Another Week of Achievements & New Head Boy & Girls Chosen
This is the end of another busy half term. I hope that you all have an enjoyable break and I look forward to welcoming students back on Monday 22nd February 2016.
Year 11 knock out reigning Champions
On Monday the Year 11 football team travelled to Paignton in the quarter final of the South Devon Cup. The team were out for revenge after they lost 4-3 in last year’s final to the hosts. TA started brightly and creating chances in what can only be described as gale force winds. TA took the lead on 17 minutes when Callum Morton slotted home from the penalty spot. TA then went 2-0 when Morton doubled his tally with a cool finish from inside the box. TA were in complete control at this point and went 3-0 up when Morton was fouled in the box and once again he struck the ball home to complete his hat-trick. TA then went 4-0 up on the stroke of half time when Louie Hayward finished inside the box. The second half was all about game management and TA did this well conserving energy. The game finished 4-1 and TA now face the winners of South Dartmoor and Teign in the semi-final.
6th Form Football Academy Training and Trials
This week saw the first training session and trials for those keen to join our Sixth Form Football Academy next year . Tuesday night was a light training session lead by Mr Hogg and Mr Grinsill in preparation for Wednesday evening and the opportunity to play against our current First 11. The trials saw over 25 boys from a range of schools within the area looking to join next year and provide them with the chance to pit their whits against the current league leaders in the English College League and Devon Champions. There will be further training sessions over the next few months before offers and places are finalised ready for next year.
Fulham Football Club Calling!
Year 9 student Josh Nicol (goalkeeper) has been scouted by Fulham and has been offered a 6 day trial next week during half term. Paul Collard the Fulham scout was at the Torbay & District game where Josh stepped in to play for the Year 10 team. Paul was extremely pleased with Josh’s performance and as a result offered him the trial. Plymouth Argyle and Southampton FC were also watching and both have offered a trial to Josh, which is fantastic. Currently, Josh is also training with the Under 14 team at Plymouth Argyle.
PSHE Day
This week saw the last of our PSHEe days for this academic year. For years 7 and 8 the main focus was on relationships. This included diversity, discrimination and tolerance, in which we were assisted by ‘Proud2Be’. We also looked at aspects of safety which included some basic first aid techniques and a presentation by the Fire Service. Students also started to identify their transferable skills, which will help them in the job market at a later point. The year 9 students looked at different routes their careers could take and the options available when they leave school.
A particular focus for the year 9 and 10 students was the theatre production of ‘Skin deep’ which looked at gang culture (why they form and the consequences) as well as exploring issues surrounding violence (including knife crime and the law). The Army ran a session looking at group work and employability for the year 10 students. Tom Chapman from ‘The Lions Barber Collective’ gave a fascinating insight into the issue of male suicide and the importance of talking to one another if we are depressed. He also highlighted organisations where students could get help if they were worried about themselves or someone else. Some of our students also left with amazing new haircuts!
The sixth form also looked at diversity and difference within relationships, but were also given various skills to help them survive as they become more independent and perhaps eventually leave home.
PSHE Day – Student Blog
Once a term the whole school has a PSHE day where people come to interact with students about their feelings and issues that other people have to go through. It is a way students can realise how to deal with problems and how to help other people with their problems.
Bethan Jackson (Year 7)
PSHE is a day where you learn about health and things to keep you safe. For example, the third lesson was about drugs and which ones are illegal. In the fourth lesson, we learnt about LGBT, which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender. We got to meet new people and learn about homophobic bullying, so it was an interesting day.
Aisa Kana (Year 7)
We did a range of activities and it was a lovely day. Although we talked about serious things, and upsetting things, we also got to meet some twins and play games. We played True and False and The Sun Shines On.
Chelsea Langford (Year 7)
PHSE Day – Sixth Form
Monday this week saw the Sixth Form students fall in line with the rest of the school and take part in a PHSE, students took part in a variety of workshops that proved to be very informative, interesting and at times enlightening, talks included: What comes after Sixth Form, How to manage your finances, unwanted pregnancy, female genital mutilation, attitudes towards sexuality and a workshop on the hidden job market. The morning culminated with the year 13 students taking part in a debate, witnessed by the year 12. The house was arguing ‘that violent video games should be banned’, at the end of the debate the audience were asked to vote for the side which made the most compelling argument, those who argued that violent video games should not banned won the day. Well done to all participants.
New Head Boys/Girls Chosen
This week myself, Mr Harries, Robin Causley, Sixth Form Governors link and the outgoing Head Boy and Head Girl Dominic Rowe and Paige Grimes had the privilege of interviewing the 11 applicants for the posts of Head Boy and Girl. All candidates had to give a 2 minute talk about why they should be Head Boy/Girl and how they see the role developing. To say the competition was keenly contested would be an under statement, the quality of all presentations and answers to questions reminded all present just how fantastic our students are.
Eventually after much deliberation the following appointments were made. Head Boy: Jonty Kingston, Deputy Head Boys: Will Sanders and Ryan Duffen. The girls decision was a much more difficult affair, and in the end Beth Essam-Wood and Abbie Sykes could not be separated, consequently the decision was made to appoint both girls in the role of Joint Head Girls. Elley Croft was appointed Deputy Head Girl and can consider
herself very unlucky to have come up against two formidable opponents. It cannot be stressed enough just how good all 11 candidates were on the day. Those who were not selected will all take up high profile
leadership roles within the Student Leadership Team.
Students of the Week
Students of the week with Mr Withers are: Ben Woodward, Rute Santos-Ferreira, Tom Full, Daniel Dunn, Chris Rumnieks
Star Readers
Star Readers include : Grace Loader, Sophie Ruck, Victoria Reay, Spencer Artz, Beth Jackson, Christian Rodriguez, Josh Robinson, Linda Aspbury, Maria Gabl. Macauly Day, Thomas Huitema and Nyah Sylvester were not available for the photo.
Year 10 Top Ten Effort
Well done to our Year 10 students who have made great efforts in school. Pictured with Mrs Powell : Tom Full, Georgia Large, Nicole Doris, Kieran Bailey, Tyler Borge, Ameila Bastow, Joe Belsten, Jack Bell, Harvey Denning, Jacob Johnson
Taster at Hair Salon for Student
This week, one of our Year 11 students, Felix Blue, was lucky enough to experience a Taster session at the Wild About Hair salon in Torquay. Felix spent the morning applying hair colour to a practice block.
The salon owners Stephen and Francine Davies, gave him the freedom to use some really vivid colours to create an eye-catching creation. as you can see from the photos, he certainly achieved that!
Felix was also taught how to do a consultation, and how to give advice on suitable colours for clients. It was great to see how Felix got on at Wild About Hair and to see his naturally creative talent come to life. We would also like to thank Stephen and Francine Davies at Wild about Hair for giving our students these opportunities.
