Torquay Academy

Farah Crowned Double World Champion!

We are incredibly proud to share that Farah has been crowned a double World Champion after representing Great Britain at the IDO World Tap Dance Championships in Prague.

Over an intense week of competition, Farah showcased extraordinary talent and determination, bringing home two gold medals and one silver, ranking 1st and 2nd in the world across her events.

Her success is the result of six months of dedicated training, travelling to Swindon four times a week to prepare for the championships. Competing against dancers from around the globe, Farah performed across three demanding rounds, with days lasting up to 16 hours. Her stunning solo earned her a silver medal, while both of her group performances triumphed against more than 37 international entries, each securing gold.

This remarkable achievement reflects Farah’s talent, resilience, and passion for her craft. We are so proud of her success and the example she sets through her hard work and commitment.

Congratulations, Farah — World Champion!

big brother and big sister

We are absolutely thrilled to launch the second year of our Big Brother and Big Sister Program! This term, it's twice as big, connecting 32 mentors and mentees. Our outstanding Sixth Formers will build supportive bonds through engaging weekly activities, creating a powerful network of peer guidance and positive relationships.  

DofE Silver Qualifying Expedition - surviving the storm

Between Friday 17th and Sunday 19th October our Year 11 DofE Silver students completed their Silver Qualifying Expedition. Thirty one students in six teams had spent the previous few weeks diligently preparing for this adventure. This preparation included after school sessions route planning, undergoing expedition skills training and attending a Dartmoor training walk and their three day two night Practice expedition.

After all the planning finally Friday 17th October arrived and with rucksacks full of essential kit and food the students left school at 9.00am. The first day's hiking started at Shaugh Bridge, on the edge of the moor, north of Plymouth. It was an even split of teams who were taking a route along the southern edge of the moor and those that were navigating further south towards Cornwood. Their destination was the Harford Bunkhouse and Campsite north of Ivybridge. Each team had to carefully plan their route to ensure they were on expedition for at least seven hours each day, including rest stops and stops to focus on their team expedition aim. Each team had to choose an expedition aim before they set off, in addition to getting from start to finish each day. The aims were diverse and included a mood survey based on the hypothesis that hiking in the great outdoors is mood enhancing, and a study of the flora and fauna encountered over the three days. Following the expedition the teams will present their findings to complete the Expedition section. 

The teams set off in good spirits and felt confident. Aside from a few wrong turns at the start and one team getting confused by the maze of footpaths above Shaugh Prior, good progress was made. The three teams taking the 'high road' on the moors stayed on track despite the moorland footpath getting confused by countless sheep tracks. Each of them encountered Mr Whelan and Mr Brett on their routes and all skirted Lee Moor and made it to the correct exit off the moor at East Rook Gate. 

The three teams taking the 'low road' towards Cornwood navigated well despite the disorientating network of footpaths through the woodlands and foothills. On the trackers Miss Baker and Mr Adams saw that the teams were really taking care to follow the right paths, and at times needed to backtrack to the correct path. All part of the fun of DofE expeditions!

Each team successfully made it to the campsite at Harford before nightfall, and before resting ensured their tents were set up and dinners were cooked and eaten to restore depleted energy levels. After an exhausting day carrying full rucksacks and hiking over hills and valleys for approximately twenty kilometres the students were all tucked up in tents by 10pm!

Saturday started with an amazing sunrise over the moor! Most of the teams were up and getting ready by 6.30am. Day 2 is always the most challenging day, navigationally and in terms of distance covered. So after a good hot breakfast - mostly dishes of porridge or all-day breakfast boil-in-a-bag meals - and after enjoying the sunrise, the teams left the campsite in 15 minute staggered starts by 10am. Their routes took them out of the National Park, through Ivybridge and into the South Hams, towards Ermington and Yealmpton. One team was heading east out of Ivybridge, towards Lee Mill, before heading south towards Yealmpton. The other teams were going directly south of Ivybridge, passed the Endsleigh Garden Centre and on towards Ermington. 

The students started well but after a few miles the efforts of the previous day began to catch up with them. Members of  team 3 who were heading towards Lee Mill were suffering with troublesome blisters. Mrs Schwarz checked on them and helped them with applying blister plasters. Patched up and after a bit of a rest the team soldiered on towards Yealmpton, and the campsite at Brixton. The other teams were faring a bit better, although members of Team 4 were beginning to struggle. Yet, despite the blisters and aching joints and muscles, the students showed their determination and resilience in true TA style and didn't give up. Each team showed excellent navigation skills and made it into the campsite at Brixton by 6pm. 

Once again the teams showed excellent campcraft skills on arriving at the campsite. They got their tents up quickly and got their evening meals cooking on their gas stoves. They had heard news from Mr Adams that heavy rain and strong winds were forecast for the night and morning until 10am. It was vital that tents were well tensioned and pegged down to counter the elements.

The final day arrived with the heavens well and truly open! Rain was falling heavily and the wind was gusting to Force 8. The tents had been set up competently so no one woke up in soggy tents! The decision was made by staff that the start of the final day should be delayed and the students had a bit of a lie-in! The worst of the weather was forecast to pass through by 10am so the teams start times were delayed until then. Breakfast and packing tents in the rain was not a pleasant experience but not one of the students complained! All teams set off in good spirits to complete their final day of expedition. With amended routes planned during the morning wait the teams worked really hard to make their destination at Mountbatten Breakwater in Plymouth. Each team successfully made the end point and coped admirably with the heavy rain showers and strong wind gusts.

Thanks to all the staff that helped out on this expedition and made it all possible: Mr Brett, Mrs Schwarz, Miss Baker, Miss Stoyle, Mrs Lithgow, Mr Whelan, Mr Cawood, Mr Butler, Mr Adams. Congratulations for their amazing efforts to the following Year 11 students: Team 1 - Harrison Harkin, Barnaby George, George O'Hanlon, Charlie Wise, Oliver Welsh, Ayden Goldsbrough   Team 2 - Neve Lithgow, Indy Evans, Bella Blatchford, Sunny Long, Eva Spicer    Team 3 - Grace Gibbings, Kiki Marker, Scarlett Finley-Squires, Amelia Rose   Team 4 - Grace Halsey, Grace Green, Joselyn Full, Rebecca Quarshie, Tallulah Houlahan   Team 5 - Rufus Scrase, Lucas Chappell, Hayden Halsey, Alex Nagy, Ollie Cooper   Team 6 - Harrison Richards, Benji Houghton, Toby Waring, Mikolaj Piasecki, Nevin Vithayathil, Adam Sadlik

ta library

The new library's 100th book has been taken out. Since September, I have been steadily lending books to a growing readership at an average of 14 books per week. The new TikTok has also taken off, Mrs Daw has now got 173 followers. Well done to Shay who was our 100th book borrower.

Online Art Club Competition – Halloween Review!

Our recent Halloween art competition was a huge success, with some truly creative and spine-chilling entries! Students explored a fantastic range of art disciplines including painting, drawing, digital art, and crafts.

 1st Prize – Saphi Byers for her amazing and detailed portrait of Freddy Krueger. 2nd Prize – Annie Reece for her imaginative and innovative Halloween crafts artworks.
 3rd Prize – Talia Street for her beautifully gothic painting.

 Special Commendation – Michalina J (A Level Photography, TA) for her wonderfully scary skeleton portrait!

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, including Serena, Kira, Joel, Isla-Mae, Jason, Gabriele, and Lauren : )

Fun Friday

Our students finished the week on a real high with another brilliant Fun Friday. Each year group brought great energy and enthusiasm to their activity, which created a lively and positive atmosphere around the school.

Year 7 and Year 8 kicked things off with karaoke. The confidence on show was fantastic, with students singing everything from chart favourites to older classics. The applause for each performance showed real support for one another.

Year 9 took on Sweets in the Jar. Their guessing strategies ranged from the scientific to the hopeful, and plenty of smiles followed once the winning number was revealed.

Year 10 settled in for a competitive game of Bingo. The tension built with every number called, and the celebrations from the winners were well deserved.

Year 11 tested their geographical knowledge in a World Flags Quiz. It was great to see teamwork, quick thinking, and a few surprise experts stepping forward.

Fun Friday continues to be a great way for our students to connect, enjoy themselves, and finish the week with a sense of community. We are already looking forward to next week.

Isla and Esme Shine in the West End!

On Sunday, Isla Coish and Esme Poole took to the stage at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End, performing as part of Young Performers, a national showcase celebrating the passion, skill, and talent of young people from across the country.

Isla and Esme had the incredible opportunity to experience life behind the scenes of a professional theatre, working backstage and supporting fellow performers throughout the day. They dazzled the audience in three dance routines, performing for 20 minutes under the bright lights of one of London’s most iconic stages.

Their dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm made their families and everyone at school immensely proud.

Congratulations, Isla and Esme, what an amazing achievement!

y13 maths with mrs dipode

Mrs Dipode's Year 13 Maths classes have been busy sharpening their differentiation skills! They are now fully focused on differentiating the most complex functions using a whole host of advanced rules. This week, students added the Product Rule and Quotient Rule to their differentiation toolkit. They are now equipped to find the derivative of functions that are multiplied together (product) or those that appear as a ratio/fraction (quotient), crucial tools for cracking a huge range of calculus problems. Mastering these rules is crucial for unlocking a huge range of calculus problems and our students have begun to apply these to more practical problems. 

Students of the Week

Year 7 -  Lewis Tandy and Sivaganga Rithja

Year 8 - Myla Thomas and Josiah Addai

Year 9 - Ellie-Mae Burton and Farah Davidson

year 8 netball

It was a tough match for the Year 8 team against Wellington on Tuesday, but they showed great determination and teamwork throughout. It was a very close contest in the first half, with the girls only trailing by a single goal at halftime.

In the third quarter, the opposition capitalised on every opportunity and began to widen the gap. Despite our relentless effort, tight defence, and moments of excellent play through the court, we were unable to close the margin, and the game finished 23–12.

Although the result didn’t go our way, there were plenty of positives to take forward. The team demonstrated real potential, great spirit, and strong foundations to build on. Lots to learn, but the future is exciting for this young, talented group!

Squad: Mia Kost, Rhia Holding, Ela Uven, Eva Thompson(C), Mimi Skelly, Zenna Venter, Dee Davies, Abigail Harkin

Opposition’s Player of the Match: Zenna Venter

Players' Player of the Match: Eva Thompson

Coach's Player of the Match: Ela Uven

sixth form netball 

A closely contested, end-to-end battle saw the Sixth Form team deliver a fantastic performance in their knockout match. Right from the first whistle, the team came out strong and determined, taking an early lead with sharp attacking play and tight defensive pressure.

The opposition refused to back down and quickly fought back, keeping the scoreline close throughout the game. Every quarter was fiercely contested, with momentum swinging both ways, but the Sixth Form side maintained their composure and focus under pressure.

Defensively, the team were relentless, applying constant pressure, forcing errors, and winning crucial turnovers. These were transitioned seamlessly through court with great vision and pace, leading to some outstanding finishes in the shooting circle. The attacking combinations worked fluidly, supported by excellent communication and teamwork across all areas of the court.

Despite fatigue setting in during the final stages, the team dug deep and showed real grit and determination, refusing to let the opposition take the lead. Their discipline, focus, and sheer will to win shone through in the final minutes.

A brilliant all-round performance full of resilience and spirit saw the team claim a 43–37 victory, securing a well-deserved place in the next round of the competition!

Squad: Elspeth Herring, Millie Sneap, Tammy Westacott ©, Summer Connolly, Maisy Green, Eve Cameron, Ellie Stone

Opposition's Attacking Player of the Match: Tammy Westacott

Opposition's Defensive Player of the Match: Ellie Stone

Players' Player of the Match: Ellie Stone

Coach's Player of the Match: Eve Cameron / Tammy Westacott

u14 netball CVL

The U14 A and B teams took to the court on Thursday for their central venue league matches and truly showcased what a strong and talented squad they are!

The A team played with confidence, composure, and determination, securing impressive wins in all three of their matches against CFGS, NAC, and TCC. From the first whistle to the final goal, they dominated the court with fantastic teamwork and skill. A standout moment came in their hard-fought, end-to-end battle against local rivals CFGS, where their grit and resilience shone through. The team defended relentlessly, turning over crucial balls and capitalising on every opportunity to score.

A Team: Madison Wood (C) Matilda Thorner, Seren Chadwick, Isla Bryant, Emilee Fenner, Lily Langler, Eva Thompson, Zenna Venter

Opposition’s Player: Emilee Fenner / Matilda Thorner

Players Player: Emilee Fenner

Coaches Player: Matilda Thorner

The B team also enjoyed a successful day, winning two out of their four matches and growing stronger with every game. They listened carefully to coaching feedback, worked brilliantly together, and demonstrated great improvement as the matches went on. Their teamwork, energy, and determination were rewarded with two convincing wins, a brilliant effort all round!

B Team: Alexa Lyons (C) Anastasiia Tukilush, Grace Gatting, Lilly Shaw, Tia Woodward, Ellie-Mae Burton, Abigail Harkin

Opposition’s Player: Ellie-Mae Burton / Lilly Shaw / Alexa Lyons / Abigail Harkin

Players Player: Alexa Lyons

Coaches Player: Abigail Harkin

Year 10 produce again!

On Tuesday, the Year 10 football team delivered another outstanding performance, defeating Trinity 8–0 in the National Cup to secure their place in Round 4.

TA were dominant from the first whistle, racing into a 5–0 lead by half-time with sharp passing, relentless pressure, and clinical finishing. The team maintained their control throughout the second half, adding three more goals to complete a superb all-round display.

Goals: Michael Asov (3), Lee Stevens, Stan Austin, Alex Moss, Alfie Vallance, and Zak Haridi.

A brilliant team performance, well done to all involved!

Year 7 Rugby goes from strength to strength

The Year 7 boys’ rugby team took on Churston Ferrers Grammar School this week on the mighty hallowed turf of TA, and what a performance it was!

From the first whistle, TA set the tone with fast, fearless running from Luca Chadwick, Arthur Williams, Nathan Cameron, Caleb Abbott, Riley Holmes, and Elias Abbott. The boys kept possession superbly, moving the ball with purpose and control. Two early tries settled the nerves and set the platform for an outstanding team display.

The defensive effort was immense, tackles flew in across the pitch as TA stood firm against some strong Churston runners. Competing at every ruck with passion and controlled aggression, the boys showed real teamwork and discipline. Toby Wright was excellent at the breakdown, distributing quickly to keep the game flowing.

Support play was superb throughout, with the team responding brilliantly to feedback after each break in play. There were some truly memorable tries:
• Nathan Cameron finished off a flowing team move,
• Rupert Jones jinked through from seven metres out, carrying two defenders over the line, and
• Shia Davidson almost produced a try-of-the-season contender, sidestepping the entire opposition, twice, before just missing the grounding!

It was a complete team performance, capped off by a 35–10 victory that reflected their skill, effort, and spirit.

Training continues on Wednesdays after school with Mr Richardson, Mr Chadwick, and Mr Welsh. Well done to everyone involved — a brilliant display of teamwork and determination!

Team: Josh Pitman, Elias Abbott, Shia Davidson, Toby Wright, Finn McCaul, Joe Spicer, Nathan Cameron, Luca Chadwick, Riley Holmes, Bogdan Piasta, Rupert Jones, Freddie Gaggini, Arthur Williams, Lenon Villiers, Caleb Abbott

House stars of the week

Year 7

Brunel -  Leo Day

Christie -  Freddie Bullions

Darwin -  Remy Beaumont Gray

Fawcett -  Elisha Abraham

Harrison -  Oliver Evans

Kitson -  Annabelle Mounstevens

Nearne -  Joseph Spicer

Pengelly -  Myla Jury

Year 8

Brunel -  Sophia Houghton

Christie -  Louie Gribbin

Darwin -  Amaris Quennell

Fawcett -  Isla-Mae Gale

Harrison -  Dee Davies

Kitson -  Oscar Anderson

Nearne -  George Davies

Pengelly -  Myla Thomas

Year 9

Brunel -  Bonnie Talbot

Christie -  Farah Davidson

Darwin -  Oceana Furse

Fawcett -  Tyler Joseph-Boradley

Harrison -  Ethan Hindom

Kitson -  Grace Gatting

Nearne -  Heidi Milner

Pengelly -  Tia Woodward

Homework Stars of the Week

Year 7

Brunel -  George Bailey

Christie -  Jax O'Connor

Darwin -  Ollie Webster

Fawcett -  Ruby Sambrook

Harrison -  Themba Sibanda

Kitson -  Harvey Malakye

Nearne -  Neekie Wilson

Pengelly -  Echo Williams

Year 8

Brunel -  Cole Washington

Christie - Myles Bonnici

Darwin -  Zack Jeneway

Fawcett -  Jack Parker

Harrison -  Kiera Chivers

Kitson -  Jacob Hicks

Nearne -  Freddy Bonner

Pengelly -  Millie Porter

Year 9

Brunel -  Daisy-Mae Rees

Christie - Layla Lock

Darwin -  George Garbett

Fawcett -  Ayden Quarshie

Harrison -  Ted Lithgow

Kitson -  Catherine Ramesh Mani

Nearne -  Poppy Haslett

Pengelly -  Esme Poole

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