We miss you, summer schools and extension activites...
Fun Friday – we miss you
For Fun Friday this week staff at TA have collectively written a poem. Enjoy.
Selected for summer schools
Three of our Year 12 students have been selected for the very competitive and prestigious Sutton Trust Summer Schools at Bristol University.
Hassan Hussain has been offered one of 20 places available nationally to take part in the Engineering course. This also guarantees Hassan an offer to study engineering at Bristol.
Alex Corbett has been offered one of 15 places available nationally to take part in the Physics course.
Sonny Prior has been offered one of 20 places available nationally to take part in the Economics course.
Given the ongoing coronavirus situation, there is a chance that the summer school will be online, but they will get a flavour of lectures, seminars, tutorials and whether the subject is right for them.
This is an incredible achievement for each of the students and amazing for us as a school that three students from one establishment have secured places on such competitive courses. Well done!
National recognition for GCSE results
We have been recognised nationally by receiving a prestigious award for their outstanding key stage 4 results last year. The award is based on 2019 data provided by the Department for Education and Ofsted, and for the school’s commitment to collaboration, analysed by the Schools, Students and Teachers network.
Torquay Academy was found to be among the best performing non-selective secondary schools in the country, receiving an award for student progress at key stage 4.
The SSAT Educational Outcomes database compares all state-funded schools in England and the highest performing schools in a range of key measures are awarded SSAT Educational Outcomes Awards.
Sue Williamson, Chief Executive of SSAT said: Congratulations to Torquay Academy on winning an SSAT Educational Outcomes award. This success is down to the superb learning and teaching, outstanding support and inspirational leadership of students, staff, parents and governors. You have made a huge difference to the lives of the young people in your school. Thank you.
Extension activities
I have been so pleased to see so many students sharing some of the extension activities they have been completing at home beyond their academic studies. In my message at the start of the week to our students, I stressed the importance of them finding the time to do things they enjoy or to try something new.
You can find lots of ideas for extension activities on our website. Please send them in to us and I look forward to sharing more in future weeks.
http://www.tqacademy.co.uk/coronavirus/enrichment/
Clay modelling
Just a couple of pics from yesterday’s art workshop. The brief was to create a ‘Mini monster’ the students had lots of fun : )
Abi delivers online martial arts lessons
Abi is a deputy black belt at Matt Fides martial arts in Torquay. They have set up online learning/ lessons and Abi is teaching the younger lesser belts through Zoom Lessons.
We so proud of her and her ability to adapt and throw herself into this; it’s certainly good for mental health and really positive for the younger ones to be able to get their lessons in!
10,000 lesson views on YouTube
On Wednesday we hit 10,000 views on YouTube with all of the lessons and messages you have been watching. This is a great sign of the engagement in the work that all of our brilliant students have been doing.
Callum Moreton Player of the Month for Sky Bet Division 2
Our ex-student Callum Morton who plays for West Bromich Albion and is currently on loan at Northampton Town, has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for February.
Socks down by his ankles and his all-action style give Morton an old-fashioned air, but his energy to press defenders and his calmness in front of goal are thoroughly modern. His five goals in six games all came away from home.
Northampton manager Keith Curle said: “Callum has had an excellent first month with us. Not just with his goals, but with his all round play and his attitude as well, they have all been first class. Callum has settled in really well and we are delighted to have him here. We have some good characters in the dressing room, and Callum is responding really well to the environment we have created here.”
Callum said: “From a personal point of view, five goals was a really good tally and I was pleased with that. I was proud just to be nominated for the Player of the Month award and then really taken aback to actually win it. It was my first month in League Two and it from a personal point of view it couldn’t really have gone any better. We have a lot of quality in the team and so playing up front here is a relatively easy task, there are a lot of players who create chances for you and I have really enjoyed that.”
STAY INtertoto Cup – Callum Morton
A FIFA Tournament for professional footballers to raise money for NHS Staff.
Callum convincingly won his group and has progressed as a top-seeded player into the round of 32. He was drawn to face Andros Townsend of Crystal Palace who he calmly beat over two legs. Next up was Barnsley’s, Alex Mowatt. After two roller-coaster legs ended 5-5 it has o go into a replay. Unfortunately, Callum lost this game and bows out of the cup. Well done to Callum for taking part in this effort to raise funds for our NHS.
