9 minute read
Senior Speech Day 2022
Scott Tacchi CO07
Scott attended Truro School from 2000-2005. He works as a Lighthouse Technician for Trinity House, which is a charity that supports seafarers and the maritime community. Scott has recently been published in the national news for his stunning photographs from the lighthouses he works on.
Did you enjoy your time at Truro School?
I did, yes. I found the School always had an amazing atmosphere and there was always so much going on. I wasn’t the best academically but there was always fantastic support which really helped me to gain the fundamental knowledge and skills. Also, the school dinners were amazing!
Do you have any special or specific memories of your time at Truro School?
For me, it was the amount of amazing opportunities the school has to offer, from the huge range of sports/activities to the various field trips available which helped to create fantastic memories that I still think about now. One of my favourite memories is a skiing trip to Les Menuires in France.
Did you have any specific career dreams or aspirations? Or when did you first decide upon a particular path?
It took me quite some time to realise what I wanted to do career wise. I was 20 years old when I discovered an interest in engineering. It wasn’t until I was at the age of 32, and two apprenticeships later, that I eventually got to the position I am in now.
What did you do immediately after leaving Truro School?
After my GCSEs I went straight on to Truro College where I studied Outdoor Education, which was great fun. From there I worked in various jobs in Cornwall until I decided, at the age of 20, that I wanted to go back to college to continue studying.
Where do you live now?
I still live locally in Cornwall where I have recently bought my first house.
Where do you work now and where is your employment based?
Now I work for Trinity House which is a charity that supports seafarers and the maritime community. It also has a statutory duty as the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. The offices are based at Lands End but I work all over the country, which means lots of time away from home. There are also offices in Harwich and Swansea, and the corporate HQ is in Tower Hill, London.
What does your current role entail?
My role is Lighthouse Technician. I’m part of a small team that maintains 20 Lighthouses in Devon, Cornwall, Lundy Island, the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands. I primarily carry out electrical and mechanical work; however, it’s a role that requires you to be a jack of all trades. From building work to plumbing and from refuelling a helicopter to completing Dangerous Goods by Air documentation, it’s a very varied role which is always exciting, and every day is different.
Is there anything that you are especially proud of relating to your life or career? Going back to being an apprentice for the second time at the age of 27 wasn’t the easiest of decisions. I knew I had to take the risk if I wanted to move forward with my career. I am so glad and proud of myself that I did because it helped me get my dream job that I absolutely love.
Did you consider any other career?
Whilst working as a car mechanic, I was aiming to join the Royal Navy as a helicopter engineer. Then the opportunity came along to work on the Lighthouses. This was something that I couldn’t turn down.
Is there any advice you could offer anyone considering a similar life or career path?
Like anything in life, if it’s something you are interested in, go for it! Make the most of any opportunity presented to you because you never know what doors it may open in the future. Most of all, concentrate on what makes you happy!
Please tell us a little about your family life
I live with my girlfriend, Sarah, who works as a Forensic Scientist in firearms and ballistics. We have two children, Elowen (6) and Freddie (3). Recently, we got a puppy named Otis who is keeping us all busy!
What are your hobbies or how is your leisure time spent?
My main passion is photography and aerial photography. I document my work on the lighthouses through social media whilst constantly trying to improve my photography. I am also a keen cyclist and play golf whenever I can.
Are you still in touch with anyone from your time at Truro School?
I still stay in regular contact with one individual from school. We don’t live near each other anymore; however, we do occasionally meet up and go play a round of golf together.
Do you feel your time at School, or anything about your time here, helped you to progress in later life?
Most definitely. Although I probably didn’t realise until a later date. It definitely set me up with the key skills and the mindset to progress towards a career that I will hopefully do for the rest of my working life.
What are your immediate/long-term plans for the future?
For now, to continue working on the lighthouses and progressing my knowledge further. I am hoping in the not-too-distant future to start a degree in Engineering.
Preserving our History
A Warm Welcome to New Mason, Mike
We are pleased to welcome Mike Dean to our Estates Team. Mike is joining us as a mason, with over 11 years in the industry (and a brief stint as a bus driver). Originally from Manchester, Mike served in the army before taking up a three-year masonry apprenticeship.
Mike has certainly been busy since he joined and is currently working on the renovations for the refurbished Biology Block at the Senior School: “It’s a blank canvas now, so it should look new again by the end of the summer. I’ve got to get on to the roof, it might need some work!”
On behalf of everyone at the School, we wish to extend a warm welcome to Mike and all of our new starters. And we look forward to seeing the finished Biology labs soon. Laura MacKenzie: Teacher of English and a resident house tutor. Laura joins us from a strong career in New Zealand, having studied and began her career in the UK in the 1990s. She is a former boarding housemistress, and relishes the outdoors, sports, exercise and community involvement.
Ariel Roukaerts: Teacher of Mathematics. Ariel has 13 years of experience teaching mathematics in the UK and the US. She joins us from Penryn College, has a Masters’ Degree in Mathematics from Plymouth Marjon University, and brings extensive theatrical experience too.
Suzy Ellis: Teacher of Mathematics. Suzy has 15 years’ experience of teaching mathematics and joins us from Helston Community College, with a BSc in Mathematics and Astronomy, which is a lifelong hobby.
James Butterworth: Head of Mathematics. James is currently Head at St Ives School and has received awards for his impact on pupil performance in both Mathematics and leadership. He is also a passionate sports fan, and cook.
Jamie Older: Head of Chemistry. Jamie joins us from Magdalen College School, Oxford. He has also led Science previously at Clifton College, and the Sixth Form at Trinity School in Croydon. His wider skills and interests include hockey, skiing and all things outdoors.
Charlotte Le Bihan (in January 2023):
Charlotte joins us from Roedean School, having worked previously at Wellington College, and wider across her career thus far. As well as strong experience of language leadership, she brings experience of girls’ boarding, swimming coaching and extensive pastoral work.
David McKeown: Head of Boarding, as Tom Copeland moves to a new pastoral role in the School as Head of Year. David has been Head of Boarding at the Swiss International School since 2019, and has led boarding communities both in the UK and abroad over many years. He has a Masters’ Degree in leadership, experience of leading boarding inspection, and has led professional learning networks across the 52 GEMS Education schools. His wife Anna is an intensive-care nurse.
Rob Murphy (in January 2023): Deputy Head Pastoral, when Emma Ellison will move from this post to being our Assistant Head (Director of Studies). Rob joins us from Brighton College, where he is a Housemaster and Head of Politics. He worked previously at Wellington College. He is a published educational author, swimming coach, qualified mountain leader and triathlete. He brings a wealth of experience including a successful prior career as Head of Communications working with the African Union, the UN in Somalia, the British High Commission in Islamabad, and as a Policy Advisor for the Ministry of Justice.
Valete
We wish a warm farewell to the following teachers and support staff who have left the school this term.
KAT TALLON-QUERAUD (2016-2022) Duty Manager – SBA
PETER TRUIN (2021-2022) Teacher of Music
PAM VAN HOORN (2007-2022) Exams Officer
ALISA COLE (2022-2022) Teacher of Modern Languages
CAROLINE PHILIPPS (2022-2022) Teacher of Maths
EMMA PUDDEFOOT (2021-2022) Office Administrator
SARAH PATTERSON (2016-2022) Head of Truro School Prep
ANNA BROGDEN (2013-2022) Head of Chemistry
JEFF KITTO (2016-2022) Head of Computer Studies and IT
BEV STOKES (2019-2022) Teacher of Modern Languages
Salvete
Truro School welcomes the following new teachers and operational support staff.
REBECCA SAUNDERS Sixth Form Administrator LOUIS KEVEREN KS1 Co-Ordinator – Prep
VICTORIA GODDARD Café Assistant TAREG MORRIS Cookery School Teacher
MIKE DEAN General Builder EMILY O’SHEA Catering Assistant
We also look forward to welcoming the following staff in September:
Current staff with notable post changes
Jane Ashdown will be leaving her Senior School post at the end of the year but continues at the Prep.
Paul Comeau will finish his fixed term teaching post but will continue as Truro School employee on peripatetic basis.
Tom Copeland moves to a new Pastoral role within the School as Head of Year.
Muffy Dawson will be leaving Boarding at the end of the year but will continue in her role with the Cookery School.
Catherine McCabe is stepping down from Head of Year role but will continue teaching in the Maths department.
Nick Pilborough will be stepping down from Head of MFL role but will continue teaching in the department.
Mark Vanstone is leaving Assistant Head (Director of Studies) role to replace Jeff Kitto as Head of Computer Science.
Susan Havis who has been teaching Biology and Maths will become Head of Biology.
