Senior Life

A fantastic finale to the school year took place with the return of the Senior Speech Day, where we welcomed pupils, students, staff, family and friends from across our community, nationally and internationally.

Speeches included our Head Girl and Head Boy; our Chair of Governors, Mr Richard Thomas and our Head, Mr Andy Johnson, and it was a honour to welcome our guest speaker, Director and Old Truronian James Hawes (read more about James below).

‘Today is about success, success in all its flavours; it’s about your achievements as individuals, as teams. The success of your teachers, the School as a whole, and of your families for supporting you through this year. And for all of you who may not have received a prize, but for achieving another year. ‘

James encouraged our pupils to dream: “In my job I am paid to dream, to imagine a world, to see in my mind how something will become real.”

He continued, “Dare to dream, dare to ask and, when you are given an opportunity, grab it with both hands and make it possible. It probably won’t be an immediate success. It will involve hard work but it could very well turn out to be an adventure and a big stride in the way to the sort of future that you count as success… Success will be different for each of you, and only you should decide what success means to you.” Mr Johnson wished the leavers well: “There is an exciting year ahead. For our leavers, your journey continues elsewhere but you travel with your bags full of our blessing and of our support, with the friends that you have made here, and empowered by the knowledge, skills and values that you have developed - and always with a warm invitation to see us in the future.

Now is a time of celebration for what has been achieved by all of you over the last year; from all of us, we wish you a super summer.”

Geoffrey Chaucer is dead! In a dramatic attempt to bring him back to life, our medieval alchemists (a collection of sloths, thieves, gluttons and drunkards) invited a group of Chaucer’s best-known pilgrims - the Knight, the Wife of Bath, the Pardoner, the Nun’s Priest and the Miller – to tell their Canterbury Tales.

Rehearsals for this year’s Junior Drama production have been taking place on Wednesday afternoons with pupils leading and directing their performances. Learning to work creatively as a team, developing skills and having fun took centre stage in rehearsing this production, and it certainly paid off.

Blessed with beautiful weather, the promenade performance of The Canterbury Tales, by Martin Riley, took place over three nights this week; lively, upbeat and entertaining, the pupilled performances (along with audience cameos) were simply spectacular.

Pupils have been grappling with the diverse flavours of Japan as part of their co-curricular activity at Truro School Cookery.

Our 1st and 2nd Years were on a roll making deliciously difficult sushi. We think their efforts were outstanding in making each roll uniform and neat.

Within the Festival of Curiosity, and with special thanks to the Rev, pupils have been learning all about our Friends and Neighbours, near and far, as part of the World AIMS (Action in Methodist Schools) days.

Celebrating the various cultures represented at Truro School, pupils played traditional Brazilian music in The Burrell, designed letters in the Art department, discovered new languages, competed in the traditional game of Kabaddi and Capture the Flag in P.E. and considered the meaning of ‘Friends and Neighbours’ in the Chapel.

It was a lovely two days, where the children came together to support each other and showed great curiosity and compassion when learning about the different cultures the Truro School community share.

World AIMS was created to encourage the family of Methodist Independent Schools to look beyond themselves and consider the needs of the local and wider community. Throughout the year, World AIMS inspires a significant focus around the school, highlighted by our dedicated charity and sustainability committees and community partnerships, as well as the annual World AIMS days.

The Marquee was the place to be as the Rock Legends night took place as a part of the Festival of Curiosity. With acts including The Bumble Buzzers, 31 Girls and Chicken Tikka, it was a memorable and fun evening, and one that all of our performers should be proud of.

We were wowed by plays, concerts, exhibitions, sporting contests and quizzes; we welcomed speakers, including former footballer John Gayle, Author Seth Burkett, positive psychology coach Faye Edwardes and Spaceport’s Melissa Thorpe and, through a Curious timetable, inspired, challenged and entertained our pupils with design tasks, maths riddles, circus skills and science and innovation.

The 1st Year Gala Concerts took place over two evenings, and were a wonderfully uplifting showcase of all the hard work and engagement demonstrated by the girls and boys over the year. Congratulations to our soloists and duets (Clara, Ella, Mikey, Hannah, Sarang, Trystan, Lily, Kes and Jack) and also to all 1st Year pupils for taking part in performances, including the 1st Year Band, Violin Group, Guitar/Ukulele Group, Singing Groups, Trumpet and Trombones, Rock Band and Keyboard Groups. Many of the pupils only began playing their instruments at the start of the year, and it was exciting to see them confidently playing on the stage.

Amidst the ever-changing weather, pupils took part in a host of house competition activities. Unfortunately, the great British weather stopped play on the Track Finals and Relays, but a huge thank- you to all the staff, pupils and parents for organising and contributing to the day and for reacting to weather changes to ensure all pupils enjoyed themselves.

Celebrating the end of their GCSEs, our 5th Year assembled at the Falmouth Hotel for their end-of-year Ball. Looking absolutely fabulous in their outfits, the boys and girls enjoyed a relaxing evening knowing that their GCSEs are behind them.

This week saw the return of the coveted Top House Quiz. This week 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years battled it out to be claimed the winners, competing for their house teams.

After yesterday’s heats, Vinter and School narrowly missed out on a place in today’s final. Smith and Wickett fought closely but, unfortunately for Smith, after a succession of correct answers, it was the fastest finger to the buzzer taking the win for Wickett.

Well done to everyone who took part and to the hosts for another fantastic and entertaining lunchtime activity.

A huge well-done to our participants in the Ten Tors challenge; the 35- mile and 45-mile Ten Tors teams all completed the challenge and showed great courage throughout.

A big thank-you to the Ten Tors support team for all their organisation and encouragement this weekend. What a fantastic achievement from everyone involved!