Music, creativity, community and house pride

Higher Education Visit to DBS Plymouth for sixth form Music

On Thursday the year 12 music students visited DBS Plymouth for a taster day in higher education within music. Our pupil's took part in two workshops lead by Ableton certified educator Matt Ward and industry stalwart Pete Day. The day began with pupils creating experimental techno from no input mixing feedback loops, learning about circuitry manipulation and sound shaping, before lunch. After lunch pupils took part in a recording workshop with Pete Day laying down four tracks on a vintage Neve desk. It was an incredible experience of further education as the students begin to consider their next step in music.

Christmas concert video

We were incredibly proud to share the video from our Christmas concert this week, capturing a truly special evening for our school community.

The concert showcased the talent, confidence and hard work of our students, with performances that reflected the care, commitment and creativity that go into music across the school. It was a wonderful celebration of the season and a brilliant reminder of the power of the arts to bring people together.

A huge thank you to all the students and staff who made the concert such a memorable occasion, and to families for their continued support. We hope you enjoy watching the highlights as much as we enjoyed experiencing it live.

fun friday

Our latest Fun Friday was another great example of how we build community, reward effort and create positive moments across the school.

Each year group took part in an activity designed to be fun, inclusive and low pressure, and the atmosphere around the site was brilliant throughout the afternoon.

Both year groups threw themselves into karaoke with confidence and enthusiasm. From solo performances to group singalongs, pupils showed real courage getting up in front of their peers and supporting one another. The energy in the rooms was fantastic, with plenty of laughter, encouragement and some genuinely impressive performances.

Year 9 and Year 10 competed in quizzes that tested general knowledge, teamwork and quick thinking. The level of focus and engagement was high, with teams working collaboratively and enjoying the friendly competition. It was great to see pupils challenging themselves while still having fun.

For Year 11, Fun Friday took a calmer but equally enjoyable approach with the classic sweets in the jar challenge. Pupils carefully estimated, debated and refined their guesses, with a sweet prize waiting for the closest answer. A small moment of fun, but one that was very well received during a demanding year.

Fun Fridays continue to play an important role in recognising positive behaviour, strengthening relationships and reminding pupils that school is a place where hard work and enjoyment go hand in hand.

Well done to everyone who took part and helped make the afternoon such a success.

new pengelly mascot

There was great excitement this week as Pengelly Panthers officially welcomed their brand new house mascot.

Mr Chadwick was clearly delighted to parade proudly around the school with the panther, drawing smiles, cheers and plenty of attention along the way. While students were pleased to see Mr Chadwick, there was no doubt that meeting the panther itself was the real highlight.

The new mascot was met with huge enthusiasm from Pengelly students, who were eager to say hello, pose for photos and show their house pride. The panther has already made a strong impression and looks set to become a much loved symbol of the Pengelly spirit.

maths with Mrs Kirby

In Mrs Kirby’s Maths class 7Q7, students have been looking at calculating the mean. This follows on from their work on multiplication and division of integers and decimals.

The class were initially able to build their competency in this topic by looking at squished polygons, to work out their original side lengths, if the perimeter stayed the same. This allowed them to use their current knowledge of how to add and then divide whole numbers and decimals.

We then extended our understanding of bar models to use a three layered bar model to represent our problems. Here is a brilliant example of how Holly was able to complete a bar model to represent how to share sweets equally between a group of 3 people.

Following on from this the students were able to use their whiteboards to practice drawing their own bar models to represent the maths problems, and use them to calculate the mean. Here is a great example of how Izzy was then able to apply this knowledge into her workbook with some practice questions.

Mrs Kirby was so impressed with how the class were able to develop their understanding of the mean and all the bar models that the class were able to produce on their whiteboards and in their books. Well done!

art with mrs lynch

Year 8 art students have recently been studying the work of the remarkable artist Käthe Kollwitz. Her powerful art explores themes of suffering, poverty, and war through expressive prints, drawings, and sculptures, addressing universal subjects such as motherhood, death, and the struggles of the working class, often inspired by personal tragedy.

The year 8 art students have produced stunning artist research pages, featuring observational drawings, transfer prints, and thoughtfully annotated notes. Mrs Lynch has been extremely impressed by Year 8’s talent, focus, and determination in completing this work

Happiness in Nature

Well done to all of the art clubbers who took the time and effort to create artwork for our recent competition, Happiness in Nature. We were absolutely delighted with the response and thrilled by the wide variety of techniques and interpretations of the theme.

First prize was awarded to our Year 12 student, Zac Evans, for his incredible photograph of his dog, Frank. Not only is the photograph technically skilful, but it also beautifully encapsulates the dog’s happiness through the eyes of his owner.

Second prize went to Tanya Neil for her very imaginative mixed media piece. This delightful work included a combination of digital art, watercolour, pencil, and fabric — a truly impressive and creative outcome.

Third prize was awarded to Imogen James-Symonds for her spectacular photograph of the early evening sky. What an amazing array of colours and textures — truly beautiful.

A Highly Commended award was given to Anastasiaa Tukilush for her stunning photograph of the view across the bay. This work demonstrates a really strong composition, with lots of interesting detail to delight the viewer.

Last but not least, a Very Well Done award was given to Harry McCarthy for his woodland photograph. One can almost feel the sun’s rays on one’s face and hear the birdsong — the image is wonderfully atmospheric.

We look forward to seeing what our art clubbers produce in the spring term!

Mrs Lynch

Students of the Week

Year 7 - Nathan Cameron and Ella Bindon

Year 9 - Seren Chadwick and Seth McCann

Year 10 - Jessie Raybould and Ed Rackley

Year 11 - Grace Green and Harry Newman

TA House Sport: House Climbing Competition 2025

The annual TA House Sport climbing competition took place at Exeter Clip and Climb, and once again it proved to be an exciting and fiercely competitive event. Pupils from Year 7 and Year 8, boys and girls, represented their houses with determination, resilience and fantastic sportsmanship throughout the day.

With challenging routes and high levels of effort on display, every competitor contributed valuable house points, making this a brilliant KS3 event. Well done to everyone who took part.

Year 8 Boys

Gold: Archie Payne Stanbury (Christie)
Silver: Lincoln Trapp (Pengelly)
Bronze: Jacob Caldwell (Harrison))

Year 8 Girls

Gold: Myah Bishop (Pengelly)
Silver: Lilah Dallow (Kitson)
Bronze: Ava Wiggins (Fawcett)

Year 7 Boys

Gold: Archer Burton
Silver: James Brown
Bronze: Lennon Head

Year 7 Girls

Gold: Neekie Wilkinson
Silver: Amelia Garvey
Bronze: Dolly Peart

The atmosphere at Exeter Clip and Climb was outstanding, with students encouraging one another and pushing themselves to new heights—literally. The competition was close across both year groups, highlighting just how well competed this year’s event was.

A huge well done to all participants for earning house points for all houses involved, and congratulations to our medal winners. We look forward to seeing this event continue to grow as a highlight of the TA House Sport calendar.

u13 boys vs clyst vale

governor's silver certificates

Year 7 - Dominik Mohacsi

governor's bronze cerificates

Year 7 - Dolly Peart, Ayva Howell, Erin Cooper, Ruby Hand, Mila O'Connell, Evie Voisey, Charlie Pearson and Annabelle Mountstevens

Year 8 - Myles Anyon and Sophia Hill

principal's gold certificates

Year 7 - Sid Walters, Damon Reen, Bogdan Piasta, Heni Ujj, Annie Reece, Benji Kittow, George Bailey, Izzy Beer, Daniel Ibell, Arthur Williams, Kayleigh Norgaard-Welsh, Meelie Harvey, Isla Copping, Immy Weeks, Madison Trott, Mylo Jury, Ellie Peters, Lincoln Weston, James Rackley, Archie West, Lennon Head, Baran Sular, Zara Isemede, Sienna Thomas, Isaac Armitage, Callan Woodward, Max Newman, Ludo Mudge, Nathan Cameron, Mason Bond and Elias Abbott

Year 8 - Charlie Skinner, Lilly-Ella Smith, Sophia Hill, Myles Anyon, Erin Gayton, Isla Parsons, Karen Shaju, Liv Andrews and Lilah Dallow

Year 9 - Immy Shaw, Oceana Furse, Summer Reed, George Garbett, Emily Bowden, Charlotte Townsend and Jesse Isemede

principal's silver certificates

Year 7 - Svetlin Yordanov, Amelia Syms, Ruby Ward, Macey Horsted, Holly Garbett, Angelina Bassett, Lilly Conley, Phoebe Smith, Katie Hornbrook, Elijah Benson, Logan Mansell, Isaac Bond, Florence Potter, James Broom, Amelia Drew, Romeo Collins-Perry, Awa Camara, Cody Aguilana, Beau Luker-Hulme, Freddie Gaggini, Luna Furse, Marlie Coussell, Remy Beaumont Gray, Harry Barrett, Rosie Taylor, Indie Kenyon, Roni Bates, Frankie Wilson, Josh Pitman, Amelia Lyons, Jaiden Wragg, Chloe Leese, Hope Briant, Luca Vaio, Joshua Randall, Lily Fitzgerald, Maddison Pearse, Tommy Stevens, Daisy Prior, Donatella Manyimo, Harley Sims, Ella Austin and Taylor Norgaard-Welsh

Year 8 - Laura Mercer, Owen Brown, Simeon Manners, Ryu Cutts, Finley Thompson, Ajay Squires, Ethan Nichols, Kobe Laker, Oscar Anderson, Frederick Sintim, Ava Broughton, Sienna Frost, Jacob Hicks, Myla Thomas, Sara Szewczuk, Maya Campineanu, Zofia Bocianowska and Gabriele Stadalninkaite

Year 9 - Ben Walters, Luke Moran, Alba McKechan, Florence Botten, Lucy French, Kobi Burness-Moakes, Mya Pring, Max Kapusta, Jessica Ferguson, Aaron Pinto, Leo Shaw, Harry Rowlands, Ava McArdle, Grace Gatting, Sofia Adamson, Oktawian Siennicki, Charlie Berry, Harry Austin, Jenson Tandy and Frederick Blagden

Principal's bronze certificates

Year 7 - Isaac Bell, Toby Siuchninski, Iris Blurton, Leo Allington, Summer Young, Marek Piasta, Coby Ingham Owens, Riley Holmes, Sivaganga Renjith, Martha Wilcox, Samuel Vesely, Alfie Bortoli, William Taylor, Mia Carter, Finley Walton, Toby Wright, Oakley Wise, Ella-Rose Woodgates, Kaitlyn Blades, Millie Horrocks, Joseph Spicer, Themba Sibanda, Alfie Passmore, Lexi Harper and Aaliyah Phillips

Year 8 - George Tonks, Jude Nwachukwu, Fynlay Dever, Megan Bushell-Sneap, Poppy Cosh, Chloe Bastow, George Ballance, Emilie Cutmore, Kai Cornish, Toby Young, Oscar Hall, Lincoln Trapp, Riley House, Brooke Harding, Joel Cotton, Skyla-Rose Whitfield, Zac Retter, Alex Oleksy, Kayleb Yeo, Paisley Taylor, Mimi Skelly, Mollianne Potter, Maddie Mack, Rhia Holding, Chloe Eales, Teddy Shobbrook, Achilles Richards, Macy Hickman, Theo Mason, George Davies,Hayley Steenkamp, Neave Heavens, Bella Cassidy, Dee Davies, Jude Storey, Libby Pell, Dylan McDonald, Evan Jones, Kiera Chivers, Sienna Hunter, Kaiden Ilhan, Willow-Mae Calland, Cole Barton, Anna Viediernikova, Millie Porter, Freyja Mobbs, Jacob Purdie, Luca Guppy, Brooke Dennett, Colby Craig, Charlie Courtier, Abigail Harkin, Ethan Chapman, Harry Monro and Jack O'Connor

Year 9 - Bradley Wright, Wiktoria Aleksander, Katie Tonks, Faith Hartley, Khalid Al-Ajrami, Tyler Jackson, Oakley Mudge, Keylan Hodgson, Flo Evans, Tyler Davis, James Cosh, Seren Panther-Glinn, Ellie-Mae Burton, Elena Bolton, Alana Houlihan, Elissia Greenwood, Haydon Coatesworth, Calum Carpenter, Zachary Kittow, Harry Evans, Rosco Biagott, Jessica Munnangi, Ocean Brant, Olly Bell, Lily Hubbard, Allen Burns-Muir, Layla Lock, Jamie Hancox, Charlie O'Connor and Dion Maharjan