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Rainbow

Enterprise challenge, CCF and national cup progress

6 in 6 summer reading challenge


Every year we set our new year 7 students a summer reading challenge. The 6 in 6 challenge asks students to read and review 6 books during the 6 weeks of the summer holidays, before they start Torquay Academy.  This year nearly 100 students took on the 6 in 6 challenge, and we were treated to some lovely reviews featuring a wide variety of books and genres.  Every student who successfully completed the challenge received a certificate and their first ever Torquay Academy badge, the golden 6 in 6 book. Congratulations to all of the students who took part and I'm sure this will be the first of many successful challenges our new year 7's will accomplish.

 

Y9 Wickes Wellbeing Challenge Day


On Tuesday, Year 9 had a fantastic opportunity to take part in the ‘Wickes Wellbeing Challenge Day’ led by the visiting Inspirational Learning Group. Torquay Academy is one of only sixteen to be selected to take part across the UK. Students participated in a full day of enterprise and enrichment tasks and were challenged to identify a space within the school or local community that could be re-imagined using Wickes products. The aim was to promote inclusivity and physical, mental or emotional wellbeing. Additionally, students had to design an interactive product or app to be used by Wickes customers to support home improvements. While students were busy working on their ideas, they were also developing the key skills for their future careers such as problem solving. The competing teams of five worked together, led by their chosen project manager, culminating by presenting their ideas to the judging panel of Wickes Managers and TA staff.

Here are a few of the amazing ideas: -

  • A sensory room in lower G for SEN students.
  • A calming room for students.
  • A chillout/safe space room for breaks.
  • A Y9-11 revision area within Sixth Form.
  • A tuckshop, in the style of a beach hut in the Y11 area for Fun Fridays.
  • A grandstand for parents, carers and the public to sit by the Astroturf to watch matches.
  • Improving the existing PE changing rooms.
  • A greenhouse for growing plants, near Charlotte’s Garden.
  • Friendship benches to be added to Charlotte’s Garden.

The winning team of Maria Nihtyanova, Kira Fedotova, Alexa Lyons, Charlotte Holmes-Vittles and Daisy Board, who were crowned year group champions will now have the chance to represent Team TA on the 12th November at the Wickes Challenge Finals event taking place at their Head Office in Watford.

 

Cadet Update


We are thrilled to welcome our new Year 8 cadets to the fold! Your enthusiasm, pride, and dedication shone through on your first training evening, setting the tone for what will be a fantastic journey ahead. It’s no small feat to take your first step into the cadet world, and you’ve all done so with an impressive sense of commitment.
 
During the evening, the new cadets were introduced to the core foundations of being a cadet—ranks and structure, discipline, and basic static drill. Your ability to absorb and apply these lessons was fantastic. Well done, Year 8s! You are now part of a proud tradition, and we look forward to seeing you continue to grow and develop in the months to come.
 
While our newest cadets were busy with their introduction to cadet life, a group of cadets had the exciting opportunity to head out for a coasteering adventure. It was a challenging and thrilling experience, testing their resilience, teamwork, and courage along the rugged coastline.
 
Meanwhile, our RAF section continued honing their drill and command tasks, working as a cohesive team to refine their leadership and communication skills.
 
The Army section kept busy with first aid training, climbing challenges, and drill practice. It was a fun-packed session for all, filled with learning, teamwork, and personal growth.
 
Once again, congratulations to our new recruits and well done to all sections for their hard work. We look forward to many more exciting and rewarding training evenings ahead!

 


 

Business Studies with Mr Lennon

 

Today in Business we ‘flipped’ the learning. Students were tasked with finding a Business and researching its USP and design. With this information, they made a Case Study and explained the business USP and impact on the industry. They were then asked to write 3 exam style questions on the chosen business using the Case Study as an information resource.

The student then shared their document with another student in the room using Google Classroom and the other student was tasked with answering the exam style questions.

 

11Q9 Maths with Mr Bindon


Do now - responsive to previous lesson(s) ensuring there are no gaps and that all students fully understand. Focus for this Do Now was Pie Charts


Part of ensuring students are in possession of all knowledge/facts - a ‘brain dump’ is completed by the students. Students try to recall certain facts regarding a subject and record them down on paper. The idea is to try and build upon this, where this becomes autonomous and their knowledge retrieval is at a high level.

 

Year 7 Numeracy with Mr Penrice


This week in year 7 Numeracy Support, students were practising subtracting which included multiple regrouping.After each subtraction, students checked their calculations using the inverse of subtraction, addition.

These are great examples showing that the students had great pride in their work and exhibited their understanding of the benefits of repeated and deliberate practice to improve their understanding of  cornerstone concepts and skills.

 

History with Miss Carter


This week, Miss Carter's Year 10 class have been studying the illnesses and injuries suffered by soldiers on the Western Front during World War One. Using extracts from Lindsey Fitzharris' book The Facemaker, students explored the new weapons used, such as artillery and machine guns, and the impact this had on medicine. Students provided some thoughtful and considered responses to questions about shrapnel injuries and why these were so medically challenging.


 

Art with Mrs Lithgow


So far this term, Mrs Lithgow's Year 7 students have been exploring the fascinating world of animal skulls and bones in their art classes which has allowed them to study and draw these natural forms, sharpening both their observational skills and their understanding of shape, texture, and proportion.

By closely examining the unique structures of different animal skulls, students have learned how to translate complex 3D objects into 2D drawings, focusing on the intricate details that make each skull distinct. The exercise has also introduced them to shading techniques to create depth and realism in their drawings. Don't they look fantastic!

 

Food Technology with Mr Chadwick


In Food technology we have been busy this term. Our year 7s began with a lesson around kitchen and food safety and then could not wait to get cooking. Each group has been making American style pancakes and the students were keen to bring in extra ingredients to add to the flavour and make sure they looked delicious. Unfortunately for parents and carers there were very few pancakes that made it out of the room before being devoured. What was pleasing to see was the enthusiasm and absolute joy throughout the whole process. We do have some budding chefs and a couple to watch out for in the future.


Year 8's topic for this learning cycle is 'Fast Food' and we have been looking at how the takeaway industry has grown and developed over the last 30 years. For our first two practical's we have cooked vegetable chow mein and then pizzas. Students are amazed that by following a simple recipe they can produce quality food. I always get asked if they can take a recipe home as they are keen to cook for the whole family. It would be great to be sent photos of students cooking at home and putting their skills learnt into practice.

 

History with Miss Cape


In Miss Cape's year 11 History tutor group, they have continued with their revision of the Anglo-Saxon and Norman course. They have been busy speed planning answers and developing their structures for 16 mark judgement questions.


In Miss Cape's year 9 class the students wrote their first ever 12 mark exam answer. They spent time analysing what 'great' looked like, before planning and writing their answer independently. Miss Cape is really looking forward to sharing these with home during parents' evening next week as they show incredible effort.


 

Fun Friday

Year 7 - Three Dart Challenge


Winner - Jacob Caldwell
 

Year 8 - Guess the sweets in the Jar - 163!

Winner - Isla Coish
 

Year 9 - Dingbats


 

Year 10 - Higher or Lower


Winner - Lucy McMahon
 

Year 11 - Carnival Games

 
 

Students of the Week


Year 7 - Evie Jewell and Jude Brodie

 


Year 8 - Madeline Woodger

 


Year 9 - Alfie Speed and Annie Aldous

 


Year 11 - Rayan Nafim and Ruby Bovey

 

 


Year 9 Rugby Finalists


This week the year 9 rugby team travelled to Forches Cross for an all day rugby tournament. The boys played some outstanding rugby and were victorious over Dawlish, Paignton, Kingsbridge, and only narrowly lost to The Spires in the group stages. As all the top teams had beaten each other it came down to points scored and TA topped the table with the most points scored in the group. This meant they went into the final of the tournament against TBGS. Unfortunately the boys got off to a shaky start knocking on straight from the kick off which allowed the opposition into the game. The opposition ran in a quick try and TA should have stopped them earlier in the build up. The boys then got back into the game and played some lovely rugby sweeping left before attacking down the right. But the ball was turned over and TA were punished on the scoreboard. The game ended 14-0 to the opposition. A well contested, hard fought final game to a great day. The year 9s now have CFGS in the Devon cup next Thursday at home. Squad run through is on Wednesday. Mr Richardson will announce the squad early next week. Training for years 7, 8 and 9 continues every Wednesday.

 

Year 10 football


On Monday the Year 10 football team got their season up and running with a 2-0 victory in the national cup. After a long trip to North Devon to play Chulmleigh, we faced a competitive team who made it difficult for us to break them down. Trying out a new formation and way of playing, and trying to break down a team which sat deep and compact made this a challenging afternoon for the team. Whilst we were far from our free flowing best, we controlled the game and dominated throughout. We started very well, with Ben Jolly scoring within 2 minutes, with a smart turn and finish. We didn’t double the lead until shortly after half time, when a cross from the excellent Josh Parkinson was met on the slide by Riley Calland for the second. Olly in goal was rarely troubled, except for the long throw which almost sailed into the net from near the half way line. A solid start from the team and we are through to the next round, but we will need to perform better collectively moving forward to reach the heights of last season!

 

U13 Girls


On Thursday our girls put in a great performance against Exmouth to progress in the National cup. An exciting game with us winning 4-1 on the day. Our goals were scored by Ella Batten ⚽️⚽️ and Emilee Fenner ⚽️⚽️. We now look forward to seeing who we get next.


 

Sixth Form Football

Our 6th form continue with their good form with a solid point in a 1-1 draw against Exeter College. Our goal scorer on the day was Charlie Stevens, it was a bit special!

 

House Students of the Week

Year 7

Brunel - Beni Paplogo

Christie - Zenna Venter

Darwin - Tyler Fudge

Fawcett - Nouh Haridi

Harrison - Jacob Purdie

Kitson - Chloe Bastow

Nearne - Rocco D'Alessandro

Pengelly - Anna Viediernikova

 

Year 8

Brunel - Maddie Smith

Christie - Edward Huxtable

Darwin - Bella Hall

Fawcett - Beth McMahon

Harrison - Bailey Taylor

Kitson - Alexa McCarthy

Nearne - Frances Roberts

Pengelly - Ben Walters

 

Year 9

Brunel - Johnny Sandbrook

Christie - Noah Margetts

Darwin - Lewis Graham

Fawcett - Ellie Bowden

Harrison - Archie Norcott

Kitson -  Lucie Bowers

Nearne - Bodhi Williams

Pengelly - Matthew Campan

 

Homework Students of the Week

Year 7

Brunel - Tyler Moss

Christie - Mimi Skelly

Darwin - Skyla-Rose Whitfield

Fawcett - Kayden Harper

Harrison - Evan Jones

Kitson - Sophia Hill

Nearne - Laura Mercer

Pengelly - Emilie Hedgecock

 

Year 8

Brunel - Dion Maharjan

Christie - Jamie Hancox

Darwin - Leo Nicholson

Fawcett - Riley Gomes

Harrison - Leonard Toribio

Kitson - Sofia Adamson

Nearne - Heidi Milner

Pengelly - Myah Sellick

 

Year 9

Brunel - Euan Miller

Christie - Sophie Dean

Darwin - Lily-Rose White

Fawcett - Bella Hobbin-Mills

Kitson - Tyler Evans

Pengelly - Katie Peryer

 

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