the river at different points and used an orange to gauge velocity. It was then back to the classroom to practise skills in evaluation and analysis to draw meaningful conclusions from their observations. These hands-on experiences serve as invaluable supplements to classroom learning, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Celebrating Generations

Excitement filled the air as our 1st Year pupils gathered in the Chapel to welcome nearly 100 grandparents to their school.

The event began with a warm welcome from the Head, followed by a beautiful performance by our Chamber Choir and a short service led by Rev Helen. The 1st Years then led their grandparents on a short tour of the school, showcasing their Form rooms, the Theatre, the Library and some of their favourite classrooms.

Following the tours, guests were invited to join the pupils for delicious tea and cakes in the Dining Room before heading off for half term.

Heartfelt thanks to all the lovely grandparents and grandfriends who joined us for this wonderful occasion, and to the 1st Years for being such excellent hosts.

Charity Show

Performing live in the Burrell Theatre, our talented pupils and students put on a fantastic line-up of memorable performances for this year’s Charity Show. The show boasted over 20 acts with a range of genres and styles making for an uplifting and powerful show.

The grand finale was the showstopper of the evening, with all the evening’s performers coming together for a rendition of ‘I’m Still Standing’ by Elton John. The evening was a great success and made possible by our dedicated pupil organisers - With special thanks to the Tech Team, Rev Helen, Mrs Kenward and Mrs Alford as well.

Not forgetting the purpose of the event, which was raising money for the meaningful charity Charlie’s Star which supports grieving parents.

Book Club’s Baking Bonanza

The Wednesday Book Club group showed extraordinary baking skills during the World Book Day bake-off. Mr Johnson faced the daunting task of selecting winners from a display of highly creative cakes. He commended the bakers for translating the imaginative worlds of well-known authors into visually stunning creations, praising the meticulous detail and thoughtful design evident in each cake.

The Book Club, mainly aimed at 1st and 2nd Years, meets every Wednesday lunchtime in the Library.

Senior Life - Summer Term

Snowy Calgary

What an amazing way to spend the holidays! A group of pupils had a fantastic week in snowy Calgary, Canada. They had a blast skiing and snowboarding, with activities tailored for both beginners and experienced riders.

In addition to hitting the slopes, the group also tried snow tubing, visited mineral-rich hot springs and explored Banff as well as sampling local cuisine, and even had a fun evening of bowling.

A big thank you to the staff who made this unforgettable trip possible.

Portugal Tennis Trip

Some of our pupils kicked off their Easter holidays with a trip to Vale do Lobo Tennis and Golf Resort on the Algarve. The pupils enjoyed a week in the sun playing some great tennis and staying in the Ria Park Hotel.

The pupils enjoyed five days of elite tennis coaching where our players focussed on the technical basics of the game, tactics and movement during the mornings, before splitting off for the afternoon for the amateur players to learn how to play singles and doubles whilst the more advanced team players learnt more advanced tactics and competed against Bradfield College.

Hall for Cornwall Concert

A heartfelt thank you to all the pupils and students who shared their musical journey with us at this year’s Hall for Cornwall concert.

With performances ranging from Peter Warlock’s Capriol Suite and Chopin’s Étude op.10 no.3 to hits from Foo Fighters and Abba, featuring pupils from Prep through to Upper Sixth, it was an eclectic and triumphant evening.

66 for Silver

There were smiles aplenty and heavy kit bags packed as a whopping 66 of our courageous pupils set off on their Silver DofE practice expedition.

The teams headed to Dartmoor for three days, covering tricky terrain whilst honing their navigational skills.

LAMDA Showcase

Wows Audience

Friends and families gathered at the Burrell Theatre for an evening of outstanding performances by this year’s LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) pupils. The showcase featured a variety of acting monologue and duologue pieces, showcasing the talent and dedication of pupils and students preparing for exams ranging from Grade 2 to Grade 8.

Outdoor Pursuits Colours Awarded

School Colours were awarded to pupils who have contributed significantly to Outdoor Pursuits in 2022 and 2023. Thirteen 5th Years and four Upper Sixth Formers were awarded colours at a lunch hosted by the Outdoor Pursuits team in the Heseltine Gallery.

All were recognised for their courage, compassion, determination and fantastic teamwork.

A Springtime Hack

Our WAA riding group saddled up and headed out amongst the spring flowers for a hack around the North Cornish Coast. Each week, the horse-riding group led by Mrs Roberts drives to St Agnes to learn about horse husbandry and develop their riding skills.

Records broken in Swim Gala

1st, 2nd and 3rd Years made waves in the annual inter-house swimming competition. Each swimmer secured points for their house teams and included 25m and 50m sprints, relays, IM (international medley) and surfboard races. Miss Bickley commended all swimmers for their dedication and sportsmanship and congratulated those who swam for their competition houses, showcasing the School values of courage and compassion throughout the competition.

4th Year Geologists

4th Year Geologists enjoyed beautiful weather for their fieldwork at Praa Sands and Godrevy. The day provided a perfect opportunity for pupils to see in the field what they have been learning in class all year, and all within an hour’s drive of school.

They began by identifying igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks through close examination of their textures. They then were able to consolidate their understanding of how each rock was formed.

Surrealist PuppetMaking Workshop

A group of 2nd Year pupils were excited to go off site to participate in a puppetmaking workshop with local artist Chris Nixon. Their brief was to create some ‘fantastical puppets’ as part of a project run by the Combined Truro Schools Art Project. All pupils rose to this creative challenge.

Salt and Pepper Shakers in DT

The Thursday-afternoon DT club have been practising their woodwork skills by making beautiful salt and pepper shakers. Pupils used hardwood (sapele) and softwood (pine) and laminated sawn pieces together to create blocks that were hollowed out through drilling. They were finished by shaping, sanding and oiling.

Cybersecurity Tech Jam

A group of enthusiastic 1st Year girls attended the TECgirls Cybersecurity Tech Jam. The event featured a series of engaging workshops designed to introduce young minds to the world of cybersecurity. They learned how to protect data and delved into the intricacies of encryption, explored computer network security and honed their logic and programming skills.

Victory for Vinter

The Top House Quiz teams have competed fiercely in rounds focused on D-Day, Cornwall and English literature amongst other tricky categories. Held over two days, the initial round saw our 1st, 2nd and 3rd Year teams engaged in a competitive battle of the brains, resulting in wins for both Wickett and Vinter.

The battle for third place saw School narrowly defeating Smith in a thrilling 13-12 win. Thursday’s winning teams then faced each other for the coveted Top House Champion Title.

There could only be one winner, and despite scoring a very respectable 15 points, Wickett was pipped to the post by a strong Vinter Team, who scored a mighty 20 points.

4th Years Careers

4th Year pupils explored pathways into higher education and future careers as they took part in our annual Careers Day in partnership with FutureSmart.

Pupils attended workshops to inspire and inform them about their postGCSE options. Led by Mrs Kenward, the sessions included Morrisby Testing and career guidance to pupils. They also enjoyed workshops on Going to University, UCAS and a fantastic session with Mrs Kenward on Researching Careers.

Boarders Shine at Rainbow Run

Our boarders had a fantastic afternoon participating in the vibrant Rainbow Run, a 5km charity event designed to raise funds for Children’s Hospice South West. The boarders were showered with powder paint as they ran, adding to the festive and colourful atmosphere.

2nd Year Geography

Our 2nd Years made use of our enviable location in Cornwall as they visited Gwithian Beach to gain practical skills in their Geography studies in coastal processes. They measured beach profile data and completed field sketches, wave counts and longshore drift measurements.

Abstract Art Workshop

Contemporary Cornish abstract artist Sophie Capron visited our school to work with a group of pupils from the Combined Truro Schools Art Collective. Sophie conducted an abstract art and mark-making workshop with the 2nd Year pupils.

The Truro Schools Art Collective provides a platform for local schools to come together, collaborate and immerse themselves in creative activities.

Brilliant Brittany for 2nd Years

Beautiful Brittany welcomed our 2nd Year pupils, who thoroughly enjoyed exploring the charming towns of Châteaulin, Locronan and Concarneau.

During their visit, pupils applied their classroom knowledge, took part in a treasure hunt in Locronan and visited a local spice market to interact with vendors and make purchases to take home.

Throughout the trip, pupils were assigned independent research tasks. They interacted with people to learn about the local history and customs of the region and enjoyed traditional crêpes at the renowned Les Remparts Crêperie.

The staff commended everyone for their exemplary behaviour and enthusiastic participation in their French studies.

Marking D-Day 80

June 6th marked 80 years since the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy. D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history and, alongside airborne operations, was the turning point towards the liberation of France and Western Europe in World War II. Assemblies allowed our pupils to reflect on the magnitude of this historic event whilst, in lessons, our 3rd Year historians have been studying World War II and today looked at sources to help them to better understand D-Day. From veteran accounts and reconstructions, it was wonderful to witness the palpable respect that these young people showed for our D-Day veterans as they better understood the very harsh realities of the war.

Extinction and Urban Assessment

Our 1st Year Geography and Biology pupils have been out of the classroom and off to Newquay.

Pupils have been studying extinction in Biology and visited Newquay Zoo to collect information about animals from a chosen continent. They also took to Newquay’s high street for their first-ever human geography fieldwork. In groups, they evaluated population density, the number and type of shops, traffic flow and litter on the high street.

Win for Geologists

Our 2nd Year geologists returned from the Cornwall Schools Mining Games, where they competed against 11 schools from across the county.

Throughout the day, the teams competed in six disciplines: hand steeling, panning, sawing, surveying, mineral separation and mucking. They displayed a strong competitive spirit and provided great encouragement to each other and the other teams. At the end of the day, the teams were thrilled to receive top awards in each discipline.

Their consistent performance across all events led them to be jointly crowned first place overall.

The Legacy of Bletchley Park

Inspired by our Festival of Courage and the 80th anniversary of D-Day, our 3rd and 4th Year pupils have recently returned from a trip to Milton Keynes to learn all about the Enigma code. They visited Bletchley Park and the Museum of Computing, where they discovered how military and civilian mathematicians of the era pioneered the development of the first computer to decipher Enigma codes and intercept wartime communications.

Bletchley Park’s significance remained secret until the 1970s, with the full extent of Turning and his team’s remarkable work only coming to light in the 1990s . Much of their work is credited with being a forerunner to the modern-day computer. This highlights its enduring legacy as a pioneering centre of technological innovation and serves as an inspirational place for our pupils interested in mathematics and computer science.

A big thank you to Mrs Roukearts and the Maths and Computer Science team for an exciting adventure and a remarkable learning experience.

DofE Bronze Qualifiers

Over 116 pupils completed this year’s Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Qualifying Expedition (19 Teams), walking for two days and camping overnight near Porthcothan. The qualifying expedition is one of the few opportunities young people get to really separate and isolate themselves from their daily lives, modern mass-media and communications. Teams have to carry all they need to camp, cook and truly rely on themselves.

Bronze DofE is often the first time pupils are given this level of independence and responsibility. We love seeing them develop and rise to the challenge every year.

An Exciting Adventure

1st Years celebrated nearing the end of their first year at Senior School by embarking on an exciting adventure camp at Porthpean Adventure Centre.

They jumped into a variety of activities, including kayaking, mega SUP, climbing, caving, laser tag and a silent disco. Each activity was designed with an emphasis on team building and developing courage and compassion towards themselves and others.

We hope the 1st Years all had a wonderful time and came away with lasting memories and invaluable life skills. A special thanks goes to Mrs Thurlow, Mr Blackie and the 1st Year tutor team who organised and supported the event.

End of Year Art Show

The much-anticipated End of Year Summer Show opened its doors, featuring the impressive works of our A-Level and GCSE pupils in the annual summer art exhibition. A cherished highlight in the School calendar, this event showcases the culmination of dedication and creativity from our talented art students. From intricate paintings to innovative sculptures, the exhibition reflects the diverse artistic skills nurtured within the school.

Mr Meads, the Head of Art, expressed his pride in the students’ achievements, stating, “The Heseltine Gallery provides a stunning gallery setting for our GCSE pupils and A-Level students to display their work. The quality and creativity on display are truly outstanding and a testament to the hard work and passion of our young artists.”

Sports Day Triumph for Wickett

Excitement and anticipation filled the air at Truro School as pupils, staff and parents gathered for the annual Sports Day. This year’s event was particularly significant as it marked a historic victory for Wickett House, who clinched the Sports Day title for the first time in many years.

The afternoon was packed with thrilling finals in the 100m, 200m and 800m races. The School’s four houses - Smith, School, Vinter and Wickett - competed in a bid for glory, with individual winners awarded medals on the Podium. Relay events added to the day’s excitement, with each house giving their all.

Crossroads

Wednesday afternoons saw the Burrell Theatre bustling with activity as rehearsals for the latest production, ‘Crossroads’, were in full swing. With music and lyrics written by 3rd Year pupil Scarlett, this musical promised to be a captivating addition to the theatre’s repertoire.

The production boasted a talented cast of 20. The narrative followed teenager Lucy as she navigated the five stages of grief after a tragedy, supported by her quirky friend Ellie and challenged by a group of gossiping peers.

Scarlett hoped the audience would take away a meaningful message from her musical and shared a funny anecdote about improvising dialogue with friends.

Director of Drama, Mr Ben Oldfield, says, “Projects like this don’t come around very often, if ever... Scarlett wrote most of Crossroads in the 1st and 2nd Year and her talent in musical composition and lyrics is simply staggering – Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tim Minchin, watch out!”

The reviews were excellent, with one viewer stating, “Absolutely BLOWN AWAY by this - moving, funny, pacy and gripping from start to finish” another wrote, “It was absolutely outstanding. So moving but uplifting too”. A huge congratulations to Scarlett and everyone involved in this stunning production.

1st Year Gala Concert

1st Year music is all about enjoyment and discovering one’s instrument. Every pupil is given the choice of an instrument to play throughout the 1st Year, culminating in an opportunity to showcase their musical skills to friends and family.

This year’s gala concert was held at the Roman Catholic Church in Truro, providing a splendid display of 1st Year musical talent.

It was a heartwarming evening, impossible to watch without a huge smile.

Rock Night on the Terraces

Truro’s hottest music venue came alive last night with electrifying performances at the highly anticipated Rock Night on the Terraces. As part of the Festival of Courage, the event featured Truro School bands, local primary and secondary school groups and alumni legends.

The evening was a vibrant, pupil-led showcase, highlighting the musical talent nurtured throughout the year in practice rooms, during lunch breaks and after school.

Congratulations to all who took part, from seasoned performers to enthusiastic first-timers. Your courage and talent shone brightly, and we applaud your exceptional performances.

Chilled Vibes at Jazz Event

Super-chilled vibes set the tone for an idyllic Saturday afternoon as attendees gathered with picnic hampers and blankets to enjoy a relaxing afternoon of Jazz. The event featured an impressive array of jazz performances, filling the air with smooth melodies that perfectly complemented the relaxed atmosphere.

The serene setting on the Terraces provided the ideal backdrop for friends and families to unwind, socialise and soak in the music. All agreed – this was the perfect way to spend a leisurely Saturday afternoon.

5th Year Prom

High-spirited and elegantly dressed in stunning gowns and sharp suits, our 5th Years celebrated the end of their GCSE exams with a dazzling prom at the Falmouth Hotel. The pupils arrived in style, eager to make lasting memories and enjoy their special evening.

The prom was a well-deserved treat and a perfect way to celebrate all they have accomplished – we hope you all have a wonderful summer filled with happiness and relaxation!

Lark Rise on the Terraces

The Terraces were transformed into an idyllic country hamlet for the junior play production of Lark Rise. This unique setting added a special charm to the performance.

1st to 3rd Year pupils from the WAA drama group have worked with the English and Drama department to bring this production to life.

The performance included some wonderfully quirky characters in funny scenes, poignant moments and uplifting tunes provided by our talented musicians.

World AIMS

World AIMS Day aims to raise awareness of societal issues and promote positive change in the world.

In this year’s event, various departments organised thoughtprovoking activities for the pupils to develop their thinking, understand the rights and responsibilities of society and encourage creative solutions to problems.

Some pupils described the day as “thought provoking” and another said “some of these lessons have really challenged my opinion on some issues.”

A big thank you to Rev Helen, local and national charities and all the teaching staff who have designed and supported today’s activities and, indeed, all the work that has taken place throughout our Festival of Courage.

Musicals Night

Musicals Night on the Terraces was an unforgettable evening, showcasing a spectacular array of hits from the musicals, with welcome guests from Penair joining us on stage.

The night featured beloved numbers from classic and contemporary musicals, including Fiddler on the Roof, Miss Saigon, My Fair Lady, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast and the modern favourites Hamilton and Crossroads.

In the second half, the stage was taken over by our Senior and Prep dancers, who impressed the audience with their skilful routines. Their emotive performances added a fresh and exciting dimension to the evening’s programme. The evening concluded with a powerful and moving ensemble performance of ‘One Day More’ from Les Misérables.

Speech Day

Courage was at the heart of proceedings at this year’s Truro School Speech Day. Held in the auspicious surrounds of the Hall for Cornwall, the afternoon began with an introduction from Truro School Chaplain, Helen Byrne, who welcomed esteemed guests, staff, pupils and their families to a “day of celebration and thanks.”

Mrs Liz Garner, Joint Vice Chair of Governors, gave a welcome address, thanking all those who contribute to the vibrancy and success of the Truro School Community. Head of Truro School, Mr Andy Johnson, then took to the stage to share his passion for our school values.

“We are a school that champions an education grounded in values,” he began. “This year’s value is courage and the fruits of courage are visible all year round. On days like today, it is not hard to see the endpoint of courage, but the journey towards this endpoint is more of a display of courage and more important in many ways.”

Mr Johnson spoke of the courage needed to try something new and the importance of not expecting perfection in everything we do. Rather, we need the courage to embrace our journeys with humility and compassion.

After a rousing hymn, it was time for the prize giving, with the coveted Opie Shield first presented to this year’s House Champions, Vinter. With prizes shared with our amazing cohort of students and pupils, it was then time for the Head Boy, Oliver T and Head Girl, Tara S to give their final speeches in this role.

Tara talked of the rich differences in our individual perspectives that help to shape and enrich our environment. She urged pupils to be unafraid to stand out and do what they love, saying, “It is your individuality that makes you powerful.”

The afternoon was drawn to a conclusion with a moving and enthralling speech from Harriet Bratt CO03, international speaker, trainer and firewalk guide.

Quoting Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, Harriet reminded us that “you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”

With this in mind, she urged students and pupils to remember that they needed the faith to believe in themselves, the courage to act and the knowledge that the dots will connect. She talked openly about overcoming her own struggles and urged the audience to step into courage.

“Fear won’t go away,” she said, “fear, pain and adversity will show up but

it is about feeling the fear… you cannot always control what happens to you, but you can always choose your response to it.”

She then welcomed Mr Johnson to face his fears, with a daring stunt requiring breath, awareness and focus. Mr Johnson was able to step into courage and break an arrow with his throat. It was a truly moving and inspiring moment (please don’t try this at home!).

In the closing speeches, Mr Johnson welcomed the new Head Girl and Head Boy Team, consisting of Elowyn, Finlay, Megan (Deputy Head Girl) and Pax (Deputy Head Boy), before the 4th Year Band brought the proceedings to a memorable end.

A huge thanks to all of our incredible speakers and prize winners and to all of the staff, pupils, students and their families for a fantastic afternoon.

Sixth Form - Autumn Term

Peer to Peer ACHE Mentoring Support

At the end of the previous academic year, 22 Lower Sixth Formers successfully completed the ACHE (Advice, Care, Help and Empathy) peer mentoring scheme. This 16-week training programme forms part of the Sixth Form Diploma and equips students to provide support and guidance as peer mentors within the School.

Upper Sixth ACHE mentors are now engaging in activities like assemblies, charity bake sales and class drop-ins to raise awareness and offer support.

Engaging in peer support allows individuals to share their experiences, offer guidance and provide a listening ear to those facing challenges or seeking advice. This peer-to-peer support system is an effective component of the School’s Pastoral network.

The ACHE programme includes workshops on various topics, culminating in a graduation dinner.

Aimee’s Sustainability Shortlisting

We received the wonderful news that Upper Sixth student Aimee B was shortlisted in the 2023 Warwick University Sustainable Development Competition. This is an international competition that invites students to give insight into thought-provoking issues surrounding Global Sustainable Development.

Aimee, who is studying A-Levels in Geography, Biology and Chemistry, has used this opportunity to explore her specialist area of interest in sustainable development linked to health.

Head of Geography, Mrs Wormald, expressed pride in Aimee’s independent entry, saying,“Aimee’s achievement and her drive to pursue this extra-curricular opportunity is commendable.”

Welcoming Our New Leiths Students

We were delighted to announce the arrival of our newest cohort of Lower Sixth students to the Level 3 Leiths Extended Certificate in Professional Cookery. This comprehensive programme aims to equip students with essential skills and practical knowledge not only in terms of employment but also in everyday life.

Sunny Stratford

The Upper Sixth trip to Stratford-uponAvon was a sunny treat. To complement the English Lit A-Level study of King Lear, the English department saw outstanding productions of Macbeth and The Merchant of Venice. They also secured a fascinating backstage tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, learning lots of insider secrets, and a trip to see Shakespeare’s grave and the medieval carvings that filled his imagination in Holy Trinity Church.

Students have the opportunity to explore the concept of local sourcing, and understand the importance of using fresh, locally produced ingredients. Through hands-on training, they will develop basic knife skills, a fundamental aspect of any professional cook’s repertoire, and will study a broad range of methods starting with soups, sauces, pastry, breads and cakes.

Medical Pathways

The Medical Pathways Programme received a visit from Dr Callum Waldie MBBS (CO13), Old Turonian, currently working at RCH Treliske. Dr Waldie generously offered his time to meet our Sixth Formers hoping to pursue a career in medicine. This initiative aims to support students in their university applications by providing guidance and insights into the medical field.

The students said they were very keen to gain this interview experience and look forward to receiving the feedback to enhance their preparations for their university interviews.

Battle of the Buzzers

It was fingers on buzzers for the Top House Quiz with Sixth Formers battling it out to see who would win the much-coveted award. In the end, Vinter were delighted to steal the win with Wickett coming a close second.

Sixth Formers Inspired by Landscape

Our Lower Sixth Art students spent a weekend residential in West Penwith, where they immersed themselves in the landscape that influenced and inspired generations of artists. The weekend was filled with creative workshops, including ink drawing, night drawing, colour mixing and creating ceramic forms inspired by the Cornish coastline.

“We hope that the experiences gained during this excursion will inspire our A-level students to explore and develop their own ideas further and fill their minds full of creativity and possibility ahead of a busy term.” Dave Meads, Head of Art.

Communication Lessons from Ros Atkins CO93

It was a pleasure to welcome back Old Truronian Ros Atkins (CO93), who shared a powerful talk on effective communication with staff, students and pupils.

Ros, who has had an illustrious career in journalism and is a regular correspondent for the BBC, gave an insightful and practical talk to Truro School in the Sixth Form Centre.

His talk began with reflections on how his day-to-day life as a journalist is not that different from that of our pupils;

Chloroplast Decolourisation Experiments

Biology practicals are a big part of A-Level requirement.

The objective of the experiment was to examine the effect of ammonium hydroxide on the decolourisation of chloroplasts using DCPIP.

The DCPIP goes from blue to colourless when it accepts electrons released by the chlorophyll. All three teams were pleased to report their experiments were successful.

we are all overwhelmed with information and this information can be frustrating when it is not communicated effectively.

Ros encouraged his audience to consider how they could become someone who communicates well and how effective communication can help us achieve better outcomes.

Skills in SelfDefence

Sixth Formers have been learning some basic self-defence moves as part of their elective for the Sixth Form Diploma. Stephen from AshiitaKai Karate runs this eight-week programme three times a fortnight for our Sixth Form Students who select it as one of their ‘personal growth’ electives in the Sixth Form Diploma.

Stephen, who has taught karate for 24 years, explained these sessions aren’t about teaching martial arts. They are simply learning and practising some solid skills to help these students get out of trouble as safely as possible.

One of our Sixth Formers said, “I have chosen to do this as part of the Sixth Form Diploma because I think it might be a useful skill in the future, and it is good for my confidence.”

Jakob, one of our International Boarders, said, “I have chosen to do self-defence because it not only teaches me the skills to help in a dangerous situation, but it also creates an awareness of how to approach and deal with that situation.”

Supra-curricular modules within the Diploma are designed to support students with valuable skills that go beyond the academic - these skills also include beach lifesaving, free diving, scuba diving and our seasonaires certificate in ski chalet/ yacht cookery course.

Introducing the New Head Girl and Head Boy Team

Congratulations to our new Head Girl and Head Boy Team who were appointed at the end of last year. We caught up with them to find out more about their journeys through Truro School and what they are hoping to achieve this year.

The four students, Oliver, Tara, Lexi and Tom, meet for breakfast with the Head

The Creative Journey

The design process extends far beyond creating a piece of art. This was the message to our Sixth Form students from our Exhibiting artist, Pete Ward, who invited the students to help with the finishing touches to his exhibition in the Heseltine Gallery.

Students had a real insight into how an exhibition comes together, and they helped curate the pieces also on display from the Truro School Art Collection.

once a week to discuss and progress ideas. They are adept at balancing the demands of A-Levels and their extraand co-curricular demands. All of them are making the most of Truro School’s outstanding Sixth Form Diploma offering and are looking forward to the additional challenges and opportunities presented by these roles.

They hope to make a meaningful contribution during their tenure and we look forward to sharing more about how they get on.

First Field Trip for Lower Sixth Geologists

Just three weeks into their A-Level Geology course, our 21 Lower Sixth pupils were out in the field for the first time this week.

Exploring the geology of Pendower Beach on the Roseland gave them the perfect opportunity to examine evidence of sedimentary and tectonic processes that occurred over 300 million years ago.

The groups also carried out several specified practical endorsement activities, including locating features in the field on to base maps, measuring the orientation of structures and recording their observations on field sketches.

Geology Students Visit Somerset and Bude

Our Upper Sixth geologists visited Somerset for a field trip and, on their journey northward, they stopped at the world-famous Millook Haven to examine the stunning chevron folds, and on to Bude where they mapped geological structures on Crooklets Beach.

On the second day, the group visited Blue Anchor where they looked at evidence of environmental change recorded by the rock and the stress regimes they have experienced since their deposition. They also went to

Kilve to view evidence for the opening of the Bristol Channel.

Throughout the trip the pupils completed several specified practical activities and spent the evenings processing data they recorded in the field and interpreting their results to further their understanding.

On the final day, they were hosted by the Somerset Earth Science Centre, which gave tours of local quarries to examine processing techniques and discuss potential careers in the geoscience industry. The trip concluded with a fascinating lecture from Dr Peter Hardy on the geology of the Mendip region.

Senior Maths Olympiad

We are always thrilled to see so much enthusiasm for our pupils entering the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge.

This year, our pupils secured 11x Bronze and 6x Silver certificates with over 80% of students taking part in achieving certification. Congratulations to everyone who entered.

A Cultural Exchange with South Africa

After spending their summer holiday on a cultural exchange in South Africa, three students and their families hosted their return exchange with a group of South African students here in Truro.

Having finished their GCSEs, our three students travelled to stay with host families in Somerset West, near Cape Town, South Africa.

Whilst there, they enjoyed sights including trips to the local game reserve and a visit to Table Mountain in Cape Town. They enjoyed trying the local foods, including oxtail potjiekos (a traditional one-pot dish cooked outside over a fire), springbok steak and, of course, South Africa’s favourite snack –biltong.

Exchange programmes foster an excellent opportunity for learning and appreciation of other cultures. Our Truro students all agreed that the South African programme has been an unforgettable experience and were unanimous in saying they would encourage others to apply for future exchanges.

One parent told us, “It has been wonderful to see them gain so much from this experience. Their taste of South Africa has left them hungry to see more of the world. It was a fabulous cultural and learning experience”.

Creating Connections Through The Gruffulo

The event began with great anticipation as the Reception class arrived, filled with excitement and curiosity. The Upper Sixth prefects, who serve as role models and leaders, warmly greeted the young children, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

The theme for the morning was a delightful Gruffalo tea, which added an element of fun and imagination to the session. The Reception class had the

Fantastic Fieldwork Skills in Nettlecombe

Lower Sixth Geography students completed a three-day residential to Nettlecombe Court in Somerset. They gained a range of valuable fieldwork experience including GIS flood risk mapping in Minehead, coastal processes in Porlock, urban regeneration in Watchet and carbon capture in a local woodland. The students also enjoyed evening tuition on GIS and the use of statistics which will prove very useful for their future studies in the classroom.

opportunity to use ‘money’, a valuable life skill, to purchase cakes and juice. This activity encouraged independence and decision-making abilities in the young children. It was a delightful sight to witness their excitement as they made their choices and interacted with the Upper Sixth prefects.

A huge thank you to our prefects for making the morning so special for the children, it was clear they had a fantastic time.

Treats at Tregolls

Our wonderful Upper Sixth Leiths Students cooked up a Christmas storm ahead of a festive afternoon at Tregolls Manor Care Home in Truro.

The chefs hosted a Christmas afternoon tea for residents, having tested and honed their menu which included classic ham and cucumber sandwiches, bacon and apple sausage rolls, a stilton and poached pear tart, scones and a delightful sweet platter of caramel macarons, mini yule logs and chocolate orange choux buns. It was a fabulous afternoon of warmth and community spirit.

DT Dragons’ Den

Our DT entrepreneurs pitched their A-Level project ideas to a panel of experts in the hopes of collecting some valuable feedback. In a Dragons’ Den-style performance, the students communicated their plans to the panel, sharing the process they’ve been through as well as their future plans for their products.

Dr Frost Visits Our A-Level Students

A-Level Maths students had the privilege of attending an Inspiring Futures event hosted by Jamie Frost, creator and CEO of Dr Frost Maths. In an engaging 50-minute session, Jamie shared captivating personal anecdotes from his career and how mathematics has profoundly shaped his life.

He showcased how mathematics permeates various aspects of our lives, even providing insights into the design of his home gym, revealing the practical applications of maths in unexpected places.

Mrs Duke said, “The session was hugely enriching for our students and we consider it a privilege to have had Jamie Frost share his life journey, wisdom and intellect with us.”

Sixth Formers Sparkle

With twinkling lights and festive decorations hung in the Great Hall, the Alverton Hotel in Truro provided the perfect backdrop for the annual Sixth Form Christmas Party.

With a student-led jazz band to welcome them, Upper and Lower Sixth students and Truro School staff arrived at the

Winter Warmer

The Sixth Form entered the Christmas spirit today with their Winter Warmer events. At break time, they were greeted by the Sixth Form Team in the Sixth Form Café with spiced biscuits and brownies, hot chocolates and mulled apple.

At lunchtime, the Sixth Form Centre was transformed into a winter wonderland as the students decorated their common spaces, draped themselves in Santa hats and tinsel and munched on more chocolate brownies and cookies.

Alverton dressed in their finery. They were treated to a delicious threecourse festive feast, which included paupiette of turkey, Cornish landed fish and a courgette, goat’s cheese and tarragon wellington plus a selection of sumptuous desserts. The meal was followed by more music and dancing.

Sixth Form - Spring Term

International Offers for Florence

Congratulations to Florence M on receiving an unconditional offer from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, to study Business. She has also received offers from other prestigious overseas universities, such as McGill, Western and Concordia in Quebec.

Florence, who is studying A-Levels in Chemistry, Maths and Drama, will be well recognised for roles in productions of Boudica and Les Misérables. But she said it was the research she did for her EPQ project on the perfume industry that has really sparked her interest in studying Business at university.

Florence already has some experience of Canada through her brother and said, “I decided in the Lower Sixth I wanted to apply to international universities, and I can’t wait to get out there, meet some amazing people and also, of course, enjoy the snow.”

Business Insights at Healey’s

A huge thank you to Joe Healey (CO04) for inviting us and taking the time to give our students an insight into business at Healey’s.

The students were warmly welcomed and given a tour of the farm and factory. Led by the knowledgeable staff, they had the chance to witness the intricate processes involved in crafting their renowned ciders. This handson experience allowed the students to appreciate the meticulous attention to detail and the dedication required to maintain the high-quality standards of Healey’s products.

One of the most enlightening aspects of the trip was Joe Healey’s discussion on how external factors, beyond the control of the business, have influenced product development at Healey’s.

Business Trip to Skinners Brewery

Our Lower Sixth Business students had the opportunity to visit Skinners Brewery, a renowned Cornish business owned by Old Truronians Louis (CO03) and Jess (CO06) Simpson. Led by Louis, the students were taken on an insightful tour, looking into the intricate brewing process and delving into all the behind-the-scenes of running a business.

Louis’ passion for turning hobbies into successful ventures resonated with the students, and they were very eager to ask questions inspired by this. One student, also named Louis, expressed how the visit prompted him to contemplate the potential of turning his hobby into a business.

Overall, the visit to Skinners provided a valuable glimpse into the world of running a business, leaving the students motivated and inspired. A huge thank you to Louis and Jess for allowing us to visit.

A Trio of Offers from Oxford

We are proud to announce that three exceptional students have received offers from Oxford University. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Tara, Imogen and Louis.

Tara, a Sixth Former and Head Girl who has been with us since Prep, has been offered a place at Oxford to study Law. She expressed her excitement: “This is such an exciting time for me. I have been truly inspired to pursue Law

through my A-Level RS course, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Lady Margaret College is an incredibly inspiring and exciting place for my next learning stage.”

Additionally, two students from the class of 2023, Imogen and Louis, have also received offers. Imogen has secured her place at Merton College to study English Language and Literature, saying, “I am so excited and feel incredibly honoured and

David Secures Coveted Apprenticeship at Barclays Bank

We are thrilled that Sixth Former David N was offered an apprenticeship opportunity at Barclays Bank. After successfully navigating a series of rigorous evaluations, including psychometric testing and online interviews, David has emerged as a standout candidate and has been granted a coveted place in Barclays’ prestigious apprenticeship scheme starting next summer.

David, currently studying A-Levels in Economics, Maths and Geography,

lucky to have been given this opportunity. I owe everything to my teachers at school, as without them, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now.”

Louis, who studied A-level Maths, Music and English, has received an offer for an Organ Scholarship to Lincoln College, Oxford, to study Music.

said he was inspired by the Economics department, particularly Mr Whatley’s passion for economics, which encouraged him to apply for a finance position.

Following his final exams, he will prepare to move to Canary Wharf, saying, “It’s going to be a big jump moving from Falmouth to one of the biggest financial capitals of the world.”

David also said he enjoys participating in the Leiths Extended Certificate, which has allowed him to accumulate extra UCAS points; the cookery skills will no doubt come in very handy, too.

Head of Sixth Form, Ross Williamson, said, “This really is an amazing apprenticeship to get onto, and he is rightly chuffed to bits!”

London’s Musical Extravaganza

Sixth Form Music and Drama students embarked on an exciting journey to London, immersing themselves in the world of theatrical brilliance. The highlight of their adventure was a spellbinding performance of ‘Guys and Dolls’ at the Bridge Theatre, followed by an awe-inspiring rendition of ‘Cabaret’ at the legendary Kit Kat Klub.

The students were treated to a world-class showcase of musical theatre excellence. Additionally, they participated in a West End workshop and explored the renowned National Theatre on a guided tour. A thoroughly packed and enthralling two-day trip to remember for a lifetime!

Community Volunteering

Our Wednesday community volunteering activity is highly sought after, with our Sixth Formers drawing in a large group of student volunteers each term. Mr Chamberlin, the coordinator of this Wednesday Afternoon Activity, said this offers excellent opportunities for pupils to enhance their skills and acquire practical work experience.

We spoke with seven girls participating in the volunteer programme at Oxfam in Truro City Centre, where Deputy Manager Caroline explained the shop’s need for 20 volunteers per shift to ensure smooth operations. Caroline commended the student volunteers for their hard work and positive attitude, noting their increasing confidence as they engage with customers and learn new skills.

Sixth Form Celebrates No.1 Ranking

Truro School Sixth Form is celebrating after the latest official Department for Education A-Level performance tables have been released, once again placing Truro School as the leading A-Level provider in Cornwall.

During the recent A-Level results day, the father of one of last year’s Sixth Formers, Alicia, who recently started at her first choice of university studying Biomedical Sciences with a Year in Industry at Royal Holloway, told us, “While Truro School helped Alicia to bridge a gap in her academic studies, the School has developed her potential more fully and helped her to flourish as an individual. Truro School isn’t singularly focused on the academic but looks at the development of each individual as

a whole person. The School Diploma is brilliant. That it can sit alongside other interests like the Duke of Edinburgh Award is fantastic. Truro School is creating valuable members of society. Companies are looking for more than just qualifications in their interviews. They want drive and ambition and a well-rounded team player. That is what this school gives to pupils here. When you pay for a service, you expect something in return. When you pay school fees, you’re guaranteed an education, but what you aren’t guaranteed is enthusiasm and engagement. But this school delivers that for every student under its care.”

Lexie – GBR World Championships

We are delighted to share the exciting news that Lexie, our Deputy Head Girl, has been selected to represent the under-20 GBR team at the Fencing World Championships.

Head of Fencing, Lucy Jupp, said, “We’re absolutely delighted with Lexie’s selection. Lexie has been part of our fencing programme since the Prep School, and now in her final year at Truro School it has been wonderful to see her finish her time with us with such fantastic selections for GBR. Over the decade, Lexie has shown nothing short of the fullest of commitment to her training and competition schedules. Not only focussed on her own development, but she has also always had a supportive word to share with our next generation of fencers, and in the week where we look more closely at International Women’s Day, Lexie has been the most wonderful role model to our younger pupils.”

EPQ Showcase

Our audience was in for a real treat with the Truro School EPQ Showcase presentation evening. The Extended Project Qualification is an established A-Level programme that equips students with a range of professional, academic and personal skills.

From researching to referencing, discussing to creating, each student’s project is a unique venture into a personalised area of interest. Students select one project from an option of four (artefact, dissertation, investigation and performance) and delve into a defined area of enquiry. After completing their projects, they are required to present their work to a nonspecialist audience, where they present before taking questions from the audience on their subject. This year we enjoyed topics including creating a fragrance, looking at whether the U.S. drug policy should be reformed, and if psychology is a limiting factor of space exploration.

Golden Smiles

Backpacks were primed and maps neatly folded as our teams gathered at Truro School ahead of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition.

The trek, which took our teams to Dartmoor for three nights and four days, is just one element of the four main sections of a DofE programme, which also involves volunteering, skills and physical achievement.

Diploma Scholars’ Away Day

The Royal Cornwall Museum was a fabulous venue for a day of intellectual development and exploration for our Lower Sixth and our newly appointed 5th Year Diploma Scholars.

Expanding upon the ‘colour profiling’ initiative introduced during a recent off-site excursion, the Lower Sixth students shared their learnings and perspectives with the new scholars. This exchange aimed to promote self-reflection and focus on our school values of creativity and courage.

Lower Sixth Geographers Explore Plymouth

Lower Sixth Geography students embarked on an educational trip to Plymouth this week, exploring areas including the Royal William Yard, Barbican and the West End. Engaging in hands-on learning, they surveyed local residents, measured traffic flow and observed the volume of people in various locations.

Through their detailed observations, they described the distinct environments

of each area, noting differences in architecture, atmosphere and amenities. Additionally, the students characterised businesses based on their products and services, gaining insights into the local economy and commercial landscape. This experience provided valuable real-world data and enriched their understanding of geographical concepts in a practical setting.

Exploring Metal Extraction and Processing

Lower Sixth Geology students recently gained insights into mineral liberation and separation processes during a visit to Grinding Solutions (GSL) in Tresillian. GSL is a global collaborator with clients in the metalliferous, coal, industrial minerals and environmental sectors. It plays a crucial role in many industries.

Metallurgist James Goldsbrough quizzed students on their knowledge of common ore minerals and showcased the company’s sampling and analysis techniques. Students observed the separation of metals through crushing, milling, heavy liquid and magnetic processes. A highlight of the tour was a flotation demonstration illustrating copper extraction and tin separation via gravity on a shake table. The visit offered valuable insights into potential career paths for geologists, exploring environmental geology, geotechnical engineering and mining.

Libby R, L6 Geology Prefect, said, “It was such a great opportunity to see and understand all the stages that go into producing the metals we use every day. It is a process that is so important but is not even considered by most people who use the products.”

Sixth Form Easter

Social

Sixth Form students were greeted by an assortment of delicious Easter treats whilst they enjoyed a well-deserved break from their studies at their Easter social.

Thank you to the teams responsible for organising the event in the Sixth Form Café, allowing students a welcome respite from their academic pursuits.

High-Flying Sixth Formers

Theo W and Aimee W have been offered prestigious aviation opportunities. Aimee has been offered a degree apprenticeship with Airbus, and Theo his L3 Harris ATPL, which will give him seven months of ground school followed by eight months of training in Florida.

Theo W developed an early passion for aviation and was able to fly a plane before legally being able to drive a car.

Aimee, currently studying Maths, Physics, DT and Leiths, was keen to follow the degree apprenticeship route, which offers a degree and four years of industry work experience.

With fantastic support from the Careers and Sixth Form teams, students successfully navigated rigorous

application processes, including medical assessments, interviews and aptitude tests, to secure their positions in these esteemed programmes.

Exploring ‘Gold Hydrogen’ Technologies

Our A-level Geology students had the privilege of hearing about cutting-edge green energy developments from David Waltham, Professor of Geophysics at Royal Holloway.

Miss Hope said that it was a fantastic opportunity for the students to learn about cutting-edge geological research, exploring both its advantages and challenges as a newfound natural resource.

Sixth Form - Summer Term

Observing Active Animal Behaviour

Lower Sixth Psychology students, accompanied by Mrs Stone and Mrs Ellison, embarked on an exciting trip to Newquay Zoo.

During the visit, the students had the opportunity to learn how to conduct unstructured observations, operationalise behavioural categories and create coding systems. After ensuring the reliability of their observations, they started their main research tasks. Armed with time and event sampling techniques, they spent several hours collecting data and then analysed it using graphs.

Back at school, the students demonstrated their newfound knowledge and skills by achieving excellent grades in an exam question related to their zoo visit. Their hard work and dedication paid off, showcasing their enthusiasm for learning and appreciation for the natural world.

ACHE Ambassador Promotes Mental Wellbeing in Motorsport

One of our ACHE Mentoring students has gone above and beyond by actively advocating for mental well-being within his sport of motor racing. Henry F, a racing driver in the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship, has recently been appointed as an ambassador for the motorsport mental health support organisation Driven Minds. The organisation provides mental health advice and support for people in the motorsports and automotive industry. His ambassadorial role means he will be part of the support team at race circuit events.

Henry has been sharing videos on the benefits of participating in sports for mental health and well-being. His passion for motorsports aligns perfectly with his advocacy efforts, making him a proud representative of an organisation that resonates with his sporting interests.

Sporting Successes Celebrated

The Alverton Hotel played host to the annual Sports Dinner, where it was delightful to see staff, pupils and students gather in their finest to celebrate some of the year’s sporting highlights.

After a rousing welcome from Mr Johnson and Mr Sanderson, guests enjoyed a delicious three-course meal that included Cornish fish cake, butter and sage chicken breast and sugar-glazed lemon tart.

The awards were presented by Mr Johnson and Guest Presenter and Cornish rugby legend, Marlen Walker. With Sixth Form colours awarded and Player of the Year applauded, the final awards for Outstanding Sporting Achievement (Tara S) and Truro School Sports Ambassador (Leora K) were delivered.

The event was a wonderful celebration of the rich and diverse offering of sport at Truro School. Mr Sanderson said of the event, “Hosting the Senior Sports Dinner is one of the most enjoyable parts of my role as Director of Sport. Welcoming our pupils, parents and staff to celebrate sporting achievements over the last year is an honour and we have so much to be thankful for.

A Well-Debated Win for School House

The house debating competition was won by School House in yesterday’s final, where they opposed the motion ‘This House believes that no prisoner should have the vote’. Smith was the other team that reached the final after the heats. The judging was carried out by former pupil Alex Martin, who is the president of the Exeter University Debating Society. Mr Martin also conducted a Debating workshop for our Sixth Form debating team after the competition, which we hope will be the first of many. Bea J, Mathilde I and Evie M demonstrated exceptional leadership and organisation in successfully organising and running the competition with great energy and enthusiasm.

ACHE Ambassadors Celebrate

One of our biggest cohorts of ACHE counsellors to date gathered to celebrate the completion of their training to become peer mentors.

Fifty Lower Sixth students completed the five-month programme, which requires attendance at weekly hour-long sessions. In these sessions they learn about the types of issues young people can face, alongside learning how, as a peer mentor, they can listen, support and signpost younger pupils to get the help they need. Often a pupil may feel more comfortable initially talking to an ACHE mentor, rather than a member of staff.

With tables beautifully dressed by Percy and Benjamin, music from Matthew, Finlay and Samson, and with MC Grace leading proceedings, our graduates enjoyed a delicious meal before being presented with their certificates by Head of Truro School, Mr Johnson, who commended them all for their commitment to the programme and reminded them how important ACHE mentors were to the pastoral support in the school.

Our guest speaker was Amy Buzza-Blackwell (CO08), Philanthropy Director at Cornwall Community Foundation and former pupil. She reflected on her journey since leaving Truro School and encouraged the students to continue striving to be the best version of themselves; being mentors for younger pupils is a great way to give back and encourage others in their journeys.

Sunny Studies

Our courageous Upper Sixth and 5th Years took a moment to enjoy the sunshine as they caught up with some friends and shared revision notes in preparation for the exam season.

Minack Visit

Sixth Form Drama and Music students had a great night at the Minack Theatre, watching Miracle Theatre in Love Riot, an eighteenth-century comedy of manners. The weather was delightful, the play was preposterously comical, and seeing two Truro School Alumni, Millie Montgomery-Smith (CO23) and Sophia Thompson (CO17) strutting their stuff on the Minack stage was a real treat.

Meeting with Nathan Outlaw

Lower Sixth Leiths students recently travelled up the coast to Port Isaac to meet renowned Michelin-starred chef Nathan Outlaw at his restaurant, Outlaws New Road .

Known for serving seafood of the very highest quality, Nathan talked to the students about fish, the importance of local produce and the operations of a successful restaurant. The students gained valuable insights into the industry, learned about local sourcing practices and had the incredible opportunity to savour some of Outlaw’s exceptional signature fish dishes.

They also participated in a mocktail-making workshop featuring popular mocktails from the restaurant’s menu. A big thank you to Nathan Outlaw and his team for hosting this wonderfully enriching experience.

London’s Culinary Delights

Twenty Level 3 Leiths students set out to expand their palates and international cuisine experience on a culinary exploration of London. Starting with a visit to Borough Market, they explored the incredible produce vendors and food stalls. Highlights included stops at Humble Crumble and Arome Bakery for incredible French and Asian-fusion-inspired pastries and a number of other places made famous by their TikTok videos.

The pinnacle of their trip was a visit to Leiths School of Food and Wine, where they enjoyed a tour of the facilities, met with some Level 4 students and watched cookery demonstrations. These included advanced pasta-making demos using enriched dough and a delicious pork ragu. They really enjoyed meeting the chefs, taking part in a Q&A session and enjoying a beautiful Leiths lunch.

Student Olly said he loved the diverse range of foods he sampled, singling out the roast chicken tacos from a Mexican street-food vendor he discovered.

Biologists Explore Penhale Sand Dunes

On a bright and breezy day, our Lower Sixth biologists embarked on an insightful field trip to the Penhale Sand Dunes, where they investigated changes in abiotic factors and their effects on plant species and the process of ecological succession. This handson experience was part of their curriculum, specifically focussing on Required Practical 12.

The Penhale Sand Dunes, renowned for their unique ecosystem, provided an ideal outdoor laboratory for the students. The biologists conducted a series of investigations crucial in understanding how environmental factors influence plant life and contribute to the process of succession.

Seasonaires Showcase

Seasonaires Showcase

Truro School Cookery was abuzz with the sounds of clinking glasses and the enticing aroma of delicious food as graduates from the Truro School Cookery Seasonaires Course hosted a sit-down three-course meal for their parents and guests.

Congratulations to all our students for their dedication, meticulous planning and washing up! This evening was a moment of immense pride as we reflected on the remarkable achievements of these talented young chefs throughout the year.

Truro School Cookery was abuzz with the sounds of clinking glasses and the enticing aroma of delicious food as graduates from the Truro School Cookery Seasonaires Course hosted a sit-down three-course for their parents and guests.

Congratulations to all our students for their dedication, meticulous planning and washing up! This evening was a moment of immense pride as we reflected on the remarkable achievements of these talented young chefs throughout

New Senior Prefect Team

We were thrilled to announce the appointment of our new senior prefect team, a group of outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and a strong commitment to our School community. The selection process was

comprehensive, involving several stages to ensure the best candidates were chosen.

Congratulations to our new senior prefects, pictured here with Truro School Head, Mr Andy Johnson.

We look forward to seeing their positive impact on the School community and are excited about the initiatives and contributions they will bring to our school.

Medical Offers for our Sixth Formers

We are pleased to announce that four of our Sixth Form students have been offered places at universities to study medicine next year. These students participated in the Medical Pathways Programme, which provides insight into potential careers in the medical field and helps students develop the skills and experience to support their applications.

Lara has secured a firm offer from St Andrews University, where she looks forward to studying and enjoying Scotland’s coastal and mountainous landscapes. Maddie is keen to take up her place in Malta, where European options offer a unique opportunity to pursue medicine

with the same course structure and qualifications. Aimee has applied for a deferred place for the 2025 intake and plans to travel to Australia and New Zealand before commencing her studies. Ben is thrilled with the prospect of heading to London to take up his offer from St Georges.

Ms Havis, Head of Biology, said, “All our students have worked extremely hard to manage voluntary work, preparation for entrance exams and challenging interviews alongside ensuring they can achieve the highest grades in their A-Levels. They have done very well to gain offers for such competitive courses, and I wish them well in their forthcoming exams.”

Geology Visit Wheal Jane Group

Lower Sixth Geology students visited Wheal Jane Group as part of their A-Level course. The trip was organised by Bryony Halliday, a former Truro School Geology student now working for Wheal Jane Consultancy. Bryony discussed her typical workday, which includes geotechnical investigations, environmental services and mine searches. She also covered the remediation methods implemented since the Wheal Jane Mining Disaster in 1991. Many students were surprised to learn that after the mine closed and underground pumping ceased, acidic, metal-laden mine water polluted the Carnon River and Fal Estuary.

Miss Hope, Head of Geology, remarked, “Visiting local geology companies gives students first-hand experience and insight into the various career paths in geology, turning classroom learning into real-world opportunities.”

Gold DofE Teams Conquer Brecon Beacons

Congratulations to our five Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) teams who recently completed their Qualifying expedition in the Brecon Beacons. The expedition required the teams to navigate their route independently, moving east across the Beacons. On the final day, they reached Pen Y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales. One team went above and beyond, visiting three peaks in a single day: Fan y Big, Cribyn, and Pen y Fan.

The Gold DofE expedition is known for its rigorous demands, requiring participants to be self-sufficient for four days. The true test, however, lies in the teamwork and collaboration required.

Congratulations to all participants on their impressive achievement.

Fond Farewells

On Leavers’ Day we bid farewell to our phenomenal cohort of Upper Sixth as they leave us to embark on bright futures.

Their final day at Truro School was a mixture of fun and reflection. Dressed in their old School uniform, the morning was packed with a delicious breakfast and games on the field including the highly anticipated sumo-suit wrestling and bungee run. This was followed by a year-group assembly, with lighthearted awards presented and memories shared.

A joyfully moving Chapel service, led by Rev Helen, included heartfelt reflections by Macarena, Lexie and Tom S who spoke beautifully about their respective journeys through the School and the bonds created between friends through success, sometimes adversity and the fun of shared learning and creativity. The Upper Sixth then moved to a delightful afternoon tea on the lawn with loved ones.

Ball Marks Significant Milestone

The Harbour Hotel in St Ives hosted our Leavers’ Ball, welcoming our departing Upper Sixth and their families in style. The masked partygoers revelled in the Cornish charm of the event, but the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the sense of celebration and camaraderie as students and their loved ones marked this significant milestone together.

With exams complete, our Upper Sixth are looking forward to their next steps: for many, this will be university; for others travel, apprenticeships and work placements beckon.

This cohort has been remarkable in their dedication to their academic studies and ability to look beyond themselves and reach out to our wider community, both here at Truro School and beyond. We do not doubt that they will all be hugely successful and we wish them a restful summer ahead of their exam results in August.

A Year in Boarding

What a fantastic year we have had! We are so proud of our boarders who have achieved so much on both an individual and group level throughout the 2023-24 academic year.

Looking back, it’s hard to comprehend how much has been packed into a busy but incredible academic year. Our trips, excursions and events have enabled our community to benefit from the very best of our beautiful Cornwall location with ziplining, surfing, beach team building, charity events, ice skating, paintball, karting, horse riding, golf, coasteering, beach trips and more.

Our pupils have worked on their personal skills, pushed themselves outside of their comfort zones and

created international friendships by taking part in or providing supporting roles in the concerts, drama performances, Duke of Edinburgh and Ten Tors expeditions, sports fixtures and cooking activities that have run throughout the year.

One of the best parts of boarding life is the fun and collaboration enjoyed after school hours, and our boarders have certainly made the most of all this with visits to Gwennap Pit, the world-renowned Eden Project and Truro Cathedral. They have also taken part in the Annual Sports Dinner, ACHE mentors graduation evening and the Leavers’ Balls for the 5th and Upper 6th with our Festival of Courage rounding off the 2024 academic year.

It is always sad to say goodbye to members of our boarding community who are departing Truro School this year for the next steps in their educational journeys. We wish you all the very best for the future and thank you for bringing your best selves to our international boarding family.

We are thrilled to welcome our new prefect team for the next academic year. In the girls’ house, Angie S will be Head of Malvern, with Deputy heads Maddie B and Percy F. In the boys’ house, Cyrus N is the Head of Trennick, with Deputy Heads Samson H and Tom B.

To top this year off, as we go to print we have been shortlisted in two of the most highly coveted categories at the Independent Schools of the Year (ISOTY) 2024 Awards: ‘Co-educational Independent School of the Year’ and ‘Independent Prep School of the Year.’ Thank you to all our boarders for helping to make Truro School the thriving and caring community we are proud of.

A Year in Sport

Well, it’s that time of year again when I attempt to summarise a whole year of Truro School sport into a few pages. Including all the wonderful achievements, magical moments, recognitions of effort and perseverance, and thanks is impossible. I hope that over the next few pages I can draw you into the world of sporting achievement at Truro School and that you gain insight into our wonderful community: pupils, parents, coaches, operations staff and teaching staff.

To begin, I must mention our incredible grounds team. The condition of the fields, courts and the School in general has been the best I have ever seen at Truro School. Despite the wettest spring in recent memory, the team’s hard work, skill and dedication have allowed fixtures to continue, and our pupils have benefitted

from

Alongside the grounds team, I want to express my thanks to those in the transport, laundry, facilities and catering teams. As a school, we have participated in 419 fixtures across 17 sports, fielding 78 teams. Minibuses and coaches, clean kits and changing rooms, and mountains of food (no – not just for me...) are needed to keep the Truro School athletes and staff in fine fettle, and we have the most wonderful team behind us.

Our pupils have represented the School in droves this year, with 531 pupils representing the Senior School in a fixture, 62 more pupils than last year. It is important to me that Truro School pupils feel they have a chance to represent the

some of the best facilities in the South West.

school and enjoy their chosen sport and activity. Sport is competitive by nature, but at a school age and in an educational setting, the result should never be the primary objective. Yes, we play to win, but more importantly, we play to learn, to challenge our pupils, to model positive behavior and to uplift others. If we get this right, the fixture will always be positive, regardless of the score. Thank you to the pupils for representing us so well.

Our parents continue to be a supportive presence at many fixtures, turning up in the wind, rain, sleet and the occasional sunshine. Thank you for the late pickups, early-morning starts, travelling to fixtures far and wide and for the thanks you pass on to the coaches and staff. It is always noticed and appreciated. Sport is an emotive pastime, and your support and constructive feedback are always welcomed. Thank you for your dedication this year.

There has been some incredible success this year, and it is right to celebrate the

hard work of individuals and teams who have committed to achieving these goals through sacrifice, perseverance, courage and teamwork.

To the right are some of the highlights, but please visit our social media pages on Instagram and Facebook, where we have the space and opportunity to celebrate our pupils more regularly.

Reading through the list, I really enjoy the range of sports and age groups in which Truro School has been successful: county champions, regional winners, national finalists, international honours, pupils making their School team debuts, mixed teams, boys’ teams, girls breaking new ground in cricket, rugby, and football. Seventeen sports. It is truly thrilling and exhilarating to be part of, and my team and I are very fortunate to witness it all at such close quarters.

Our pupils are fantastic, talented and special. I hope they share their fondness for sport and Truro School in general with you, and I hope they will always enjoy being active and working towards their goals, whatever they may be.

DAN SANDERSON DIRECTOR OF SPORT

September 2023

Daisy H Selected to represent Team GB in pentathlon

October 2023

U16 tennis played Exmouth College in div. 1 regional qualifiers

Lola competed in Penryn classic – gold overall

U15 netball county tournament finished 4th

U16 netball squad crowned county champs

Fenella took part in U15 England football trials

November 2023

U15/U16 tennis south west regional finals

U18 netball county tournament success - through to regionals

Naomi represented GB in Bali for world triathle and biathle championships 11th and 12th place

December 2023

U13 won 10 aside tournament at Mount Kelly

January 2024

U14 girls’ football incredible cup run last 16

U16 boys’ rugby county cup final winners

U14 netball sisters ‘n’ sport bowl last 16

U13 netball tournament plate winners

February 2024

U15 netball sisters in sports bowl semi-final

KS3 and KS5 squash national finals

Yasmine, Tommy and Amelia - NSEA national and county show-jumping qualifiers

U13 boys’ indoor cricket county champions

U12 girls’ netball county runner ups

March 2024

Harriet S and Gen P westward league cross country U15 winners

U13 mixed football ISFA national final runners-up

U13 girls’ netball county tournament runners-up

Truro School Fencing won 3 team trophies at the Public Schools Fencing Championships

Daisy H came 2nd in the Public Schools Fencing Championships

Badminton regional finals: KS3 girls 5th place, KS3 boys 2nd place, KS4 girls 3rd place, KS4 boys 3rd place

U13 rugby 7s county champions

Girls’ indoor cricket county finals: U12s = 3rd place, U15s = 4th place

April 2024

U18 boys’ football county cup winners

U12 boys’ rugby 7s county tournament winners

U16 tennis county championships winners

May 2024

U13 tennis county tournament 2nd place overall

June 2024

U13 CYB county championships: boys winners and runner-up, girls runner-up, boys

doubles winners, girls doubles winners and runners-up and mixed doubles runners-up

Daisy selected GB U17 European pentathlon

Dan finished 3rd in U13 boys’ national schools biathlon

Excellent results at the Cornwall Schools Athletics championships

U13 girls’ cup run into semi-finals

A Message from the Governors

RICHARD THOMAS CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

I was very sorry to miss Speech Day. Just when we all thought that Covid was a thing of the past, I manage to catch it. I am thankful to Liz Garner for stepping in and speaking, she did a wonderful job at the Hall for Cornwall.

I think it important that our days of celebration can be held in the heart of Truro. It is an opportunity to showcase our achievements in the centre of our community and city. Truro School is so much more than the site and premises. It is a facility that provides for diverse community inclusion, and as such we should celebrate. That inclusion is provided by you all through everything we do in the interests of education and the development of the next generation.

It is important in these times to recognise the importance of how Truro School integrates with our local society. We are not one of the large, wealthy, endowed independent schools but a school that provides for our own pupils and gives them the best education as well as providing benefits in the community for others. Whether that be through our relationship with the Cornwall Music Services Trust, engagement in Careers advice, inclusive invitations to the Summer Festival; they are all examples of how, as a school, we provide for all.

We have a new government and changing scenery on our stage. It is too early as I write to comment at length on the significance of this for our School, but we are aware of the publicised intentions regarding VAT. I would assure you that the Governing Body of this school will do all it reasonably can to

support parents, pupils and stakeholders alike through whatever occurs in the coming months and years, as, indeed, we have always done through different challenges in the past.

This gives me an opportunity to thank my fellow governors for their part in the structure of the School. They are not involved in the operational duties but play a vital role in the leading of the process of setting the strategic direction of the School and delivering governance. This includes the compliance with educational policy and standards, the long-term development of the School’s buildings and facilities and maintaining a sound financial footing for a sustainable business. All governors work entirely voluntarily for the good of the School and I commend their commitment and dedication to ensure the best environment for the education of all children. We are pleased to have three new governors this year. The level of applications is a demonstration of the desire to be involved in a school which has commitment and ambition in furthering the education and life offerings to all.

This year sees the two Deputy Chairs Liz Garner and Nigel Ashcroft retire, to be replaced by Richard Raistrick and Martin Ayliffe. I am so very grateful for the support that Liz and Nigel have provided over the last four years, providing expertise in their own fields. The Governing body has been a better place having you near and I am pleased that you remain on the board.

When I became Chair there were

significant changes in the governance and leadership of the School. We had a new Head, and we lost a well-respected and established Chair along with other members of the Governing Body who had vast experience.

I was privileged to have received the support in being promoted to Chair, but my background is in buildings and surveying, which is not much use when leading governance of a multi-millionpound education establishment. Knowing that the structural movement that has historically occurred to the Chapel is not unduly serious is helpful, but not necessarily the most important focus.

Liz with her extensive educational background and Nigel with his business acumen and commercial leadership have been vital in the success of the last few years. It has been a real adventure along the way, there have been vital and difficult decisions and many achievements over the time, so thank you for all your support and expertise as I could not have done it without you.

The strength in governance is in teamwork and we are thankful to have two new Deputy Chairs in Richard and Martin. With both of them in place plus support from former Deputies and the whole of the governing body, we can continue in our endeavours to provide the best for Truro School.

Four years ago, The Governing Body and Leadership Team established a new Strategic Plan. Part of that process was ensuring that the individual achievements in the plan were measurable. There are

many Strategic Plans that are produced with good intention but little direction to achieve the end result. We were keen to avoid this pitfall and therefore agreed the development of an annual Action Plan with graduated targets. This involves a lot of work for the Leadership Team but as a Governing Body we are impressed by the way it has been embraced, and that is shown by the positive developments that have occurred in School. We can all see the benefits of the Plan coming to fruition and in the next 12 months will look at the next phase of development and renewal of the Strategic Plan.

Truro School is a special place. It has an important role in the whole community, and I strongly feel that it is integral, and plays a vital part, in the whole education system in Cornwall.

A large part of making Truro School special is our Methodist ethos, and Helen Byrne, our new Chaplain, has now been with us for a year. Helen has slotted into the role with such ease, and it is a pleasure to see her develop relationships and bring a new dynamic throughout.

I want to make mention of the Summer Festival with its emphasis on courage. This has been taking place for the last two weeks. From last year at its inception, it has grown and become more inclusive in the community, beyond Truro School itself. This is important in current times and to see the performances of Crossroads, the Rock Concert, Jazz on the Lawn, the Musicals Night and many others cannot fail to leave a strong sense of pride to all that engaged.

So, to you all, on behalf of myself and the whole Governing Body, thank you. There are exciting if challenging times ahead and, as a School, we will look to deliver our aims and maintain our values in the community that is Truro School.

Truro School Nursery and Prep

Highertown

Truro

Cornwall TR1 3QN

Truro School Senior and Sixth

Trennick Lane

Truro

Cornwall TR1 1TH

PREP ENQUIRIES:

EMAIL: prepenquiries@truroschool.com

TELEPHONE: 01872 272616

SENIOR ENQUIRIES:

EMAIL: enquiries@truroschool.com

TELEPHONE: 01872 272763

Truro School is part of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust Registered Office: 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LH Charity Number: 1142794 Company Number: 7649422

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