Physical Endurance in Ten Tors, Bowls & Athletics
Ten Tors
Arriving in Okehampton with a minibus full of excited, slightly nervous students is always an amazing experience as the students finally realise just how big an event this is. The students had trained well in temperatures which rarely exceeded 5 degrees and regularly dipped well below zero. The sun was shining and the temperature outside was already above 15 degrees.
The Friday is always a day of preparation. The route planning is 3 hours of focus for each team and the 35’s had to be scrutineered . Everything was ready for Saturday.
Friday night is always very short as the larger the team the earlier cooking breakfast starts. This year we were up at 04:45 with Mr Cawood and Mr Jackson taking charge of breakfast so that we could sort the teams out and ensure they had the kit they needed before they set off.
The start was a little damp and atmospheric and with the gun fired the 2 teams were off on very similar routes. The 35 mile team needed to keep a steady pace and the 45 milers needed to combat the heat as they were always going to have to push themselves to the limits and beyond.
During the afternoon the teams actually met up and inspired each other to go for it. The 35 milers managed to get to the Tor which was optimum for their route and were safely on time. The 45 milers lost a little time in the morning but pushed all afternoon getting through there last Tor just in time so they still had a chance of getting round. The following morning they found out what walking 26+ miles in temperatures 10+ degrees warmer than they had trained in does to the body. They had to make some tough decisions and as a team they made a bold decision to come off as a team. Getting everyone off safe and not suffering from heat exhaustion was a better result than walking on and having to have help to get off.
The 35 milers kept to the game plan and the navigation held up until they were insight of the finish. The pace was perfect and the whole team walked in 2 mins slower than last year’s team which everyone agreed was an outstanding achievement particularly given the heat.
I would like to congratulate all the Ten Torers including those who trained and didn’t make it through to the final team. I would also like to thank Mr Cawood and Mr Jackson who gave up Friday, Saturday and Sunday to make managing the event so much easier. A final thank you goes to Mr Brett and Mr Toorneini who took care of all the technical stuff and last but not least to Mr Powell who came out and trained the 35 milers to their success.
Musical Futures
Six Year 7 students travelled to Illminster last Friday to assist Miss Pappin in delivering two Musical Futures workshops at the Somerset Music Conference.
Our school is one of only 10 Musical Futures Champion schools in the country which recognises our innovative, 21st century curriculum and outstanding practice. Part of our role is to lead CPD events for other teachers.
Miss Pappin said, ‘The students were an absolute credit to both our music department and our school. They worked alongside teachers from other schools, modelling what they do in their music lessons & up skilling the teachers with what they have learnt. They also answered lots of questions about what music is like at their school. And their best bit? Having the opportunity to teach teachers!
South Devon Athletics Trials
On Monday, representatives from the Academy competed in the South Devon Athletics trials at Stover. The results were as follows:
Krisjanis Rumnieks (Year 8) 100m Silver, 200m Bronze, Javelin Silver
Courtney Sunderland (Year 8) 100m Silver, 200m Bronze
Georgia Davies (Year 7) 100m Gold, 200m Bronze
The top 3 qualify for the South Devon squad. They competed in The Junior Boys and Junior girls competition comprising of mainly Year 8 and 9’s. Georgia is demonstrating tremendous potential being the youngest competitor there (Year 7) and winning her 100m.
Official results are not in, however all 3 have a very good chance of making the South Devon squad. As there was more than 1 race for each event the top 3 times overall will qualify.
Elyse Leech (right) did not compete due to her exam revision sessions. She will also qualify as she became Devon Champion at the weekend in the 100m and 200m.
Youngest Ever Member of South West TUC
Pictured: Paul Raybould, Richard J Raybould and Matt Roberts, Regional Organiser, at a Recent Branch Meeting
Torbay and South Devon GMB Branch now has probably the youngest ever member of South West TUC Executive in Richard J Raybould age 17 years. He has been Branch Youth Officer since the age of 16 and is at present studying A levels here at Torquay Academy and will be attending Plymouth University to study Photography and Design in September.
Matt Roberts, GMB Regional Organiser, said “It shows that youth can aspire and achieve and Richard is going to out-do his father, the present Branch Secretary, it seems to many who know him in GMB!”
Mixed Results for the Bowls Teams
The TA bowls team played their 2nd match of the season on Tuesday against Torquay Boys’ Grammar School at Kings Bowls Club. The Year 8 team lost 16-1 against a strong Year 10 side with an excellent skipper. The Year 7 team, skippered by Sam Caroll, also played against Year 10’s and continued with their winning streak achieving a 9-2 victory.
Dodge Ball House Tournament
Thursday saw the Year 7’s compete in the first house dodge ball tournament the Academy has hosted. Again, they participated in huge numbers earning 100’s of house points. Brunel and Darwin both finished with equal points leading to a tense final playoff. Brunel narrowly won earning an extra 80 house points. Well done to all who participated.
Results
1st place – Brunel
2nd place – Darwin
3rd place – Pengelly and Harrison
4th place – Christie
5th place – Nearne
Former Student Wins Gold Medal at Invictus Games
Students of the Week
Pictured : Mrs Powell, Charlotte Sweet, Alex Jones, Mr Margetts, Myah Brett-Wilson, Corey Barr-Thomson, Courtney Quinlan, Mr Chadwick