Prep Speech Day 2026

Families, esteemed guests, staff, and pupils gathered for the annual Truro School Prep Speech Day, a cherished occasion recognising the achievements, character, and community spirit that define life at Truro School Prep.

The event began with some beautiful musical solos from Gabriel, Maya, Hugo and Tom, before a warm welcome from Chair of Governors, Martin Ayliffe. Reflections and prayers were led by Head of Truro School, Mr Andy Johnson, and Head of Truro School Prep, Mr Rob Morse, who shared thoughtful insights on the year gone by, celebrating the many successes, milestones, and moments of growth across the school community. He also looked ahead to future challenges, encouraging pupils to adopt a growth mindset and to remember the power of the word ‘yet’.

The distribution of prizes was led by this year’s guest of honour, Ms Melissa Keveren (CO14), a Truro School alumni and London-based solicitor best known as the founder of Girls Who Talk Politics. Melissa delivered an inspiring address to pupils that offered a powerful and memorable conclusion to the ceremony, encouraging pupils to reflect on their own journeys and aspirations.

Using her own journey as a former Truro School pupil, Melissa remembers how the school encouraged her to be bold and allowed her to feel seen and heard, but most importantly, it also provided her with rich friendships that continue to flourish in her adult life.

She challenged pupils to do three things:

Be curious; always ask why and keep wondering and questioning.
Get it wrong; be brave enough to try, even when you’re not sure of the outcome, because this is when you will learn the most.
Always be kind; kindness costs nothing and yet matters more than anything.

Her final words were a powerful message to our Cornish community; you don’t have to come from a big city to do big things as long as you have curiosity, courage and kindness.

During the afternoon, pupils in Years 3 to 5 were recognised for their achievements across attainment, progress, effort, creative arts, and for demonstrating the core values of Truro School. It was a joy to celebrate their enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment to learning.

Our Year 6 pupils were then honoured for their many accomplishments, with a wide range of awards celebrating excellence in academic subjects, creativity, sport, and personal development. From music and drama to outdoor education and leadership, the breadth of talent on display was truly remarkable.

In addition to subject and activity awards, pupils were recognised for their character, including kindness, resilience, determination, and community spirit, qualities that lie at the heart of a Truro School Prep education.

A particularly special moment of the day was the recognition that every Year 6 pupil had earned the Truro School Prep Diploma, a testament to their hard work, dedication, and all-around contributions to school life.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Harvey, followed by a gift presentation to Ms Keveren and a final blessing from Reverend Helen Byrne. The community then joined together in singing ‘Cornwall My Home’, bringing a fitting and heartfelt close to the occasion.

Truro School Prep Speech Day 2026 was a joyful and uplifting celebration, honouring not only achievement but also the values, friendships, and experiences that shape each pupil’s journey. It marked a proud moment for the entire school community and a memorable milestone for our Year 6 leavers as they prepare for the next stage of their education.

We look forward to sharing more photos from the day with you soon.