Matilda, Cadet Camp and mini first aid

A Roaring Success: Matilda Jr. Takes Centre Stage!

What a week it has been! We are absolutely bursting with pride as we reflect on our incredible school production of Matilda Jr. This show has been a testament to the dedication, talent, and sheer hard work of our students, staff, and everyone who contributed to its success.

From the very beginning, when rehearsals began back in September, we knew we had something special. Our students have poured their hearts and souls into this production, rehearsing diligently two nights a week, and their commitment truly shone through on stage.

The energy and enthusiasm were palpable throughout all seven performances. We were thrilled to welcome over 750 primary school children to our matinee shows, and our evening performances were equally packed with appreciative parents and community members.

Due to the exceptional depth of talent we have here at TA, we made the decision to cast the show twice, creating a 'Red Cast' and a 'Blue Cast' to give more children the chance to have lead roles. Each cast brought their own unique flavour to the production, showcasing the incredible range of skills we have within our school.

A special mention must go to our two phenomenal Matildas, Lydia Shetliffe and Beau-Angle Talbot, both in Year 7. They captivated audiences with their powerful performances and truly embodied the spirit of the character.

Of course, the entire cast was outstanding. Other notable performances include: Mason Mitchell, who delivered a truly unforgettable Miss Trunchbull., Anya Page-Dove and Ivy Hodgson-Hunt, who both brought warmth and sincerity to the role of Miss Honey, Kole Gjikola and Emma Matthews, who were hilariously convincing as Mr Wormwood and Jude Brodie, whose portrayal of Bruce Bogtrotter was a real crowd-pleaser.

The success of Matilda Jr. is a reflection of the vibrant and creative community we have here at TA. Thank you to everyone who supported this production, from the backstage crew and set designers to the costume team and our dedicated staff. Most importantly, thank you to our incredible students for sharing their talent with us.

We are already looking forward to our next school production!

You can view the Albums of our two casts on facebook using the links below:

Cadets Attend Exercise Battle Leader at RNB Chivenor

From Friday, 14th March to Sunday, 16th March 2025, Torquay Academy Cadets embarked on an intense and rewarding leadership training exercise, Exercise Battle Leader, held at Royal Navy Base Chivenor. The weekend presented an invaluable opportunity for cadets to develop their leadership skills under realistic military conditions.

Deployment and Arrival

The cadets left school and deployed to Barnstaple, where they met up with the advance party that had already established the campsite. This allowed for an efficient reception of potential NCOs and ensured that the training could begin promptly. West Buckland School Cadets also joined the exercise, proving instrumental in the success of the weekend.

Training and Leadership Exercises

The exercise was designed to put cadets through a series of challenging leadership roles. Each cadet took turns commanding a section through a variety of military scenarios, including:

Ambushes
Withdrawal from Contact
Hasty Attacks
Observation Posts (OPs)

Three of the stands incorporated blank fire exercises using the cadet rifle system, adding an extra level of realism to the battlefield scenarios. The disused airfield at Chivenor provided an ideal training ground, allowing cadets to fully exploit the available space.

Friday Night – Preparation Begins

Upon arrival at RNB Chivenor, cadets received a comprehensive safety brief before setting up their sleeping arrangements in an aircraft hangar, which provided shelter from the elements. Staff members established their base in an adjacent building, kindly provided by 722 (Chivenor) Squadron Air Training Corps.

That evening, battle orders were issued, ensuring that cadets were well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Saturday – A Full Day of Tactical Operations

Saturday began with an early start, as cadets heated and consumed their military rations in preparation for the demanding day ahead. The morning consisted of two battle scenarios, followed by another two in the afternoon. Each scenario tested the cadets' ability to think tactically, communicate effectively, and lead their teams under pressure.

Back at base, cadets refueled with another round of military rations, before receiving an intelligence briefing that enemy forces had infiltrated the area. Battle planning commenced, with cadets devising a strategy to eliminate the enemy presence through two night-time ambushes.

As darkness fell, ambushes were set and a fierce firefight ensued. The cadets successfully overwhelmed the enemy and retrieved crucial documents revealing the location of the enemy base, setting the stage for the next phase of operations.

Sunday – The Final Assault

The final day arrived in a flash with a 5 AM start. The mission: launch a full-scale assault on the enemy stronghold. Each section presented their attack plans, demonstrating tactical awareness and teamwork, before executing them with precision and determination. With the enemy neutralized, victory was declared, and the cadets held their heads high after two grueling days of hard work.

A Well-Earned Promotion

Before heading home, the cadets assembled for an unexpected parade. This provided the perfect opportunity to recognize the dedication and leadership of the cadets, who were awarded a Lance Corporal stripe, well-deserved promotion after an exceptional display of commitment and ability.

Acknowledgements

A huge thanks to the staff for volunteering over the weekend and ensuring a great exercise was provided. Further thanks go to RNB Chivenor and 722 (Chivenor) Squadron Air Training Corps for allowing our cadets to utilise the space.

Conclusion

Exercise Battle Leader was an unforgettable experience that tested and strengthened the leadership skills of every cadet involved. The weekend not only enhanced their military knowledge and tactical awareness but also instilled a greater sense of teamwork, discipline, and resilience. A huge thank you to the staff, fellow cadets, and West Buckland School for making the event such a success.

Torquay Academy Cadets will take these valuable lessons forward as they continue their development, preparing for future challenges with confidence and determination.

Exploring Future Pathways: Year 12 Students Attend UCAS Exhibition at Westpoint, Exeter

On 11th March, our Year 12 students had the exciting opportunity to attend the UCAS Exhibition at Westpoint Arena in Exeter. This event, a key milestone in their journey toward higher education and career planning, provided them with valuable insights into university courses, apprenticeships, and future career options.

The UCAS Exhibition is one of the largest student recruitment events in the UK, bringing together representatives from universities, colleges, and apprenticeship providers from across the country. Our students were able to explore a diverse range of subjects, speak directly with admissions officers, and gain firsthand information about entry requirements, course structures, and student life at various institutions.

A key highlight of the day was the interactive talks and workshops that covered essential topics such as personal statement writing, student finance, and making the right choices for university applications. These sessions provided practical advice to help students navigate the complexities of the application process with confidence.

Many students found the event both inspiring and informative. The chance to network with university representatives and industry professionals allowed them to gain clarity on their future aspirations. Several students expressed excitement about the possibility of attending institutions they had not previously considered, while others solidified their choices based on the detailed information provided.

Beyond university pathways, the exhibition also highlighted alternative routes such as degree apprenticeships and vocational courses, ensuring that students had access to a well-rounded perspective on their post-18 options.

The trip was an invaluable experience for our Year 12s, helping them take proactive steps toward their futures.

Year 8 Art Project: Exploring Pop Art with Peter Blake & Shepard Fairey

Year 8 students have been diving into the bold and vibrant world of Pop Art, drawing inspiration from two iconic artists: Sir Peter Blake and Shepard Fairey. This project explores their distinct styles and techniques while encouraging students to develop their creativity using handmade mini sketchbooks.

Working with felt pen and collage, students have experimented with the playful, colourful aesthetics of Blake—famous for his music-inspired collages and pop culture references—and the graphic, high-contrast imagery of Fairey, best known for his political posters and street art.

Through this hands-on approach, students have developed skills in composition, layering, and bold colour application, embracing the expressive and accessible nature of Pop Art. Their sketchbooks serve as a personal exploration of how everyday imagery can be transformed into striking visual statements.

lydia's continued success

Lydia has appeared in vocal, piano and violin sections achieving Honours in all three categories. She has also performed her piano programme in the Recital section for the first time. the drama section Lydia won both solo improvisation and Sheakspeare sections.

During the same week Lydia has also appeared at Taunton Junior Musician competition sharing the stage with many talented contestants and gained invaluable experience. She has also been invited to perform violin at the Gala concert of Torbay Music Festival this weekend and awarded overall Strings Cup from the adjudicator.

direct instruction with 10jms

With Miss Smith, 10JMS have been working through a literacy intervention each morning. In Period 1, they have been reading aloud in order to develop their fluency skills, as well as their spelling and comprehension. All of which are essential skills that they will not only need for their GCSE English Language exam, but also every other exam that they'll sit next year.

Miss Smith has been so impressed with the engagement of the class. It has also been lovely to see their confidence grow already. As the weeks progress, we are hoping to see a development in their reading ages, which will hopefully correlate with their attainment in English lessons.

NURSES VISIT - Yr 11 HSC

It has been a busy couple of weeks for our Year 11 HSC students, who firstly welcomed Natalie Herring and Steve Carr from Torbay Hospital, providing an insight into their jobs, how they got there, and the qualifications and skills needed. Pupils were also encouraged to think about and discuss different scenarios within a healthcare setting and the best options for this. Many thanks to Natalie and Steve for an engaging and educational talk.

MINI FIRST AID

Liz Watt, Mini First Aid trainer, was also welcomed back for her second session in Child First Aid. This time the pupils covered Choking, Seizures, Meningitis, Head injuries and Sepsis. Such a valuable course for the students to complete, which I am sure will be remembered for years to come.

year 13 geography

Mrs Ryan’s fantastic Year 13 Geography group have been working hard to prepare for their final A-level exams, in particular focusing on the unit - Development, Health, Human Rights and Interventions.

Using a wide range of resources including their detailed notes and AI tools, they have taken a strategic approach to revision. One of their most effective techniques has been colour-coding their specifications, ensuring they can quickly identify key themes and case studies in preparation for Paper 3. They have also created fact-filled unit summaries and they have collectively planned answers to a wide range of potential 20-mark essay questions.

With their strong knowledge and exam-ready strategies, they have potential to excel in their final exams. Best of luck Evan, Will, Matt, Joel, Robyn, Lily, Anya and Oriana — your effort will undoubtedly pay off!

HSC students celebrate amazing results

Year 11 HSC students this week found out their overall grades, following the January exam and also intensive coursework in Years 9 and 10 . Both Mrs Lancaster and Ms Knowles are so proud of everyone's results, showing the dedication and commitment shown by all. Four students (pictured), Millie Sneap, Ruby Bovey, Isobel Sockett, and Oliwia Tuczynska managed to score perfect marks 120/120 in the exam, which is an absolutely phenomenal achievement. On top of this Ruby and Oliwia also scored perfect marks in both coursework units, bringing their overall to 300/300. Very well done to all our students!!!

fun friday

Year 7 - Zac Austin and Fi Bellamy-Hall

Year 8 - Harry Austin and Grace Gatting

Year 9 - Sonny Cayford and Autumn Wagstaffe

Year 10 - Daisy Hellier and Nick Heale

Year 9 through to County Cup Semi-Finals

Monday saw year 9 take on reigning Devon champions St Peter in the Quarter Final of the Devon Cup. The winners of the tie knew they would have a great chance of reaching and winning the final. TA started with a 4-3-3 formation aiming to stay compact but take the game to St Peters.

The game was exceptionally competitive from start to finish with both teams throwing everything at each other. TA took control of the early exchanges and played on the front foot winning both the individual and team battles. On the quarter of an hour mark TA took the lead when TA were appealing for a penalty for handball and Stan Austin latched on to a loose ball and smashed it home. This proved to be the decisive moment in the game and the winning goal.

The performance from the team can only be described as exceptional in so many different ways. TA will now play in the semi final and have inflicted one of the first defeats on the year 9 St Peters side.

On Wednesday the year 9 team played their second game in three days and started their defence of the south devon cup. The game was played against last year's semi-finalists Coombeshead. With the starting 11 shuffled around after the toll Monday took on the side TA started brightly but wasted numerous chances. Eventually the deadlock was broken when Stan Austin won and converted a penalty. TA were then caught out on the break and found themselves going into halftime level at 1-1. Coombeshead struck straight away in the second half and took the lead. This sparked the life into the TA side they were looking for and the response was instant and empathic with the team taking no prisoners and in no time found themselves 6-2 up. The game eventually finished 7-3 with the goals coming from Stan Austin x2, Alex Moss x3, Zak Haridi and Jamie Tully.

prestigious diamond award

Year 7 - Jack Lennox-Statham

governor's platinum certificates

Year 7 - Eva Thompson, Harry Monro, Myles Bonnici and Brooke Harding

governor's gold certificates

Year 7 - Freyja Mobbs, Emilia Hedgecock, Oliver Finley-Squires, Zenna Venter, Mimi Skelly, Lydia Shetliffe, Mollianne Potter, Archie Payne-Stanbury, Maddie Mack, Arthur Gaughan, Chloe Eales, Josiah Addai and Bella Stevenson

Year 8 - Charlotte Townsend

governor's silver certificates

Year 7 - Henry Nash, Ruben Tidball, Poppy Tankielun, Beni Paplogo, Jack O'Connor, Alex Nicholson, Elliot Holmes-Inch, Grace Donnelly, Paisley Taylor, Archie Hudson, Georgiana Elliott, Oliver Luscombe, Bailey Jones, Isla-Mae Gale, Dee Davies, Libby Pell, Dylan McDonald, Colby Craig, Lilah Dallow, Megan Bushell-Sneap and Liv Andrews

Year 8 - Luke Sandeman and Charlie Berry

governor's bronze certificates

Year 7 - Grace Harvey, Leo Watson, Finley Thompson, Beau Angel-Talbot, Abigail Rayment, Tehya Quennell, Lilly Jones, Evie Jewell, Oliver Beamish, Gabriele Stadalninkaite, Gergo Rammer, Tyler Fudge, Ruby Treadaway, Heath Slater-Saunt, Arya Kelly, Lottie Hutcheson, Joel Cotton, Henry Cooper, Max Bovey, Jude Storey, Oscar Josey, Emilie Cutmore, Hayley Steenkamp, Charlie Skinner, Riley Piercy, Sienna Frost, Olivia Fisher, Fynlay Dever, Owen Brown, Freddy Bonner and Millie Beamish

Year 8 - Myah Sellick, Alfie Mackin, Elizabeth Francis, Bonnie Talbot, Poppy Anderson, Serenity Ward, Jamie Hancox, Seren Chadwick, Oktawian Siennicki, Lily-Jo Prior, Gabi Cobain, Allen Burns-Muir, Harlow Bown, Isla Coish, Luna Truong, Harry Rowlands, Tyler Davis, Emily Bowden, Heidi Milner and Tiffany Eastley

Year 9 - Logan Watt

principal's gold certificates

Year 7 - Lincoln Trapp, Annabella Hodge, Connor Hampton-Brown, Vinnie Driscoll-Hayes, Poppy Pope, Simeon Manners, Erin Gayton, Charlie Williams-Powell, Lilly-Ella Smith, Darcey Partridge, Kobe Laker, Sophia Hill, Ruby Crago-Gould and Laura Mercer

Year 8 - Jessica Munnangi, Ben Walters, Lucas Vesely, Cooper Syms, Treesa Telson, Okaley Mudge, Jorgie-Jayne Barnett, Bobby O'Regan, Andy Iftode, Ellie-Mae Burton, Leo Nicholson, Riley Johnson, Morgan Fisher, Ebany Fawkes, Mila Cairney, Marcus Findlay-Peers, Alfie Williams, Matilda Thorner, Seren Stephenson, Harley Smith, Ayrton Sharp, Lily Ellis, Phoebe Acton, Cori Williams-Powell, Leo Shaw, Flo Evans, Christopher Csapo, Izzie Mildren, Freddie Wallis, Olivier Szyszka, Kierra O'Neill and Oliver Forsdyke

Year 9 - Samuel Sanders, Freddie Fenner, Edi Ferencz Csibi and Keane O'Neill

principal's silver certificates

Year 7 - Elise Leven-Browne, Ava Harrison, Finely Elliott, Zac Retter, Alfie Carpenter-Sorton, Kallie Somerset, Luke Hingley and Henry Collins

Year 8 - Xanthe Tyson, May McDonough, Dylan Drinkwater, Frederick Blagden, Samuel Kuc, Lucy French, Emelia Wood, Summer Dockrey, Goivanni Vaio, Bonnie Stacey, Owen Spies, Mason Maxwell, Jackson Lane, Emilee Fenner, Alexa McCarthy, Jack Crabb and Olivier Kawula

Year 9 - Lewis Collett, Katie Peryer, Mille Russell, Benjamin Nicholson, Cody Burton, Gustaw Adamczak ,Phoenix Reeman, Kira Fedotova, Maxwell Murphy, Scarlett Hill andAnnie Aldous