Oxford University, netball and incredible effort
Oxford University Trip
We took a group of thirty year 9 students and fourteen year 12 students to Oxford University on a trip organised by Dr Jones along with the High Performance Academy. This was following their successful completion of the year 8 and year 9 HPA programme involving a series of lectures, essays and presentations.
The trip itself was to Exeter College at Oxford University. Exeter is the fourth-oldest college at Oxford University, founded in 1314 by Devon-born Walter de Stapledon, then Bishop of Exeter. We were shown round by the outreach team and several student ambassadors who gave our students a real insight into what it is like to study at Oxford.
The year nine students had a tour of the College grounds, visiting the chapel, student accommodation, common room and dining hall before going across town to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, where they were able to handle a range of exhibits including an elephants’ tooth, a taxidermied barn owl and some live cockroaches! They had an opportunity to explore all the exhibits in the museum before returning to Exeter College for lunch alongside the university students.
After lunch, they had a talk about studying at Oxford and were able to ask the undergraduates about entry requirements and the demands of their courses. They finished the day with a city centre tour of the famous Oxford landmarks including the Bodleian library, the Sheldonian theatre and the Radcliffe Camera.
The year twelve students had a session explaining the Oxbridge application process, including a mock interview in which they had to demonstrate their thinking and problem-solving skills, and a small-group tutorial on either law or genetic engineering, depending on their area of interest.
All the students thoroughly enjoyed the day and were inspired by their visit. They were enthusiastic about university study and were a great credit to Torquay Academy.
Year 11 Celebratory Lunch
Lunch with the year team. On Friday, 30 students in year 11 were rewarded for their individual performances in the cycle 2 effort audit. They sat and had lunch with Mr Grinsill, Mr Pugh, Mr Gale and Mrs Bell.
Cadet Training
It has been a busy few weeks at cadet training.
The RAF Section working hard to improve their Drill, aircraft recognition, first aid and leadership skills. All will be put through their paces at the Royal Air Squadron Competition on the 5 February. Good luck all.
The Army section continues with air rifle training alongside marksmanship and weapons safe handling skills. All in preparation for the cadet Summer camp in July. Before this undertaking, the Army Cadets will be carrying out weapons training to safely prepare them to fire the weapons on a Military range.
Both services are looking forward to welcoming the potential Year 8 students who will be offered a place within the CCF Contingent very soon!
Cadet Ten Tors training is well underway with a few walks on Dartmoor. The teams have been announced and all very much look forward to the Brecon Beacons Mountain walk coming up in March.
The cadet staff have been working towards
setting up a cadet camp at Netheravon Army Camp which will be an opportunity for the cadets to work towards military skills.
We also welcome some new cadet training staff who bring some amazing knowledge, experience and skills that the cadets will benifit from. They have been working hard on delivering a leadership course which introduces key elements of being a leader.
The senior cadets are completing the Method of Instructors course. By passing this course will enable them to be an instructor in the cadet force ensuring a high level of cadet training delivery is achieved. Well done all. Keep the hard work up.
Effort Boards
We unveiled the latest effort boards this week and, as ever, students were very keen to see their latest position!
English with Mrs Mortimore
Mrs Mortimore’s year 11s have been concentrating hard on their knowledge tests in English this week. These assessments are all completed using google forms so that students can easily identify any gaps in their knowledge and focus their PPE revision on these areas.
Hospitality and Catering
The Hospitality and Catering students have been focusing on the techniques and skills for their Yr 11 practical exam which is in the next six weeks. Mrs Haines set them the task of making the humble bangers and mash into an innovative and creative fine dining dish and these were the results. She was so impressed by the way they focused and concentrated on making the dish look aesthetically appealing and incredibly tasty.
In addition, Mrs Haines has told me that the students have been showing their commitment to their exam through the practice of their dishes at home- just look at what Ruby Trewen has done.
Maths Intervention
7KVA have enjoyed a successful cycle of maths intervention in period 1. They’ve been fabulous and worked so hard; making super progress in their maths understanding.
Mrs Aplin will be sad to see them go but she is ready for her next group of students to support to be just as successful in a cycle 3.
They enjoyed some doughnuts this morning to celebrate! Well done to Callie Stock, Honor Dawson, Anya Cosslett, Faith Guppy, Lilly-Rose Garbett, Layla Meek, Keisha Powell, Sanije Hoxha, Summer Pallant, Louie Leighton and Poppy Betteridge.
Complete Maths Tuition
The end of cycle 2 means that many year 7 and 8 students have graduated from their complete maths tuition programme. Those that have been attending period 5 during cycles 1 and 2 have now completed their course, well done to all of those involved! We look forward to more students completing (and more graduation photos!) at the end of cycle 3.
Another Rainbow…
Miss Walkin’s group came out to their PE lesson under a rainbow!
U13 Girls Cricket
On Tuesday, a team of U13 girls headed over to the Hub in Paignton and played in the Indoor Area Cricket Tournament. They competed against two schools in the initial round, beating Newton Abbot College and losing to Torquay Girls Grammar. They then went through to the next round and were in the final four. They had a very close game against Teign School, and managed to get the whole team out within the 8 overs. However, Teign came out with the win with just 9 runs in it.
The girls represented the school fantastically and played extremely well, even despite the cold temperatures of the Hub.
Well done to those involved: Leela Cartwright, Farah Ambrose, Frankie Skelly, Chloe German, Ellie Farthing, Tallulah Houlahan, Maisie Sandercock, Hallie Wotton.
U15 Netball Academy v Ivybridge School
The U15 Netball Academy played against Ivybridge School on Friday. After a well- fought four quarters, the girls narrowly missed out by 18 goals to 17. However, each player came off knowing that they left everything out on court and are determined to continue to grow together as a squad. A special mention goes to Summer Connolly, who was voted as Coaches Player of the match, Tammy Westacott who was voted as Players’ Player of the match and Isabelle Moxham who was voted as Opposition’s Player of the Match.
U15 Netball Academy: Tammy Westacott, Summer Connolly, Millie Sneap, Amara Phillips, Maisy Green, Ema Kestell, Lydia Bevan, Ivy Hodgson-Hunt, Isabelle Moxham and Brooke Tully
U14 Netball Academy
The U14 Netball Academy travelled to Bournemouth to play against Talbot Heath School on Monday. In the first and second quarter, the girls took a while to get into the game, going down 25-13 but they managed to turn it back around to narrow the score line. A strong transition from defense into attack allowed the girls to win the final quarter of the game, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to put them through to the next round of the U14 Sisters in Sport Plate competition.
Congratulations to Brooke Tully, who was voted Player of the Match.
U14 Netball Academy: Lydia Bevan, Ema Kestell, Sophie Nicholson, Amara Phillips, Katie Rowe, Millie Sneap, Eve Cameron, Isabelle Moxham, Jemimah Jones and Brooke Tully
Year 8 Velodrome Trials
The Year 8’s participated in our annual house cycling competition during their PE lesson this week. Students were time trialed around a set course on TA grounds with the top 8 boys and top 8 girls qualifying for the Olympic Velodrome finals in March (Date TBC). Congratulations, not only to the 8 qualifiers but to everyone who participated, gaining house points for your year.
In next week’s PE lessons the year 7’s will be competing for the 8 boys and girls places available for them.
Year 8 girls’ qualifiers
Lana Waller, Frankie Skelly, Lucy McMahon, Faye Cassidy, Grace Halsey, Summer Lawford and Tallulah Houlahan
Year 8 boys’ qualifiers
Harrison Richards, Louis Tillen, Maks Adach, Edwards Evers, Oliver Crocker, Adam Sadlik, Sam Johns and Harrison Harkins
Sixth Form University Offers This Week
Students of the Week
Year 7 – Ellie Simpson and Edi Ferencz Csibi
Year 8 – Felicity Adams
Year 9 – Billy Botten and Isabelle Moxham
Year 10 – Mollie Stantion
Year 11 – Students of the week who all finished joint top in the cycle 2 effort audit. These students all averaged the perfect score of one with a 100% attendance record as well. This is a truly fantastic achievement. Pictured are Matt Budavolgyi, Hannah Carr, Tim Corbett, Kole Gjikolaj, Phoebe Lown, Joseph Oborn, Bogdan Pamfile and Penny Richards.
Sixth Form – Mia Sharman and Alex Green
House Students of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Louise Porter
Christie – Thomas Cox
Darwin – Finley Clark
Fawcett – Scarlett Connolly
Harrison – Archie Harman
Kitson – Olivia Williams
Nearne – Charlie Sanderson
Pengelly – Ella Weeks
Year 8
Christie – Lucas Chappell
Darwin – Leo Maasz
Fawcett – Kaiden McLaren
Harrison – Fredi Tuci
Kitson – Corey Batten
Nearne – Daniel Piper
Pengelly – Ellie Mildren
Year 9
Brunel – Oliver Drinkwater
Christie – Shelby Spencer
Darwin – Katie Rowe
Fawcett – Ruby Bovey
Kitson – Ava Shobbrook
Nearne – Diego Zulhayir
Pengelly – Ivy Hodgson-Hunt
Homework Students of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Jonny Sandbrook
Christie – Harry Lee
Darwin – Alesha Black-Matthews
Fawcett – Ellie Simpson
Harrison – Mollie Longthorpe
Kitson – Heidi Bowers
Nearne – Zach Venter
Pengelly – Poppy Sanderson
Year 8
Brunel – Bailey Heawood
Christie – Maks Adach
Darwin – Matilda Stevens
Fawcett – Adam Sadlik
Harrison – Kelsey Drew
Nearne – Abigail Yau
Pengelly – Ben Tucker
Year 9
Christie – Ben Charters
Darwin – Katie Rowe
Fawcett – Agatha Sadlik
Kitson – Jessica Mitchell
Pengelly – Charlie Pettit
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