Return to school, Junior Olympics in Rio and CCF camp...

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Year 7’s first week

Our new Year 7s have made a very positive impression on us all this week.  They have had lots to do and learn; the three days of TA Way are designed to ensure they are ready to begin lessons.  I am very proud of the start they have made.
 

Year 7 Fun Friday

Could they shoot a hoop for a sweet prize?  Yes we could!

Year 7 Tassomai

On Tuesday, one of the year 7 sessions was to log onto their Tassomai account and by the end of the day the majority of our year 7s had successfully completed a couple of quizzes; in fact, 8000 questions had been attempted by the next morning!

So, we decided to set them a challenge to see who could accrue the highest number of points in each of their tutor groups by Friday morning. We created monsters! The following students have astounded us by completing 11,000 amongst them.

The following are the top of each tutor group:

7B Oakley Mudge (3474)

7C Andy Iftode (2788)

7D Lucy French (1517)

7F Elise Musgrove (3536))

7H Marli-Ray Cutajar (2673)

7K Edward Watt (2899)

7N Edith Mackenzie (1746)

7P Myah Sellick (3018)

By 8am on Friday morning our year 7’s had completed over 46000 questions and gained nearly 100,000 points across the whole year group.

Each week every student is asked to collect 500 between each Saturday and Thursday at 8.20am and forms a key part of our retrieval practice.

Kacper in Rio

Kacper Piwowar joined the Engliand youth Olympics team and travelled to Brazil over the summer holidays.  The table tennis was a team competition and the England boys won a bronze medal.  This is the first time an England boys’ team has won a medal at the event.  It was a wonderful experience for Kacper and winning the bronze medal is a great achievement.

6th Form Return

The 6th Form finished their TA Way days with a game of rounders on the field.  With 250 students in our 6th form, this led to a busy afternoon!

Brendan Prince assembly

We were privileged to have Brendan Prince come into our first Year 7-11 and 6th Form assemblies to talk to our girls and boys.  He spoke about the challenges he faced during the 141 days that it took for him to paddle board around Great Britain.  It was an inspiring way to start the year.

New Kit

It was a mammoth task to get a new sports kit out to 1,250 students this week.  I am indebted to the team who made this happen.

Homework Sessions

As part of the TA Way, all students had a session in the Sports Hall where they practised how they will be doing their homework this year.

Year 11 Parents Presentation

On Thursday evening, most of our Year 11 parents came into school for a presentation about how the can support their sons and daughter during this very important year.  They left with a guide we have written as well as lots of useful advice.

Ex-Student Releases First Single

Tom white left 2 years ago and now attends Bristol BIMM . He was a member of the music academy as a drummer while at TA . Jazmyn, the band that Tom is now the drummer for, released their first single into the world during August.  This is such an exciting achievement for Tom and we are very proud of him.

CCF Shooting Team training

It was the day before they had to be back in school but five of our cadets were already in school getting ready for our first shooting competition of the year!  Five of the best shots from summer camp were invited to form the team that will represent Torquay Academy CCF in our first inter-unit Skill at Arms Competition.  They spent Tuesday afternoon at the DCCT range at Wyvern Barracks in Exeter practicing their skills and preparing for some of the more unusual shoots they will be taking part in over the weekend.  Unfortunately due to the heat and the fire risk on Dartmoor the competition was cancelled (It will hopefully run later in the year but this means more time to practice).  The CCF will be using the range every fortnight this term so keep an eye out for more updates as our cadets progress.

The Action-Packed Adventures of Army Cadets at Camp

Our cadets had an unforgettable week at the Army camp! They engaged in various activities that challenged their skills, fostered camaraderie, and provided them with a taste of military training.

Live firing with the L98 A2 GP Rifle.

Our first day kicked off with an introduction to the Cadet Rifle and then taking position on the firing lane where they honed their marksmanship skills under the guidance of skilled instructors. With safety as their top priority, they practiced precision and control.  There was a 98% pass rate with a few gaining a first class shot.  All cadets demonstrated great weapons handling skills.

In the afternoon, the sky echoed with excitement as they took on clay pigeon shooting. It was an exhilarating experience, requiring focus, quick reflexes, and a steady hand. They all strived for that perfect shot, fostering healthy competition among our fellow cadets.

Section Attacks with and Casualty Evacuation

They delved into the tactical realm with section attacks. Working as cohesive sections, they navigated through different scenarios, applying the principles of teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking hunting out the enemy.  These exercises provided them with a glimpse into the intensity and coordination required during military operations.

Working as a team, they explored the importance of casualty evacuation. Through simulated scenarios, they learned how to assess injuries, provide immediate medical aid, and safely transport casualties to designated points for further medical attention. It was a valuable lesson in compassion, resilience, and emergency response.

Laser Tag Shooting and Climbing Wall

As the midweek arrived, they geared up for an action-packed day of laser tag shooting. Armed with infrared blasters, they navigated through various obstacles and battled against rival teams. It was a fantastic opportunity to put their strategic thinking, agility, and teamwork to the test in an exhilarating and safe environment.

In the afternoon, they conquered new heights on the climbing wall. From overcoming initial doubts to reaching the summit, each cadet pushed their limits, developing resilience, determination, and trust in themselves and their teammates. It was a day that embodied the essence of physical and mental strength.

Physical Training Session and Archery

Day four began with an invigorating physical training session led by a seasoned instructor. Through a series of challenging exercises and drills, they pushed ourselves to new limits, building endurance, strength, and discipline. It was an opportunity to appreciate the importance of physical fitness in the military and in their personal lives.

Later, they discovered the art of archery, channelling their focus, precision, and control into hitting bullseyes. With bows in hand, they embraced the challenge and unleashed our inner warriors, experiencing the satisfaction of hitting the mark while enjoying the serenity of the archery range.

Their time at the Army camp was a journey of growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences. From the precision of rifle training to the thrill of laser tag shooting, each activity offered valuable lessons, fostering our skills, teamwork, and resilience. They left the camp with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for the dedication and sacrifice of our armed forces.

TA Netball Academy

TA Netball Academy pre-season has begun for our Year 10, 11 and Sixth Form teams. They hosted Dart Netball Club over the summer in readiness for a busy season ahead. Every team will be starting training next week for the 2023-24 netball season and we look forward to updating you on how their progress!

6th Form Football pre season

Over the summer our 6th form football programme were in to complete their pre season training and play a couple of matches to get us ready for a new challenge this season. I was great to see the new group bond and work extremely hard, visiting our favourite places to put some work in like – Rock walk, torquay pier and babbacombe beach to name a few. We also hosted a game against touring side Calgary Foothills from Canada which was a fantastic experience for all and a really good game. Now we are back we are really excited for the players to be training daily alongside their education and are looking forward to an exciting season with new and fresh challenges ahead. Keep an eye on our social media pages to follow our progress through the year ????