Literacy, PSHE, ironing masterclass and fish guts

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A Masterclass in Ironing!

The CCF are proudly wearing their new blues uniform.  They have all had a lesson in ironing to ensure they are always looking their very best.

Tutor Reading

Our tutor reading programme has got off to a flying start with Mr Davis’ form group having now finished their first book already! Research has shown the exceptionally strong link between reading ability and attainment, and listening to adults reading books aloud will have a significant impact on our students’ ability to access the curriculum. We have also been impressed with the passion and enthusiasm our students have shown for reading since September.

Year 7 library

Our new library has opened within our year 7 hub as we have had to move it from the previous location.  Mrs Aitken our librarian has been shipping books across the school to create this. Year 7s loved being able to choose books during registration, break and lunch.

TA Dictionary

All students were given the latest version of the TA Dictionary this week. The new version now has the etymology of each of the words broken down to help students work out the meaning of unfamiliar words they encounter.

Mrs Rowan has worked exceptionally hard to adapt this version of the dictionary so that includes these etymological origins.

Year 8 Fun Friday

There was a great atmosphere this week in The Platform with the Year 8 for their Fun Friday open mic session.

Year 9 Fun Friday

It is was limbo time for our Year 9s this week!  Mr Gale was very impressed with the benchmark they have set him for the next time the limbo competition takes place!

Rise and Read

 

Rise and Read is up and running with year 7’s enjoying their first choice of book. There are three groups running and still spaces so please come along and join us from 7.45-8.15 Tuesday – Thursday in lower E.

A level Product Design

Mr Hadley has been really impressed with his A Level Product Design students this week.  They are fully immersed in their design ideas showing excellent attention to detail.  Davinia has made the most amazing progress with her design this week. The use of the touchscreen our Acer Spin 713 in lessons (through our Greenpower sponsorship) has undoubtedly helped elevate her work to the highest level.

PSHE Day

Monday saw the first of this years PSHE days.  Alterego theatre productions bought their production of ‘County line’ to year 7, 8, and 9. This production aims to increase awareness around Child Criminal Exploitation – that sees vulnerable adults and young people targeted by organised groups and gangs to groom, trick, trap and manipulate them into trafficking drugs and sometimes weapons.

Year 7 also had sessions on how to deal with change, whether that be during puberty, the loss of a loved one or any other unexpected change. We also looked at Healthy routines and the importance of personal hygiene. Students studied the factors that make a healthy relationship and also started the first of several sessions that will run across PSHE days looking at aspects of mental health. Students also looked at how to identify their money personality and how to start to manage their finances.

Year 8s had an introduction into the meaning of consent and ‘Sexplain’ ran sessions on understanding the reproductive system. We also looked at what factors are important in our relationships and how these values may vary depending upon the type of relationship. Staff from Torbay Hospital showed our students and enabled them to try CPR. Lauren from ‘Wellbeing workshops’ showed students how social media can be a useful tool, but also has its own pitfalls. Work on mental health continued, with a look at unhealthy coping strategies and how we can manage our mental health.

The year 9s also looked at managing their mental health by looking at the importance of a good night’s sleep and how social media can lead to a negative relationship with our body image. We looked at several aspects of relationship and sex education with sessions on ‘starting out in sexual relationships’, which explores student’s views on aspects of changing relationships. We also looked at factors impacting fertility and what can be done if a couple struggles to conceive. The final RSE session looked at the ways in which porn can lead to unrealistic expectations in relationships and how it can have a negative impact. Students looked at the risks associated with cannabis misuse. Students looked at the hazards of being online and potential financial consequences of not protecting their identity online, including scams, being a money mule and other types of cybercrime. Students also explored the changing world of work and what skills employers will be looking for in the future.

Year 10 students had sessions on Employment rights and the importance of having a positive online profile. Students also looked at healthy relationships with a view to identifying, and then protecting themselves from coercive behaviours. As part of their RSE education they looked at the importance of being comfortable in sexual relationships and what to do if they feel uncomfortable. Also, staff from Torbay Hospital ran sessions on how to access sexual health services. Year 10 students also looked at the importance of sleep and actions they may be taking that reduces the chances of them getting a good night sleep and how to resolve these issues. Students looked at the potential harm of constantly thinking negative thoughts and ways of reframing them. The final session of the day was on alcohol and its misuse, from a personal and social aspect to its effect on decision making and the problems this can cause.

The year 11s had the opportunity to write a CV which will be required at a later date for their careers interviews and then spent time studying English, Maths and Science.

Sixth Form PSHE Day

The 6th form had a range of sessions to prepare them for moving on, such as basic car maintenance, cooking simple meals and completing their UCAS forms.

New for this year, we have a series of videos linked to the material we have covered in our PSHE sessions on the website so if a student is ill for the day or wants further information then these videos should help ensure they have caught up on any areas missed.

KS5 Anatomy and Dissection

This week the KS5 Biologists were investigating fish anatomy by looking at a variety of species including John Dory, Sea Bass and Lemon Sole. Students observed the various adaptations of the fish and were able to dissect out and observe the gills, stomach and reproductive organs as well as many other organs and features. Of particular interest was one of the fish that had many small fish inside its stomach. Students were thoroughly engaged and really enjoyed the session.

Adding & Subtracting Fractions

8T8 played a game this week linked to their work with adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators.

Year 10 – Fun Friday Winners

Year 11 – Fun Friday

Mrs Broome, on her birthday, helped the year 11 team give out Hot Chocolates on a very wet fun Friday.

Year 7 Cricket

Year 7 cricket training continues on a Tuesday after school. Here is Will Denega showing what he can do!

Students of the Week

Year 7 – Ivy Hodgson-Hunt

Year 8 – Callum Yeates

Year 9 – Bogdan Pamfile

Year 10 – Jessica Breach

Year 11 – Abbey Saunders

Year 12 – Jack Manley

Year 13 – Ethan Tanner

House Stars of the Week

Year 7

Brunel – w/e 02/10/2020 – Eve Cameron    w/e 25/09/2020 – Caitlin Large    w/e 18/09/2020 – Bastian Johns-Kouadio

Christie – Brooke Tully & Layla Stevens

Darwin – Emma Matthews

Fawcett – Lucian Churchward

Harrison – Kowen Essiful

Kitson – Layla Stevens

Nearne – Noah Butler

Pengelly – Molly Burns

Year 8

Brunel – Jasmine Evans

Christie – Riley Batten

Darwin – Luca Cronjé

Fawcett – Summer Connolly

Harrison – Marissa Farrington

Kitson – Marcus Jenkins

Nearne – Skye Richards

Pengelly – Dylan Nock

Year 9

Brunel – Jazz Povey

Christie – Kole Gjikolaj

Darwin – Courtney Stevens

Fawcett – Riley Houlahan

Harrison – Josh Hawkings

Kitson – Charlie Stevens

Nearne – Oakley Pearce

Pengelly – Kieran Dale

Homework Stars of the Week

Year 7

Brunel –

Christie – Joe Taylor

Darwin – James Hutt

Fawcett – Niamh Coker

Harrison – Albie Baker

Kitson – Ava Shobbrook

Nearne – James Evers

Pengelly – Erin Bond

Year 8

Brunel – Ben Baker

Christie – Libby Davies

Darwin – Jakub Powowar

Fawcett – Sean Crawford

Harrison – Joe Hosking

Kitson – Josh Walsh

Nearne – Sajor Camara

Pengelly – Alfie Walker Fenner

Year 9

Brunel – Taylor-Ann Floyd

Christie – James Scrimgeour

Darwin – Vincent Poynton

Fawcett – Oliver Lucas

Harrison – Mia Church

Kitson – Oliver McMullen

Nearne – Elsie Taylor

Pengelly – Leo Murray

SPARX – Most improved students

Tassomai

For the second week running, over 180,000 questions have been attempted by TA students over the last 7 days, totalling a combined 660 hours of home learning. Please see the leader boards below for the top 5 students in each year group for questions attempted and accuracy!

Ryan Dot

One of our ex-students, Ryan Evans, was an Ambassador for the school when studying here and was always forefront in performing arts and music. He took the lead role in the production of Grease and also played in a band in another performance.  Unfortunately the school dropped performing Arts the year he needed to choose his GCSEs so he was unable to peruse this.  This did not not deter him though as he went on to Keviks in Totnes and carried on with Media Studies.

He has never given up on his dreams however and has finally proved to everyone that he is destined to perform. He has just released his first EP called SEEDING and be goes by the name RYAN DOT.

The link for this is https://www.soundcloud.com/ryandotsc/sets/seeding. It is also available on you tube, Spotify, appple music amazon and all music streaming platforms.

Miss Pappin was instrumental in promoting him whilst at the school and always told him that he was talented and could achieve anything. He did not believe in himself but she always encouraged him and had faith in his ability.  Ryan is an exceptional example of someone who has succeeded no matter what the odds and its always exciting to have a success story to tell. Especially home grown talent from Torquay and Torquay Academy.

Ryan has written all the music, the lyrics, sings all the songs including all harmonies and also produced the EP himself. He has had no input from anyone else so is an all round package. All done from his bedroom.