Date Posted... Feb 18th 2022
Categories..
Recently I came across a photo of the School’s Cadet Corps Band in 1917 on eBay. What particularly caught my attention was that they were marching at the front of the School where the school chapel would be built ten years later, giving a view up the side of the old schoolroom to the chemistry lab (now the Sixth Form Café) and the fives court. An ‘action’ shot of the band is quite unusual, the only other images of the cadet corps are posed group photographs.
From this arose the question of where did this photo come from?
With the cadet corps photo was one of a boy, labelled ‘Cliff’ and a one of a group labelled ‘Truro boys’, who I vaguely recognised from previous research in the school archive. There was also another set of photos from the same source which included a boy in cadet uniform, labelled ‘Truro College Cadet Corps 1917’, alongside his brother serving in the RAF. The photos obviously came from the same photograph album at one time and had a connection to Redruth c.1918.
The first step was to see how many pupils called Clifford were at the school at the time, in 1917; there were only a couple of possibilities, and only one came from Redruth – Clifford V Cook (TS 1917-20). His brother Eric Vallance Cook also attended the school from 1917 to 1920. A little more digging in the archive and EV Cook appears in one of the formal band photos from 1919.
A bit of searching online in the 1911 census confirmed there were three Cook brothers: Cliff the youngest, Dick the oldest and Eric the middle – the cadet and likely owner of the photos. Their father, also confirmed by the school admission register, was a Wesleyan Minister, Rev. Vallance Cook. Sometime in the mid 1910s the family moved from Bristol to Redruth.
After leaving school, Eric Cook became a journalist before becoming an Anglican minister. He was Vicar of Worle, in Somerset, in the 1950s. His brother, Clifford, left Truro and continued his education in Birmingham.
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Our school motto, Esse Quam Videri (to be, rather than to seem to be), captures the essence of our identity and is defined by the 5 C's below. Underpinned by strong Christian principles, we are a caring and inclusive community which values, nurtures and develops each individual.
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Curiosity to always want to discover and learn more, academically and more widely too.
Because we believe that academic excellence is an important part of human excellence. Every child is an individual and we celebrate and develop their uniqueness, helping them to become an independent learner and encouraging each child to explore, understand and cultivate their talent and abilities, whatever they may be.
Compassion to understand and champion the needs of others, in our community and beyond.
Because our mission challenges us to be a vibrant community which enables people to live their lives to the full and transform society for the better. Located in the heart of Cornwall, our distinctive, serene location supports the development of balanced, unpretentious and reflective children who understand their role as global citizens.
Confidence to build resilience by learning from both successes and failures alike.
Because we want every pupil to be comfortable in their own skin, celebrating the uniqueness of each individual in the school community. Through drama, presenting and public speaking opportunities, as well as appearing in productions and concerts, pupils learn key communication skills and gain the confidence to prosper in the real world.
Creativity to be imaginative in how we express ourselves and approach new challenges.
Because we value the development of pupils’ imaginative and creative dimensions as well as their characters. Through a broad curriculum and wide range of co-curricular activities, pupils discover the important balance between creative and logical thinking. These opportunities are fundamental to ensuring your son or daughter discovers their hidden gifts, developing a sense of individuality and a confidence in their own abilities.
Courage to enjoy becoming the very best of who we are, with integrity and ambition.
Because we believe that essential life skills are often best taught outside of the classroom, balancing an academic education. Through a wide-ranging co-curricular programme, we offer every child the chance to participate, perform and lead in the fields of their choice. In a competitive world these opportunities are fundamental to ensuring your son or daughter develops essential life skills and an ambition for life.
