Amazing start to the year, Lego Robotics & Motorsport
It has been an amazing start to the year. Anyone who visits our school is blown away by the atmosphere around the school; it is one of hard work and application. This year I have been even more impressed than ever before with the approach of our students and the quality of the lessons they are being given. It is quite simply incredible.
I know that we ask a lot from our students, but it is their war work that has led to them getting such incredible GCSE and A level results. Our students really understand the powerful messages we have around the school. It is a privilege to work with our students and staff.
I take great pride in the inspirational space we provide for our students. Over the summer we added an underwater scene to the wall of our Science Department. The students (as well as me) love it!
New Staff
This year we have been delighted to welcome new colleagues to the team. In times where you frequently read about teacher shortages and th elack of subject specialists, we are able to attract the best teaching staff for the benefit of our boys and girls.
Our new staff are: Mrs El Houdiri – English, Mr Henwood – Maths, Mr Richardson – Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Mr Spencer – Maths home learning, Miss Martin – Maths,, Mr Prestoe – History, Mrs Scagell – Head of 6th Form Maths, Mr Spencer – SEN TA, Mrs Aldworth-Jones – Science, Mrs Astle – Lead Practioner in Science
Greenpower Motorsport
On Sunday the school’s Greenpower Motorsport Team will be taking part in their maiden race at Castle Combe in Wiltshire. After a fantastic effort building and honing their car they will be competing against other schools from around the country in two 90 minute endurance races; greatest distance wins. The dedicated team will be setting off from the school at 5am to participate in the event where they will be driving on the exact circuit used for many prestigious race series. Watch this space to see how they get on!
Lego Robotics off to a flying start
Keen to replicate and possibly better our success of last year, students from years 7 to 10 have already been working towards programming their robots for the 2019 Tomorrow’s Engineers regional Lego Robotics final. Existing team members were on hand to train up new recruits as to how best we can tackle the competition challenges and potential strategies to implement.
Lego Robotics Club is open to students in all years and is in C10 on Tuesdays from 3pm until 4.30pm – everyone is welcome. Please see Mr Hadley or Mr Broome if you would like more information.
Fire Drill
We had a fire evacuation a week earlier than planned thanks to Mr Gale’s Year 10 Science class. The way our students calmly made their way to the Astro and sat in silence to enable their tutors to take the registers was something you would have to see to believe. I have received emails from local residents telling me they have never seen anything quite so impressive.
Year 7 Homework Sessions
This week Year 7 attended three 1 hour sessions to teach them how to do their homework. We have created homework books to complement their knowledge organiser. The students worked extremely hard even after a full day of lessons, a real credit to their attitude to learning. I was lucky enough to have worked with Kitson over the three sessions. Over the coming weeks, we will be producing parent guides which we will publish on the website.
Year 7 and 8 students are required to do 1 hour 20 minutes each evening and Years 9-11 are expected to do at least 1 hour 30 minutes each evening.
Team TA Sports Roundup
TA students make up the entire Torquay United Under 18 squad
Tuesday 11th September, a date to remember, the first FA youth cup game for our players on our football programme as part of our relationship with Torquay United. I was proud to see our first squad of players represent Torquay United in the cup competition v Elburton Villa in the 1st qualifying round. This is one of the many steps in the exciting pathway we are able to offer our players who enrol onto our course and football programme. Three years of hard work and development of the programme will give our players another platform to showcase themselves and further their experiences within football.
The night involved not just the players on the pitch but also the rest of our football programme attending to feel part of it and support the lads. The atmosphere before the game was great with the changing room buzzing with all players on the programme having a taste of what it’s like in and around the changing rooms and pitch-side at Plainmoor. The game started fast with both teams showing glimpses of good football but you could tell the nerves were still hanging over most, the first 20 minutes was quite even with both teams having chances. We looked to play from the back with purpose and continued to threaten their defence. Out front three had a few chances to take the lead but a mix of good saves from their keeper and rushed technique meant we didn’t get the break through. With 10 minutes left before half time we tweaked our formation to stretch them in wide areas and it worked with a chance falling to our captain Zak Chalmers Wood on the edge of the box. He matched up 1v1, created half a yard and hit a shot from his weaker foot into the bottom corner to give us the lead just before the break.
Half time gave us a chance to try and help clear the nerves, give the boys confidence and trust in our team mates and how we play. We went out ready to finish the job.
Early into the second half, a lapse of concentration and a clever kick from their impressive keeper lead to one ball over the top allowing their striker to finish from close range. This prompted us to step up again and we didn’t look back from there. Players started to link up and combine how I know they can, and we started to carve them open with our passing and movement. A great bit of play between our fullback and our midfield ended up with a dangerous cross being put in for Zak to take his second goal of the night. We made three changes to keep the pressure on and all three were positive on joining the game. One of our subs Cameron Fewings was a thorn in their side straight away with his hold up play and composure to link play. He was involved in the build up to some great play around their box finishing with a lovely ball played through to Cam to finish under pressure to put the game out of site. Every player was a credit to Torquay Academy and Torquay United and proves that the relationship is working well and we look forward to more opportunities in the coming months.
I would like to thank the students and staff members who watched the games, it’s great to see everyone involved at TA on the evening, it means a lot to the players and coaches and we appreciate the support
Running Success for Hannah
Hannah Carr, in 7P, ran the Wigan 10k Family Mile at the weekend and finished an incredible 3rd overall & was the first girl over the finish line in 6:55. There were 300+ runners. This is an amazing achievement – well done, Hannah!
Year 12 evening
Our Head of 6th Form, Mrs Hosking, welcomed our Year 12 students and their parents and carers in school on Thursday evening. She ran through our high expectations and there was an opportunity to meet the Head of Year 12, Mr Richardson, and the 6th Form tutor team
ICT Zone
Over the summer we have invested in 32 new Dell computers for our ICT Zone. Students are now able to take advantage of this great space.
Instrumental Lessons
Individual Instrumental lessons in music are still available through the music department or ParentPay. Students from all years have the opportunity to gain private tuition from visiting teachers on a range of musical instruments. We are in the fortunate position to subsidise lessons and therefore our rates are highly competitive.
Instrumental lessons are often oversubscribed and therefore to ensure your child’s place on their chosen instrument it is important that you return an instrumental form to the finance department or book your child’s lessons through parent pay as soon as possible. Lessons are due to start the week beginning 17th September.
Students of the Week
Students of the week with Mr Bindon are : Emily Mahoney-Billis – Yr 9, Serena Milton – Yr 8, Tyler Stuckey – Yr 10, Elise Stockbridge – Yr 7, Jessica Mitchell – Yr 12, Hassan Hussain – Yr 11
6 in 6
When the year 7’s came in for their induction day in July they were set a challenge to read 6 books during the 6 week summer holiday, and write a book review for each book read. Today those students were awarded with their first achievement badge and certificate of completion. Nearly 60 students accepted this challenge and by doing so have made an excellent start to their academic journey at Torquay Academy. Special mention goes to Jemima Holt and William Green who produced some exceptional book reviews. Pictured are all the students who completed the 6 in 6 challenge, as well as Jemima and William with Mr Chadwick
Well Done to them all.
Not in order : Mia Church, Faith Barnett, Jemima Holt, Isabel Blamey, Ellie Denby, Matilda Bindon, Ava Mitchell, Jazz Povey, Penny Richards, Ava Sams, Hollie Hand, Max Beer, Amy Hosking, Toby Morris, Stevie Wright, Robbie Wright, Mia Bewers, Bogdan Pamfile, William Reed, Lily-May Bruton, Phoebe Lown, Georgia Jones, Rachel Breach, Finley Gaisford, Ben McCarthy, Anya Page-Dove, Skye Warner, Summer Mansell, Evie Heron, Jasper Dommett, Oriana Mccaul, Elsie Taylor, Robin Pighling, Seren Williamson, Jack Alcock, Ellie-Mae Mitchell. Not in photo: Josh Hawkings, Shannon Adamson, Will Dakin, Melissa Piper, Sophie Caton, William Howard, Grace Povey, Shelby Astley-Rubin, Hannah Carr, Mate Budavolgyi, William Green, Steven Jeffs, Jamie Nunn, May Connolley, Abigail Taylor
Building update
Next week the concrete is going to be poured into the foundations for the dining room extension.
The site for the theatre has almost been cleared now. We hope to be breaking ground at some point in the next couple of weeks.
