Headmaster's Blog: 21st October 2016

Apart from the stair-rods that rained down on us, as the supporters and players of last Saturday’s U12 and U13 rugby fixtures against Plymouth College (Truro School victorious) will testify, haven’t we had wonderful Autumn weather. It is super to be penning this blog from my study, partially blinded by the sunlight reflecting off Truro Cathedral. Another tough day in Cornwall!

A good overall summary is that the school has ended the half term tired but happy. That was certainly the theme of last night’s meeting with 1^st Year parents and form tutors. I’m not quite sure where the time has gone, but the school has had a very purposeful feel about it.   While the 1^st Years have been finding their feet, the Upper Sixth have been focused on university applications.  Within a week of submitting their applications our 15 Oxbridge applicants have received four offers from the University of Bristol, two offers from the University of Bath, and individual offers from a further four Russell Group universities.

Maiya-Jade Murray has, in recognition of her “exceptional ability and promise”, been made an unconditional offer to read Natural Sciences by Lancaster University and a £3,000 Excellence Scholarship. Additionally, Tom Burgess has received an unconditional offer to read Music at the University of Birmingham.  These early birds are certainly catching the worm.

I’m very grateful to the Friends of Truro School for getting behind the launch of our new regional rep initiative. I hope this helps us to build and strengthen the Truro School community the length and breadth of the Duchy so please do bombard Laura, the regional rep co-ordinator, with your emails of support (ljr@truroschool.com).

The annual Autumn term concert at the St Agnes Methodist Church was a splendid affair.  Levels of participation and performance in music at school are truly impressive.  It is humbling indeed to witness the excellence of such a broad and diverse range of soloists, backed up by our school symphony orchestra that goes from strength to strength. I have great expectations for our Hall for Cornwall concert.

I was lucky enough to have been to Stratford recently for a Headmaster’s conference, where all things to do with Shakesepeare’s quadricentennial, naturally, loomed large.  So I was rather excited having watched our Prep School’s performance of Henry V at this year’s School’s Shakespeare festival, in this the 400^th anniversary of the death of the bard.  The large cast delivered a wonderful performance, word perfectly and with real poise. How Mrs Gregory managed to bring out such a fine show in so short a time is remarkable.  I, for one, am looking forward to building on such talent when the Year 6 pupils move up to Truro School next year.

I wish all families some R&R over the coming fortnight.  I reminded the school in yesterday’s assembly that when they return, just six short weeks will separate them from the Christmas holidays.