A week of remembrance, music, team building & sport

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Anne Rochford

It is with sadness that I report that Anne Rochford has recently passed away,  our heartfelt condolences go to her family at this sad time.  Anne was a governor at the school for over 30 years and had a great input during this time.  She will be sadly missed.

NCFE Music Exam Concert

This was a concert with a difference – our students were also being examined for the GCSE exams; so there was quite a bit of pressure!  It is impossible for me to describe just how wonderful our students were and the audience of over 300 were wowed by each performance.  In addition to Jess’ wonderful performance below (YOU HAVE TO WATCH IT!) you can see a number of our other performances on our YouTube Channel.

Remembrance Day

In what has now become an annual tradition, TA took time out to pay our respects on Remembrance Day which marks the end of the First World War and is a day to remember and honour those who have paid the price for our freedom.  The whole school gathered in the atrium and observed a 2 minute silence following Jack Bell’s outstanding rendition of the Last Post.

TA – home to the hardest working students in the South West

How great is this – our library at 3.30pm on a Friday afternoon! Rather than going home and starting their weekend, its full of children doing homework and reading. Barely a spare seat left.

High Performance Academy – Team Building

On Tuesday 8 hardy members of the School High Performance Academy and 5 members of our Sixth Form student leadership team took part in a number of team building/problem solving activities. Despite the drop in temperature and the rain a good time was had by all.  Challenges ranged from solving mathematical problems, blindfolded challenges, building a stretcher, saving the world from a toxic waste disaster and moving from A to B as a group using wooden planks as an aid. If you are a member of the High Performance Academy please make sure that you get your return slip for the forthcoming activities back to Mr Gale so that you avoid missing out on some fantastic opportunities .

Sport Roundup

Football

Year 8 Football

In the 3rd round of the National Cup on Tuesday, the Year 8 team played out an epic encounter on the field against Kings School, Ottery.  In a frantic game, which was end to end and full of incident, TA struck first. Reece Shaw’s fantastic corner delivery sailing straight into the goal for 1-0. TA applied a spell of pressure shortly after, however it was from our own attacking corner that we conceded the equaliser.  Kings’ pace forwards scoring a classic counter attacking goal after heading our corner clear, 1-1. Josh Watt almost put us back in front just before half time as he worked an opening and shot from fully 30 yards, rattling the crossbar.

The second half started very similar, with both sides trying to play good football but applying lots of pressure to each other too, making the second half as frenetic as the first. Reece Shaw was then put in 1v1 with the keeper and he maintained his composure to make it 2-1. The lead was held a bit longer this time, however once again a direct ball forward caught us out and the Kings forward was able to round Sam Carroll despite a valiant attempt from Ryan Wilson to stop the goal.

Both teams then had chances, including Josh Watt with a goal disallowed for offside. We then conceded a 3rd goal, very similar to the second, with 10 mins remaining. Changes were made as we looked to get a late leveller but we were again caught by Kings pace on the counter attack to make it 4-2. Immediately from kick off Josh Watt got a deserved goal but with only 30 seconds on the clock, we did not quite have time to stage the most dramatic of fight backs. Final  Score: 4-3. MOM: Charlie Clarke

Year 10 Through to next round of National Cup

On Tuesday evening the Year 10 football team took on St Peter’s from Exeter in the National Cup. Mr Grinsill believes that these are the best two teams in Devon at this moment in time and the game certainly didn’t disappoint. TA fought back on three occasions to win 4-3 in what can only be described as one of the best school games. The action was from end to end with chances coming for both sides thick and fast. TA won the game thanks to goals from Lewis Eaton x2 and Olaf Koszella. It was a fantastic performance from the team who now have to wait until Monday to find out who they play in the next round.

Second Eleven

The second eleven faced St Austell in their league fixture. TA proved far too strong for their opponents from the very first whistle running out 11-0 winners. The goals were scored by Alex Constantinou x3, Joseph Boothroyd x3, Nathan Hebbes, Josh Guise. Debutant Joe McFarlane who stepped up for the first time from the third team also grabbed himself a hat-trick and gave Mr Grinsill plenty to contemplate over the next week.

On Wednesday the second 11 increased their lead at the top of the league after a resounding 5-1 win over Paignton CC who are linked with Plymouth Argyle. The goals came from Lewis Reeman x4 and Louis Baker-Thornley. The team now sit 8 points clear at the top of the league.

Table Tennis Devon Champions

Under the watchful eye of Jo Piwowar our Table Tennis coach, a team of 16 students, listed below, travelled to Plymouth on Wednesday to take part in their first ever Devon Table Tennis Championships.

Boys Under 13
Year 7 – Ellis Knowles
Year 8 – Nick Turner
Year 8 Harry Mabbutt
Year 8 Tyler Stuckey

Boys Under 16
Year 8 – Matty Leighton
Year 9 – Finn Mulready
Year 10 Olaf Koszela
Year 11 Kamil Sniegocki

Girls Under 16
Year 9 – Poppy Bell
Year 9 – Ella Squibb
Year 9 – Hannah Mabbutt
Year 8 – Molly Farley

Girls Under 13
Year 8 – Rosie Barnes
Year 8 – Gracie Bradbury
Year 8 – Myah Brett-Wilson
Year 8 – Anna Hobson

With the exception of Kamil this was their first ever tournament of this kind and considering they only started after school clubs and curriculum teaching 7 weeks ago they did remarkably well.  Both boys groups did not manage to get out of the group stages but they certainly made every game they played in very competitive, all the students won at least one match, most won two or more. Matty Leighton is to be congratulated for playing in the Under 16 competition when he was eligible for the Under 13.

The girls were an even greater success, our Under 16 team, (3 Year 9 and a Year 8), Molly Farley playing out of age group, were outstanding in their group stages, winning their group and making their way into the final where they came up against previous National Champions Okehampton, understandably we were beaten on the day but Devon Runners Up nonetheless!!

Our Under 13 Girls were amazing, they simply did not know how to lose and beat all before them, Devonport High School for Girls, Stover School, Ilfracombe and All Saints Plymouth and were consequently crowned Devon Champions!!

Emma Harrison makes the South Devon cross country squad

On Thursday TA took 17 runners to Stover to compete the the South Devon cross country event. The Year 7’s raced together and the 8’s and 9’s combined for a junior team. With numerous schools attending, each race consisted of 80 plus students.   The star of the day was our Year 7, Emma Harrison. She finished 2nd out of 83 competitors only just missing out on first place. She has now qualified for the South Devon squad. At the end of the month she will race against the rest of Devon for a place in the Devon squad.   Congratulations to all that made the TA squad and competed with huge determination.

Year 7 girls TA cross country champion
Emma Harrison

Year 8 boys TA cross country champion
Archie Bindon

Year 9 boys TA cross country champion
Liam Doris

Year 9 girls TA cross country champion
Ollie Mellitt

Dodgeball

The Year 8 annual house dodgeball event took place on Thursday evening with another great turn out.  Both boys and girls from each house battled it out in the event which is proving to be extremely popular. Brunel remain champions for the second year in a row!!  Well done to everyone who participated.

Also, congratulations to all the Year 7’s who participated in their first house dodgeball tournament on Monday. Congratulations to KITSON who now hold the Year 7 dodgeball title!!

Day in the Life of a Year 7 Student

Emma Harrison had a very busy day on Thursday, she placed second in the Area Cross Country Championships, arrived back to school in time for her PE lesson and then it was over to Paignton to take part in the year 7 Central Venue Netball Competition, once all that was done it was off home to do her homework, and all of this with a permanent smile on her face and a great attitude. Just another example of how hard our wonderful children work at TA.

Maths Whizz

Students of the Week

Students pictured with myself, Mr Gale and Mr Jones this week are;   Charlie Barnes,  Leah McDonald,  Emma Harrison,  Also nominated but not on the photo Lily Hollaway and  Kamil Sniegocki

Sixth Form Open Evening Invite

Information below can also be found on the school website in the Open Days section.