Netball Tour, electric longboard and puddings...
Boris secures funding for electric transport of the future!
This week the Enterprise Learning Area had a visit from Nick South, Education Liaison Officer of Western Power Distribution. Nick has supported a number of projects within the department including providing funding for batteries to power our Greenpower electric racing car team. As well as a tour of the department, his visit was also to meet year 11 student, Boris Pugh.
Boris contacted Nick last year requesting £250 sponsorship for his GCSE Product Design major project. Boris designed and made a longboard powered by electric motors concealed within the rear wheels of the board. As the board is 100% electric powered, it offers a glimpse into the possibilities in future for zero emission personal travel. The photos show some of the many stages of making in the project including routering channels for electrical wires, laminating the board profile in plywood and a custom blue and yellow paint job as a symbol of solidarity with the current Ukraine crisis.
Nick said “On behalf of Western Power Distribution, we are so pleased to be sponsoring a range of exciting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) based activities at Torquay Academy. I’ve been really impressed with the school facilities, the pioneering nature of the projects being undertaken and the energy and enthusiasm of the students involved.”
Boris’s project will also feature in Western Power’s own internal publication which celebrates the work the company undertakes to support local community projects.
A Level English Literature
Our Year 13 A Level English Literature students are coming to the end of their course, with exams starting after half term. Covid restrictions have meant that they haven’t been able to experience any live performances of their texts, so on Thursday night students were invited to a film, food and fancy dress evening in The Platform. They watched a production of Shakespeare’s Othello performed by the National Theatre on film. The fancy dress code was to dress as a character from one of the course texts and costumes ranged from poet Philip Larkin to the Evil Angel in Marlowe’s Dr Faustus.
Even better news is that Dr Jones has already purchased tickets for next year’s Year 13s to see a live performance of Othello at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
A Joint CCF Force
For the first time at cadet training both The RAF and Army Cadets joined forces in a basic fitness assessment.
90 cadets formed up nervously anticipating what was going to happen next. An initial brief on what the cadets were going to undertake followed by a warm up and stretching, preparing the cadets for the assessment.
Following was an amazing display of enthusiasm, agility and determination.
From a standing start, the cadets had to lunge forward as far as possible. This was followed by seated dips and press-ups. Everyone tried so hard to achieve their best possible score.
The last element of the assessment was a bleep test which involved running between two lines 20 meters apart for as long as possible.
So many names to mention for all the effort put in but a special mention to the following cadets for who demonstrated great resilience, grit and determination. Well done to CDt’s Millie Edwards, Torrin Buyers, Zack Shaw, Summer Faulkes, Jacob Crago-Gould, Cdt Robin Pighting (first overall), Cpl Sam Foley (second overall) and Cdt Lydia Bevan (third overall).
We all look forward to the next one which will give the cadets an indication on their improvement.
Year 9 Maths
This week Mrs Scagell’s Year 9 maths class has been working in teams, competing against each in 3 different rounds, solving many non-calculator problems. The students enjoyed working together to solve the challenging problems, number crosses and even a relay round in which one pair of students had to solve a problem and pass the answer onto the second pair who needed this number to solve their question.
Top Effort in Year 9
Mr Henwood and Miss Maw invited me to join them and their students who had achieved top effort scores for Fish and Chips last week. It was lovely spending time with the students and hearing about their efforts.
Pudding Club
It has been another wonderful cycle in Pudding Club where they have focused on baking lots of the traditional puddings including syrup sponge, pancakes, jam tarts and chocolate brownies. It’s such a lovely way to finish the week on a Friday.
Lights, Camera, Action
The Year 7s are continuing to enjoy their Tubers after school club each week. This week they were looking at lighting and sound.
History with Mr Prestoe
This week, in Mr Prestoe’s History class, Year 10 have been completing a cycle of study about Weimar and Nazi Germany. The course covers the creation of the new German democracy in the wake of World War One, the economic crisis of the 1930s and the rise of the Nazis.
In recent lessons students have looked at the strategies that were used by the Nazis to reduce unemployment and have then tried to apply their knowledge to 12 mark extended exam question on the topic. Ava’s answer (below) is an excellent response and one that she should be proud of.
The last few lessons have been spent looking at the treatment of minority groups and the Jews by the Nazis, a narrative of horrendous events that saw their citizenship be removed, their rights eroded and ultimately ended up in the horrors of the death camps.
Remaining images
Going forward, the next topic Year 10 will study is Anglo-Saxon and Norman England. Covering William of Normandy’s conquest of England, the subsequent Anglo-Saxon revolts and the methods William used to exercise his power, this topic will continue into year 11.
At the same time, Year 7 have been studying the changes made to religion during the Tudor Period, and Year have been investigating the abolition of the slave trade and the Civil Rights Movement in the USA.
Year 10 Poetry with Miss Risk
Miss Risk’s Year 10s are currently studying the poetry component of their Literature GCSE by looking at 15 poems based around the themes of power and conflict. They have already looked at a series of war poems and examined how the speakers have different perspectives towards patriotism and human sacrifice. This week they have moved on to examining the ineffable power of nature and the conflicting emotions this conjures in individuals. Three poems are being analysed: Heaney’s Storm on the Island, Wordsworth’s The Prelude and Shelley’s Ozymandias. In addition to examining the different attitudes towards nature, students are learning how poets express their feelings though a range of poetic techniques and examining how the human psyche is affected by experience. Miss Risk has been extremely impressed by the diligence and astute observations of the class, all of whom are showing an impressive understanding of writers’ intentions.
Five Live Health and Social Care Presentation
Nothing is more powerful than real people sharing real stories about their struggles and addictions. Year 9 HSC students had exactly that opportunity with visiting speakers from the Fivelives organisation who run hard-hitting workshops based on alcohol and drug addiction. Engaging and fascinating to hear how easily people can descend into a spiral, but more importantly how they recovered and the role of support in this. The workshop was vital to current coursework on Life Events but also gave the pupils much to think about and the consequences of their future actions.
Nearne House Hobbies and Interests
This week’s featured students come from Nearne House. As in past weeks, these students all have an interesting array of hobbies and pass-times.
Imogen Symonds wants to be an actor upon leaving school. She is already in several drama cubs and has a variety of fast-approaching performances. Firstly, she is playing one of Fagin’s gang in Torquay Academy’s production of Oliver which will take place next month. Although Imogen feels nervous at the thought of performing in front of so many people, she tells me her nerves always disappear once on stage. Imogen is also a member of Razzamataz – a local Theatre company who will be performing Chicago in June. The role Imogen is playing is Kitty and there is a great deal of singing and dancing involved.
Sienna Painter has been dancing since the age of seven and is skilled in many different forms of the art: tap, ballet, contemporary and jazz. She started with basic lessons and was inspired when her sister was accepted into the Junior Associates for the Royal Ballet so decided to audition herself. Despite only having been dancing for a short time, Sienna was also accepted. Every year up until Lockdown in 2020, Sienna would perform in local pantomimes and she still performs in shows and festivals around Devon. Her ambition is to be a professional dancer, travelling the world on cruise ships.
Rufus Scrase enjoys dinghy sailing which is a hobby inherited from a number of family members. He currently belongs to Babbacombe Corinthian Sailing Club and takes a boat out several times weekly during the Summer months. Rufus sails in one or two man dinghies and has been mastering the skills of tacking and jibing (which are turning the boat round in different positions). When asked why he enjoyed the sport so much, Rufus told me he loved the combination of total concentration and being free on the open waters.
Finally, Oscar Mills, despite his very young age, is a very talented football player. At his primary school, Sherwell Valley, he was selected to play for Torquay United. He also plays for Buckland Athletic and tells me that the only day of the week when he is not training or in a match is Friday! Oscar loves football because it keeps him healthy and in a positive frame of mind. Like Rufus, he also loves the total concentration needed when playing. One of the best experiences Oscar has had to date was a trip to Reading with Torquay United where he not only played football but also got to visit Legoland.
Hospitality and Catering
Our Hospitality and Catering students have focused this week on creating a popular takeaway dish for all the family. They have produced tasty and nutritious food that is not only delicious but at a fraction of the price with fewer calories than a takeaway. Egg fried rice and chicken chowmein required high skills to be demonstrated of de boning chicken and julienning the carrots to ensure uniformity and aesthetic appearance.
Year 7 Star Readers
Congratulations to the following students who have achieved their bonze star reader certificate for tracking their reading for 4 weeks and completing 1 Accelerated Reader book quiz: Anna Pearn 7C, Lili Budavolgyi 7F and Vincent Leibrick 7N.
Congratulations to the following students who have achieved their silver star reader certificate for tracking their reading for 8 weeks and completing 2 Accelerated Reader book quizzes: Farrah Ambrose 7B, Lora Cadman 7K and Nyla Wakefield 7N.
Congratulations to the following students who have achieved their golf star reader certificates for tracking their reading for 16 weeks and completing 4 Accelerated Reader book quizzes: George O’Hanlon 7B and Edward Evers 7N.
Year 10 Netball Tour to Wales
After a positive and successful netball season,14 players from Year 10 TA Netball Academy represented the school on a tour to South Wales. The girls visited the local beaches, travelled to a trampoline park and watched a live Super League Netball game all in readiness for their big game on the last day.
On Sunday, TA Netball Academy played against Bishopston Comprehensive School who are one of the top sporting schools in Wales. After a fierce and competitive game, the girls narrowly lost 29-22, with captain Mia Denby being voted Player of the Match. The girls were excellent ambassadors for the school and every individual who was selected for the tour is a prime example of how girls sport at TA is going from strength to strength. Miss Lewis and Mr Grinsill are proud of you all.
Congratulations to Skye Warner who was voted ‘Coaches Player of the Tour’ and Ellie Chammings who was voted ‘Players Player of the Tour’.
Will Represents South Devon
Last Saturday Will Reed from Year 10 represented South Devon U15’s as part of the rugby Developing Player Pathway for Exeter Chiefs.
As usual Will scrummaged strongly at prop, carried well and helped organise a resolute defence.
Teams from North, South and East and West Devon met in Exeter and played a round robin style tournament in gruelling hot sunny conditions and despite many players feeling the heat there was a great standard of rugby on show.
This was a great experience forming a new team playing with boys from other local squads including Paignton, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Kingsbridge and Teignmouth and of course Will’s home club Torquay RFC.
Well played, Will!
South Devon Athletics Trials
On Tuesday TA took an athletics squad to Stover to compete in the South Devon Athletics trials.
We have some outstanding athletes coming through and it was great to see students qualify for the South Devon Squad. The students who have qualified for the track events are shown below and we are still awaiting the field event results. Congratulations to all involved. Our next event is on Monday 6th June for year 8 and 9 girls at TGGS.
Francessca Skelly 100m 1st place, Francessca Skelly 200m 1st Place, Lana Northcott 200m 2nd place, Keeley Little 100m 1st place, Keeley Little 200m 3rd place, Penny Richards 800m 2nd place, Ava Sams 200m 2nd place, Grace Povey 200m 3rd Place, Grace Povey Shot Put 2nd, Abi Anderson Shot Put 1st place, Pierce Gerring 200m 1st place, Harry Clark 100m 2nd place
A big thank you to Mrs Povey for help with the transport for the year 10 girls.
Prestigious Diamond Award
Year 7 – Hamish Herring
Governor’s Platinum Certificates
Year 7 – Leah McClements and Briony Pightling
Governor’s Gold Certificates
Year 7 – George O’Hanlon, Joe Boyce, Samuel Johns, Ellie Farthing, Ben Jeffs, Summer Holmes, William Kelly, Amelia Rose,Ella Randall, Lottie Roberts, Luke Horrocks,Emma Proven,Millie-Ann Wigston and Matilda Stevens, Malachi Morris
Year 8 – Millie Sneap
Governor’s Silver Certificates
Year 7 – Lora Cadman, Grace Halsey, Amy Rogers, Riley Calland, Hayden Halsey, MIllie Swift, Orley Copeland, RUby Sellick, Abigail Yau, Harry Newman, Faye Cassidy, Samuel Johns, Abigail Hytche, Layla Loizides, Henry Brewer and Lucy McMahon Emilia Hunt, Rufus Scrase, Chloe Burton, Ethan Anyon, Aleksandra Treder and Brody O’Neil
Year 8 – Liam Trapp, Ruby Donaldson and Jj Cossey
Governor’s Bronze Certificates
Year 7 – Leonardo Marcheggiani, Tallulah Houlahan, Leo Maasz, Fredi Tuci, Harrison Harkin, Ellen Scott, Ethan Piri-Sadigh, Phoebe Smith, Chloe Burton, Grace Green, Isabella Bentley, Jason Mewett, Mihai Marin, Freya Coatesworth, Ayden Goldsborough, Adam Sadlik, Sonny Bond, Oscar Mills, Lily Hawkings, Charlie Burton,Samuel Johns, Olivia Murr, Kelsey Drew, Chloe German, Ashleigh Evans, Susie Lester, Thomas Ross, Mikolaj Piasecki, Sunny Long, Ella Hylton, Farrah Ambrose, Ollie Cooper, Phoenix Furze, Ryan Allaker, Isabelle Kelly, Florence Mills, Nya Bettridge, Kiki Marker and Nataliya Spasova
Year 8 – Noah Butler, Amber Dicken, Tomasz Kowalski, George Scimgeour and Wojcjech Tabaczuk
Principal’s Gold Certificates
Year 7 – Maisie Sandercock, Ethan Lynch, Naphtali Phinehas, Ella Palla, Lexi Jessup, Connie McMahon, Olivia Fordrey, Daniel Piper, Maisy-Mai Johnson, Serina James, Josh Parkinson, Thomas Connelly, Gracie-May Tolley, Evie Alford, Sienna Painter, Ella Hylton, Charlie Guite,Hannah Brazier, Sunny Long, Tegan Ross, Amelia Lawton, Francesca Skelly, Shannon Clark, Connie Kinghorn, Daisy Holden and Lena Galazkiewicz.Daniel Elkins, Olivia-Mae Franke,Hakkie Davies, Ava Storey, Charlotte Little, Larna Waller, Jade Cook,Bella Blatchford, Jasper Franklin, Felicity Adams, Harrison Richards and Scarlett Finley-Squires
Year 8 – Lucas Berry, Emily Owen, Amelie McCaul, Willow Kendal, Kirah Clee, Brooke Tully, Bella Giffard, Leah Hope, Olivia Hosking, Paige Clements, Naomi Redmond and Zac Evans
Principal’s Silver Certificates
Year 7 – Hannah Brazier, Lottie Roberts, Lucy McMahon, Eliza Brookes, Cody James, Bella Williams, Millie Routledge, Maddie Kenyon, Caine Dickson, Edward Evers, Amelia Washbrooke and Lewis Phillips
Year 8 – Summer Thompson, Charlie Grimley, Charlie Frankum, Gregg Hindom and Filip Frankiewicz
Principal’s Bronze Certificates
Year 7 – Chelsea Milton, Demi Minty, Leela Cartwright, Levi Larcom, George Watt and George Luscombe
Year 8 – Charlie Frankum and Alex Hilton
Students of the Week
Year 7 – Connie McMahon and Hayden Halsey
Year 8 – Ema Kestell and Wojcjech Tabaczuk
Year 9 – Aspen Keenan and Max Lee
Year 10 – Evie Sutton and Matt Budavolgyi
House Stars of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Oliver Welsh
Christie – Kallie Stewart
Darwin – Emilia Hunt
Fawcett – Aliviya Lawrence
Harrison – Naphtali Phinehas
Kitson – Faye Cassidy
Nearne – Abi Yau
Pengelly – Marlee White and William Kelly
Year 8
Christie – Oscar Hughes
Darwin – Charlie Green
Fawcett – Jamie John Palmer
Harrison – Isabella Richards
Kitson – Amber Dicken
Nearne – Amelie McCaul
Pengelly – Faith Batham
Year 9
Christie – Riley Skinner
Darwin – Jessica Taylorson
Harrison – Michalina Jarosz
Kitson – James Lovell
Nearne – Issac Jacobs
Pengelly – Apen Keenan
Homework Stars of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Ella Hylton
Christie – Zak Turner
Darwin – Riley Calland
Fawcett – Brody Cooper
Harrison – Millie-Anne Adamson
Kitson – Daisy Cosh
Nearne – Mason Mitchell
Pengelly – Daniel Elkins
Year 8
Christie – Seth Margetts
Darwin – Emma Matthews
Fawcett – Theo Hardman
Harrison – Olivia Hosking
Kitson – Phoebe Denbow
Nearne – Rayan Nafim
Pengelly – Lyra Bowstead
Year 9
Christie – Milo Marshall
Darwin – Oliver Boyce
Harrison – Aliyah Davey
Kitson – Harry Watt
Pengelly – Bradley Cook
Sparx Leaderboards
Accelerated Reader Leaderboards
Power Up!
