ten tors
Last weekend, five teams from our school took on one of the toughest youth challenges in the UK: the Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor. Organised annually by the British Army, Ten Tors is a test of stamina, teamwork, and resilience that pushes young people to their limits.
Each of our teams—made up of six students—set out to complete routes of 35 or 45 miles, depending on their age group, navigating across the rugged terrain of Dartmoor. They carried everything they needed for two days, including tents, food, and emergency supplies—and there was no adult help allowed once the challenge began. It’s a real test, and one that all five teams rose to with determination.
The teams had been preparing for months, with training walks in all weathers, map reading practice, and kit checks. These sessions built both resilience and confidence, helping the teams learn to navigate, support each other, and manage their own safety.
Saturday started at 5am with the traditional Chariots of Fire playing across the campsite. As the teams set off, the heat of the day made the challenge even tougher. But our students pushed on, tackling steep climbs, river crossings, and long miles with incredible spirit.
One of our Year 10 participants said: "We all had our moments where we wanted to give up, but we were able to help each other and motivate each other to keep going."
One of the Year 10 35-mile teams crossed the finish line on Sunday at 14:30 to cheers and applause. Our Sixth Form 45-mile team finished at 16:30 after two arduous days walking over 50 miles, including a couple of navigation challenges along the way. Families, staff, and volunteers were there to greet them, and the sense of achievement was overwhelming.
Ten Tors is more than a physical challenge. A journey of personal growth, independence, and adventure. We're incredibly proud of all five teams and the way they represented the school with courage and camaraderie.
CCF RAF cadets flying experience
Last Thursday 8th May, six of our CCF RAF cadets were able to gain the experience they have all been waiting for since they joined cadets - flying an aircraft! Obviously they were accompanied by an experienced and qualified pilot but each of the cadets took control of the airplane for some of their flight. An incredible day!
After a three hour drive to the MoD Boscombe Down base, the cadets were met by the commanding officer and given a briefing. This involved training in how to get in and out of the cockpit, and they went through emergency procedures, including how to open the cockpit, evacuate the plane, release the parachute and land safely. Very important training and each of the cadets acquitted themselves admirably. All were feeling very excited and I think it is fair to say a little nervous!
Following the training and a short wait for the pilots to be ready, the cadets set off to the apron of the runway where they were kitted up for their adventure in the kit room. Fitted with flying coveralls and measured up for their flying helmets, and once safety checks were carried out on the mic and headphones the cadets were ready to fly! Two aircraft (Grob Tutors, that student pilots commence their initial training in) and their pilots were waiting as Mr Adams escorted each pair of cadets to the ground crew who assisted them getting into the planes. After the last safety checks they were prepared for take-off.
The cadets each had a flight of over 30 minutes. The route took them across Salisbury Plain, close to Salisbury and they even had an aerial view of Stonehenge! Not something many people have experienced. Mr Adams set the last pair of cadets a mission to give him a traffic report on the A303 to prepare for the journey home!
The cadets weren't too bothered about the traffic report, instead enjoying the view and the pilot performing some aerobatics. Each cadet took control of the aircraft for over five minutes and some even executed loops, rolls and dives! Pretty impressive for a school trip!
After the most amazing experience the cadets were buzzing and grinning from ear to ear as they set off home via a well known fast food restaurant. A massive thank you to 2AEF squadron staff for giving our cadets this fantastic opportunity. Well done to the following cadets: Cpl Grace Halsey, Lance Corporal Julia Tatarynowicz, Lance Corporal Rufus Scrase, Cadet Izzy Goldbrough, Cadet Katie Peryer, Cadet Emily Cowan
year 11 good luck postcards
As our Year 11s started their GCSE exams this week, they had a final assembly with Mr Gale, Mr Honey and Mr Grinsill. In this assembly, they opened cards that their parents and carers had written to them to wish them good luck.
exam briefings
Our students are not sent home and left to their own devices to get on with revision. They spend each day in school with our teachers working through a preparation program before continuing with their revision at home.
On each day, we continue to provide free breakfast, and staff spend time with students going through the final bits of preparation. Students then move into The Platform for a final exam briefing before entering the exam hall. Nothing is left to chance!
D of e certificates
On Tuesday two more students from Year 10 were presented with their DofE Bronze certificates and badges. Both students commenced their awards during Year 9 and have worked hard to finish the sections required to complete the award.
At each level of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards the participants have to undertake a volunteering, a physical and a skills activity. And of course complete the gruelling 2 day, one night expedition.
Leo Maasz and Hayden Halsey completed a variety of different activities for their awards. Hayden volunteered at the Brixham Battery Military Museum, helping to run the museum and give visitors information about the various military exhibits and the tunnels underneath Battery Gardens. For his physical section he attended the school climbing club, and for his skills section he chose to focus on his drill and marching technique in the Army section of the CCF.
For his physical section Leo started attending the gym and logged his activities over the 6 month period. The skills and volunteering sections were both covered by his attendance and activities with the Green Power racing team, where he developed skills in mechanical engineering and volunteered his time contributing to running of the club.
Both boys attended the practice and qualifying expeditions in the summer of Year 9. They both contributed fully to their team's efforts in developing and putting into practice navigation and campcraft skills. And they were both successful in completing the required 6 hours per day of the Qualifying Expedition.
Congratulations to both Leo and Hayden.
Years 7’s Fun Friday!
Lydia's Music & Performing Arts Achievements
We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of one of our talented Year 7 student, Lydia Shetliffe. Lydia has recently passed her Grade 5 Violin Practical Exam with merit—an impressive milestone in her musical journey.
The Grade 5 practical exam, set by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), requires students to perform three prepared pieces, demonstrate scales and arpeggios from memory, and complete both sight-reading and aural tests. Achieving a merit at this level is a testament to Lydia’s dedication, skill, and hard work.
In addition to her exam success, Lydia recently took part in the Torbay Festival, where she competed in an incredible seven categories. Her performances earned her four gold medals and two bronze medals, an achievement that speaks volumes about both her versatility and artistry as a young musician.
We are immensely proud of Lydia for her commitment to music and performing arts. Congratulations, Lydia – we look forward to seeing where your musical journey takes you next!
Hospitality and Catering
This beautiful sunny week the Year 9s and 10s have been practising their skills for their practical examination 
english with miss daw
Miss Daw's Year 9 class have begun their expedition into persuasive writing which will inform both their upcoming Speaking and Listening assessments and their future GCSE Language Paper 2 exam. The class have started exploring topics such as how social media can be damaging to young people's mental heath, The Grenfell Tower disaster and key concepts such as exploitation and systematic violence.
The students have enjoyed starting this topic and are excited at the prospect of performing their own speech, on a subject of their choice, to the rest of the class at the end of the cycle.
The AQA Speaking and Listening assessments form an essential part of the English GCSE and will prove, as they do each year, what our fantastic students are capable of; whilst also building their confidence in public speaking and showing evidence of exceptional communication skills.
I am so looking forward to seeing the speeches and know that they will all do a fantastic job.
Fun Friday Esports Challenge – Year 9 vs Year 10
This Friday’s Esports challenge at The Platform was full of energy and excitement, as Year 9 and Year 10 went head-to-head in a classic North London derby on FC24. Year 9 played as Tottenham, while Year 10 took control of Arsenal.
It was a close and exciting match from start to finish. Year 10 had more of the ball in the first half and even missed a great chance to go ahead early on. Year 9 held their own, showing great teamwork and some excellent goalkeeping to keep things level.
After a tense second half, the match ended in a draw, taking us to penalties. Both teams kept their cool, but in the end, it was Year 10’s Arsenal who won 4-3 in the shootout. Given the missed sitter in the first half, it was probably a fair result.
The match was full of fun, friendly competition, and loud cheers from everyone watching. It was a brilliant way to end the week, and we’re already looking forward to the next challenge.
Year 7 - Kobe Laker and Emilia Hedgecock
Year 8 - Gabi Piasta and Freddy Novis
Year 10 - Lena Galazkiewicz and Dan Hutchison
YEAR 8 COUNTY CUP WINNERS
Super proud of this team last week, U13 County champions. It was a fantastic game to watch for all and well done to our opponents Lipson School. There was time to celebrate and enjoy the occasion before focusing on the next competition.
Goals on the day from Thatch ⚽️⚽️ Calum ⚽️⚽️ Gio ⚽️⚽️ and Emilee ⚽️
Well done, everyone and thank you for the support on the day from their parents.
This week also saw our year 8s progress to another cup final, this time the Torbay cup. A dominant second half secured our place after a slow start going in at half time 2-1 down. Changes and fresh legs changed the whole game, with goals galore coming in the second half to win 9-2.
Golf
Congratulations to all those who competed in the Devon Schools championship last week on Wednesday 30th April. It was a great day at Boringdon golf club with some excellent performances. With the team event we were unable to qualify despite some impressive scores. With the individual event we have Harry Lee in year 9 who has qualified to represent Devon. Harry was one of the top 6 Boys qualifiers and will move on to the scratch, regional event at Enmore Park GC on 27th May. Well done to all involved.
Handball
The year 10 handball team travelled to Gloucestershire University on Tuesday to compete in the regional finals after qualifying in Truro. We developed each game; however, the standard was too high for us, and we were unable to register a win. It was a very enjoyable event despite the results and all the students developed their knowledge and appreciation of a sport that we deliver in our curriculum.
Athletics
TA’s Athletics squad travelled to Stover on Wednesday to compete in their individual events to qualify for the South Devon Athletics team. The day was a real success with 10 - 1st places during the day. They will now compete for places in the Devon squad. Well done to everyone involved. Below are the students who qualified for the South Devon Squad.
Francesca Skelly- 1st long jump, 1st 200m
Annalise Little- 1st 1500m
Maisy Sanderbrook- 1st Javelin
Will Wrathel- 2nd 800m
Mini Skelly- 1st Javelin
Ben Jolly- 1st Long Jump, 1st 200m
Leon Snell- 1st 1500m
Jake Jolly- 1st 100m, 1st 200m
T1 Rugby
This T1 rugby tournament was held at Newton Abbot last week. The T1 is a mixed, touch rugby tournament for students who have no or very limited rugby experience. The year 9’s soon adapted to the necessary tactics and ended up winning all 5 games in the tournament!
Well done to everyone involved.
U14 Boys South Devon Cup Semi Final vs NAC
TA cruised through to the Torbay and District final after a convincing win against Newton Abbot College. TA dominated the game and showed complete control from the outset. Dominating the ball. Newton Abbot College played right till the end and never gave up, but TA were far too strong and ran out 7-0 winners. The goals came from Alex Moss, Sonny Hutchings, Sonny Cayford, Zac Haridi, Jamie Tully, Noah Margetts and Brodi Docherty. TA will now go into the final full of confidence, hoping to finish the season with some silverware.
Year 8 Girls' Rugby Festival
Eight of our talented Year 8 girls were selected to take part in an Exeter Chiefs Womens Rugby Festival on Monday. Several schools from across the South West learnt the skills of touch rugby which included activities coached by the Exeter Chiefs Women's players themselves and then a touch rugby tournament at the end of the day. The girls won all of their games and drew one which showed how much their rugby skills progressed in a short period of time. Well done to the below girls who were involved and a special mention goes to Alana Houlihan who was selected by her teachers as 'Player of the Day':
Alana Houlihan, Bonnie Stacey, Annalise Little, Ruby Turner, Seren Chadwick, Rosie Bevan, Isla Bryant and Maddison Wood
year 8 rounders
On Tuesday, two Year 8 Rounders teams attended the Rounders central venue league held at Churston Grammar School. Both teams performed really well and came away with one win and one loss each, and really showcased their understanding of the game, particularly showing off their batting skills which we have been working hard on over the past few weeks. It was a very enjoyable evening, and if you would like to get involved in Rounders this year, come along to training on Wednesday nights on the field with Mrs Abraham.
Well done to all those involved!!
U15 Boys Football
Unfortunately the U15s bowed out of the South Devon Cup, after losing 2-0 to TBGS. In a tight game, there was little between the two sides, but a goal either side of half time was enough to win the fixture.
House stars of the week
Year 7
Christie - Arthur Gaughan
Darwin - Gergo Rammer
Fawcett - Joel Cotton
Kitson - Oscar Anderson
Nearne - Riley Piercy
Pengelly - Eden Zaple
Year 8
Brunel - Olivia Martin
Christie - Alana Houlihan
Fawcett - Kara Breach
Harrison - Seren Stephenson
Kitson - Jessica Stoyle
Nearne - Jacob Wakefield
Pengelly - Ben Walters
Year 9
Brunel - Will Wrathall
Christie - Elijah Addai
Darwin - Aaron Herring
Fawcett - Halle Walker
Kitson - Naomi Szyszka
Nearne - Finley Corderoy
Pengelly - Katie Peryer
Homework Stars of the Week
Year 7
Brunel - Ela Uven
Christie - Willow-Mae Calland
Darwin - Caiden Edmonds
Harrison - Emilie Cutmore
Kitson - Lilah Dallow
Nearne - Eryn Stafford Summers
Pengelly - Myah Bishop
Year 8
Brunel - Harry Evans
Christie - Alex Iftode
Fawcett - Mason Dur
Harrison - Bailey Taylor
Kitson - Emily Bowden
Nearne - Isla Bryant
Pengelly - Maisy Hart
Year 9
Brunel - George Evans
Christie - Harry Lee
Darwin - Logan Watt
Fawcett - Toby Hamilton
Kitson - Tyler Evans
Nearne - Hayden Quadling
Pengelly - James Beer
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