Prep Life

Back to school

The September sun was the perfect partner for the first full week back at school.

Sticks with magic powers, climbing on equipment, running around, finding worms, digging for ‘chocolate’, playing football, doing handstands and cartwheels, you name it; the prep children were happy to be back with their friends using all their energy and imaginations…

Prep Life

Walking around Daubuz Moor

Year 3 enjoyed the last of the sunny and warm weather on their local walk to Daubuz Moor.

On their circular walk, the children used their spotter sheets to look for types of trees and insects. They used their Forest School knowledge from Pre-Prep to remember not to touch wild mushrooms as they could be very poisonous. At a stop on the riverside they drew what they could see around them, surrounded by trees, butterflies and even dragonflies.

Volcanoes and Earthquakes

Year 4 stretched their volcano knowledge with a brilliant talk from Senior Lecturer and Volcanologist Dr James Hickey. During the virtual session, Dr Hickey broke down the intricacies of Volcanology in a fun and interesting way with his extensive research on the dynamics of active and restless volcanoes. Later in the term, the young scientists discovered what makes our world shake, rattle and roll investigating the power of earthquakes, which they demonstrated by making their own models using spaghetti and marshmallows.

Prep Life

Extra-curricular clubs

After-school clubs were busy in the Autumn Term. Boys and girls played netball and football, learned ballet techniques, had gloopy hands making clay bugs, picked the veg of their labour in the school’s garden and put their brains to the test playing chess.

Children in Need

There were lots of spottyfaced children and Pudsey ears to raise money for the annual BBC Children in Need. At lunchtime, the young Pudseys lined up to take part in fun-filled activities.

Prep Life

A ray of light

The Assembly Hall welcomed a new, colourful addition. Children’s artwork culminated in the creation of stained-glass windows, which created a special chapel area within the hall. Fundraising for the project came through selling the children’s hand-drawn Christmas cards, and the generous support of the FTS. The frames and installation of the windows were completed by the School Estates team. Tony Minnion, a local artist, worked with the children to create the windows, which reflect Cornwall in both its industry and beauty, with all pupils contributing to the finished work. Mrs Ashdown, art teacher at the Prep, was central to making it all come together.

Remembrance Day

Two children laid a wreath in honour of the fallen for Remembrance Day, whilst all the pupils stood silently and respectfully at 11.00am.

Keeping up community spirit

Truro School prides itself on its community spirit, and this year, more than ever, that spirit has been needed. Normally, Year 3 visit Langholme Care Home in Falmouth, to meet residents and chat with them as part of their humanities topic on ‘how childhood has changed over time’. As the children couldn’t visit this year, they compiled a list of questions to ask so that the residents could write back. They also made some paper Christmas decorations for them.

Year 4 launch their boats

There was much excitement from Year 4 as they tested their motored boats, made in DT, for the first time in the pool.

Some motored smoothly, some capsized, some funnels fell off; but, most importantly, the boys and girls learned that Design Technology is all about trial and error. Designs might need tweaking and refining until they get the desired results, and the fun is in the playing around.

Year 6 train in First Aid

As part of their Year 6 Diploma, the children undertook Level 1: How to Give First Aid.

Year 6 mastered how to give CPR on a dummy adult, child, and baby, as well putting someone in the recovery position, with Lily being the volunteer.

Walking the cliff coast path

Year 6 walked a circular route starting in Chapelporth, taking them up to St Agnes Beacon and back along the coast path to Chapelporth car park. The young explorers experienced the rugged coast path, splashed through puddles, picked blackberries and climbed on the ruins dotting the cliffs, all whilst having the chance to bond.

Cornwall has a rich history in tin and copper mining, and this was an opportunity to learn about their local surroundings. The experience also contributed towards the Year 6 diploma.

Bodmin Moor

As part of the John Muir Award, Year 5 take a trip to Bodmin Moor. Enjoying the early autumn weather, the group visited the Cheesewring, Minions, and Gold Diggings Quarry for a lunch stop, followed by The Hurlers, before making their drive back to school.

Cornwall Christmas Box

Friends of Truro School (FTS) and everyone at Prep supported Cornwall Christmas Box this Christmas, filling boxes of donations which went towards Christmas dinners for Cornish families in need.

Year 5 film their play

This year’s Year 5 play, featuring globally famous boy band ‘Long Diversion’, followed their journey from switching on a small town’s Christmas lights to travelling to Lapland and meeting Santa and his elves…

Due to socially distanced guidelines there was no audience this year, but the performance was filmed for parents to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.

Last day of term

It was a jam-packed last day of term. There were squeals of excitement as they awaited the arrival of Santa on his motorbike and cheered him on as he arrived.

The playgrounds were awash with Santa hats, reindeer antlers and sparkly Christmas jumpers as they enjoyed a relaxed day before the Christmas holidays. After the special visitor, Nursery went on a surprise reindeer hunt. They followed the trail where the reindeers had been, which led them to finding special gifts for the boys and girls…

Prep Christmas Concert

This year’s concert was filmed over the last few weeks of term. Thank you to Mrs Renshaw for ensuring the show still went on.