Fun Friday
Our latest Fun Friday was packed with energy, laughter, and a brilliant variety of activities across the year groups. Year 7 and 8 students showed off their star quality in a karaoke session that had the audience singing and cheering along. There were plenty of smiles all around.
Meanwhile, Year 9 put their heads together for a fast-paced team quiz, and Year 11 tested their powers of estimation with the classic “guess the number of sweets in the jar” challenge. One of the highlights of the day was the Code Breakers competition, where students raced against the clock to crack a series of fiendish codes in order to unlock the padlock on the prize case.
It was fantastic to see so many students taking part and enjoying themselves. It is a real reminder that, alongside the hard work, we can also make space for fun and community spirit at TA.
Year 7 hit the ground running
Our new Year 7s have thrown themselves into life at Torquay Academy with real enthusiasm. They have been busy signing up for the wide range of clubs and societies that begin next week, showing a great appetite to get involved in everything the school has to offer. Their excitement and energy have been wonderful to see.
This week, they have also been staying for an extra hour after school, working alongside their Heads of House to complete homework. During these sessions, they have not only tackled written tasks but also learnt how to approach the different online homework platforms. The commitment they have shown, and the positive impression they have made on staff and older students alike, has been fantastic.
Year 12 make a great start
Our new Year 12 students have made an outstanding start to life in the sixth form, joining seamlessly with our brilliant Year 13s. They have impressed their teachers with the commitment and focus they have shown in lessons, and they are making excellent use of our study centre to complete the work set for them. With 10 hours of homework per subject every two weeks, they have already demonstrated maturity, independence and a real desire to succeed.
Last week, each of the Year 12 tutor groups worked together to create a series of photographs that represent their group’s identity. These fantastic images, which you can see below, capture the enthusiasm, creativity and spirit they have brought to the sixth form.
CREST awards
This week the students from last year’s Science Club were presented with their CREST awards by Mr Spittle and myself. The certificates represent their hard work and dedication to their bespoke science projects, where creativity and innovation met the scientific method with fantastic results.
We now know that the higher the pressure of an air rocket, the further it will go; that the steeper the marble track, the faster the run (until it comes off the track!) and that Popchips are officially the crunchiest crisps! Well done to Evan Jones, Zofia Bocianowska, Olivia Andrews and Pandora Ferguson. I am very proud of their achievements and cannot wait to see their future accomplishments in science.
Cadets Kick Off the New School Year
The Torquay Academy Cadets have returned to school after the summer break with a bang! Our first cadet session of the year saw both the Army and RAF sections come together for an energetic and inspiring start to the term.
Cadets were put through their paces with a combined fitness session, testing their endurance, strength, and teamwork skills. Everyone pushed themselves to achieve more than they thought possible.
Following the fitness session, the cadets moved on to drill exercises, refining their precision, discipline, and coordination. It was fantastic to see cadets from both sections working alongside each other, supporting their peers, and demonstrating commitment and enthusiasm throughout.
This first session set the tone for a year full of learning, teamwork, and exciting activities. The energy and dedication shown by our cadets is a great start, and we can’t wait to see what they will achieve over the coming months!
Well done to all our cadets for an excellent start to the school year!
Sparx Reader Summer Challenge
What a fantastic summer it's been for our young readers! A huge congratulations to every single student who took on our Sparx Reader Summer Reading Challenge and conquered it. We awarded our four, highest-scoring students from each year with prizes and postcards: Maja Kokoszka, Luke Moran, Ed Rackley and Lauren Tanton. We're so proud of the dedication and hard work you've all shown. Whether you read one book or twenty, you've shown that reading can be an exciting adventure, and you've set a wonderful example for your peers.
Year 11, 12 AND 13 Parent Information Evenings
This week we were delighted to welcome parents of Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 students to a series of information evenings. Each event gave families the chance to hear directly from staff about the journey ahead and how best to support their children.
For Year 12, Mrs Hosking and Mr Swettenham shared an overview of past successes as inspiration for what this new cohort can achieve, alongside practical guidance on how parents can provide encouragement and support over the next two years.
Year 11 parents heard from Mr Gale and Mr Grinsill, who outlined the key milestones of the coming academic year and the important steps students will take as they prepare for their GCSE examinations in the summer.
On Thursday evening, Year 13 parents joined Mrs Hosking and Mrs Dipode for a session focused on the run-in to A-levels, with guidance and advice to help students prepare for the challenges of their final year and the exciting opportunities beyond.
It was wonderful to see so many parents engaging with these sessions. We are grateful to all the staff who gave their time to deliver them, and to families for their continued partnership in helping every student succeed.
Sisters' success
Lydia Shetliffe passed her LAMDA acting exam grade 4 with distinction this summer. She has also attended music and dance school during her recent trip to Russia passing international equivalent exams in piano and receiving extensive classical dance training at the Arts College of dance and drama.
Sophia Shetliffe has received 9 in her Russia GCSE exam at the school. She has recently visited St Petersburg and Moscow where she significantly improved her spoken language and also visited many historical sites and museums. Sophia will start working on her A levels in Russia undertaking 2 year online course with one of the language schools in London.
Students of the Week
Year 7 - Ruby Ward and Isaac Bond
Year 9 - Thalia Dunsmore, Bella Hall and Sonny Wildy
Year 11 - Corey Batten and Lola Benney
pro direct academy tournament
Our boys had a great run out this week in a Pro Direct Academy tournament against PDA Dorset and Brighton. A much needed pre season test and our first chance to get the boys together. This was also a chance for the other coaches to see the standard of players in the lead up to showcase fixtures for PD11. Lots of positives and lots to work on before the start of the season kicks off next week against Exeter College.
House stars of the week
Year 7
Christie - Evie Allington
Darwin - Freddie Fewkes
Harrison - Phoebe Herbert
Kitson - Erin Cooper
Nearne - Noah Harding
Year 8
Christie - Kayleb Yeo
Darwin - Fi Bellamy-Hall
Fawcett - Corah Luscombe
Kitson - Alfie Carpenter-Sorton
Nearne - Millie Beamish
Pengelly - Freyja Mobbs
Year 9
Brunel - Okaley Mudge
Christie - Esmie Riggs
Darwin - Charlotte Townsend
Fawcett - Cole Coussell
Harrison - Seren Stephenson
Kitson - Mya Pring
Nearne - Shae Craig
Pengelly - Rosa Murray
Homework Stars of the Week
Year 7
Kitson - Frankie Tait
Year 8
Darwin - Chloe Hornsby
Fawcett - Abigail Harkin
Kitson - Karim Taha
Nearne - George Morton
Pengelly - Liv Reed
Year 9
Brunel - Charlie O'Connor
Christie - Alana Houlihan
Darwin - George Garbett
Fawcett - Laila Mills
Harrison - Gio Vaio
Kitson - Emily Bowden
Nearne - Olivier Kawula
Pengelly - Levi Jones
