Brecon Beacons, Ten Tors, Dartmoor and reaching finals...
Brecon Beacons Mountain Walk
Another amazing trip to the Brecon Beacons, South Wales. Friday’s weather was showing a lot of rain and wind but did not deter the spirits of the teams. Thankfully as they travelled north towards the mountains, the weather system was moving southwards.
Arriving at the drop off point the 35 and 45 Mile teams parted company to take on an adventure. For some, it was their first time in the mountains.
For the couple of hours the weather was against them. As the groups summited the first peak, the clouds gave way to some brilliant sunshine which stayed with them for the day and allowing panoramic views of the mountains. The first peak for the 45 team was Corn Du and then on to the famous Pen Y Fan. The highest point in the Brecons often visited but the Military Special Forces.
The first top for the 35 Mile team was Fan Y Big. A favourite spot for a photo. Moving on, both teams passed each other around another peak named Cribyn.
Poses done, they headed to the campsite. Arriving with tied legs from an epic walk, the teams quickly set to work on camp admin, ensuring everyone had a hot meal in preparation for a good nights sleep under canvas.
First light saw the teams awake. Breakfast and clear up followed by packing up before moving and taking on a canal walk.
The travel back to the school was a quiet one as everyone reflected in their sleep how much they had achieved over the weekend.
Well done, teams, for putting in a great couple of days walking.
Ten Tors Training – Complete
The last Ten Tors Training walk was completed with 5 teams navigating from Postbridge to Nodden Gate.
Dartmoor’s weather gave the break needed for the teams to stretch their legs and show off the new found team and navigation skills.
Saturday’s walk covered some difficult wet ground but unfazed the teams progressed well throughout the day enjoying clear skies.
Arriving at Nodden Gate early evening, the team set up camp and getting as much food in ready for a good nights sleep to take on the following days walk.
Up at 0530 hrs on Sunday morning saw a different weather system. Light rain and low clouds meant the navigation skills were put to the test.
This was the last Ten Tors Training weekend prior to the event taking place on the 29 / 30 April. Much to be done before then as final preparations are made to the kit and fine tuning map and admin skills.
A huge thank you to the training and support staff and adult volunteers who all volunteer time to ensure the team members are ready for the event.
Wishing the 5 teams all the very best for the event. If you are visiting the event, please look out for the Torquay Academy flag, pop in to meet the staff who will be more than willing to get the kettle on.
Maths with Miss Wooldridge
Week 8 in school is Assessment Week! Students have been working hard demonstrating how well they have mastered the Cycle 3 concepts with opportunities to apply their understanding to solve some more challenging problems.
Y7 showing excellent use of visual representations to support understanding of fractions of amounts using bar models. In addition to written assessments, Years 7 – 9 have completed Quick Key Assessments using carefully created multiple choice questions designed to identify any misconceptions. This is an excellent tool to enable teachers to identify strengths and any areas for development which we then revisit in Super Teaching Week. In maths, students also revisit the Cycle 1 and 2 concepts to check their longer term retention of the skills
Year 8 enjoying their Quick Key Assessment!
Year 9 have also completed a FAB assessment covering a broad range of Y9 topics. The 90 minute test is great preparation for the lengthier GCSE exams. Regular exposure to test-style questions helps students to plan their time effectively and gives them an awareness of their own strengths and areas of challenge in maths.
Year 9 working hard!
Students in the Y8 maths intervention during tutor time have made superb progress recapping on some Cycle 2 algebra skills. Miss Wooldridge has been very impressed with how well they have developed their understanding of expanding brackets using area models and solving some two and three step equations.
Wonderful Dancing
Maddy was involved in the theatre production of Rapunzel at the princess theatre last Saturday just gone. Maddy’s dance group were the dancers. I want people to congratulate Maddy as during the second performance she had a seizure, managing to get herself off the stage first. The best but was Maddy’s determination to get back out for the final performance. Maddy’s love for dance really shined through and she had so many amazing compliments.
House News April 2023
The last day of the Spring Term saw the long -awaited final of the Year 7 penalty shoot-out house competition. This particular event has been one of our most popular with nine students from each house volunteering to represent their groups in taking a penalty or being in goal and saving those of the opposing team. The grand final was between Christie and Pengelly – both teams having knocked out two other houses to get to this stage.
Nerves were high and there was a great deal of pressure on the strikers and in particular, the goal keepers. Adding to the pressure was the crowd expectation as all of 7C and 7P were present to cheer on their teams. All players made a valiant effort but ultimately Pengelly won by four goals to three. There were medals and Easter eggs for the winning players, Easter eggs for the runners-up and the coveted House Cup-complete with purple ribbons is now on display in Mrs Lancaster’s classroom.
Year 9 Construction
Both year 9 Construction groups have been tasked with the construction and filling Gabion Baskets as part of their brickwork and blockwork modules. These particular baskets were being used as architectural features in the new wellbeing garden located outside at the end of C Block. The centre Gabion Baskets were filled with recycled concrete blocks and then the outer skin was filled with Scottish Cobblestone as a decorative finish. The groups also learnt many other uses for the Gabions such as; supporting walls, benches, tables and planters.
IT with Mr Weaver
In year 11, students are preparing for their final exam in Information Technology where they have been tasked with creating a website for The Student Diversity Festival. Students have already researched and planned out what the website will include and what it will look like. In lessons students have been using industry standard software to create and edit the assets. Students will sit their final exam at the beginning of May.
Year 7 Boys Football vs Churston
A decisive victory for the Year 7 have earned them a place in the South Devon Final, their second final of the year having already secured a spot in the Devon final. A 7 – 0 win against Churston grammar has given this team the perfect start to their TA football journey.
Year 9 Boys Football
The Year 9s narrowly lost out in their semi-final to Newton Abbot. They lost 4-2 in a very closely contested match against their local rivals.
Jujitsu
Congratulations to Will Harrison in Year 11 who competed in the Plymouth Open Brazilian Jujitsu competition under 80kg, 16-17 year old category on Saturday. This was his first ever competition and he ended up winning gold in his category. What an amazing achievement!
Rugby Success!
On Friday 14th April, two current year 11 students won individual awards at the Torquay Rugby Club end of season presentation evening. Will Harrison was awarded the prestigious Under 16’s ‘Clubman’ award and Will Reed was awarded the ‘Under 16’s Most Improved Player’. This marks the end of junior rugby for the boys who have been playing rugby together for Torquay since age 7. Next weekend the boys have their final match as they take on Exmouth RFC in the plate final of the Fisherman’s Cup away at Brixham. Wishing them the best of luck and fingers crossed that some ‘silverware’ will be coming home to Torquay to mark the end of a great season!
Principal’s Gold Certificates
Year 8 – George O’Hanlon, Grace Gibbings, Ella Randall, Amelia Rose, Oliver Welsh and Lauren Tanton
Principal’s Silver Certificates
Year 7 – Leon Snell, Immy Pace, Kaelum Bowness, Ella Lake, Kaitlin Jarvis, Reef Whayman, Ollie Martin, Tyler Evans, Paul Blades, Edi Ferencz Csibi and Izzy Goldsbrough
Year 8 – Ashleigh Evans, Nya Bettridge and Rebecca Quarshie,
Principal’s Bronze Certificates
Year 7 – Emily Lucas, Thomas Cox, Jasmine Edwards, Jazmin Collins, Francis Downer, Janzen Flores, Talia Street, Sonny Hutchings, Maxwell Murphy, Poppy Bettridge and Alexander Moss
Year 8 – Scarlett Huxtable, Freya Coatesworth, Maddie Kenyon, Francesca Skelly, Ellie Farthing, Ruby Sellick, Halayna Hussain, Mason Bryant, Cody Cave and Charlotte Little
Students of the Week
Year 7 – Daniel Manners and Alesha Black-Matthews
Year 8 – Mason Mitchell and Phoenix Quetelle
Year 10 – Caleb Spriggs and Nisha Cosslett
Year 11 – Kian Chadwick and Evie Heron
House Students of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Sienna Welsh
Christie – Sophia Peryer
Darwin – Faith Stevens
Fawcett – Sophie Timms
Harrison – Honor Dawson
Kitson – Vaughn Heavens
Nearne – Poppy Bettridge
Pengelly – Ethan Veasey
Year 8
Christie – Isabelle Kelly
Darwin – Sonny Bond
Fawcett – Lily Budavolgyi
Harrison – Logan Hammacott
Kitson – Corey Batten
Nearne – Mason Mitchell
Pengelly – Orley Copeland
Year 9
Christie – Finley Allnut
Darwin – Summer Thompson
Fawcett – Daniel Eales
Harrison – Albie Baker
Kitson – Leon Oldham
Nearne – Lisa-Marie Szewczuk
Pengelly – Filip Frankiewicz
Homework Students of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Ruby Chamberlain
Christie – Lewis Allington
Darwin – Ava-Rae Mills
Fawcett – Louie Leighton
Harrison – Sonny Hutchings
Kitson – Naomi Szyszka
Nearne – Jonathan Oleksy
Pengelly – Katie Peryer
Year 8
Christie – Halle Wotton
Darwin – Hamish Herring
Fawcett – Halayna Hussain
Harrison – Mihai Marin
Kitson – Lora Cadman
Nearne – Rylan Chambers
Pengelly – Chloe German
Year 9
Christie – Brooke Tully
Darwin – Katie Rowe
Fawcett – Abigail Mealin
Harrison – Alex Hilton
Kitson – Phoebe Denbow
Nearne – Oliwia Tuczynska
Pengelly – Madison Findlay-Peers
