House Climbing, Live Music & Back-to-Back Champions

Year 8 House Climbing Competition

Our Year 8 students took part in an exciting House Climbing Competition, putting their speed, determination and climbing skills to the test!

Students competed against one another to achieve the fastest climbing times, demonstrating fantastic effort and competitive spirit throughout the event.

Boys’ Results

1st Place – Nathan Cameron -Brunel
2nd Place –Toby Siuchninshi-Nearne
3rd Place – Benji Kito- Brunel

Girls’ Results

1st Place –Ayda Snell- Nearne
2nd Place – Iris Blurton- Nearne
3rd Place – Maddison Pearce - Fawcett

A huge congratulations to our six podium finishers and well done to everyone who participated. It was brilliant to see so much enthusiasm, resilience and House spirit on display.

Well done, Year 8!

Celebrating Our First Live Music Lunch of the Year

The new term’s Live Music Lunch series kicked off with the kind of energy you'd usually find at the O2. The Platform was packed to the absolute rafters with an expectant crowd of Year 7 and Year 8 students, buzzing to hear the talent on show.

Liv Andrews from Year 9 took the early shift, stepping up to the decks to drop a DJ masterclass She spun a set of party-pleasing mixes that had everyone moving from the first beat. Next up, our Year 12's shifted the mood entirely, treating the room to a beautiful execution of Olivia Dean’s Live Lounge take on Love Me Not. It was smooth, soulful, and loaded with the kind of musical maturity that takes years to lock down.

The gear shifted again when our second house band plugged in, immediately cranking the room’s temperature back up with a bright, uptempo, and gloriously infectious run through Maroon 5’s This Love. Year 13 seniors who closed out the half-hour with a blistering, fuzzy cover of Keo's That's Me that left the crowd roaring.

We are incredibly lucky to have this level of raw talent in our corridors, and just as lucky to have a younger crowd enthusiastic to support and appreciate the entertainment. A massive, well-earned shout-out to the musicians, the tech hands. The bar has been officially set.

Musicians Performing at Live Music Lunch #1

Bartosz Mitula, Emilia Hunt, Harry Paul, Emilee Payne, Daisy Helier, Bella Williams, Olivia Franke, Libby Grindling, Samuel Johns, Halle Wooton, Connie McMahon, Oliver Jones, Zac Evans and Liv Andrews

Back-to-Back Champions

It was another outstanding performance from our Year 8 & 9 6-a-side Football Team this week as they travelled to Devon FA to compete in the regional tournament. Following up on previous success, the squad put on an absolute masterclass from start to finish, working tirelessly for one another, battling for every ball, and showing incredible team spirit throughout the entire day.

The defence was practically impenetrable, conceding just a single goal all tournament, with Hugo putting in a fantastic performance in goal. Up front, the team played some breathtaking football, including a series of amazing passages of play combining four sharp passes to slice through opponents, with Ronnie finishing as the tournament’s top goalscorer.

To go back-to-back and bring the trophy home once again is a massive achievement. Huge congratulations to Hugo, Ronnie, and the entire squad for representing TA with such determination, skill, and sportsmanship. Well done, boys!

Team TA football: goals, grit and two clean sheets

It was another busy week for Torquay Academy football, with four completed fixtures across our school and post-16 teams. The Year 8 boys and U13 girls recorded clean-sheet wins, while the U18s and Year 11 boys faced close away contests.

Year 8 boys hit six at Tavistock

Tavistock 0–6 Torquay Academy

The Year 8 boys opened the week with a commanding away result. Luke Drew-Stevenson led the scoring with a hat-trick, joined on the scoresheet by Ronni Mcelkenny, Rupert Jones and Frankie Wilson. Six goals and a clean sheet made for an excellent start to the week.

U18s edged out at Champion

Champion 2–1 Torquay Academy

Our post-16 side travelled to Champion for a tight match that finished 2–1 to the hosts. Mikolaj Piasecki scored Torquay Academy’s goal. The narrow defeat gave the group plenty to take into the next stage of their season.

U13 girls keep a clean sheet against Uffculme

Torquay Academy 3–0 Uffculme

Back at home, the U13 girls earned a 3–0 win over Uffculme. Leyla Atici scored twice and Dolly Peart added the third. Another clean sheet capped a strong team performance.

Year 11 boys in five-goal contest

Stanchester 3–2 Torquay Academy

The Year 11 boys finished the week with a close away match at Stanchester. Stan Austin and Lee Stevens were on target for Team TA, but the hosts took the game 3–2.

U18 vs Penwith

The U18 fixture against Penwith was postponed. Across the four matches played, Team TA scored 12 goals, with two clean sheets. Well done to every player and member of staff who represented the academy this week.

U15 Netball vs CFGS

Torquay Academy's U15 netball team kicked off their SIS National Knockout campaign in dominant fashion with an impressive 56-20 first-round victory.

Despite the wide margin on the scoreboard, fantastic netball was displayed by both sides throughout the match, ensuring both teams remained intensely focused throughout

Torquay Academy managed to pull ahead early, driven by seamless court connections and precise ball movement through the midcourt. Defensively, they turned up the heat with immense, relentless pressure that forced key turnovers and limited their opponents' scoring opportunities. The attacking line took full advantage, finishing off work with clinically accurate shooting inside the circle.

It was an impressive, all-around team performance that sets a strong tone for the next round of the competition! Well done girls!

Squad: Abigail Harkin, Elena Bolton, Lily Langler, Emilee Fenner, Madison Wood, Isla Bryant, Eva Thomson, Matilda Thorner ©, Zenner Venter, Seren Chadwick

Year 7 Netball

Torquay Academy’s Year 7 netball teams made a brilliant start to their secondary school sports journey this week, taking part in their very first netball tournament across two exciting days on Tuesday and Wednesday.

With two teams playing on Tuesday and another two competing on Wednesday, it was fantastic to see so many players out on court, gaining valuable match experience and representing the academy with pride. For many players, this was their very first time playing competitive netball matches. They took to the court with energy and enthusiasm, adapting quickly to the fast pace of tournament play.

Huge congratulations to all of our Year 7 players for their amazing effort, high spirits, and sportsmanship throughout both days. It was a fantastic first outing, and we are really looking forward to seeing all our players continue to learn, grow, and develop over time!

Squads:

Aggie Chant ©, Skyla Gaye, Millie Thatcher, Millie French, Aaliyah Wilkes, Poppy Kendall, Olivia Rutkowski, Mariella Bates

Ruby Thorner ©, Jaime-Leigh Palmer, Fleur Jordan, Kiana Wadsworth, Marla Bettridge, Lilah Vincent, Rosa Bowden, Tilly Hallett

Ruby Brooks ©, Anna Manley, Ariana Rusu, Maci Harrison, Martha Bellingham, Ruby Armitage, Scarlett Coles, Olivia Gaggini

April Gatting ©, Annabel Attwood, Billie Smith, Emma Porter, Logan Fear, Evie Macfarlane, Shanaya Coles, Bella Jones

Sixth Form Netball

A tough fixture for our Sixth Form squad against a strong Truro College side who capitalized on every small mistake. Despite the loss, the girls showed incredible grit and determination, battling hard right up to the final whistle and saving their absolute best for the final quarter! Fantastic effort and relentless team spirit throughout. Well done, girls!

Squad: Rebecca Quarshie, Frankie Skelly, Matilda Stevens, Lora Cadman, Maisie Sandercock, Chloe German ©, Connie Kinghorn, Ellie Farthing, Millie Swift, Ashleigh Evans, Kelsey Drew

Oppositions Player: Chloe German

Players Player: Kelsey Drew

Coaches Player: Ashleigh Evans

Year 8 Rugby competition at Stover school

The year 8s continued their fine form from last week and travelled to Stover to compete in a 10 a side tournament. The boys started well winning their first game convincingly, but then had nearly an hour wait until their next game and unfortunately narrowly lost mainly due to missed tackles. The boys played some outstanding rugby in that game and kept the ball really well, providing structure and some well constructed phase play. The team then bounced back in the next game beating a team they drew with only last week, the extra space of a bigger pitch suited our strong, fast runners and we cantered to victory. Team TA then continued to beat every other team they faced ending the day with only one loss out of all their games. A cracking day with some fine rugby being played. Training continues on Mondays and Tuesdays for year 8s after school. Well done to all those involved.

Three Services, One Contingent – Another Busy Wednesday at Torquay Academy CCF!

Yesterday’s cadet session once again showcased the strength and diversity of Torquay Academy’s Combined Cadet Force, with our Army, Royal Air Force and newly formed Royal Navy sections all continuing to develop their skills and prepare for the exciting opportunities ahead.

Army Section – Safe Weapons Training

The Army cadets continued their weapons training, building confidence and familiarity with the weapon systems in a safe and controlled environment. Safety remains the priority at every stage, with cadets also learning the importance of looking after their equipment, including carrying out the necessary cleaning at the end of the session.

With safe weapons training continuing to gather pace, cadets are eager to progress towards live firing on the ranges. There is plenty of work to do before then, but their enthusiasm and commitment are clear to see!

RAF Section – Drill and RAST Preparation

The RAF section focused on drill, introducing our newest cadets to the standards, discipline and teamwork expected within the Royal Air Force. Meanwhile, our more experienced cadets continued their preparations for the upcoming RAST competition, putting their existing skills to the test as they work towards representing the contingent.

Royal Navy Section – Finding Its Feet

Our newly formed Royal Navy section continues to prove extremely popular, attracting interest from cadets across all year groups. The section is already building momentum, with cadets beginning to develop their naval skills through navigation and rope work.

With plenty of exciting trips and activities on the horizon, there is a great deal for our Navy cadets to look forward to as the section continues to grow.

Join Our Team – Adult Volunteers Wanted!

With all three services growing and an exciting programme of activities ahead, we are looking for additional adult volunteers to help support our cadets and deliver the opportunities that make the CCF such a valuable experience.

You do not need previous military experience to get involved. Enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and a commitment to helping young people develop are what matter most. Whether you have a military background or bring skills and experience from civilian life, there could be a role for you within our team.

If you would like to find out more about volunteering with Torquay Academy CCF, please contact our School Staff Instructor (SSI) at ccf@tqacademy.co.uk.

Three Services, One Team

It is fantastic to see all three services developing their own identities while remaining part of one cohesive contingent. From Army weapons training and RAF drill to Royal Navy navigation and rope work, our cadets are gaining new skills, building confidence and embracing the opportunities that CCF membership provides.

As training continues, we look forward to seeing our cadets progress, take on new challenges and make the most of everything Torquay Academy CCF has to offer. With the support of our existing staff and new volunteers, we can continue to build on this success and provide even more opportunities for our cadets.

Big Brother and Big Sister

Our Big Brother and Big Sister mentoring program is back for its third year, and it’s officially bigger and better than ever! We are thrilled to share that a record-breaking 50+ Bigs and Littles have paired up for this year’s cohort.

The initial meet-and-greet sessions have already taken place, and the room was buzzing with energy. It’s been incredible to watch the mentors and mentees hit it off right away, chatting, sharing laughs, and mapping out their goals and activities for the coming months.

Our Littles are genuinely excited to get stuck into the program. Over the term, pairs will be getting creative and having fun through baking, playing board games, having regular catch-up sessions and arts and crafts.

For our Bigs, this program is far more than just a rewarding weekly break. Taking on a mentorship role provides invaluable hands-on experience, helping Sixth Formers develop core transferable skills like active listening, leadership, empathy, and communication. It offers a standout talking point for UCAS personal statements, apprenticeship applications, and future university interviews.

A massive thank you to everyone involved in making the launch such a high-energy success. We can’t wait to see these friendships flourish throughout the year!

Fun Friday: Live Music, Bingo and Carnival Games!

There was plenty to look forward to this Fun Friday, with live music, games and friendly competition providing a fantastic way for our students to round off another busy week.

Years 7 and 8 were invited to enjoy the Live Music Lounge on the Platform, organised by Mr Pasternakiewicz. This was a wonderful opportunity to bring students and staff together through music, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere.

Year 9 had the chance to test their luck with Bingo, hosted by Mr Chadwick in the Year 9 canteen.

Year 10 enjoyed Carnival Games, organised by Mr Christophers outside, weather permitting, bringing a little fairground fun to the afternoon.

Year 11 took on the Sweets in a Jar challenge, hosted by Mr Foulds in the Year 11 canteen, with students putting their estimation skills to the test as they tried to guess how many sweets were inside.

Fun Friday continues to be a brilliant way to recognise our students' hard work throughout the week, providing opportunities to have fun, spend time together and enjoy being part of the Torquay Academy community. A big thank you to the staff who organised and supported this week's activities!

Year 13 Geographers Prepare for Success

The Year 13 A Level Geographers have been busy practising for their upcoming mock exams in November and final exams in the summer of 2027. Here they are completing a timed essay on the varying river regimes in the Amazon, Yukon and Murray-Darling drainage basins. They have also been considering the causes of the recent flash floods in Nepal and the impacts of climate change in the region. They are well on the way to success with some excellent discussion and peer feedback of their written responses. Keep up the great work Year 13!

Reading Academy

Our students in the Reading Academy have made an excellent start this term. Working in small groups students are being supported to improve their reading. A particular shout out to 7T5 and 7Q6 who have been learning new skills as they settle into secondary school and have just started to work on developing their comprehension.

We are really excited to see the progress that our Reading Academy students can make this year!

Year 10 Maths with Miss Wooldridge

In Year 10, we have been using bar models to develop our understanding of complex, worded ratio problems. By representing quantities visually, students can see how a ratio is made up of equal parts, making it easier to identify missing values and understand the relationship between different amounts.

Bar models help to break down problems into manageable steps, develop mathematical reasoning and provide a clear method that students can apply to GCSE exam questions. By focusing on understanding as well as procedure, we are helping students to build the skills and confidence they need to tackle increasingly
challenging ratio problems independently.

We use mini-whiteboards in every maths lesson as a really effective way to check student understanding and give immediate feedback. Any misconceptions or misunderstanding can be identified and acted on quickly to support learning. Students enjoy the opportunity for low-stakes practice and show excellent engagement and participation using the whiteboards.
10T5 and 10Q6 completed a really challenging ratio assessment successfully using bar models. Impressive effort Y10!