Date Posted... Jun 19th 2025
Our Year 5 pupils had a super science day as they journeyed up to the Senior School to tackle a gripping mystery… Science Day 2025 began with a dramatic video of Mr Andy Johnson, Head of Truro School, suddenly collapsing after drinking his tea. The burning question: was it an accident or something more sinister? And what exactly was added to his cup?
Only a brilliant team of budding Year 5 scientists could uncover the truth behind “Who Poisoned the Head?”
Throughout the day, pupils worked through a series of hands-on workshops in Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, with each session unlocking a piece of the puzzle.
In Biology, students examined how caffeine affects heart rate. They measured their own pulses, recorded the data, created histograms to identify patterns, and explored various factors that could cause Mr Johnson’s heart rate to rise or fall.
Over in Physics, the focus turned to infrared technology. Pupils used thermal imaging cameras to detect abnormal levels of radiation that could explain Mr Johnson’s sudden illness. They also reviewed infrared footage that revealed a shadowy figure wandering the school corridors late at night. Was it a harmless stroll or something more suspicious?
Finally, in Chemistry, students conducted combustion tests, observing how different substances burn, with some spectacular flame colours lighting up the lab. These experiments helped them determine whether the Head’s tea had been tampered with.
As well as being enormous fun, the day was a fantastic introduction to the world of science at secondary level, giving our Year 5 pupils a real taste of life at the Senior School ahead of their more formal transition programme, which will begin in September.
A huge thank you to all the staff from both the Prep and Senior Schools who made the day so memorable. And of course, we’re happy to confirm that no Heads of Truro School were harmed in the making of this Science Day. Mr Johnson is, thankfully, in excellent health!