Staff and Council

Mrs Hilary Mann

Mrs L Topsey-Eaton

Caroline Williams

Mrs L Smith

Mrs S Greenaway

Mrs T Warden

Miss L Topsey

Mr M Gale

Mrs D Fergus

Mrs J Knight-Bennett

Mr P Kellas

Mrs J Spoors

Mrs J Virr

Mr J Elworthy

Mrs H Elworthy

Mrs R McKeown

Mrs C Ramsay

Mr Mark Hounsell

Ms M Hopper

Ms T Brown

Miss A Bray

Miss B Bray

Mr J O’Shea

Mr K Andrew

Rupert (the dog)

Canon R White MBE

Richard White founded Polwhele with Rosemary in 1981. Since retiring from being Headmaster in 2002, he has been Director of Development of the National Choir Schools’ Association and heavily involved in rekindling singing interest in the nation’s primary schools.

His commitment to singing began as a chorister and then choral scholar at King’s College, Cambridge. Between 1999–2002 he was Chairman of the Choir Schools’ Association and was made a Lay Canon of Truro Cathedral in 2007. In 2009 he was appointed an MBE for services to music education.

He is a governor of Clifton College, Bristol and lately of the Pilgrims’ School, Winchester. He is also on the board of the Ouseley Trust and was a member of the Government’s Music and Dance advisory group. He is a violinist and enjoys playing with Austin 7s, boats and his grandchildren.

Mrs R White

Rosemary White, who was born in Falmouth, opened the successful Boscawen Rose Pre-Prep School, Truro, in 1976 whose 100 pupils became the foundation base of Polwhele House School in 1981.

Before retiring as Head in 2002 she worked with the Independent Schools Inspectorate. She remains an active member of the School’s financial team and enjoys art and gardening.

Richard and Rosemary were married in the 1960s, having met whilst students at Cambridge University. They have three grown up children, all of whom were brought up at Polwhele and have strong bonds with the School.

Rupert is a local consultant psychiatrist, Morwenna a fashion journalist editor in London and Tom is Head of Account Management with an international advertising company in London. There are four grandchildren two of whom are Polwhelers.

Mr R Ackland

Robert is a Chartered Accountant and partner in Waterhouse (www.waterhouse.uk.com) who specialise in property development and investment, often involving the restoration of listed buildings.

Regeneration and a passion for design are the common themes in the many projects undertaken by Waterhouse over the last two decades or so, recently including the large Brewery Square development in Dorchester.

Robert lives near Truro with his wife Maggie and son Toby and has been a member of the Polwhele House Steering Group since 2004 and more recently the Managing Council.

Mr N Trefusis

Nicholas Trefusis served as a Hydrographer in the Royal Navy retiring to the family estate near Falmouth. He is married to Servane who taught French and Spanish at Polwhele. They have two children who both went to Polwhele. Their grandchildren are now both at the school.

Nicholas is a Deputy Lieutenant for Cornwall, a Vice-President of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association and President of Cornwall Music Festival.

Dr R White

Dr Rupert White was educated at Truro School and University College, London. He is currently a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist locally and is the lead Consultant Clinician for Devon and Cornwall. He is also the founder and director of artcornwall.org.

Rupert is closely involved in the development and musical education of young people. He is the author of various books about 20th century music in Cornwall and is a recent former parent.

Mr T White

Mrs M White