15.11.2024 Senior Bulletin

Dear Parents, Guardians & Carers,

I have been reminded this week of how we are simultaneously and importantly a School, a Business, and a Community.

Most importantly, we are a School.

Your children grow and develop here every day. It was great to see many of them at the superb audience with the iconic political commentator (and Old Turonian) Sir John Curtice, on Tuesday evening. I look forward to supporting those who will be part of Chicago next week, and I wish all the best to those involved in sports endeavours in between, or in their preparation for Mock Exams.

I was excited this week by the meeting of our Governors’ Education Committee. Presentations were given by Mr Williamson about the positive impact on University and Careers success of our Sixth Form Diploma, and by Mr Picton on our innovative Middle Years Portfolio (MiYPortfolio) programme. Alongside our careers programme, these frameworks add enrichment, opportunity and empowerment across the Truro School journey in ways that prepare children and young adults for life beyond School better than just via qualifications, important as they are too, of course. We are proud to be using our Independence as a School to innovate, and create opportunity in this way. I am confident about the educational strengths and trajectory of our School.

We are also a Business.

Next week our Governors’ Finance Committee will meet to review and approve the FAQs document that we are preparing for you, to address questions and queries we have received regarding financial planning, VAT, and fees. Thanks to all who have contacted us. This is being done with care because even post Budget, some aspects of what is or is not eligible for reclaim for schools in our sector are yet to be finalised by the legislative process. The ever shifting sands do not change our commitment regarding VAT made earlier this term. Our fee levels for January are stated on our website here.

In our FAQs we will explain in more depth how and why we have been able to mitigate or absorb what we have, including the extra cost of National Insurance announced in the budget. The advice, effort and time taken to reach our position has been extensive and sincere. We recognise that independent schooling is a significant financial commitment for many hard-working families. We will ensure that the quality of a Truro School education is not undermined by VAT, and its cost, post VAT, remains competitive given our School’s opportunities, facilities, and outcomes. I repeat encouragement to any of you for whom this situation presents immediate concern or challenge to contact us. We are engaging directly with every single family who reaches out individually and will continue to do so.

Last, but by no means least, we are a community.

Seldom is this more evident than on Remembrance Day, marked superbly on Monday. The community work for Remembrance by our grounds team, led by Thomas Lagden, was also rightly acknowledged in the media. This week our Chaplain attended a meeting of the Cornwall Faith Forum at County Hall to show our commitment to a cross-faith community Covenant designed to increase awareness of the common ground across world faiths. The Rev has also led assemblies across anti-bullying week to promote respect. In my Whole School Assembly, on this theme, I reminded the school that the call we have is to love thy neighbour. It is not an unrealistic call to like every neighbour, but to ensure that even when we dislike, we retain love in the form of genuine respect, for the humanity and feelings of others, and the pressures and contexts they live and work under.

We are a community that promotes this culture of kindness by and for all, for the principal benefit of the children we educate, and I thank all who share that courage and compassion with us.

With kind regards

Andy

Andy Johnson

Truro School Head

School News

Latest From Truro School

Ten Tors Training Challenge

A huge well done to our new and returning pupils who completed their first Ten Tors training walk of the year. Starting in the picturesque village of Mousehole they took in some of the most beautiful rugged landscape around Land's End, finishing up at Sennen Cove.

Independent Schools Show 2024

Our teams had a fantastic few days representing Truro School at the prestigious Independent Schools Show (ISS) in London, where leading schools from across the UK and beyond came together.

Remembering our Fallen

Pupils from across Prep and Senior sites came together to remember those lost to war for our Remembrance Day Service

Yondr Mobile Phone Pouch Rollout

We are pleased to be making our School a smartphone-free space for all 1st - 5th Years! Over this month, we will be rolling out the Yondr system across our Senior School.

Dessert Island Creativity

We are proud to unveil the new 'Dessert Island' artwork which is now on display in the canteen. Each pupil contributed their own design inspired by the theme of palm trees and puddings. Working collaboratively, they selected the best elements from all the drawings to create the final design.

A Conversation with Professor Sir John Curtice CO72

It was an absolute privilege and honour to welcome back one of the School’s most distinguished Old Truronians, Professor Sir John Curtice CO72

Sixth Formers Spark Debate

Our Sixth Form debating club travelled up to Colyton Grammar School in East Devon on Monday, to take part in this year's English Speaking Union Mace Debate.

Hosting the Cornwall Winter School Games

Truro School was pleased to host over 250 pupils from 20 schools across Cornwall for the county final of the Cornwall Winter School Games.

Paintballing and Special Celebrations in Boarding

The boarding community at Truro School has had an action-packed week, full of fun and laughter whilst paintballing, and special celebrations.

A Culture of Kindness

This week has been a celebration of kindness, respect, and unity, with Anti-Bullying Week, Interfaith Week, and World Kindness Day inspiring thoughtful activities across our community.

Sports Round-Up 15.11.24

What a busy sporting week it’s been for Truro School, with our pupils showing determination, skill, and teamwork on every pitch, court, and course.

Values Awards 14/11/2024

Congratulations to all our Values Award winners this week.

School Notices

Messages & Downloads

Chicago - Last few tickets available

Truro School presents CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION. A darkly satirical, razzle-dazzling musical set in 1920s Chicago, following the escapades of merry murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart.

20 – 23 November 2024

Book online at www.burrelltheatre.com

Clubs and Activities

This term’s clubs and activities list can be viewed at the end of the Bulletin, it can also be viewed here.