Simon Latarche

Former Music teacher at Truro School from 1983 to 2016

How long did you work at Truro School? What subject/s did you teach?

From Jan 1983 to July 2016. I was appointed by Derek Burrell to a Music and Games post. I taught Music to all year groups but in my first year taught some Physics and then some Maths to junior classes. I was also a Head of Year and Head of Soccer, probably due to my time playing for Truro City!

In the immediate time after leaving Truro School, what did you get up to?

I played a lot of jazz gigs around the South West, learnt new tunes and composed some more!

Are you still in touch with any other teachers or alumni from your time at School?

I meet up with some old colleagues for coffee, but what I really enjoy is hearing from old pupils through social media. Many are still playing music.

Do you have any special memories that have stuck with you from your time at Truro School?

Conducting the School jazz orchestra when my two sons were members and performing at the Hall for Cornwall was amazing.

What is your current job role, what does it entail?

I am still performing jazz piano at events and venues around Cornwall. I also run jazz jam sessions around the county, I enjoy bringing individual musicians together for impromptu performances. I have recently accepted an invitation to fulfil a childhood ambition and present my own radio show on Source FM, a community radio station in Falmouth. It is called the Jazz Train and, whilst it is on every week, my show is on the second Monday of every month.

Is there anything you’re particularly proud of in your career?

The introduction and development of jazz at the School both in the curriculum and the junior and senior jazz orchestras – I’m pleased to see they are still going strong. It’s also good to hear from the number of former students who still perform – or play for pleasure.

Despite some fierce opposition from some areas, I started the first charity concerts in the 1980s which proved to be most popular and continue to this day.

A little thing but, during my time as head of soccer, I organised kits for all teams rather than just using the rugby jerseys that had previously been the norm for soccer teams.

I also have fond memories of being Musical Director of Jesus Christ Superstar, the first musical produced at Truro School since The Cobbler and The Princess, written by a young, struggling composer trying to find his musical feet. Luckily, I found jazz!

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

Teaching is a most rewarding career and the opportunities to develop the areas about which I am passionate were always possible at Truro School. As I got older and my energy levels declined, I became only too aware of one other piece of advice: when the fun stops... stop!

I think I knew when it was time to leave, whilst I was still young enough to fulfil other ambitions.

If you don’t live in Cornwall, do you ever visit?

I live just outside of Truro and am a lifetime member of the SBA so can be found going up and down the swimming pool most weekends!

Please tell us a little about your family life?

My two boys Dom CO11 (now in Exeter) and Tristan CO13 (now in Clapham) are successful in their respective career paths thanks in no small part to some excellent teaching and advice they received during their time at Truro School. They love to return to Cornwall whenever possible. I can understand why; growing up near to Heathrow Airport I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to start my career in such a beautiful place so I stayed, married someone whose brothers had been at Truro School and now, both of us retired teachers, we can go to the beach on a school-day morning and still be thrilled by the way things have turned out!

Do you have any hobbies or what’s your favourite thing to do in your free time?

Free time? That would be nice! I try to keep on top of things in my garden and am currently training our new goldendoodle dog.

What are your plans for the future? More of the same and learning new skills presenting a radio show. Preparing the show is a bit like preparing a lesson, although the audience is slightly better behaved!

My radio show – Jazz Train - is on 96.1 FM in Falmouth/ Penryn and the station is available worldwide on the Source FM app. If anyone listens in, I would love to hear from Old Truronians as the app allows direct messages to the studio. I have already received messages from a number of former students.

In the Development and Alumni Relations office, the team are normally used to finding out and keeping track of our brilliant former pupils who have gone on to start careers far and wide after leaving.

It was a nice surprise, therefore, to discover that with a recent new starter to the tech team at School, it meant they didn’t need to travel far to speak to some of our more recent leavers.

With Izzy Wilkinson CO18 having joined the team in the autumn term, the team can now say they are all Old Truronians, namely: Swen Kearey CO02, Matt Sinkins CO21, Lilly Menear CO17, Sam Kemp CO19 and, of course, Izzy CO18.

We managed to chat to Sam, Izzy and Lilly recently to find out what it was like working back at their old school, their role in the recent School production of Les Mis, and what they are up to now in the Technical Resources department.