15.11.2024 Prep Bulletin

Dear Parents, Guardians & Carers,

Interschool swimming galas, football matches, academic assessments, Year 5 and 6 Primary Mathematics Challenge, ‘England Rocks’ (Times Table Rock Stars) competition, rugby matches and festival, hockey matches, the performance of ‘The Princess and the Pea’, a humanities lecture and Children in Need Day.

Not a bad programme of events for the past five days, and even more so when one considers the raft of regular lessons and activities that also take place.

I will not, however, be reviewing or revisiting these activities and events. You can read about them in the News Section below (and please do scroll down on the page to find the Calendar, Notices and Achievements).

I will, instead take this opportunity to reiterate our theme for the week; namely that of Remembrance.

Monday morning saw well over 300 children and staff assemble on the tennis court in the shadow of the Truro School flag. After a short introduction, we paid tribute to the millions who gave their lives during the two world wars and in numerous conflicts around the world. We focused particularly on the 127 former Truro School pupils who died in the Great War, the Second World War and Afghanistan. Following a reading of ‘For the Fallen’, the last post, silence and reveille; children and staff ‘planted’ their poppies in the sand adjacent to the Memorial and flagpole.

As one would expect, we took advantage of our assemblies to add some context to the service and for the Prep School, this included a reading of John McCrae’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. Whilst, like other literature, this poem can be interpreted in many ways, I took the opportunity to focus on just two lines of the final verse: ‘To you from falling hands we throw, The torch, be yours to hold it high’.

I used these lines to show that those who were injured or lost their lives would not want our pity; what they would most desire is for us to lead fulfilled lives, having sacrificed in giving theirs. There is no doubt that we have all been given an amazing opportunity to live in a world that, although troubled, is a far better one than could ever have existed were it not for the sacrifices of those we remember this week.

So, we wore and planted our poppies with pride, and we acknowledged that they are a reminder for us to make the very best of the many gifts that we have been given. To be as selfless as so many of a previous generation were called to be in making their sacrifice, so that we may enjoy the lives that we live.

With my thanks as always and very best wishes,

Rob Morse

Head of Prep

School News

Latest From Truro School

A Bowl Full of Christmas Cheer

Pudding bowls weren't the only things packed full as the annual FTS Christmas Pudding Evening got underway in a bustling Truro School Prep Dining Room.

Year 5 Investigate Chromatography

Our Year 5 pupils continued their study of separation methods as they looked into chromatography in their Science lessons this week.

Quiet Kindness in Nursery

Our youngest pupils took a moment for some quiet contemplation and to share kindness during a Forest School session in the Side Woods at Truro School Prep.

Peas, Princesses and Performances

Truro School Pre-Prep was delighted to welcome Year 1 pupils from Cornish Schools to join our pupils for an interactive performance of the Princess and the Pea.

Weekly News from Pre-Prep 15/11/24

It has been another busy week for all of our pupils in Truro School Pre-Prep as our pupils marked Remembrance Day and took part in a range of exciting lessons and activities.

Sukkahs for Sukkot

As part of their humanities work on Judaism, Year 6 pupils have been learning about the Jewish festival of Sukkot.

Prep Sports Round Up 15.11.24

It has been another exciting, competitive and busy week for sport at Truro School Prep, with action in the pool as well as on the pitch.

Going Dotty for Children In Need

To raise money for Children in Need, pupils from Truro School Prep were dressed in their home clothes, many of which were adorned with colourful spots and topped with Pudsey ears.

Past Tales from the Prep Boarding House

In humanities, our Year 3 pupils were given the exciting opportunity to interview Mark Goddard (CO78), a former pupil at Truro Prep, about his time as a boarder here.

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.

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.

Family Focus: DIY Family Projects

To help you make the most of the weekend, we’ve put together some simple DIY projects that are perfect for families to enjoy together.

School Notices

Messages & Downloads

An Update on VAT

Next week our Governors’ Finance Committee will meet to review and approve the FAQs document that we are preparing for parents, 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.

For anyone for whom this situation presents immediate concern or challenge, please contact [email protected].

We are engaging directly with every single family who reaches out individually and will continue to do so.

Senior School Information Afternoon: Tuesday 19 November

A reminder for parents of children in Years 3-6 that you are invited to a Senior School Information Afternoon, held at the Prep School, on Tuesday 19th November at 2:30-3.30pm in the Prep Assembly Hall.

Andy Johnson, Head of the Senior School, along with Senior School staff, will be on hand to answer your questions and talk yo:u through the daily routine and the opportunities that the children enjoy.

If you would like to join us on the 19th of November, please reply to Simone Weston, Head of Prep Admissions, at [email protected].

Year 4 Open Door Event: Friday 22 November

Year 4 Parents and Carers are invited into School for an ‘Open Door’ event where you will have the opportunity to look through your child’s books and be given a forum for your child to talk through what they have achieved and enjoyed so far this term.

This will take place between 4pm and 5:30pm on Friday 22 November in the Year 4 classrooms: 4LL in G1 and 4SC in G2. The children’s books from across the curriculum will be available and the children will be able to talk at their leisure with parents or relatives about their learning.

This will be an open-door policy, so there is no requirement to book an appointment; please just indicate what time you anticipate coming in the form link here > https://forms.office.com/e/6pUQeYJNyF

Please note, that there is no need to respond if you have already submitted your option.

The Year 4 form teachers will be available to ask any general questions, but please note this is separate from the parents’ evening and is an opportunity for parents to engage with their child and see the evidence of their child’s learning.

Refreshments will be available, and a feedback form will be given to inform future events.

Please contact the office or Mr Dove at [email protected] if you have any queries or questions.

KS1 Information Afternoon: Tuesday 26 November

A reminder for parents of children in Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2) that you are invited to a Prep School information afternoon on Tuesday 26 November. Please join Mr Morse for refreshments at 2pm in the Treliske House Library before a brief tour around the School. Mr Morse will talk you through the daily routine and the opportunities that the children enjoy, and Mr Keveren will be on hand to assist with both the tour and Q&A.

If you would like to join us on the 26 November, please reply to Simone Weston, Head of Prep Admissions, at [email protected].

Measles, Chickenpox and Shingles, Norovirus and Hand, Foot and Mouth

Mrs Cameron-Luzmoor wrote to you earlier in the week regarding the appearance of several bugs within our school community. We have also had a case of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) this week.

This is a reminder that we do have immunocompromised staff and children at the school and we ask again that you remain vigilant in watching for symptoms of chickenpox, shingles, measles and HFMD.

Here again, are some useful NHS links giving you some information on each:
chickenpox: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/
measles: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/
shingles: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/
norovirus: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus/
HFMD: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hand-foot-mouth-disease/

Please let us know immediately if you suspect any of the above and do not bring your child into school until any of these infections have been ruled out.

Anyone with symptoms of norovirus should stay off school until at least 48 hours after their last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea, as this is the most infectious time.

Please get in contact with Mrs Cameron-Luzmoor if you have any concerns or worries by emailing [email protected].

Prep Survey

You will have received an email last week from Mr Morse asking you to complete a survey about your experience at Truro School Prep.
Your feedback is important to us and helps to shape our plans for the future. If you have not yet completed the survey, the deadline to do so has been extended to 9am on Monday 18th November.

The survey can be accessed using the following link; https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PrepSurvey24

Many thanks for your support and time.

Macmillan Coffee Morning Thanks

We have received our certificate thanking us for raising £271.32 at this year’s Macmillan Coffee Morning 2024.

We would like to thank Mrs Mac and everyone who was involved with making, baking and donating to this worthy cause.