Whole School PSHE Day and a Full Week of Sport

PSHE Day


Tuesday bought us the first PSHE day of the year. The Year 7s had a series of sessions based on emotional and physical health. The Samaritans reinforced this message and explained the services they offer. We also looked at character building and the importance of developing grit and resilience.

Issues relating to our mental and emotional health were also the theme running through the Year 8 sessions. We also looked at how our idea of our identity and body image change as we grow up. The University of Gloucester ran a session to encourage students to start to consider their future educational choices once they leave school and how these choices will affect their futures.

AlterEgo Theatre Company bought their production ‘Tough Love’, which is their hard hitting project that raises awareness around Coercive Control and Domestic Abuse in teenage intimate relationships. The play is followed by an actor facilitated post-show talk exploring the issues raised. ‘Tough love’ is an adaptation of AlterEgo’s highly acclaimed ‘Behind Closed Doors’ project, which was originally developed in association with The City of London Police as part of their front-line officer training in response to the HMIC ‘Everyone’s Business’ report. It tells the story of 15 year old Becka and her relationships with her violent and controlling boyfriend Danny, how they met, how they fell in love, how the control and violence started and how Becka eventually managed to get help. This was shown to Years 8, 9 and 10.

The theme for both Year 9 students and Year 10 students was ‘Healthy relationships’. For Year 9 students this involved sessions ranging from ‘consent’ to the impact porn and social media has on a healthy relationship. The Year 10 students looked in more depth at contraception and the consequences of a teen pregnancy.

Year 11 students had their work preparation day which enabled them to produce a CV and to complete an application form. We also had a session from the University of Gloucester on the benefits of future education and from Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge giving students an alternative route. Students also had the opportunity for a one on one interview with one of the local employers who had kindly given up their time to support us. Students found this an incredibly valuable experience.

 

Team TA Sports Roundup

As the saying goes ‘work hard play hard’ and whilst it was probably meant in a different context it is certainly true of the students at Torquay Academy and this week has been no exception. So many things going on the PE Department at the moment that it would be easy to miss something out and apologies if I do. This week you will read reports on a Year 11 National Cup win over old rivals St Peters of Exeter, hopefully the start of another amazing year for these boys. We have also seen our Under 14 girls go through to the next round of the National Football Cup where they will meet Tavistock, our Under 16 girls were very unfortunate to come up against a very strong Exmouth Community College side in their first round game which saw them eventually lose 6-2 however there were girls in their team that play at a very high level outside of school and these three players totally dominated the game.

Our Year 7 and 8 boys rugby teams also played their part in this busy week and are the subject of separate blog entries. Mr Welsh has been forging links with Torquay Athletic Rugby Club and our boys are reaping the rewards from this with more and more rugby being played, it is not only the boys that are engaged in rugby, this week we held our first training session for Year 7 & 8 girls and an amazing 24 girls with great attitude turned up at the session.

Our Year 8 girls march on with their Netball and remain unbeaten this year, our Year 7 and 10 girls have also been in action this week. See also the match reports for our 1st and 2nd XI teams who came up against two very large Further Education Colleges where they get to choose from literally thousands of students, again the boys acquitted themselves very well despite the results. A steep learning curve for all concerned. In addition to this, great numbers at table tennis, badminton and basketball clubs and an unbelievable 58 students at dance club.

However performance of the week must go to our Year 7 boys football team for their 13-0 win against St Cuthbert Mayne school in the National Cup. It has been a long time since we have seen such an accomplished performance from a team in Year 7, their composure on the ball, vision in passing and overall work rate and attitude suggest that we have a very special group of boys in this year group. Well done to all who have contributed to the activities above and a special mention to the PE staff who really are going above and beyond in their pursuit of Participation, Performance Pride and Passion. Follow the PE team on twitter @TeamTA_Sport

 

Sport 1Sport 2

Sport 3Sport 4

On Thursday afternoon, the Year 7 boys football team got their season underway with a home tie against neighbours St Cuthbert Mayne, in Round one of the National Cup.

Mr Jones had looked forward to seeing these boys in action. After a promising 4 weeks of trial matches, this week an A squad and B squad, (each consisting of approximately 20 players) was announced. The squads are testament to the consistent turnout for training and the quality possessed within the year group.

Back to the game, and what a first performance it was! TA were completely dominant against an opposition side who, to their credit never gave up. Mr Jones must admit to losing track of goal scorers in the emphatic 13-0 win (all he does know, is that Frankie Cuss scored two, seeing as though he would not stop talking about it!) but this was a brilliant team performance.  From Lewis Vinson in goal, through to Kye Graham up front, the boys played with composure, confidence, short, sharp passing and creativity as they stroked the ball around with ease. Some of the goals scored were outstanding, but this result was built upon hard work first and foremost.

So many positives to take away from this game, and lots to build on, but what a start. A big pat on the back to all involved.   Training for future fixtures continues for both squads on Monday afternoon, with the prospect of an exciting season ahead!

 

Y11 Cup v St Peters

6.10.17 Y11 Cup v St PetersIMG_0725

On Monday the year 11 football team took on St Peters (Exeter) in the second round of the ESFA National Cup. After the success of last year reaching the last eight in the country many would of thought that the first few rounds were an easy task. This is certainly not the case as St Peter’s are the second best team in Devon and when we have met over the last few years it has been extremely close with TA always coming out on top either in extra time or on penalties.

The game started at an incredible pace with both teams going at each other and creating half chances. It was clear to see that both teams were well up for it. The deadlock was broken on the 15 minute mark when Olaf Koszella picked up the ball on the half way line out wide and ran at the St Peters defence before cutting in and placing the ball past the goalkeeper at the near post. The score stayed the same until 65th minute when St Peter’s pressure finally took its toll and they were awarded a penalty which they cooly converted. The game was becoming even more tense and with 15 minutes to go Lewis Eaton was brought down in the box and TA were awarded a penalty; Ollie Mason stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way. St Peters naturally now went for broke and with two minutes remaining Olaf Koszella latched on to a long clearance and rounded the St Peters keeper to complete the scoring.

TA will now have to wait until Monday to find out who we have in round 3.

 

First 11 v  Richard Huish College

Our 1st team played against Richard Huish college in our second league fixture of the season, we arrived at Taunton with a few new faces due to some injuries and illness but still looked a strong squad. This was a game of two halves (cliche saying but very true today)
The first half started slow for our standards and we were caught out within 5 minutes due to poor communication and a very sloppy back header which just bounced into an open net. We struggled to get to grips with the movement in midfield and after 16 minutes were two down by giving them to much time and space to work a cross and left them with a free header in the box.
With 30 minutes gone we changed personnel and formation and then grew into the game, just before half time after some good pressure from us the ball was played into Morgan Harford on the edge of their box, he controlled it on the half turn and fired a volley that rifled into the top corner and with his weaker foot. It was a goal that match of the day would be playing over and over again!!
This gave us something to build on for the second half.
A few words at half time and a bit of organising changed the game completely, we then went out and for 80% of the second half we dominated and had 5/6 clear cut chances that just didnt drop where we needed them. The attitude and commitment the last 20 minutes was outstanding and hopefully thats the gauge now that the players know is needed from the start.
The game ended 2-1 to them and we take it on the chin and move on, the positives massively outweigh the negatives and i expect we will turn this hard work into a victory next week.
Always proud of the boys and we will continue to develop.

Second 11 v  South Gloucester and Stroud College

On Wednesday the second 11 traveled to South Gloucester and Stroud College in their second league fixture.  TA started brightly and were dictating play creating chances but without any success and were caught out just before half time when a long ball over the top was punished by the S&G striker.  TA made a bold decision to change their shape in the second half which saw them controlling the game,  but without any real cutting edge and chasing in the game they were caught out by 2 late goals resulting in a 3-0 loss.  The boys did TA, Mr Grinsill and Mr Harries extremely proud.

 

 

Netball

6.10.17 Netball

Wednesday 4th October saw our newly formed Year 7 team along with our established Year 8 team travel to Paignton to play a triangular against Paignton and Teignmouth.

Year 7
The girls played one of Paignton’s teams to start and they put in an outstanding performance. The girls found good space and supported each other up and down court. At half time the girls found themselves 2-0 up. However, they were not happy with this, they wanted more and fought hard to score 3 more goals in the second half, leaving the final score 5-0. This was the first time they had played together as a team outside of training and to not concede a goal was a brilliant result.

Their second game against Paignton’s more polished Year 7 team was more difficult for the girls. They found themselves up against girls who have played together outside of school for a number of years. This however did not stop the girls from working together to try and get the ball into a good shooting position. We managed to get the ball into the shooting circle on a number of occasions but unfortunately were not able to get the ball in the net until the second half. Paignton on the other hand were able to convert their interceptions into goals and as a result won the game 4-2. The girls played and recognised we still have a long way to go in terms of training. The girls were positive and vowed to beat them next time round.

Year 8
The girls played Paignton’s A team in their first game. Paignton and Torquay were quite evenly matched throughout the first half. There was not much between the two teams in terms of ability. However Paignton managed to score the first goal which left us trailing by one going in to the second half. After a positive team talk at half time and a few changes, the girls managed to claw back a goal in the second half leaving the final score at 1-1.

Our second game was against Teignmouth and the girls were determined to go out there and show them just how good at netball we were. With a few more changes made in both attack and defence the girls managed to secure a convincing win with the end score being 5-0.

Well done to both our teams, four games played and only one loss.

 

Rugby

The Year 9 Rugby team played against Paignton and Brixham on Wednesday at Torquay Rugby Club. Both games were closely fought with very even teams.  Dylan Gale impressed with some very powerful running and Scott Rowe again demonstrated his devastating pace. We lost 10-5 to Brixham as we failed to convert our territory into points and we lost to Paignton by a conversion after scoring 2 tries each. We are not far off the standards we reached last season but we need more game time. Next week we play KEVICS away followed by Cuthbert Mayne away.

A big thank you to Torquay Rugby Club for letting us use their ground for these matches.

 

Year 8 Rugby v South Dartmoor

Spirits were high despite missing some key players. An even first 10 minutes saw South Dartmoor edge ahead after a stunning 7 phase TA try, finished off by Ben Aldous. Then TA lost some continuity and a few missed tackles saw the opposition pull away. With some real guts and determination in the pack by Alfie Sams and Igor Sniegocki, big tackles from Sean Andrews and Oliver Stoneman plus some excellent running from Harrison Lee (2 try’s), Ellis Knowles (1 try) and the fore mentioned Ben Aldous (1 try, Man of the Match) TA got closer, but left it too late losing 8 try’s to 4. Well done to all who played.

 

Year 7

Y7 Rugby 6.10.17

Year 7 Boys took a trip to Churston Grammar School on Weds for their first tournament. It was very successful with two wins and one loss.

Tower house 2-1 Loss
St Cuthbert Mayne 6-0 win
Spires 4-0 Win

Try scorers were; Oliver Waring, Will Bevan, Cameron Wannel and Cody Lidster.   The team are really taking shape now and hungry for more action which was evident at training the next day.  Next week we travel to Totnes for a triangular against KEVICCs and Churston.

 

Girls Rugby

Girls U13 Rugby

Torquay Academy’s Under 13 girls rugby team has been formed this week with their first training session on Thursday. The girls were excellent, demonstrating a lot of talent and potential. They travel to Brixham next Wednesday for a full days training and games provided by the RFU.

 

Taekwondo

2.10.17 Kacy Fairhurst

Year 8 student Kacy Fiarhurst got a Bronze medal after doing continuous sparring rounds in the Taekwondo competition at Clenon Valley in Paignton on the 1/10/17.  Well done to Kacy for more success in this field.

 

 House Competitions

2.10.17 House Competitions to Date

 

Year 11 CPLD Playdough Making

playdough 2 (1)playdough 1 (1)

As part of their next assignment in Child Play, Learning and Development (CPLD), Year 11 pupils were this week given the opportunity to make their own playdough, understanding the developmental benefits it gives to young children. A fun, creative lesson, complete with rainbow colours, glitter and even aromatherapy oils in the mix ensured a first hand experience of the joys of playdough, both making and playing. Class winners were Charlotte Charlesworth (Best colour) and Codie Rees ( best consistency).

 

Students of the Week

SOTW 6.10.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students of the week this week with myself, Mr Chadwick and Mrs Powell are; Harley Sneap, Ella Brown, Kelan Stanners, Ella Mellitt, Annie Mills and Zane Sibiya