Penryn is proud of every one of the 1,117 students at which study at it's college, according to a speech made by the town's mayor as children returned to school this week.

Pupils sat up and listened to mayor Mark Snowdon as he welcomed them back after the summer break in the traditional whole school first day assembly.

It was the largest audience the mayor has addressed in office so far, and he was accompanied by the mayoress, Diane Snowdon.

Mr Snowdon, himself an ex-pupil of Penryn College, encouraged every student to “try your best” and wished them all good luck for their next year in school. He spoke enthusiastically about the town’s long history and its special Penryn 800 celebrations. He finished with a broad smile and was applauded by students and over 100 staff also present as he declared that sharing their assembly was definitely “a highlight of this year.”

The whole school were congratulated by their headteacher, Marie Hunter, and the inaugural speeches of head boy, Ethan Mcfadzean-Griffiths and head girl, Amy Walker.

Amy and Ethan had their own advice and encouragement for their fellow pupils, and said: “You must seize any chance you have to give it all a go. Having a passion for something we’re interested in builds that determination to achieve. It gives us the grit to get through the hard times. We get what we put in. So put 100 per cent into this year and we know we’ll get the prizes at the end.”