The Truronian - December 2021 by Truro School

The

TRURO SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

DECEMBER 2021

TRURONIAN

‘

DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS TEAM AMANDA FORDE & ELLA GOODMAN Development & Alumni Relations Officer(s) JO W OOD School Researcher/Archivist

TELEPHONE:

01872 246010

EMAIL:

foundation@truroschool.com tsconnections@truroschool.com

ONLINE:

truroschool.com/foundation truroschool.com/oldtruronians

LINKEDIN:

Search Truro School Connected FACEBOOK: @OldTruronians INSTAGRAM: @OldTruronians TWITTER: @OldTruronians

‘

The

In this edition A Message from the President 2021 Leavers Ball

5 6-7

‘80 Not Out’ Reunion

38-39

Over the years

40-41

Class of 2021 A-Level Results

The Old Truronian Bookcase

42-43

Alumni and New Starters

Memories of the Borlase Society

44-45

Truro School Connected

46-48

CO21 Where are they now? Rob Piper CO73

10-14 15

A View from the Chamber

Captain Malcolm Burwood CO60

16-17

Truro School Foundation

50-51

Sarah Roskilly CO92

18-19

Meet the Foundation Trustees

52-53

Adam Proctor CO97

20-21

Governors Autumn Term Report

Amelia Luck CO18

22-23

In the Garden this term

56-58

Stuart Bird CO64

24-25

60-61

Finn Hawkins CO21

26-29

2021 Leavers VS School 1st XV Rugby

Dr Eli Sheppard CO09

30-31

School News

62-63

Colin Dower - Senior Groundsman 32-33

Celebration of the Life of Guy Dodd

64-66

Peter Lake CO36

Truro School Enterprises

Looking back at the past - YFC

Tributes and Memories

Truro School Clock Tower

Pause for Thought

A Blast from the Past

66 67-70 71

TRURONIAN

A Message from the TSA President ANDY JOHNSON HEAD OF TRURO SCHOOL

My warmest regards to you, as we, like the rest of the country, enter another Christmas of uncertainty associated with the pandemic. My thoughts go out to all who suffer at this time, or for whom this Christmas season will be a reminder of loss as much as a time of renewed fellowship and community.

Amidst the wider climate of challenge, I am delighted by the ongoing strength and forward momentum of Truro School. In July’s Truronian, I wrote of how our community and school should be confident of building on strength and heritage, and would be ambitions for the future. In September, and with the strongest school roll for a decade, we launched a new five-year Strategic Plan to embody that intent. At the heart of our ambition are commitments to wellbeing, to educational breadth and excellence, to equality and sustainability, and to the ongoing and creative evolution of our site, and the opportunities we afford to the children (day and boarding) who give our school its life and its purpose. I thank the Governing Body for their insight and dedication, and our staff for continuing to deliver, with such compassion, the quality of education that they do, even in these unprecedented times. The experience of our pupils this term has been as normal as it could be, in all the best possible ways. This has included the launch of our new Sixth Form Diploma programme, dramatic and inspiring cup runs in sport, firstclass productions in the Burrell Theatre, concerts, exhibitions, outdoor pursuits including the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and ongoing charitable engagement within our community and beyond. We look forwards with courage, therefore, as we also stay connected to our roots, our history and our extended family of alumni.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

In August, we remembered the life and legacy of Guy Dodd, with a rightly celebratory service in our Chapel and the planting of what will be a strong, proud oak tree, prominent on our terraced lawns. It stands near a commemorative rose garden that we are also creating, to be opened in the Spring. In late September I had the privilege of attending an ’80 not out’ alumni event in Somerset, which was lit up by the most inspiring blend of energy, fraternity and nostalgia. It was a delicious taste of the alumni activity that we are committed to seeing return as soon as safe and possible. Over the last month I have met with the committees and trustees of both our Association and Foundation, to support them in their service to our community and their partnership in our Strategy. As we look to the future, I thank all the staff in our Development team and beyond who have put this edition together and who keep us all connected, including via our new social media spaces on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Our Old Truronian network is integral to the soul and health of our School community and has always supported many to join it, and others to stay within it, in hard times. For this you have my ongoing gratitude, and the knowledge that you positively shape and enhance the lives of others. Here at School, we have dubbed 20212022 a year of curiosity, and I am sure that this edition of the Truronian will in equal measure both satisfy and spark that sense in you all. My very best wishes for the festive season and the year ahead.

L E AV E R S ’ B A L L

2021

Welcome Class of 2021 to the Old Truronian Community!

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

CLASS OF 2021

A-Level results

89% of all

A-LEVEL RESULTS

GRADED A*-B

74% of all

46%

of all

A-LEVEL RESULTS GRADED A*

A-LEVEL RESULTS

GRADED A*-A

Alumni & New Starters

This year, Truro School welcomed 16 children whose mother or father, and in some cases both, are Truro School alumni. We also welcomed three students who are the third generation of their families to have attended the school.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

WA R R E N B E N N E T T CO96

What made you decide to send your child here? As well as a great education, I have found, having been a former Truro School pupil, that the school makes the most of the pupils’ individual skills. Every opportunity is given to the individual to excel in their sport / art / skill. The friends I have made from school have been friends for life. Even after finishing school my peers have driven me to be the best I can be in my professional life. How has the first term been for your child? They have really enjoyed this first term.

JEMIMA LUCKHURST (NÉE BALL) CO95

Walking past the Cathedral each day, I feel proud Truro School continues to provide the challenging and varied secondary education I would wish for any Cornish eleven-year-old. Long may it continue.

What made you decide to send your child here? It was never a given that our daughter would follow family tradition in attending Truro School, the final decision to accept the place was very much hers. The main factors for us were its sterling academic record, the vast range of extra-curricular activities and the fact she could walk to school each day. If you asked our daughter the same question, she’d probably say it’s because the place looks like Hogwarts and has an awesome fossil collection. How has the first term been for your child? As the only one from her primary school attending this year it was initially quite daunting; however, she has settled in tremendously well and is thriving in all areas. She spends every Wednesday afternoon surfing, brings home a deliciously cooked dinner on Tuesday evenings and has discovered a surprising aptitude for maths. We really appreciate the Everest App, which allows us to keep tabs on her packed schedule and progress without interfering. I’m sure it won’t always be smooth sailing, but it has certainly got off to great start. Are there any similarities / differences from when you attended? Nowadays there are many more opportunities for girls, especially in sports which were somewhat lacking back then. The food is significantly better, but that

Are there any similarities / differences from when you attended? The school has expanded for the better, although it still seems to have maintained the same spirit as I remember it. Which other members of your family attended Truro School, if any? My brother, Sam Bennett CO98. What does it mean to be an Old Truronian and, now, Old Truronian parent, to you personally? I get a huge amount of pride knowing I am able to send both my children to a school which I was very fond of.

hill doesn’t get any less steep. I am thrilled Geology remains such a dynamic department, an area our daughter is excited about. The possibility she could do GCSE Geology is a big plus. I’ve always felt the international boarding community was a hugely influential part of my education and life after Truro School. I am glad to see it still retains solid international links and aspirations. Which other members of your family attended Truro School, if any? Having re-visited the family tree I see that our daughter will be the 17th family member to attend Truro School, starting with George Luxon in 1940. I was the first girl in the family to attend Truro School and, as of this year, my daughter is the eighth! What does it mean to be an Old Truronian and, now, Old Truronian parent, to you personally? It is really lovely to re-connect with the place again as a parent. Some of the teaching spaces haven’t changed a lot which I see as very much part of the school’s core values ‘to be rather than to seem’. It is refreshing to see the genuine enthusiasm teachers have for their subjects and some memorable approaches to teaching them, something the rather eccentric biology department excelled at during my time there. I am genuinely pleased we took the decision to follow family tradition.

COLIN TEAGLE CO87

My son is really enjoying the lunchtime and after-school clubs, and loves the climbing sessions on Wednesday afternoons.

TONY RICKARDS CO84

I feel I can trust this school with my son’s future, I have complete confidence in the school and that is very meaningful to me.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

What made you decide to send your child here? We ultimately left the decision up to our son, after having visited both the local comprehensive and Truro School. (Although I think we did secretly try and encourage him to choose Truro School!) I think the main reasons for us were the smaller class sizes and better teacher / pupil ratios, meaning that they should get more personal attention, along with the top-class facilities and many extracurricular opportunities available. How has the first term been for your child? I am really impressed by how quickly my son has settled in and made new friends. Are there any similarities / differences from when you attended? Some of the buildings are the same as when I attended in the early 80s, but obviously there have been a lot of changes / improvements to the school’s

What made you decide to send your child here? Truro School became our first choice because of the excellence it continues to produce in students’ achievements and providing the best environment for students of this age. Not only does the school have the credibility of its continued success with all aspects of education, it has the advantage of an unmatched location which it brings into the extra-curriculum activities. Combine this with a headmaster who is so determinedly committed to the schools’ progress, staff dedicated to the whole concept of the school, and first-class facilities, then there really isn’t in my mind a place I’d rather my son attended. How has the first term been for your child? Apart from the expected nerves and apprehension, the first term has been an enjoyable and fascinating time for my son. He didn’t know anyone, but is very comfortable now and has plenty of social interaction. He found it quite hard to choose from the abundance of extra activities and has enjoyed everything he has tried and is already looking to engage in even more activities new to him. He is now confident around the school and extremely impressed with the catering! THE TRURONIAN

2021

facilities. I think the biggest difference is the amount of clubs and activities that are now available. When I was there, Wednesday afternoons were limited to only cricket, football and rugby, but I do remember spending many lunchtimes at the newly founded Computer Club! Which other members of your family attended Truro School, if any? My Father, Fred CO59 along with my three uncles; David Lugg CO58, David CO67 and John Teagle CO68, my brother, Roger Teagle CO84 and his two children. What does it mean to be an Old Truronian and, now, Old Truronian parent, to you personally? Being an Old Truronian parent gives me a feeling of family heritage, especially with my father having attended, and I also feel that I can more closely associate with the experiences that my son is now having, even though my own were 40 years ago!

Are there any similarities / differences from when you attended? I think several things about the school remain the same, several rooms and corridors remain as I remember, but everything has been modernised. In general, all facilities have more than moved with the times, it’s really impressive. Of course, students are now addressed by their first names, which I didn’t expect, everything seems so much more relaxed and nicer, whilst retaining the respectful attitude toward the staff. Which other members of your family attended Truro School, if any? Only myself and my son have attended the school, though I would be delighted if any further generations continued to do so. What does it mean to be an Old Truronian and, now, Old Truronian parent, to you personally? I hadn’t really stayed in touch with the school since my time here, although I still have friends from those school days. It was one of the proudest moments of my life when my son went for his first day, for him to be coming here felt energising and quite uplifting.

CHRIS GOULD CO93

What made you decide to send your child here? One of the main reasons for sending my son here was because of the excellent facilities and the wide range of afterschool clubs. Since our family is still living in Cornwall, it was also because I went to Truro School and we wanted to give him the same experiences. He also gained a sports scholarship which has been a great opportunity. How has the first term been for your child? My son has had an excellent first term at Truro School. He has absolutely loved all the sporting opportunities and the fixtures travelling as far as Blundell’s School, as well as making lots of new friends. The homework, however, has come as a bit of a shock!

M A R K VA N S T O N E CO88

Which other members of your family attended Truro School, if any? Both my sisters Elle Booker (née Gould) CO98 and Victoria Robinson (née Gould) CO95 attended, and both my nieces also attend currently. What does it mean to be an Old Truronian and, now, Old Truronian parent, to you personally? I am really pleased that my son is enjoying being a part of Truro School.

What made you decide to send your child here? We looked at the local schools, which were very good, but there were a number of factors that helped us decide:

at BF Adventures was a big success and great for relationship building. Finally, peripatetic music lessons, the library and Dungeons and Dragons on a Wednesday afternoon have been massive highlights.

The range of modern languages on offer. Our pupils get a taste of three modern languages and study two of those before making choices in the 3rd Year.

Are there any similarities / differences from when you attended? Girls in the lower school: when I was here, they were only in the Sixth Form. Names: we were all known by our surnames in the lower school. The school is a gentler and kinder place than it was in the 1980s. The uniform is much the same. The school has always been characterised by most pupils building excellent relationships with staff.

Curricular and co-curricular activities. For us, the range of musical and practical subjects on offer was important.

For me, the most important influence of the school is for me to strive to be my very best and not to pretend to be what I am not. It is a constant battle to be authentic, but I think that part of the school’s ethos, focussed on the motto, produces people who are grounded but who have high expectations of themselves, an attitude that I hope my children also adopt.

Are there any similarities / differences from when you attended? The similarity is that Mr Laity, who taught me, is still here. This is really wonderful for me as he is benefitting from being taught by an excellent teacher, as I was. There are many differences including the incredible facilities such as the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre and the AstroTurf pitch.

The teachers we met in other schools were trying really hard, but were not resourced to the same level. All of our children have really valued the practical DT facilities. Peer group. Our children were regularly asked to help the other pupils in their lessons when they finished their work in their primary school. It is good to be in a school where there are other bright, hard-working pupils who are role models, where there is healthy competition and pupils who need to be stretched. Such excellent teachers. All four of my children have loved being taught by specialists. How has the first term been for your child? Getting into school was hard at first, after the long summer break, and building new friendships is always a challenge. The day

Which other members of your family attended Truro School, if any? In my household, all six of us are either current or former pupils of Truro School: Thomas, Daniel, James CO18 and Hannah CO16, as well as my wife Linda Vanstone (née Flatt) CO88 and me. My uncle and Linda’s uncle are also former pupils. What does it mean to be an Old Truronian and, now, Old Truronian parent, to you personally? I am proud to be a former pupil of Truro School and am pleased that my children can enjoy the same opportunities. Truro School tends to produce confident students, who are practical, understand teamwork and are able to make a contribution to the world beyond school.

What made you decide to send your child here? We have two daughters at Truro School and, when we were making a decision about their secondary school education, we were careful to consider how any prospective schools made them feel. When we came to the open day back in 2019, they both commented on how much they liked the way the school felt, its welcoming atmosphere and how the staff and students all seemed so happy and enthusiastic. They were also both really impressed by the opportunities and facilities the school could offer. We wanted the girls to go to a co-educational school with small class sizes and a broad and varied curriculum where they would be encouraged to try new things and challenged to reach their full potential, while also learning about the value of being part of an inclusive and caring community. How has the first term been for your child? I think it would be fair to say it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster! Our daughter was the only child at her primary school to come to Truro School and, although she knew lots of the other 1st Years from various clubs and activities, I think it all seemed a bit daunting at first. The induction day, and transition day over the summer holidays really helped, and now she’s definitely finding her feet. She’s tried a vast range of extracurricular clubs, from cross-country running to geology club, and is particularly enjoying trampolining.

Are there any similarities / differences from when you attended? I started Truro School as a 3rd Year when the senior school first became co-educational (I think it was 1990) - back then there were just 25 girls in the year, and it felt very much like a boys school that took girls. I’m thrilled that it’s now 50:50 boys and girls in my daughter’s year. It’s also great to see that the school has really invested in expanding its facilities, with amazing additions like the Burrell Theatre and Leith’s Cookery School. The food is definitely streets ahead of where it was in the 1990s - my siblings and I still laugh at the fact that, as Sixth Formers, a coffee from the Maxpax vending machine at 15p a pop seemed like an absolute luxury, and now our children are queuing up for lattes at the cafe before school! Which other members of your family attended Truro School, if any? My brother, Christopher Gould CO93, and sister, Elle Booker (née Gould) CO98, both attended Truro School, and now my nephew is in the 1st year - I think its lovely that the cousins are at school together. What does it mean to be an Old Truronian and, now, Old Truronian parent, to you personally? I’m proud to be an Old Truronian and delighted that my daughters are now at the school. It means a lot to me to still be part of the wider Truro School community, and it’s been a real treat to bump into so many other Old Truronians as my daughter embarks on her time at the school.

VICTORIA ROBINSON (NÉE GOULD) CO95

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

STEVE WOOD CO93

What made you decide to send your child here? My father (Reverend Robin Wood, TS 1984-1989) was Chaplain at Truro School in the late eighties, and we lived on the school site. Given that connection, when I moved back to Cornwall with my family this summer, after thirty years away, it was an obvious decision for my daughter to attend the school too. How has the first term been for your child? It’s been quite the change getting the school bus at 7:45 every morning, compared to the 10-minute amble through Hackney that she has had with primary school. After a few tired mornings, she’s embraced the change - there’s quite a gang on the bus - and especially enjoying the extramural activities such as art club and skateboarding. Are there any similarities / differences from when you attended? Girls! In the late eighties, the decision was just being made to go co-ed beyond the Sixth Form, and the swimming pool now has a roof! Which other members of your family attended Truro School, if any? As mentioned, my father was Chaplain in the eighties, overlapping with the last few years that Derek Burrell was headmaster. What does it mean to be an Old Truronian and, now, Old Truronian parent, to you personally? We’re very happy that my daughter is attending secondary school in Cornwall with all the variety and opportunity the school and county has to offer.

Truro School Foundation

RACHEL (NÉE JENKIN) A N D G U Y VA U G H A N CO98

What made you decide to send your child here? Truro School was such a big part of our formative years that we both wanted to be able to send our children to have the same education that we were fortunate enough to receive. Rachel was already teaching at the school, having moved down in 2008, so had first-hand experience of how the school was now, compared to when we were students. The sheer breadth of opportunities available to students now means that he can pursue his existing interests in various ways while still experiencing new and exciting activities. How has the first term been for your child? He has taken everything in his stride in typically laid-back fashion. He has the advantage of being a cathedral chorister, so knows some of the older boys through the choir and therefore has already heard about some of the daily routines. He is enjoying his lessons immensely and is throwing himself into the music and drama on offer. Are there any similarities / differences from when you attended? Structurally, the site has altered immensely, with the ‘black hole’ in the centre of the main building complex having been completely re-developed to incorporate the fantastic new dining space. Our 1st-year form rooms were in the Elliot huts on Epworth. Anyone visiting now would find it hard to visualise how it used to be, now that the Burrell Theatre and the new classroom block (Wilkes Building) has taken their place. On the sports side, the ‘new gym’ (now the Fencing Centre) was new when we started and the swimming pool was still outside,

the building for the indoor pool being completed while we were there. Now, the addition of the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre on the site of the old athletics track and the AstroTurf on the bottom terrace has transformed the school’s sporting facilities. On the teaching side, there are still a couple of members of staff that taught us that may now teach our son, although I will do them the courtesy of not naming them! Which other members of your family attended Truro School, if any? I (Guy) was the first member of my family to attend the school, followed by my sister Sophie Bayley (née Vaughan) CO03 a few years later. Rachel had cousins (Geraint CO93 and Glyn Rees CO94 and Martin Richards CO89) a few years above us. What does it mean to be an Old Truronian and, now, Old Truronian parent, to you personally? I think it is a testament to the ethos of the school that I still feel a strong connection to the place. We still have many close friends from our time there who share that connection, and working as a vet in the local area I regularly meet past alumni and current students and their parents who share that sense of community.

I have enjoyed seeing how the site has developed over the years and, now, experiencing it again through my son’s viewpoint brings a new perspective.

ALL GIFTS, NO MATTER HOW GREAT OR SMALL, ARE VITALLY IMPOR TANT. ONE-OFF DONATION EXAMPLES:

£200

Will allow an award recipient to have music lessons for one term

£500

Could fully fund a uniform award for a bursary student

£15,000

50% assistance for Sixth Form bursary (two years) OR pay one full year of fees

Rob Piper CO73

THE STUDENT WHO BECAME THE MASTER

Rob Piper began working at Truro School Prep in September 2004, after working at Camborne Science & International Academy for more than 30 years.

Rob is also an Old Truronian, CO73, having attended Truro School firstly as a boarder and then as a day boy. Despite his family home being close by in Hayle, in the 1970s students were advised to board if they lived further west than Camborne. At Truro School Prep, Rob is the Science Coordinator, which involves planning and organising the science curriculum, and he also coaches judo. He manages a team of five staff at the Prep and told us he thoroughly enjoys his work. Before joining the Prep, he had initially planned to take a well-earned early retirement, but it only lasted six months. The opportunity to work back at his alma mater presented itself and Rob found it hard to say no, with the school being so familiar after so many positive years as a student here. We asked Rob what his fondest memories of school were: I enjoyed the boarding, and particularly liked the boarding masters Mr A.J. Tonkin (TS staff 1937-78, and OT 1925-32) and Mr E.J. Taylor (TS staff 1954-90, also an OT 1936-43). I remember them being nice people who I know both rose to become Deputy Heads at the school. I am glad, though, that I was able to become a day boy after 4th Year; it meant I had a bit more freedom than before!

Rob is still in touch with fellow alumni, Simon Nicholas CO69, Robin Kneebone CO69, Lance Trenchard CO73, Paul Trennery CO74 and Chris Hollow CO74, and looks forward to the next two years of continued teaching before a change of pace; moving abroad to retire, hopefully, for the final time.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

Like many others before him, Rob believes his time at Truro School gave him confidence, self-awareness and resilience. Rob also thrived taking part in all the sport the school offered, but it was rugby he preferred and went on to continue playing, at university level and later with his local team in Cornwall. His love of sport was certainly passed down to his daughter Alice Piper CO17 who, he told us, also absolutely loved sport at Truro School and still plays netball.

THE TRURONIAN

2021

In the 1970s, the A30 through Cornwall was modernised and the single carriageway that had acted as the sole route west was transformed into dual carriageways. During this time, the Camborne, Pool and Redruth bypass was built. It was here that Rob landed his first job as a labourer after finishing school. Soon, though, Rob took up his place at St Luke’s College at Exeter University for his teacher training. Rob’s proudest teaching career moment was as Head of Sixth Form at Camborne in the 1980s, when his role involved supporting students with their university applications. He told us that in the 1980s it was uncommon for university to be a realistic ambition for many school students, so the opportunity to support those who would benefit from a university education was a particularly rewarding time. He gave us this advice for anyone thinking about a teaching career: “If you really want to do it then know that you won’t be good at it unless you enjoy it. It’s a vocation.” Rob’s daughter Alice has recently completed a degree in Marine Biology at Swansea University, and for the past six years has worked for the RNLI in the St Ives and Hayle area, and has been Head Lifeguard for four years. Rob also has two sons, Simon who works in marketing in Australia and Scott who is a head chef in Cornwall. Away from work Rob still enjoys watching rugby when he can, but his time is mostly spent training and coaching judo at St Ives Judo Club and Truro School. He has competed his way up to age category M8 in the British Masters Open Championships and has won national medals. However, the pandemic has put pause on much of his competing, so Rob looks forward to getting back into training and aiming for gold in 2022.

CAPTAIN

Malcolm Burwood CO60 Memories of Truro School and careers at sea and in the sky

Malcolm Burwood CO60 attended Truro School as a boarder between 1954 and 1959, and shares his memories of his time there and his life at sea and in flying after his school days. I started at Truro School in the Spring Term of 1954 and resided at Malvern for two years. Mr W.E.B. “Boozy” Worthington (TS 1941-1968) was house master. I think he may have had polio, which was not uncommon in those days. He was an ace table tennis player and commuted to school in a black Austin Somerset. Life was quite bearable under his and his wife’s guidance. I was pleased to move up the hill to Dormy 3 under Mr Penna (TS 1945-1979), who let us watch the Brian Rix farces on his black-and-white television. Whilst staying in Dormy 3, my Christmas shopping list included a copy of “The Ying Tong Song” by The Goons, for my brother. I stowed the record behind the hot-water pipe so, to my dismay, it became distorted when the heating came on! It was very fashionable to smoke in the ‘50s, and the boys from the 4th year used to have a puff up the lane by the farm buildings. Before church one Sunday we were having a puff, and Pop Newton, the school maintenance man, was trying to start his car, which he kept there. “You boys want a lift down?” as four of us crammed into the Morris 8, and off he went! Pop was unaware that our fifth smoker, Ian Ridgeway CO60, had decided to run behind holding the luggage rack.

It is hard to relate 1954 to 2021. The war had been over for 10 years, but we still had rationing. There were only a few cars on the road and they were all black. Wherever we went there was bomb damage being repaired, in Plymouth especially. Living in Polzeath, I was able to cycle home.

Past the Science block, two things happened: Ridgeway lost his footing, and Pop decided to warm the car up and continued, accelerating past Dormy 3, which was where he let go! “What you boys laughing at, then?” Laughing? We were delirious! Rather a lot of knee damage resulted, and the church suit didn’t look too good either. In the Easter holiday of 1956, Mr Penna organised a cycle tour starting at Bath YHA … which is on a hill ... A chap called Francis Dyer CO60 renewed his brake blocks in reverse, sailing past us as the blocks flew out, and out of sight. We found his bike in a hedge, and he had been tossed, rather bruised, into a field! The slightly bent bike went with us to Stratford, Ely, Peterborough, Devizes and Bath. The roads were deserted and of course there were no motorways. How life has changed. Later in life, I became interested in the life of Reverend Vernon Victor Cooper (TS 1950-1954), the padre in 1954 who had been an RAF Pilot in the still-recent war. Early on, he had been shot down in a Hampden Bomber, and soon found himself in Stalag Luft III with an acquaintance of mine. He wrote two books, A Pilot in the Pulpit and One of our Padres is Missing, all about his captivity. He was a fanatical free-flight enthusiast, and on summer evenings a score of boys would invade Truro, hunting for the missing free-flight models. Victor never spoke to us of his experiences.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

Although I surprised myself with six O-Levels, I knew my limits, and left Truro School in 1959 and became an apprentice Deck Officer to the New Zealand Shipping Company, becoming certified in 1963. Life at sea was wonderful, and I moved around a bit until I joined Union Castle line. Whilst waiting to sail in November 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated - one of those days you never forget. I sailed for South Africa in 1964 on a passenger ship, the Edinburgh Castle, which I loved. In Cape Town I was ordered to fly to Dar es Salaam with a promotion. I had never flown before and was invited to the flight deck when crossing the Zambezi. This looked like fun, and 17 weeks later I was at RAF Aircrew Selection at Biggin Hill, Greater London. My greatest achievement was being selected for aircrew training, which led me to fly the Hercules C130 when it was new. A role in the Air Force generally leads into a civilian career, and I joined DanAir, flying jets for the next 30 years. After becoming an airline captain in 1976, I captained flights covering the whole of Europe and North Africa. I married my wife, Rosemary, in 1974. She had also had a spell on School Cruise Ships, so we speak the same language. We went on to have a daughter, Emma, and a son, Ben, who is now an EasyJet Training Captain. Rosemary and I have been sailors for 30 years. We love our family yacht, and have visited the Fal to rekindle memories of where this life had all started, high on That Hill with the city below.

2021

Sarah Roskilly CO92

Escaping the ordinary

As Truro School continued the transition to full co-education in the 1990s, Sarah Roskilly CO92 joined the Sixth Form. “It was such an honour following in the footsteps of my father, Reg Cann, and grandfather, William (Bill) Harris, as they had both attended the school. I consider it a great privilege to be part of such a great institution and I really did enjoy my time at Truro School.” After leaving Truro School in 1992, Sarah became a cattle auctioneer, and since then she has tried a variety of occupations, including working in a slaughterhouse, owning a riding centre and being a teaching assistant. She explains “I’ve considered many career paths; in fact, I’m still not certain I have settled upon what I want to do!” Asked if she has any advice to offer others: “do something that you are really interested in and enjoy.” Some would say Sarah is currently enjoying an idyllic career path: she is a PADI (Professional Association

of Diving Instructors) Master Scuba Diver Trainer, living and working on the beautiful island of Bonaire, in the Caribbean. Sarah originally moved to Bonaire in 2018 with the intention of staying for one year. Three years later she is still living on the island and enjoying her time working for the largest dive company on the island, Dive Friends Bonaire. In her role as a Scuba Diver Trainer, Sarah juggles teaching people to dive with managing the schedule for 50 staff, five boats and eight locations. Sarah explains, “I only learnt to dive at the age of 42, so it just proves that you can do anything if you are determined!” Sarah is also an FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale) Steward for horse show jumping, which has enabled her to travel the world. “With my FEI stewarding career, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil in 2016, and in 2018 I went to the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA.”

Sarah’s daughter, Jessica, attended Truro School Prep for three years before the family moved to live in Portugal in 2006. Jessica is now 22 and works as a teacher, specialising in children with special needs, near Southampton, UK.

Sarah still has family in Truro but, in the last 15 years, has only returned to the UK on a handful of occasions. However, she still remains in contact with a few friends from her days at Truro School. As well as teaching diving skills, Sarah still enjoys it as a recreational pastime too, as well as travelling, reading and kite surfing. Asked about plans for the future? “Like many of us, simply to make it safely through the Covid-19 crisis.” But who knows what might be next on the horizon for this adventurous Old Truronian we look forward to keeping in touch with Sarah to find out!

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

Adam Proctor CO97 A new work-life balance

Adam Proctor recently moved back to the UK from Singapore, where he worked for three-and-a-half years as head of Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand for Citi Private Bank. A change of heart and a desire to have an improved work-life balance helped Adam to make a career change from the all-consuming banking business. Prior to moving to Asia, Adam worked in senior roles within banking for more than 20 years in London and Bristol. Aged 33, he was made Managing Director at Citigroup and went on to win numerous industry awards. “The highlight for me, though, was turning around Citi’s Private Bank business, which I ran for Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, and turning a demotivated team around to being one of the top teams globally. I was also fortunate to sit on the bank’s executive committee in Singapore overseeing 8,000 staff, and I was very proud of how the decisions I made helped many of our staff during the peak of Covid-19 in 2020.” Adam now works in two financial roles: firstly, for a UK multi-billionaire technology entrepreneur, assisting with wealth management and identifying opportunities for investment across areas such as technology, climate change, real estate and the crypto sectors; secondly, as Chief Financial Officer and a non-executive director for an early-stage vertical farming company called Vertical Futures. This role involves working alongside the CEO to drive business forward in what he describes as an “exciting, fast-growing sector.”

Adam attended Truro School between 1990-1997 alongside his brother, Ben CO00.

“I have so many happy memories: great times playing sports overlooking the lovely views from the playing pitches; very fun and amusing lessons with Dr Blake (TS 1987-2009); fun field trips to Wales, to Duke of Edinburgh expeditions to Dartmoor and the Lake District - too many to mention. I absolutely loved my time at School. Probably the social and sport aspect rather than studies - I wasn’t overly studious as I am sure my teachers will confirm!”

Growing up, Adam’s first ambitions were to become a doctor, in his father’s footsteps: “My fear of blood closed that door very quickly.” Immediately after leaving school, Adam went to Bristol University to study geology after enjoying the subject at school, but in his final year he decided to pursue banking at the advice and support of friends at the time.

“ Whatever you do make sure you enjoy it. I have had banking roles in the past which I did not enjoy. If you do not enjoy a role you are very unlikely to be successful. Do a job which you are passionate about I have ensured all my roles over the past few years meet this key criteria for me.” Adam’s new roles in wealth management and with Vertical Futures are testimony to him taking his own advice, and doing what he enjoys best, even if it means making a change. With a new work-life balance, Adam now lives in Bath to be close to London but also close enough to visit Cornwall for the weekend. His family own a holiday home in Flushing which they visit regularly, and his parents, brother and sister all still live in Cornwall. Adam told us he lived in the county for four years before moving to Singapore, and would commute weekly to London for work. Both his daughters, Imogen and Beth, attended Truro School Prep at the time, which he remembers allowed the opportunity to visit the senior school when he collected their uniforms. We asked Adam if he felt that his time at school helped him to progress in later life to which he said,“absolutely 100%. It gave me the confidence and rounded education to help me succeed.”

Adam is married to Lorna, who is a physiotherapist, after a chance meeting on a boys’ ski trip. Together they spend their free time “entertaining the children”, but Adam also enjoys skiing, cycling, tennis, golf and travelling when they can. For now, though, he plans to keep working in areas he enjoys and in which he feels he can make a difference. Importantly, he wants to keep the right work-life balance to ensure he can be there for his children as they grow up.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

Amelia Luck CO18

Making history with the RNLI

We are proud to share that Amelia Luck CO18 has passed out as the first-ever woman qualified to take command of a Fowey RNLI lifeboat in the station’s 160-year history. Amelia passed out as helm on the station’s D-class inshore lifeboat, Olive Three. In addition to being the first female helm in Fowey, Amelia becomes one of only three female helms in Cornwall. There are just five female helms in the South West and 53 nationwide. Amelia was still at school when she joined Fowey RNLI as a volunteer lifeboat crew member, aged 17, in 2017. She has attended 134 lifeboat launches, of which 36 were rescue incidents, clocking up more than 355 volunteer hours at sea during this time. Being part of the lifeboat crew and the Truro School community is in the Luck family. Her father Adam is a Deputy Launching Authority at Fowey station and

a current Truro School Governor, and her brother Oli is the latest family member to volunteer as crew and a recent Old Truronian from CO22. When asked how she feels to be the first female helm in Fowey lifeboat history, Amelia said, “I don’t really think of it like that, I see myself as just another helm. I don’t think there’s any difference, noone makes me feel any different here and it’s all very inclusive. One of the female trainers that I had at the RNLI college in Poole said to me that we can do anything the guys can do, we’ve just got to go about it in different ways sometimes. I can do exactly the same as the men and I don’t get treated any differently. It’s great to be the first female helm at Fowey but I think of myself as the same as the others. We’re just one crew really.” When she’s not volunteering for the RNLI Amelia is doing an apprenticeship in business management. She also works as a Harbour Patrol officer during the summer season in Fowey Harbour.

The charity is looking to recruit more volunteers for a variety of sea-going and station roles, and Amelia is keen to encourage others to follow in her footsteps. Asked what advice she would have for women who might be interested in becoming lifeboat crew, Amelia is clear:

“ The RNLI is a very inclusive organisation and provides a huge amount of training for new crew members. If the thing that’s stopping you is because you’re female, don’t let it. If you’re thinking of joining, come down to your local station, have a chat and meet the crew. Everyone’s really friendly and you won’t get treated any differently if you’re female or male.”

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

Stuart Bird CO64

From Chemistry to Cathedral

Stuart Bird CO64 was at Truro School from 1959 to 1964. He transferred to Truro as a boarder in the 4th Year when his father went to work in South America. He fondly remembers the glorious views on his steam train journey from Paddington to Truro.

“We were in our A-Level practical class, preparing nitrobenzene. The flask contained a mixture of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acids, which were added together whilst cooling. Then benzene was slowly added, making sure the mixture didn’t overheat. Unfortunately, my flask DID overheat, and noxious brown fumes poured out Stuart joined Truro School in the same of the condenser, to create not just year Mr Derek Burrell (TS 1959-1986) nitrobenzene but potentially explosive was appointed headmaster; they trinitrobenzene. I was worried, and immediately struck up a lasting bond George instinctively but calmly moved us as they had both come from London. all back. By now I was at the back of the Mr Burrell never tolerated bullying and class cowering behind the bench! He was helped create a secure environment for very reassuring and, with typical aplomb, Stuart in his early days at Truro School. cooled the flask under cold water, and the reaction subsided. I wondered what gave In the 4th Year, Stuart enjoyed ballroom dancing with the girls from the High School George Pester this amazing coolness under pressure…. I later learnt he was and his O-Level and A-Level Chemistry lessons with Mr George Pester (TS 1954- a bomb disposal officer in the Army!” 1977). Stuart marvelled at Mr Pester’s ‘unflappable approach’ to chemistry in the days before health and safety.

On Sundays, Stuart and the other boarders would attend church services at St Mary’s Methodist Church before returning to school for letter-writing sessions. They would write home to their parents and loved ones. This was Stuart’s main method of communication to his parents during his school years, and he remembers the joy of receiving their letters in reply.

Stuart spent the school holidays on his cousin’s farm at Stithians. His cousin, Paul Gluyas CO58, also attended Truro, so knew the characters at the school, and they enjoyed sharing tales together in the cowshed about all that went on at the school.

After some time in industry Stuart was drawn into teaching, initially in Physics, then Physical Science at Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood, followed by Sevenoaks School in Kent. Eventually he became Head of Science at St Catherine’s School at Bramley, Surrey.

Whilst at school he enjoyed astronomy, chess and chemistry, and represented the school for athletics, cross country and chess. As a boarder he recalls slipper fights and midnight feasts in the dormitories after lights out when the prefects were not around. After learning that prefects got more food than the other students, he decided to become a prefect himself during Sixth Form.

After 15 years of teaching, Stuart ended up spending 22 years in financial services to help support his children, Tim and Emma, through university. His son Tim is now a senior partner in Field Fisher, in corporate law, and his daughter Emma runs three Specsavers businesses, employing 170 people. Stuart’s switch in career to financial services reminded him of the career advice Mr Alan ‘Fishy’ Scales (TS 1945-1976), his Physics master, had given him when he suggested he would be better off pursuing banking rather than physics.

In the Lower Sixth he became house prefect for the junior house Pentreve. The house masters at the time delegated a lot of duties onto the prefects. Stuart found this role of responsibility helped him in his teaching career later in life, with how to discipline a class. However, Mr Wicks (TS 1950-77) often left Stuart and his deputy, Douglas McKirgan CO64, to help the younger boys to their beds, supervising dormitory plays and school prep. Stuart found it difficult to balance his academic work and the responsibilities of running a house of 40 boys alongside his own work for A-Levels. After his parents returned from Brazil they moved to St Austell, allowing Stuart to become a day boy in his final year. In the evening, this allowed him to study by himself without the distraction of prefect duties. In his final year he became Smith house captain.

T H E S TA I N E D G L A S S W I N D O W S O F E X E T E R C A T H E D R A L

After enjoying studying chemistry under George Pester at school, Stuart went on to study a chemistry degree at Chelsea College (later King’s College London University). After his undergraduate degree he completed a PhD under Dr John Donaldson in the Structural Inorganic Chemistry of Tin (II) Halides.

Dr Stuart Bird

THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF EXETER CATHEDRAL Dr Stuart Bird

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

Whilst at college, Stuart met Janet (née Tregoning) at their Methodist Church in Chelsea, as she was training at Southlands College to teach infants. They married three years later and went on to have two children.

THE TRURONIAN

2021

Stuart maintained close connections with Truro School after leaving, and became the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the London Branch of TSOBA (1990-1995). “I met many great men, like Ian Goodhand CO46 and John Kendall-Carpenter CO43, who were an inspiration to me. Derek Burrell was a great friend, and I paid tribute to him at an annual reunion dinner, after he sadly passed away.” Stuart and Janet are now retired and moved to be near their daughter Emma and grandchildren in Devon. Their hobbies include walking and bird watching, and Stuart guides at Exeter Cathedral where he helps with the training and teaching of trainee guides. Stuart has completed an inventory of all the Cathedral’s stainedglass windows and recently authored a book about the Cathedral’s windows. He explains “the book is written in the form of a tour of the windows. It is A5 in size with 68 pages of glorious images of the windows, with close-ups to help. It is available from the Cathedral shop priced at £5 with the profits going to help the Cathedral, who have embarked on rebuilding the cloisters.” If any members of the Truro School community would like a free guided tour of Exeter Cathedral, Stuart is more than willing to accompany you. To arrange a tour with Stuart please email him at stuart.r.a.bird@gmail.com. 25

Finn Hawkins CO21

Future Olympics 2024 Windsurfing champion

For Finn’s 10th birthday he went sailing, and saw windsurfers having fun in and around the boats. After begging his dad to give him some equipment, it wasn’t long before he was out learning and training on the water at Porthpean. Finn explained that progression in windsurfing in the beginning is really slow, but before long he started in Team15, a windsurfing club for under-16s where he was able to train with the professionals. Finn attended Truro School from 2014 to 2021, and told us that Wednesday Afternoon Activities also provided an opportunity to enjoy windsurfing at Loe Beach. He explained how all his training and the sessions at school combined to help his progression to a zone squad, and then to the national team, which involves travelling around the country. Finn soon took part in his first international event, when he was just 12 years old, in Brest,

France. He told us he didn’t too well, and only sailed the right course twice during the whole event: “I had no idea what was going on!”. Finn explained that his mum took him to this particular event, with her driving all the way and then ensuring he was prepared enough. He told us that, as soon as you get on the circuit, you can take part in European and world championships every year. This meant that during the school term he would train every single weekend. Did you enjoy your time at school? “School was really, really good. The school was so supportive. The biggest thing for me is they knew I had to take time out of school to train, and they were really good at making sure I didn’t miss out and really helped minimize the impact it would have on my schooling. You’re always going to fall a little bit behind when you’re training or abroad.”

I love the fact now that I can go anywhere on the water, I can travel around St Austell bay, go to Polkerris, maybe go around the headland, go to Fowey and on the hydrofoil too – very quickly. There is so much freedom and adrenaline.

Did you stay for Sixth Form? Yes, I studied Maths, Physics and Economics. I really feel those subjects helped me because there is a lot of crossover from Physics, especially with hydrofoiling – it’s physics-based stuff to even understand how a boat moves forward. Can you explain the main difference between windsurfing and hydrofoils? When you windsurf you have a fin under the water which helps hold you sideways and propel you forwards. But with the hydrofoil, it’s the same physics as an aeroplane taking off. So, it’s doing the same thing under the water: you have your big front wing and a smaller back wing underneath your board, and because water is thicker than air, you don’t need to go as quick as a plane goes. So, your whole equipment lifts off out of the water, and the only thing left is the wings – and then that reduces the drag and you can go a lot faster. What speeds can you reach on the hydrofoil? I can probably go about 35 mph, around 30 knots. A normal windsurfer can reach a higher top speed but if you were to windsurf around a course, it’s much faster with the hydrofoil. You can also go much faster in lower winds. A normal windsurfer probably needs about 15-18 knots of wind to travel at around 28 knots, whereas on a hydrofoil with 8 knots of wind, you can do around 24 knots of speed, and that’s what makes it really exciting. With a hydrofoil, a good way to practise when there is no wind for windsurfing is to get towed behind a boat and practise your foiling skills that way.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

Can you tell us some of your memories of your time at school? “I remember taking part in an elite performers’ programme which was great and physically improved me. I also went to judo club which I really enjoyed. I would really l ike to get back into judo and try some other watersports.“ What is next for you? I’m windsurfing full-time now, and I’ve taken a gap year to see how good I can be and just see where it all progresses. This is my trial year. I have a place at Exeter for Engineering in 2022 but it depends how well my windsurfing goes or doesn’t go; but Truro School has given me that option. Mr Williamson taught me Physics and also went to Exeter. He was an inspirational teacher for me and was amazing helping to organise things so I could catch up, always asked how competitions went and made sure things were going smoothly. And Mr Gustafsson (Teacher of Chemistry) who was my Form Tutor through Sixth Form – he windsurfs too - was really influential in making sure everything was going smoothly. He understood the sport which helped. One time I bumped into Mr Baker (Teacher of DT) at the beach, and we ended up windsurfing together. It’s cool living and going to school in Cornwall because I know, having spoken to other windsurfers who didn’t live near a beach, their schools didn’t really understand the sport or what they did. But here, everyone has heard of sailing, or at least goes to the beach, so generally is in touch with what you do. The school definitely gave me that security to explore windsurfing but also to have an education.

A lot of athletes in other sports are having to peak at my age, and as a result have lost a lot of their education through having to train to a higher level much earlier, but luckily, with windsurfing, being older is a benefit as you’re more experienced. Experience is everything. I am lucky in that sense; that I can spend some time on my education still. Having the chance to embrace other things in life away from your sport when you’re at an elite level really helps to keep you emotionally stable because, if things go wrong, then its not the end of the world. Ultimately, I’ve still got a back-up option. Tom Daley recently said he thought he won a gold medal because he had other things like a family too, and sport wasn’t all-consuming for him. Who are your heroes? In the British sailing team, Nick Dempsey who won silver in the Rio and London Olympics. He’s just come back and is now our coach on the team. So that’s really cool. You’re 19 soon, how are you celebrating? I’m going to be in Lanzarote windsurfing, as the conditions are better there for training during the winter season. I’m still in the under-21s next year but I’m going to try and push for the men’s championships in 2023 so I can aim for the Olympics in 2024. The British team are really good. This year is such an important year so I need to work hard and do well. What does a typical day look like for you? I begin with an early-morning gym session and a big breakfast because I am trying to gain weight at the moment to put on muscle. I then have around three or four hours rest for my body to recover, before a big lunch and then training in the afternoon. I also try and eat as much as I possibly can in between! That’s been much more tiring than you might think, because when you’re trying to force it, it’s not great. I have been quite relaxed on what I’m eating specifically but now I am trying to cut out the rubbish, and it is becoming stricter because I am trying to become lean-heavy. No one really knows how heavy you need to be, but lean if you can. Once you have reached the weight goal you can do more cardio and become fitter and fitter. It’s a science, and I am currently having nutrition discussions with the British sailing team – there’s so much support from sport science professionals. 28

My coach is very influential in making sure I am doing all the right things at the right time and there is a lot to it – it’s really hard to fit it all in, so many components: your equipment, technique, race strategy, yourself, and then just simple windsurfing. After my gym session and food, I tend to watch footage of my windsurfing from the coach. I make notes and go through it with the coach and the team – and just keep re-evaluating every day. What are competitions like? It’s friendly and cut-throat. Everyone is really nice, and the period beforehand when you’re setting up everyone is friendly, but as soon as you’re on the water, everyone is very serious. It is a small community at the elite stage – at the world competition we had around 170 people. I am one of the younger competitors. Anything you’re particularly proud of? Definitely getting decent A-Level results whilst still being able to compete at international level. That was probably the hardest thing, to try and be good at windsurfing and still be good at school to get into university. What do you enjoy most about windsurfing? I love the fact now that I can go anywhere on the water, I can travel around St Austell bay, go to Polkerris, maybe go around the headland, go to Fowey and on the hydrofoil too – very quickly. There is so much freedom and adrenaline. My favourite place I have competed is Marseille. Lanzarote is really warm, so lovely; it’s definitely one of the most beautiful places. I would love to windsurf in Hawaii. How do you relax or celebrate after a competition? Unfortunately, when you finish, you’ve got to pack up everything! But then maybe I have a meal with the team or a party and then its just driving all the way home. What would you say to anyone hoping to follow in your footsteps? Keep at it, doing what you can. Every session you squeeze in to train is so important, for example every Wednesday Afternoon Activity session at school equals 20 sessions, so it can make all the difference.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

Dr Eli Sheppard CO09 Working in the field of robotics and automated machine learning

Eli Sheppard studied at Truro School in the 2000s, where his fondest memories were camping trips to Minions with Mr Golds (TS 1968 – 2007). Eli started playing guitar aged nine, and took lessons with Dave Stevens at Truro School, a skill he continues today. “Dave Stevens was a big influence on my taste in music - we used to jam the blues a lot which developed into my love of jazz and blues.” After completing his A-Levels, Eli attended Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh to read Electrical and Electronic Engineering, graduating with a master’s degree with distinction. Eli then joined the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics CDT (Centre for Doctoral Training). In 2016 he was awarded an MSc in Robotics and Autonomous Systems with distinction from the CDT, which led to his PhD studies.

The topic of Eli’s thesis was “Multimodal Representation Learning: an unsupervised approach to symbol grounding*”, in which he focused on the use of machine learning to jointly learn language and computer vision without human intervention. The result of his PhD was a Machine Learning (ML) System which allows robots to interactively learn to recognise and name objects as well as their properties (e.g., colour, shape, size). Eli deployed this system on the iCub robot. The iCub is a state-of-theart humanoid robot developed by the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), for exploring developmental robotics. Eli explains:

I believe that teachers and good schooling environments are vital to the success of individuals and society alike, so I am very grateful for the excellent education I received both at primary school at Marlborough and secondary at Truro School.

* Symbol grounding is the bidirectional action of learning the meaning of a symbol e.g., learning that the word apple refers to the object apple and vice versa. Babies (and robots) have to learn to link the auditory perception of the word apple with the visual perception of an apple. ** Python is an interpreted high-level general-purpose programming language.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

“I was attempting to develop a system which could learn in a similar way to how babies learn to speak and recognise objects (think babies’ first words sort of thing). The robot is child-like, designed for researching how children learn and how we can use this new knowledge, as well as usual teaching methods, to teach robots.”

Having just turned 30, we asked Eli about what his plans are for this new decade in his life. “In the short term my plans remain with Living Optics. It’s a company in its infancy at just over a year old, but has the potential to be a major player in the computer vision and remote sensing industry.

Upon completion of his PhD, Eli wrote to Mr Mark Vanstone (TS Director of Studies) to update him on his progress. Mr Vanstone was Eli’s form tutor when he started at Truro School, and taught him physics and chemistry at various points during his education.

“Long-term, I have plans to buy some land and build a self-sufficient home using the principals of permaculture. I’m passionate about reducing my environmental impact and would like to help others reduce theirs too to that end, I would like to write a book or perhaps make a video series detailing how to do everything from generating your own electricity to growing your own food.”

“Mr Vanstone was always encouraging my curiosity, giving me more in-depth explanations of physical phenomena, and I attribute part of my academic success to his excellent teaching.” Eli’s working life began at the University of Lincoln (UoL), developing the vision and control system for a mushroompicking robot, before he moved to work for an Oxford-based start-up called Living Optics. “I love being able to freely explore ideas and develop my own understanding or to satisfy my own curiosity. Most recently, a colleague and I developed a framework in ‘Python’** which allows for the automatic definition of neural network architectures - this allows us to rapidly experiment with different ideas. “We are developing a ‘Hyperspectral Camera’ (a camera which sees in at least 20 colours, as opposed to the three (red, green and blue) which are used in a normal camera). My role as the company Computer Vision Engineer mostly entails working as a software engineer, developing Auto-ML (automated machine learning) techniques to enhance the capabilities of our camera. In this case, Auto-ML is using algorithms which automatically optimise the architecture of the neural networks we are using to produce our hyperspectral images, i.e. we are having a machine learning system design a machine learning system to produce hyperspectral images from our sensor data.”

THE TRURONIAN

2021

And advice for anyone considering a career in machine learning? “Whilst understanding the mathematical underpinnings is important, developing strong software development skills are equally vital. I was hired not only because of my experience with machine learning but also because I have experience developing software systems from the ground up. “Careers in software development require solid problem-solving skills; many people can program, not so many are good at breaking problems into pieces and finding scalable ways of solving them. In that regard, time spent in the design and technology labs with Mr Tall (1980 – 2014), learning how to build furniture, was probably more beneficial to my software development skills than learning how to solve quadratics in maths class. Once you understand how to break a piece of furniture into components, you can adapt that understanding to making more complex things. First you build a box, then a table, then a chair... eventually you can build a house. Software development is the same; first you solve simple problems, then more and more complex ones by breaking the hard problems into components.”

SENIOR GROUNDSMAN

Colin Dower

“ My favourite season is autumn with all the colours on the trees. As for plants, it is a real old favourite, the pelargonium, not to be confused with geraniums.”

Colin grew up in the small Cornish village of Porkellis, near Helston, in a very rural setting. He first got involved with gardening as a young boy, helping his father in their large garden. Colin carried on this interest at Helston School, where he studied a subject called Rural Studies. Although his friends did not find the subject very interesting, Colin enjoyed it and went on to pass the exam. During the holidays, Colin would complete the 18-mile round trip on his bicycle from home to school to look after the school greenhouses and veg plots. Colin left school in the Easter of 1974. After a couple of weeks his father spotted an advert in the West Briton for a groundsman / gardener at Truro School. He went for an interview with the Bursar, Mr Jock Appleton (TS 1958-1979), who showed him around the school, which Colin explains was “a very different school compared to today”, before asking him “when can you start?”

“My first day was 12 July 1974 – yes, 47 years ago - and I’ve been here ever since. In the early years it was an allboys school with Wednesday afternoon off and Saturday morning school. The headmaster at that time was Mr Derek Burrell (TS Head 1959-1986), with Mr Alan Ayres (TS 1955-1988) at Treliske, as it was then. The main school site has changed a lot - there was no sports hall, an outdoor swimming pool, and an athletics track where the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre is now, no Astro, no Burrell Theatre, no Wilkes Building and an old wooden cricket pavilion with a tin roof that mysteriously burnt down in 1977.” Prior to the blaze, Colin tended to the roses that grew in front of the cricket pavilion, and remembers the morning after finding a gas canister which had been split in half by the fire and flung 200 meters across the cricket pitch! Luckily no one was injured.

BEFORE

AFTER

“One other big change was Epworth Close. Where these houses now sit used to be the school allotment where a man called Mr Mike Osmand looked after the school allotment to keep the kitchens supplied with veg. Mr Osmand also looked after the school pigs – yes, real pigs! They would be fed all the waste from the kitchens.” Colin’s favourite memory of Truro School was the night of the solar eclipse campout in August 1999. “The sports fields were home to hundreds of tents, a small town of campers all here for the big event.” In 2002, Colin moved over to the Truro School Prep site where he has created most of what you see in the gardens today. When he arrived, most of the site consisted of large trees and grassy areas of shrubs. One of Colin’s first projects at the Prep School was the ‘Head’s Garden’, which had become unused and overrun by brambles. Colin has taken back control and transformed the area into a colourful flowerbed with additional space for car parking. One of the most noticeable of Colin’s projects is the brightly coloured corner flowerbed at the entrance of the Prep School. It took Colin 12 months to clear the tree stumps and build the shieldshaped raised bed which currently contains 300 New Guinea busy lizzies. Colin explained this is a seasonal bed, and he looks to change the flowers in the autumn to replace them with bulbs ready for spring. The woods which line either side of the Prep driveway become a carpet of bluebells in springtime. This variety are wild English bluebells, which have naturally established themselves in the woods over the years. Colin leaves them to grow naturally but maintains the woods around them, so they are visible from the drive.

Recently, many of Colin’s projects have taken an ecological approach, with the aim of increasing the biodiversity on the site. He has done this by bringing old tree stumps and logs from the woods to create habitats for critters, as well as introducing flowers such as goldenrod to attract a wide array of bee species. The students have been getting involved too, having built a bug hotel for which Colin supplied the materials, using wooden pallets, bricks and bits of pottery he has dug up around the site over the years.

Although Colin keeps the grounds modern with brightly coloured flower beds, there are still glimpses into their history; from the section of tiles remaining in the dining room patio as a reminder of the conservatory which once stood there, to the granite roller which Colin salvaged from the earth dug out to make way for the Lovett Building foundations in 2018.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

Peter Lake CO36

Old Truronian Centenarian

Peter told his local news:

“ I’m staggered, staggered that I made it this far. I had a lot of ‘should-haves,’ where I could have died. I think I had about 14 should-haves.”

Peter Lake attended Truro School for a relatively short time, from 1935-1936. We are delighted to celebrate the news of his 101st birthday.

pilot had to make an emergency landing and they buzzed the Turnberry Hotel (a makeshift hospital at the time) by about 30 feet, Peter said.

He was born in Borneo on September 2 1920, before his family returned to England and then to Zimbabwe during British rule in the 1950s.

Peter couldn’t say what the secret to living to 100 is, but his wife Margaret suggested his story telling and rich details have long kept him sharp. “It’s really very exciting,” Margaret said about Peter reaching the century mark. “He’s amazing, he loves stories and remembers everything.”

“Chamberlain declared war on September 3, the day after my [19th] birthday. I remember the day. I went to the sweet shop to get cigarettes for my mother.” Eventually, Peter joined the Royal Air Force and trained as a wireless radio operator and an air gunner. It was during a training flight at Turnberry Hotel and Golf Course that he brushed with death. The converted golf course was home to the Royal Flying Corps and was flattened during the war for runways and airplane hangars. Peter was on board when the

Margaret, who worked a career in nursing, met Peter when she moved to Copperbelt province in Zimbabwe in 1954 where Peter was working for the British government in agriculture. The two married in 1957 and had their first son, William, in 1959. They left for England and had their second son, Jeffrey, in 1961. In 1972 they moved to Victoria, Canada, and soon purchased a clothing store, John McMaster Fine Clothes, which they owned until the 1980s.

Looking back at the past - YFC Welcome to our newest and oldest feature. Each term we will be looking back at at articles from the archive. This term we are looking at the Young Farmers’ Club termly reports from over 70 years ago. Possibly inspired by digging up the playing fields for potatoes during the war, and because many of the students were from farming families, a Young Farmers’ Club was set up at school in 1948.

DEC 19

In addition to lectures and films about farming techniques, livestock was kept and the field behind the school chapel was ploughed up to practice scientific farming. Experimental plots below Epworth grew barley, wheat and oats, and there were trials with different fertilisers. Over the following years assorted pigs, goats, rabbits and hens were reared by students.

MARC

H 1951

DEC 19

By July 1955, the renamed Agriculture Society had acquired 417 square yards of land behind the swimming pool to cultivate. A Gardening Club produced many fine crops of vegetables, and at one point interest was expressed in keeping bees at the school.

If there was a club you participated in during your school days, and you’d like to see a report from your decade in a future edition of the Truronian, let us know at TSConnections@truroschool.com

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

TRURO SCHOOL

Clock Tower

On Friday 27 May 1938, the School was presented with a ‘magnificent tower clock’ by the Wickett family in a ceremony held in the School Chapel.

The clock was given by Mrs Wickett in memory of her late husband, Tom Wickett, a former pupil from 1884 to 1888, a governor of the school from 1900 to 1935 and chairman of the Old Boys’ Association in 1926. It was presented by his son, Eustace Wickett (TS 1910-14), who pointed out that it was the idea of his mother ‘who felt she would like to mark the long association of her husband and other members of his family with the school’. The gift was acknowledged by former Headmaster Mr H. W. Vinter (TS 1883-1921) and the current Headmaster Dr E. H. Magson (TS 1921-46).

days and the annual athletic sports. [He] was the splendid example of an all-round boy at the School, who tried to do his best, not only for the School, but for those with whom he was associated.” The clock was said to be a useful reminder of “Mr Tom Wickett, who so loyally served the School in every way.”

Tom Wickett was the second of four generations associated with the School. His father had been a governor, Tom himself was one of five brothers who were pupils at the School, and later his son Eustace, and grandson Tony Wickett (TS 1946-50), were also Truro School pupils. Tom Wickett’s career in mining led him abroad, including to South Africa and Brazil, yet he remained strongly associated with the School and was a keen supporter, generously contributing to both the War Memorial Fund and a university scholarship. “He was always keen that Truro School should be on top, and was a regular attendant on speech

This summer, Richard Lamboll (TS Estates Manager) and the Estates Team began work to lovingly restore the clock to its former glory and working condition. Repairs to the tower have been extensive and have included maintenance work to the exterior of the building, timber repairs, painting and roof tile repairs.

Over the years, the clock tower has been an iconic symbol of Truro School. The electrically driven clock was designed to keep the correct time without the need for winding; however, over time it has stopped.

Access to the clock has been improved, and new hands have been fitted. The mechanism has also been updated to a new GPS-controlled system, which will update when the clocks change. The clock can now be seen at night through the new addition of a back-light.

A blast from the past Reunion on the golf course The photo below is of myself (Phil Rule), Andrew Knuckey, Charlie Phillips CO78 and Marc Boggia CO79. We were all together at the recent Cornwall County Golf Union Championships, held at Truro Golf Club in mid-September 2021. This was the first time we had been together since July 1977, when the four of us went from Truro to The Open Championship held at Turnberry, Scotland. I was the only one with a driving licence and had never driven on a motorway! The three of us had to wait for Marc to finish his O-Levels before we could leave. We “borrowed” my father’s car and got there and back just about in one piece. When we met up at Truro, there were plenty of laughs reminiscing on what we got up to as teenagers. Marc currently lives in Thailand, Andrew (current Cornwall County President) lives in Exeter, I’m in Surrey and Charlie (current Cornwall County Golf Captain) lives in Newquay. Happy days. PHIL RULE

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

LES RENDELL REUNION

‘80 Not Out’

LES RENDELL CO59 FORMER CHAIRMAN & S E C R E TA R Y T S A LONDON BRANCH

Those who attended were: TS Head Andy Johnson Mark Harvey CO58 Val and Bob Haslock CO60 Sue and Nigel Holman CO59 Gill and John Lear CO60 Margie and Tan Lumby CO59 Les Rendell CO59 David Stableforth CO60 Pauline and Gerald Sturtridge CO59 Daphne and Brian Thomas CO59 Helen and Peter Thomas CO5 John Toye CO59 Jenny and David Way CO58.

Since 1991, the “Class of 59” have been in regular contact. To celebrate their 50th birthdays, 30 of the “boys”, who probably started at the school in 1952, met at their alma mater and thoroughly enjoyed a nostalgic reunion with their wives and some of the masters who had taught them nearly forty years previously. Since then, the majority have kept in touch, and arranged further reunions in 2001 and 2011 when they were 60 and 70 respectively. Now, for their 80th birthdays, 12 of the original group met at a hotel in Clevedon, near Bristol, again with their wives, and were joined by Head Andy Johnson, who described the event as “joyful and uplifting”. The “80 Not Out” reunion took place on Wednesday 22 September and was in the form of a lunch, though many of the attendees booked into the hotel for two nights. This meant that two evenings were spent with former classmates whom they had not seen for many years, and in two cases, since they had left school

64 years earlier. There were recollections of school life; the escapades, the masters from whom they had benefitted, the punishments and the humorous tales of those formative years. Those recollections were drawn more into focus by the memorabilia displayed, primarily from school archivist, Jo Wood, whose contribution was greatly appreciated. A short silence by the attendees preceded the lunch in memory of all those in their year who had passed on, including Guy Dodd (TS Head 1993 - 2001) who, as Head, was of great help in the reunion at the school 20 years previously. As the meal was ending, the group was presented with a magnificent birthday cake (pictured), sent from Truro School to mark the oldest (in both senses!) of the school’s reunion groups. This was a tremendous surprise and was literally the “icing on the cake” for a very successful reunion.

ANDY JOHNSON (TS HEAD)

ANDY JOHNSON, JOHN TOYE, DAVID WAY AND PETER THOMAS CO59

DAVID WAY CO59 AND BOB HASLOCK CO60

GILL AND JOHN LEAR CO60

The group donated £125 to the Truro School Foundation, and it was quite clear that those attending held the school in high esteem, and regarded their time there as the bedrock of their careers and the basis of their future lives.

VAL HASLOCK, JENNY WAY AND GILL LEAR

TAN LUMBY CO59 SPEAKING TO THE GROUP

MARK HARVEY CO58 NIGEL HOLMAN CO59

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

GERALD STURTRIDGE CO59

THE TRURONIAN

2021

HELEN AND PETER THOMAS CO59

1898 The junior block was originally a one-storey building housing the school’s first gym.

1883 The school driveway and terraces are laid out.

1901 Chemistry laboratory opens. This building went on to be used as a classroom space for history (now the Sixth Form Café).

OVER THE YEARS

1880 1881 Foundation stone of the main school building is laid (completed 1882).

1894

The school’s first physics lab was built (now a medical centre).

1936

1930s Sports area used for football matches.

1899

Purpose-built school sanatorium opens (now offices).

Treliske opens as a junior boarding house.

1937 Science block opens.

1930s 1930 Pentreve opens as a junior boarding house.

1938

1934

An electric clock is installed in the school tower.

Newly-built Epworth opens as a boarding house.

1940 During World War Two, the playing fields were used for growing potatoes.

1982 Upper-floor extension added to the 1957 science block. 1977 Sports hall opens with space for indoor sports, including climbing, as well as a new design technology department.

1986 The school library moves to its present site and is renamed the Rule Memorial Library.

1991 Foundation stone of Willday House, for the Pre-Prep, is laid.

1970s 1977 A new cricket pavilion is built after the old one burned down. 40

1980s Gym above the Chapel becomes the Lower Sixth Room.

1988 New facilities for biology open.

1991 The Gym opens with more facilities and equipment.

An upper floor is put into the old schoolroom, creating a dormitory. 1920s The school workshop, now the 5th Year Common Room, is converted into a physics lab. A new workshop opens; this building later became the Sixth Form Centre.

1925 School dormitories are extended and incorporate the site of the old physics lab.

1927

1930 1920s

1920

The junior block is used as a chemistry lab, with a physics lab next door. The second storey was a later addition.

1927

The memorial cricket pavilion opens, in memory of the school’s fallen in the First World War.

Foundation stone of the Chapel is laid; it opens the following year. The upper room is used as a gym.

1946 Malvern opens as a boarding house. 1953 New classrooms opened, mainly for maths.

1966

1954

Graham Smith Rooms opens, linking the 1950s additions.

On-site swimming pool opens.

1970 1948

1957

1954

The School Memorial Library opens.

Poltisco opens as a boarding house.

1960s

Science facilities were expanded, which improved space for geography and geology.

Improvements to the school kitchens.

2013 Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre opens on the site of a former athletics track. 2010

1996 The swimming pool is refurbished and covered.

2003 Epworth becomes the music department.

The heart of the school redevelopment covering the lower quad or ‘black hole’ was completed which includes the Heath Hall dining room and the Dodd Library.

2014 The Gym becomes home to the Cornwall Fencing Centre and Truro Fencing Club.

2020 2002 The Burrell Theatre opens.

2004 The Wilkes Building opens for modern languages.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2005 AstroTurf pitch was laid.

2021

2011 Lower Sixth Room above the Chapel is transformed into the Heseltine Gallery and Studio.

2018 The Truro Cookery School opens. 41

the old

TRURONIAN Bookcase

Calculations in A-Level Chemistry By Jim Clark (TS 1974-1997) £29.89 Review from the Times Educational Supplement: “Calculations in A-Level Chemistry fills a gap in the market and provides excellent coverage of the calculations needed at A-Level. Chapters are clearly laid out, with plenty of worked examples, and there are helpful notes throughout.” Available at waterstones.com

This book grew out of Jim’s time as head of chemistry at Truro School. Jim had written several help sheets for his A-Level students based on the calculations they had found tricky. After he took early retirement, he turned them into a calculation book.

T H E S TA I N E D G L A S S W I N D O W S O F E X E T E R C A T H E D R A L Dr Stuart Bird

THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF EXETER CATHEDRAL Dr Stuart Bird

The Little Person Inside By Talan Skeels-Piggins CO89 £14.99

Discover the truly inspiring, real-life journey of a Paralympic Champion. Talan Skeels-Piggins retells his story in a way that kids can hold onto. Playfully illustrated, this story encourages children to tap into that incredible skill of positive thinking and self-belief. Available at waterstones.com

Michael Adams: Development of a Grandmaster

The Stained Glass Windows of Exeter Cathedral

By Bill and Michael Adams CO90

By Stuart Bird CO64

£20.58

£5.00

The chess style of teenager Michael Adams is characterised by great natural talent, enthusiasm and perseverance, qualities which have made him one of the most promising players around today. Adams himself provides revealing commentaries to 50 games which have some special memory of significance for him in his development as a Grandmaster.

This fascinating guidebook acts as a tour around the wonderful collection of stained and painted glass windows of Exeter Cathedral.

Available at waterstones.com 42

Available at the Exeter Cathedral gift shop

A Guide to Wild Swimming in Cornwall By Bethany Allen CO13, Lydia Paleschi (née Jackson) CO13 and Max Campbell £15.99

Discover the best wild swimming spots in Britain’s most southerly county with the long-awaited ‘A Guide to Wild Swimming in Cornwall’. Inside are 54 swimming locations, a detailed safety section, insights on the ocean environment and information on both the mental and physical benefits of wild swimming. Readers can also expect to find suggestions on local cafes and attractions, and to discover more about the Cornish landscape, culture and history. The journey begins in the floral hedgerows of the Roseland Peninsula, and ends in the leafy upper reaches of the River Fowey and the rolling expanse of Bodmin Moor. Complete with a key and directions to make it easy for users to reach their ideal swimming location, A Guide to Wild Swimming in Cornwall provides a resource for both the complete beginner and the seasoned swimmer. It is the only guidebook exclusively dedicated to wild swimming in Cornwall, and has been written by local wild swimmers. Available from WildSwimmingCornwall.co.uk

Close to the Wind: Britain’s Greatest Olympic Sailor By Sir Ben Ainslie CO95 £12.99

Against all odds, in the London 2012 Olympics, Ben Ainslie thrillingly won a fourth successive gold medal, making him the greatest ever Olympic sailor and a British hero, chosen from many to be the flag bearer for the closing ceremony. From his proudest moment representing Team GB to one tough decision that almost risked destroying his career, this is a unique insight into the man who cannot let himself be second best. It shows what really takes place in the white heat of competition, and lifts the lid on this toughest of sports. Available at waterstones.com

Old Truronian Books

If you have written or are planning to write a book and you would like to share it in our next Old Truronian Bookcase, please submit your book title, price, cover image, short blurb and where it is available to purchase to TSConnections@truroschool.com T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

Magical Journey By Poppy Gamble (née Roberts) CO99 £7.99

Poppy Gamble (nee Roberts) was a remarkable young woman. The beloved second daughter of Bill and Bridget Roberts, Poppy was born and brought up in Cornwall, along with her sisters and dearest friends Amy and Annie. A talented actress, she left the Duchy at 18 to train at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Early success, critical acclaim and the prospect of fame and fortune were, however, unequal to the charm, magic and magnetism of Cornwall. Returning home, she launched a new career as a businesswoman, founding the distinctively stylish Opium Boutique in Truro. It wasn’t long, however, before she met Lee, fell in love, got married and embarked on what she believed was the most fulfilling role she’d ever played the devoted mother of Paddy and Ernie. On 13th January 2019, however, Poppy was tragically and prematurely taken from her family and friends by secondary breast cancer. Sparkling, smiling and brave to the end, she achieved more in her 37 years than most manage in a full natural life span. It was only after her death that her mother, Bridget, found the manuscript of Magical Journey that Poppy had both written and illustrated when she was just 12 years old. Poppy would be thrilled to know that her story was being published, but even more delighted that all proceeds from the sale of the book will go to support both Penhaligon’s Friends and Secondary1st (a charity that supports research into secondary breast cancer). Available at waterstones.com

MEMORIES OF THE

Borlase Society Mr Nigel Baker was a Truro School pupil 1960 to 1968, and later joined the Truro School staff from 1976 to his retirement in 2010. At various stages, Nigel was Head of History, Head of the Sixth Form and, for about the last 20 years, part of the senior management team as Director of Studies. Nigel recently contacted us in response to the Archive article published in the July Truronian.

MR NIGEL BAKER CO67 TS HISTORY TEACHER 1976 - 2010

The recent account of the Borlase Society rekindled some wonderful memories. I left Truro School as a pupil in 1968 and, for two or three years before, had been a member of the Borlase Society and helped in the Penhale Sands ‘dig’. For at least a couple of summers, when home from university, I was a member of a small group led by Mr L.J. Penna (pupil 1932-37, teacher 1945-79) who continued the excavation. I had always got on with Joe Penna very well, possibly because he was my form tutor in the second year (Year 8) when my father died, and Joe did much to help me. Joe was a talented and respected antiquarian, and he was probably one of a very small number of non-professionals who was given a ‘licence to dig’ by the then-Ministry of Works. He was well regarded by Cornish historians and archaeologists and was able to secure excellent speakers, such as Professor Charles Thomas (school governor 1977-90), for Borlase Society talks. I came back to the school as a member of the teaching staff in 1976 and Joe made me very welcome. I was appointed to teach history but initially, to make up my timetable, I had to teach some junior geography. I had not even studied geography at A-Level but, when I asked Joe for advice, he being the Head of Geography, he told me to teach the

pupils anything I liked as long as I made it interesting. I am afraid my version of geography contained an awful lot about Cornish mining, Cornish fishing etc., which was very close to history. I also did something to try to revive the Borlase Society, although we were no longer allowed to excavate. We still managed to obtain talented speakers and, for a few years, took pupils out to local cemeteries to draw and record the headstones, and it really was quite a popular activity then. Joe retired in about 1978 but I was unaware he was already ill with cancer. He died in Treliske hospital on the very night the school was holding a huge firework display at the start of its centenary year in September 1979. Jo Wood’s account of the Borlase Society was based on its minutes, and was accurate, but it did not convey the fun we had excavating these old ruins in Penhale Sands. For many years, Penhale was an army training camp, and was used extensively by Cadet Corps units and Territorial Army units, especially during the summer months. This did not always sit well with a bunch of schoolboys taking part in an excavation. The terrain was unusual in that it was a very large area of sand dunes; the excavation indicated that the

sand had blown inland in huge quantities and overwhelmed the small farm holdings that existed probably between 800 AD and the Norman Conquest. The stream that flowed past Ellenglaze Manor, a delightful old thatched house, seems to have stopped the sand moving any further inland. Penhale was a very large area of huge dunes topped with dense marram grass, and between the dunes were small valleys which were often quite wet at the bottom. As Jo’s article made clear, during the late 1960s the water table was very high, which made digging difficult as much pumping would be required on arrival. The other problem was wind-blown sand, which would threaten to overwhelm the excavations, but that was more easily rectified by protecting the excavations with sandbags, much sand being readily available. In one low-lying area of Penhale sands was an area, a couple of average rooms in size, protected by sandbags. The problem was that, to the trainee infantryman, this looked very much like a military emplacement which needed to be ‘taken’ as part of the war that blue team was undertaking against red team. Although we were aware that the exercises were being undertaken using blank ammunition, the bayonets attached to the rifles carried by the infantry were very real. On several occasions, the Borlase Society ‘dig’ was bayonet-charged by gung-ho soldiers. We simply fled up the neighbouring dune until sanity returned. The dig was in one of the large valleys surrounded by huge dunes, but the dig was at one end, and rather lower down than the rest of the valley floor. This meant that, from a large area of the valley and the surrounding dunes, it was well hidden. We tended to choose to dig on a warm, sunny day but, as mentioned, due to the high water table we often wore welly boots – the water was surprisingly cold – so our normal attire was a sun hat, shorts and welly boots. One of the first jobs on arrival was to shovel any wind-blown sand into a

barrow and wheel it over the slight ridge which separated our dig from the rest of the valley to tip out the sand. Imagine yourself as an average army ‘squaddie’ on one dune, firing with enthusiasm at the enemy squaddies who are on the opposite side of the valley. In the middle of the ‘war’ there emerges from the bowels of the sand a chap wearing a sun hat and welly boots who is pushing a barrow of sand, which he empties and then disappears. On occasions, firing stopped at what must have seemed like a mirage. But this was not all the fun we had. Leonard Penna, Joe or Faff as the pupils called him, was very excitable and a way was found of making him very, very excited. During the Second World War Penhale was a live firing area, and finding .303 rifle bullets was very common, but just occasionally a mortar bomb might be found which needed to be reported for the attention of the Army’s bomb disposal unit. Slightly more common were the tail fins of exploded mortar bombs. Occasionally, if it was known in advance which area of sand Joe Penna would personally be excavating next day, it was not unknown for some practical joker to hide the remains of the bomb fin uppermost, where it would have looked identical to an unexploded bomb. This provoked much panic and cries of ‘Evacuate!’ or ‘Run for your life!’, but he never bore a grudge and regarded it for what it was: a schoolboy prank. Very few schoolboys were lucky enough to be able to get involved in excavations. It was disappointing that two main factors brought the dig to an end. One was the very high water table and the second was the realisation that the bulk of the main building we had found was under the very large dune adjacent to our dig. I am not sure how many members of the Borlase Society went on to become professional archaeologists, but I still remember the excitement of finding a fishbone which had been pierced at one end to form a needle, and of finding mussel shells which were worn down having been used as scrapers for removing fat from animal hides.

Planning a visit to Truro School? Old Truronians are more than welcome to visit Truro School for a trip down memory lane. If you are looking to arrange a tour of the school site, please contact the development team:

TSConnections@truroschool.com

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

offering advice, guidance, networking and opportunities for current students and alumni.

2021

AUTUMN TERM N A N C Y K E N WA R D HEAD OF CAREERS

Nancy talks about the invaluable resource that is Truro School Community alumni and parents, and the difference they make to our current students. It has been brilliant to be back to a slightly more ‘normal’ term this academic year. Now that the Government has ended school-year group ‘bubbles’, we have been able to host events which can be attended by multiple year groups, and we have even been able to welcome visiting speakers on to site, although strict protocols still have to be adhered to in order to limit risks. The careers events this term have been a mixture of in-person and virtual talks from a variety of speakers. We started off with a talk from Burnett Global, who gave a fantastic insight in to the degree opportunities available in Europe and Canada. We also welcomed Falmouth Marine College on to the site to introduce some of their engineering courses, their Superyacht Cadetship course and the marine engineering apprenticeships available at A and P and Pendennis Shipyard, among others. While around 90% of Truro School students move on to UK universities after they leave the Sixth Form, our pupils are investigating their alternatives more than ever. Appealing opportunities to avoid the huge costs of a university education as well as studying abroad are becoming increasingly popular, and it is important the students are able to find out about the huge range of alternatives to the more traditional degree route into the workplace. Other career talks have included an introduction into computer programming opportunities by Software Cornwall, our annual visit from the Army Liaison Officer and a talk from local wealth management firm Watson French, based in Truro. Our most popular talk of the term was from Dan Wormald CO13, who spoke to our students about starting up his own business at 18, and the marine engineering industry. His company, Lutra Marine, provide sustainable dredging services locally and globally, and he gave a really inspiring talk about the highs and lows of his first four years in business and some top tips for any budding entrepreneurs. Another former pupil also delivered a talk this term, this time to the A-Level business classes. Jack Wing CO14 talked about the growth strategies used by his family business, Wing of St Mawes. Jack’s

talk was fascinating and the Upper Sixth really valued the opportunity to hear about a business first hand. As always, we feel incredibly lucky to be able to provide our current pupils with inspirational speakers from our alumni; their generosity and enthusiasm is an essential part of the careers provision at Truro School. Last term I requested help and advice from alumni via our LinkedIn page, Truro School Connected, and some of our current pupils have benefitted from fantastic insights in to bioengineering and finance and trading roles as a result of the replies. Although I oversee the day-to-day careers provision within the school, our pupils are lucky enough to benefit from a huge range of staff who also provide specialist careers advice and guidance. Vicky Cucknell provides support for students preparing their portfolios for art school applications, Martin Palmer mentors students applying to music conservatoires and Lucy Jupp guides students through the labyrinthine world of overseas universities applications and sports scholarships for North American Universities. Ellie Collinge heads up our Oxbridge Pathways programme and mentors students through the additional challenges of applying to Oxford and Cambridge, and each year Ross Williamson, Head of Sixth Form, takes on the huge role of overseeing the university applications, personal statements and school references for over 80 U6th students. Sarah Finnegan has run the Medical Pathways programme at Truro School for over four years, and has provided amazing support for students who aspire to become doctors, vets and dentists. She organises mock interviews, prepares students for the additional tests needed for these degree courses, such as the BMAT and the UKCAT, and assists with finding vital work-experience placements. Although she is an incredibly busy member of staff (she is also Head of Biology and Head of PSHEE), her energy and passion for helping our aspiring medics, dentists and vets has been unflagging, and she has really enriched the support that our students receive during their applications to university. Sarah leaves Truro School at the end of this term to start a new job at Kingston Grammar School, and while we are of course delighted for her, there is no doubt that she will be sorely missed by all.

CAREERS TALK

Daniel Wormald CO13 12 November 2021 Daniel is managing director of Lutra Marine, a company that supplies environmentally friendly dredging equipment to marine environments, which he founded soon after leaving Truro School. Daniel first came up with his business idea on a 5th-year school trip to Godrevy, where he wondered if there would be a sustainable way of dredging tin from the sand without affecting water quality. Despite being offered a place at Camborne School of Mines, Daniel worked hard during his gap year to make his idea of providing precision dredging without affecting the water quality come to fruition. After pitching his company to various funding bodies and investment organisations, Lutra Marine received the funding it needed to become a limited company in 2014.

We would like to thank her for the huge impact she has had on this school and wish her the very best of luck as she moves on to her next post. The Truro School Community page on LinkedIn is an excellent way of staying in touch with us. We update the page with local and national job opportunities and information on work experience, conferences and internships which will be of interest to our former pupils.

Daniel studied at Truro School between 2006 and 2013, and after asking Mr Kenyon (TS 1980-2021) for advice on which A-Levels to take for a geology-related career, he chose Geology, Chemistry and Physics at A-Level and Maths at AS-Level. During this time, he realised the idea of potentially undertaking dredging works in difficult locations which are restricted by environmental factors making them hard to reach. With some school physics and the right research and ideas, Daniel built a small prototype machine in his parent’s garden and, with their financial support, in 2019 he raised investment from the British Design Fund, which enabled him to build the equipment he created.

We would encourage all former pupils, no matter what age, to connect with us so that they, too, can access this amazing network of Truro School alumni and become part of TSCONNECTED.

The precision of the equipment means Lutra Marine can operate around a wide range of obstructions and above fragile surfaces in an assortment of sediment types. All the equipment is fully customisable, creating versatility to suit customers’ needs whether shore based or vessel mounted. During his careers talk to students, he gave the following advice: “Don’t listen to anyone that tells you you’re too young,” and stressed the importance of networking within the industry. He recommended LinkedIn as an extremely useful tool and explained how he had managed to make very specific contacts over the platform.

If you would like to be active participant and become part of the Truro School Connected initiative whatever the level of help you can offer, whether it is offering job opportunities, careers advice, guidance or work experience or taking part in the Careers Convention, or if you would like to help fellow alumni in your career field, then please get in touch with Nancy Kenward: nk@truroschool.com or email the Development Office team: TSconnections@truroschool.com T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

ASPIRING

Healthcare Professionals and Medical Pathways Programme

There continues to be great interest in healthcare professions and the work done to support students who are applying for such vocations. This was reflected in the expansion of the mock Multiple Mini interviews that are run bi-annually for Sixth Form students.

This term, students have also had the opportunity to hear talks from Dr David Pencheon CO75 (Associate, and Honorary Professor in Health and Sustainable Development at Exeter Medical School) as well as paramedic Roseanna McCammick CO08.

On Wednesday 24 November, seven Upper Sixth Truro School students took part in mock Multiple Mini Interviews with volunteers from Exeter Medical School. This style of multiple station interview online is what most universities are using for selecting students for places on healthcare courses this year. Four of the Truro students are applying for Medicine, one for Veterinary Medicine, one for Physiotherapy and one for Nursing. Although approaching the circuit with some anxiety, they all reported finding it very useful along with the formative feedback that they were given from the Exeter medical students. We would like to thank them for their input.

Those on the Medical Pathways Program in the Sixth Form also meet every Monday lunchtime to discuss current affairs in healthcare, such as the impact of Covid-19, the use of artificial intelligence in medicine and whether strike action is ever appropriate. The eloquence that the students demonstrate when expressing their thoughts always impresses, as does the compassion and consideration that they demonstrate.

SARAH FINNEGAN H E A D O F B I O L O G Y & P. S . H . E . E . MEDICS, DENTISTS & VETS C O O R D I N AT O R

A view from the Chamber This year has been another challenging one that has continued to test Cornwall’s businesses in ways they weren’t prepared for. The feedback the Chamber is getting from its members is that they are optimistic and energised.

There’s a lot of Merger & Acquisition activity happening in the hospitality sector, which is brilliant news and shows just how robust the industry is, bouncing back after an extremely tough summer. Cornwall has been through quite a significant transition over the last two years and it’s important that we move forward in the right direction. The bumper summer of 2020, several high-profile documentaries and the mammoth event that was G7 have all had a hand in changing the Duchy’s profile both nationally and internationally. It’s important that we get the balance right: harness the interest in the Duchy and ensure we are tolerant and welcoming (we mustn’t start to take the ‘brand Cornwall’ image for granted and rest on our laurels), whilst creating a wonderful place for people to live, work and play that is aspirational and full of opportunity. In the short term, work needs to be done to ensure young people are aware of the careers and opportunities available to them in Cornwall, and we need to make sure that the housing market is accessible to them, should they wish to stay or move here. Long term, we need to be focusing on the Duchy’s productivity and thinking about how we can make people more productive so that they have the opportunity to earn more money.

KIM CONCHIE CEO CORNWALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, D E P U T Y L I E U T E N A N T, O T PA R E N T, F O U N D AT I O N TRUSTEE

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

I think 2022 is going to bring even more focus on sustainability, and businesses will be expected to step up to the challenge of making their processes and products greener. I’d like to think that it won’t be long before every business has a Sustainability Manager – a position that will become just as commonplace as having an IT Manager or Health and Safety Officer.

THE TRURONIAN

2021

The walls are certainly closing in on the businesses who do not start to address their green credentials pretty swiftly, which is great. I foresee that the public sector and large companies will soon not procure from those who do not have a strong focus on sustainability; demonstratable action in the fight against climate change will be fundamental to a business if they are to succeed. At the Chamber, we have drawn up a number of policies that are key to focusing a business and making sure everyone is on the same path to achieving Cornwall Council’s ambition of Cornwall being net zero by 2030. The policies are informed by a need to ensure there is ample opportunity for our young people and the skills agenda is addressed, and that the tourism sector remains buoyant. The policies are on Renewables, Digital Infrastructure, Digitisation of Business and Construction, and offer a roadmap reflecting the Chamber’s vision for the sector or industry. Each policy looks at short, medium and long-term priorities, and the strategy for how to get there. The Chamber has included details of its commitment to each sector to help it achieve the priorities. Cornwall needs to demonstrate some thought leadership on sustainability, and the younger generation will be crucial to driving this forward. We welcome any feedback on Cornwall’s future, sustainability, and the way forward. I would love to hear from anyone who might like to chair a panel session or give a presentation on a relevant topic. Have a lovely Christmas and have a very happy New Year. 49

TRURO SCHOOL

Foundation Truro School Foundation, like most of the country, is looking forward to a sense of normality as we move into the festive period - meeting up with family and friends as opposed to virtual Teams and Zoom meetings.

Indeed, as a result of Covid restrictions, we have been unable to have our usual Foundation gatherings; uniting our alumni, refreshing memories with old friends and meeting new ones. However, an afternoon in the late summer found us making one very important exception – the celebration of the life of Headmaster, Guy Dodd (TS 1992-2001). We were blessed on the day with fair weather, despite a poor outlook, and had a great turnout of people wishing to commemorate Guy in the school garden. I believe that Guy’s wife Helen Dodd and their family, in many ways, typify the spirit of Truro School – inclusive, selfless and generous. The final total for our campaign in Guy’s honour (The Guy Dodd Appeal) was over £40,000 – a remarkable amount of money, coming as it did in the depths of Covid. We would like to say a very sincere and heartfelt thanks from all of us at the Foundation if you contributed – and be assured that 100% of your contribution is making a significant difference to a child’s life at the school.

GRAHAM HOOPER O L D T R U R O N I A N PA R E N T & C H A I R M A N O F T R U R O S C H O O L F O U N D AT I O N

It’s also worth considering all the extra work that the school has had to put in in the last few months; the support structures that the school has put in place has helped the resilience of Truro School students over the course of the last academic year. We are just beginning to learn more about the wider implications of lockdowns and isolation for young people. We are fortunate for Tim Bunting, one of our trustees, who previously worked for BBC Children in Need, and his insights into the issues facing young people in the UK are invaluable. Referrals to organisations who look after children with mental health issues have recently doubled. If you’d like to find out more, it’s worth investing an hour of your time on the BBC documentary ‘Dr Alex: Our Young People’s Mental Health Crisis’, which is available on BBC iPlayer now. If you missed it on the BBC first time around,

please watch it – it’s a salutary lesson in this growing issue, and how some organisations are trying to help. In the context of what we’re trying to achieve at the Foundation, it is very important. The simple fact is that we need more money so that we can further support underprivileged children in Cornwall and allow them the opportunity to benefit from a Truro School education. Our alumni are testament to the value of a Truro School education and how it can change lives, sometimes in the widest possible sense, as in the cases of Sir Patrick Vallance CO78 and Professor Trevor Drew OBE CO72, who have both been doing their level best to carry the battle to defeat Covid on both sides of the world: Sir Patrick here in the UK, and Professor Drew in Australia. We very much look forward to being able to meet up with both the Old Truronian and current Truro School family around the country once restrictions ease, and we can be a little more confident about meeting indoors. Finally, the Truro School Foundation is run as a charity, and I would like to thank our trustees for giving up their time to help create the opportunity for children to come to our school. I should also like to thank the school itself for supporting us, especially in the light of Nicky Berridge (TS Development Manager 2016-2021) leaving – they are big shoes to fill – but Amanda and Ella (Development and Alumni Relations Officers) are doing sterling work.

We wish you and all your family and friends a peaceful, safe and enjoyable Christmas and a brighter New Year. Nadelik Lowen, as we say in Cornwall.

Sir Patrick Vallance FRS FMedSci FRCP attended Truro School between 1973-1978. He is a Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) and Head of the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) profession. His personal research was in the area of diseases of blood vessels and endothelial biology. S I R PAT R I C K VA L L A N C E CO78

Patrick was President, R&D at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) from 2012 until 2017. Prior to this, he was Senior Vice President, Medicines Discovery and Development. He joined the company in May 2006 as Head of Drug Discovery. He was a member of the GSK Board and the Corporate Executive Team. During his period as head of R&D over 14 new medicines were approved for use worldwide, for diseases ranging from cancer to asthma and HIV. Prior to joining GSK, he was a clinical academic, Professor of Medicine and led the Division of Medicine at UCL.

PROFESSOR TREVOR DREW CO72

Professor Trevor Drew OBE attended Truro School between 1966-1971. He is Director of the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), which brings together human and animal health, disease protection and biosecurity measures, to better protect Australia to prevent, prepare for and control highly infectious diseases of animals as well as zoonotic diseases. The activity being undertaken by CSIRO at the ACDP is tripartite, reflecting a multi-sectorial, one-health approach to disease preparedness across the three sectors of humans, animals and the environment which they share. Trevor was born in Cornwall and, following his undergraduate studies in microbiology, he studied for his Masters in applied immunology at King’s College and Brunel University, London. He completed his PhD in molecular virology, as part of a research collaboration between the UK Veterinary Laboratories Agency and the Central Veterinary Institute, the Netherlands, completing in 1995.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

He has over 20 years’ experience of basic and clinical research, and was a consultant physician in the NHS. His research spanned from work on medicinal chemistry and structural biology through to cellular work, studies in humans and use of large electronic health-record databases. He was elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences in 1999 and to the Royal Society in 2017. He was on the Board of the UK Office for Strategic Co-ordination of Health Research (OSCHR) from 2009 to 2016. He is an Honorary Fellow at UCL and holds honorary degrees from Imperial College London, Glasgow University, University of York and St George’s, University of London. He was a nonexecutive director and board member for UK Biobank and a non-executive board member for Genome Research Limited, but stepped down in taking up the GCSA role.

Prior to becoming Director of AAHL in 2018, Professor Drew was Lead Scientist and Head of the Virology Department at the UK Animal & Plant Health Agency, with responsibility for managing the UK surveillance programme for exotic viral diseases of livestock, along with an extensive portfolio of research in that area, delivering to the policy needs of their agriculture ministry. He also has an extensive record of overseas work, including extended secondments on behalf of overseas aid projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, Bangladesh and Nepal. He is a specialist in viral diseases of pigs and has published over 140 peerreviewed research papers. Professor Drew is also a regular contributor to the work of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), where he has held a position as Reference Expert for a number of viral diseases. He has also been a member of numerous Ad Hoc Groups and has undertaken several missions. He is also a Visiting Professor of Virology at the University of Nottingham, UK and Jilin University, PR China.

MEET THE

Foundation Trustees Paul Smith Foundation Trustee Trusteeship began: 2019 Paul is a retired independent secondary school head and was Head of Truro School from 2001 to 2012. He became a Trustee in 2019 because “I wanted to play a part, however small, in ensuring that Truro School stayed as accessible as possible to as wide a Cornish community as possible. I was always impressed, when Headmaster, with the commitment and loyalty shown by those parents and pupils who were granted bursary support. Also, I hoped to carry on the legacy which I know Guy Dodd (TS Headmaster 1993 - 2001) was so passionate about in maintaining wide access to all the considerable advantages a Truro School education provided.” After graduating from Queens’ College, Cambridge, with a degree in Geography and a blue in rugby, he joined Lloyds Bank as a graduate trainee. However, the call of education proved too strong, and he was appointed to the staff of St John’s School, Leatherhead, where he became a house master, head of department and ran the school rugby and football. He then moved into school leadership after obtaining a master’s degree in Educational Management from Bath University, firstly as a second master at the Royal Grammar School, Worcester, before becoming headmaster of Oswestry School, Shropshire, for six years and then eleven years at Truro School. During his time at Truro, he was elected to the HMC membership committee and became a member of the Cornwall Rural County Council. Paul is married to Kathy and has two daughters and four grandchildren. Seven years ago, they retired and moved to Suffolk to be closer to them. Paul is interested in most sports, mostly as a spectator these days, but is endeavouring to reduce his golf handicap! He is an enthusiastic bird watcher and enjoys the time that retirement affords him to develop his appreciation of art. Paul is also enjoying volunteering at his local community shop, is a member of his local parish council and a governor of two local independent schools in Suffolk.

Tim Bunting Foundation Trustee Trusteeship began: Jan 2021 Tim’s unparalleled knowledge and insight into charitable giving in the UK is of enormous benefit to the Foundation. He has been a Trustee of the Foundation since January 2021. He is the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer for Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust and has over 15 years’ experience working in the charity sector and over 10 years in leadership roles, most recently at BBC Children in Need. With expertise in both fundraising and marketing, Tim has a wealth of knowledge to meet the challenge of raising £5m at the Trust every year to deliver this lifesaving service. Being married to Claire, a headteacher, also gives Tim (and consequently his fellow Foundation Trustees) an insight into the issues and challenges facing our wider community. Tim and Claire have two children and they enjoy living on the north Cornwall coast. In his spare time Tim supports both his children’s sporting ambitions, as well as exploring Cornwall, having himself been a cricketer of ‘distinctly average’ ability.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

GOVERNORS

Autumn Term Report RICHARD THOMAS CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

It has been a busy term and we are all looking forward to Christmas. It will be one which will be gratefully received and well deserved for all in the school family.

We should all, however, reflect on what has been achieved during this term. We are still in a pandemic, there have been many challenges in school and within families during the last three months, but there has been a return to inclusivity in our community in that time. Last week I attended the Choristers Evensong, recorded and performed live for BBC Radio 3. It was such a pleasure to see a full choir together celebrating in the cathedral. I also had the pleasure of seeing the school play Boudica, a whole-school production with a live audience to match. It was performed with an expertise and enthusiasm we have not seen in a personto-person experience for some time. It is the return of these rites of passage that are so fulfilling this term; the mixed sports and clubs beyond the previous year-group sessions, the greater variety of activities for pupils to enjoy and even the benefits of eating together with social interaction. This does not go without exemplary planning and management of risk. There is a difficult balance to be achieved between an open school and maintaining a safe environment. As an establishment, I have been impressed with the way that the Head Andy Johnson and the Business Director Kieran Topping, along with their teams, have taken sensible and logical decisions to make school life feel as close to normal as possible, in order to give the best education and co-curricular activities possible as the individual circumstances permit. As a governing body we were very pleased to see the new strategic plan delivered and issued at the beginning of term. It is a document that Governors and Senior Leadership Team initiate and rely on to maintain the positive trajectory of the school. We were vastly impressed by the input through the school to the document, from the broad strategic aims to the

preparation of annual goals to ensure that delivery remains on track. I compliment everyone involved in the process and, in particular, our Head, who devoted an immense amount of time and thought to the direction of the school in the next five years. It is a document which sets out a clear vision and ambitious programme to deliver the best for pupils, staff and all our stakeholders and I encourage all to read it. The Christmas break will offer an opportunity for rest and revitalisation, well deserved, and a chance (hopefully) to be with family and friends. It is important of course that we all stay safe and enjoy company at a distance. It will be a spring term which will hold its own element of doubt, but one which the school will embrace to give the best offering achievable.

On behalf of the governing

body, I wish you all a happy Christmas and prosperous and fruitful New Year.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

IN THE

Garden this Term

TOM HEAD GARDENER

Hello, I’m Tom, the Head Gardener at Truro School. I joined Truro in 2018. I first got into gardening after moving to Cornwall. I enjoy working at the school site as it is on the edge of an AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty) part of the Fal River estuary. We often see rare plants, animals and many migrating birds pass over the sports fields using the Fal River as a stop-off feeding ground. With as many of our projects as possible we try to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. For example, we take cuttings from our own plants on site and grow them in our greenhouses; just this summer we took 120 cuttings of the osteospermum, which we plan to plant on the front terraces next spring. We also like to encourage wildlife on site, and have just had a barn owl and tawny owl box made up, which we plan to put up soon.

The start of autumn this year was really mild as far as gardening is concerned, so everything was flowering longer and we saw butterflies including red admirals, small tortoiseshells and speckled woods still flying in October. By November it became very wet, so digging became a problem, and a few projects, such as the Rose Garden, have been put on hold whilst we wait for the better weather to return. We are pleased that our apprentice has been able to move onto his next steps, although this has left us a man down for the last few weeks, but we are looking forward to welcoming a new member to the team in the new year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from myself and the rest of the grounds team.

AUGUST - WILD FLOWER CUTTING The wildflowers scattered around site bloomed beautifully in the Cornish sunshine over the summer. By late August they were cut back. The grounds team always cut from the centre outward; this enables any small mammals - voles, shrews etc - to move away from the machinery, find cover and stop them being exposed to predators. Once cut, the wildflowers were left for a few days for seeds to drop. Leaving cut material down for a week or so has the added benefit of providing cover for these mammals. Since wildflowers don’t like rich soil, after a week or so the cut plant materials were collected up and removed to ensure the nutrients did not go back into the ground.

SEPTEMBER - STUDENTS RETURN In September, the students returned to site. The winter sports pitches had been prepared, grass height raised for rugby, the rugby posts put up and all the pitches were marked with fresh paint ready for fixtures, including the 2021 Old Truronians v School 1st XV Rugby match. The school shield flower bed on the main drive up to school was tended to and neatly maintained, alongside general grounds maintenance: cutting the grass and hedges around the site. Ongoing autumn maintenance for the pitches also continued, including slitting and spiking to improve drainage, brushing (to present the stripe on the pitch) and an application of autumn fertiliser to see it through the winter.

OCTOBER - BEDDING PLANTS By October, the gardeners had begun planting their seasonal bedding by digging up summer plants such as pelargoniums, dwarf verbena and canna lilies for storage in the greenhouse over winter and replacing them with winter species such as polyanthus and tulips. Late October saw the team break ground on the Truro School Foundation Commemorative Rose Garden, digging over the rose beds ready for cow dung and compost. The half-term holiday allowed the team to fell trees and remove a few of the hydrangeas around the edge of the garden on the front drive to bring more light into the area. Underplanting began using cotoneaster davidi, which the team had previously grown from their own cuttings on site.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

NOVEMBER - LEAVES

The gardeners spent November trying to stay dry! During dry spells, they continued planting out seasonal bedding and bulbs in pots and seasonal beds. Spiking and slitting took place on the winter pitches and autumn fertiliser was applied to keep the pitches healthy in the winter months. Once the nesting season had finished the gardeners could begin hedge cutting on formal hedges and tree works, but left the hedgerows around the pitches as they have value as cover and food for wildlife and birds in the winter. The team spent a lot of time clearing leaf litter, especially off the lawns to help keep them healthy, since leaves on the lawns can encourage diseases.

DECEMBER - TREES As the days got colder and shorter in December, Tom and the team used the time inside to clean and tidy their work sheds and greenhouses ready for the new year, as well as performing valuable maintenance on their equipment. They continued general garden maintenance around the site and felled trees which need felling for safety reasons. The team also started formative pruning on the school’s Cornish apple trees to remove dead and damaged branches, which encourages good branch structure, reducing the chance of disease and increasing the fruit harvest in the following years.

Thank you to our wonderful grounds team for keeping the Truro School sites beautiful

TRURO SCHOOL FOUNDATION We are delighted to announce the opening of the Commemorative Rose Garden in Spring 2022. Roses will be available in memory of your loved one from £2,000, with 100% of proceeds helping to support children deserving of a bursary. Details to be announced early next year.

TOM

CRAIG 58

COLIN

DOUG

FOUNDATION

2021 Leavers v School 1st XV Rugby At last! Sport has returned after the pandemic, and Truro School can once again begin to showcase all the wonderful sporting activities that the school has to offer.

First up in the new 2021/22 academic year was the much-loved Past v Present rugby match, which sees the last academic year’s school leavers play the present school 1st XV. I am very aware of how much this tradition is loved and this year’s is probably my favourite one so far. Firstly, I want to say thank you to all the staff who made this possible. Tom Lagden, the head groundsman, had the 1st team pitch looking splendid and, of course, Andy Burt (Chef Manager) and Gareth Casey (Deputy Catering Manager), supported by the rest of the catering team, ensured that the players and supporters were well fed and watered. Thank you to Mr Excell for helping with all the loose ends and a special thank you to Will Becconsall CO21, who organised the Old Truronians team. The two captains for the day were Sam Trudgian CO21 (Past) and Noah R (Present). The match started with the School team clapping the 2021 leavers on to the pitch, who then sportingly returned the favour. Set against this backdrop of mutual respect, the game began, and what a fantastic match we were treated to. The OT team was the bigger side and contained some of the best players Truro School has produced, whilst the School’s team was dusting off the rust of going 18 months without a competitive fixture. The OTs started well and, with plenty of powerful runs from the forwards (Hallam, Baker, Pritchard et al), the School team was on the back foot. Despite some ferocious defence, after five minutes the OTs had breached the try line and touched down in the corner, with Matt Pritchard CO21 scoring. Conversion missed. Play went back and forth and, after a clever kick and sustained pressure from the OT team, Tom Baker CO21 muscled his way over the line to extend the score to 10 - 0, in the OTs’ favour.

DAN SANDERSON DIRECTOR OF SPORT

After taking 10 minutes to realise that they could compete with the recent leavers, School came roaring back with

some fast, skilful rugby that had the OTs struggling to keep up. A neat kickthrough took a deflection and School fullback Harvey P gathered to score under the posts. Harvey converted his own try, and the score was 10 - 7 to the OTs. The match was split in to three 20-minute blocks and it was soon the end of the first section. Both teams made changes and it was the OTs who adapted quicker, scoring two quick tries to take the score out to 20 - 7. The game began to open up and this suited School. After a lineout in the OTs’ 22, some quick hands and powerful running saw School score in the corner via Kobe K. Conversion missed, 20 -12 to the OTs and the end of the second block of twenty minutes. With a few tired legs on the pitch, the backs began to have more room and the OTs’ back three were really stretching the School defence. Ethan Knight CO21 in particular was making good progress and scored the OTs’ fifth try to extend the score to 27 - 12, the try being converted. While the recent leavers dominated the loose play, the School team started to build phases and put the OTs’ defence under pressure. Recyling the ball well, through both backs and forwards, Finn M crashed over making the score 27 - 17. There was still time for one last score, and it went to the Old Truronians, after a sweeping move from the backs. Final score 32 - 17. The 2021 leavers were fantastic throughout the game and were extra coaches at scrum time, allowing the School team to fold into the scrum and get comfortable learning the dark arts. The game was played at a brisk pace and, whilst there were some strong tackles, both sides maintained the highest respect for one another. Added to this, both teams left their respective changing rooms in immaculate condition, and I want to say thank you again to both teams for providing us all with a great match. Well done to all and I am already looking forward to next year’s games.

2021

L E AV E R S

2021 Leavers XV

32-17

1. Matt Pritchard CO21 2. Dan Shaw CO21 3. Tom Baker CO21 4. Isaac Dale CO21 5. Archie Worrall CO21 6. Josh Allister CO21 7. Sam Trudgian CO21 8. Milo Hallam CO21 9. Brad Davies CO21 10. James Ball CO21 11. Charlie Chilcott CO21 12. Will Becconsall CO21

13. Hugo Polglase CO21 14. Ethan Knight CO21 15. Alfie O’Donnell CO21

Finishers 16. Alfie Lobb CO21 17. Ben Jones CO21 18. Harry Standen CO22 19. Todd Potter CO22 20. Arun Winn CO22 21. Barney Elderkin CO23

SCHOOL 1st XV T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

SCHOOL NEWS

Boudica

The school was delighted to welcome friends and family to watch the senior play, Boudica. Directed by Johanna Egar, this intense, hard-hitting play, based on the history as recorded by Tacitus, was breathtaking.

“The performances were outstanding, complemented by staging, tech, and all that the Burrell Theatre and those who cultivate its life are able to conjure. The maturity of the themes was matched by the maturity of the pupils exploring them in their acting. I do want to give a real shout-out to all involved, which includes staff as well as pupils, and those of you who have spent time and energy ferrying your children to and fro, and supporting them with the resilience required to deliver such a show and manage the wider pressures on their lives at the same time.” Andy Johnson, Truro School Head. In her Director’s Note, Johanna wrote: When we began to rehearse Boudica, a common question amongst the cast was ‘Is my character a goodie or a baddie?’.

As discussions and rehearsals progressed, the difficulty in answering this question became increasingly a focus on what, for us, this show is about. The answer – both simple and complex at the same time – is that there are no ‘bad’ or ‘good’ characters in the world of this play. Horrific abuse and reprisals are experienced and enacted by Romans and Britons alike, and it is only when the Roman Sylvia and British Alonna talk to one another in a central scene – and hear one another for the first time – that they realise they are not so different after all. We also concluded that what the characters experience in their world of Ancient Briton is not so very different from the huge and pressing issues of our own world.

When Sejanus, a civilian working for the retreating Roman forces, cries out, ‘What about us?’, we were horribly reminded of Allied Forces withdrawing from Afghanistan; when the women of the play try to process what has happened to them, we can’t help but think about what it means to be a woman in a patriarchal world; when Blodwynn shouts, “This land is ours!” we are forced to ask by what rights she makes that claim.

This production has been a beast to rehearse in almost every sense. We have battled with the epic scale of the themes and issues present, with a global pandemic, with all the demands on the time of the cast who are not just actors, but also students, musicians, sportspeople – and who wear a host of other hats besides. I couldn’t be prouder of what they have all achieved. Furthermore, I couldn’t be more grateful to our wonderful team of creatives led by our visionary designer, Sandra Goodenough; our brilliantly skilled, generous and everpatient fight director, Simon Johns; our stage manager and general miracle-worker, Matt Sinkins; the expertise of our technical managers, Swenson Kearey and Sam Kemp; and our producer, Ben Oldfield, whose support, continuous supply of cups of tea, chocolate biscuits, and faith in the project has kept us all going. For me, the greatest triumph of our battle is that we have listened to one-another’s stories – and, as we have reached back across almost two millennia and heard the voice of our past mingle with those of our present, we have come to the realisation that, in order to survive and thrive in the journey ahead of us, we need to acknowledge our common humanity and embrace our beautiful, fractured world with empathy, tolerance, understanding – and the recognition that it is through listening, and truly hearing, that we mend. T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

CELEBRATION OF THE

Life of Guy Dodd

Truro School Headmaster 1993 - 2001

MRS HELEN DODD WIDOW OF FORMER HEADMASTER, GUY DODD.

On Saturday 21 August 2021, the Truro School community was finally able to come together to celebrate and commemorate the life of Guy Dodd, much-loved and respected former headmaster, and former chairman of Truro School Foundation, who sadly passed away in May 2020. Family and friends gathered in the Chapel where the Head, Andy Johnson, and the Chair of Governors, Richard Thomas, warmly welcomed everyone. Helen Dodd was accompanied by her children, Tom, Angus and Jane, and their partners and her grandchildren. Tom Dodd recounted memories and stories of his parents’ life together and their love of Truro School and Cornwall, and he thanked those present for joining the celebration. After a short prayer by the School Chaplain, Reverend Aubin de Gruchy, Old Truronian Rachel Vaughan CO98 gave a beautiful rendition of Pie Jesu, from Fauré’s Requiem, accompanied by Chris Gray, Director of Music at Truro Cathedral. Rachel, now Chair of Truro School Association and a member of Truro School teaching staff, was a pupil during Guy’s headship. Family and guests then all moved outside and down the ‘snake’, where an oak tree was planted in the school grounds and marked with a granite plaque as a lasting

tribute to Guy. Whilst Helen, her family and friends all added spades of soil to plant the tree, Richard Thomas made a toast to Guy. Afterwards everyone returned to the Heath Dining Hall for a light lunch prepared by Truro Cookery School, whilst sharing their own memories of a great man who will be long remembered. “After the very touching celebration of Guy’s life as Head of Truro School, I was presented with a beautifully produced Book of Condolences which included all the lovely words written about him after his death and some extra reminiscences offered by members of the School community. It made me weep but smile too. I felt the need to hug each and every one of you who wrote of your heartwarming memories of Guy. The book will be cherished by the family as the most wonderful heirloom. Thank you all more than I can say.” Helen Dodd

Piano Recital in Memory of Guy Dodd Guy’s brother has kindly arranged for the pianist Clare Hammond to give a recital on Friday 4 March at Emmanuel College Cambridge which was ‘Guy’s college’. The programme will carry the annotation “Dedicated to the Memory of Guy Dodd”

Friday 4 March 6pm

Pianist: Clare Hammond. clarehammond.com

The recital will be free of charge. Queen’s Building Lecture Theatre, Emmanuel College, Cambridge

The buzz of sporting activity has returned to the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre. Since re-opening our doors from the last lockdown it’s been wonderful to welcome everyone back. Our loyal gym & swim members have returned to their daily fitness routines. It’s also great to report that the sports centre is hosting tournaments between local clubs once more. Looking ahead to 2022 - January is always a busy time in the leisure industry. If improving your fitness is one of your new year resolutions then our sports centre team can help.

SAM WILLSHER CO92 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Truro School Enterprises are pleased to offer current Truro School parents’ membership to the gym and swimming pool for just £130. This 12-month membership gives you access to both the gym and swimming pool during dedicated AM, PM and weekend sessions. For more information on this exclusive offer please visit the ‘Associate Membership’ page or email sport@truroschool.com

Season’s Greetings from the Truro School Enterprises Team

ENTERPRISES

Vivian John Hendra CO69

Viola Nettle (née Tregenza)

1951 - 2021

1931-2021

On Tuesday 31 August 2021, Viv passed away peacefully in Treliske Hospital, aged 70 years. Much-loved brother to Simon and Carolyn. Uncle to Kerensa, Katie, Lawrence and Tom. The funeral took place at Truro Cathedral on Wednesday 15 September followed by a private interment at Feock Church.

Viola Nettle, who taught piano lessons at Truro School from 1983 1996, has died at the age of 90.

OLD TRURONIAN

Obituaries TRURO SCHOOL NOTIFICATION RECEIVED: July 2021 – December 2021

MR DAVID HENRY BRUCE (TS 1959 - 1967) MR DAVID LEWIS WAKEFIELD HALE (TS 1955 - 1959) MR VIVIAN JOHN HENDRA (TS 1962 - 1969) MRS VIOLA NETTLE (NÉE TREGENZA) (TS piano teacher 1983 - 1996) MR MARK NOEL TREGLOWN (TS 1971 - 1975) MR ANTHONY ‘TONY’ JOHN WILLIS (TS 1958 - 1967)

Tribute found online. We would like to speak to anyone that can provide more information about Vivian’s life and/or his time at Truro School.

Mark Noel Treglown CO77

1958 - 2021

Mark passed away unexpectedly in July 2021 aged 62 years. He will be sadly missed by his much-loved sister, cousins and friends. A funeral service was held at St. Mary’s Church, Portreath on Thursday 9 September followed by cremation at Treswithian Downs Crematorium, Camborne.

Viola, who was well loved in Camborne and Redruth, as well as by her pupils in Truro, passed away peacefully in her sleep at St Mary’s Care Home, Streatham, South London, on October 26. The youngest daughter of a well-known shoe maker and repairer, she was born Viola Tregenza in Camborne in 1931. Returning to Redruth for the birth of her first son, David, in 1956, as a young mother she worked tirelessly at acquiring the piano diplomas necessary to achieve her ambition of starting out on her own teaching career. She soon became active in the town’s music-making, as accompanist to the Redruth Amateur Dramatic Society’s twiceyearly musical productions. Terence, her second son, was born in 1963, and some years later, in the 70s, she expanded her musical activities and was appointed visiting piano teacher at Truro High School for Girls, as well as joining the musical staff at Truro School in 1983.

Tribute found online. We would like to speak to anyone that can provide more information about Mark’s life and/or his time at Truro School.

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

Tributes and Memories David Henry Bruce CO68 1949 - 2021 Born in Edinburgh in 1949, David moved to Cornwall and attended Truro School between 1959-1967. He sadly passed away unexpectedly on 8 October 2021 at home in Cornwall, leaving behind his twin sister Sally, daughter Charlotte CO02 and many family and friends who will always remember him for his kindness and warm spirit.

David had many passions, particularly sailing, where he moored a boat in Falmouth for several years, took part in the Azores race and sailed the channel to Guernsey. He loved Formula 1 and attended Silverstone many times, as well as the Singapore night race, a bucket-list destination and quite the party.

His journey in-between could fill this magazine - we always said he should write a book - so here is a brief and non-linear journey remembering David’s life, which seems appropriate as he took a very nonlinear approach to things.

In Kathmandu, he taught computer science at The British School, and set up The International Club where he regularly played and coached tennis as well as set up an annual tournament. He developed property in Thailand, and discovered his enthusiasm for live music, supporting local artists.

After studying agriculture in Aberdeen, he bought his first farm in 1982 with cows and sheep, and I (his daughter) came on the scene in 1984. He ran successful fish businesses, supplying hospitality, supermarkets and airlines with dishes and smoked produce. In the early 1990s he moved to Kathmandu, Nepal, where he spent 18 years, before moving to Thailand, and back to Cornwall in 2016 after some illness. His recent passions were his mobility scooter and using social media to stay in touch with friends all over the globe.

TRIBUTE BY CHARLOTTE BRUCE CO02

A non-exhaustive but exhausting demonstration of his intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit, he was a farmer, ski instructor, crop sprayer (in as exotic destinations as Egypt and Norfolk), a computer programmer, school teacher, fish buyer, tennis coach, rubber plantation owner, chef, singer in a band, photographer and micro movie star in a Hollywood film.

He had a few favourite sayings, which all reflect his kindness and attitude to life. “Khun jai yen yen”, which in Thai means to have a peaceful heart; “ke garne”, a Nepali phrase that I describe as a cross between ce la vie and the Cornish drekley, and “it’s called style”.

He was a very kind person, with a warm heart, who was generous and hospitable. He enjoyed helping people, was a lover of life, and was incredibly proud of me, his daughter - perhaps he should have had his own Ironman medal for the amount of support he gave me.

David Lewis Wakefield Hale CO59

1939 - 2021

a week's worth of cigarettes and tins of pipe tobacco to keep him occupied. In return we were allowed to start the engine of Powder’s vintage Morgan (but not drive it as it wasn’t taxed) and to have the boatman, Ambrose, rig one of the boats for us to sail for the rest of the day. About three years ago my wife, Pauline, and I David’s first teaching post was at Treliske were browsing in the National Trust shop (now Truro School Prep), after which he taught in many senior schools. David went at Trelissick and saw a copy of The Artist into advising pupils on careers and became Who Loved Boats about Powder Thurburn written by David, and so bought it. very good at that. He was encouraged to obtain a PhD in education and industry, Ollie was generally a gentle sort of bloke which he did at Warwick University, and with a few idiosyncrasies and he liked to he placed particular stress on Cornish apprenticeships. Although enriching many kick the traces a bit. From memory only lives through his kindness and generosity, prefects were entitled to walk up the his overwhelming love was directed at his front drive of the school but he ignored that. We were supposed to wear black family: Diane, his wife, Emma and Adam shoes out of doors and brown in, but he and his grandchildren. preferred short brown suede boots all the time and so stuck with them. He also wore One of his great school pals was Gerald smart yellow knitted cotton gloves when ‘Dick’ Sturtridge CO59, who has written he was so minded, just to see what, if any, the following about their time at Truro School: Following the dizzy heights of my response there might be. being captain of the under 14s cricket Two or three times a week he would team, Ollie (as I knew him) asked me if collect me in one of the family cars to take I would crew for him in his dinghy at the Restronguet Sailing Club. I readily agreed me back to his house, or stop in mine to work together on prep. Much of the time and so my next four summers were spent little prep was done but we spent time there and at Falmouth Week regattas. with friends of mine in Portreath seeing what crazy antics we could get up to. Ollie’s family were achievers and were very kind to me. His father was a chest Ollie’s occasional ‘piece de resistance’ physician and consultant and I recall that was, when his parents were away, to mark his sister was lining up being admitted to the garage floor near the position of the Cambridge. wheels of their old Rolls Royce and drive us to school in it. He would then park it Ollie’s father had a patient, Percy on the front terrace close to the late Bert ‘Powder’ Thurburn, who built and lived Willday’s (TS Deputy Head 1921-1960) in a bungalow at Frenchman’s Creek on old Daimler and see how long it took for the Helford River. He also built a number a member of staff to be dispatched “to of ‘house huts’ in which he alternated tell Hale to remove his father’s Rolls Royce nights and kept a gun in each to repel from the front terrace”. Of course, many of intruders. He was once disturbed by a these things were childish, but there was mad vicar there and discharged a couple nothing malicious in them and generally of barrels to frighten him. Hence the they were amusing. However, they were, nickname. Powder was a very good artist of course, taking time which should have who exhibited his paintings at the Royal been spent on schoolwork, which I learned Academy but wouldn’t sell any. After when I started to miss targets... Powder’s death, Ollie co-edited a book about Powder showing the paintings and I feel privileged to have been a classmate telling the stories. and pal of Ollie - a real character. On Sunday mornings Ollie and I would Our condolences go to Diane, Adam and visit Powder via the local shop in Helford Emma and his grandchildren. to pick up the previous week’s papers and David liked people and everyone was equal in his eyes. A sense of fairness and justice prevailed, but he also had a great sense of humour and loved making people laugh, while his memory of people and events was remarkable.

David ‘Ollie’ Hale passed away on September 4 2021.

Born in Camborne, David was a man of many talents. With a career in teaching and vocational education, he was a skilful artist and had the ability to convert elderly buildings into eminently liveable properties. He was also a very competent sailor and enjoyed a lifetime love of the sea.

TRIBUTE BY D AV I D ’ S W I F E , DIANE HALE, AND GERALD STURTRIDGE CO59

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

Antony (Tony) John Willis CO69 1950 - 2021

It is with deep sadness that I have to report the sudden death of my husband on 3 June 2021. His father, Major Thomas John Willis (TS 1929-1933), was a pupil at Truro School and, as he was in the army and posted abroad, it seemed logical for Tony to attend the school. He was a pupil from 1957 for about 10 years, and this helped shape the interesting and active life he led.

You might gather from this that he was a very “hands-on” person, as he always wanted to know how things worked. This extended to DIY, and he built the extension to our home, fitted the kitchen, tiling the bathrooms and generally doing any job as required. If he did not know how to do something he would research the subject and add that to his skills.

On leaving Truro he entered an apprenticeship in electronics engineering at Solartron in Farnborough, before working for Technitron and then Padmede. Tony travelled abroad extensively whilst working for these companies and he installed the automatic landing system at Jersey airport. Before I met Tony, his main interest was in cars and, with his friend Norman, he would turn a standard car into something that would go faster and handle better. One of his really clever additions was an electronic ignition system he designed and built from scratch, that was better than anything available in the shops at the time. Between Tony and Norman there was not much that they would not tackle. It was when the computer industry really took off that Tony started his own company installing computers and software, and was fortunate to have a lot of customers in the Ministry of Defence at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, well known for the Farnborough Air Show. He did not employ anyone to help him, preferring to give a personal service to everyone, and therefore he worked long hours, but giving him a lot of satisfaction of a job well done.

Obituaries TRIBUTE BY TONY’S WIFE, C A R O LY N W I L L I S

Once we met, I inherited his love of travel and we went abroad whenever he could spare the time. The best way to see the world is by cruising and, before his death, we had completed over 65 cruises to places I never imagined I would see. As part of a river cruise from Volgograd to Moscow we met a cosmonaut over a question-andanswer session. On an ocean cruise we entered a Strictly Come Dancing style competition judged by Craig RevelHorwood, Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite. We did not win but it was an experience to take part. It follows therefore that we enjoyed dancing, mainly sequence and modern jive for which we have trophies and gave a few demonstrations. We were members of sequence dance clubs and Tony organised the music at one club and we would often lead the dancing. His main passion was model engineering and his large three-room workshop holds every machine possible to fulfil his hobby, as well as making anything that the neighbours may ask for. His legacy includes four large railway engines, ships and about 30 steam engines. Nothing was made from a kit and his talent lay in what he could produce from drawings and photos. Tony achieved much in his full and active life and had a wide circle of friends. I am so grateful for all that we did and our time together.

The Development Team are always keen to receive obituaries for inclusion in the Truronian and our website www.truroschool.com. Please submit up to 300 words along with an image to TSConnections@truroschool.com

Pause For Thought A prayer by Reverend Aubin de Gruchy

JOHN 1:14 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. Lord Jesus as we celebrate Christmas, we give thanks for your humble birth into human experience, In your life through your words and actions we can see the human face of God full of unfailing love and faithfulness. Immanuel, God with us. Speak your life giving, life transforming Word into all that we are and do. Speak your compassionate Word into the lives of all in need, Speak your healing Word into the brokenness of our world. Speak your recreating Word into the restoration of your world. May we share in the angelic song, know the joy you bring. May we respond by bringing ourselves and sharing our gifts as did the Magi of old. Amen

T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2021

To keep in touch, general queries or if you have a story to share in the Truronian please telephone 01872 246010 or email TSConnections@truroschool.com

Truro School is part of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust Registered Office: Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR Charity Number: 1142794 Company Number: 7649422

The Truronian - December 2021

Articles inside

Pause for Thought

School News

2021 Leavers VS School 1st XV Rugby

In the Garden this term

Governors Autumn Term Report

Truro School Foundation

Truro School Connected

A View from the Chamber

The Old Truronian Bookcase

Truro School Clock Tower

Looking back at the past - YFC

Peter Lake CO36

Colin Dower - Senior Groundsman

Dr Eli Sheppard CO09

Finn Hawkins CO21

Stuart Bird CO64

Amelia Luck CO18

Sarah Roskilly CO92

Alumni & New Starters

Adam Proctor CO97

Captain Malcolm Burwood CO60

A Message from the TSA President