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TRURO SCHOOL FORMER PUPILS ASSOCIATION

the truronian

TRURO SCHOOL

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A Word from the PresidentThere is a great deal upon which to report in myforeword for this year’s edition of The Truronian.One of my major areas of focus has been to pushforward in our aim to be celebrated as a sociallyand environmentally responsible member of theCornish community. There are many facets to thisobjective which I am pleased to tell you more aboutin the body of this edition. Please see page 8.

Central to this objective has been the establishmentof the Truro School Foundation under thechairmanship of Guy Dodd, Headmaster of TruroSchool from 1993 – 2001. Our new Foundationtrustees have met for the first time and I amdelighted that we have been able to build such abroad and strong committee of people who arepassionate about the future development of ourSchool. Our Development and Alumni Relationsoffice has been restructured to support the work ofthe Foundation, but also to work alongside theTSFPA and Friends of Truro School whose missionis to provide engaging events and communication toour alumni and wider community.

The current academic year commenced with 790pupils on our school roll and another 230 at ourthriving Prep School. Both schools certainly have abusy feel about them. In spite of our growing pupilroll, it’s clear to me that affordability is a major issuein the independent school market in the UK, and inCornwall in particular. I am ever mindful of ourcharitable objectives as we seek to limit feeincreases and to provide bursarial assistance tofamilies with children who would benefit from anholistic Truro School education, but where the feesare beyond their reach. The Foundation’s ultimatefocus is to build our endowment in support of schoolbursaries and to raise funds for specific capitalprojects which cannot be met from school feeincome alone.

The new format for The Truronian, your annualmagazine, has met with a resounding thumbs-upand I hope that you enjoy reading this edition. Wehave selected a few stories about people who addgreat value to Truro School, often long after they ortheir children have moved on. We want to continue

to enhance our communication with our alumni soplease stay in touch, send us your news and doshare your wish list of things you would like to readabout in forthcoming editions. A highlight for mewas attending the 1940s reunion tea party. It was ajoyous affair and reminded me of what we shouldcelebrate about a school like Truro; friendshipsformed that have lasted more than fifty years and ashared sense of loyalty and affection for each otherand for the alma mater.

It was an honour to host the family and friends ofJohn Heath at our school Carol Service beforeChristmas. As a former pupil, former parent, formerChairman of Governors, John enriched the life ofTruro School in so many ways and I hope that thetree we planted in his memory grows tall andstrong.

I would like to thank Lucy Alldritt our formerDevelopment Manager for the fine work she did onthe Foundation strategy. I am also very grateful toSteve Floyd for the work he has done over theyears as the TSFPA Administrator. He will bemissed but, as a member of the class of ‘76, I knowhe has already bought his ticket for the reuniondinner in September and I hope that many of youwill come along to join the celebrations.

As you thumb through the pages that follow, I trustthat you will get a sense that we are certainlybuilding upon the legacy that started back in 1880when 35 boys sat down for the first time at TruroWesleyan Middle Class College. I am very gratefulfor the ongoing support of so many Truro Schoolalumni.

Andrew Gordon-BrownTruro School Headmaster

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Summer 2015 saw us waving off into retirement oneof our long-serving members of staff who will beremembered by many of our alumni – Dr PatrickFlood had been with us since 1984 and in that timehe had been a History teacher, Head of History,Boarding Housemaster and Sixth Form tutor – so avariety of roles – at the same time as publishing twotextbooks and his PhD thesis. Some students still talkin awe about the story that, long before health andsafety forms, Patrick once whipped out a bayonet andstabbed it into his desk to get his pupils’ attention. Hisimpact on so many of our alumni is summed up in aletter I received from a former pupil and current parenton the announcement of his retirement:

“Dear Dr Flood

I hear from my daughters that you areretiring at the end of this term andwanted to write to express my hugethanks for the positive impact you havehad on my life!

…the joy of studying history was onlyrevealed to me when I was able toexperience your incredible teaching andpassion for the subject.

I really cannot thank you enough aswithout you awakening a love of Historyin me I would not have progressed toUniversity to study History and would nothave met my husband who was on thesame course as me!

I am so thrilled that my daughters haveboth been able to experience the joyand privilege of being taught by you andwill always have such fond memories ofyour animated lessons.

Enjoy your retirement and huge thanksagain. With very best wishes from a veryhappy and grateful former pupil”

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Over the past year, it has been a privilege to serveonce more as the chairman of the Truro School FormerPupils’ Association. The diverse and passionatemembers of the committee serve tirelessly to ensurethat the Association remains successful in every aspect.We’re enormously excited to be actioning so many ofour visions. Our aim of reaching out to alumni acrossthe globe with the hope of forging strong connections,particularly for the pupils who have most recently left theschool, is well underway. The strategic plan ofimprovements in communications is now bearing fruitand we hope that this continues with your help. With somany of our alumni exploring every corner of the globe,it is our ambition that there will be the opportunity for alink of support should they need it. We’re now lookingahead to further exciting change in the Association,bringing together the expertise of the schoolDevelopment Office, Careers Office and the TSFPA.Whilst the Association itself will remain unchanged, it isour hope that we will be better equipped to serve you,our alumni, and continue with our work to nurture andgrow our unique community.

The annual dinner was once again another superoccasion, the catering staff’s efforts were fantastic andit was a privilege to have Connie Schneider(CO95) as our guest speaker whilstwe enjoyed the superb seabass. She deeply touchedthe audience with herhumble words of herextraordinaryhumanitarian efforts

and spoke with enormous humour and affection of theschool. With such a great representation of alumnifrom such a wide time period attending, particularly thedecennial years of ‘95, ‘85, ‘75 and ‘65, I’m very muchlooking forward to September where I’m sure there’ll beanother terrific turnout of former pupils, especially thoseof the classes of ‘96, ‘86, ‘76 and ‘66. However, all arevery much welcome!

I’m thrilled that we’ve had such positive feedback onthe new Truronian however it wouldn’t be what it iswithout your support, contributions and stories. I dohope that you feel inspired to get in touch with yournews and of course we’d be delighted if you would liketo place an advertisement.

It is with great sadness that we have said farewell toour corner stone of the team, Steve Floyd. Always atthe sidelines of every sports fixture, tireless instigator ofour reunions and social events and the first point ofcontact for the former pupils, he will be greatly missed. We wish him every success in his future and very muchlook forward to seeing him at the annual dinner.

Finally, I hope you enjoy this, our second edition of TheTruronian. I look forward to seeing as many of you

soon, whether enjoying a pasty at the sportsfixtures, or a glass of prosecco on the terraces

before the annual dinner.

Sophie McGannity (nee Nixon) CO98

Chairman’s Report

Rob CowieChartered Accountant with Francis Clark LLP and Vice-chair of Governors at Truro School

I grew up in Somerset until the age of 10 and then myfather made a second career by joining the Royal AirForce, so my secondary school years were spent as aboarder at Stamford School in Lincolnshire along withseveral other RAF kids. In terms of ethos, Stamford wasand is very similar to Truro School being inclusive,providing many opportunities both inside and outside theclassroom, an excellent holistic form education, and agood grounding for the big wide world beyond.

Having obtained A levels in Maths, Economics andGerman, I chose accountancy as a career because I hada reasonable grasp of numbers and I was intrigued howbusinesses were run. I had an uncle who was aChartered Accountant and he gave me an insight intothe work of an accountant in practice, advised me of atrainee position going in Truro for which I applied andwas fortunate enough to be accepted. That was 43 yearsago!

After I qualified as a Chartered Accountant I gained moreresponsibility and progressed quite rapidly up tobecoming a Partner in 1983.

I am now almost at the end of my career, having retiredas a Partner in Francis Clark last year, now undertakingsome consultancy work for the firm. I have beenincredibly lucky to have been able to live and work inCornwall. Whilst I have only really worked for one firm,accountancy has offered me a hugely varied andinteresting career over the past 43 years. I have actedfor a number of clients for a great many years and haveeven seen some pass through to the third generation.Being a client’s accountant means that you oftenbecome their “trusted advisor” and often a soundingboard for any business ideas they have. Because of thisI have been in a very privileged position, and manyclients have even become friends. I have loved everyminute of it.

Accountancy is still very much a career you can enterstraight from school or college. At Francis Clark weprovide training place for both graduates and non-graduates. The non-graduate route (which is the one I took) is becoming increasingly popular because of increasing cost of going to University but, of course,this has to be weighed against the experience thatUniversity provides.

We take our training responsibilities at Francis Clark veryseriously because today’s trainees are tomorrow’sleaders. There is a skills shortage at senior level inCornwall, because (and maybe very surprisingly bearingin mind our beautiful setting) it is difficult to attractqualified staff this side of Exeter. We therefore have to

“grow our own”, and it is for this reason we offer trainingplaces to both graduates and non-graduates alike.

I became a Governor of Truro School soon after myoldest son Jonathan (CO99) was at the School. My otherson, Simon (CO02), also went to Truro School. Bothboys benefitted hugely from their time here going on toqualify as a Dentist and Doctor respectively. Because ofmy accountancy background, I took over as Chair of theGovernors’ Finance Committee. The Governors areresponsible for safeguarding the assets of the schooland for setting and monitoring policy and strategy withinits context as a Methodist School. I am also a Trusteeand Chair of Finance of Methodist Independent SchoolsTrust, the ultimate body which owns Truro School and 11others around the country.

Indeed, thinking that I needed something else to keepme occupied in my retirement, I have just recentlybecome a Trustee of Cornwall Air Ambulance, atremendous organisation that exists entirely on thegenerous voluntary contributions of Cornish people tokeep its two helicopters going 24/7.

Being a Chartered Accountant has given me the skillsand confidence to undertake all these roles.

TRURO SCHOOL

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Graham MurdochFrom an early age, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. Ifound the whole subject of the law interesting – and myfather (himself a former pupil) was a lawyer too, jointlyrunning the firm of Murdoch Tromans in Truro. The co-owner, Chris Tromans, was also a former pupil (and aGovernor)!

My teachers at Truro School did their best to interest mein other things, to make sure that I was considering all theoptions. But my mind was made up and after A levels in1981 I took up a place at the University of East Anglia todo my Law (LLB) degree. I then did a year’s Masters(LLM) at Cambridge University, following which I went toGuildford College of Law to do my Solicitors’ finals.

I moved back to the West Country to do my Articles asthey were called then at a leadingfirm in Plymouth – and so eventuallyfully qualified as a Solicitor in 1988.

I went up to London to do somefurther study and it was while I wasthere that my father told me anopportunity had arisen in his firmand was I interested? I realised thatit was my chance to return to

Cornwall to practice. So I went back to Truro and joinedthe firm and I’ve been there ever since! Although in1995, that firm merged with Stephens Scown which isthe firm in which I am a Partner today.

I specialise in what we call ‘private client’ – dealing with thepersonal affairs of our clients such as their Estates, Wills,Trusts, Inheritance Tax etc. I am also a Notary Public.

I love what I do. Many of my clients have been with meor the firm for years. It’s more than a job, it’s a way oflife, being part of the community here.

My three sons all went to TruroSchool and I have served onthe Former Pupils Associationcommittee for many years. It’snice to be able to givesomething back to the schoolthat set me up so well!

Verity SlaterI started at Truro School in 1990, asone of the first influx of 20 girls intothe 3rd year. They were interestingtimes: I remember the teachersused to call us by our christiannames whereas they addressed theboys by their surnames!

I knew I wanted to do somethingthat would lead to a good and solidcareer. My father wanted me to bea doctor, which I didn’t want to do,so I had to come up with somethingelse sensible in its place! Lawappealed to me and when I leftTruro School in 1995, I did a lawdegree at the University of EastAnglia and then law school at the University of the Westof England in Bristol. That was followed by a two yeartraining contract at a firm in Plymouth; I qualified as asolicitor in 2002.

I had job offers in the City and a range of other places –but decided to come home to Truro, and took up a placein a local firm here on Malpas Road, back where theSchool bus used to drop me off. My specialism becameemployment law and I set up the firm’s employment lawpractice from scratch.

In 2014, I joined Stephens Scown as a partner in theTruro office. As well as employment law, I also head upthe firm’s marine sector, supporting boat builders, marinetech companies, ferries and Harbour Commissioners onemployment and other regulatory issues.

To get in touch please call 01872 265100,email solicitors@stephens-scown.co.uk or visit our website www.stephens-scown.co.uk.

Sailing has always been a love of mine, so I’m reallyhappy to be leading the marine sector. I used to sail incompetitions when I was younger and in fact was in thesame year at school as the now-famous Sir Ben Ainslie.My father used to coach us both and we competed onthe Optimist World Circuit. Ben then moved toSouthampton to further his sailing career. I decided I’dbetter stick to a more regular profession!

I am also delighted to have recently joined the School’sFoundation Board. The Foundation seeks to support theschool and most specifically fund the bursary scheme.It’s something I’m very happy to support.

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TRURO SCHOOL

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TRURO SCHOOL

Truro School and the Cornish CommunityIn the Summer Term of 2014 our Governorsauthorised the Truro School and Truro Prep StrategicPlan 2014-2020. You can find the plan here:www.truroschool.com/senior/about-us/strategic-plan. The objectives are as follows:

1. For excellent teachers to inspire pupils toachieve academic success at school and goon to first choice universities, colleges orjobs

2. To enable young people to live their lives tothe full and transform society for the better

3. To be known for outstanding pastoral careand trusting partnerships with parents

4. To help each child to find and fully develophis or her talents

5. To be celebrated as a socially andenvironmentally responsible member of theCornish community

Objective 5: To be celebrated as a socially andenvironmentally responsible memberof the Cornish community

How will we do this?

1. Build a Truro School endowment fund toprovide means-tested support to talentedyoung people

a) Set up a Development Office to work withstakeholders to build a fund in support ofschool bursaries and to raise funds andgrants to support capital projects

The Truro School Foundation has beenestablished with a new committee of trustees.The Development and Alumni Relations officeis now up and running. The Governorsallocate a proportion of fee income each yearto support scholarships and means testedbursaries; most of this is unfunded.

b) Offer engaging events and communicationto former pupils and the Friends of TruroSchool, strengthening our relationship andcreating opportunities for them to supportour development

Successful relaunch of The Truronianmagazine and monthly newsletter. TheDevelopment and Alumni Relations team are

working to deliver the TSFPA strategy. FTS isvery active with a calendar of events aimed atbringing current parents together. The numberof alumni and friends connected to the schoolthrough social media exceeds 2000 at thecurrent time and continues to grow.

c) Develop and implement a strategy tounlock and share the richness of ourschool archives

Our archivist and researcher, Jo Wood, is akey member of the Development and AlumniRelations team. Terraces, the SchoolMagazine, and The Truronian now featurearchive material. ‘A Century of Science’exhibition launched to coincide with the 2015reunion dinner.

2. Enhanced school and communityengagement and partnerships

d) Increase the level of our facilities lettings atcharitable rates

In the last financial year, we offered over £15k of lettings at charitable rates.

e) Set up partnerships with other localschools, businesses and communityorganisations to share best practice inteaching and learning and provideprofessional development opportunities forteachers and support staff

The vision of a collaborative group ofindependent schools in Cornwall is takingshape. We are pleased that Truro High Schoolfor Girls has joined the Methodist IndependentSchools Trust and the future opportunities forcollaboration that this will bring. We havebeen providing support and guidance to otherindependent schools in the county. Both TruroSchool and Truro Prep are engaged in thewider community in Independent State SchoolPartnerships.

f) Develop collaborations to enable pupilsand staff to engage with people in thewider community and other countries

We run a range of language and culturalexchanges with other schools in Europe.Work with our partner schools in Ugandacontinues. A very significant number of our

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pupils undertake voluntary service in thelocal community as part of the Duke ofEdinburgh’s Award scheme. A regularprogramme of World ChallengeExpeditions is now embedded in ourannual calendar.

g) Expand our contribution to localsports development optimisingcommunity use of our facilities andhosting local, regional and nationalevents at school

We continue to host primary andsecondary tournaments in the Sir BenAinslie Sports Centre, the all-weatherpitch and our swimming pool. Severallocal sports clubs now make regular useof our facilities.

h) Continue to offer leadership in thedelivery of music throughout thecounty through a partnership with theCornwall Music Service and ourparticipation in the Music Hub.

The work we have done to help establishthe new Cornwall Music Service Trusthas been a hugely positive development.At the 2015 Gorsegh Kernow, TruroSchool received the Music Shield forOutstanding Service to Music in Cornwall.

3. Run our schools as social enterpriseswith a focus on sustainability andenvironmental stewardship

i) Involve pupils in the development ofan environmental scorecard to define,target, track and monitor ourperformance

Truro School Sustainability Committee forboth schools meets termly working onboth qualitative and quantitativemeasures. Recycling programme at theSenior School has been reassessed withappropriate changes introduced. Thesustainability work has on occasionintegrated with charitable work e.g.Surfers Against Sewage and beach clean-ups that pupils have participated in.

TRURO SCHOOLTRURO SCHOOL

Simon Reed BSc (Hons) ACA (CO02)Partner at Robinson Reed Layton, Chartered Accountants

I grew up in Truro and ever since I can remember I listened to my father talking about how businessworks, my grandfather and his work and hearing abouttheir interesting and sociable lives as accountants.However I also saw the long hours my father workedand I decided that being a Chartered Accountant wasnot the profession for me.

Whilst at Truro School, I enjoyed studying the sciencesand maths and continued this study through to biology,chemistry, maths, physics and further maths at A level.Truro School also gave me great opportunities for extracurricular activities - I played in various sports teams,and also completed my Gold Duke of Edinburgh awardwhich gave me vital leadership skills, teamworkexperience and resourcefulness which I still use now. I cannot recommend it enough to current pupils, youmight get invited to Buckingham Palace like I did!.

With my science A levels in hand, and with theaspiration to become a forensic scientist, I completed adegree in Medical Genetics from the University ofLeicester. However although the degree wasinteresting, building on my statistical and maths skillsfrom school, I soon realised that research was not forme. I missed the daily interaction with different peoplewhile locked away in a lab. I took full advantage of allthe sports on offer at University and found I had anatural flare managing money as the treasurer of theUniversity Hockey Club.

During the summer holidays, I undertook work experience

at Robinson Reed Laytoncompleting tax returns andworking on accounts andfound that I loved it!

On finishing University,I was determined tobuild a career inCornwall and I finallyrelented and realised that I hadaccountancy runningthrough my veins. I was good atnumbers, enjoyedsolving financialproblems and

thrived on working with people. I therefore found myselfa job in the finance team at Cornwall DevelopmentCompany.

I was keen to start my training to become a CharteredAccountant and when I was asked by a Partner atRobinson Reed Layton to come in for an interview withthe prospect of joining the firms training programme, I jumped at the chance. The firm has a reputation fortraining the best accountants in Cornwall, so trainingplaces are like gold dust!

I started at Robinson Reed Layton 10 years ago andhaven’t looked back. I spent the next three yearsstudying Chartered Accountancy. I passed my exams in2009 and specialised in audit. I built relationships withclients and learnt about their businesses at everyopportunity. I gained experience in a broad range ofdifferent client sectors; initially with charities and the notfor profit sector, then onto large company clientsincluding those from the hotel and leisure andmanufacturing sectors.

In 2014 I was offered a Partnership, and accepted asthe second youngest Partner in the history of the firm. I wanted to reach the top and by becoming a Partner ofa reputable firm of accountants coupled with the extrabenefit of being in Cornwall, I had fulfilled my ambition.

I take pleasure in direct face to face relationships withclients as well as running the business with the otherPartners. I enjoy making decisions regarding the futureof the firm and was brought up to believe that it’s best tocontrol your own destiny, so I’m playing a key part inthat now.

Being a Partner is a lifestyle choice and my clients arealways at the front of my mind so your brain neverswitches off. My clients can ring me at any time of dayor night as I aim to act like a business advisor and wantto be there at critical stages in a business’ lifecycle.

I was delighted to have been included within the 35Under 35 Accountancy Age Publication list, an awardwhich often focuses on the larger firms. My futureambitions are to develop the business, focusing onstrengthening client relationships, growing the clientbase by continuously adding value to client service aswell as increasing turnover and number of employees.There is always more to learn, and I am currentlystudying for a Diploma in Charity Accounting tostrengthen my knowledge in this area.

I am keen to give something back to the localcommunity and am looking forward to providing careeradvice to Truro School students who may be thinkingabout an Accountancy career. You don’t have to do anaccounting degree to become a Chartered Accountant,but a business degree would help. I would also advisegaining work experience during the holidays. It requiresdedication and hard work but I am honoured to be in theposition to assist the future growth of businesses inCornwall.

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TRURO SCHOOL

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Ellen Husain (CO94)The Hunt, narrated by David Attenborough, ran on BBC1for 7 weeks during November and December 2015. EllenHusain (CO94) produced the fifth episode The HuntNowhere to Hide, broadcast on the 29 November. Sherecounts her story from Truro School Sixth Form tobecoming producer for this beautiful Natural Historyprogramme, viewed by millions. You can follow Ellen ontwitter at https://twitter.com/ellen_husain

“If you’d told me as a Truro School Sixth Former that Iwould one day be working as a producer on anAttenborough BBC TV series like The Hunt, I would havebeen pretty surprised. From filming cheetahs in theMasai Mara, to lions hunting buffalo in Zambia, and killerwhales off the Western Australia, it has certainly been anadventure. By far the youngest producer on the team Ifelt really honoured to get the job. Since then, it’s takenup 2 years 10 months of my life, non-stop. The role of awildlife producer is immensely varied, from conceivingthe structure and content of the film, to writing the script,hiring crew, deciding on camera kit, going on location asa director, edits, schedules, budgets, working withcomposers, and of course working with the narrator - inthis case the equally unassailable and indefatigableDavid Attenborough. Working with Attenborough was ahuge highlight. Despite being the recognised master ofthe genre he was incredibly gracious and kind about thefilm, and his performance in commentary record wasamazingly impressive. Ridiculous to say, but when hefirst struck up it really hit me: "Oh my God. That’s DavidAttenborough reading my script!" At 89 years old he isan incredible inspiration. In terms of filming for theseries, by far the biggest challenge, and biggest reward,was filming orcas hunting humpback whales - an eventwhich is new to science and has never been filmedpreviously. We filmed it using a helicopter withgyrostabilised camera, as well as underwater. With a

background in marine biology I usually specialise inmarine shoots, but this was a labour of love thatspanned three years. It was always high-risk-high-reward, and at times hugely stressful, but culminating ina battle of three humpback whales with a combinedweight of around 100 tonnes fighting it out with a pod ofkiller whales trying to take their calf, what we eventuallyfilmed was the most incredible natural spectacle I haveever witnessed, and it will stay with me forever.

Back in my Sixth Form days I didn’t know a soul whoworked in TV, in fact, I don’t think it even occurred to methat there were ‘real’ people doing real jobs in wildlifedocumentaries. All I knew was that I absolutely lovedeverything about the sea, and I wanted to study marinebiology at university. I guess I’ve always been quiteidealistic. It took me quite a long time to realise thatwildlife TV would be the perfect way to combine marinebiology with my love of photography. Things are differentnow, the internet means students can research anycareer they want to do, make contacts, get involved. It’snot easy because competition is high, but horizons arefar less limited. What I would say to leavers is whateveryou’re into, it’s worthbearing in mind thatsomeone’s gotta do it -really; which does beg thequestion: why not makethat someone you? Ofcourse there arepracticalities to thinkabout, but it’s worth givingit some thought - youmight just want to stick atit as long as Sir David…”

Ellen Husain (CO94)

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TRURO SCHOOL

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Truro School Careers’ DepartmentThe Careers Department within the School has continuedto expand and forge even closer links with former pupils.The Autumn Term marked the beginning of our annualseries of ‘Business Lunches’ which are hosted by theHeadmaster Andrew Gordon-Brown and myself, NancyKenward (CO96). The lunches are held either in thebeautiful Heseltine Gallery (formally the Lower SixthCommon Room) or the newly refurbished Careers Roomand are open to students from the 5th year and Sixth Form. It gives them an opportunity to meet and question professionals from a range ofindustries in an informal environment, offering them afantastic insight in to different jobs available and adviceon how to reach them.

We kicked off with our popular Finance lunch in October,supported by Mrs Helen Angove of City Asset Managementwho is a former parent and has been one of our mosthelpful mentors. Over the last few years she has arrangedseveral work placements in London for current and former

pupils, providing them with fantastic opportunities in highlycompetitive industry of investment banking.

In the same month we had our Medics, Dentists andVets’ lunch which was so oversubscribed we had torepeat it in the Spring Term. The students learnt a hugeamount from the speakers who ranged from highlyexperienced to current undergraduates. Speakersincluded Dr Whinney, an ENT specialist and currentparent; Chris Johnston, 4th year medical student atExeter (CO11); and Marvin Firth (CO03) an experiencedvet who divides his time between his practices inCornwall and Chelsea.

Come November, the Law lunch was again supported byDavid Williams (CO99), among others. David works as areal estate solicitor for Foot Anstey in Plymouth andprovided work experience to Lower Sixth students lastyear. He was able to offer his insight on the variousroutes into Law and the pros and cons of law degreesversus law conversion courses.

Images from the Truro School Careers Fair.

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Nancy Kenward (CO96)Head of Careers

If you think you could offeradvice, guidance or workexperience to our studentsplease contact Nancy, she wouldbe delighted to hear from you.

Contact me:01872 272763nk@truroschool.com

Becky Davidson (CO00) was next to visit- she spokeabout Physiotherapy as a career. As always, sheinspired us with her dedication and enthusiasm for herchosen profession and talked about working for both theNHS and Exeter Chiefs as a sports physio.

This year’s Business and Entrepreneurs’ lunch wassupported by Trevor Lee a current parent, running hisown business. Formerly the Managing Director ofCornwall and Devon Media, Trevor was able to give usan insight in to the different advantages of working foroneself, and working for larger corporate businesses.

Over the Summer Term we have lunches arranged forMedia, IT, Geology and Engineering. Supported by,among others, Victoria Gould (CO95) from BBC RadioCornwall and Marie Powers (CO05) from the DPW andseveral recent geology graduates. This year we havecontinued to take advantage of the insights offered byour most experienced former pupils and parents but also

invited in more recent former pupils to give the most upto date advice on training and the job market today.

We have also made huge strides with our LinkedIninitiative. As Head of Careers, I now have over 300connections made up of former pupils from a wide rangeof year groups and always looking to add to my network.LinkedIn enables former pupils from Truro School tonetwork and has proved very successful so far - the network has managed to provide work experienceplacements, employment links as far afield as Australiaand valuable up to date information on universities anddegree courses. Please do sign up to LinkedIn andconnect with me. Let me know if I can support you toadvertise work experience or employment opportunitiesor make introductions.

The Headmaster and I have been so grateful for thevolume of support we have received from former pupilsand parents and thank you all for the opportunities youhave presented to our current students.

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Here comes the ShowHeseltine Gallery, September 2015In September 2015, myself and Jo Wood (Archivist)were asked to curate a show in the Heseltine Gallerythat reflected the development of the teaching of Scienceat Truro School over the past 135 years.

Combining material from the School Archive and variousdepartments we brought together an eclectic selection torepresent Science in its many forms throughout thehistory of Truro School. These materials were gleanedfrom all corners of the school and archive and we evenraided old forgotten cupboards and drawers! Teacherswere asked to dust off any old instruments and booksand the Gallery was designed around these objects tolook like a study or a chemistry lab. Many of the scienceinstruments were unusual and often unlabelled so wehad a fun time researching their uses.

From vintage glassware and ancient text books topickled specimens and old film, the show explored notonly the development of traditional Sciences such asBiology, Chemistry and Physics but also Geography,Geology, Social Science, Maths and Building Science.

The show then went on to talk about the introduction ofComputer Science (cue old photos of big clunky grey

machines and kids in nylon) and Sport Science wasintroduced. Many students have gone on to science-related careers after leaving Truro School. One of theseis commemorated in the C.L. Bryant Prize for Scienceawarded annually at Speech Day since 1959. CharlesLeslie Bryant (TS 1890-1896) became a ScienceTeacher at Harrow in 1913, but his earlier career wasspent developing new methods and techniques forteaching Science and Mathematics in the ‘laboratories ofeducational experiment’ at the Royal Naval College,Dartmouth. He was also the first chairman of the TruroSchool Society.

As always, for many visitors the exhibition was a startingpoint for their own memories of school. And if you feelinspired to dig out any old photos we would be delightedto have a copy for the School Archive, and would behappy to scan and return originals.

Nichola Sheriff, Events Manager

and

Jo Wood, Archivist

Images from the Science Exhibition 2015

TSFPA ANNUAL REVIEW 2015/16

17

TRURO SCHOOL

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Truro School in 1916

At homeDuring the Spring Term of1916 more staff left the College to join theServices as conscription was introduced. This ledthe magazine editor to lament that ‘the demandsof the nation upon our staff have made the termone of unusual difficulty’ though generally ‘thanksto the unwearied vigilance of our Headmaster,work has not unduly suffered’. Teaching staff atthe school now included women for the first time;Miss Pauline Julian joined in November 1915and Miss Lillian Martyn joined in March 1916. ByDecember seven members of staff had enlistedand there was a total of 250 old Truronians onthe roll of honour.

Amidst the day-to-day working of the School it was stilldifficult to realise ‘the vastness of the conflagrationwhich is raging comparatively near us’. The cadet corps’activities continued and competition was increased with the introduction of the Wellington Cup and thecounty-wide Lucas-Tooth Competition, which the cadetswon in October. An outbreak of measles affected such a large number of boys that the gym was used as anannexe to the sanatorium.

The pressures of war affected the official Schoolmagazine, as it became shorter and increasinglyfocused on the Old Boys. The EQV magazine wasresurrected by boys in the School and it reflected theirhumour and activities; ‘for six years this jovial mag hasbeen shrouded in oblivion whence it now emerges withnew found glory to gladden our hearts with mirth’.

A Magazine Fund was set up to send copies ofthe School magazine to Old Boys in the trenchesand the hardships at the Front were reflected inthe letters that reached the School.

“A large number of the Old Boys have beenwounded, but the general tone of their lettersshows clearly that they are willing to suffer,and that they do not in any way regret thatthey have taken their part in this greatstruggle.”

Truro College Magazine, December 1916

Eleven of the fifteen school casualties in 1916died as a result of action on the Somme.

At war

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Pte G. StratfordRoyal Fusiliers, France, 26 July 1916

W.H. Jane who was slightly gassed in the ‘Big Push’ onthe Somme called at the School in September and gavean account of his nephew Private Leslie L. Dreyer (TS1901-1907), of the 1st South African Infantry, who waskilled in action on 14 July.

Dreyer had visited the school with Jane the previousNovember

“after being engaged in active service in GermanS.W. Africa. Soon after his arrival he went toAlexandria and subsequently to France. There hevolunteered to carry a letter from his Captain underheavy fire, but he had not gone far when he wasstruck in the forehead with an explosive bullet, anddied at the taking of Longueval at the age of 26.”

Captain J.S.H. Shafto (TS 1897-1900), 8th Buffs, waskilled in action in France on 12 August. In June he wonthe Military Cross for

“gallantry in attempting, by daylight, under fire, torescue a man who had been blown out of his trench.He went over the parapet, returned for assistance,and remained with the man until he died.”

Ronald F.P. Jacobs, Royal Naval Division, (TS 1907-1909)

“…entered heartily into the life of the School, andwas liked by all his school-fellows. He was speciallyinterested in music, and often on Sunday evening,whilst serving his apprenticeship with Messrs. Webband Co., Truro, he would come and play the hymnsin the Dining Hall and have supper with the pupils.On November 13th, 1916, at the age of 23, heheroically gave his life for his God, King andCountry at Beaumont Hamel. It was said that ‘hewas last seen going over the parapet smiling.”

We are having a rest for a few days, and it is a greattreat to get a hot-water bath. It is easier to writeletters here than in the trenches, where we often get onlyfour hours’ sleep in twenty-four… But work can’t bedone on nothing – it never was at T.C. – thanks toMrs Opie and her staff. Neither is it out here…

2nd Lt G.L. Symons1st Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, France, 29 October 1916

Casualties 1916J.D. Lillecrapp, 11.1. 1916, aged 21

J.G. Gregory, 24.3.1916, aged 41

G.J. Roberts, 17.6.1916, aged 27

L.L. Dreyer, 14.7.1916, aged 26

J.S.H. Shafto, 12.8.1916, aged 33

W.J. Hill, 17.9.1916, aged 22

E.J. Julian, 26.9.1916, aged 24

J. Martin, 1.10.1916, aged 36

M.T. Richards, 20.10.1916, aged 28

E.H. Pryor, 22.10.1916, aged 21

J.P. James, 26.10.1916, aged 19

R.S. Gill, 6.11.1916, aged 32

W.A. Lawry, 11.11.1916, aged 26

R.F.P. Jacobs, 13.11.1916, aged 23

W.G. Richards, 17.11.1916, aged 27

It is almost a year now since welanded in France, and I can assureyou we have had some exciting times.We were in the thick of it on July1st. It was a great day, and wefairly made a name for ourselves,but I am sorry to say we lost a goodmany of our lads… I could tell you many excitingexperiences, but I am afraid theCensor would not allow me; however,I am looking forward to the daywhen I hope we shall all be able tomeet again at the old School.

Pte J.P. King18th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment, France, 5 September 1916

TRURO SCHOOL

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Truro School TodayDear Alumni

The wonderful thing about being responsible forAdmissions at Truro School is the number of students Imeet and have the privilege of getting to know throughthe duration of their education. To have Developmentand Alumni Relations added to my role is hugelyexciting, and apt as I have been around for so long,meeting many of our alumni at their entranceexamination! However, as the time draws near when Ibecome the parent of not one but two alumni, Irecognise the importance of the Truro Schoolcommunity for everybody. The alumni community arefortunate to have the Truro School Former Pupils’Association providing you with updates, reunions, newsand views and generally keeping you all in touch witheach other and with your alma mater. I am keen toexpand this two-way communication to everyone,including to the parents of alumni, so that the Friends ofTruro School becomes an organisation whichencompasses everyone who has, or who has had, aconnection to the school in some way without actuallybeing a pupil.

We are working on both the Truro School CommunityFacebook page and the TSFPA newsletters to ensurethat not only are you kept informed on a regular basis ofwhat is happening back at school, but that the schoolknows about the work and successes of alumni.Through our use of LinkedIn many of our former pupilsare helping in different ways, big and small, to mentorand advise our current students; younger alumnisupporting with university advice, to other moreexperienced alumni who provide work experience andmentoring. Please see Nancy Kenward’s report onpages 14 and 15 for a full update.

No organisation can stand still. Truro School is noexception and we continue to work our way through theHeadmaster’s Strategic Plan with the aim of beingrecognised as the leading independent school in theSouth-West. Looking through the events of the lastyear to update you all, I am amazed by everything thathas taken place throughout 2015. There are a numberof noteworthy “firsts”, including our senior dramastudents who performed at the Edinburgh Fringe.

In sport; we descended upon Millfield for a squashtournament for the first time; two of our swim teams gotthrough to National Finals; the Under 16s Rugby teambecame County Champions for the 5th successive year;we returned home with two Gold Medals from theinaugural Independent Schools’ Surf competition; theWednesday afternoon activity list expanded to includeskateboarding and BMX riding; our team secured Goldin all four sabre titles at the Under 17s and Under 20sBritish Fencing Championships in London; and TruroSchool entered the top 20 of independent sportsschools in the UK. In music, our girl choristersperformed in Truro Cathedral at a moving inaugurationservice and five students achieved diplomas in theirchosen musical instruments. We also played host to anOverseas University Fair with visitors representinguniversities from Queen’s Belfast to Sydney andHarvard. Just a small snapshot of all that goes on everyweek in School today.

If you have not done so already, please do follow ourTruro School Community Facebook page to keep trackof our community, and more importantly keep usinformed of your news and stories. We look forward tohearing from you.

Jayne Grigg Director of Admissions and Development

Jayne Grigg has been lookingafter prospective parents andstudents since 1992 and is nowDirector of Admissions and

Development, encompassing marketing and events.

Contact me:01872 246007 jeg@truroschool.com

(Left): Alumni played in the navyand red are Becca Hughes(CO15), Millie Burdell (CO15),Christina Homer (CO15 - captain),Ellie Sayer (CO13), Kiani Pay(CO13), Stacey Pascoe (CO14),Jess Pascoe (CO15) and ClaireTresidder (CO10) who is nowworking at School as a teacher inthe PE Department.Former Pupil Netball v School

The Former Pupils’ team defeated the School in the annual netball match by30 goals to 18. Christina Homer (CO15) captained her team to victory in athrilling game, where each goal was hard won. Thanks to Christina fororganising the team and captaining them to the win. Also great thanks to allthe players, both current and former students, who took part.

Former Pupil Mixed Hockey v SchoolThe Former Pupils’ team beat the School by 5 goals to 1. Many thanks toJess Pascoe for organising and captaining the team and many thanks to allthe players, especially to those who went straight from playing in the netballmatch to the hockey.

Former Pupil Rugby v SchoolThe Former Pupils’ team were short of a few players but still gave the 1st XVa hard game, scoring first to great cheers from the avidly supporting crowd.The School eventually went on to win by 28 points to 7, fighting back hard.Thank you to all returning players and Graham Whitmore, Director of Sportfor organising the event. The long standing tradition of this fixture is hugelyenjoyed by all, making for a great finale to the Former Pupils’ Day. Thanksalso to David Connolly, Head Chef and his team for the hot soup during thematch and refreshments served afterwards this year in the beautifulsurroundings of the Heseltine Gallery.

(Right) Back row: Henry Matthews(CO10), Neil Stevenson (CO12),Pete Ashworth (CO09), Will Jones(CO10), Simon Reed (CO02), LukeRugg (CO12), Matt ffrench-Constant (CO12), Jeremy Pascoe(CO85)

Front row: Chloe Sutcliffe (CO11),Jack Carr (CO11), Joe Grassby(CO08), George Baird (CO08),Amie Tall (CO10)

Former pupil players not in thephoto include: Jess Pascoe (CO15– captain), Christina Homer (CO15),Anna Venning (CO15), Adi Shields(CO15), Tom Parry (CO15), StaceyPascoe (CO14), Kiani Pay (CO13),Tegan Cockcroft (CO15)

(Above): Alumni played in thenavy are Cam Sayer (Captain), EdJane, Harvey Jones, Fred Young,Oscar Holdsworth, MawganIbbotson, Chris Lin, Charlie Dean,Toby Knox, Peter O’Toole, CharlieBoon, James Turpin, Tom Parry,George Parry, Joe Elderkin, WillHarris and Will Murdoch

Former Pupils' Sports Day 2015

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TRURO SCHOOL

Former Pupils’ Arts Day 2015

“How to Survive a ZombieApocalypse was performed for asecond time as part of the recentFormer Pupils Association Arts Day,following the Creekside Theatre’sdebut of the production in theBurrell Theatre on the 28 August2015, where it raised £250 for TheInvictus Trust.

The showcase, directed by OldBoys Dominic Latarche (CO11)and Cameron Williamson (CO13),starred former pupils of TruroSchool and Truro High School.Produced by Dominic and TruroCollege’s Georgina Carlin, it wassupported with technical effects byOld Boy Alistair Cota (CO13).

In the first half, the audienceenjoyed a series of sketches,written by playwrights including SirAlan Ayckbourn CBE. In the secondhalf, three audience members weredecided to be capable of surviving azombie apocalypse in aninformative seminar, How to Survivea Zombie Apocalypse, a comedywritten by Ben Muir. 

Cast included Harrison Dean(CO13), Hugh "Freddie"Hougham-Slade (CO13),Nathaniel Keymer (CO13), CharlieMartin (CO13) and AlexanderPiper (CO12). And former Truro

High School students GabrielleDawson, Verity Ford, MeganTamblyn and current studentEugenie Nevin.

Dominic extends special thanks tohis co-producer Georgina Carlin,who advertised the show online andin print, and secured the productionof three separate radio interviewson the day of the show; to his co-director Cameron, whosedirection of several rehearsalsenabled Dominic to continueworking for his law companies; andto the Burrell Theatre, which waskindly made available for rehearsalsclose to the night of the show.”

Jack Harvey (CO14)

On Sunday 6 September 2015, we were delighted to host a two-part performing artsextravaganza featuring alumni, returning to entertain their peers and the Truro School community.

“Swinging through bawdy big bandsongs, blasting flamboyantsambas, delicately accompanyingsoulful Billie Holiday ballads: as aSixth Form student, Thursdaylunchtimes were a highlight of mydiary, when I would play piano withthe School’s Senior JazzOrchestra. I was thereforedelighted to be asked to return toSchool in September to performjazz at a reunion gathering in theBurrell Theatre, alongside mybrother Toby (CO15). The orchestra were grooving ashard as ever, teeming with talentedup-and-coming jazzers. Toby and Ihad enormous fun spontaneouslyjoining in with some of their charts(who needs rehearsal?!), as well asimprovising our own duets. Deepwords of thanks must go to thepassionate leadership of Mr SimonLatarche, who played no small rolein cultivating Toby’s and my jazzpiano chops when we first becomeinterested in the genre. His

dedication and enthusiasm - evenwhen I didn’t always practice formy next lesson - led onto both ofus pursuing jazz after school. Tobyis now in his 1st year studying jazzpiano at Guildhall School of Musicand Drama, while I am a freelancemusician in London, where one ofmy weekly highlights is the post-midnight jam sessions at RonnieScott’s. It is fantastic to see thenext generation of jazz musiciansbeing so expertly nurtured at theschool that appropriately devotesso much emphasis on the arts.”

Ben Corneau (CO11)

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23

Annual Reunion Dinner 2015

The Annual Reunion Dinner took place on Saturday 5September 2015. The Dining Hall was abuzz with over100 former pupils, staff and partners enjoying a superbthree course dinner provided by Head Chef, DavidConnolly, and his staff. Before entering the Dining Hall,we began the evening on the Terrace with pre-dinnerdrinks. Basked in the late summer sun, familiar faces metin front of Trennick House, some not seen for decades.

Connie Schneider (CO95) returned to School for thesecond year running, this time as Guest Speaker to thereunion. Equally as inspiring to adults as currentstudents, her oratory was as good as her Speech Daykeynote in 2014. Connie is currently Judicial AffairsOfficer with the Department of Peacekeeping Operationsat the United Nations. She reminisced on how she hadfitted into School life and made to feel welcome as ayoung German girl many miles from home, boarding inCornwall. Connie related to her alumni peers how shehad made enduring lifelong friendships through herSchool career. She had the floor in raptures with Schooltales, and professionally took the technical difficulties ofa dodgy microphone in her stride.

Ending on a round of port and cheese, the frivolitycontinued late into the evening. By conducting thereunion in the new format of decennial years, it allowedthe unique opportunity of exchanging stories acrossdifferent generations of former students. It was apleasure to recount how the School, and education, hasdeveloped over the past 70 years.

As the Headmaster welcomed everybody, it was SteveFloyd’s (CO76) final words that bid the party good nightand a safe journey home. Thank you to all those whomade it such a special evening.

I look forward to sharing another fine party with the nextdecennial year groups. The Annual Reunion Dinner 2016is scheduled for Saturday 10 September. Classes of ‘06,‘96, ‘86, ‘76 and ‘66 are warmly invited to celebrate theirmilestone decennial anniversaries, whilst of course thedinner remains open to all former pupils.

Lucy AlldrittFormer staff member (2014-2016)

Annual Dinner CO95:

Vicky Just (née Winter), JoWicksteed (née Mooney), ValerieBuckingham, Jemima Luckhurst(née Ball), Connie Schneider, LiziHesling, Sarah Hayes (néeHolmes) Kenny Green.

Also in attendance (but not inphoto) Ceri Harvey (née Drew),Demelza Hills (née Salter),Rebecca Harvey (née Coward),Verity Slater, Julia Ives (néeRichardson), Debbie Baldock(née Cocks).

Annual Dinner CO75:

Jonathan Middleton, Peter Ham,Bill Sharpe, Huw Dyer and Brian Milstead.

Annual Reunion Dinner 2016You can book your place at the dinner bydownloading the form at:www.truroschool.com/senior/about-us/former-pupils/former-pupils-forms/, sending it to the TSFPA c/o Truro SchoolDevelopment and Alumni Relations Office.

Contact:01872 246094 tsfpa@truroschool.com

TRURO SCHOOL

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London Networking Reunion 2015

Thursday 1 October 2015 saw Truro Schoolalumni again inhabit the top floor of TheMason’s Arms in Mayfair. The reunion of formerpupils were happily joined by formerHeadmaster Paul Smith (2001-2012), whodelighted in meeting with familiar faces andhearing how recent alumni were getting on inthe “big smoke”. The evening again offered theopportunity for younger, recent School leaversto network with slightly older alumni, manyestablished in their careers in London.

Thank you to all those who attended – spread the word for next year!

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1940s Spring Reunion 2015

Every community has its wiseelders and Truro SchoolCommunity is no different. OnFriday 17 April afternoon at 2pm,30 of our former pupils who were atSchool during the 1940s and earlierjoined our current Headmaster,Andrew Gordon-Brown and theDevelopment Office team for adelightful cup of Tregothnan teaand homemade scones.

The eldest of our party was Mr George Williams (Truro Schoolbetween 1930-1936) at 97 years.Mr Williams made the journey toSchool with his wife fromGloucestershire. Mr JamesPengilly (Truro School 1934-1938)of St. Keverne was astonished tofind he was not the oldest at 92!

Stories of punishment (hoursstanding by the gong) and strifewere the main themes ofconversation, all interspersed withgreat doses of laughter. Andrew

enjoyed listening to tales of mortarboards being thrown into the riveron graduation day, some floatingfrom the insertion of plywood! OurSchool Archivist, Jo Wood,struggled to keep up with the raft ofanecdotes; a particular favouriteand entirely new account for ourknowledgeable Archivist, was ofSixth Form boys hiding theHeadmaster’s Austin on the roof ofthe Graham Smith block – I can’timagine Andrew’s estate makingthe same journey with equaldegrees of success!

There were sad tales too of smallboys who did not make it toadulthood, being taken prematurelyby polio and measles. Thesediseases were taken very seriously,with boys who presented withsuspect symptoms kept inconfinement. Such confinement didnot thwart youngsters fromsecuring sweets from the tuck

shop; a rope and cap withcomrades ‘down below’ were veryuseful prison break items indeed!

After tea some of the former pupilswent on tours of the Schoolcampus to see its manydevelopments. The Sir Ben AinslieSport Centre was a particular starof the show, as well as thechanges to the Trennickdormitories, which are nowpredominantly the library andoffices, with only a wing remainingfor our current senior boardingboys. Thank you to Emma Austinfor the impromptu tour of Trennick.

Thanks also to Steve Floyd forcollecting some of our party in theSchool bus – I hear it added greatlyto the adventure for those who tookup the offer.

Lucy AlldrittFormer Staff member (2014-2016)

TRURO SCHOOL

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Truro School Leavers 2015

Rebecca AitkenJoshua BoorneJonathan BrunyeeFlorence Cameron-WebbLouis CampbellMiranda ClarkJack CollopRichard ConeyTabitha CooperJamie EddyJoseph ElderkinMarcel Franken

Henrike FuhrbergAlice GaukrogerMaren GerdesHeinrich GreunerRhodri GuyToby HodgesAmelie Sophie FeeHoffmannGeorge HudsonJoshua HuntAnton HussmannEdward JaneLaurie Jenkins

Tara KellyAnoushka KumarAaron LovelockAlexandra MaskellKatharina MoellerDenna MohajeranOlivia NormanKilian NussLydia PiperCharlie PursallBergerAnn-Kathrin ReichelHarriet Richards

Jacob SchuhJordan SmartAnya SneddonGloria SteinhauerJemima ThompsonAimee TowndrowAnna TozerChristian TurnerMoritz WalliserJamie WebsterOlivia WilliamsJames Wirth

Kanyin AjeDare BalogunJames BishopNancy BowdenKitty Broger-BarehamLuke BrotherwoodMaxwell BruceMillie BurdellCharles ByrneJohn CaklaisBenjamin CapperHannah CarnegieJames ChannonYvonne ChartAlisa ColeRadley CookNicholas DaffernMegan DaltonMadelaine DavisonWilliam DeaconCharles DeanWilliam DearyMilan Ding

James EvansCharlie FarmerNini GiganiSamantha GlinskiBailey GodolphinRebecca HallSadie HallettToby HarveyWilliam HaydonHugo HeardTristan HearleMegan HodgesOscar HoldsworthWilliam HolmesChristina HomerBecca HughesRyan HuxtableGeorge HyslopMawgan IbbotsonJonny InnesAlexandra JamesAntonia JamesEdward JaneAlicia Jeffries-Jones

Louise JohnsFlis JonesHarvey JonesTaylor JonesBenny KanyipJames KatzYola KingsburySophie KitchingToby KnoxEdward LaslettLynus LauErin LeeJoseph LeeChristopher LinMolly LongCallum MacdonaldOlivia MannallJoshua MaxwellMichael MayHannah McCabeJamie MitchellLouise MyersArsentiy NovakJessica Pascoe

Emily PenderMichael PunHolly RiceJames RichardsonTobias RobinsonCharlie RollsCallum RossJames RoweCameron SayerMarina ScottCatherine ShepherdAdelaide ShieldsAndrew SmithSophie SolomonMelissa ThomasEllie TregoningBrian TseAnna VenningChloe WhiteDaniel WhitmoreWilliam WilsonFreddie YoungCheuk Yiu Yoyo YueRyan Yung

We welcome the following GCSE and A Level 2015 leavers to the TSFPA. To receive alumni newsand stay in touch, please update your contact details with the Truro School Former Pupils’Association by emailing tsfpa@truroschool.com or visiting http://www.truroschool.com/senior/about-us/former-pupils/truro-school-alumni-census/. The Truro School Community Facebook page is alsoa great way to remain in contact with each other and see what the School is up to – follow us today!

Class of 2017

Class of 2015 Other LeaversBen Allan 2016Leo Altmann 2016Pedro Caixeta 2016Bella Corbridge 2016Merryn Dyer 2016Piran Fisher 2016Frances Hosking 2016Patrick Kyle-Milward 2016Anton Lytvynenko 2016Tamo Modersitzki 2016Tobe Ndubuisi-Ulokwem 2016Julia Obojes 2016Giovanni Seregni 2016Sam Spurrell 2016Taaron Syder 2016Nick Whaits 2016Corin Wissett 2016Oliver Wissett 2016Nils Bartelsen 2018Harry Brooksbank 2018Margot Ellies 2018Nicole Frank 2018Colin Goofers 2018Lara Gottschalk 2018Fabian Hildesheim 2018Lina Klusmann 2018Svenja Krueger 2018Bruno Quaife 2018Hugo Sonnery 2018Talai Blight 2019Elena Ferraris 2019Melanie Jehu 2019Megan McGuinness 2019Eugenia Olmi 2019Lily Pursall Berger 2019Emma Williams 2019Gabriella Wissett 2019Daisy Bensa 2020William Gregory 2020Max Mooney 2020Jess Tozer 2020Jake Brooksbank 2021

27

Martin Palmer, Director Music Truro School, interviewsMatt Rogers (CO07) who is now a Staff Conductor atthe prestigious Royal Opera House (ROH), London. He tells us his story, from Truro School Sixth Form toconducting the world’s most talented musicians.

What did you do immediately after leavingTruro School Sixth Form?I won a scholarship to study at the Royal ScottishAcademy of Music and Drama (now the RoyalConservatoire of Scotland), where I completed myundergraduate degree in performance [playing Clarinet].While I was at the Academy I was lucky enough to be theyoungest student they had ever admitted into theconducting class, which allowed me to pursue my studieswith some globally-regarded professional conductors.

During the third year of my course I took a year out tostudy conducting at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki,where I worked with Jorma Panula, the world’s foremostconducting teacher (now 85). I then studied for a Master’sin historical performance at the University of Glasgow,and later at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

How did you become involved in the ROH?It’s a funny story: I went to audition for the young artists’scheme at the ROH. I was late on in the day, but theaudition went really well and as I was leaving the room I heard the two Music Directors turn to each other andsay “the last one is always the best.” Two hours later I received a rejection email from the programmeadministrator. This sort of thing is not terribly unusual inthe industry, as there are many factors that come intoplay regarding such decisions, and so you learn tobrush it off and carry on.

A week later I received a phone call from the MusicDirector of the Royal Ballet, asking whether I would liketo come in to observe a rehearsal. I said “yes”, andbegged a day off from my full-time employer at the time.During the day we went for lunch, and it was then thathe offered me a 3-month contract with the company towork on a triple-bill of new commissions. Often thesecontracts are used to test the compatibility of new/youngmusicians, and before the end of the first month I wasoffered a further contract to tour New York with thecompany. On the company’s return back to the UK I was summoned into Covent Garden, where the music administrator offered me a contract for 2016/17.

What is your ultimate career ambition and howare you working towards it? Career trajectory is a fragile concept for most youngpeople working within artistic industries, so I feelexceptionally lucky to be where I am now. The past yearhas been a whirlwind, with short-notice debuts both inNew York, and with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestrain Australia. So at the moment I’m just trying to focus onthe year ahead. One particularly exciting projecthowever, is the revival of a professional orchestra inCornwall – the South West Chamber Orchestra. I’mlooking forward to returning home in a professionalcapacity in the near future!

Matt Rogers (CO07)

Martin Palmer Director of Music

As Director of Music at TruroSchool as well as Director ofthe Truro Choral Society,Martin frequently works withformer pupils. If you would like

to contact Martin to either reconnect since leavingSchool or to offer your musical services, he wouldbe delighted to hear from you.

Contact me:01872 246097mdp@truroschool.com

Matthew Scott Rogers is a member of the Jette ParkerYoung Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House.

TRURO SCHOOL

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Easter Sport Fixtures 2015The Easter Saturday Sport fixtures this year were a mixof highs and lows. The Football game saw former pupilsgo up against the Truro School 1st XI football team,whilst the Rugby game centred on former pupilsnostalgically competing again in the inter-house match,Smickett verses Schinter.

The football kicked off at 10am sharp, with a geed upformer pupils’ team who, having maintained the trophyfor two years running, were hopeful of another win.Determined to take down the School boys the gamestarted off at a pace. However it was not long beforeSchool had scored, the opposition’s mood was lifted andthe former pupils’ were on the back foot. By full time theformer pupils’ team were three goals to nil down,passing the annual trophy over to Truro School 1st XI

team. The former pupils were consoled with a hot pastyand beer over lunch in the Heath Hall; swapping storiesof previous wins both at School and over the previoustwo years as returning alumni.

At 3pm the rugby got underway. A close tussle,Smickett just kicked Schinter into touch with eleven triesto nine by full time.

Due to kick off at the same time as the football was themixed hockey, but this year we were sad not to run it,due to lack of numbers. If you do fancy picking up yourhockey stick again, please do not hesitate to contact theTSFPA at tsfpa@truroschool.com.

29

ValeteIn July 2015 Truro School said farewell to somelong-serving staff members who some of our alumnimay remember.

Iain MacDonaldIain’s arrival at Truro School inSeptember 2001 brought a calm andconsidered approach to teachingEnglish, after all Iain is a Navy man andas a result there is a certain way thingsshould be done – and done right! Iain isimpressively organised, he had been a

Head of English at two schools previously, and hisattention to detail is legendary.

It was as Head of Drama that Iain collaborated withcube Theatre and Ben Symes to produce some greatproductions, namely Oliver! and the much acclaimedLes Miserables; and with the Sixth Form there was thehilarious A Servant and Two Masters. However it is as a writer that Iain also excels, his adaptation of The Tempest The Dirty Great Storm is a cleverreinvention of the play and was published. Iain hastrained countless debating teams and had success withthe Sixth Form debaters getting them to the finals of theCambridge Union on more than one occasion; therewere also many successes regionally with the EnglishSpeaking Union. He also took teams for mock trails atTruro Crown Court alongside Ramsey Quaife honing theskills of many Truro School pupils in the art of precisequestioning. So fare thee well Iain and Julia; thanks forall the funny stories, the poetry recitals and songs, theliberal idealism you promoted, and for always knowingwhere to be and when – you’ll be missed – you’ll bereally missed. By Saul Berger, English Teacher

Lez SethLez Seth has been one of the hidden gems in the TruroSchool community for over ten years. She initially came toTruro School while working for Relate but then becamethe School Counsellor who has listened and helpednumerous pupils and staff members over the years. Shehas also been a key figure in training our Sixth FormACHE counsellors and more recently in the Prep SchoolYear 5 peer mentoring programme. She has been a realasset to the medical and pastoral teams and quietly goneabout making a significant difference in the lives of somany. Some staff or pupils might not have even knowwho she was, because she chose to work behind thescenes, protecting the confidentiality of those whobenefitted from her patience, understanding and excellentcounselling skills. We wish her well in her retirement andthe enjoyment of her family, particularly her grandchildren.By Rev. Aubin de Gruchy, School Chaplain

Malcolm LeighMalcolm Leigh alias “Mr Bow Tie”, retiredin the summer of 2015 after seven yearsof service at Truro School. Setting thehighest of standards in the laboratory,Malcolm was a highly skilled practicalChemist who developed a real sense ofcare and precision when it came to

teaching A Level. His fondness for multiple

whiteboards, using up at least fifty board pens per dayplus his reluctance to ever use a PowerPointpresentation is legendary.

In class, Malcolm was well known for many of hisspectacular demonstrations and his comprehensiveknowledge of the history of Chemistry. Highly respectedby all of his students and peers alike, Malcolm alwaysdemonstrated a real empathy and understanding withthose he worked with. He also contributed much to theco-curricular life at Truro School, setting up a cyclingclub which was highly successful.

Malcolm has since returned to teaching at Truro Schoolto cover for Dr Brogden during her maternity leave, buthis future plans include some travel with the motorhomeand he aims to cycle the same number of miles as hisage every birthday! By Adam Gustafsson

Patrick FloodPatrick Flood joined Truro School fromBromley High School in 1984. In thecourse of his three decades of service tothe school Patrick fulfilled a diversevariety of roles which included being aboarding house master in Trennick,Malvern and Pentreve and a Sixth Form.

But it is of course as a History Teacher, and especiallyas a Head of History, that Patrick will be bestremembered.

Generations of Truro School pupils – including parentsof recent and current pupils – have been privileged toexperience Patrick’s inspirational teaching methods.Like all the best history teachers, he has the ability tohold a class spellbound, by blending his encyclopaedicknowledge of the past with a knack for the dramatic,and lacing this heady brew with his rich (and oftendeliciously politically incorrect!) sense of humour. While“Floody” has always been a firm favourite of lowerschool and GCSE pupils, arguably the most important ofhis academic contributions to the School has been hisauthoritative A Level teaching, which enabled hundredsof students to earn the grades they needed to readhistory at their first choice universities, and helpeddozens more gain prestigious Oxbridge places.

Outside of the school Patrick has also led adistinguished historical career. His PhD thesis (a studyof public opinion in France during the First World War),published in 1989 and described by one academicreviewer as a “richly textured account of peasant lifeduring the conflict,” remains a key university course text.During his time at the School he also authored two keyA Level textbooks and enjoyed a successful career asan examiner serving in various roles including Principaland Senior Examiner.

Patrick’s departure from Truro School brings to a closea career that has encompassed more achievementsthan most teachers could reasonably expect to achieve.While he generously handed over the reins ofleadership within the history department in 2009,Patrick’s experience and support (not to mention his wrysense of humour) have remained invaluable assets; hewill be a much missed colleague. It is hoped thatretirement will give Patrick the much-deserved leisure toread (and hopefully to write) more history, to pursue hisinterest in political affairs and to indulge his passion forIpswich Town Football Club. By Dr Matthew Spring,Head of History

TRURO SCHOOL

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Obituary TributesObituariesJohn BEE (1941-46) Died on the 14 February 2015. John was born inPerranporth in 1930. The family moved to Truro andJohn won a scholarship to Truro School when he waseleven. He had always wanted to be an electricalengineer and after taking is School certificate, he joinedthe Cornwall Electric Company as an apprenticeelectrician. When the company was nationalised hejoined S.W.E.B as a graduate trainee. He progressedthrough the company and in 1977 he became theBodmin Area Manager. Eventually he became CornwallArea Manager until he retired completing 41 yearsservice with S.W.E.B. His main hobbies were golf,sailing and travelling. Thanks to Ann Bee for this tribute.

Dave BRUCE (CO75) I was extremely sad to hear of Dave’s passing. Althoughwe had never kept in touch after school days, I rememberhim with great fondness. He was certainly one of the‘nice’ guys at school. My two most vivid memories ofDave were helping him build his first surf board (notparticularly hydrodynamic, but great transfers as Iremember it!) and when he took up playing guitar andhow quickly he managed to perfect Leo Kottke’s fingerpicking style and riffs. With sadness, Alan (Oswald) Triggs (CO75) Multipletributes were paid to Bruce through the TSFPA and werepublished in the July 2015 Online Newsletter.

Ed BURNETT (CO90) Died on 5 May 2015 aged43. The architect whodesigned Gloriana, theQueen’s jubilee barge, Edwas described as one ofthe country’s mostimaginative and respecteddesigners of modernclassic yachts and wasspecially chosen to createthe historic barge. He wasalso one of the rowers on board as it led the Queen andPrince Philip up the Thames during the nationalcelebrations in 2012. It was initially set to carry theQueen or the Duke and Duchess of Cambridgethemselves, but in the final stages of preparation it wasdecided the Royal Family would not embark on theGloriana, but instead would board the Spirit ofChartwell. This left the Gloriana to lead the 1,000 strongflotilla, which escorted her majesty along the river tocheers from thousands of well-wishers who gatheredalong the Thames.

Revd John Hugh HARPER (CO52) John moved from St Agnes to Truro on his 5th birthday.He won a scholarship to the School in 1945 followingbrothers Harry (CO45) and Geoffrey (CO50) and tookthe Oxford and Cambridge Advanced SchoolsCertificate in 1951. Following National Service in the

John BEE CO46

Peter William BERRIDGE CO47

Peter Davies BERRINGTON CO32

Dave BRUCE CO75

Ed BURNETT CO90

Michael Garnet CARLING CO48

Dennis Orlando "Dodie" DREW CO51

David FILLBROOK CO59

John Hugh (Reverend) HARPER CO52

John HEATH CO60

Francis Norman JASPER CO58

John KENDALL-CARPENTER CO43

Brian Russell KNIGHTS CO59

David MENHENNET CO47

Joseph A.D. (Reverend) RIDHOLLS TS80

Chris ROBERTS CO76

Paul Anthony SAWBRIDGE CO60

Stephen John SECCOMBE CO50

Robert "Robin" TCHERTOFF CO45

Nigel TERRY CO64

Victor Charles WATTON CO68

Charles Paul Thomas WILSON CO61

John WILSON-CLARIDGE CO53

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Army he took up his scholarship to Hertford CollegeOxford gaining a 2.1 in Theology and then went on toWells Theological College studying for the priesthood.During this period he married Romola Pascoe atKenwyn in 1958 and was ordained Deacon in 1959 andPriest in 1960.

Returning home to Cornwall in 1969 with his wife andthree children John set about reinvigorating the parish ofHalsetown on the outskirts of St Ives. He used his skillsand dry humour to engage, invigorate and swellcongregational numbers, successfully encouragingothers to take Holy orders, and putting the church of St Johns in-the-Fields firmly on the ecclesiastical map.The young preacher caused a stir allowing beatniks tocamp in the vicarage gardens, then went further,installing a ‘central Altar’. He facilitated a muchpublicised and graphic Good Friday passion play. In 1972 he wrote the book ‘Preach and be Damned’.John retired initially to West Mersea Island in 2000, thento Hampshire to be close to his two grandchildren.Despite failing health he continued to serve throughoutthe dioceses of Winchester. Tribute by Geoffrey Knights (1953-59).

John HEATH (1952-60) John Heath, Former Pupil,Parent and Chairman ofGovernors died on 16 April2015 following a typically braveand uncomplaining two yearstruggle with cancer.

John came to the School in1952, the eldest of four Heath boys. Many of hiscontemporaries were represented in the huge crowd athis Memorial Service and they have written very warmtributes to him. Rugby (he played prop for the XV in1957 and 1958 and for Cornish Schoolboys) featuredprominently but he also had a good mind. He won aplace to read Physics at Oxford and went up in 1960,playing rugby for the college 1st XV, rowing in thesecond boat and ‘helping make the college a warm andwelcoming place’.

After Oxford he worked in industry in Cardiff and at thattime married Janet – the best thing he ever did in hislife, he would say – and his family grew: Guy (CO82),Richard (CO85) and Mark (CO87) soon appeared onthe scene.

The family hardware business in Perranporth meanwhileneeded a new hand on the tiller. John weighed theoptions and Cornwall won. It was a decision he neverregretted. He redirected the business to make it one ofthe leading surf centres in the country and he became amuch loved and respected figure in the surfingcommunity.

It was typical of him to put something back into society.He was a Governor of Perranporth School, Chairman ofthe Perranporth Garden Trustees, instrumental in settingup the Women’s Refuge in Truro and, later, accompaniedblind and partially sighted people on sailing expeditions.

After 12 years as a Governor of Truro School hebecame Chairman in 1992, finally retiring in 2003 – anunusually long commitment. For a variety of reasons itwasn’t an easy time to take the helm. John recruited anexcellent team of Governors, most specialists in theirown fields, and together they tackled the challenges. Hedidn’t confuse the role of the Chairman with the day today work of the executive, an area where many aschool has run into trouble. He would always be alistening ear, would advise and support but he did notinterfere unnecessarily.

His connection with Truro School was long andimmensely valuable. He will be much missed but hiscontribution is well remembered in Heath Hall, named inJohn’s honour. Tribute from Guy Dodd – Former Headmaster at Truro School.

John KENDALL CARPENTER(1939-1943)John Kendall Carpenter and I were exactcontemporaries— fellow members of the 2nd XV, fellowprefects, fellow actors and late developers physically.We left the same year, I to go to Bristol to study Physics/ Radar and he to the Fleet Air Arm. While at Bristol Iput on 4 ins. while he simultaneously put on 6 or 7 anda lot of weight. When John went back to school afterbeing demobbed, the staff had no idea who he was.

I first met him again in Oxford in 1950 where he hadreturned to do a degree and I had been sent on acourse by the Colonial Office. I went to call on him. Iknocked at the door. When it opened I saw this hugeman whom I was sure I had never met. I apologisedsaying I had hoped to meet an old school friend. Helaughed, said “You idiot. I remember you very well.Come in “. From then on, we kept in touch.

Kendall Carpenter (1939-43) and Ken James (English and REteacher and rugby master at Truro School 1942-71) at theFormer Pupils’ Centenary Dinner in 1980.

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We both decided to teach. His first job was at CliftonCollege and mine at Bristol Grammar. We both coachedrugger, he from a background as England captain, I withone as a Bristol University soccer player! We went toTwickenham several times together. Unsurprisingly, hewas able to get tickets easily. Later, in the early 1960s,when he was Head at Cranbrook and I Head at Vyners,he invited my wife, Eiry, and me to stay for theweekend. He also came as a guest speaker at one ofmy Vyners’ Speech Days.

Much later, when John was coming up to retirementafter his third headship, he wrote to say he had boughta place in Penzance and inviting us to go down andstay for a week that summer. I replied saying we wouldbe delighted. Eiry and I then went abroad on holiday.When we got home, we were shocked to learn that hehad died while we were away, only a week or so afterretiring. So ended a lifetime of knowing each other. I stillrecall him vividly some quarter of a century later, Tribute written by Trevor Jaggar (1937-43).

Revd Joseph A.D. RIDHOLLS Died peacefully at RCH Treliske on 15 November 2015.A Plymouthian, he was born in 1924 into a SalvationArmy family, but influenced in his youth by Methodism.He was conscripted into the Army aged 18, took part inthe Normandy landings and served in Western Europe.Gifted linguistically, his command of the Frenchlanguage increased. After demob, Joe felt called to bea Salvation Army officer, but, on deciding that was notright for him, turned to the Methodist Church. He wasaccepted for training at Didsbury College, Bristol,graduating with a B.A. degree from Bristol University.He served in eight Methodist Circuits in various parts ofthe country, two of his appointments being in Cornwall –a county he loved. He was a part-time teacher inReligious Education at Truro School from 1977 to 1980.To this he brought a sharp mind, stimulated by widereading, with a lively, anecdotal, approach tocommunicating his subject. After suffering ill-health forover a decade, though fulfilling his calling as much as hewas able, indeed until the last days of his life, he diedsuddenly on 15 November aged 91. Tribute from Revd Ian Haile, Governor of Truro Schoolfrom 1980 to 1992.

Stephen John SECCOMBE (1945-50)After leaving Truro School John did an apprenticeship inprinting at A. Wheaton & Co. of Exeter. He workedthrough the whole printing and publishing process, andcontinued in the book printing process for the rest of hislife. He was always interested in receiving newsregarding events at Truro School. Thanks to Maureen Seccombe for this tribute.

Nigel TERRY (CO64) He left Truro School in 1963 having distinguished himselfin a number of School drama productions, followingencouragement from Alan Opie and subsequently, underthe direction of Watson Weeks. Outstandingperformances in Volpone, Juno and the Paycock andPinter’s The Dumb Waiter left a lasting impression onmany contemporaries. His parents were keen supportersand proud of his talents and acting career. On leavingTruro School, he studied at the Central School ofSpeech and Drama and enjoyed a distinguished careerin film and the theatre.

His funeral was attended by dozens of fellowprofessionals from the acting world who descended onTruro like an impromptu travelling repertoire company anddelivered a series of memorable readings, eulogies andwonderful anecdotes about Nigel’s life, to theaccompaniment of the music of Bob Dylan and theMevagissey Male Voice Choir. We also heard Nigel’s ownwords, from the soundtrack of Derek Jarman’s film Blue. Anumber of fellow pupils and ‘old Truro’ friends were able toshare memories of the young, at times outrageouslyentertaining ‘Nigs’ Terry that we all fondly remembered,with those who had witnessed his similarly bizarre andenigmatic life. This had clearly touched both the ‘highs’ aswell as some of the ‘lows’ of life in the theatre, leaving thedistinct impression he was an ‘actor’s actor’. With thanks to Andrew Cameron (CO64) for this tribute.

Obituary Tributes

TRURO SCHOOL

Nigel Terry as Joxer in 1963

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Each academic year Truro School lifeculminates in a celebration, as our leaversprepare to move on to the next stage in theirlives. In July 2015 the annual Speech Daytook part in the Sir Ben Ainslie SportsCentre, where we were honoured towelcome Guest Speaker Dame MarjorieScardino, former CEO of Pearson PLC. Theday was as ever full of laughs, applause andnostalgia, as Dame Marjorie addressed ourleavers on the years they have ahead ofthem and led the traditional prize-givingceremony. There were also speeches frommyself, Mr Kim Conchie (Chairman ofGovernors), Head Boy James Channon(CO15) and Head Girl Catherine Shepard(CO15), interspersed with a superb selectionof jazz from the School’s music department.

In my final remarks to leavers I reflected on,for me, the most important gift to impart toour students. “We can talk about examresults, sporting achievements and musicconcerts performed and so on. But, part ofthe DNA of Truro School is a commitment toexpose our students to the big issues facingthe world today. It is essential that this is aSchool where boys and girls are encouragedtowards a personally developed lifephilosophy. Herbert Spencer, a 19th centuryEnglish philosopher, said that “the great aimof education is not knowledge but action.”

Almost in reply to this, Catherine’s speechconcluded “Regardless of whether we’replanning on attending university, completingan apprenticeship or launching ourselvesstraight into our first careers, none of us arereally leaving full-time education todaybecause life is a continual learning process.But, thanks to Truro School, I honestlybelieve that each one of us is now equippedwith all the tools we could possibly need tomove forward into the next chapter of ourlives.”

Please do visit the website to hear the fullarray of Speeches 2015 on video. Inparticular, as the extract from Catherine’saddress has shown, the Head Boy and HeadGirl provide moving accounts of their TruroSchool experience and give thanks to theSchool and peers for preparing them for lifeafter School; life in an ever changing world;and a life dedicated to the pursuit ofhappiness and life-long learning.http://www.truroschool.com/senior/school-life/speech-day/

Andrew Gordon-BrownHeadmaster and President of the TSFPA

Speech Day 2015

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Former ParentThis has been a week of high excitement for the Mead boys. On MondayBrinsley was offered a long term contract as a water sports instructor inBarcelona, on Tuesday Otto was offered an apprenticeship by Lloyds ofLondon and Wednesday Sam was offered a job as a butchery tutor andpop up chef in a food training academy in America. All three aredeservedly delighted; they are all following careers in areas that they are genuinely passionate about.

I don’t really recall the windsurfing instructors course lessons, or indeed the butchery or insurance tutorials atTruro School. It is not of course possible for a school to cover every eventuality, however it can and does investin individuality, in diversity, breadth and the innate value of developing confidence and self-belief. All three boystook from the school the importance of independence of mind and spirit, to follow one’s convictions, to explore,to be curious and to work hard and tenaciously. All three have been supported or championed by dedicatedteachers and form tutors, people who really understood them and for whom the boys' success mattered. I willalways be grateful to those teachers.

So as I contemplate the last two months of a 17 year involvement (gosh!) with Truro School I am of course sadto mark the end of a long and happy era, but also so very appreciative of the Truro School’s vital contribution tothe forming of three young men ready to go out into the world well equipped for an exciting future. Thank youTruro School.

Catherine Mead

TRURO SCHOOL

BrinsleyOttoSam

So yet another year has flown past and it thereforeseems a good time to do an update of what I’ve beenup to. Whilst I realise it has been four years since I leftthe school, I feel very connected to Truro School and it’snice to give those who have supported me an update,as well as creating a record for myself to look backupon.

I guess the biggest news this year has to be that Imanaged to graduate with a first in my BusinessEconomics degree. I was extremely proud of my result,especially when looking back and realising some of theextra hurdles I have had to overcome. Simple things likegetting ready in the morning can take 2 to 2 and 1/2hours meaning some very early mornings and needingto be organised to even get to lectures. I also had to

learn how to deal with carers away from home, anotheradded stress and then numerous minor medical issuesthat are par for the course when it comes to a spinalcord injury; I think all of these have added to my senseof achievement. Whilst I was ecstatic with the gradeitself, the degree held a lot more meaning. After myaccident my main goals had been to get back to School,with the aim of heading to university to do a degree.This means in many ways it is the end of a chapter thatstarted the day I broke my neck. It is also anachievement that would never have happened withoutthe support of the School; firstly getting me back to

education and secondly all those connected to TruroSchool and the Trust for the immense support I havereceived.

I now must confess that in reality my university lifestyleis not quite over as I have opted to continue onto aMaster’s course in Development Economics at UEA. Ihave loved my time at the university and therefore wasextremely keen to continue however it also seemed likemy best opportunity to do so. The university know meand my needs, I have a good relationship with thesupport staff and I did not have to worry about findingadapted accommodation. These things, alongside thebonus that living in halls the whole time meant that Ihave many friends who are still in years two and three,also encouraged me to continue.

I am pleased I made this decision to stay on as it hasallowed me to meet all sorts of amazing people on mycourse, and it is also interesting to apply much of theknowledge learnt in my undergraduate degree to a morespecific sector. From broad topics such as microfinanceto studies on inequality and even the effects of healthepidemics, the course has been varied and fascinating. Iam now looking to finalise my dissertation topic althoughit is likely I will be examining the link between wealthand education in Ethiopia. It is nice that I have theopportunity to apply my knowledge to a country that myfamily has become so close to in recent years sincesetting up an eco-lodge in Ethiopia.

At the start of the university year I had an exceedinglybusy time as I was travelling regularly down to Londonfor the Rugby World Cup, not only as a spectator butalso as a volunteer. Working at Wembley for the WorldCup was a great experience and it was tremendous funto be involved in helping to create the fantasticatmosphere that went with the whole tournament. It wasalso nice to bump into a few famous faces along theway, as well as being able to say I worked at thehighest attended rugby game in history (Ireland vRomania for any potential pub quiz questions). As aspectator I went to the two England opening games, asemi-final and the final which has been a long-timedream of mine. Despite the early exit of England theatmosphere remained fantastic and for me the wholetwo months were unforgettable.

It is now time to start looking for work following on fromuniversity. I think all students find this one of the moststressful periods and as yet I have been unsuccessful inmy applications, but my hunt will continue. I am alsolooking into taking a trip out to Ethiopia to see familyand friends.

Again I must finish by thanking the School and trust forthe ongoing support that I have received without whichmany of these things I would not have been able toachieve.

Max Levene, CO11

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Latest Blog from Max Levene (CO11)