PSHE Day, Sister Act, Debating Society and GCSE Prep
PSHE Day
On Friday we had the second of our three PSHE days for this year.
Year 7 students looked at some ways to keep healthy, including what makes a balanced diet to how to deal with change and setbacks. Students also looked at ways that the media can impact them, including ways for them to judge is something on TV or on line is appropriate for them to watch and how to ensure our online relationships are safe. Students looked at what makes a family and how varied they can be and that these differences and others should be celebrated. Students also looked at ways to manage money, including budgeting and how to identify if something really is value for money. Students ended the day with the first of a series of lessons on Alcohol and Drug use. In this case, they looked at the impact of energy drinks.
The Year 8 students had all 3 of their sessions on Alcohol and Drug use on this day. The first session looked at the use of illegal drugs and the attitudes and beliefs that students had in connection to drug use amongst young people. The second looked at the long and short-term consequences of possession, supply or intent to supply an illegal drug. The final session looked at the impact and health risks of alcohol and cannabis use. Other sessions involved how we can use coping strategies to support our mental wellbeing, the role of a parent and discrimination. Students also had an introduction into different forms of contraception.
As part of their Relationship and Sex education Year 9 looked in more depth into the different forms of contraception. Students also looked at the issue of domestic abuse, consent, how to form safe friendships online, ways to protect their identity and issues surrounding sexting. Students also took part in a careers session looking at what skills will be important in the future and how to ensure that they have these skills.
Year 10 looked at the impact poor choices can have on their health and wellbeing and some strategies to manage their lifestyle to improve their performance. They also looked at the role of a parent and how and when to make the decision to have a baby. Students also looked at healthy relationships, the role of marriage within a relationship and how to manage unwanted attention. Students also had 2 Drug and Alcohol sessions. The first looked at how alcohol affects our decision making and how to manage the risks associated with its use. The second looked at how our decisions related to substance use can be influenced and how to develop strategies to manage these influences.
Sixth Form students followed a carousel of workshops focusing on their futures. They learnt all about the wonders of university life, the option of pursuing an apprenticeship and how to maintain their well-being in the meantime. Furthermore, students participated in the annual Learn2Live event that raises their awareness of road safety.
GCSE Prep
The Year 11 students used the time to focus upon the examinations that have coming up in the New Year. Some subjects ave exams in January and other has continuous assessment that the students focused upon.
Year 7 Student Council
This week we launched our new Year 7 Student Council. After an application process involving a written application to tutors and a ballot within tutor groups, the following students were selected. They will meet regularly with Mr Jones to share the student voice and discuss issues related to the Year 7 Hub.
Sixth Form Debating Society
This week saw the inaugural meeting of the 6th Form Debating Society. Twenty three students attended to debate the proposal: ‘This House believes that feminism has gone too far.’ After some very impressive and well-researched opening speeches we had a lively debate that ranged over a wide variety of viewpoints.
All the students were extremely impressive and articulate in the expression of their ideas and opinions with everyone in agreement that Finnegan Jessulat had won the prize for best speaker–even more impressive given that Finn only moved to England from Germany three months ago. Next week we will be debating the proposal: ‘This House believes there should be a second referendum over Brexit.’
Performing Arts Academy
Years 9, 10 and 11 are working incredibly hard in the singing, acting and dance sessions. Have a look at the amazing routine by the Year 11s who are performing a song from Sister Act.
Online parents’ evening
This week we had our fist online parents’ evening. Due to COVID-19 we have moved to online appointments. The initial feedback we have had from parents and teachers was that the system was very easy to use and the evening was a great success.
Gold Effort!
It was fantastic to see a record number of Year 7 students achieving a First Class effort grade for Cycle 1. 43 students were awarded the top classification for their attendance, behaviour, mindset for learning and homework. We are all very proud of the start you have made to life at TA!
Sparx XP Leaderboards
Students are checking their position on the Sparx XP leaderboard that was released on Monday. Some incredible totals – some students have earned over 10000 XP in cycle alone!
Girls’ football back on track
Unfortunately, our Girls’ First team has been hit with students isolating over the past month. It was lovely to see the full squad back in training this week.
Mindset for Learning
Year 7
Lyra Bowstead and Madison Findlay-Peers have been recognised by their teachers as demonstrating an outstanding mindset for learning in every subject. This is a measure of their determination, resilience and willingness to challenge themselves in class. Well done to you both!
Year 8
Year 8 Outstanding mindset for learning – Bea Corline
Students of the Week
Year 7 – Madison Findlay – Peers
Year 8 – Marissa Farrington
Year 9 – Kole Gjikolaj
Year 10 – Toby Leaver
Year 11 –
House Stars of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Christian Cornforth
Christie – Callum Jackson
Darwin – Lilly Phillips
Fawcett – Isla Aldworth
Harrison – Harrison Hogg
Kitson – Wojcjech Tabaczuk
Nearne – Willow Kendall
Pengelly – Isabelle Roberts
Year 8
Brunel – Honey Buckingham
Christie – Coral Stewart
Darwin – Roberta Bankes-Fay
Fawcett – Callum Yeates
Harrison – Sophie Packer
Kitson – Damien Bratusa
Nearne – Thomas Stimpson
Pengelly – Shanice Rees
Year 9
Brunel – Josh Thompson
Christie – Penny Richards
Darwin – Danny Frankum
Fawcett – Steven Jeffs
Harrison – Sam Kelly
Kitson – Pierce Gerring
Nearne –
Pengelly – Grace Povey
Homework Stars of the Week
Year 7
Brunel –
Christie – Harry Taylor
Darwin – Charlie Green
Fawcett – Emily Banks
Harrison – Chloe Hollis
Kitson – Orlando Maric
Nearne – Harrison Davies
Pengelly – Bella Giffard
Year 8
Brunel – Finn Mallen
Christie – Elliot Lawton
Darwin – Jessica Taylorson
Fawcett – Zak Roberts
Harrison – Lauren Catt
Kitson – Samuel Eaton
Nearne – Kevin Vieira
Pengelly – Emma Roadnight
Year 9
Brunel – Craig Mintern
Christie – Phoebe Staples
Darwin – Erin Loader
Fawcett – Ed Fogarty
Harrison –
Kitson – Fin Gaisford
Nearne –
Pengelly – Bogdan Pamfile
Sparx Leader boards
Tassomai Leader boards