Public speaking competition, further maths and rock n roll...
Year 10s win public speaking competition
Last Saturday three students from Year 10, Thomas Huitema, Jak Partridge and Oliver Cartwright-Lomax, took part in the regional heat of the Nation ‘Youth Speaks’ public speaking competition. Delivering an incredibly well-researched and rousing speech with great humour on the dangers of the media, the boys won the competition and are now through to the next round of the competition next month, up against all the regional winners across Devon. Olly also won the individual prize for best Vote of Thanks.
Further Maths at Exeter University
On Monday four of our top Year 9 Mathematicians attended a challenge day at Exeter University run by the Further Mathematics Support Program. The day consisted of some challenge problems set by Dr Ted Graham, an Associate Professor in Mathematics and Statistics from Plymouth University. The four students (pictured) were Dylan Gale, Gareth Howells, Benjamin Woodward and Shannon Banks. They tackled problems including how to divide a Pizza (a suggestion of don’t so you’ll have more pizza was over ruled…), Fermi Estimation and finally exploring the Mathematics behind a card trick.
Sports Round Up
In a week where Video Assistant Referees (VAR) were introduced to professional football, there were occasions this week when we wished it had been brought in at our level. Our 2nd XI were very unlucky to lose 3-1 to a very strong Yeovil College side on Wednesday of this week, but with the help of VAR the result could have been so different. If a disallowed goal and what looked like a certain penalty had been given it would have changed the whole momentum of the game. On the plus side our 1st XI beat Exeter College in a very entertaining game 3-1 to climb up the College League.
Monday saw the first of our Badminton house competitions, this time it was the turn of the Year 7 boys and they did not let us down with their application and determination with over 30 students taking part, the eventual winner was William Bevan of Christie House who seems to be making a name for himself as being on the winning side for most of the house competitions he takes part in. Well done, William.
Also on Monday our Year 9 and 10 girls football team played Torquay Girls Grammar School, a brace from Amelia Baker set us up for an excellent 4-1 win in what were dreadful conditions. The enthusiasm and will to win demonstrated by the girls was second to none.
On Tuesday our Year 9 and 10 girls Netball teams came back to earth with a bump as both teams tasted defeat at the hands of two very strong St Cuthbert Mayne Netball teams, however once again the games were played in excellent spirit. On Wednesday our Year 7 and 8 girls Netball teams travelled to Coombeshead College where they were both able to comfortably win their matches 15-2 and 13-3 respectively. All of our Netball teams this week were able to try out the new Netball kit which looks great.
Result of the week has to go to the Year 7 girls football team who beat Teignmouth Community College 5-0 in the National Cup, a great performance girls, who now go to Somerset in the next round to play Sexey’s School Bruton. Good luck in that one girls. With the Year 10 boys game falling victim of the weather and the Year 11 boys not due to play their Devon Cup match v Plymstock School until Friday the spotlight was very much on the girls this week and they certainly lived up to expectations!.
All that remains to be said is good luck to Emma Harrison, Ella Sandbrook, Isaac Astbury and Angus Graham who represent the school and South Devon in the Devon Cross Country Championships this Saturday.
Netball
On Wednesday the Year 9 and 10 Netball team traveled to St Cuthbert Mayne for their first fixture of the new year. The girls displayed some great skills moving the ball up and around the court. Unfortunately they were overpowered by the St Cuthbert Mayne team and found it difficult to break through the defence to get the ball to the shooters. Both teams showed great resilience throughout and remained determined to win the ball till the end.
Players of the match were awarded by St Cuthbert Mayne to Zane Sibiya and Georgia Davies.
On Thursday the Year 7 and 8 teams travelled to Coombeshead for their fixtures. Year 7 played first and what a game of netball to witness! From the start the girls worked hard to get the ball into the circle. With interceptions from Darcie at WD Coombeshead struggled to get the ball past the centre third.
Elisha and Issy played exceptionally well at the GA/GS combination and this contributed to the high scoring game.
Miss Brown’s player of the match was Darcie Baker for outstanding interceptions and great play throughout.
Year 8 also played a very good game. They were slightly slow to start a they only scored 2 in the first quarter. However, by the second quarter they has found their rhythm and they were ahead by nearly 7 goals. Whilst the whole team played well, it was very noticeable the contribution that Ellie Mitchell made to the shooting circle, which is why she was named Miss Brown’s player of the match.
These pictures show the girls looking very smart in their new Team TA kits.
After school sports clubs
6th Form Music Rock ‘n’ roll Night!
On Tuesday evening from 7pm all 22 of our 6th form music students will be taking over the stage at Molloy’s in St Marychurch for a night of Rock ‘n’ roll! The 4 sixth form bands in Year 12 and 13 will be treating the audience to 2 full hours of live music! For many of the students this will be their first public performance but not only that, for all of our students this will be the major assessment for their current Music Performance qualification – so no pressure!
So, if you are free Tuesday evening get down to Molloy’s to be treated to a great evening of live music from our talented students!
A busy week in Health and Early Years
It has been a busy week for our Health and Early Years students. On Monday the year 9 Child Development students descended upon Mothercare at The Willows. Their main task was to compare and select travel equipment, sleeping equipment and clothing for a 0- 12 month old. The students were all very excited and extremely surprised when they started looking at how much a baby will actually cost! They had a great afternoon and their effort and attitude was exemplary.
On Wednesday our Year 12 Health and Social Care group were fortunate to be given a presentation from the Proud to Care ambassadors, which is an NHS funded program centred upon education and training. Based in both Health and Social care backgrounds, Rachel and Zia gave an interesting talk regarding the role they have, why communication is vital in these settings and the apprenticeships that are available following their Level 3 course. Some outstanding questions and answers were raised by the Year 12.
Grade 4 Drums for Alfie
I was delighted to hear that Year 8 student Alfie Sams has passed his Grade 4 Drumming exam with Merit! Alfie rehearses most lunchtimes with the Year 8 band and I’m looking forward to hearing his next performance!
Sixth Form Success
Well done to our Sixth Form students who participated in the Exeter University Shakledon Project. The university expressed how impressed they were with their maturity and enthusiasm.
House Mufti Day
An ever increasing number of House events are now taking place. To celebrate our Houses students and staff came into school today in mufti, with an item of clothing being the colour of their house. Students commented that Mr Chadwick looked something like a bad cross between Willy Wonka and Mick Jagger…
Students of the Week
Students of the week this week with me and Mr Chadwick are Harry Vooght – Year 9, Sandra Klennert – Year 11, Monika Petrova – Year 8, Luke Brailsford-Dunn – Year 10, Maddy Brewer – Year 7 and Dan Wood – Year 14.
Building update
