Headmasters Blog

Headmaster's Blog Episode 12

30 January 2012

One of the great strengths of this school community is the readiness and enthusiasm for staff, pupils and parents to go the extra mile or two to participate in or support our rich extra-curricular programme.

I am very aware what an additional strain this can put on family logistics but I trust that like me the joy and satisfaction of seeing and hearing young people play and perform outweighs the time and energy given.

I have been entertained royally this week by a “scratch” performance of Ibsen’s “Doll’s House” performed by the Lower Sixth AS drama group and then a spell-binding Jazz Concert at Flushing Church courtesy of a parent Rev. Stevenson and Mr and Mrs Dodd (former Headmaster and his wife).

This followed a busy Tuesday morning full school assembly in which we celebrated successes in rugby (winning the U16 County Cup); swimming; girls’ cricket; cross-country running; football; netball and hockey.

None of these notable achievements could have happened without a real commitment by staff, pupils and parents to be part of a wider community. I firmly believe that real education covers as much from what is done outside the classroom as inside, and students learn much about themselves and each other when they participate in a team. This is why we remain committed to our philosophy of teamwork and require parents and pupils to buy into this philosophy.

As was once wisely said there is no “I” in TEAM and in a society which can encourage introspection and selfishness it is a vital lesson for life to realise the joy and satisfaction of being part of a team.

I have always been impressed with how willing the vast majority of pupils and parents are to support this community philosophy and only rarely do I have to remind pupils that their duty and responsibility lies more with the team than their own individual interests and inclinations.

Hence it does not surprise me that astute employers and universities frequently ask me to comment about such qualities as reliability, teamwork and selflessness, when completing references for positions and places of further education.

The vital “soft” skills inherent in emotional intelligence are being increasingly recognised and will be as important as academic qualifications for the future world of work.

Headmaster’s Blog Episode 11

26 January 2012

George Santayana, a principal figure in American philosophy, a novelist and poet wrote that “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.

Hence we flew the school flag on Friday 20 January and I informed the school (who did not know!) that this was to commemorate our Founders’ Day.

It is 132 years since the school began in a boarding house at 4 Strangways Terrace and it is salutary to consider how different life is now.

Indeed the 35 boys began their first day in Truro Wesleyan Middle Class College (as it was then known) rather tired as their beds had not arrived and they had had to sleep on the floor! How very different from the luxury of boarding accommodation now with single occupancy and superbly fitted shower rooms, Common Rooms etc. now.

Indeed I reminded the pupils how well off they are nowadays relative to their forebears when one considers some of the rules and regulations that applied in the past i.e. all pupils were required to attend Chapel at 8 a.m. on Sundays, dressed in their best suits, boiled white shirts and starched collars, having done an hour of scripture prep. before breakfast.

Also I was intrigued to discover that as recently as the 1950’s the school rules specified that “transistor radios may not be used between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.” and “no boarder may buy a Sunday newspaper without permission”.

In the modern era of rampant and uncontrolled communication via the internet and such systems as Facebook et al. one wonders if all developments are real progress?

Certainly the school rules that specified “boys should raise their caps to a member of staff” and “should not be supplied too liberally with pocket money” are guidelines that I for one, bemoan the passing of.

I am indebted to our School Archivist, Jo Wood, for much of this fascinating history and she has put up an interesting display in reception to detail our past. Jo has also recorded much of the history of the school in a book entitled High on the Hill. This is a line taken from the words of the school song written in 1899 by J.W. Hunkin, which though dated still resonates.

High on the Hill with the city below
Up in the sunshine we live…
Shoulder and shoulder in war and peace
Each of us sure of the rest;
Shoulder to shoulder, though hardships increase
Never dismayed or distressed.

I have often said that it is important that pupils develop strong roots and we should be proud of our traditions and reputation. Although it is important that we move with the times a strong foundation is invaluable to future growth and development.

Hence we greatly value our strong association with our Former Pupils and are working hard to strengthen and develop these much valued ties.

Headmaster’s Blog Episode 10

16 January 2012

We are indeed fortunate to work and live in Cornwall! Having spent Saturday walking along the spectacular North Cornwall coast in glorious winter sunshine with groups of our Ten Tors trainees one can certainly count our blessings.

The opportunities our pupils get to benefit from expert guidance and support from Mr. Moncaster and his committed team of staff and parent assistants, are considerable indeed. The TenTors expedition is a marvellous opportunity for real education in the way that the training and actual event develops essential life skills. As well as requiring a high standard of fitness, it teaches map reading, organisational and teamwork skills, invaluable in later life.

I sincerely hope that costs in defence budgets and the over-statement of health and safety do not remove this invaluable opportunity for thousands of young people to instil vital life skills. Truro School pupils have proved over the years that to complete a Ten Tors expedition, at 35, 45 or even 55 miles on Dartmoor, can be a life changing experience and sets them up for many of life’s challenges.

I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy the unique Cornish scenery as well as the company of committed staff and pupils. After the excesses of the School Rugby dinner the evening before the chance to blow the cobwebs away was particularly welcome.

The annual school rugby dinner was, as ever, a most enjoyable occasion as staff, pupils and parents gather to celebrate the season. Although the 1st XV was still sore from the loss against Abingdon in the last sixteen of the National Daily Mail competition, there was still much to enjoy with fond memories of another successful season.

The captains of the first and second XV spoke with aplomb and expressed their enjoyment of good times spent on and off the rugby field. The strength of school rugby was highlighted by the number of players selected to represent their county and the fact that the school is strongly placed to achieve a clean sweep of all the age-group rugby competitions from Under 12 to Under 16. Once again this is no small measure due to the expertise and commitment of the staff who give their time so selflessly in coaching the game throughout the school.

P K Smith

Headmaster’s Blog Episode 9 - NEW YEAR BLOG!

6 January 2012

I trust that all parents and pupils have enjoyed a relaxing and peaceful Christmas break and are looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of the New Year.

With the media so full of doom and gloom and seeming to relish the task of conveying bad news, we are blessed at Truro School to be working and living with such enthusiastic and optimistic young people.

Our contacts with Uganda and Sierra Leone and my Christmas visit to South Africa only serve to emphasise how very fortunate we are to live and study in such an attractive part of the world. The optimism portrayed by the Pearl of Africa Choir on their visit last term highlighted how important it is to remain positive and optimistic even in the face of abject poverty and real misery.

I fully appreciate that times are not easy for many people in the UK and elsewhere but I fear that dwelling upon bad news can be self-fulfilling so I urged the pupils at the start of 2012 in our first assembly to adopt the Creed for Optimists – which may be a useful resolution for us all:

Be strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind
Talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet
Make all your friends feel there is something special in them
Look at the sunny side of everything
Think only of the best, work only for the best and expect only the best
Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own
Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future
Give everyone a smile
Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others
Be too big for worry and too noble for anger

Headmaster’s Blog Episode 8

15 December 2011

With the vibrant tunes of the Christmas Concert, the spiritually moving music and singing of Handels’ Messiah and the magic and serenity of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and the Advent Carol Service, we have been well prepared for the true meaning of Christmas.

Once again, the pupils have amazed us with the breadth and depth of their talent and although it might be invidious to select any one moment, I will long remember the singing of ‘The Angel Gabriel’ by our three gifted soloists in both the Cathedral and Truro Methodist Church.

A letter appeared in The Times last week claiming that a great school can be measured by the quality of its music and we are truly blessed in this regard.

As I read through the 800 plus reports written on the pupils I am impressed by their many and varied achievements inside and outside the classroom and I commend our parents in producing such gifted boys and girls.

Inevitably, I have mixed feelings over the announcement of my successor as it heralds the end of my association with Truro School in December next year. However, I am delighted that Andrew Gordon-Brown has accepted the Headship. Although he is a graduate of that “other university in the Midlands” and he is a “wet bob” rather than a “dry one”, I am sure he will lead the school with distinction. He has a breadth of experience in the commercial world, academia and in sport and music which will suit him well to the diversity of achievements at Truro School.

I look forward to working with Mr Gordon-Brown to ensure a smooth transition and to build upon the strong foundations of Truro School.

I am reassured that such talented and strong student body, supportive parents and wise Governors will steer Truro School into a great future in 2012/13.

P K Smith
15.12.11

Headmaster’s Blog Episode 7

5 December 2011

The highlight of last week was the performances of the Senior School Play “Romeo and Juliet”.

For the past few years Truro School has had a very constructive partnership with the Cube Theatre Company. The dynamic that exists between Ben Symes (former Head of Drama and Director of Cube) and Iain MacDonald (current Director of Drama) is of great benefit to the students. This was especially evident through this well-known Shakespearean tale. With no props and very little costume, the minimalist setting of the play brought out the very best of our young thespian talent.

Being entertained by two performances, it was intriguing to see how the two different main part casts interpreted Shakespeare’s words and inflections differently.

I am always humbled by the artistic range and quality of our students; those that are naturals on the stage rose to the challenge but others shared hidden talents, which is a real endorsement, if needed, of the value of drama in our curriculum.

I am sure that audience and cast will long remember this rendering of a tragic tale.

At a time when the media is full of doom and gloom, we are so fortunate to enjoy the enthusiasm and gifts of such optimistic and positive young people. We are very proud of the Burrell Theatre and through this Cube partnership and the hard work of the Theatre Manager, Toby Middleton, Truro School has a facility and opportunity beyond value. I warmly recommend you to the drama programme for the Burrell Theatre which features our own and local Cornish thespian talent.

P K Smith
5.12.11

Headmaster’s Blog Episode 6

22 November 2011

Let’s BLOG again!

The naïveté and boundless optimism of young people means that in the course of a school week one can run the full gamut of despair through to elation as this past week has illustrated all too well!

It has been national Anti-bullying week and through Mrs. Firth and others we have been informing the pupils of the potential damage of cyber bullying. We hope the message has been well received which was clearly stated in the revised poem

“Sticks and stones may break my bones
But words can tear your heart out”.

Sadly the naïveté of some young students has led to several staff and myself spending considerable time unravelling the causes and consequences of inappropriate texts being sent to and from boys and girls. Although strictly speaking this is not within the jurisdiction of the school we are genuinely concerned for the welfare and reputation of our students and are engaging parents in an effort to halt this potentially harmful practice.

However on Friday the despair turned to elation when we were joined by the pearl of Africa Choir from Uganda who conducted singing, dancing and drumming workshops with our First year pupils. This culminated in a magnificent concert in the evening when these street orphans from Kampala and their dedicated Headteachers, entertained a full Chapel to a memorable night of exuberant dancing and drumming and joyous singing in traditional African style.

This visit by the choir, organised by the headmaster of Richard Lander School, cemented our relationship with Uganda which has been developing since Truro School parties have been visiting our sister school. Bethany High in Kampala.

It is interesting to ponder why some of our young students who have everything “entertain” themselves with mindless technology and damage their self- respect when these young Ugandan orphans, who have nothing, sing and dance with such unbridled joy?

P K Smith
Headmaster

Headmaster’s Blog Episode 5

7 November 2011

As the evenings draw in and the leaves turn golden, winter is heralded and the cycle of school life continues apace.

The winter sporting season is in full swing and we have celebrated many successes on the netball court, hockey pitch and cross-country course, as well as in lesser known sports such as horse-jumping and bob-sleigh racing! Our fencers continue to regale the international stage and my congratulations to William Deary and Tom Harvey on their selection for international honours.

Our rugby boys continue to excel and their dominance of the south-west scene is evident in the fact that thirteen U16 players were selected to represent the County and the 1st XV recorded a remarkable 62-0 victory over Wellington School, Somerset. This fixture has a real tradition in our sporting calendar as we compete for the Kendall-Carpenter Trophy in recognition of John Kendall-Carpenter who was a former pupil of Truro School, an England rugby international and Headmaster of Wellington School. He has also been posthumously honoured in the rugby hall of fame as being the President of the Rugby Union when the inaugural Rugby World Cup was held. In his honour, we now hold a prestigious serpentine bowl in recognition of Saturday’s victory.

The sporting excellence of our boys and girls never ceases to amaze and impress me but I become increasingly exasperated by the mentality that suggests that such excellence cannot be cultivated on Cornish soil. Our young stars are increasingly being enticed to pursue their passion for sport ‘up-country’, often to the detriment of their education.

Whilst we will do all in our power to foster excellence in any sporting or other activity, I am concerned that young heads are being turned by false hopes and expectations which might have damaging consequences for their future careers.

Truro School and Cornwall can and does do excellence in sport very well but it also gives due consideration to the well-being and wider education of its young people.

P K Smith
Headmaster

Headmaster’s Blog Episode 4

17 October 2011

As I have been away on Headmasters’ Conference last week the school has continued to thrive, perhaps the moreso, in my absence!

This half term seems to have flown past (perhaps it is my age!) but much has been achieved in the classroom, on the sports field and in the concert hall.

We enjoyed a splendid concert at St Agnes Church last week which augurs well for the Hall for Cornwall Concert this week.

We regretted the departure of so many musical stars last year (ten of our leavers obtained grade 8 with distinction on their particular instrument or singing) but I am always heartened to see such young talent step into these big shoes so impressively.

The theme of Round the World for the concert reflects our commitment at Truro School to maintain an international perspective and to benefit from the cosmopolitan nature of our boarders. Perhaps living in Cornwall it is all the more important that our students have contact with the wider world. Our links with Uganda and Sierra Leone through the Methodist world AIMS and Mr Meads are an invaluable contact with the international scene.

Indeed, our boarding house is a truly international centre as exhibited in the Hall for Cornwall concert with presentations in Mandarin, Cantonese, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish and German!

We are all buzzing about the Concert and I will report on that in my next blog, if you can be patient.

P K Smith
Headmaster

Headmaster’s Blog Episode 3

3 October 2011

Perhaps I am a little biased but Truro School pupils never cease to amaze and impress me. On Thursday we had our whole school photograph in glorious sunshine and the pupils responded superbly and were commended by the Photography company for their good humour and unfailing politeness. To stand for 45 minutes on a terrace in the blazing sunshine and retain the goodwill of teachers and visitors alike is no mean feat.

Also this week we have heard of exceptional achievements by our former pupils with Alice Jefferson (2001-2008) contacting us to say that she spent her 22nd birthday working for Shelterbox in a camp of Samalian refugees in the Kenyan desert.

Ben Comeau, left school this summer to take up a place as an Organ Scholar at Girton College, Cambridge has just won a highly prestigious organ competition in Belfast and has performed for the BBC in Ireland.

One always fears that when talented students leave at the top of the school they will never be replaced but on Wednesday the first Concert of the season was held in the Chapel. It was heartening to hear so many young musicians and singers step up to the plate and I am comforted that the musical future of the school is secure. Eva Barnsley was the splendid finale to this Junior Chamber Concert, when she sung and strummed her guitar to her own composition which she recently wrote and gained considerable national accolade for.

PK Smith