National awards, science on TV and a delayed book day!

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Year 7 Student Maddy Brewer’s Film review reward experience in London

Maddie, a budding journalist travelled to London having been shortlisted for the Review of the Year from the thousands that were written by children all over the UK.  This is an amazing achievement, Maddie, many congratulations.  Maddie was kind enough to write the following report:

“At Primary School, I was part of Into Film Club, where we watched lots of different films and wrote reviews about them. In mid-February, I received a letter telling me that one of the reviews I had written for a film had been nominated by the head of Into Film Club for the award Review of the Year. I was so excited as this meant I had to travel to London for the awards ceremony!

When I got in London on Tuesday, there was a long line outside. We had to wait for a little while, but when I got inside, I was amazed. I had walked into a long corridor, and there were balloons in it, which had ‘Into Film’ written across them. There was also a long red carpet!  When I reached the end of the corridor, there were photographers taking pictures of everybody who had been nominated for an award.  I had to go into another room- filled with seats- so I could watch the awards. In our seats, there were goodie bags, which had DVD’s in, some popcorn (to eat while watching), and some other little things.  My category- Review of the Year- had three children in total being nominated for it. I didn’t win the award, but it was an absolutely amazing experience to have had. The other reviews that had been written were really good. I saw some famous people (they presented the different awards), such as: Martin Freeman, Alexa Davies, and many others. I had an absolutely amazing time, and I hope that I can do something like it again in the future.”

Visit from Public Health England

On Monday we had a team of scientists from Public Health England visit to work with our Year 9 students. They undertook a number of practical tasks including extracting and analysing their own DNA and assessing the environmental risks associated with everyday disposable household items.

The students were also given the opportunity to investigate disease-causing pathogens such as viruses and bacteria with scientists from the MoD’s top secret Porton Down establishment.

To top the day off, news crews from BBC Spotlight, ITV Westcountry News and Breeze FM showed up to interview the students.

Celebrating World Book Day

In what has become a TA tradition, staff came into school in costumes of their favourite book characters.  Students completed quizzes around the school, guessed who’s behind the book/bookshelf?’ and played Guess the Literary character.  In addition to this, we had a quiz during tutor time, an A-Z of authors quiz and book cover design activity in the Study Centre.

Enterprise Wall

Over the last few months the Enterprise Department have been carefully planning the first in a series of interactive display walls for the learning area corridors. The first display is over 12 metres long with over 50 different elements, covering “Enterprise and innovation through the ages” including the Stone Age, the Romans, Industrial Revolution, Digital Age and inspirational female figures in time. Styled like a London Underground Tube Map, viewers can not only navigate their way to present day but also scan QR codes for more information and videos about key topics and design icons.

Product Design

I went into the Technology room at lunchtime during the week to find a hive of activity.  There were many students working on a variety of different projects.  In the picture above Ilias Rowles is showing me his amazing tabletop pencil holder.  Last night Juliet Loud came up to my office to show me her completed Doctor Who inspired holder.  It is a privilege to see work of such a high quality coupled with the enthusiasm of our boys and girls.

Sherwell Valley Primary School Visit

This week, 25 children from Sherwell Valley Primary School came to visit us. These children have recently been allocated a place in our school for September and came across to meet Mr Jones and spend a morning at TA.

The students had a tour of the school with our 6th Form Leadership Team and met some key staff. They then had a chance to sit down with some current Year 7 students for a Q&A session about what the TA is like, and how they have managed the transition from Primary to Secondary school. The morning then finished with the Year 6’s doing some homework! Mr Jones and the Year 7s demonstrated and explained what a Knowledge Organiser is, and practised how to homework the TA Way.

After their morning, these children left very excited about September, and hopefully with some of their anxieties (although they told me they didn’t have any!) addressed. It was great for them to see how, just 8 months into their life at TA the Year 7s have adapted and are thriving here. I was blown away by their confidence in talking about their school.

The Year 6 prefects now have the responsible task of going back to Sherwell Valley and helping the other children who are coming to us, with the transition to TA, and Mr Jones will be visiting them in the Summer Term to see how that is going.

Team TA Sports Roundup

Another successful week for Team TA on the sporting front, please see reports below about football, netball and visits to watch professional sport. Last week 30 of our students, Miss Brown, Mrs Low, Mr Foulds and Mr Brett spent Friday evening at Bath University watching Team Bath play in a Super League Netball match. This Friday will see Mr Harries, Miss Walklin, Mrs Knowles and Mrs McGladdery travel to Plymouth to watch the Plymouth Raiders play a Premiership basketball game. Not only are these events excellent fun they are also a great way for our students to see up close sport being played at a professional level. Miss Brown has worked very hard recently to secure some funding from active Devon that is aimed at increasing participation levels for teenage girls in sport and exercise. To that end I would like to take this opportunity to advertise the first of many initiatives on offer to our girls as part of this funding along with financial support from the school to ensure it can be offered free of charge to our girls.

Clubbercise Fitness

Sessions starting after school Wednesday 21st March 2018

3-4pm in the drama studio.

Open to years 9, 10, 11 and 6th form

Please meet in the sports hall changing room

For further information please see Miss Brown

Year 7 Football

The Year 7 boys football team played their toughest game to date so far this season, when St Peters, Exeter came to visit on Monday afternoon.  In a feisty, competitive and high-tempo match the TA boys stood firm, kept their discipline and put on a performance that was full of grit, determination and ultimately won through sheer quality.

The first half started at 100mph pace and was maintained throughout the half. Lots of tackles and headers in a blistering first half, where TA weathered the storm of St Peters. As the half wore on, we started to dominate the ball, taking some of the sting out of the game and our relentless ability to pass the ball effortlessly around the pitch saw us create several chances. We finally converted through Finley Wood, who bravely bundled the ball home after the goalkeeper spilled an initial shot. St Peters tried to use the wind to their advantage as they played quite direct football which our defence dealt with superbly.

In the second half, as St Peter’s tired, we took more and more control of the game and it was fully deserved when Dan Green rifled in the second goal. We then saw out the remaining part of the game with Lewis Vinson in goal rarely troubled (although his crossbar was rattled once!)

This was an outstanding performance and result to match, with fantastic support from the parents. Well done to everyone involved, you are credit to all of us.

The boys are now in two semi-finals, both against TBGS. The first of these is at home on Monday 25th March (3.30pm KO).

Year 7 CVL Football

On Wednesday night Mr Harries took a team of footballers from Year 7 to Paignton to play in a Central Venue League Competition. The competition was for both Year 7 and 8 and was aimed at those who are not regulars in their school first team. The boys played 6 matches, winning 4 and losing out by the odd goal on two occasions to teams with predominantly year 8 boys in them.  Overall it was an excellent set of results from a group of boys whose played some excellent football in the right spirit. Well done, boys.

Team TA visit Team Bath

Friday 9th March 30 students from our netball club travelled to Bath to watch them in a Super League netball match against Manchester Thunder. The girls were very excited to watch the match.  We arrived just in time for the first quarter and the girls wasted no time getting behind Thunder by chanting “Let’s go Thunder, let’s go!”. After reminding the girls they were there to support Team Bath and not Manchester Thunder they finally started cheering for the right team!
There was a lot of cheering and laughter from the girls throughout the whole game. They made so much noise; they even managed to make it onto television as it was being filmed by Sky Sports.
It was a very long day, arriving back to TA at midnight. The girls, however, were a credit to the school with the way they behaved and conducted themselves on the trip. Thank you to Mr Brett and Mr Foulds for giving up their time to drive us all the way there and back in horrendous conditions on a Friday evening.

Netball

Year 7

On Thursday the Year 7s played Trinity in a very exciting game of netball. We had the bare seven, but the girls went out strong from the start denying Trinity a single goal in the first and second quarters. We had great shooting from Elisha and well-timed defending from Lola. At half time the score was 15-0 and although the girls were playing tremendously well a little mix of positions was in order. Even out of position the girls had another fantastic quarter and by the end of the 3rd quarter Trinity were yet to score against us. The final score was 21-2. We were pleased with our performance even if we did allow Trinity to score 2 goals…
Miss Brown’s player of the match was Lola Green (c).

Year 9

The Year 9 Netball team also took on Trinity School on Thursday. The game started well with TA taking the first goal but Trinity responded to make the score 1-1. The team scored another goal before the end of the first quarter to make the score 2-1. The second quarter continued to be close as half time finished with a score of 3-2. The girls came out fighting in the third quarter and started to drive towards the balls and as a result the through court play was brilliant. They gained a goal and began the final quarter up 4-2. The girls gave their all in the final quarter and were able to score 2 more goals. The final score was 6-4, leading to a great win for TA. Well done, girls!

Year 11 March on to the South Devon Semi-Final

On Monday the Year 11 Football team made it through to the South Devon Cup semi-final after beating TBGS on penalties. TA were cruising in the game-winning 3-0 at half time thanks to goals from Ollie Moxam, Cole Harford and Olaf Koszella. However, after injuries to key personnel and, in all fairness, a great effort from TBGS we found the game going to extra time and penalties. The star of the show in the penalty shoot-out was goalkeeper Josh Nicol who saved all 3 penalties and scored the winner. TA will now play Newton Abbot College next Friday looking to make it through to a second final this year.

2nd XI

On Wednesday the second eleven made it three wins on the bounce with a much deserved 1-0 win over Exeter College.

TA were outstanding from the start showing discipline, attitude and togetherness. TA’s high pressing game was rewarded in the 12th minute when captain Joseph Boothroyd finished superbly well after Zac Chalmers-Wood, who had won the ball for TA, played Boothroyd through. The game was end to end and extremely competitive but we were always in control and won not only the game, but the battle as well.

Year 10 Band Risen Soldiers in Bristol

February half term saw the sun shine in Bristol, and not just because of the weather! The Year 10 band, aka Risen Soldiers, performed at Take Over 18 held in the cool venue of The Fleece (where Oasis, Muse and Radiohead have also performed). It was hosted via BBC Radio Bristol.

There were many young bands performing through the day and many family members and friends attended to support them (their former Music teacher Mr Brinson also popped down en route from Cardiff back to Kent to see the boys perform).

The boys seem to be going from strength to strength and already have gigs lined up for the summer at Paignton Festival. Watch this space for more…

Intervention Raffle Winners

As students work their way through our Lexia intervention programme, they can earn raffle tickets every time they meet their weekly intervention targets. This raffle is drawn at the end of every cycle and the winners for cycle 2 are pictured here with their prizes: Jaymie Smith (Year 7) and Yun Xin Liu (Year 8). Well done to both girls who have worked extremely hard this cycle.

Lexia

Pictured is the latest student to complete the Lexia programme designed to help students develop their literacy skills and improve their levels within the classroom.  Callum Saint (Year 8) worked very hard in class and remained after school a number of times in recent weeks in order to complete the programme.  Other recent Lexia finishers include Isaac Gourlay Newman and Yun Xin Liu, both in Year 8. Congratulations to all our finishers on this excellent achievement.

Students of the Week

Students this week pictured with Willy Wonka, Dobbie, Harry Potter and Obelix are: Cody Furze – Yr 7, Rebecca Hall – Yr 10, Adam Howard – Yr 11, Tom Parry – Yr 13, Sophie Caddick – Yr 8, Amelia Boswell – Yr 12.   Riley Steel Year 9 not in picture due to illness.

Principal Certificates

Bronze: Rowan Griffiths-Stirzaker, Hussan Hussain, Lydia Ladd, Bethany Coker, Lucia Aguado-Georgian, Josh Kendall, Cody Furze, Elizabeth Finch, Charlie Clarke, Hayden Gibbings, Chloe Hayward, Shaun Peter, Poppy Bell,  Ollie Westwood, Keeleigh Grimes,  Finley Paul Harvey Kendall

Silver: Michael Brooker, Jaymie Smith, Finlay McClements, Lola Green, Jasmine Armour, Harley Sneap, Lea Frahm, William Bevan, Max Gamble

Gold : Daniel Pratt

Building update

Not a great deal appears to have happened on site this week.  The final preparations have been made for the steels which will be arriving on Monday