Alumni & New Starters

WARREN BENNETT CO96

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?

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

MARK VANSTONE CO88

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.

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:

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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 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.

RACHEL (NÉE JENKIN) AND GUY VAUGHAN 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.

Truro School Foundation

ALL GIFTS, NO MATTER HOW GREAT OR SMALL, ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT.

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

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.