The Truronian - Spring 2022

The

TRURO SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

SPRING 2022

TRURONIAN

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The Truronian is the termly magazine for former pupils and staff of Truro School, produced and edited by the Development and Alumni Relations team.

AMANDA FORDE

Development & Alumni Relations Officer

JO WOOD

School Researcher/Archivist

If you would like to get in touch about a contribution or have any other queries, please contact us: TELEPHONE:

01872 246010 EMAIL:

tsconnections@truroschool.com foundation@truroschool.com ONLINE:

truroschool.com/foundation truroschool.com/oldtruronians FACEBOOK: @OldTruronians

INSTAGRAM: @OldTruronians

TWITTER: @OldTruronians LINKEDIN: Truro School Connected

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The

16 In this edition A Message from the President

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A Message from the TSA Chair

5

Old Truronian News

6-9

How Truro School Came Together During the Pandemic

44-47

In The Garden this Term

48-55

Alumni Teachers

10-13

Archive Attic: Looking back at the past - Musical Notes

56-57

Chloe Rickard CO04

14-15

Tributes and Memories

59-63

Joel Scott-Halkes CO10

16-19

Pause for Thought

64-65

Martin Wilmshurst CO64

20-21

Truro Cookery School

66-67

Ruairi Dunne CO13

22-23

Old Truronian Events and Reunions for 2022

68-69

John Daniel CO49

24

Salvete and Valete

25

Truro Schooldays by John Daniel

26-27

School News

28-35

Sports Roundup

36-39

Truro School Connected

40-43

Truronian crossword

70

Truro School Foundation

71

Meet the Foundation Trustees Governors Autumn Term Report

TRURONIAN

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72-73 74

Old Truronian News and Features are published to share updates and career achivements about the Old Truronian network with the community. Views, experiences, and any opinions are not an endorsement or reflection of the Development and Alumni Relations team or 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

2022

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

As I write another year on, at a time when we have more reason than ever to be optimistic about Covid, we live, learn and work in a new and different international climate of uncertainty arising from the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine. What a difference a year always seems to make.

The historian in me seeks to put perspective on the passage of time, and its impact on the world. I was reminded recently of the fact that, for those of us who can remember 1980, the same amount of time has passed since then to now, as had passed between 1939 and 1980. I am not entirely sure if that means I feel older or younger, but that is how long ago it was that our School celebrated its majestic centenary. Reading about that period of festival shows both how much has changed and some of the reassuring constants of being part of this flourishing school community. The Prince of Wales visited, and he is still the Prince of Wales as I write! 750 trees were planted around our site by 1st Years, in an age long before the current discourse on climate crisis and our recent tree-planting here. England beat Wales at Rugby, and the eagerly anticipated flight of the Spirit of Truro was delayed by, amongst other things, unseasonably strong winds. And we are, once again, looking at a year that will end in a festival at Truro School – the inaugural Truro School Summer Festival with, this year, the theme of Curiosity. I hope it will be the start of a new, enjoyable and community-enriching tradition.

Of course, much was also very different in 1980 too. We were not yet the thriving co-educational School of which we are now so proud, with the ever-growing diversity of alumni skills, talents and achievements that has followed.

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We did not have the extent and quality of facilities we now enjoy – The Burrell, the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre and the Leiths Partnership School, to mention a few. We did not have an inspiring and vibrant relationship with Truro Cathedral via our world-class choristers, and we did not have the same kind of means-tested bursary programme and Foundation dedicated to support it. As much as we cherish our nostalgia of the past, there is equally an ever-so-slight envy of the present, and the opportunities now on offer to the pupils of our School.

Indeed, with this comes also a distinctly healthy appetite for the future, an appetite that underpins our Strategic planning and our aspirations as staff, as parents and as members of this great school family. Increasing diversity, access, sustainability and excellence, and investing in Boarding, Music, and Wellbeing, are just part of that vision.

As we look ahead, it is reassuring to know that the School has always been a constant in the lives of so many, whatever the wider climate around us.

This is a strength built on our Methodist foundation, on our values, and on the shoulders of all who have contributed emotionally, practically or materially to the School. I am inspired by the potential for how we can continue to evolve as a community, and encourage alumni engagement with that journey, through the enjoyment of publications such as this, through regular e-mail contact, and via the events that we are now able to start re-planning. An alumni dinner in the Autumn now looks like something to start getting very excited about, for a start.

A Message from the TSA Chair R A C H E L VA U G H A N C O 9 8 CHAIR OF THE TRURO S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N TEACHER OF ENGLISH AND DRAMA HEAD OF CHORISTERS

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to another issue of the Truronian. As our cover image shows, the school grounds are bursting to life with spring colour: after the disruptions of the past two years, staff and pupils alike seem to be appreciating our beautiful site and the power of being together as a community even more than usual. You can read more about the work of our gardeners and grounds team on pages 48-55; we are all looking forward to the official opening of the memorial Rose Garden - more on this to follow.

The committee will be meeting again soon and we are really looking forward to being able to plan events in earnest again. I am so pleased that we have been able to confirm the date of our Annual Reunion Dinner and we hope to welcome more of you than ever back to school on Saturday 22 October. Please look out for dates for more events coming soon.

If you have ideas for events which you would like to see in the TSA calendar, please let us know or, better still, come and join our friendly committee - new members are always welcome.

Our careers network, Truro School Connected, goes from strength to strength and has been a really valuable resource for both current pupils and alumni. You can read more about this on pages 38-40 and I know that my colleague, Nancy Kenward CO96, would love to hear from alumni who would like to get involved.

I always feel enormously proud of our Truro School community, and my own varied connections with it, when I read the Truronian, but never more so than with this particular issue, which includes news of my friend and former classmate James Turnbull CO98’s amazing work rescuing a young woman from Afghanistan (p28).

I wonder whether I am unique in finding news of my old teachers, classmates, pupils, colleagues and family members in this issue!

Truronians both ‘Old’ and current have been moved to fundraise in support of the crisis in Ukraine and, in the last week, the choristers have recorded a choral work in Ukrainian for release on Mother’s Day. You can read more about their crowdfunder and the story of the music here on the school website, under Latest News – Choristers Sing for UNICEF (or click here if you’re reading online).

As always, the committee and I would like to extend our grateful thanks to the Development Office team for putting together such a wonderful publication, and we hope you enjoy reading about your community. Please do keep sending in your news and, if you would like help getting in touch with old classmates, do let us know.

Photo credit: Hugh Hastings T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

THE TRURONIAN

2022

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Old Truronian News A message from Ella Goodman (TS Development and Alumni Relations Officer 2021).

Many of you will know Ella joined the Development team in January 2021 as maternity cover in the Development and Alumni Relations Officer role.

Since coming to the end of her cover Ella has been busy, but wished to write a final farewell to the Old Truronian community.

We welcome her as an Old Truronian and look forward to keeping connected with her in the future.

A message from Ella: Hello all, I hope you’ve all had a wonderful start to 2022.

Since leaving Truro School I have joined the Civil Service where I am working on the Labour Market Survey for the Office for National Statistics, until my dream geography job comes along.

Early January I was very much missing the Truro School community and Cornish sea swims, so I popped back down to visit.

I snuck in my first sea swim of the year at Grebe Beach on the Helford. I was very pleased to have remembered my wetsuit, it was chilly!

Late February I was lucky enough to escape work for a few days and get out to Les 3 Vallées, France, skiing. Despite two out of four days being white-out, I had a lovely break catching up with a friend doing the season in Val Thorens.

I really enjoyed being back on the snow after two years of Covid keeping me away. Since getting back to the U.K. (and after 10 years of being a skiier), I got the urge to try snowboarding at Tamworth SnowDome and loved it! No turning back now?

I’m looking forward to finally attending my graduation ceremony at Truro Cathedral this summer, after two years of postponement. I hope it will be a gloriously sunny day to end this Cornish chapter; I’m so pleased we have the Truronian magazine so we can all stay connected.

BARB’S LEAVING PARTY On Friday 11 March, teachers and support staff alike gathered in the school staff room to celebrate Barb Trevail’s time at Truro School as a School Nurse since 2008. Many stories were shared from fellow staff of her fantastic work and care over the years to so many students. She is also an Old Truronian parent to Alice CO09 and Jack CO14. We wish Barb well and welcome her to the OT community.

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MARK LARKIN CO91’S DIGITAL HEALTHCARE COMPANY VITACCESS HAS BEEN HONOURED WITH A QUEEN’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE IN THE INNOVATION CATEGORY Now in its 55th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the UK, recognising the success of exciting and innovative businesses that are leading the way with pioneering products or services.

Founded in Oxford in 2017 by Mark, Vitaccess has rapidly grown to a team of 48 employees and gained global recognition as a full-service digital healthcare research provider and strategic consultancy. The company’s innovation is a powerful digital real-world evidence platform, Vitaccess Real™, that connects biopharmaceutical companies and research partners in real time to patients in real life, across the world.

The cloud-based platform utilises cutting-edge technology, data analytics, visualisation dashboards and ISO:17100certified localization to deliver quality, nuanced data, enabling insights that make a real impact on patients’ lives.

Data is gathered via secure, tailor-made study apps, which are co-created with patients, patient advocates and medical professionals, with governance from ethics committees. Study apps are free to download and, by participating, patients play a leading role in providing the information that helps researchers to better understand their condition and improve treatment.

Working with patients and patient advocacy groups around the world, Vitaccess is currently running international studies in oncology, rare diseases and chronic illnesses.

Dr Mark Larkin CO91, Vitaccess Founder and CEO, commented, “From our Oxford roots, we now conduct global digital real-world evidence research with major biopharma companies. It is a huge honour after only four years to receive this most prestigious of awards, testament to the dedication and talents of our amazing team.”

PATRICK VALLANCE CO78 - NEW YEAR’S HONOURS KNIGHTHOOD & NHM CHAIRMAN

Sir Patrick Vallance CO78 is elevated to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, and joins the Natural History Museum as Chairman Many congratulations to Old Truronian and Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance CO78, who has been appointed knight commander of the Order of the Bath in this year’s New Year’s Honours list for services to science. Tweeting about this year’s list, he said, “I am really pleased to see so many outstanding scientists and engineers recognised in this year’s Honours, including those that have been working tirelessly as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Sir Patrick Vallance will also become the next Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Natural History Museum. The Board of Trustees is made up of 12 members, and is responsible for overseeing the management of the Museum.

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

THE TRURONIAN

Starting out in medical research, and becoming a Professor of Medicine at University College London, Sir Patrick’s early aspirations were to become a palaeontologist. He said, “I have loved the Museum since first visiting as a young child. It inspired me to pursue a career in science and continues to inspire wonder in visitors of all ages as well as being a world-leading scientific research institute. I am hugely looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to its continuing success.”

As the current Government Chief Scientific Adviser, providing scientific advice to the Prime Minister and members of the cabinet, Sir Patrick is well known for appearing alongside Johnson and Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Witty, during the televised briefings on Covid-19.

Sir Patrick is expected to take over the role as Chair from The Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint in 2023.

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vitaccess.com VICTORIA GOULD CO95

We were delighted to welcome back Victoria Gould CO95 on Friday 4 February. Having attended Truro School from 1990-1995, she then worked her way up to becoming Communities Journalist for BBC Radio Cornwall. She told us that her first piece of journalism was written at Truro School for the Terraces magazine, discussing her first impressions of joining a newly established co-educational Truro School.

Read more about her talk in Truro School Connected on page 40.

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JAMES TURNBULL CO98 RESCUES WOMAN FROM AFGHANISTAN Old Truronian James Turnbull CO98 is among a team that has saved a young woman from Afghanistan in a rescue mission dubbed ‘Digital Dunkirk’. James, chief digital officer for Reassured, is one of a large group of like-minded British professionals who started putting their resources together and leveraging their contacts last year after the Taliban took back control of Afghanistan.

Their mission, as Turnbull has put it, was “desperately trying to help people get out of Kabul” following the accelerated transition of power to the Taliban. He commented: “It became what’s now called a ‘Digital Dunkirk’, with many hours spent doing all we could to help from so far away. The girl I’ve focused my effort on was called Aisha. She is one of a number of young women that faced danger in Afghanistan and who have been the focus of attention for the Digital Dunkirk volunteers.”

But on Thursday 11 November 2021, Turnbull wrote: “I’m delighted to share that after many, many, many fraught weeks, Aisha has now managed to flee and is en route to Portugal. The focus now shifts from survival to helping her education/career get back on track.”

Aisha was thriving in an IT degree at Kabul University before the Taliban re-emerged.

Read the full story in the Financial Times, and find out how you can help his network who are still trying to get other young women out of danger and back into education or apprenticeships.

TRURO SCHOOL PREP IN THE LATE 1990s

Dear Amanda Yes, I was only at the Prep in the last few years of it being Treliske and was the last boarder the school had. My matron was called Miss Christmas (TS 1999- ) and my headmasters where Mr Hollins (TS 1988-2003) and Mr Lovett (TS 2004-16). The houses where Athens (house colour blue) and Sparta (house colour red) and I was in Athens. My schooling will be strange on your record as I completed Year 3 twice due to dyslexia. My teacher in 3A was Mrs Issaka (TS 1998- ) and my teacher in 3B was Miss Griffin (TS 2000), in 4C it was Mr Neale (TS 1988 - ), but 5E I can’t remember who the form teacher was that year (so sorry maybe Mr Rider? Or Ms Gay? Not too sure, wish I could remember there were so many amazing teachers and memories). 6G was Mrs Grassby (TS 1991 - ). I loved every moment at Treliske (Truro Prep) it was amazing. I was also Monitor. I was in the year with Tassy Swallow CO12, Holly Murtagh CO12, Imogen Powell CO12, Kit Devine CO12, Alasdair White CO12, Edward Tall CO12, Kiran Bhardwaj CO12, Alex, Sammy and Harrison Bamber-Jones CO12 etc.

I hope that helps.

Yours sincerely Lillie

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Lillie van de Laarschot CO12 contacted the Development and Alumni Relations team recently. She attended Truro School Prep from 2000 to 2005 (when it was still known as Treliske School). She would be delighted to be back in touch with any Old Truronians from her Prep-school days, just email Lillie at xxxldvdlxxx@gmail.com.

Did you attend Treliske/Truro School Prep before moving to another school? We would be delighted to hear from you and find out where you moved to and what you are doing now.

OLD TRURONIAN GABY CECIL CO11’S YOGA RETREAT IS NAMED NUMBER 1 IN THE UK BY THE TIMES Gaby Cecil CO11’s yoga retreat business Somercecil has been named as the number 1 best yoga retreat in the UK for 2022 by The Times. Gaby told the Truronian: Somercecil Experiences was founded by myself and Bella Somerset in the summer after the first lockdown in 2020 we’re two friends who connected through a shared passion for adventure, nature and wellbeing. We (Bella - Mountain Leader, yoga teacher and health coach and Gaby - strategy consultant and qualified outdoor guide) built Somercecil to create experiences for people to thrive and connect.

Movement, nature and connection is our elixir, and we champion these notions in everything we do – “we have one mission: to help people return to a naturally restful and happy state, through movement, nature and connection, and ultimately feel well”.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH OLD TRURONIAN UPDATES ON SOCIAL MEDIA The Development and Alumni Relations team wish to invite all Old Truronians to the new alumni social media spaces. For the first time ever, Old Truronians are invited to join the conversation on the Facebook page, view the latest photos on Instagram, and follow updates on Twitter.

The pages will be managed by the Development team, but we encourage Old Truronians to use the space as their own: organise reunions, reconnect with old classmates and reminisce about your time at Truro School.

Thank you to all who have already followed and engaged with us online. Please don’t hesitate to message the team there if you have any news or stories to share.

As humans, we are wired to connect, and this connection affects our mental and physical wellbeing. In a time when we have the ability to be so connected (thanks social media!) we are also becoming incredibly disconnected. Technology should be used to grow and enhance relationships, not replace them. We want everyone to go back to basics – to really understand what it means to be human; to live and thrive. Everything we do is about how we can connect people face-to-face.

We’re living in an online age, and Somercecil is on a mission to take the online offline, and get people connecting through movement, and developing deeper relationships with nature and our food.

Find out more at somercecil.com.

FACEBOOK: OldTruronians

INSTAGRAM: @OldTruronians TWITTER:

@OldTruronians

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

THE TRURONIAN

2022

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Alumni Teachers ALICIA JEFFRIES-JONES CO15 TEACHER OF BIOLOGY

Did you enjoy your time at Truro School and what are your memories?

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Truro School; I have stand-out memories of history lessons with Dr Spring and his enthusiastic approach to teaching.

I loved the range of opportunities available to me, getting stuck into a range of musical and sporting clubs.

I have specifically fond memories of the Wind Band trip to Lake Garda in Italy if I remember correctly, this was the sole reason I joined the group!

Did you have any specific career dreams or aspirations when you were a student? Did you consider any other career apart from teaching?

When I was at school, I was really intent on pursuing a career in science; I toyed around with the idea of medicine and also research-based careers, but it wasn’t until part-way through studying for my masters that I realised how lonely research can be. I had considered teaching as something to pursue later on in life, but the more thought that I put into it, the more I realised it didn’t make sense to wait; the career offered both the scientific content and the more social aspect that was missing in research.

What did you do immediately after leaving Truro School?

After leaving Truro School, I continued with my studies at the University of East Anglia in Norwich (it would have been difficult to get much further away from Cornwall whilst still being in England!).

I completed my BSc in Biomedicine which I thoroughly enjoyed and through which I developed a keen interest in genetics. This led me into undertaking my MSc in Genomic Medicine at Imperial College London, a big change from the “city” life offered by Truro and Norwich!

During my masters I spent a bit of time observing in clinics for patients with rare genetic conditions like Prader-Willi, and

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I also sat in on some genetic counselling sessions in foetal medicine (sessions aimed at women either at risk of genetic conditions in a future pregnancy, or those for whom genetic testing had identified conditions which could be extremely debilitating).

Where do you live now? Are any of your family still located in Cornwall?

I am currently living in Par. Although the commute can be a little tiring, it is nice to be near to family and friends living in the area. Plus, the commute gives me some time to prepare for or wind down from the day.

What does your current role as Biology teacher entail?

In my current role as a Biology teacher at Truro, I teach students across the age groups 11-18. To do this, I’m involved in planning and delivering lessons for all three key stages. There are a number of responsibilities associated with the job, including the safeguarding of the children in my care, being accountable for their progress and providing useful feedback on their work.

The role requires a great deal of reflection to enable consistent progress in both the pupils’ understanding and also the lessons I am delivering. As a form tutor, I am also a point of contact for parents and pupils alike. Additionally, there are numerous co-curricular activities that I am involved in, some of which include trampolining, Ten Tors, D of E and climbing.

Is there anything that you are especially proud of relating to your life or teaching career so far?

Whilst there are many things I am proud of, I am particularly proud of being awarded the Ted Wragg Award for Outstanding Trainees during my PGCE teacher training.

It was a massive achievement that I hadn’t envisioned at all.

It’s very easy for teaching to become all-consuming, so scheduling some school-free time in the evenings or weekends is essential (although much easier said than done). In this time, I like to do anything active or animal related; one of my favourite pastimes is to get out on coastal walks with my dogs, but anything a bit obscure like axe-throwing is always enticing.

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

Is there any advice you could offer anyone considering teaching? What are your hobbies, or how do you tend to spend your free time?

For anyone going into teaching, I would stress the importance of time management - the to-do list is never ending, meaning prioritising is key. It’s very easy for teaching to become all-consuming, so scheduling some school-free time in the evenings or weekends is essential (although much easier said than done). In this time, I like to do anything active or animal related; one of my favourite pastimes is to get out on coastal walks with my dogs, but anything a bit obscure, like axe-throwing, is always enticing.

Are you still in touch with anyone from your time at Truro School?

I am still in contact with a few friends from Truro, and I don’t doubt that those friendships will continue for many, many years.

THE TRURONIAN

2022

Do you feel your time at School, or anything about your time here, helped you to progress in later life?

I think that my time at school as a student helped shape me into the person I am today, building up skills and traits that have helped me get to where I am now. It helped solidify the foundation in my knowledge which allowed me to progress at university, but also showed me how to be a confident and respectful individual.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to continue to reflect on my teaching, in order to be the most effective teacher that I can be for my students. In the future I would love to pursue a role with more responsibilities, such as becoming a Head of Department.

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Alumni Teachers ALISA COLE CO15 TEACHER OF MODERN LANGUAGES

Alisa attended Truro School between 2008-2015. The School is delighted that she has since returned as a Modern Languages Teacher, after studying Spanish and Italian at the University of Bath.

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Did you enjoy your time at Truro School?

If I had to describe my time at Truro School in just one word I think it would be ‘busy’!

Combining tennis training with my studies at school certainly took up a lot of my time, and whilst I enjoyed my time here as a student, I also think that I probably didn’t have the chance to make the most of all of the extracurricular opportunities offered here. Yet, saying that, in the time that I did have I made a handful of friends for life, and for that I am very thankful.

Did you have any siblings or other relations at Truro School? If so, what are their names?

My younger sister, Beth Cole CO18, also went to Truro School. She graduated from University of the West of England last year and is loving her job working as a physiotherapist in a hospital in Cheltenham. We are still really close and now I have a great excuse for weekend trips to Cheltenham.

What did you do immediately after leaving Truro School?

After leaving Truro School I went to the University of Bath to study Spanish and Italian. One of the main reasons I chose Bath was the tennis programme, which would mean I could continue playing competitive tennis. In my first year of university, I played for the women’s tennis first team and absolutely loved the team atmosphere and weekly matches against other universities. Wednesdays very quickly became my favourite day of the week! After my first year, I decided to change course to Spanish and Politics so that I was able to specifically focus on my Spanish language.

The highlight of my university experience was without a doubt the year abroad in which I worked in Madrid, Spain, for a year.

I had the chance to explore Spain in my free time and I met so many of my closest friends who I still keep in touch with now.

It was also in this year when I started taking short backpacking trips around Spain and then went on to travel around Bali and Australia the following summer.

Where do you live now?

I have just moved to St Kew where I’ve bought my first house with my partner very exciting, although anyone who says that buying a house isn’t super stressful is lying!

Did you consider any other career apart from teaching?

I definitely considered lots of different careers in Languages, despite the fact I spent a lot of my childhood playing teachers at home with my sister and having her complete printed worksheets I’d found online - poor Beth! But I’d always thought that teaching would be something which I pursued a little later down the line, as I initially had my heart set on working abroad again straight after graduating.

Obviously, Covid meant that my plans changed, but looking back I feel like it was the right time to start my teaching career.

Are any of your family still located in Cornwall?

Yes, most of my family still live in Cornwall which is one of the many reasons I love living here.

What are your hobbies, or how do you tend to spend your free time?

I love living in Cornwall and, especially during the summer months, I spend a lot of time at the beach and in the sea (when it’s not too cold!). After finishing my university tennis career, I decided to take some time to try other sports. On my trip to Bali, I met a group of people who spent their time completing ridiculously tough workouts for fun and that’s how I came across CrossFit. On the one hand I thought they were crazy but, on the other hand, these women were so strong, lifting heavy weights, doing loads of pull-ups and handstand walks. I was inspired. Two years later, I am also one of those crazy people and regularly compete in CrossFit competitions with my friends, however the handstand walks are definitely still a work in progress!

I absolutely love being part of a community in which it doesn’t matter what you look like, and everyone supports each other to work hard and achieve things they never dreamed they’d be able to.

Are you still in touch with anyone from your time at Truro School?

I still keep in touch with a handful of my friends from my time at school and, especially working here now, I’m so glad to have more opportunities to see these friends who live near Truro.

M AT T S I N K I N S CO21 TECHNICAL RESOURCES A S S I S TA N T

Do you feel your time at School, or anything about your time here, helped you to progress in later life?

I think that my time at Truro School personally taught me a lot about the importance of balance. In school this meant balancing school and tennis, which I actually believe helped me to excel in both. Without one, I wouldn’t have done as well in the other. Nowadays, I’m trying to balance work and home life, but I have such a good understanding of how important it is to have this balance in order to succeed in both that I don’t find it to be too much of a challenge most of the time. I’m so thankful for this because I know that for many people this can be one of their biggest challenges.

What are your immediate / long term plans for the future?

If nothing else, Covid has definitely shown us how difficult it is to make concrete long-term plans because you just never know what might happen and how things might pan out. I certainly never thought I’d be moving straight back to Cornwall after graduating university, and working at Truro School. However, alongside continuing my teaching career, I haven’t given up on my dream of working abroad again and I hope that this will definitely be part of my future at some point, whether it be on a long-term or short-term basis.

Did you enjoy your time at Truro School?

Yes, my time at Truro School and the experience I gained is what led me into this role and, hopefully, will lead me on to my next steps.

What does your current role as Technical Resources Assistant entail?

I currently work on all kinds of projects, such as live-streamed events, concerts and theatre performances. As well as this, I’ve been able to work on installations of new equipment around the whole school site. Most recently, we installed a new network in the Burrell Theatre separate from the existing IT systems. This allows us to be able to send data all around the building, wherever it may be needed, and allow different devices to connect to each other in different places.

Do you have any special or specific memories of your time at Truro School?

My best memories came from the theatre and working on the productions we put on. One of the best was West Side Story in 2018. The production was in the Old Sports Hall and we had to build an events space from scratch. There was so much thought and work that went into the design and execution of the production, and to be part of that team was amazing.

I currently work on all kinds of projects, such as live-streamed events, concerts and theatre performances.

Did you have any specific career dreams or aspirations when you were a student?

Once I started working in the theatre, I knew that it was what I wanted to do when I grew up. Over time, my experiences inside and outside of school gave me a wider understanding of the events industry, and now I am looking to pursue a career in events management.

Where do you live now?

I still live in Cornwall, but I have moved to Truro in a shared house to be closer to work.

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

THE TRURONIAN

2022

Is there any advice you could offer anyone considering a similar job?

Start researching what you want to do now and try to get involved with anything that ties in with that. There are so many different routes in the events industry, and every day at work I learn a little bit more that helps me choose the path I want to take, so the more experience you get, the better.

What are your immediate / long-term plans for the future?

I’m have secured a place on a course at UWE for September studying business and events management. From there I’m hoping to do a post-graduate course in television and work on live productions.

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Chloe Rickard CO04 Chloe Rickard attended Truro School between 1997-2004 alongside twin sister Frances.

We caught up with Chloe after noticing her new role at Cornwall Council on LinkedIn.

Do you have any special or specific memories of your time at Truro school?

I loved being part of the music and drama offering at school. Mr Mulligan’s (TS Teacher of English and Drama 1995-2002) productions – and the high quality he demanded – really stretched me and opened my eyes to the magic of performance. His collaboration with Mr Latarche (TS Teacher of Music 19792016) for a jazzed-up Midsummer Night’s Dream was gorgeous – singing Darn that Dream with a full band on stage was a real highlight of my time there.

Did you have any siblings or other relations at Truro School? If so, what are their names?

Frances Rickard CO04 (twin – though there were some in our year who didn’t know we were sisters as we kept very different friend circles).

Did you have any specific career dreams or aspirations? Or when did you first decide upon a particular path?

I was convinced I wanted to go to drama school, until Maggie Hutton (TS 20022010) – who taught speech and drama lessons at school - persuaded me that I should go to university first. And of course, by then I had seen there are so many other ways to engage with the industry.

What did you do immediately after leaving Truro School?

I enjoyed lots of different subjects and was in a happy place of privilege that I could choose to study something I enjoyed without thinking about its career implications (or not). I got a place at Bristol University to study Philosophy, spent the next six months working two jobs to save up enough money to go travelling, and then spent three months in Central America learning Spanish (which is now entirely forgotten), and a love of adventure (which is not).

Where do you work now and where is your employment based?

I work for Cornwall Council in the Economic Growth service.

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I started last year so it’s been entirely remote, though today I am treating myself to working from the gorgeous brutalist New County Hall in Truro, which is currently flying the Ukrainian flag alongside the Cornish flag.

What does your current role entail?

My role is to connect people in Cornwall and further afield to improve skills in Digital, Creative, Data and Space. On a day-to-day level, this could look like anything from organising a meeting with computer leads in Cornish schools to discuss barriers in implementing the curriculum, to talking to employers in the space sector about what skills they need (answer: engineers). Longer term I’m trying to see how we might link employers and digital education more closely – to make sure we’ve got the right pipeline to fuel the fastest-growing tech sector in the south west.

Is there anything that you are especially proud of relating to your life or career?

I’m proud of loads of stuff! At Kneehigh Theatre, I helped create a story app with GPS-led walks around five locations in Cornwall – it was a great early example of how digital can help get creative content to new and different audiences. At Cool Earth, I redeveloped the CRM system and website, to make its donations and donor management easier. Again, it showed how good digital systems can reach and engage new audiences. It also taught me a huge amount about managing digital projects, and how many human skills are needed in the translation between creative ideas and digital products.

More recently, I’ve loved setting up the TEC Women network, which held its third meet-up on International Women’s Day in Truro. I’m super proud of my two children, who continually amaze me with their humour, resilience and energy.

Did you consider any other career?

I’ve considered every career under the sun at some point, and taken full advantage of the fantastic opportunities that have come my way.

Is there any advice you could offer anyone considering a similar life or career path?

Say yes to everything and challenge imposter syndrome.

Please tell us a little about your family life My husband, Olly Trevail CO98, is the fourthgeneration owner of Trevails in Truro. My children Ralph (4) and Rosa (1) take up every inch of space, time and energy in our household but are worth every second.

What are your hobbies or how is your leisure time spent?

When I’m not trying to balance a full-time job with young children, I love running and walking, and immersing myself in Cornwall’s amazing cultural landscapes. I have been on the board of Cornwall Museums Partnership for nearly six years and cannot enthuse enough about the creativity in this county.

Are you still in touch with anyone from your time at Truro School?

Oh yes, the gang of girls from Sixth Form are very much still a gang, although babies and pandemics have somewhat hampered our attempts to get together recently.

Do you feel your time at School, or anything about your time here, helped you to progress in later life?

In the Sixth Form especially, as I was nurtured and supported, and allowed to make mistakes. And that gave me a sort of deeprooted belief in my own ability which has been invaluable. I’m also all too aware of the privilege that a private education has given me. I try to use that platform to do things that increase opportunities for others as much as I can, though I know there’s more I could do.

What are your immediate or long-term plans for the future?

Cornwall has huge potential and I’d love to be a part of realising it. That might be with local government or it might be working for a Cornish employer. The businesses I’m talking to in the tech sector are using innovation and creativity to solve both local and global challenges, and I would love to be part of that.

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

THE TRURONIAN

2022

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Joel Scott-Halkes CO10

Joel Scott-Halkes boarded at Truro School between 2003-2010 on a full scholarship, before successfully gaining a place at the University of Oxford. He is now an environmental campaigner and activist for Wild Card and RePlanet.

Environmental campaigner, strategist and activist – saving the planet one campaign at a time

Did you enjoy your time at Truro School?

I had an incredible time at Truro School.

As a full scholarship holder, I only really realise now, in retrospect, just how lucky I was. The diversity of education, the extra-curricular activities and the nurturing environment of the school meant I came out feeling spoilt for choice of joyful things to do with my life. Most importantly for me, during my time there, it was an incredibly creative place.

When my friends and I decided we wanted to take over the art rooms to organise an acoustic charity concert, teachers bent over backwards to help make it happen and let us make our crazy plan come true. That says so much about how I remember Truro School.

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Do you have any special or specific memories of your time at Truro School?

Our history teacher teaching us in gory detail about the Black Death, and getting us to have a competition for who could do the most convincing death spasm on the floor of the classroom. School plays that were so absurdly ambitious that they rivalled West End productions!

Did you have any specific career dreams or aspirations? Or when did you first decide upon a particular path?

I genuinely came out of Truro School inspired to try a bit of everything. I think that was the best bit; I really didn’t feel funnelled into only one life path, instead I felt quite empowered to try an unusual mix. My career ambitions were to be an artist, a filmmaker, a writer *and* a politician that changed the world.

Maybe a little unrealistic now I think of it. But now, as a full-time environmental campaigner, I’ve found myself doing elements of all those careers all at once, so it kind of worked out after all...

What did you do immediately after leaving Truro School?

I was super lucky to get into Lady Margaret Hall College, Oxford, where I initially began reading English Literature. After a year I switched to studying Fine Art, in which I managed to get a first-class degree three years later. After that I went straight into the film industry, making music videos and commercials and then going into the heady world of international feature-film financing and production.

Where do you live now?

After six years in London I’ve been back in Cornwall for nearly a year, but I’m now in the process of buying a house in Plymouth (my Cornish roots are appalled, of course!).

My partner has family there and I’m obsessed with the landscape of Dartmoor and Cornwall equally, so it’s the perfect place for our next move. Cornwall’s in my blood. I will never stop regularly coming here.

I would love to come back to Truro School and visit but haven’t yet.

Hopefully soon?!

Joel (left) a young boy in a Truro School Drama production, Mischling Family

Where do you work now and where is your employment based?

I’m now a full-time environmental campaigner and activist, splitting time between the UK rewilding organisation I co-founded, Wild Card (www.wildcard.land), and the Europewide climate campaigning group RePlanet (www.replanet.ngo/), where I am Campaigns Director managing campaigning on climate and nature across 12 different EU countries.

Wild Card is calling for the UK’s biggest landowners to rewild their land to help save Britain’s plummeting wildlife and stabilise our heating climate. Rewilding is the single most inspiring thing I can imagine devoting my time too.

After thousands of years destroying the natural world and our own life support systems, humanity can now finally become a force for good in this planet by giving land back over to wildlife, reintroducing missing species and restoring our rivers and seas.

In RePlanet, we’re trying to change policy in Brussels and in Westminster to end carbon emissions as quickly as possible, and also radically transform agriculture to use less land so that we can make space for nature.

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THE TRURONIAN

2022

What does your current role entail?

As a campaign strategist I basically wake up every morning and face the aweinspiringly fascinating question “how do we change the world?”, or at least “how do we try..?”. The answer is never the same twice and so our tactics are always evolving.

At the moment, the main area of change I’m working on is how to get big landowners (like the Royal Family, the Church and the Oxbridge Colleges) to start giving some of their huge amounts of land back to nature. With 50% of England owned by less than 1% of the population, the future of our natural world and our climate really is in the hands of these landowners. So much of the British landscape is actually in an appalling state for nature and we don’t even realise it.

Dartmoor, for example - mostly owned by Prince Charles - looks natural but should in fact be covered in rare temperate rainforest! I and my wonderful colleagues at Wild Card are trying to figure out how to make these huge landscape changes happen now, before it’s too late.

Because I also work for the EU-wide group RePlanet, the specific campaigning work I instigate and coordinate includes everything from organising big, colourful marches to Buckingham Palace with Chris Packham and hundreds of school children to deliver a 100,000-person petition (which made national news) to collaborating with world-leading scientists to do painstaking analysis on what Brussels government policies need

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to be implemented to help save our climate... and just about everything else in between. Broadly speaking, my role is about experimenting with different creative and peaceful ways of persuading powerful people that they want to stop wrecking the planet and start repairing it. In the last few years as an activist, I’ve done everything from have dinner with Benedict Cumberbatch and his friends, to persuade them about the seriousness of climate change, to blockade a coal mine with thousands of other activists in a snowstorm in County Durham.

In starting Wild Card we had to do a huge amount of work to create a new story and new visual identity for a whole new organisation. That was particularly thrilling, because now it’s gaining momentum and has been in the news headlines, you can really see those efforts paying off in the world.

The joy of my work is that I’m part of a community of people with a wide variety of skills (graphic designers, writers, scientists, journalists, artists, ecologists, community activists) all working together in service of a common goal that is far greater than our own self-interests.

Is there anything that you are especially proud of relating to your life or career?

After I left university I actually started down a very different path. I went into the 18

film industry for a few years and tried very hard to become ‘successful’. I went to the world’s biggest film festivals, partied on the Grand Canal, hung out with celebrities, tried to get big film financing deals secured. Looking back now, I realise I was trying to prove myself and also live up to that idea that you have to be rich and powerful to change the world.

So what I’m most proud of, really, is realising that was the wrong path. In late 2018 I dramatically decided to quit my job in the film industry and join a young Extinction Rebellion, which was my first experience of being an activist or campaigner. I’ve never looked back.

Ever since that point, I feel like I’m living a life of service to something greater than myself... to the next generation and to all the beautiful living beings that we share this planet with. That life of service, rather than a life of ‘success’, has for me been the route to happiness and contentedness.

Within my campaigning, I’m extremely proud of our recent achievement in Wild Card of managing to get the Crown Estate (one of the biggest landowners in the UK) to seriously consider rewilding their estates. If we could get movement from them, it could start a domino effect on other landowners that could genuinely help turn the tide on nature’s decline in the UK.

Is there any advice you could offer anyone considering a similar life or career path?

It’s not for everyone, but my main advice would be to consider a life of service and worry less about being a ‘success’. It’s a very old-fashioned idea these days, but for me it’s been liberating. We are all intimately connected and utterly dependent on the rest of the natural world around us. Without thriving forests, clean rivers, abundant insects, fungal networks, microbial life - you name it, without any of it, there is no human life (and so no ‘success’ either!). Trying to be successful is so stressful... you’re currently having to worry about your own career, your own income, what your family and friends think of you and so on.

But waking up each morning and knowing that your efforts that day will be for all of life... for something greater than yourself.... that, for me at least, has been a source of constant joy. It means as long as I do my honest best each day, I can rest easy knowing that I’ve done my bit.

Please tell us a little about your family life My partner, Gemma, is an ongoing inspiration to me and a crucial collaborator.

She’s a multi-talented creative. She designs and sells her own jewellery and does family portraiture photography. When it comes to creative problem-solving in campaigning I can’t ever really come up with any good ideas without her to be honest! We have these epic creative sessions together over tea and cake (essential) and that’s how the best ideas always seem to come up.

She and I have a very lively dog and two adorable cats which makes our house feel a bit like a rewilded ecosystem sometimes.

My grandfather is a role model to me. He also made a dramatic early career change.

In the early 1970s, he went from being a Vulcan pilot in the RAF, flying nuclear bombs around the world, to opening an art gallery in West Cornwall and becoming an early chairman of Friends of the Earth. My whole family is quite spiritual. My mother is a Franciscan and my father introduced me to Buddhism.

Both of these are spiritual traditions that emphasise our connectedness with all life.

Today I’m a practising meditator and try to live my life by Buddhist principles.

Are any of your family still located in Cornwall?

Yes. Mum, grandparents and an aunt and uncle in Lerryn.

What are your hobbies, or how is your leisure time spent?

I have to admit, since throwing myself into trying to save the planet I haven’t had a huge amount of leisure time. But recently I’ve learnt that was a bit silly. In the last year, since coming back to Cornwall from London, I’ve been really enjoying getting back into sketching (I love drawing trees!) and into wild swimming, which is just about the most powerful anti-depressant ever. Otherwise I try to make time for meditation every day which, without sounding like a crazy hippy about it, is crucial to my campaigning work as it helps me stay connected to the beautiful world we’re all fighting to save.

Are you still in touch with anyone from your time at Truro School?

No, and I really regret it!

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

THE TRURONIAN

2022

Do you feel your time at School, or anything about your time here, helped you to progress in later life?

Everything. Before I got a full scholarship to Truro School at the age of 11, my life was extremely unpredictable and unstable.

I’d spent some of my childhood in foster care, my stepfather had drunk himself to death and my mother’s mental health was very up and down, meaning she spent long periods in hospital.

From 11 to 18, Truro School was an astonishingly supportive and creative community for me. I felt encouraged to try out everything and anything, and so came away with a confidence to feel interested by, and to pursue, just about anything that drew me.

This gave me the confidence to apply to Oxford and, later, and to me more importantly, gave me the confidence to follow my burning sense that I needed to do my bit to save the planet and throw myself into environmentalism.

What are your immediate / long-term plans for the future?

We’re currently in the process of scaling up Wild Card, getting in some new funding and bringing on more staff members.

The plan is to start a big social movement that leads to a historic tipping point.

We want to see everyday people empowered to campaign for rewilding the length and breadth of the country... rewilding big landowners’ estates, local council lands, gardens... everything! I also want to make this explicitly more spiritual in a secular way.

My hope is that everyone comes to realise their innate interconnectedness with the natural world (we can’t even digest our food without our gut microbiome!) and can, as a result, stop harming non-human life at last. After all, when we do that, we’re only harming ourselves.

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Martin Wilmshurst CO64

Martin Wilmshurst boarded at Truro School between 1957-1964 whilst his parents were in the Colonial Service and based in Singapore.

Martin’s family were friends with the Julian family in Singapore, also in the Colonial Service. They mentioned that their son, Simon CO61, was studying at Truro School and that their second son, Andrew CO64, was going also, so the decision was made: Martin would go too.

Martin describes his early days at Truro School: “When I first joined Truro School - September 1957 - I was very excited, so I have been told, much to the chagrin of my mother who was taking me there!

I rushed off and met up with Andrew Julian CO64 at Poltisco. I didn’t really experience any homesickness at all. I was really very content at Truro School.”

Martin enjoyed his time at school, participating in school rugby and swimming which eventually led to him becoming Mr Lang’s “Captain” of the Royal Life Saving Group. Aside from sports, Martin was also involved in the Scouts and the International Voluntary Service (IVS) arranged by the Rev. Mole (TS Chaplin 1960-1964) from Pentreve.

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Martin believes the camaraderie of the boarders at Truro School and participation in extra-curricular activities, including the Scouts, helped shape his life.

“I have many memories of school - mainly involving Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh Award, midnight swimming when in Tower. We got caught once! Well not exactly! We had our swim at midnight, then in the assembly next morning it was mentioned that there had been some activity at the pool overnight. We owned up! Whilst our group were very “professional” about the event, i.e. all entering from the same spot, covering our tracks etc (commando style), it turned out that another group had gone up there and splashed around etc! Can’t help bad luck! Another memory that comes to mind is at an English lesson with Mr Wicks (TS 1950-1977); I was studiously cleaning out a groove on the desk when he called me up and fined me half a crown and sent me to Mr Worthington (TS 1941-1968).

Mr Worthington asked what Mr Wicks had done and I said 2/6; Worthington said, “I will give you six - bend over!”

Many of the Truro School teachers left lasting impressions on Martin which he remembers to this day.

“Mr A.L. Creed (TS 1946-1959) was my first headmaster, and then Mr D.W Burrell (TS 1959-1986) turned up and he was a great person with whom I got on well after I left. Didn’t get on too well with Mr J.M. Simpkins (TS 19511986) - I was the recipient of many blackboard dusters! Watson Weeks (TS 1957-1992) was special and a great mentor. P.T. Lang (TS 19591992) also a great teacher for me in swimming; B.J. Jackson (TS 19571994) - not so much for academics but as Assistant Scout Master! Then of course L.J. Penna (TS 19451979), A.J. ‘Buck’ Tonkin (TS 19371978), K.W.D. ‘Smuggy’ James (TS 1942-71) & Mrs James at Epworth.

Who could forget Daisy May (TS 1956-80), J-F. ‘Loopy’ Laupretre (TS 1953-92), K. ‘Billy’ Eckstein (TS 1959-1963), C.A. Monks (TS 19601992).”

Ever since Martin was in primary school, he had wanted to be a sailor, so after leaving Truro School he joined the Merchant Navy as a cadet Purser.

“I am proud to have enjoyed a fortunate, varied and interesting life. Ten years as an officer in the Merchant Navy. Moving to Australia and continuing in the role of Hospitality Management - managing Camps & Villages for itinerant workers.

Managing sites with an average of 5000 residents in all parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Papua New Guinea, Colombia South America, Congo, Laos, Vietnam, China, Ghana and Australia.

My biggest achievement was managing the Shedgum site in Saudi Arabia - with ten thousand residents.”

Whilst working in Colombia, Martin married. The couple eventually settled in Australia and had three children. Sadly, Martin’s nomadic career was not all that compatible with family life, so they parted. Martin’s daughter now lives in Barcelona, and his two sons in Western Australia, yet they communicate regularly.

Martin shares his advice to anyone considering a career as a sailor, “It is a rewarding career - or used to be! The actual lifestyle can be rough and hard - but you are compensated by being able to visit exotic parts of the world and see life as it is REAL - not touristy. Also think long and hard if you are a family-oriented person.”

Martin now lives in Deniliquin, in New South Wales, Australia, and has been a regular attendee to Truro School reunions; he attended his first reunion in 1996 and has flown back from Australia many times to catch up with old friends and visit the school.

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THE TRURONIAN

2022

Despite the distance, Martin is still in contact with many of his class-of-64 contemporaries from his Truro School days, including Richard and Paddy Stevenson, Richard Dale-Green, Stuart Sylvester, Stuart Bird, Jock McKirgan, Richard Payler and the late Chris York.

He explains this has mainly been due to the efforts of Richard. Incidentally, Martin explains, “Richard and his brother Patrick and I all joined the same shipping company!”

Now that he is retired, Martin is heavily into community service, especially with Rotary International. As an active volunteer in Rotary, he has been president three times and is now an Assistant Governor looking after six clubs in his district.

In his free time, Martin enjoys collecting and trying out unusual recipes. In 2018 he published a book chronicling anecdotes from his overseas lifestyle together with unusual recipes from around the world. “’Incredible Edibles’ came about because I used to keep a diary at all the places I worked, and also take notes of different foods from all the less familiar places.

In time this built up to a lot. My eldest son was reading bits one day, and the following day my daughter said, ‘dad, I didn’t know you went there and did this’, so I thought maybe I should put it all together in a book - which I did.” A copy of the book, entitled ‘Incredible Edibles,’ can be found in the Truro School Library.

We hope that Martin will be able to come back and visit Cornwall again soon.

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Ruairi Dunne CO13

Ruairi Dunne attended Truro School between 2006-2013 and is a Data Scientist at BP. He also runs his own sustainable streetwear brand, Adagio Toccata.

Did you enjoy your time at Truro School?

Truro School encouraged me to explore different passions of mine, which meant I ended up with a pretty hectic weekly schedule. Whether it was sports training on Mondays, Jazz band & Symphony Orchestra on Thursdays or match games on Wednesdays, Truro School made sure to keep me busy. Alongside all of that, I visited St Lucia and South Africa with the sports teams & performed in concerts at the Hall for Cornwall. Suffice to say, my time at Truro School was filled with memories that will last a lifetime.

Did you have any siblings or other relations at Truro School? If so, what are their names?

My twin sister Niamh CO13, Gordon CO10 who is my older brother, and Aislinn CO16, my younger sister.

Did you have any specific career dreams or aspirations? Or when did you first decide upon a particular path?

Ever since taking up Geology for Sixth Form, I knew it was something I wanted to take further. As a boy growing up I was fascinated by mineral crystals and fossils, and used to go ‘fossil hunting’ in France.

The ability to reconstruct the earth’s history, what life existed and how they lived through geology really appealed to my imaginative and creative nature.

What did you do immediately after leaving Truro School?

After leaving Truro School, I took a year to do a ski season in the French resort of Meribel as a chalet host. I absolutely loved being able to ski and create great food every day and it was an amazing period of freedom before getting stuck into books at Imperial College London, where I studied Geology BSc and Petroleum Geoscience MSc. Where do you live now?

I’ve now been living in south-west London for eight fun years that have flown by, and recently moved to Tooting with my partner Lindsay.

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If you have now moved away from Cornwall, do you manage to visit the county and have you ever come back to Truro School for a visit?

I try to get down to Cornwall four or five times a year to spend time with my parents and the dogs and stay in my Truro-based family home. There is always a draw that pulls me from London, which I imagine is due to my love of the rugged Cornish coastline and all my experiences growing up there. As lockdown loomed in early 2020, all my siblings and I returned home, which is a testament to our love of Cornwall. When restrictions began to ease, we spent the early part of summer 2020 making the most of the quieterthan-usual beaches, and I have very fond memories of this time.

From time to time I’ll pop up to the Ben Ainslie gym when I’m back.

Where do you work now and where is your employment based?

For the last three-and-a-half years, I have held the much-enjoyed and technical position of Data Scientist at BP, where I work in innovation and engineering in central London. BP is a fantastic company to work for and, as a scientist, has a fascinating set of business problems to get stuck into. Supporting BP’s 2050 or sooner net-zero ambition and energy transition from oil to renewable energy is great to be a part of. To personally be able to work on projects that reduce greenhouse-gas emissions is how I can play my role in the global effort to reduce climate change.

What does your current role entail?

As a data scientist, I write code to train machine learning (ML) algorithms to learn complex relationships in data that can be used to solve business problems.

I am currently working on a project where an autonomous vehicle drives around a BP refinery, to collect image and infrared data to identify gas leaks and high-risk equipment through ML models I have trained.

Is there anything that you are especially proud of, relating to your life or career?

Having studied music A-Level at Truro School, and always having an interest in fashion, I decided to explore the option of creating my own sustainable streetwear brand alongside my day job. As a result, I ended up launching my own brand in 2019 called Adagio Toccata, which is inspired by my love of music and streetwear, as well as my Cornish roots.

Adagio Toccata is my creative outlet where I can tap into so many of my interests, and switch from coding and technology at work to designing, creating and marketing streetwear products at home. I love experimenting and taking exciting design ideas, that start with a sketch, all the way to a product. I source highquality and sustainable materials and, with my sewing machine, create and sell Adagio Toccata garments that I’m proud of.

This is an exciting year for Adagio Toccata. We’re growing and launching a new and improved clothing line. We’re also collaborating with jewellery brands and with AllSorts, an events company co-founded by Nick Byrne CO13, who are launching a music festival this year. Nick and I grew up through Truro School getting in trouble in French class, so it’s great to work together with him again.

Is there any advice you could offer anyone considering a similar life or career path?

My advice to anyone who is on the fence about setting up a ‘side-hustle’ company like I did is to really explore your motivations behind it, and think about how your values are aligned to the business. There will be testing times on your journey, which at points can be isolating, but if you truly love what you do then you’ll continue through them and learn so many important and transferable skills along the way.

Also, collaborate with people from the start and, in doing so, you will build a motivational support network that will show in the work you do for your company.

Are you still in touch with anyone from your time at Truro School?

I live near to school friends Charlie Conchie CO13, James Murdoch CO13, Toby Armstrong CO13, James Townrow CO13, George Williams CO13... the list goes on. We regularly socialise in London and play golf on the weekends.

Adagio Toccata is available to shop online now at adagiotoccata.co.uk and you can follow the brand on Instagram @adagiotoccata.

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

THE TRURONIAN

2022

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John Daniel CO49 John Daniel was born in St Ives in 1932, and called it home until graduating from New College, Oxford University, with a degree in Modern Languages (French and Russian) in 1955.

He attended Truro School as a boarder from 1943-1950, and subsequently joined the National Service as part of 2/Lt Royal Artillery for a time before university.

John then took a succession of commercial jobs before beginning a career in teaching at the age of 30. This led him to teach French at the Royal Grammar School in Worcester, Malvern College, and the Royal Grammar School in Guildford, where he became Headmaster in 1975. He retired in 1992 and now lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as a US citizen.

Do you have any special or specific memories of your time at Truro school?

Musical events under Sammy Way (TS Teacher of Music 1922-1963), school plays, cheering the 1st XV, the teaching of Bert Willday (TS Second Master (Deputy Head), Teacher of English and IV Form Master 1922-1960) and Freddy Wilkes (TS Teacher of Modern Languages and Second Master 1935-1974).

Did you have any specific career dreams or aspirations? Or when did you first decide upon a particular path?

When I started teaching at age 30.

What did you do immediately after leaving Truro School?

National Service; 2/Lt Royal Artillery.

Where do you live now?

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. If you have now moved away from Cornwall, do you manage to visit the county and have you ever come back to Truro School for a visit?

No. It’s too far and I’m too old.

Where do you work now and where is your employment based?

I am long retired.

What does your current role entail?

Coping with old age.

Is there anything that you are especially proud of relating to your life or career?

Mostly proud of being Headmaster of the Royal Grammar School, Guildford 1975-92.

Did you consider any other career?

I tried several before becoming a teacher.

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Is there any advice you could offer anyone considering a similar life or career path?

Do what you enjoy.

Please tell us a little about your family life I married Heather in 1956. We have two daughters: Rebecca and Shirley. Shirley died in 2014. Divorced in 2001. Married Beatrice (American). Beatrice died in March 2021.

Are any of your family still located in Cornwall?

My cousin, James Daniel, lives in Penzance.

What are your hobbies, or how is your leisure time spent?

Reading, writing memoirs, playing the piano, watching rugby.

Are you still in touch with anyone from your time at Truro School?

John Exelby CO50 and John Bennett.

Do you feel your time at School, or anything about your time here, helped you to progress in later life?

Yes. What are your immediate / long-term plans for the future?

Enjoying each day to the full.

Salvete

Valete

Truro School welcomes the following new teachers and support staff.

We wish a warm farewell to the following teachers and support staff who have left the school this term.

MARK ASTON Outdoor Learning

S U S A N H AV I S Teacher of Biology

ROB BLACKIE Teacher of Geology and Chemistry

H E N RY G O L D S M I T H Teacher of Modern Languages

MELI BEUGRE (2002-2021) School Administrator

ALISA COLE CO15 Teacher of Modern Languages

DANIELLE OVEREND Teacher of R.S and English

NEIL FORD (2004-2022) Mason

LIZZIE CRANE Teacher of Chemistry

ZOE LEVIN Teacher of P.E

C O R R I E D AV I E S Cover Supervisor

ALICIA JEFFRIES-JONES CO15 Teacher of Biology

CHRIS DOVE Assistant Head (Academic) (Truro School Prep)

A N N I E - M AY R O B E RT S Teacher of Art

BETHAN FERGUSSON-COOPER Teacher of Modern Languages (Truro School Prep)

PETE TRUIN Teacher of Music

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B A R B A R A T R E VA I L ( 2 0 0 8 - 2 0 2 2 ) School Nurse and OT parent

STEVE MCCABE (2009-2022) Head of Maths

LUKE MICHELL (2013-2021) Swimming Pool Supervisor

SARAH FINNEGAN (2014-2022) Head of Biology

THE TRURONIAN

2022

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TRURO SCHOOLDAYS John Daniel has kindly shared some of his written memoir

John Exelby CO50 and I became friends our first day at Truro. What frightened little eleven-year-olds we were then! My mother brought me, handed me over to Mr KWD James (TS 1942-1971) the Epworth Housemaster, and left to get the train back to St Ives.

I managed to avoid a farewell kiss; there were boys looking. I went into the common room, already quite full of boys, and found a seat next to a pale, thin fellow with glasses. He spoke to me.

“What’s your name?”

“John.”

“That’s funny; so’s mine.”

We both laughed. He told me he was John Exelby. He lived in Redruth.

He had two elder sisters and a younger brother. After a pause, he asked, “Do you know what we’re supposed to do next?”

I said, “I haven’t the faintest idea.”

Years later he told me how impressed he had been with my reply, and with the apparent nonchalance with which I said it. It was then he decided he would like us to be friends. I had already decided.

We both came from comfortable middle-class homes. Our mothers were stay-at-home mums. His father ran a local estate agency; mine had been away with the army since I was seven. He had three siblings at home; my grown-up sister Mary was in the Women’s Air Force. These were minor differences; we had a lot in common.

Most of all we were scared: scared to be away from home for the first time, scared of being bullied by the other boys, scared of breaking the rules, scared of getting into trouble.

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Freddy Wilkes (TS 1935-1974)

‘Boozy’ Worthington (TS 1941-1968)

Within the first few weeks at Truro we learned a lot, about the school and about ourselves. We found that the actual classroom lessons were not a problem: the teachers were pleasant, they didn’t expect too much of us, and some of them were even fun.

Within days we knew all their nicknames.

We knew which of them were strict and which were easy-going. We liked ‘Boozy’ Worthington (TS 1941-1968), the rotund, jolly maths master; we enjoyed classes with Freddy Wilkes (TS 1935-1974) who animatedly introduced us to French, and we were careful not to annoy Mr Spicer (Kent College Teacher), whose geography lessons were enlivened by pieces of chalk launched with deadly accuracy at any boy not paying attention.

Bert Willday (TS 1922-1960)

Our favourite teacher by far was Bert Willday (TS 1922-1960).

His English lessons were the highlight of our week.

He never raised his voice, seldom smiled.

He challenged us. Childish stories were a thing of the past. With him we read Charlotte Brontë. I understood for the first time that grown-up books could be for me.

On our first games afternoon, shivering out on the cold, windy field in our shorts and football shirts, with hard, unfamiliar boots on our feet, we were introduced to rugby. It did not go well.

“What did you think of that?” I asked Exelby after the game as we clumped back down the hill towards Epworth for the mandatory shower.

“I hate it. It’s a rough game.

And nobody passed me the ball.”

“Nor me. Maybe it’ll get better.”

“I doubt it.”

In a boys’ school, athletic prowess was the quickest, surest way to achieve status. This was not going to be one of my strengths. I was surprised and disappointed. I had been told how keen and successful my father was at sport, especially rugby, though he had never had time to play a ball game with me.

I had never played any kind of team sport. I didn’t like being thrown to the ground. I didn’t like getting muddy.

I didn’t like rugby. I avoided the rough stuff as much as I could. So did Exelby.

When the time came for picking teams, he and I were always the last to be chosen.

and one of those pure treble voices that old ladies swoon over. Within a few weeks ‘Sammy’ Way, the music master, had us at the front of the school choir. By the end of our first year Exelby was singing most of the soprano and tenor arias in Messiah.

In our second term, at Prizegiving in front of the whole school, we sang the duet in Mendelssohn’s I Waited for the Lord.

During our first Easter holidays, Exelby’s mother brought him to St Ives and we sang it in my home church, Bedford Road Methodist. It was the highlight of the Sunday evening service. The church was packed. Mother was very proud.

“That was really good,” she said to us afterwards. “Well done, you two Johns!”

Exelby and I stood and waited while our mothers chatted for a long time.

Finally Mrs Exelby said goodbye and they went to catch their bus back to Redruth.

Mother and I walked home. “ He’s a nice boy, that John Exelby.

I liked meeting his Mum.” “Yes, he’s my best friend.” “ Your father would love to have been here today. Why not write him a letter and tell him all about it?”

“Okay, Mother. I can do that.”

My friendship with Exelby helped me a lot as I settled in at boarding school. So did music.

With music, I knew what I was doing, and I knew I could do it.

But I was soon to find another, new interest.

What we could do was sing. I’d been taking piano lessons for four years; I could sight-read and sing in tune. Exelby never learned to read music, but he had a good memory and an excellent ear, T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

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School News Robert Morse CO89 Introducing Old Truronian Mr Robert Morse CO89 – an update from the Head and Chair of Governors

It is with immense pleasure, on behalf of the management team and the Governing Body, to introduce you to Sarah Patterson’s successor as Head of Truro School Prep.

It is both an honour and a privilege to be in the position to bring this knowledge and understanding to Truro School Prep.

I look forward to meeting you and your children in the very near future.”

Mr Robert Morse has been Headmaster of Aysgarth School in North Yorkshire since 2015. Aysgarth was rated excellent in all classifications in 2018 by ISI and adjudged Prep School of the Year 201920 by the Tatler Schools Guide. Rob was previously the Headmaster at Perrott Hill in Somerset, another outstanding, coeducational prep and pre-prep School.

Rob will join us as soon as his shoes have been filled at Aysgarth. This will be in spring 2023. Between Sarah’s departure and then I am delighted to tell you that James Frewer will be our acting Head of Prep. James knows our school and your children extremely well. He will step into this temporary role with my complete confidence, and will have guidance from me, from Rob, and from our Governing Body, until Rob arrives.

Rob brings to our community a wealth of experience of happy and hugely successful schooling for girls and boys alike. Rob’s journey to this post has been lifelong. The two years he spent in the late 1980s as an assisted-places pupil at Truro School Sixth Form, in his words, ‘changed my life.’ He is a proud Cornishman and he and his wife, Lottie, are thrilled to be coming home.

It was abundantly clear throughout the recruitment process that Rob has a deep-seated passion for the wellbeing and success of this community. This is matched by his energy and excitement at the prospect of being able to draw on all his experience for the benefit of the pupils and staff who will flourish at Truro School Prep and Pre-Prep under his care and guidance.

Rob writes, “I am both delighted and excited at the prospect of joining the Truro School community. Having grown up on the Roseland, I spent two very happy and influential years at the top of Trennick Lane and this very special school has long held a place in my heart. My wife, Lottie, and I have spent our lives in education.

We have been fortunate to work at and lead a number of outstanding schools and have learnt much during these experiences.

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Rob will not remain distant. He is keen to start meeting and getting to know our community. This Saturday, he and Lottie will be present at the Prep to meet prospective parents and pupils during our Open Morning. Because that is, by necessity, a short visit, he will return here for a full day before the end of this term, to meet in person with current Prep parents, and children too. Details of that opportunity will follow.

We are thrilled that the School has been able to recruit a new Head with Rob’s experience, values and dedication to build on Sarah’s superb legacy. We are sure that you will join us in welcoming Rob back into the Truro School family, and in supporting James as he steers the school with characteristic compassion and care ahead of Rob’s arrival.

ANDY JOHNSON HEAD OF TRURO SCHOOL RICHARD THOMAS CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

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School News WARM SMILES AS SCHOOL RETURNS FOR SPRING Despite the occasional rain shower, there were warm smiles all around as pupils returned to both sites at the start of term.

Corridors across Truro School Prep and Truro School were filled with excited chatter as friends caught up on Christmas news.

Beautiful music could be heard drifting from the Chapel, classrooms were filled, and fierce (but friendly) competition was back on during games lessons.

At Truro School Prep, there was baking, pingpong and archery, as well as lots of learning through play in Nursery and Reception.

It was clear that all of the staff and pupils were glad to be back amongst their friends and colleagues. We are excited to see what the Spring Term has to offer, as we continue to explore our School value of curiosity this year.

CHINESE NEW YEAR AT THE PREP The Prep school marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year, the year of the Tiger, with a Chinesethemed lunch, which included sweet-and-sour chicken, Chinese noodle soup and prawn crackers.

The children were also able to practice their chopstick skills whilst eating their Chinese lunch.

Meanwhile, in the Pre-Prep, there was a day of Chinese-New-Yearinspired activities, from learning all about Chinese zodiac animals to creating their own Chinese dragon puppets and masks, as well as lanterns.

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STRIKING A BALANCE WITH TRURO SCHOOL FOOTBALL STAR FREDDIE

Sitting your GCSE mocks and playing football for England might seem like an impossible combination, but one student, Freddie Issaka, is showing us all that it is doable with a lot of hard work and determination.

Freddie joined Truro School in the 1st Year from Archbishop Benson School in Truro. It quickly became apparent that he had a genuine talent for football. With support from his family and Mr Hooper (TS Head of Football), Freddie has gone on to achieve some amazing success by the age of 15.

A regular on the Plymouth Argyle Under-18s team, Freddie has recently debuted as the youngestever First Team player for Argyle.

He has also been called up to play for both Wales and England, most recently in an international against Turkey, with England winning 3-0.

Director of Sport, Dan Sanderson, says of Freddie, “Freddie has had a whirlwind few months; making his professional debut, becoming the youngest-ever player in Plymouth Argyle’s history and being selected to attend Wales’s and England’s national u-16 week-long training camps are the standout highlights.

Freddie has still been representing the school team and continues with his studies alongside the many miles of travelling.

We are really pleased for Freddie and we are all looking forward to watching his matches and seeing his development continue. It is no easy feat to balance as much as he is doing, and it is a testament to his increased maturity that Freddie is able to perform on the pitch and at school.

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We managed to catch up with Freddie to chat with him about how he manages to balance his studies (he is currently sitting his mock GCSEs at Truro School) and his football career. First of all, congratulations on your recent wins with England against Turkey and Plymouth Argyle against Birmingham City.

What would you say your biggest achievement has been to date?

Probably making my professional debut with Plymouth Argyle as their youngest player ever.

Has there been anyone or anything at Truro School that has shaped your or supported you in your journey?

I think, again, it would be Mr Hooper who has supported me the most.

How did it feel when you got the call from the England camp?

It was very good, it wasn’t too much of a surprise as I was in the standby before, but it did feel very good to get the call.

I’ll have to decide between Wales and England when I’m an adult.

Apart from Sport, what aspect of School life do you most enjoy?

The social aspect, lunch and break times with friends, and I like Biology most, which goes well with sport.

Looking forward, what would be your dream club to play with, and why?

Probably Manchester United as I’ve supported them most of my life.

Thinking about your time at Truro School, how has it helped to prepare you for such opportunities?

I think that it’s given me a lot of confidence, in secondary school especially so you’re not as nervous going on the pitch. Mr Hooper and the whole PE department have really helped.

You seem incredibly grounded despite your success. Obviously, your family play a huge part in this, but how has the School helped you with this as well?

I think in things like football in school, I get to help out in other ways or try out other skills in new roles like leadership, as it’s different playing for the school team than at club level.

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How challenging has it been to balance your mock exams and study with your football?

It is a bit challenging, but both sides are very supportive, so they understand if I need to take time off on both sides or catch up.

What are your hopes for the future?

To play more for the first team at Plymouth. I’m not sure about what I have coming up at the moment for the first team, but I have lots of opportunities in the Under-18s moving forwards. Playing against Chelsea next in the FA Cup will be good for the club and the supporters.

And finally, what advice would you give to anyone who aspires to follow in your footsteps, either here at Truro School or through the Saints South West pathway?

I would really say stay grounded and be dedicated to it, be dedicated to working hard.

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School News DANCE SHOWCASE AT HALL FOR CORNWALL Truro School dancers took to the Hall for Cornwall stage to perform at their dance showcase in early February: Looking Back Stepping Forward.

Dance at Truro School has been growing in popularity over the last few years, and it was fantastic to see our dancers taking part in last night’s reflective showcase, inspired by the Hall for Cornwall’s rich heritage and modern transformation.

The Friday after-school and Wednesday Afternoon Activity dancers performed two dances, including a fun, upbeat routine to ‘No Roots’ and a powerful, contemporary dance to ‘I Won’t Complain’ – a lovely combination of grace and sass!

SENIOR SCHOOL CHARITY CONCERT On Tuesday 15 February the Sixth Formers held this year’s Senior charity concert in aid of Safe Passage, a charity that helps unaccompanied child refugees to access their right to reach safety.

The event was a great success, with various talented acts performing and audiences watching both live and via the Livestream at home.

If you couldn’t watch live, the recording can be found in the News and Events section on the School website, where you’re also still able to donate to Safe Passage.

Well done to all of the Sixth Formers that took part, and a big thank you to our tech team who made sure the event ran smoothly!

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LEITHS WINE PAIRING AND TASTING Upper Sixth students on the Leiths Introductory Certificate in Food and Wine took part in a wine pairing and tasting session with a professional sommelier from Leiths, gaining valuable knowledge about which wines work best with which flavours and foods.

BURRELL SOCIETY LECTURE WITH EXTREME SKIER As part of this term’s Burrell Society Lecture series, extreme skier Rachel Findler led a talk about when falling is not an option.

Rachel shared ways to overcome fear to achieve your potential, work through stress and pressure at the top, set goals and deal with failure. Rachel also spoke about how it’s crucial to work on mindfulness and have a positive mantra in whatever you aim to achieve.

The pupils also heard about Rachel’s tales from the mountains, including dodging an avalanche and being stalked by a mountain lion.

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School News NEW TRUSTEES JOIN THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Truro School Board of Governors have recently appointed four new members to the Board: Martin Ayliffe, Mark DunnWilson, Bethany Scarsbrook CO10 and Carrie White.

Martin recently retired as Partner from construction and property consultants Ward Williams Associates, having held responsibility for Project Management and Building Surveying. He is a Director of Registered Valuers at Smart Commercial Property Ltd, and runs his own specialist Project Management consultancy based in Cornwall.

Martin brings strategic estates and facilities experience, having worked with the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust and the All England Lawn Tennis Club. As a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Martin is an active member of the RICS South West Regional Board.

He has two children who have passed through Truro School.

Revd Mark is an ex-officio Governor in his capacity as Deputy Chair of the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Methodist District.

Mark has served as Methodist Minister in Truro for 16 years, having previously served in Liverpool.

Bethany is a barrister with St John’s Chambers in Bristol, specialising in family law. She attended Truro School from 2003-2008. As an Oxford undergraduate she developed her passion for family law and children’s rights, and finished top in her year for the subject. Bethany then went on to receive a scholarship enabling her to become a postgraduate, successfully reading for the BCL at

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St Anne’s College, Oxford, where she submitted a dissertation considering Gillick Competence. Before joining St John’s Chambers, Bethany successfully completed pupillage in London, where she obtained extensive experience in financial remedy disputes. This includes dealing with complex financial structures and assets outside of the jurisdiction.

Carrie started her career in retail banking and, across 20 years, has operated in all areas of financial services, from banking to personal/business lending, mortgages, investment banking, wealth management, regulated sales, insurance, compliance, risk management and asset management.

Each role has been either customer facing or as part of the HR function, operating as a lender reporting through to company Board members. Carrie left corporate life to establish White Willow Partners, a boutique HR consultancy, specialising in leadership development, talent and development and coaching. She brings passion and energy to her engagements, demonstrating that people-focused interventions can return a tangible output which is invested back into the heart of any organisation: its people. Carrie holds several other positions supporting her interests: Chair of Internal Audit Apprenticeship trailblazer employer body, member of EMCC (UK) Internal Coaching special-interest group, and member of EMCC (UK) research think tank.

Carrie is a current parent at the School.

WORLD BOOK DAY

For World Book Day, teachers across the Senior School spread the importance of reading by sharing their ‘Guess the Reader’ competition images for this year’s #WorldBookDay.

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Pupils collected an entry form from the library to be in with a chance of winning a £5 book token for the most correct answers. Can you guess who’s who behind the book?

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8 Amswers: 1. Mr Johnson (Head) 2. Mrs Kenward (Head of Careers, and History Teacher) 3. Mr Sanderson (Director of Sport) 4. Dr Spring (History) 5. Mr O’Connor (Art Technician) 6. Mrs Thurlow (Head of First Year) 7. Mr Meads (Head of Art) 8.Ms Yigit (Librarian)

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THE TRURONIAN

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Sports Roundup It is always nice to be asked to write something for our alumni, and it is a fantastic chance for me to share what is happening at our school with you.

With the pandemic restrictions easing, Truro School is starting to look a lot busier and, for me (having only seen one full year before the pandemic), it is wonderful to see the Truro School machine back in action.

DAN SANDERSON DIRECTOR OF SPORT

djs@truroschool.com

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The opportunities that our pupils have are breathtaking, and our co-curricular offering is a real feather in our cap.

Music, art, drama, cookery (oh yes, and sport) and other activities give our pupils a chance to socialise, explore a little deeper and, best of all, have fun.

Speaking of fun, I won’t bore you with a list of achievements; all that can be found on our social media pages and websites (@TruroSport via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook). Instead, here is a little bit of what we are doing in PE, games and sport.

Covid could have been a challenging time during remote learning (thanks, Joe Wicks), but our department found it to be a very successful one. The focus shifted slightly and we were able to really become creative and as people looked to keep active in lockdown; the simple joy of walking, running, cycling and swimming (I hope you still live in Cornwall…!) returned with a vengeance. No teacher telling you what to do, no annoying classmates... bliss...! We, as a department, focused on creating good environments and good habits. We found the less ‘sporty’ pupils engaged with this the best, and some stunning work was submitted and new passions were formed. Since the return to school, the traditional ‘sporty’ pupils have filled their boots (and why not, sport is great fun), but the less ‘sporty’ have continued to be active, engaged and willing to try new activities. The only downside of this being that I am running out of space to facilitate it all. A nice problem to have though.

Whilst participation is fairly high across most areas of the school in fixtures (67% of pupils have represented the school in a fixture this academic year), there have of course been dips in the exam year groups. It will always be our duty to promote the benefits of sport and leading an active lifestyle, as we know that stress and anxiety can be eased with exercise, especially in teenagers (and, of course, adults, you and me included, so keep active!).

Our P.E. and games curriculum gives all our pupils equal access to all that we offer. Of course, what we do is teaching our pupils the physical benefits of good activity levels, but in curriculum lessons I want our focus to be more than that.

I believe that P.E. and sport is the perfect vehicle to teach our pupils about the ‘soft’ skills they will need throughout their life. Resilience, empathy, teamwork, persistence, emotional intelligence... buzz words maybe to some, but we really put a lot of emphasis on qualities such as these during our lessons.

The sport/activity is the easy bit to teach, and we celebrate high-achieving pupils, but we are after more than making good sports people. We are after making good people, through sport.

In P.E., we have added outdoor education, gymnastics, handball and dance (my favourite lesson, the pupils love it!) to our KS3 curriculum. These sit alongside our rackets, swimming and health-related fitness classes, amongst others. In games, we have split the year into five sports, with boys and girls taking part in all of them.

Rugby, netball, football, hockey and striking and fielding (cricket, rounders, softball etc) all run for six weeks each.

It has been a real joy to see our pupils test themselves in different and unfamiliar sports, and it is refreshing to see stereotypical attitudes being discarded.

For our older year groups, they are able to choose their games lessons activities.

So far, swimming, trampolining, exercise to music, fitness suite, football and oldschool ball games have proved popular, and the pupils can choose a new activity each half term. I am very keen for games sessions to be driven by our KS4 pupils and I value high pupil engagement.

Please do get in touch if you would like to know more about what we offer in P.E., games and sport at Truro School, it would be great to hear from you.

Truro School Sports is excited to welcome a new Football Head Coach, and Saints Southwest Cornwall Regional Coach, Rhys Sullivan, to the teaching team.

Mr Sullivan joins us from Plymouth Argyle, where he most recently coached the women’s team. He brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the School, and will divide his time between running the football programme at Truro School and the Saints Southwest (SSW) Regional Programme, held on Monday and Wednesday evenings at the School.

These evenings sit alongside the SSW Development Centre (Thursday nights at Truro School), which supports players transitioning from grassroots football to regional centres of excellence and beyond.

The Saints partnership with Truro School was launched in September 2020 to provide education, community and sports provision to young people across Cornwall. Truro School pupils benefit from the club’s commitment to ‘developing potential for all’ both on and off the pitch.

The unique pathways it provides gives boys and girls the opportunity to both develop as players and explore a wide range of roles within the industry, including research, coaching and performance analysis.

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2022

The programme runs alongside GCSE, A-Levels and C-Tech courses.

As the new football coach, Mr Sullivan hopes to build a bigger girls’ football programme for both Truro School and Saints Southwest. No doubt, his experience at Argyle will be hugely valuable, and he has already got one aspiring England women’s team prospect here at our School.

He also says, “One of the big things here is to grow Truro School’s football programme and get it known on an international level. Growth is everything for the School and for Saints Southwest.

We now have an exciting, big fixture programme here, and we will be organising twice-termly competitions for Truro School teams to play against Saints’ Teams. These experiences are hugely valuable in helping to broaden experience and confidence.”

We wish Mr Sullivan every success this term, and a warm welcome to the school.

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CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2022 It was a pleasure to host Cornwall Schools’ Cross Country Championship, welcoming schools from across the county, including Bodmin College, Brannel, Camborne SI Academy, Falmouth, Five Islands, Hayle Academy, Humphry Davy School, Helston Community College, Launceston, Mounts Bay Academy, Newquay Tretherras, Penair, Penrice Academy, Penryn College, Richard Lander, Sir James Smith’s, Redruth, Saltash, St Ives School, The Roseland, Torpoint, Treviglas, Truro High School, Truro and Penwith College and Wadebridge.

Pupils ran varied distances in their age-relevant groups: Year 7 Boys (2940m) and Year 7 Girls (2300m), Junior Girls (3490m) and Junior Boys (4045m), Inter and Senior Girls (4045m) and Inter and Senior Boys (5790m).

Congratulations to all the participants, you all ran exceptionally well, and thank you to all the organisers for putting on such a successful event.

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PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS The Public Schools’ Fencing Championships took place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, London, from the 15 to 17 March 2022.

All of our fencers did amazingly well, with some stunning performances and determination shown by all.

Congratulations to everyone who took part and thanks to all of the parents, staff and helpers who made the trip such a success.

TRURO SCHOOL V SAINTS SOUTH WEST

It was a pleasure to welcome five Saints South West teams to play against our School teams in January, in the first block fixture between the two sides. The games were refereed by our FAaccredited Sixth Form students, who recently completed their FA Referee Course through the School’s Sixth Form Football Programme.

Mr Sanderson, Director of Sport at Truro School, said, “We are really pleased to show our partnership with Saints South West is progressing and working well, with a morning of football for over 100 young people to enjoy, supported by parents and coaches. A special thank you to all the staff who coached teams and to the grounds staff for preparing the pitches. The catering team once again provided excellent service and made the whole event a perfect start to the weekend.”

Mr Hooper, Head of Football, commented, “It was fantastic to be able to host a block fixture on a Saturday. All the games were closely contested and played in a wonderful spirit. The highlight for me was to see nine Sixth Form students officiate their first-ever football fixture after completing their FA Referee Course through the football programme.”

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

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

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Head of Careers, Nancy Kenward, provides an update on the invaluable resource that is Truro School Connected, and the difference they make to our current students.

We have continued to host events which can be attended by multiple year groups this term, and we have been delighted to welcome visiting speakers on to site.

The careers events this term have been a mixture of in-person and virtual talks from a variety of speakers. We have hosted virtual talks from the Royal Navy, RAF and British Army Liaison Officers this term. All have been well attended, with pupils from the 3rd Year and above signing up to hear more about the massive range of careers and apprenticeships available across the Armed Forces.

In February, current TS parent and former pupil, Victoria Gould CO05, came in to deliver a brilliant presentation on careers in broadcast journalism and radio. After leaving Truro School Sixth Form she went on to read History at the University of Exeter, and Victoria gave a vivid insight in to the industry as well as describing her own career. She is currently a Community Journalist for BBC Radio Cornwall.

Carrie White is another current parent (and current Governor) who was able to visit us this term, delivering a presentation to a packed audience in the double classroom in the SBA Sports Centre. As an experienced HR professional, Carrie was able to share her insights into the application processes for graduate and apprenticeship programmes at top London firms, providing invaluable advice for our Cornish students. Victoria Hobson from Exeter University gave an excellent presentation on Marine Biology, and there was also a talk on careers in Geology and Mining. Later in the term we are pleased to be hosting further talks on Law, Medicine and Game Design.

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 into bioengineering and finance and trading roles as a result of the replies.

We are delighted to announce our new Head of Medical Pathways, Ms Susan Havis. Susan joins us from an international school and is also our new Head of Biology. We are delighted to have her on the team. If any former pupils or parents who currently work in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science would be interested in supporting one of our Medical Pathways talks (in person or virtually), Susan would be delighted to hear from you. You can contact her on SAH@truroschool.com.

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.

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 Truro School Connected.

CAREERS TALK

Mhairi MacLeod CO18 Mhairi joined Truro School for Sixth Form, before achieving a place to study Spanish and Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Nottingham. She is currently in her third year.

On Thursday 10 March, Mhairi kindly took time to speak to students about her experiences, particularly how she navigated studying abroad during the pandemic, working for an NGO in Peru, but ultimately how her passion for languages has guided her through her studies.

What did you do at A Level and what made you decide to study languages?

I studied Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Spanish, but languages have always been something I’m passionate about. After having many conversations, something was pulling me towards it. I decided quite last minute to change to Spanish and Chinese at university.

I had to take a year out because it was last minute, which I was happy with. I had a great time travelling.

I took up au pairing during my gap year. I did some part-time work, went to Australia and New Zealand and then worked as an au pair in Barcelona. It was a great thing to do right before uni as it helped me feel so much more comfortable when I got there.

How did you find to be a match as an au pair?

I did it through Au Pair World, a website where you can choose your country and family. It was really a great way of earning a small bit of money and getting to explore the city and the language.

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Did you struggle with a language barrier?

It was hard, and on top of that looking after children, which is hard. But I’ve really built a relationship with the family.

Did you get a flavour for the family beforehand?

Yes, we Facetimed beforehand and I met the children on camera. Its important to remember that kids are kids and they will be misbehaving. It was really nice to meet on Facetime before and keep in contact.

The website was helpful in that, when you agree to things, its all written down and agreed.

Did you teach them English too?

My primary role was to speak in English; it was quite hard as I had to understand their Spanish too. I did ask the parents to speak in Spanish to me to help me.

During family parties you just had to be fully immersed, they speak very quickly, it was a great way to learn!

So you switched from science to language whilst at school, and followed your heart. It makes sense that you need to study something you’re passionate about.

The norm that I saw at school in my science classes was that others were opting to do science degrees, and it was quite different for me sitting in science to say I wanted to do languages. But today it’s a great conversation that I studied both areas.

You went to study Chinese, with no prior knowledge of it before. How did you find it?

I was very lucky in my first year at Nottingham, they have an amazing language department. When you are learning something like Mandarin or Arabic, you need good support. Classes were so small, so we all really got to know each other. We had great contact hours, great teachers and a small class. It just helped to excel my Mandarin in the first year. At uni they say you are left on your own, but with this course they really looked after us because it’s such a hard language.

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During second year, did you then have to start applying for year-abroad placements in third year?

Yes, and this was a strange one because I was applying during lockdown in my bedroom. I applied for an NGO charity in Peru who offered internships, which were eventually cancelled, but they still offered me an online placement. At first I was apprehensive that I would gain good experience, but it was positive. Hopefully I have built a relationship with them that means I can go out this summer instead.

You have now got a second placement for the next half of the year?

I’ll be studying in Taiwan for the second half of the year. I’ll be studying Mandarin for three months, it will be quite intense.

The main aim is to immerse myself in the culture and language and it’s at a university with Taiwanese students.

It’s very exciting and I can’t think of a better way to develop my skills.

Did your gap year help prepare you in any way for your year abroad in third year?

It definitely helped in terms of being more mature as a result of moving away from home. Looking back, I think if I had found an opportunity like this for my gap year I would have definitely tried to do that instead. Having worked for an NGO for six months on my CV was such a great opportunity for work experience.

For A Level students thinking of doing languages at university level, is there anything you would advise?

The one thing I benefitted from was speaking outside an exam setting, just speaking as much as you can outside of school, with people who are familiar or native with the language. There are so many ways to help and improve your language. There’s a Spanish-speaking group in Cornwall, you can just meet up and chat for an hour once a week.

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CAREERS TALKS

Victoria Gould CO95

On Friday 4 February, we were thrilled to host Old Truronian Victoria Gould CO95, who shared how she’s made a career as a journalist.

Victoria found her love for journalism when studying for a post-graduate certificate in Journalism at Falmouth University.

After university, she then volunteered and worked at several radio stations to gain experience, before coming back to Cornwall to work for BBC Cornwall as a community journalist.

The talk gave the pupils a great insight into the world of journalism, and we’d like to thank Victoria for coming to talk about her experiences in the field.

If you would like to be an 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

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A VIEW

from the Chamber I almost feel guilty for writing about the opportunities Cornwall can offer its young people, when thousands of youngsters with big dreams have had them crushed in a matter of days. As I write this, the situation in Ukraine is growing ever more concerning, and my heart goes out to the innocent citizens, and particularly young people, caught up in it.

Just as Coronavirus has seemingly vanished - no mention of it in the media - once again we are faced with a situation where the climate change crisis will take a back seat. I believe it is our responsibility at Cornwall Chamber of Commerce to do all we can to keep the conversation going.

We have planned an exciting set of Planet C events in September, designed to bring businesses together and inspire them to make sustainability part of the fabric of their organisation, just as they would HR and Health and Safety.

With kind sponsorship from Don’t Cry Wolf, the four-day focus will include our annual Sustainability Conference, beach clean, EV event, tree planting and more.

We’ve also changed the focus of our annual Business Fair this year with the strapline The Future of Business, giving the event a strong sustainability theme and including some exciting showcasing of new technologies and green solutions.

The event is part of Cornwall’s Festival of Business – a week-long series of events celebrating The Duchy’s diverse business landscape.

Cornwall Business Fair takes place on Wednesday 15 June at Falmouth University’s Penryn Campus, and is sponsored by Wildanet. The Festival of Business runs from Monday 13 June to Friday 17 June. There is lots more information on our website.

KIM CONCHIE CEO CORNWALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, DEPUTY 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 T R U S T E E

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Our business networking group for young businesspeople has really taken off: Surge of Entrepreneurs (sponsored by Don’t Cry Wolf) will have a big presence at the Business Fair. The opportunities we provide for the under 30s in Cornwall are proving crucial to supporting not only career development, but also the wellbeing of young workers after a very rocky two years. Surge puts on regular networking events, provides information about training, and has a brilliant Facebook group where members are encouraged to ask questions, post

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experiences, give top tips and attach useful guides.

At our Surge event in October 2021, attendees had the chance to get a free business headshot taken; this simple gesture has made such a difference to the confidence of the young entrepreneurs.

I’m very proud of the thought that my team puts into each event, really considering the things that young people in businesses need.

I’ve said it before, probably in this column, but within businesses it’s often the same two or three people that go to all the networking events, and rarely are those people the young and rising graduates. The value of networking for young businesspeople is huge, and the sooner employers realise that giving their young staff time out of the office to socialise with and learn from experienced professionals and hear from great speakers will benefit the business, the better!

Surge is a great starting point to get young entrepreneurs familiar with what an accredited Chamber of Commerce can do for a business. As a Surge member (completely free), you have access to a network of 53 accredited Chambers in the UK should you need it, and as your business grows you may need to take advantage of our links with the 76 overseas Chambers as well.

I must bring your attention to our 30 under-30 awards, which are in their seventh year. I absolutely love reading through the applications – the quality of our young people here in Cornwall is outstanding. The deadline has passed for this year, but keep an eye on Chamber comms to read about the winners when they are announced in June, and if you have a few shining stars under the age of 30 in 2023, do enter them next year.

Wishing you all a wonderful Spring, and hoping the world is more peaceful next time I write.

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HOW TRURO SCHOOL CAME TOGETHER

During the Pandemic

This issue marks just over two years since the country first entered the first lockdown in Spring 2020, March to be exact, just weeks before the school term finished for Easter holidays. Truro School moved immediately to online learning at the end of the spring term and, with patience and practice, a new routine was established.

An Enhancement and Enrichment Programme was set up for 5th Years and Upper Sixth, after it was confirmed by the Government that 2020 examinations would be cancelled. The programme introduced 5th Years to life in the Sixth Form, and Upper Sixths were prepared for life post-18 with sessions on university and the world of work, as well as continuing to delve deeper into subjects that interested them.

The school site remained partially open for children of key workers. Many teaching and non-teaching support staff were furloughed. It was left, then, to Nicky Berridge (TS Development Manager 2016-2021) to run the Development office from home, and the office where we once met to plan for alumni events, raise donations for bursaries and where Jo managed the school archive, fell silent.

At times it has been easy to feel like much was lost during the pandemic, but it is those moments when it’s important to remember that so much was achieved.

We take a look back at the past two years

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and how the Truro School community came together to support and guide each other through the pandemic, kept learning alive, embarked on brilliant charitable journeys, and made the most of the unprecedented circumstances.

Spirits were kept afloat with fun videos, challenges and activities, a particularly memorable video being a rendition from Senior staff of ‘Count on Me’ by Bruno Mars. The Rev took his chapel services online with his uplifting words, and weekly updates came from Truro School Head Andy Johnson and his predecessor Andrew Gordon-Brown (TS Head 2013-2020).

The co-curricular programme evolved and new skills were mastered. There were plenty of delicious bakes as the soda- and banana-bread crazes swept social media.

A mass collaboration from the art, drama, music and DT departments encouraged creative pupils to keep being inspired, and let their feelings and surroundings guide their projects.

When the November 2020 lockdown was announced, Wednesday Afternoon Activities were once again adapted so that everyone could be catered for on-site.

Truro School donated its use of catering facilities to help The Hive Cornwall batchmake 4,000 meals a week for people suffering from food insecurity.

Likewise, Jenna Dobson CO20 put her Leiths Diploma into practice by making soup, bread and stews, and delivered over 300 meals a week, as well as asking supermarkets for foodwaste donations.

TREVOR DREW CO72

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As a shortage of PPE was reported by frontline workers, the DT department wasted no time in putting the School’s 3D printer to use, and produced 1,000 face shields which were delivered to GPs, hospitals and care homes.

Mr Baker, TS Head of DT, commented, “Once we had a prototype we were confident would work, we were able to generate overwhelming interest through social media in a short period of time, which gave us the motivation to get making immediately. We were able to make 90 re-useable shields in a day, which have already been distributed to surgeries, care homes and hospitals across mid-Cornwall.”

Fundraising efforts didn’t slow down and the boarders, despite being up to thousands of miles apart, worked together on Mrs Mulready’s and Mr Copeland’s ‘Challenge 75’ and raised a generous £775 for NHS charities, undertaking a vast range of activities. George, Finn, and Stan (now 4th Years) ran a combined 60km in six hours and totalled over £600 for National Emergencies Trust.

The annual Rainbow Run, like many other events, went virtual, but that didn’t deter Truro School staff and pupils: £593 was raised by running or walking 5km for the chosen charity Children’s Hospice South West. Over the summer holidays in 2020, previous Upper Sixths Gracie and Sophie walked the Saints Way to raise money for Cancer Research UK, which took a hit in their donations due to Covid-19.

They surpassed their target of £250 to raise over £700. There were many more fantastic fundraisers from the pupils, including Prep.

Sadly, we were unable to invite prospective families to Truro School on the annual open days and evenings.

Nonetheless, a new plan was quickly hatched, and so the open events became virtual. Live Q&As with SLT and Heads of Sixth Form, Head Boy and Head Girl allowed the opportunity for new families and students to still ask those all-important questions and discover everything Truro School has to offer.

In addition, the usual concerts and performances were pre-filmed to watch from the comfort of home, and the

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Careers, Medical Pathways and Aspiring Healthcare programmes continued in full swing, with guest speakers giving talks on Teams, which were also recorded.

Meanwhile, the Old Truronian community were brought closer together than ever, whether they still live locally or on the other side of the world, thanks to behindthe-scene efforts from the Development team. Keeping Connected newsletters were born, containing uplifting tales of OTs helping in the pandemic, offering help and support, keeping them informed with school news, providing Maria Taylor CO86’s (TS Head of Cookery School 20182022) tempting recipes, and even getting them involved with lockdown challenges.

This was all despite alumni events being put on hold. The Annual Reunion Dinner and Afternoon Tea Party were particularly missed events.

We learnt quickly, though, of Old Truronians carrying out not only world-changing but life-changing work throughout the pandemic. Professor Trevor Drew CO72 is a world-renowned expert in the field of infectious diseases and animal health. He is leading a team of dedicated scientists at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, who are working around the clock to understand and fight the virus which causes Covid-19.

He told us in September 2020, “As you can imagine, things here at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness are pretty crazy at this time. As well as the work we are doing in pre-clinical trialling of Covid-19 vaccine candidates (including one from Oxford University), we are busy carrying on our other research, investigating the basis of immunity to the disease. We are also trialling some antivirals and studying the survival of the virus on different surfaces, at different temperatures and humidities. As well as all this Covid-19 work, we also still have to continue to undertake investigations for notifiable diseases for the whole of Australia! I had originally considered my time here would be a relatively quiet one, providing me with an opportunity to pass on my knowledge of exotic disease response to Australian colleagues.

Little did I think that I would be head of a facility that was playing such a key role in the world’s first pandemic in over 100 years!”

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Sir Patrick Vallance CO78 also attended Truro School. He is the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Head of the Government Science and Engineering profession and a key figure in the UK’s current and ongoing Covid-19 response.

Most recently, he was elevated to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to science in government.

S I R PAT R I C K VA L L A N C E CO78

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When the school grounds awakened from its hibernation in January 2021, a sense of hope and happiness filled the atmosphere as some normality was returned. At a week’s notice in January, part of the SBA was converted into a testing centre ready for school to open after the Christmas break. However, the third national lockdown was announced. When the new March return-to-school date was confirmed, pupils were tested a full week beforehand.

In July 2021, our choristers raised £8,434 for Unicef VaccinAid. Truro Cathedral choristers, who all attend Truro School, celebrated the success of their Unicef VaccinAid Crowdfunder which raised nearly 70% more than their original £5,000 target.

The sum will enable Unicef to provide over 10,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses.

The fundraiser took place as part of the recent Sing2G7 project, through which the Cornish choristers inspired children across the globe to raise their voices in song to world leaders.

There was more to celebrate that July during Speech Day. After a year of uncertainties and changes it was with great pleasure, and some relief, that we were able to welcome prize winners and Upper Sixth students, along with their parents, to celebrate another busy and successful year. Safely seated throughout the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre, guests enjoyed a selection of musical and drama interludes, as well as speeches from Chair of Governors Richard Thomas, Head Andy Johnson, Guest Speaker Sophie Daud and our departing Head Girl/Boy Team, Jenny and Isaac.

For those unable to attend in person, the event was live-streamed by the Truro School Tech Team into classrooms, and to parents and alumni across the world.

The final day of summer term 2021 was a welcome change from the previous year. This time, a chance to say a thankful goodbye to teachers in person, and look forward to seeing friends again during the summer holiday or back at school in September.

An afternoon in the late summer found us celebrating the life of Headmaster, Guy Dodd (TS 1992-2001). The final total for our campaign in Guy’s honour (The Guy Dodd Appeal) was a remarkable sum: £40,000, coming in during the depths of the pandemic from much-needed donors.

Staff and pupils came together to raise money for and awareness of local and international charities. The day raised funds for St Petroc’s homeless charity in Cornwall and the World Wide Fund for Nature’s campaign for ‘Our Climate Future’. Staff and pupils were allowed to come to school in their own clothes in exchange for a small donation. Meanwhile, a thought-provoking assembly was held to stimulate thought about how we can all affect change to lessen our impact on the environment.

Pupils each made a ‘leaf of promise’.

On one side, they included a personal, written #PromiseToThePlanet and on the other side, a promise they want world leaders to make to the planet.

The pandemic has affected us all in a multitude of ways, and it has not been an easy ride, but the Truro School community really lived up to the school motto, ‘Esse Quam Videri’. We were courageous.

We were compassionate.

We kept creative, and we stayed curious. And as the country moves tentatively out of restrictions, Truro School continues to provide support to all its pupils, staff and wider community as the post-Covid road is navigated.

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IN THE

Garden this Term Mid-winter in the school grounds means fewer gardening jobs whilst the grounds have a rest, but it does mean some of the less interesting jobs are accomplished.

We were pleased to welcome Alan to the team as a new gardener, who is a welcome addition after being a person down for a short while last term.

ADAM GARDENER

TOM HEAD GARDENER

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THE GARDENS AND GROUNDS TEAM GO SUSTAINABLE Aligned with the School’s strategy to be carbon neutral by 2030, the Gardens and Grounds team are committed to investing sustainably in the cultivation, maintenance and management of our environment. They were pleased to receive their new STIHL equipment, powered by environmentally compatible engine technologies.

Energy consumption, exhaust emissions and noise, as well as health and safety, have been important criteria for investing in processes and products throughout the school, and the gardening team are looking forward to using their new longlife backpack batteries and quiet, emission-free equipment.

Thank you to Cornwall Farm Machinery for supplying the equipment.

BEFORE THE ROSE GARDEN

The bedding of the Rose Garden took place in January.

Here are some photos from behind the scenes showing the progress from before and after.

AFTER

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NOTES

From the Garden Team JANUARY – THE ROSES ARE PLANTED IN THEIR NEW GARDEN Early January: bare root roses are ready to collect from The Cornish Rose Company and the bare root yew hedging is also delivered.

We undertook formative pruning of the apple trees in the orchard to encourage a good branch structure and framework for fruiting in the following years. As well as mulching around the base of the trees, this supresses the weeds and retains moisture around the roots. We received eight tonnes of rotted horse muck, which was kindly delivered by our contact and Old Truronian Sam Kemp CO20.

This was then raked across the Truro School Foundation’s new rose garden and rotavated into the beds to improve nutrients and soil structure.

We carried on weeding flower beds across the site, and mulching to supress weeds and improve nutrients and soil structure.

Perennial seeds were sowed in the potting shed, including delphiniums, foxgloves, rudbekia and alyssum.

Gardening Club began! The club is organised

by Ms Thurlow and we support where we can.

The students have so far dug over the raised beds and incorporated some compost.

They have also sown seeds in the potting shed including cauliflower, broccoli, parsnips and carrots.

Work took place on the sports pitches; this included spiking and slitting on the football pitches to improve drainage and reduce compaction. There was also marking on the pitches for fixtures, repairing divots and overseeding after matches. All the usual garden jobs were undertaken, such as grass cutting, hedge cutting etc. At the end of January, the whole gardening team finally got to planting the roses in the rose garden, and the yew hedging.

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,

,

FEBRUARY – STORM EUNICE HITS This month meant ongoing maintenance of the football pitches, which also included spiking to aerate the soil and improve drainage, and brushing pitches for presentation as well as maintaining the health of the turf. We cut cricket squares and spiked them to let air into the surface of the soil; following the spiking on the cricket squares, a granular fertiliser is applied.

Of course, there was more weeding and mulching around site, and lawns were cut towards the end of the month, which was the first cut of the year.

We also spike the lawns again to relive compaction and aerate the soil. We took delivery of new electric Stihl equipment, which is being used across site for grass cutting. The new equipment is better for the environment and the user.

There was more tree work this month, felling trees deemed unsafe from our annual tree report.

A portion of these are ash trees, due to ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), with many more ash trees on the report to be inspected throughout the season for signs of dieback.

Spring bulbs including crocus, narcissi and snowdrops are flowing across site, as well as hellebores and the first azaleas. Towards the end of the month the magnolia trees are also beginning to flower. Seasonal bedding in pots and seasonal beds (polyanthus crescendo and tulips) are in flower now, so once a week we check all pots, deadheading and removing any diseased leaves and pests; we also remove weeds, feed and water when required (when the weather is dry we may do these three times a week).

Unfortunately, shortly after planting out in late autumn, a cold easterly wind whipped across the front of school where there is little protection and burned all the leaves on the polyanthus. We had to pick off all the bad leaves, which means they are a month or so behind where they should be. They recovered well until storm Eunice at the end of the month had another go. Never mind - that’s just the way it goes.

During storm Eunice we all took the day off for safety reasons. School survived quite well, with only two trees down. Toby, our tree surgeon, came in the day after to take down remaining unsafe trees.

At this point, we were expecting our summer bedding plugs to arrive at the beginning of March, so we made more compost for potting. To do this we sieve our compost down, removing large stones and sticks; we then mix in grit and sand to improve drainage and also add bone meal to increase nutrients. We have also sown seeds for the summer perennials and bedding species, including foxglove, lobelia, echinacea, geums, sweetpeas, lupins and marigolds. The students’ Gardening Club has also been sowing veg seeds.

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MARCH – SPRING HAS SPRUNG March meant ongoing maintenance on the pitches, including their first cut of the year. We also applied an early application of calcium fertiliser to some pitches to condition the soil and improve root growth. This is when we also begin planning any spring renovations to the pitches, including overseeding and fertiliser applications.

The first trays of summer bedding arrived: 690 plugs of red pelargoniums.

All potted in our potting shed using our compost and recycling our plastic pots, we then put them in our glasshouse to grow on ready for planting out in early summer. The summer bulbs and tubers for summer seasonal displays also arrived. These are also potted on and put in our greenhouses to get them started, ready for planting out as part of our seasonal displays and in our established beds and borders in early summer.

The new areas for wildflower are sprayed to kill the grass; we then rotavate these areas, raking them to a fine tilth, then sow our mix of native wildflower seeds.

Other jobs include pruning shrubs including berberis, hydrangeas (the flower heads are left on over winter as they protect young shoots from frosts) and dogwood, removing dead and crossing branches then thinning out old wood to create an open framework for new growth and a healthy plant. The team also had to spike lawns and cut when needed, including scarifying to remove moss and improve the health of the turf.

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March included splitting and dividing perennial plants in the beds and borders, as well as moving plants that maybe were not happy in the position they were in last year. Jobs also included more deadheading of spring bulbs that are finishing, as well as seasonal bedding.

Towards the end of the month more plug trays of summer bedding arrived: 252 Bidens Sundrop and 300 Verbena rigida. These are potted on and put into the greenhouse to grow on.

By the end of the month we see the first signs of budding trees and shrubs across site, and begin pricking out young seedlings from trays sown last month. These are potted on and moved into the greenhouse from the propagator. By the end we will be preparing any areas of lawn for re-seeding.

The students’ Gardening Club is also making a second sowing of veg seeds, as well as sowing some seeds including beans and peas outside.

Hopefully, with the spring season now here, spring will have really sprung and it should be warming up. However, that’s not to say we won’t get a frost, or even snow, before the spring season ends.

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Celebration Garden Truro School Foundation is pleased to announce that the first phase of the new Celebration Garden is now open for Old Truronians and friends to enjoy.

The Garden features formal rose beds planted with a variety of different roses and shrubs, and has been designed to create a beautiful space for reflection and celebration. The Garden is a celebration of our Truro School community: Old Truronians and friends, especially those we have lost but will not forget. This tranquil space has been designed by the Garden and Grounds team at the school, and will continue to be diligently cared for as time passes.

The Foundation is pleased to invite Old Truronians and friends to order a plaque which can be placed against one of the roses – the perfect way to celebrate a birthday, wedding or anniversary, honour a milestone, or remember someone special.

In turn, your donation helps us provide means-tested bursaries to pupils and helps give them the opportunity to transform their lives and contribute positively to their families, communities and society as a whole.

Each plaque can be printed with a personalised message. As soon as the plaque is ready, we’ll get in touch.

You are then very welcome to visit and spend time in the Garden at your convenience, and return each year to watch as the roses thrive.

CELEBRATION ROSE AND PLAQUES: Available from £75 CELEBRATION BENCHES: There is also the option to purchase and sponsor a bench.

Available from £500 For more information please visit truroschool.com/ foundation/celebration-garden, where you can also complete an interest form.

To enquire, please contact Amanda Forde, Development and Alumni Relations: email foundation@truroschool.com or call 01872 246010

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ARCHIVE ATTIC

Looking Back at the Past - Musical Notes This term we are looking at musicrelated reports from school magazines in the archive, from the 1940s to the early 1960s.

School Choir

Choir Report

Musical Society

This term, though usually the ‘close’ season for the choir, has been quite an active one. As well as the School Services, we have helped at a concert in St Mary’s Hall for a youth rally, where selections from the ‘Messiah’ were sung, and have given a sacred concert in St Clement Methodist Church after an evening service. For this the church was packed, and the choir had an enjoyable evening.

Since I have an all-too-rare opportunity to pen a Choir Report, I think it would not be inopportune not only to relate what the Choir has done, but what it could do if certain gentlemen sang because they wanted to, and did not adopt – “I do but sing because I must” – as their motto.

Four meetings were arranged for this term, which has been a most interesting one.

The first meeting was devoted to Brahms, when his ‘Variations on a theme by Haydn’ and his 2nd Symphony were played.

The next meeting was a medley of Opera records including music and arias from ‘Aida’, ‘Cavaliera Rusticana’, ‘Faust’ and ‘The Marriage of Figaro’. We were very pleased to welcome Mr A.G. Uglow to our meeting on February 28th, when he played a selection of his records. The programme was devoted to Haydn’s Horn Concerto No. 2 and his Symphony No. 49 in F major (Le Passionne), and Mozart’s Piano Sonata in B flat major for four hands. None of these works had been heard in the Society before and the members considered this one of the best meetings held for a long time. At the last meeting of the term the Headmaster introduced us to the Gilbert and Sullivan opera ‘Ruddigore’. The attendance this term has not been so high as usual, probably owing to the Mid-term examinations and the School play, but it has been regular and, as far as interest goes, satisfactory.

The following works were included in the programme: ‘Hear my prayer’, ‘Now are we ambassadors’, ‘How lovely are the messengers’ (Mendelsohn), ‘Achieved is His glorious work’, ‘The heavens are telling the glory of God’ (Hayden), ‘Glorious is Thy name’ (Mozart), Stanford’s Te Deum in B flat, Harwood’s Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in A flat. The soloist at both concerts was W. Faull.

S.H. Way The Truronian, July 1944

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The tenors and basses joined with the girls of the High School to provide the semi-chorus of Elgar’s ‘Dream of Gerontius’, singing in the unlikely role of angels, disembodied spirits and far-off souls. The entire choir provided Parry’s ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Holy art Thou’ at the St Mary’s youth services, and the end of term concert, ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’, lies before us.

Our thanks must go to Mr Pelmear and the Headmaster for their faithful ministrations to us during the year.

We trust that their efforts will soon bear fruit.

The Truronian, July 1962

P.R.S. The Truronian, March 1954

Band Report

The Band At the beginning of this term we were very pleased to have a visit from Mr Newton, who left us at the end of last term. We wish to thank him for coming and helping us with the concert on Fete Day, and we are very glad to hear that he is very happy at Liskeard.

This term we welcome Mr Moore, who is bandmaster of St Agnes Band.

He comes to take us for practice four times a week in the lunch hour.

Although, at the time of writing, the term has not yet ended, we wish to thank him for all that he has done for us this term. We are certain that the School will appreciate this in the concert at the end of term. Our thanks go also to Mr Way who has helped in many different ways.

We have now obtained some more music which is a little easier than what we have had before, but, nevertheless, has greatly helped us to better our technique. The pieces which we are playing in the concert are:-

…I should like to thank Mr Burrell for his keen interest in the Band, and especially for the occasion when he was joined by many other masters to applaud us to success in the Cornwall Music Festival at Camborne. Here we obtained 92 marks for the overture ‘Diamond Cross’ and 89 for the march ‘March for Heroes’ – this earned us an Honours Certificate and a large shield. The Band also gave two short performances on Speech Day… The Truronian, July 1961

Two Marches – Joyous Greeting and The Young Recruit.

Two Waltzes – Pleasant Hours and Awake my Love, Awake.

One Polka – Jolly Jogabout.

One Barn Dance – Happy Times.

We extend a hearty welcome to all new members of the junior band, and say farewell to Payne, I.V., who has been our side drummer.

The Gramophone Circle The members of the Gramophone Circle resumed their activity at the start of term.

Some new recordings have been available and many musical works are now familiar treasures to many of us. We look forward to further opportunities for listening to both familiar and unknown works.

C.H.P. & G.H.H. The Truronian, July 1954

W.J.C. The Truronian, December 1947

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OLD TURONIAN

Do you remember that steep walk up Trennick Lane? Or the view from the sports fields over Truro?

Old Truronians are very welcome to visit the school and grounds at any time during school holidays. We would be delighted to chaperone you and any guests around the school, taking you back to any memorable classrooms and showing you what may have changed since your time.

If you would like to arrange a visit please contact Amanda at tsconnections@truroschool.com or telephone 01872 246010.

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Professor Emeritus David Andrew CO52 1934 - 2022

OLD TRURONIAN

Obituaries TRURO SCHOOL NOTIFICATION RECEIVED: January – March 2022

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Trevor Jaggar CO43

1925-2020

PROFESSOR EMERITUS DAVID NEVILLE ANDREW (TS 1946-1952) MR SEAN PATRICK FRANCIS BOYLE (TS 1952 – 1959) MR JOHN CHARLES CLYMO (TS 1939 – 1946) MS VIVIENNE JOY COGLAN (TS Prep Teacher 1990 – 2000) MS PAMELA ‘BETTY’ DEW (TS Headmaster’s Secretary 1975 - 1984) THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD PAUL MYNERS OF TRURO CBE (TS 1956 – 1966) MR MICHAEL RICHARD POTTEN (TS 1963 – 1970)

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Trevor Jaggar (TS 1936-1943) Following the sad passing of Old Truronian Trevor Jaggar CO43 in 2020, Trevor’s family are finally able to share news of a memorial service on Friday 6 May 2022.

The service will start from around 11am at Jordans Quaker Meeting House in Buckinghamshire (Jordans Quaker Meeting House, Welders Lane, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2SN) followed by interment of ashes and then luncheon for attendees. More precise details will be forwarded to those intending to attend once they have been completed.

If there is anyone associated with Truro School, past and present, who might be interested in attending, the family would be most grateful if they could contact Trevor’s son, Rhys T. Jaggar, at rtj1211@googlemail.com, so that they can gain reasonable estimates of numbers for catering purposes.

2022

I am sorry to have to tell you of the death of my brother David Andrew.

He died of cancer at Treliske at the age of 87.

He was at school around about 1951 and, on leaving, went to Falmouth School of Art. On qualification he spent a further year at the Slade School of Fine Art. He lectured at Bournemouth and Portsmouth Colleges of Art and then went on to Canada to Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, as professor in the Fine Arts Department. On retirement he returned to Cornwall and went to live in Mousehole.

He had exhibited paintings in many galleries, which were often landscapes, many of them of Cornish views. He also had exhibitions such as in Messums in London. David will be sadly missed. We would often remind ourselves of the happy time we had at Truro School.

TRIBUTE BY D AV I D ’ S B R O T H E R , ROBERT ANDREW CO48

Sean Patrick Boyle CO59 1940-2021

Patrick sadly passed away at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, on Friday 9 April 2021, aged 80 years.

Donations can be made in memory of Patrick by retiring collection to Paradise Park.

Tribute found online. Please get in touch if you can provide more information about Patrick’s life and/ or would like to submit a tribute for publishing in the next issue.

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Tributes and Memories Michael St. John Swanson CO59 1940 - 2022 Michael ‘Mole’ Swanson sadly died in Calgary, Canada, in January after suffering with a brain tumour for a long time.

Michael was one of the ’80 Not Out’ Reunion Group and so, until his illness, had been in contact with former pupils for many years. He leaves a widow, Lorna, and a daughter, Nicole. Lorna wrote: Michael spent a majority of his life in Canada and he always expressed his joy of the prairies and wide-open spaces. He liked standing on a hill and being able to see nothing for miles. We live an hour from the Rockie Mountains and we spent a lot of time exploring until Michael found it too hard to walk, and then we enjoyed it by vehicle. In the last few years Michael’s brain tumours caused him grief and he spent the last six months at home. We feel really fortunate that he was chatty and bright up till near the end. I remember Michael saying how much he enjoyed all the ’80 Not Out’ news over the years.

After leaving Truro School, Michael went farming with his father near Launceston.

In 1972 he took off for Canada for six months and worked on a large grain and beef farm. This was in Saskatchewan, the heart of the Prairies. In the autumn he took off to Australia to check things out down there, and spent the Australian summer working on a dairy farm then back to Canada because the opportunities were a lot better. He got a job working for a New Holland farmequipment dealer in Saskatchewan.

TRIBUTE BY LES RENDELL CO59

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After a couple of years Michael spent a winter working on an oil rig in the bush of northern Alberta. Then he worked for a company that was developing a new rotary combine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

After two years he managed to get a job with Sperry New Holland as a Field Service Representative. He stayed with New Holland until November 1999, when he retired, for the last 7 years being the National Service Manager for New Holland Canada Ltd. He was always known as ‘Mole’ Swanson at Truro School and his best friend, Nigel Holman CO59, was responsible for this. Michael and Nigel met up again in South Africa in 1969 where Nigel was then living. Michael did pay a visit to Truro School in the 1990’s.

Nigel has written: I blessed Michael with the name of Mole as he always resembled himself as a creature going into hibernation at times… he was a shrewd, unassuming, fun character, who was a friend of the first order. He was up for anything and nothing ever appeared to ruffle his feathers. He was quick to recognise others in need of help and was always totally unselfish of his time. He was prepared to give anything a go even though he gave the impression of being preoccupied on other matters. Mole had a wonderful sense of humour although giving the impression of being non-demonstrative. He got on well with others and I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. He joined in with everything and enjoyed his sport. We even developed a war cry quite unmistakeable to anything else when greeting…“MOoooooooOole” - he would react with a half-smile of recognition!!

Which always made us laugh.

RIP my dear friend you are remembered with many great thoughts.

John Clymo CO46 1928 - 2022

John was born in Camborne, Cornwall, in 1928, the only child of Harry and Bertha.

He was awarded a scholarship to Truro School in 1941 but maintained that his academic performance was modest and that his major achievements were in rugby and winning the Victor Ludorum cup in 1946 for the most overall points in the school Sports Day.

John was at school during the Second World War and recalled having to shelter when the air-raid sirens sounded, which is something that our generation could never imagine. However, events in Ukraine today seem a true reminder that perhaps the world has not changed as much as we thought. John also remembered that, as the young male teachers were called up to fight, more and more women were brought in and only the older male teachers were left.

When on assignment in Swansea, John met Julie, who he married in 1958.

They had two children, Jane and David, and now many grandchildren.

After the war in 1946, John was one of very few students to go straight from school to university, because most places were taken by returning servicemen who had been unable to attend university during the war.

John loved travel and visited every corner of the globe. He was adventurous too, once taking the whole family by truck to Lake Turkana in the very north of Kenya.

He and Julie also loved exploring the islands of South East Asia to find the best beaches to watch the sunsets!

John graduated from University College London with an honours degree in Economics, then completed his National Service in Egypt, during which time he lost both his parents and so had to find his own way in the world from a young age.

In 1951, John embarked on a career as a graduate trainee with British Electric Traction, a company which owned transport businesses throughout the UK and abroad, and for which he worked until his retirement in 1988. John’s first assignments were as a bus driver and conductor in Liverpool, and he was from then on known as a “busman” even though he managed a variety of transport and touring businesses over the years ahead.

His career with BET took him all over the world, including as Managing Director of Jamaica Omnibus Services from 1969 to 1974, and Managing Director of the group’s transport operations in Kenya from 1976 to 1982, before finishing his career at Head Office in London.

He was a keen golfer and was Captain of the senior’s section at St. Pierre Golf Club, before retiring to Mylor Bridge in his beloved Cornwall, where he took up bowls and became President of the Bowling Club there.

John was modern in many ways; he embraced technology and was adept with his iPad, and he regularly “Zoomed” with his family and friends around the world.

But he was also traditional, and he never understood how a gin and tonic could be anything apart from Gordons, Schweppes and a slice of lemon!

John lived life to the full and had so many memories of far-flung places around the world. But Cornwall was his home, and he loved it to the end.

Whilst Jane and I mourn Dad’s passing, we know he had a life well lived - starting at Truro School!

TRIBUTE BY JOHN’S SON, D AV I D C LY M O

John (circled left) in a TS rugby team photo, 1945 T R U R O S C H O O L A S S O C I AT I O N

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The Right Honourable Lord Myners of Truro CBE CO66 1948 - 2022

Lord Myners was born in 1948 and was brought up by his adoptive parents, a butcher and a hairdresser, in Cornwall.

In December he stepped down as Chancellor of the University of Exeter after five years in the role. His extensive financial career included stints with investment bank NM Rothschild and fund manager Gartmore. He later held prominent chairing positions, including at Marks & Spencer, the Guardian Media Group, Land Securities and Tate art galleries.

It is with sadness that we share the news of Lord Myners, who has died aged 73 after passing away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday 16 January, a statement from his five children read.

He attended Truro School from 1956-1966.

He also held directorships of companies including NatWest, Coutts & Co, Lloyds of London, the Bank of New York and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, as well as a membership of the Court of the Bank of England.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown appointed him financial services secretary in 2008, with the task of managing the national response to the global banking crisis at that time. In 2008, he was elevated to the House of Lords as Lord Myners of Truro and later became a crossbench peer.

The statement from his family said, “With great sadness we announce the loss of our beloved father Lord Paul Myners. He passed away peacefully in the early hours of this morning at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. He will be deeply missed and in our hearts forever.”

The school will continue to honour his legacy through the Lord Myners of Truro Cup for Grit and Lord Myners Leadership Award, gifted to the school by Lord Paul, and which is awarded to students at the end of each academic year during Speech Day. The Truro School Community is welcome to watch a recording of Lord Myners’ Guest of Honour speech at Truro School Speech Day in 2016 online. Please visit TruroSchoolCommunity on YouTube.com and the video can be found titled as Truro School Speech Day 2016.

Paul (back right) in a team Cross Country photo at school

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Tributes were received from Old Truronians and award winners of the Lord Myners of Truro Cup for Grit and the Lord Myners Leadership Award: Receiving the Lord Myners of Truro Cup for Grit in 2018 was a huge honour as, having heard his Speech Day address, he was a truly inspiring and achieving former pupil. I was very saddened to hear of his death, as he inspired me to pursue my university degree of business management. I hope further recipients of his Cup will be as appreciative of what he achieved and what they in turn can do in their future careers.

– Rebecca Compton CO18 I received the Lord Myners Leadership Award almost two years ago, right at the end of the first-ever virtual speech day.

I remember sitting around the computer with the rest of my family, trying to pay attention as the hours went by, watching as the names, events, wins and losses were reeled off. As the event was online, the awarding of the prizes was kept secret until the event was live-streamed, and so I was very surprised to hear my name alongside the Lord Myners Leadership Award. ‘Leadership’ is so often something that is talked about at school, but perhaps is something that is less commonly acknowledged. In the midst of all the changes, both expected and unexpected, that happened that year, I feel honoured to have been chosen for this award, and I’m so grateful that my last day (and last hour even!) as a pupil at Truro was marked

by Lord Myners’ generosity in providing the cup. I know that this generosity will continue to inspire many more pupils at Truro, and I would like to send my best wishes to his friends and family.

– Georgia Stone CO20

There have already been glowing obituaries to Paul in national and international media, so I thought I would limit mine to a personal and local tribute to him.

I first met Paul when he spoke brilliantly at Truro School Speech Day in 2016. He had been invited as one of the school’s most famous former pupils. He arrived for coffee with the Headmaster Andrew Gordon-Brown (TS 2013-2020) and me, in an electric-blue suit and with a twinkle in his eye. He was immediately engaging, interested in the young people around him, and great fun. His talk had the huge Speech Day audience rocking with laughter. I remember the anecdote he told to inspire young people struggling at school. He said ‘relax, you have time. When I was at Truro School, they wouldn’t trust me to run the Tuck Shop, but I ended up as Chair of Marks & Spencer. They wouldn’t let me loose in the art room but I ended up chairing the Tate Gallery.’

Paul had very impressive business credentials not only with M&S, but having led The Prudential Assurance Company, chaired fund manager Gartmore and, of course, as Gordon Brown’s Finance Minister, for which he was appointed a Labour Life Peer. He later changed to become a cross-bench Lord, which better suited his independent frame of mind. But, as importantly, he was very interested in Cornwall and the business community here. Because of this, and as we got on so well, I asked him to become the first Patron of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, which I was delighted he accepted. He was an inspirational figure in this role. He always had a supportive and cheering word for me personally.

He was a free spirit so he could say things on a public platform about the public-sector engagement with business in Cornwall that I couldn’t dare say! Some businesspeople and Truro School alumni will remember his talk at our Big Breakfast in the old sports hall, before the Cornwall Business Fair at The Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre in 2018, for which he won the coveted Cornwall Chamber Presentation of the Year Award. Such insight, such fun!

I didn’t overload Paul with Chamber duties because he was still in high demand for finance projects around the world, but whenever he was here at his home in Durgan we would touch base, he would offer to speak at events and chair discussions. Most recently, his unconventional approach was heard chairing a Chamber of Commerce podcast last September which is still available on our website. Clever, sharp, kind, interested and able to draw on so much experience.

He was due to be guest of honour at the Chamber Innovation Investment Network in November, and I was worried when he declined at the eleventh hour. He must have discovered he wasn’t well and, like so often when somebody as lively passes, it will be so sad that we cannot touch base, have a laugh and listen to his business acumen again.

More recently, Lord Myners worked with overseas sporting association and he conducted the enquiry into the salary cap in Premiership Rugby. Locally he became an avid spokesperson for the Stadium for Cornwall. These roles showed his love of sport here in Cornwall and its benefit across the world. He told me that he was delighted that G7 had come to Cornwall because now, on his global travels, when he mentioned he was from Cornwall, people knew where it was. Cornwall and the business landscape here will be much the poorer for his passing.

TRIBUTE BY K I M C O N C H I E , T S PA R E N T A N D C H I E F E X E C U T I V E O F C O R N WA L L CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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2022

Vivienne Joy Coglan Former Staff (unknown – 2022)

On Monday 24 January 2022 Viv passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Loving wife of Roy Coglan (TS Teacher of Physics 1978-1997) and dearest mum of David Coglan CO87, Michael Coglan CO89 and Elsa.

Devoted granny of Joshua and dear sister of Val. A funeral was held on Tuesday 15 February 2022 at Truro Methodist Church, followed by private cremation. Donations can be made in Viv’s memory for Cornwall Hospice Care Ltd (Mount Edgcumbe Hospice) and ovarian. org.uk via memorygiving.com, or sent c/o the funeral director W J Beswetherick & Son Ltd, Central House, Fairmantle Street, Truro, TR1 2EQ. Tel 01872 274021.

Tribute found online. Please get in touch if you can provide more information about Vivienne’s life and/or would like to submit a tribute for publishing in the next issue.

Obituary notifications and tributes for publication can be e-mailed to the Development office by e-mail at tsconnections@truroschool.com or telephone 01872 246010 in the first instance.

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Pause for Thought From Reverend Aubin de Gruchy

Ash Wednesday marks the day when Christians set out on the long pilgrimage to Easter.

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “You must change your hearts—for the kingdom of Heaven has arrived.”

17

– Matthew 4:17 J.B. Phillips New Testament It’s time to do things the right way, God’s way. It’s time for Good news and this is the good news.

Now hopefully moving beyond the pandemic and a cold winter here in the UK, we long for spring and signs of new life.

We long for signs of an end to the war in Ukraine and peace in our troubled world.

Those signs of renewed hope. Those early signs of spring – the longer days – the daffodils and crocuses starting to bloom.

On the one hand, Lent reminds us of the temptations Jesus faced as he set about his ministry, and we face as we try to live our lives. His temptations included that of being a material provider - providing everything people want rather than need the temptation to be an entertainer doing miraculous, incredible things, and then the temptation to do things by force and take control of the world, the latter temptation so relevant to world leaders today.

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Lent, however, can also be a spiritual springtime, a new beginning; a season where we turn or return to the Lord.

This is the call of the prophet Joel: 12

ut there’s also this, it’s not too late— B GOD’s personal Message!— “Come back to me and really mean it!

Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!”

Change your life, not just your clothes.

Come back to GOD, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful.

He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe.

Who knows? Maybe he’ll do it now, maybe he’ll turn around and show pity.

Maybe, when all’s said and done, there’ll be blessings full and robust for your GOD!

13-14

– Joel 2:12 1 4 The Message

A prayer by Reverend Aubin de Gruchy Lord as we travel through this season of Lent, Help us to think about and identify something or things that we might give up; Strength to face the temptations that lead us astray.

On the other hand, may we take up a challenge to do something different during these forty days exploring and sharing your extravagant love.

Lord as we travel through this season of Lent, May this time be a spiritual springtime for us as individuals and as a wider school community. May we recognise the rainbow through the rain and look forward with hope to all that lies ahead within your goodness and grace.

In the name of the one who brought the Good News, even Jesus we pray.

Amen

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2021

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INTRODUCING

Mr Turner

In January 2022 and at the start of the Spring Term, Mr Turner (or AJ) took over as Head of Cookery School after Mrs Taylor moved to further opportunities within Leiths.

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A bit about AJ: Alistair Turner – Head of Cookery. AJ has lived all over the world, from Barbados to Bath, until he fell in love with Cornwall and a Cornish lass (not necessarily in that order). When he’s not at work he’s playing in his smokehouse, so in essence he’s a proper food nerd. AJ is the serious big guns of the department, having a Leiths Diploma under his belt, plus four-and-ahalf years working his way up the ranks at Steins. However, with our charm and wit (and our promise of a Sunday off), we managed to poach him from Steins.

Favourite activities?

“Smoking lots of different types of fish.”

Favourite recipe?

“My nana’s gravy and her mushroom vol-au-vents (not together though).”

Favourite place?

“Chicken Rita’s in Barbados.”

RECIPE

This Spring Term, AJ (Head of Truro School Cookery) has shared the Cookery School’s recipe for a chocolate fondant with blood orange and mascarpone cream.

PRO CEDURE

INGREDIENT S

1. Prepare small pudding tins by melting 25g of butter.

Serves 4

2. Brush the inside of the tin liberally with butter and then dust with cocoa powder, removing any excess with a light tap.

Tin prep

3. Melt the chocolate and butter in a glass bowl (bain marie) that fits within a pan of simmering water. Don’t let the base of the pan touch the water.

4x180ml round pudding foil dishes 25g butter

4. While the chocolate and butter melt, whip the egg yolk, whole egg and sugar to a foam where you can draw a ribbon on top that takes a couple of seconds to disappear.

25g cocoa powder

Fondants

5. Once all the chocolate and butter have melted, take off the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder.

125g unsalted butter

6. Now fold the chocolate mix into the egg mix, ensure to not over-mix or all of the air will be lost!

125g 70% dark chocolate, good quality 1 tbsp cocoa powder

7. Spoon or pipe the mixture into your pudding tins until 3/4 full, about 100g per mould if you want to be very accurate.

2 yolks (50g egg yolk)

8. Rest in the fridge until required, but an hour minimum.

Can even make them the day before or freeze for use at

3 eggs (125g whole egg)

a later event.

60g caster sugar

9. Heat your oven to 210°. Once temperature is reached, cook the fondants in the centre of the oven for nine minutes.

1 blood orange 100g mascarpone

10. While cooking you can mix your honey and mascarpone cream ready for serving.

2 tbsp honey

11. Take out of the oven and rest for two further minutes.

2 tbsp pistachio - roughly chopped

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12. Tip out of the tin carefully onto a plate and serve immediately with blood orange segments, pistachio nuts and mascarpone cream.

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OLD TRURONIAN

Events and Reunions for 2022

ROYAL CORNWALL SHOW, 9-11 JUNE 2022 The Royal Cornwall Show is due to take place from 9-11 June 2022.

We welcome Old Truronians and friends to visit the Truro School stand for refreshments and a chat.

There will also be a special opportunity to find out more about the Truro School Foundation on Friday 9 June between 2-3pm with Chairman of the Foundation, Graham Hooper.

Purchase tickets in advance www.royalcornwallshow.org/the-show

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ANNUAL REUNION DINNER, SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER 2022 Save the Date.

We are delighted to announce that the Annual Reunion Dinner is back and due to take place on Saturday 22 October 2022.

FOR OLD TRURONIANS AND FRIENDS. REUNITE WITH YOUR FORMER CLASSMATES AND TEACHERS FOR A FORMAL EVENING OF DINNER AND DRINKS IN THE HEATH DINING HALL. PARTNERS AND FRIENDS WELCOME.

More information will be sent as soon as possible. Please keep an eye out for news about the event on the website, Old Truronian e-mails and on the Old Truronian social media pages.

We look forward to welcoming you back.

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

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2022

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Truronian Crossword This edition marks the very first Truronian crossword.

We hope you enjoy!

Across 1. Someone who lives in Cornwall’s city or goes to Truro School; name of this magazine (8)

1 2

3. Boarding house that opened in the 1950s (7, 5)

3

6. The school site since 1882 (8) 7. Surname of the school matron whose name is remembered in the annual house competition (4) 9. Cornwall’s city (5)

4

5 6

11. The Prince of …, title of people who visited the school in 1927 and 1980 (5)

7

8

9

13. Surname of family with long connection to the school; one of the school houses (7)

10 11

12

17. Boarding house that opened in 1934, which later became the home of the Music Department (7) 19. Former home of 10 down, opened as junior boarding house in 1936, later the Prep School (8)

13

14

15 16

20. Another name for Old Truronians (6) 21. Nigel ..., surname of Old Truronian and actor who starred in The Lion in Winter with Peter O’Toole and Katherine Hepburn (5) 23. The School …., where lots of historical information about the school can be found (7)

17

18 19

20

25. A sub-unit of the school, first introduced in 1904 with East, Hall, Tower and Town; those in existence today were introduced in 1921 (5) 28. The school’s fourth headmaster, who gained a doctorate in Psychology while headmaster (6) 30. ‘…. on the Hill’, first word of the school song, written in 1909 by 25 down (4) 31. The school’s sixth headmaster who has a theatre named after him (7)

21 22 23

24

27

Down: 1. The school’s first headmaster 1879-1887 (6) 2. …. College evacuated to Truro in 1940, merged with Truro School during the Second World War (4) 3. Boarding house that opened in 1930 for junior boys (8)

25

28

26

29

30 31

4. The foundation stone of this building was laid on 8 June 1927 by 11 down (6) 5. The school was first based in this street (10, 7)

25. S urname of Old Truronian and Bishop of Truro who wrote the school song (6)

8. Boarding house, opened in 1946, with WEB Worthington in charge (7)

26. R uby and …. the school’s colours in the early 20th century, later adopted by the Old Boys’ Association and used for blazers (4)

10. Surname of family with long connection to the school; one of the school houses; former owner of 19 across (5)

27. S port reintroduced in 1930 after being briefly played in the school’s early days (5)

12. Robert ..., surname of Old Truronian and Hollywood actor who starred in Jaws and From Russia With Love (4) 14. Truro …. , the name of the school before 1931 (7) 15. A feature of the school grounds, giving the name for the school magazine (8) 16. …. Street where the lessons first began in the Congregational Chapel Schoolroom on 20 January 1880 (5) 18. Esse Quam ….. , school motto (6) 22. First name of school matron mentioned in 7 across (4) 24. The school’s third headmaster, who was at the school 1883-1921; one of the school houses (6) 70

29. T he first two came to Truro School in September 1976 (5)

Send your completed crossword to us (a photo or scan is fine) to be in with a chance of winning a prize which includes: Truro School branded notebook, ballpoint pen and a school shield wall hanging. Don’t forget to include your name and address. The prize will be awarded to just one winner - whoever sends us their completed, and correct, crossword first.

Good luck!

E-mail: TSConnections@truroschool.com with the subject line ‘Crossword’ Post: Development, Tower Office, Truro School, Trennick Lane, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1TH.

TRURO SCHOOL

Foundation In the midst of the Ukraine crisis, it’s only fit and proper that we turn our thoughts to the wellbeing of the Ukrainian people and the unimaginable conditions in which some of them are living. The press reports and images of mothers and children leaving their husbands to defend their country, whilst they travel and look for safety in different countries, will be difficult to forget.

I am sure that we are all keen to do our bit and support these people as best we can. In the area where I live, we are about to send off our third articulated lorry to Poland, from where the contents will be sent into Ukraine.

From a Foundation perspective, we are hoping that our move out of Covid restrictions will help to be able to draw together our alumni and enable some face-to-face events and meetings. Within our planning, Carla (Head of Marketing and Communications) and Amanda (Development and Alumni Relations Officer) are preparing for our annual events such as the Royal Cornwall Show in June, our Annual Reunion Dinner in October, and a London event where we look forward to bringing Old Truronians together after more than two years of postponements and cancellations.

Throughout Covid, the Foundations’ trustees have had to meet over Teams or Zoom, like most of the rest of the working world, and we’ve very much missed getting together. Despite this, combined with a difficult financial background, we have fulfilled our financial commitment to the School in terms of bursaries and endeavoured to grow our assets.

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

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

We owe our trustees a great debt of gratitude for the commitment of their time and expertise in helping support the pupils who enjoy the benefit of a Truro School education. They are a great team of people to work with, and provide balance, perspective and challenge. Our ultimate aim is to help change children’s

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2022

lives and, by doing that, to help make the School accessible and achievable to a wide range of potential candidates.

As a Foundation, we are also particularly grateful to Andy Johnson, who has created a new strategy at the School, and has given the Foundation a more defined platform to work from. This is important in respect of a separate identity for all involved – the School, trustees, beneficiaries and, most importantly, our donors. Ours is a relatively simple model – the more money we can raise, the more children we can help; easy in theory, much more difficult to implement in practice.

We are also grateful for the support of the team within the school, whose time and commitment ensures that every pound donated to the Foundation goes to the bursary beneficiaries.

Most importantly, a most sincere thanks to our donors, who have provided the means by which we can support so many pupils at the school.

Sadly, we are saying goodbye to two of our trustees: Helen Sullivan, who has been more than influential in developing our communications as well as being a Governor and trustee, and Nicky Pooley, who has helped to keep us on a straight financial path as part of our Financial Committee, as well as being a trustee.

Thank you both very much for the part you’ve played in helping to change children’s lives.

Finally, if you can join us at one of our events, we’d be delighted to see you.

Similarly, if you’d like to hear more about particular topics or events, please let us know. We are keen to engineer more connectivity between our alumni and to help ensure that you get the best out of your ongoing relationships as Old Truronians.

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MEET THE

Foundation Trustees Richard Thomas Foundation Trustee Richard is a Chartered Building Surveyor, former owner and now consultant of RTP Surveyors, which has offices in Falmouth and Bodmin.

Brought up in Altrincham, Cheshire, Richard attended Altrincham Grammar School. He later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Surveying at Leicester, and started his surveying career with Strutt and Parker in London before moving to Cornwall in 1983. For a short while, Richard worked with Stratton and Holborow before establishing his own practice, now RTP Surveyors, in 1986, managing and overseeing its growth into the largest independent firm of Chartered Building Surveyors in the county. In 2018 Richard sold his interest in the practice but remains a consultant to the firm.

Retaining a strong interest in building surveying and estates, Richard sits on the Methodist Independent Schools Trust working party for Property Matters and also sits on the Place Shaping Board for Falmouth, and has a specific interest in local matters, being chair of the Falmouth Business Improvement District.

Richard is a firm believer in giving back to society and, until its closure in 2019, served as vice chair on Cornwall Sita Trust, who donated over £13m to community and heritage projects in the County, funded by monies raised through Community Landfill Tax charges.

Richard is a qualified arbitrator, and his professional work in a consultancy capacity is generally expert witness mediation and building pathology.

Richard lives in Constantine with his wife, Sara, and attends the church there. They have two now-grown children, both of whom were educated at Truro School; Patrick attended from 3 – 18 and Milly studied through the Sixth Form.

In his spare time, Richard’s leisure pursuits involve generally keeping fit, photography, cricket and playing the saxophone ‘badly’.

‘The importance to me of becoming a Foundation Trustee is to see the help that can be provided by bursary provision to go to those most deserving of the cause. It must be a clear ambition of the Foundation to obtain as much bursary funding as possible through structured and careful financial planning, but whatever the quantity of funding available it is vital that optimum value is obtained through deserving causes in the bursaries it can offer.’

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Kim Conchie Foundation Trustee Kim Conchie is an Old Truronian parent, and his association with Truro School began when his son Henry CO11 joined, followed by Charlie CO13 and Florence CO17.

Kim was also a governor of Truro School for 7 years, retiring as chair of governors in 2020.

Kim graduated from University College, Cardiff with joint honours in English and Economics. He now runs two micro-businesses from home in Falmouth and is the co-founder of Navas Drinks Ltd. He took up the post as Chief Executive at Cornwall Chamber in April 2012, is vice chair of Cornwall Community Foundation and is a director of Cornwall Arts Centre Trust.

In 2019 Kim was appointed to the Falmouth Place Shaping Board and, in November 2019, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Cornwall.

In addition to his working life, his wife Sarah and three twenty-something children, his garden, Falmouth Rugby Club and walking the coast path are sources of great enjoyment.

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

THE TRURONIAN

2021

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GOVERNORS

Spring Term Report RICHARD THOMAS CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

As we approach the end of the Spring Term, I am reflecting on changes since the New Year. Many of the issues we had prior to Christmas still exist, the comments at that time still hold true; to restate in principle, it is the return of the rites of passage as we move into an era of greater freedom.

We must, however, not lose sight of the lessons we learnt during the early days of the pandemic. There is a course of development through any highly stressed occurrence. In the first instance, there is alarm, followed by resistance or pulling together in adversity. This is inevitably followed by exhaustion.

As human beings we are not designed to have our stress switch in the ‘on’ position on a permanent basis. On and off at controllable intervals is the best way we operate. After two years, even the most resilient of us are at the exhaustion level.

It is important for us all to bear this in mind in the current times. It is equally important that, while we ourselves are in a stressed position, our compatriots and colleagues are equally so. It is therefore vital that we have consideration for each other through this period. In reaching our goals, consideration to others and recognition that they are all doing the best they can will certainly provide the best results.

One theme that came through during lockdown was one of community and of empathy for others. As a school, we were reliant on the coming together of all our partners, whether they be stakeholders, pupils past and present, staff or others, in order to get us through the period and to provide the learning that we continued to offer. As a school we came through that period very successfully and engendered a community spirit that was a wonder to behold. As we move into a period of ‘normality’, it is important more than ever to remember those achievements and how we arrived at them. Covid has worn the population down, and now is the time to double our efforts in terms of empathy and support.

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Our School and Methodist values help us in these matters. Our behaviour and lifestyle, the pace of change, communication, reward and recognition, support to the staff voice; all contribute to the wellbeing of all in Truro School and the delivery of the School Strategy.

There are exciting times ahead; the school is buoyant, the offering is as wide as it has ever been, and the pupil level is exceptionally high. Truro School has weathered the medical storm through coming together and working together.

I firmly believe this to be the way forward at all times.

Late last year, as a school, we had the opportunity of remembering the life of Guy Dodd. It was a truly memorable occasion and one I was humbled but delighted to be part of. The respect in which he is held, and the achievements of his tenure, were celebrated by many.

It was an occasion enjoyed by alumni and the Dodd family alike. We now have a modest oak tree towards the bottom of ‘the Snake’ in memoriam. Seek it out the next time you pass and enjoy the memory.

It does look as though we will have exams again this year. I am aware of the efforts made in ensuring this will be managed as well as it can possibly be.

I wish pupils just rewards for the hard work they will be putting in between now and the summer.

To keep in touch, for 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