Paris Trip, Ten Tors on Dartmoor and paintballing

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Bonjour Paris!

Mrs Berry organised a fantastic cultural trip to France for our GCSE students, staying in a chateau, just outside of Paris.

On the first day, they visited a French market, where the students were tasked with buying food items in French in order to make their own lunch. Mrs Berry, Mr Chadwick, Miss Hammett, Mrs Lancaster and Elisa, their French language assistant were really impressed not only with the effort our students put into speaking French, but also their efforts with creating some culinary masterpieces!

After lunch, they all went to a fromagerie (cheese factory) to learn about the cheese making process, and the history of Fromagerie Ganot. They also sampled some French cheese, and many students bought some to bring home to their families.

Students had lots of fun during evening activities. They participated in a scavenger hunt, a silent disco, and crêpe making!

On their final full day they took to Paris! First up was climbing the Eiffel Tower, followed by a lovely boat ride along the river Seine. Then they did some sightseeing in the coach, driving through the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. They also went to a French hypermarket in the afternoon, before coming back to the chateau for a final dinner, which included escargots (snails!)

 

 

Ten Tors

Our Tens Tours teams continue to put in the hard miles on Dartmoor to prepare themselves for next month’s gruelling event.

 

CCF Competition

Just before the holiday the Torquay Academy CTF team competed in an online tournament against just under ten thousand people (PicoCTF 2024). The other competitors were university teams and professionals in their field from all around the world, the team managed to beat about half of all competitors, around 3312. Well done everyone involved!

An Exciting Week Back at Cadets. Embracing the Outdoors and Training Hard

What an amazing week we’ve had back at cadets! With the weather finally warming up, it was time to take our training outdoors and embrace the elements.

The RAF cadets dove headfirst into fieldcraft training, learning field craft tactics and Pairs Fire and Manoeuvre. From building shelters to mastering RAF drill. And let’s not forget our newest recruits diving into Part 1 training! It’s been fantastic to see them immerse themselves in the cadet experience, learning the ropes and quickly becoming integral members of our unit.

Meanwhile, over in the Army section, things were heating up too as the cadets continued through the progressive training regimen in preparation for the pending Army cadet camp.
From perfecting drill to fine-tuning tactical manoeuvres. The camaraderie and dedication shown by everyone were truly inspiring, pushing the cadets the absolute best in every drill and exercise.

The enthusiasm and eagerness to learn have injected a fresh energy into the Torquay Academy cadet, reminding us all of the importance of passing on our knowledge and skills to the next generation.

The final parade made way for cadet presentations, celebrating the success of completing the First Aid at Work and Senior Cadet Instructors Course. The 6 cadets owned the stage and presented to the contingent. Well done for your well deserved badges.

As we wrap up this incredible week, the team cannot help but feel grateful for the opportunities and friendships that cadets bring into the cadet experience. Whether it’s braving the elements in fieldcraft training or perfecting drill on the parade ground, every moment spent with my fellow cadets is a reminder of the power of teamwork, dedication, and the spirit of adventure. Here’s to many more amazing weeks ahead at cadets!

Year 9 Art Students’ Insect Studies

The Year 9 art students have demonstrated exceptional creativity and dedication in their recent study of insects, these insects featured are from from Ms Lynch’s personal collection. Throughout this project, students embarked on a captivating exploration of entomology through art, showcasing their talent and passion for the natural world.

One of the most impressive aspects of this body of work is the students’ attention to detail. They meticulously observed and sketched insects, capturing the unique characteristics and intricacies of these creatures. From the delicate patterns on butterfly wings to the fascinating anatomy of beetles, their drawings reflect a deep understanding of insect morphology.

Overall, the Year 9 art students have excelled in their exploration of insects from India, Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. Their artwork not only celebrates the beauty of nature but also highlights their artistic talent and intellectual curiosity. This project serves as a testament to their growth as artists and scholars, and I look forward to witnessing their continued artistic journey.

Year 10 Physics Required Practical

Last week Mr Mellitt’s year 10 students were completing one of their GCSE science required practical tasks. They were tasked with discovering how varying the length of a conducting wire affected its electrical resistance. Students had to build a circuit from a diagram, safely operate the circuit, record data, plot a graph of their results and form a conclusion.

House Hobbies Brunel

In addition to striving for academic excellence, many of our young people at Torquay Academy also engage in extra-curricular activities. Today, we are showcasing the achievements of four students: George Pitts, Eric Montague, Daisy-Mae Rees and Treesa Telson-all from Brunel.

George has been playing golf for over four years. He initially took up golf to keep his father company on the course and now has the impressive handicap of 37. I was informed that a handicap is deduced by the player undertaking four rounds with their average score and some mathematical calculations contributing to a final number. Every Friday evening George trains with other junior competitors and on weekends he plays with his father. When asked why golf appeals to George he stated: ’I like the fact that it’s a bit calmer than traditional sports. There is less chaos. It’s also about the individual as opposed to a team so the sport makes a person more self-reliant.’

Eric is a martial arts expert. He studies MMA which-I am reliably informed-stands for mixed martial arts. When Eric was three his parents responded to an advert seen in a toy shop window and he has never looked back. He is already a red belt and working towards his deputy black. Eric attends the Matt Fiddes’ Martial Arts Centre where he has been so successful that he is on the leadership programme – an honour only given to the best student in a class. This entitles Eric to wear a special black gee and attend special training classes. George will be travelling to Australia in October to attend a martial arts tournament.

Treesa Telson is a gymnast. She initially enjoyed swimming as a hobby but recognised her own flexibility. Her father encouraged her desire to join a gymnastics club and soon her natural talent became evident. I learnt that there are four different events in gymnastics; Floor, Vaults, Beam and Bar and that enthusiasts progress from levels 1 to 10. There is an opportunity to move up a level every six months. Treesa is already on Level 9! One of her major successes was winning a silver medal in the Vaults’ section. When asked what is so appealing about gymnastics, Treesa exclaimed: ’I just love performing. The feeling that you get when you have performed a routine without any mistakes is brilliant.’

Finally, Daisy -Mae enjoys tap-dancing. She has only been performing for a year and her interest developed when she attended a session with a friend. During her initial year of training, Daisy-Mae has already progressed through a number of different grades and is working hard for her Grade 4 exam. I was informed that posture and footwork is carefully scrutinised before tap-dancers can progress to the next level. Exam performances are recorded and then sent of to an independent examiner -who makes the final decision. Daisy-Mae is really enjoying rehearsing for this particular exam as the track is a beat- box one. There is a strong chance that she will be awarded a distinction.

We certainly have some talented students in Brunel; next week we will look at what students in Christie have accomplished.

Draculin

 

Draculin are a young and talented rock/ metal band from Torquay, Devon and they have been performing together since early 2023.

The band consists of Will Candy (Vocals & Lead Guitar), Oliver Attwood (Lead Guitar) Emilee Payne (Vocals & Bass Guitar) and Bartosz Mitula (Drums).

Draculin write their own compositions and play many of their favourite covers from the legends of rock music. They released their first single, Sweet Dreams at the end of 2023 and it is still available on most social media platforms, including Spotify.

The band has now confirmed details of their “Bats Out of Hell” tour which commences with a performance at the Respect Festival, Exeter in June, quickly followed up by a trip to Llangollen to participate at the International Music Festival in July.

Draculin will also be supporting the Big Noise Chorus at the Princess Theatre, Torquay on Friday, 6th September. The tour concludes in spectacular fashion when they take to the stage at the Palace Theatre, Paignton on Sunday, 3rd November for their own 2 hour show of rock music, plus a few thrilling surprises!

Lead vocalist and lead guitarist Will Candy “ This is a very exciting year for the band with some memorable gigs at some amazing venues. Our own show at the Palace Theatre on Sunday, 3rd November promises to be something special. If you like rock/metal music, then you should come and see us perform. Tickets are very reasonably priced and can be purchased on the Palace Theatre website.

 

School Council

The school council met this week in their year group to discuss ideas that have been put forward by our students.  I will be meeting the senior students next week to discuss the meetings and ideas.

 

Art

Whilst Year 11 Art and A Level Art and Photography students have been busy working on their personal responses in the art department, Year 7 and 8 have done an excellent job on their Cycle 3 assessments this week. Year 8 used colour, pen and pencil to design Graffiti tags and record an urban landscape for their Contemporary and Urban Art project. Year 7 practised their pencil and pen handling skills to observe shells for their Under the Sea theme.

Pudding Club

It is always a lovely way to end the week with Mra Haines and the Pudding Club.  Flapjack was on the menu this week.  And no, they didn’t have any to share with me!

 

Mountain Biking

Our students continue to get the opportunity to go to Haldon to develop their mountain bike skills.

 

Cricketfield Community Garden

On Thursday, I had the great pleasure of meeting Jemma and Paddy, who showed me around the Cricketfield Community Garden. It is a fantastic space, if you would like to come along the opening times are Tuesday and Thursday 10am – 1pm. You can find out more information on their website by visiting www.cricketfieldgarden.org

 

Students of the Week

Year 7 – Jack Hughes and Bella Hall

Year 8 – Lee Stevens and Anastasiia Tukilush

Year 11 – Samuel Stimpson and Beth Evans Rogers

 

Governor’s Gold Certificates

Year 7 – Oliver Szyszka, Ayrton Sharp, Charlotte Townsend, Harry Austin and Frazer Lewis

Governor’s Silver Certificates

Year 7 – Jacob Wakefield, Lily Langler, Luke Sandeman, Jamie Hancox, Alana Houlihan, Lily Ellis, Emilee Fenner, Zack Hazeldine, Layla Lock, Keeley-Mae Moran, Owen Spies, Isla Coish, Mason Maxwell, Poppi Jones, James Costello, Summer Reed, Ebany Fawkes, Oktawian Siennicki, Lily-Jo Prior, Jesse Isemede, Andy Iftode, Olivia Forsdyke and Freddie Wallis

Governor’s Bronze Certificates

Year 7 – Cee-Jay Carrington, Lori Close, Samuel Kuc, Jenson Tandy, Alexis Kovacs, Gracjan Rutkowski, Noah Amor, Edward Huxtable, Tilly Longthorpe, Mia Wilkins, Viktoria Simunkova, Jessica Ferguson, Jelani Ondo-Chamielec, Farah Davidson, Levi Jones, Tia Woodward, Theo Slater, Esme Poole, Louie Skinner and William Schmiedinghofer

Principal’s Gold Certificates

Year 7 – Kumar Hopton, Morgan Fisher, Alba McKechan, Florence Botten, Archie Foss, Elise Musgrove, Brogan Holmes-Inch, Dylan Drinkwater, George Moran and Corey Davies

Principal’s Silver Certificates

Year 7 – George Moran, Bradley Wright, JJ Howell, Beth McMahon, Summer Dockrey, Lily Hubbard, Isabelle Leech and Oscar Deegan

Principal’s Bronze Certificates

Year 7 – Nanma John, Finley Bratcher, Logan Hewitt and Fraser Whitehead

 

House Students of the Week

Year 7

Brunel – Viktor Koza

Christie – Rosie Bevan

Darwin – Lucy French

Fawcett – Emelia Wood

Harrison – Seren Stephenson

Kitson – Keylan Hodgson

Nearne – Billie-Jo Dolling

Pengelly – Tate Reynolds

Year 8

Brunel – Dylan Bolton

Christie – Cody Burton

Darwin – Chloe Holton

Fawcett – Louie Leighton

Harrison – Archie Norcott

Kitson – Summer Pallant

Pengelly – Finley Dawson

Year 9

Christie – Scarlett Lacey

Darwin – Dan Hutchinson

Fawcett – Anthony Potter

Harrison – Sunny Long

Nearne – Eva Spicer

Pengelly – Serina James

Homework Students of the Week

Year 7

Brunel – Izzie Mildren

Christie – Theo Slater

Darwin – Mila Cairney

Fawcett – Ollie Humphreys

Harrison – Poppi Jones

Kitson – Catherine Ramesh Mani

Nearne – Casey Clark

Pengelly – Jake Richards

Year 8

Brunel – Oscar McLaughlin

Christie – Jasmine Edwards

Darwin – Kaitlin Jarvis

Fawcett – Sophie Timms

Harrison – Harry Hutchings

Kitson – Tyler Evans

Pengelly – Finley O’Leary-Black

Year 9

Christie – Zak Turner

Darwin – Sam Johns

Fawcett – Nea Joshy

Harrison – Summer Butlin

Kitson – Evie-May Howell

Nearne – Thomas Connelly

Pengelly – Millie-Ann Wigston

 

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