From School to Success: Inspiring Recent Alumni Max Cromie CO21

From School to Success: Inspiring Recent Alumni

We love hearing from our Alumni team and discovering what our recent leavers have been up to. Our Old Truronians continue to inspire us with their achievements and so many of them have reached incredible milestones across a diverse range of fields.

Max Cromie CO21 – Fencing champion and postgraduate student at UCL

Max attended here from 2014-2021, along with his two brothers Conall CO16 and Eoghan CO18. Whilst here Max was selected to compete in various Fencing world and European championship competitions, and was also selected as a Sixth Form Prefect 2018-2019. After leaving he went on to study Geography at Royal Holloway. He is now studying Environment, Politics and Society at UCL.

Max shared his experiences of being educated at Truro School:

“Since I was the youngest of three, and both of my brothers attended Truro School from 1st to 5^th Year, it felt natural for me to follow in their footsteps. From the outset, I felt incredibly fortunate to be part of a school that offered so many opportunities, both academically and through sport, and I tried to soak up as much as I could, all while being my cheeky self (a trait my favourite teachers would no doubt mention!).

As I moved into the later years, 4^th Year through to Upper Sixth, the looming pressure of exams made things more intense, as it does for most students. But that never took away from the fact that my experience at Truro School was something I’ll always cherish. Teachers like Mr Steve Sparkes (Maths), Ms Emily Hargreaves and Mr Andrew Barnett (Geography), and Ms Justine Hope (Geology) were not only incredibly knowledgeable but also deeply supportive. I was lucky to be guided by teachers who genuinely cared and nurtured my interests throughout my time at the school.

From around 3^rd Year, I knew I wanted to study Geography at university, though I wasn’t sure whether to pursue human or physical geography. That unknowingness (in the best way possible) followed me through my undergraduate degree and into my current Master’s (MSc in Environment, Politics, and Society). But it was my teachers who reassured me early on, that studying a subject like Geography would give me the freedom to explore a wide range of interests over time. Topics like sustainability and geopolitics, briefly touched on in school, have become central themes in my academic journey, all of which began with the foundations laid at Truro School.

In Sixth Form, the dynamic between students and teachers shifted in the best way. It became more about mutual respect and guidance, and I really valued that sense of being treated as a young adult. The advice and support I received never wavered, even when my grades didn’t quite match my ambitions. Teachers like Ms Hope and Mr Barnett remained steadfast in their belief in me, both in and out of the classroom. They saw my passion and drive, which I credit in part to my mindset as a student-athlete.

I’ve never considered myself the ‘smartest’ in the class, that honour goes to some of my naturally gifted friends, but I’ve always been willing to work hard and sacrifice to achieve what I set out to do. That dedication, rooted in sport, carried through into academics and beyond. The motto “hard work pays off” is something I still live by today, and I know it’s something my teachers recognised and supported.

Even now, the fact that many of them still take an interest in what I’m doing, celebrating my achievements and offering words of encouragement, means the world. To be remembered, whether as “Cromie” or “CromDog” by people who’ve mentored hundreds of unique students over the years is a privilege I don’t take lightly. Their continued support is a gift more meaningful than any medal, trophy, or accolade I’ve earned so far.

Truro School will always be a part of who I am, and I hope I’ll always remain a part of it.”

We know there are many more Old Truronians out there who are achieving amazing things, and our Alumni team would love to hear from you too! If you have a story to share, please get in touch with our Alumni Relations officer, Amanda Forde abf@truroschool.com.