Netball, Year 11 PPEs, Science Club, cadets & a sunset
Year 11 PPEs
Year 11 have had a positive first week doing their final set of PPEs. Their focus in exam briefings has been fantastic and there has been a lot of positivity around their exams from staff and students. We look forward to having just as positive a week next week as they finish their PPEs.
We hope Results Evening on March 21st will be a really positive event when they come in to get their PPE exam results to see how they are currently performing and to have an opportunity to speak with their teachers to see how they can do even better when it comes to the Summer exams.
Cadets
As we dive back into the swing of things after the break, it’s been an action-packed week filled with new skills, challenges, and accomplishments for our dedicated cadet staff.
Two of our cadet staff members braved the elements at Willsworthy to undergo rigorous training in Range Management Safety Supervision. Despite battling the unpredictable weather, they emerged victorious, now equipped with the knowledge and certification to ensure the safe supervision of our cadets during firing activities on the shooting range.
Not to be outdone, our SSI (Staff Sergeant Instructor), Sgt Cawood, tackled the Indoor Electronic Simulation Shooting Ranges, known as the DCCT. This high-tech training provides invaluable experience in simulated shooting scenarios, enhancing our cadets skills in a controlled environment.
Meanwhile, two other dedicated members of our cadet staff, Sgt Jones and Sgt Stoyle, undertook the challenging Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV) course at the prestigious Frimley Cadet Training Centre. Blessed with kinder weather, they immersed themselves in intensive training, covering everything from weapons handling to assault courses and overnight camping under military shelter.
As we gear up for the Biannual Review next week, preparations are in full swing. Our Year 8 cadets proudly received their berets and Torquay Academy Identity arm flashes, symbolising their commitment and unity as part of our cadet family.
Throughout the week, our staff and cadets engaged in a mix of exciting challenges and activities, including weapons training, drill practice, assault courses and fieldcraft. From uniform checks to command tasks, every moment was an opportunity for growth and development.
As we catch our breath and reflect on the week’s events, let’s remember the values of teamwork, perseverance, and dedication that define us as Torquay Academy Cadets. Together, we continue to push boundaries, overcome obstacles, and strive for excellence in all that we do.
Science Club
This week in Science Club the students started to research their chosen project as part of their work towards achieving a CREST Bronze award. The projects range from energy counting in cereals to the psychology involved in soft drink colours, to rockets and aerodynamics. The students, with the help of Mr Hanley, Mrs Lawford and Mr Spittle, were able to problem solve and plan some really thought provoking and fascinating investigations!
To top it all off, the students used the polymer PVA, alongside some common household ingredients, to make some awesome slime! Both students and staff had a great time!
English with Miss Pearson
In Miss Pearson’s English class this week, 8Q4 have been learning about Wilfred Owen’s poetry, including Dulce et Decorum Est. Students have enjoyed analysing the visceral imagery in the poems, and have applied our word of the week ‘traumatising’ to our analysis.
In 11T8, in the midst of their PPEs, students have been still working hard to prepare for their GCSE exams which seem so close now! This week, we’ve worked on answering unseen poetry questions in order to develop independent analysis skills. We’ve also revised a range of texts through our essay plans – from An Inspector Calls, to Macbeth, to our poetry anthology.
Dyson Engineering Box
Our GCSE Product Design and GCSE Engineering students in Years 9 and 10 have thoroughly enjoyed dismantling and investigating real life Dyson products over the last few weeks. The kit was sent directly from the Dyson Foundation and aims to encourage students to explore design and engineering through hands-on activities such as product disassembly. You can see from the photos the detail with which they were able to analyse, annotate and sketch the products before them. Students also looked at designer case studies, career pathways and even had a virtual tour of the Dyson Institute degree apprenticeship university campus!
All go in A Level Product Design!
I was very impressed with the work ethic and focus of the Year 13 A Level Product Design students when I popped into the workshops this week. You can see from the photos just how focused they are on their exciting individual projects and how they are putting into practice the skills they have developed over the years at TA. Projects this year include a desk with integrated sound and lighting system, shelf storage from reclaimed gym equipment, a laminated plywood drawer set, adjustable drawing stand and a rotating helmet display case. Mr Hadley has promised to share photos of the final products as soon as they are finished!
Turning Heads Work Experience
Year 12 Health and Social Care student Shelby Astley Rubin has completed her work experience at the Turning Heads Community Project, set up by ex TA teacher Alan Tilley. Shelby has demonstrated a real willingness to engage in all aspects of the project, which will benefit her immensely, applying the knowledge gained to Exam and Coursework units. Great job, Shelby.
A beautiful sunset
This was the stunning view over the rugby field this week.
House News
Kitson House has the spotlight this week: its four representatives are Daisy Dorman, Stefan Manta, Pheobe Grindling and James Cosh-all from 7K. When the students came down to be interviewed, they brought down the house cup, as Kitson is its current holder.
As always with our house interviews, the students had many positive feelings about Kitson and a clear sense that it is the best house in the school. ‘Kitson is a really good group as we have a variety of people in it. Everybody wants to work hard and get on with their learning. We have a student who is always top at Tassomai and Sparx Reader.’ ‘We have some funny people but nobody is nasty. One of the really good things about Kitson is that we all help each other; we don’t like anybody to be left out or feel sad.’ ‘Miss Smith (tutor and house-captain) is very kind. She helps us with our homework and makes sure we have everything we need at the start of the day. She is very competitive though and gets very excited when we win. She even wished us a Merry Kitsonmass last year!’ ‘Kitson is getting better in all the house competitions. In the first one we came last, in the second one second but we won the Countdown and all celebrated with sweets. We were also the top house in the school last term as we got so many house points.’ ‘Mr Bindon is funny when he comes around to present the certificates but he gets a bit miserable if we ask him to wear his green wig.’
With Kitson going from strength to strength, they should be solid contenders for the next house competition – a penalty shoot-out.
Sparx Reader
Our first Sparx Reader award was presented this week to Cathrine Ramesh Mani, who has earned 25,000 Sparx Reader points and achieved the bronze-level award. Since we launched Sparx Reader in November, Cathrine has completed five books, earning a 100% completion rate and been awarded a grand total of 28,994 Sparx Reader Points. To reach this level in year 7 is a huge achievement. Massive congratulations to Cathrine who is pictured with Mr Dickin, one of our Sparx Reader Leaders.
Year 10 Art
Mrs Lithgow’s Year 10 GCSE Art class spent Cycle 2 working on self portraits and studying the work of Shepard Fairey. They gathered and collaged patterns, added symbols and motifs to create layered backgrounds. They then developed their pencil portrait drawings into high contrast designs that they split into 3 or 4 colour stencils printed using the screen printing method often used on t-shirts or tote bags. The task was ambitious and they all rose to the challenge to create these colourful responses. Having worked through a series of these skills workshops inspired by different Identity artists this year, Year 10 are now selecting their own artists and designing responses to create during their PPE 10 hour mock exam at the end of March.
Sparx Certificates
Students of the Week
Year 7 – Logan Payne and Darcy Dainton
Year 9 – Gracie-May Tolley and Anthony Potter
Year 10 – Bailey Woodger and Padma Priya Padmasree Suresh Kumar
Year 9 Football
Unfortunately, on the last day before half term, the Year 9 boys bowed out of the Elite National Cup at the Quarter Final stage. We lost to an excellent Northampton School for Boys team. With a number of key absences and facing a side with 14 Academy players, it was always going to be a huge challenge. However, the team acquitted themselves brilliantly and performed admirably throughout. They should be very proud of reaching the last 8 in the country.
Sixth Form Netball Academy v PETROC College
The Sixth Form Netball Academy played top of the league PETROC College on Wednesday. Whilst our girls drew and won certain quarters of the game, PETROC came away with the win. The girls still secure their top three position in the league and play Plymouth City College next week.
Year 7 Netball
On Monday 19th February two teams from our Year 7 Netball Academy represented Torquay Academy in a multi school tournament. All the girls were a credit to the school, both performing and behaving in an excellent manner.
Both teams took to the court with enthusiasm and a work rate that could not be faulted. The girls displayed some great netball, trying hard to use the space on the court effectively and connecting some good passes together to take the ball through the court to goal. The improvement in footwork, strength of passing and defensive marking was evident, showing that their hard work and commitment to training is paying off!
Team B won a couple of matches in the morning and progressed into the shield competition in the afternoon. In the shield competition the girls had some unfortunate losses against some tough opposition, but worked hard as a team to secure a couple of well deserved wins too!
Well Done.
Elena Bolton ©, Isla Coish, Esme Poole, Emelia Wood, Tia Woodward, Lottie Knight, Sophia Blake, Heidi Milner
Coaches Player: Elena Bolton
Players Player: Elena Bolton
Team A narrowly missed out in progressing into the Cup competition. However this did not deter them, and they continued to play with grit and determination. They were undefeated in the shield and declared overall Shield winners! Well done girls!
Seren Chadwick ©, Madison Wood, Poppi Jones, Rosie Bevan, Lily Langler, Isla Bryant, Alana Houlihan, Matilda Thorner
Coaches Player: Alana Houlihan
Players Player: Poppi Jones/Matilda Thorner/Isla Bryant
Year 8 Boys County cup
On Thursday we faced Colyton Grammar at home in the quarter final of the county cup. The conditions were against both teams for flowing football due to high winds and rain, but they tried their best to play when they could. In the first half, we created many chances but couldn’t find the back of the net until just before halftime, when Max found space in the box to take us into the break 1-0 up. In the second half against the wind, we played better football and were rewarded with further goals from Alex and Oscar to see the game out comfortably, with the result ending 3-1 to progress to the semi-final.
Governors’ Silver Certificates
Year 7 – Tiffany Eastley
Governors’ Bronze Certificates
Year 7 – Madison Wood, Poppy Haslett, Harry Austin, Bobby O’Regan and Oliver Szyszka
Year 8 – Brodi Docherty
Principal’s Gold Certificates
Year 7 – Zack Hazeldine, Oaklie Chancellor, Owen Spies, Seren Stephenson, Jacob Wakefield, George Garbett, Jack Crabb, Serenity Ward, Mila Cairney, Louie Skinner, Lori Close, Arlo Brady, James Costello, Emilee Fenner, Harley Smith, Mason Maxwell, Elena Bolton, Jamie Hancox, Poppi Jones, Isla Coish, Hayden Coatesworth, Kobi Burness-Moakes, Seren Chadwick, Freddie Wallis, Esmie Riggs, Ellie-Mae Burton and Oliver Forsdyke
Year 8 – Annie Aldous, Jessie Mountstevens and Naomi Szyszka
Principal’s Silver Certificates
Year 7 – Braydon Lane, Kierra O’Neill, Harry Rowlands, Seraphina Rozier, Ruby Turner, Archie Foss, Keylan Hodgson, Cordi Williams-Powell, Riley Johnson, Bella Hall, Jack Robinson, James Cosh, Aaliyah Akpo, Elissa Greenwood, Mia Wilkins, Harlow Bown, Anna Rozanska, Alba McKechan, Allen Burns-Muir, Florence Botten, Oliver Kawula and Billy Marshall
Year 8 – Warren Biggs, Max Warner, Cody Burton, Elliott Baines, Daisy Humphreys, Sean Canham, Phoenix Reeman, Jayden Hardman, Mason Findlay-Peers, Gustaw Adamczak, Michael Wynd, Talia Street, Scarlett Connolly, Summer Pallant, Heidi Bowers, Mollie Peters and Scarlett Hill
Principal’s Bronze Certificates
Year 7 – Bradley Wright, JJ Howell, Mia Piewiszko, Morgan Fisher and Elias Jeffery
Year 8 – Noah Margetts, Ava Luker-Hulme, Kaitlin Jarvis, Lily Thomas, Charlotte Holmes-Vittles, Lexi Cave, Alfie Braye, Charlie Sanderson, Saket Raj, Toby Hamilton, Maxwell Murphy, Olivia Williams, Janzen Flores, Zach Venter, Daniel Manners, Milan Ujj, Chloe-Mae Jones, Anastasiia Tukilush, Sanje Hoxha, Matthew Campan, Sunny Weedon, Autumn Wagstaffe, James Beer, Edi Ferencz Csibi, Dylan Matthews, Jenson Gorin, Bali Mudge, Saphi Byers, Lewis Graham, Jonathan Oleksy, Lee Stevens, Oscar Read and George Viediemikov
House Students of the Week
Year 7
Christie – Sophie Howard
Darwin – Leo Nicholson
Fawcett – Mia Piewiszko
Harrison – Isla Coish
Kitson – Stefan Manta
Pengelly – Aaron Pinto
Year 8
Brunel – Sienna Welsh
Christie – Benjamin Davies-Miles
Darwin – Vinnie Frankum
Fawcett – Saphi byers
Harrison – Harry Hutchings
Kitson – Aiden Hooper
Pengelly – Katie Peryer
Year 9
Christie – Francesca Skelly
Darwin – Ryan Allaker
Fawcett – Lili Budavolgyi
Kitson – Sophia Box
Pengelly – Charlotte Little
Homework Students of the Week
Year 7
Christie – Elissia Greenwood
Darwin – Jack Crabb
Fawcett – Kara Breach
Harrison – Owen Spies
Kitson – Lunda Truong
Pengelly – Elizabeth Francis
Year 8
Brunel – Louise Porter
Darwin – Evie Ford
Fawcett – Emilia Warner
Harrison – Toby Howell
Kitson – Heidi Bowers
Pengelly – Edi Ferencz Csibi
Year 9
Brunel – Kiki Marker
Christie- Halle Wotton
Darwin – Brody O’Neill
Fawcett – Rebecca Quarshie
Kitson – Sam Bowden
Pengelly – Maisie Sandercock
University Offers this Week
| Bailey Denyer | University of Kent | Mechanical Engineering |
| Lewis Vinson | University of Exeter | Exercise & Sport Sciences |
| Kiera Davies | Buckinghamshire New University | Animation |
| Ewan Zaple-Contreras | Bristol, UWE | Automotive Engineering (with Foundation Year) |
| Conner Lawrence | University of Exeter | Physics with Astrophysics |
| Conner Lawrence | University of Exeter | Physics with Astrophysics |
| Conner Lawrence | University of Exeter | Physics with Foundation year |
| Grace Cayford | Bournemouth University | Psychology with foundation year |
| kIAN Bowness | Bristol, UWE | Sports Rehabilitation |
| Maddy Brewer | Durham University | English Literature |
| Leo Dunkley | University of Bristol | Biology |
| Leo Dunkley | University of Exeter | Neuroscience |
| Amelie Wallace-Fisher | Loughborough University | Media & Communications |
| Amelie Wallace-Fisher | University of Liverpool | Communication & media |
| KiaN Bowness | Bath Spa University | Sports Management |
| Olivia Simpson-Lewis | University of Reading | Psychology & Neuroscience |
| Katie Packer | Arts University Bournemouth | Acting |
| kai Fowler | University of Reading | Psychology |
| Bailey Denyer | University of Leicester | Mechanical Engineering |
| Grace Cayford | Birmingham City University | Psychology with foundation year |
| Ena Brett | University of Exeter | Mathematics & Data Science |
| Finley Burn | Plymouth Marjon University | Sport Rehabilitation & coaching |
| Kai Fowler | Bristol, UWE | Psychology with Criminology |
| Serena Milton | University of Plymouth | Nursing (adult & child health) |
| Serena Milton | University of Plymouth | Nursing (adult & mental health) |
| Serena Milton | University of Plymouth | Nursing (adult health) |
| Max Grimley | Plymouth Marjons | Sports therapy |
| Elisha Perrow | University of Exeter | Exercise & Sport Science |
| Katie Packer | Falmouth University | Acting |
| Olivia Simpson-Lewis | University of Bristol | Psychology & Neuroscience |
| Thomas Johnson | University of Exeter | Finance: Data Science with Industrial Experience |
| Ricco Moranzoni | UCFB | Football coaching and management |
| Ricco Moranzoni | UCFB | Football coaching and management |
Sparx Leaderboards
Congratulations to these students for achieving a new level in their Sparx this week! Certificates and badges will be awarded at the end of every cycle.
Tassomai Leaderboards
