Premiership star opens sports facilities and Year 11's final day
Official Opening of the Astro
Gary Monk, ex Torquay Academy student and Premiership star and manager, returned to school for the official opening of our changing rooms and astro. Gary has had an incredible career (read his Wikipedia page) that included 226 appearances for Swansea City as well as managing Swansea City, Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday.
He spoke to our students about his career and answered their many questions. The theme of many of his answers was about “perseverance and resilience”. He was blown away by the facilities and both in the sports area and the main school.
It was a real privilege to meet Gary and we were very grateful for how generous he was with his time.
Year 11’s Last Day
Year 11 had their final exam on Monday. After sitting their Statistics exam, they went outside to sign shirts and celebrate the end of their exams. We look forward to their Prom next week.
DofE Bronze Practice Expedition
On the weekend of 10th and 11th June the DofE Bronze students took on their first outdoor challenge – the Practice Expedition! The students have been route planning for the Qualifying Expedition (24-25 June) after school every week over the last half term and have had training on map skills, navigation and campcraft skills in these sessions. This weekend was a chance to get some ‘on the ground’, real practice and take on a challenge in their teams for the first time!
For some of the students it was their first expedition experience. And for some it was a real shock – particularly carrying a full rucksack walking longer distances than normally used to doing.However the teams acquitted themselves admirably. All teams made their destination, Broadleigh Farm Campsite in Stoke Gabriel, on Day One after a start in Ashprington near Totnes. With the hot weather it was always going to be more of a challenge for the teams. And then Saturday morning the rain came adding a new challenge into the mix! Despite this spirits didn’t flag and all made it safely to the campsite, set up their tents and cooked themselves their meals on gas stoves.
Day Two, after a fairly disturbed night’s sleep it has to be said, the students got up, had breakfast and took down tents and got ready for their second day’s adventure. On Day One they had been accompanied by a member of staff for the first half of the route – today they were flying solo! So all navigation was to be undertaken by themselves.
It was an eventful day with some unfortunate injuries meaning students couldn’t continue the walk with their team and some were really feeling the pain of the previous day’s exertions! However for the first time in a number of years we had one team make it to the end point at Brixham Harbour. An amazing effort!
Well done to all who participated in this really successful introduction to expeditioning. Being on expedition for 6 hours each day is a real test of resilience and our Year 9 DofE Bronze students who attended this expedition and really gave it their all should be very proud of themselves.
A huge thank you to all the staff that helped with accompanying the groups walking and to those that camped with the students.
Geography with Miss Fannon
Miss Fannon’s 7Q6 Geographers conducted their microclimate investigation about where on the school grounds a swimming pool should be built. They used anemometers, digital thermometers and a compass to collect their data, before writing up their findings and making conclusions. A class vote decided that the best place to build the pool would be site 4/5, the grass bank area in the far end of the playground.
Mr Crow: Year 9 Speaking and Listening
In recent weeks, Mr Crow’s Year 9 group have been preparing for their speaking and listening assessment. This involves creating a presentation, including accompanying notes and visuals. The aim of the presentation is to demonstrate an ability to talk with confidence in front of an audience, using formal English. The second part involves a Q&A session in which the candidates show that they can offer thoughtful and developed answers to the question being asked (a skill oft avoided by more public figures…).
This Thursday saw three bold and intrepid presenters decide to go first. We were told about why the driver Ken Block deserves more recognition. We were then treated to a presentation about the ongoing success of Manchester City and the influence of foreign money in the modern game. Finally, we were persuaded that Poland is an incredible country worth visiting, through an overview of its history, culture, and traditions.
PE with Miss Felton
This week in PE, Miss Felton’s class have been practising their high jump technique ready for sports day! They have been looking at the approach and take off, and finding their preferred side. We then looked at the flight phase and how we can manipulate the shape of our bodies to clear the bar without knocking it off. The Year 9 record before this week was 1.35m, and this has now been broken by Eve Cameron, clearing 1.40m! Well done Eve.
Grade 6 Drums
Tom Thorner, Year 9, has passed his Grade 6 in Drum Kit with Distinction! Tom had to perform three pieces for the exam encompassing a wide range of styles, three technical exercises and rudiments, followed by an aural and sightreading test. Tom had to master a shifting backbeat, coordination between the bass and crash, fast repeated bass drum and accented semiquaver patterns. It is rare for a Year 9 student to master such technical skills, therefore, it’s unsurprising that Tom’s drum tutor describes him as a highly disciplined and motivated musician. Undoubtedly, Tom has an exciting musical career ahead of him, we can’t for what Year 10 will bring. Preparations for Grade 7 begin in September… Great work, Tom!
Maths with Mrs Dipode
This week Mrs Dipode’s classes have been preparing for their A-level exams and PPEs.
In Year 12 A-Level Further Maths, students have been brushing up on their knowledge ahead of their PPEs, particularly focusing on the Core Pure aspects of their course. Below are some examples of questions that they have focused on in preparation for their end of year exams.
Mrs Dipode also said goodbye to her 2 Year 13 classes this week, conducting the final exam briefings on Tuesday and Thursday. The whole maths team are so proud of how they have applied themselves and can’t wait to celebrate with them on results day!
Finally 10Q6 have been continuing to prepare for their PPEs, having sat paper 1 already. Friday’s lesson saw them preparing for next week’s papers by brushing up on their percentage and algebra knowledge using mini whiteboards to solve exam style questions.
Girls’ Devon Final
We are so proud of our U13 girls’ football team this year! They played their county cup schools final at Coach Road against Plymstock School. It’s been an amazing achievement for our talented group, especially considering it’s their first year playing together, with the team being made up from Year 7 and 8. We have an incredible bunch of girls who are sure to continue developing and improving while at TA.
Despite a tough battle, we, unfortunately, fell short on the day with a 3-1 score, but we put on an impressive performance against a formidable team. A mention to Evie Ford for scoring our goal, and congratulations to Leela Cartwright for being named Player of the Match. Well done to everyone involved.
Year 7 Rounders
Last Friday, 9 students from the Year 7 Rounders team travelled to Stover school to take part in their end of season tournament. They played against Stover, Coombeshead, St Cuthbert Maybe, Teign and Newton Abbott College. The catch of the day went to Anastasia with a fantastic one handed catch on the first ball of the game.
Well done to Sienna Welsh, Sophia Peryer, Katie Peryer, Anastasia Tukilush, Alesha Black-Matthews, Hattie Gamble, Dolly Gagg, Lily-Rose Garbett, Ellie Simpson.
Year 8 Rounders
On Tuesday, a team of Year 8 students attended a rounders fixture at Coombeshead Academy. They were joined by Spires and played two matches. The match against Spires ended in a draw, and they had a narrow loss against Coombeshead. The girls played really well and had a fantastic afternoon. Well done to those involved and to Kiki Marker for getting player of the game!
Students of the Week
Year 7 – Bella Pomerville
Year 9 – Olivia Riches and James Goodman
House Students of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Alfie Speed
Christie – Lewis Allington
Darwin – Lauren Harbutt
Fawcett – Aleta Stojic
Harrison – Mollie Longthorpe
Kitson – Elliott Baines
Nearne – Charlie Sanderson
Pengelly – Alex Moss
Year 8
Brunel –
Christie – Callum Pile
Darwin – Matilda Stevens
Fawcett – Lewis Phillips
Harrison – Eden Nelson-Minns
Kitson – Sophia Box
Nearne – Kyron Connor
Pengelly – Julia Tatarynowicz
Year 9
Brunel – Finn Moncrieff
Christie – Mya Hoskin
Darwin – Adam Wright
Fawcett – Ellie Roberts
Kitson – Jessica Mitchell
Nearne – Diego Zulhayir
Pengelly – Gregg Hindom
Homework Students of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Sienna Welsh
Christie – Imogen Clifford
Darwin – Lilly-Rose Garbett
Fawcett – Saphi Byers
Harrison – Oscar Spurle
Kitson – Harry McCarthy
Nearne – Emily Watts-Simpson
Pengelly – Millie Russell
Year 8
Christie – Frankie Skelly
Darwin – Daisy Hellier
Fawcett – Alba Fogarty
Harrison – Fredi Tuci
Kitson – Millie Swift
Nearne – Layla Broadway
Year 9
Christie – Josh Rogers
Darwin – Jessica Nicholson
Fawcett – Sara Mills
Kitson – Daytona Vickers
Nearne – Colby Britton
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