Januarys Past

During this month…

130 years ago in January 1892

‘On January 26^th we received a visit from a conjuror. Mr Glanville did not style himself a “Professor of Legerdemain”, but gave a very entertaining evening. As usual the tricks seemed very wonderful at the time, and very simple afterwards. If nothing else results from this, it should at least have the effect of making certain youths more chary of venturing beneath the sway of the Magician’s wand in future.’

Truro College Magazine, April 1892

110 years ago in January 1912

‘Owing to curtailment of train service by the Great Western, some of those who live at a distance have been putting in an appearance when the work of the day was far advanced. Others walked across country to catch main line trains, or stayed with friends in the city. In comparison with many parts we, in the West, have suffered little from the Coal Strike.’

Truro College Magazine, April 1912

100 years ago in January 1922

‘Our new sick-room has been tenanted for the first time this term. The enthusiasm with which patients entered it was only equalled, if not surpassed, by the enthusiasm of those going out. It is reported that Vivian became so fond of it that he now walks there in his sleep.’

‘Our domestic staff seems at times too bright for our sober ways – and their propensity for ragtime sometimes offends the musical ear of the Editor, even when heard through two thick walls. Still, as he genially reminds us, even we were young once.’

‘School Gardens. At the commencement of this term Mr Magson kindly offered a small plot of ground to any boys who wished to take up gardening. Only a few at first availed themselves of this offer, but now we are quite a large society. We did not have the ground allotted to us at first owning to the continued bad weather, but about a month ago we pegged out our plots and they are now progressing very well, and we are hoping to get some good results. The Matron has said that she will dispose of all our spare vegetables and flowers.’

Truro College Magazine, April 1922

90 years ago in January 1932

Term started on 11 January. There was a total of 270 pupils in the school; 135 day boys and 135 boarders.

1932 1st XV

80 years ago in January 1942

‘Bathing Pavilion, Loe Beach. This has been in continuous use throughout the Winter as a sleeping place and guard room for the Home Guard under Major Letcher.’

‘War-time Difficulties. The recent calling-up of women for National Service has caused some difficulties on the domestic side. In most boarding schools the pupils now have to take on a share of the domestic work. This has only become necessary at Truro recently, but the domestic staff is now so short that the boys have undertaken the sweeping of dormitories and corridors. The Day Boys do their share by keeping the Science block clean. It has been freely stated that the rooms were never better kept than at present, but we must remember the old proverb about “New brooms”, and keep up to the high standard even when the novelty has worn off…’

The Truronian, Easter 1942

70 years ago in January 1952

Agricultural Society

‘The newly-formed society, under Mr Davis and Mr Mitchell, has set out to combine the “Young Farmers Club” of the past with the agricultural courses in the class room… The goats have been well cared for and the experimental plots below Epworth have been cultivated and the potatoes planted. Our headquarters is still the biology lab, and here we have tried our hand with the incubator, the chicks being due to hatch at the time of writing.’

Entertainments

‘Jan 19^th “The Clouded Yellow”. An ex-Secret Service Agent collects butterflies, a strange girl and a murderer.

‘Jan 16^th. Silent Films. A new venture. Six reels of Harold Lloyd in “Safety Last”, supported by Chaplain and Felix. The hall was filled with laughter most of the evening.’

The Truronian, March 1952

60 years ago in January 1962

Band report

‘When we arrived back at School in January we found, to our delight, that work had been started on redecorating the band hut: we have acquired two new fires, a wall has been rebuilt and on the roof, boarding has been put. The ivy has at long last been vanquished.

‘… once a week, on Tuesday mornings, we have provided a replacement for the organ by playing hymn tunes on the quad for morning assembly. Next term we hope to do this twice a week…’

Sixth Form Conference – Treloyhan 1962

‘From lunch on 2^nd January until lunch on the 5^th, four of us attended a Christmas Conference for sixth formers. It was held at Treloyhan Manor, a wonderful old house magnificently sited and overlooking St Ives Bay.

‘The lectures were very interesting and relevant to everyday life. The time-table had been carefully planned and left us a good deal of spare time. The lectures themselves covered a wide, but well-balanced variety of subjects; such as “Science and Religion”, “Falling in Love”, “Twentieth Century Christianity”. It is quite true to say that none of the lectures were a bore to anyone.

‘Each morning was split into three sessions and the afternoons were completely free for us to go into St Ives or thereabouts. In the evening there were two sessions, followed by a social from 8-10pm. After this we were free to go into town for an hour until “locking-up” at 11pm.

‘The other students were a very merry gang, and the socials and free time activities were very enjoyable. On the Thursday night we even put on our own “gang-show”, which, believe me, was hilarious! On the last night we were granted an “extension” (by kind permission of the resident(s) and held a beano party.

‘The conference staff were all most pleasant people, as were the manor staff. Accommodation and food were excellent!

‘When the time came to leave (all too soon) we felt that we had, apart from having enjoyed ourselves immensely, learnt a great deal from the lectures. We all felt that the few days had been thoroughly worthwhile and we would recommend such a conference to all others.’

The Truronian, March 1962

50 years ago in January 1972

Young Farmers’ Club

‘A natural reticence among the rustically inclined members of the school has led to the total absence of any YFC report over the last couple of years. However, as acting secretary, I am pleased to report that the ‘Gaffer’ (chairman) is alive and well, and is at present living in hermit-like seclusion in a prefabricated shack at the end of Trennick (that is, the one that has been built recently).

He fervently denies any association with the YFC, though whiskers and working-suit are a complete betrayal of this claim. However, rumours that he’s only here for the broccoli are completely unfounded (anyway, they don’t grow it). Apart from farming off the premises in a quiet recluse near Probus, he sails and eat, and no doubt intends to combine all three to save the bike.

Finally, I conclude with something that perhaps reflects the latent potential and modesty of the chairman – Mr Keam would like to thank the chairman for his work in the tomato shed, and Mr Berryman, for his work in the cowshed.’

M.C.

Terraces, 1972

40 years ago in January 1982

‘With effect from next term weekly pocket money rates for boarders will be amended as follows. Form 1 through 4: £1.00; Form 5: £1.50; Form 6: £2.00’.

Truro School Newsletter, December 1981

BBC TV Music Quiz

On January 23d the school took part in The Music Quiz on BBC. The team travelled up by car in the morning and recorded the composition and solo performance rounds. We were joined by several enthusiastic spectators after lunch.

We had to wait until nearly 6 p.m. before recording the quiz section due to technical hitches which occurred during the morning. We were also delayed because our opponents Jersey College for Girls, were held up with flight delays. At the end of the day some quick buzzer fingers and great support from our spectators (and mascot!) enabled us to win. By the time this article is being read our exploits in the semi-finals will also be known and so the team would like to thank all our supporters as well as Mr Burrell, Mr Yates and Mr Doughty for their help.’

Terraces, 1982

30 years ago in January 1992

20 years ago in January 2002

‘Pupil numbers highest for nine years.

‘The number of pupils enrolled at Truro School is at its highest since 1993.

‘There are currently 820 pupils aged between 11 and 18. The proportion of girls since the school became fully coeducational 12 years ago has been increasing slightly but steadily and now stands at just over 40%. Boarders now number 92 (of whom 10 are overseas nationals), and the Sixth Form stands at 254. Nine German students joined the Lower 6th Form for this term.

‘This in line with national trends: independent schools are this term educating half a million children for the first time. Pupil numbers are up nationally by 8463 (1.7%) in the past year, the 7th increase in succession.

‘The school has no plan to increase the pupil population substantially, however. Next year we intend to maintain a five-form entry at 11+, leaving a few places available in these groups for newcomers at 13+ two years later.

‘The school’s policy is still to use its Scholarship and TS Assisted Places scheme to keep the doors of the school as wide open as possible.’

Truro School Newsletter, December 2002

10 years ago in January 2012

‘In January, over 50 Truro School pupils took part in the Cornwall Schools Cross Country Championships held on our fields in very demanding conditions due to prolonged rainfall. Five pupils finished in the top three in their race, whilst 35 pupils received team medals, with at least one team winning in each age group; a wonderful achievement…’

‘In the Penryn Sports Partnership Junior Gala held at Carn Brea in January, Truro School emerged as overall team winners of the competition which involved ten schools…’

Terraces, 2013