Torquay Academy

Music Lead Learners

We are excited to announce that 60 exceptional Key Stage 3 students have been selected by Miss Graham to become Lead Learners in Music. These students have been recognized for not only their outstanding musical talent but their ability to lead in the classroom.

Lead Learners are not only skilled musicians but also role models who demonstrate teamwork, dedication, and enthusiasm. They consistently show exceptional ability, positive attitudes, and a willingness to support their peers. Each student will receive a customized badge as a symbol of their role and commitment to high standards.

As Lead Learners, they will foster a collaborative classroom environment, lead by example, and help their peers develop confidence and skills in music. This initiative highlights our commitment to nurturing talent and promoting leadership. Congratulations to our Lead Learners, we can’t wait to see the difference you will make.

 

Dr Jones' Tutor Group

In Dr Jones’ year 13 tutor group they have started revising for the summer exams. They have been looking at how literary critics of the past have interpreted Shakespeare’ play Othello and thinking about how we can be incorporating their responses into their own essays. At the end of all our studying, they also say hi to our class mascot, Dorothy, the axolotl, who is an encouragement and inspiration to all of them! 

 

Musical success

Well done to Lydia Shetliffe on passing her Practical Musicianship at Grade 5 with high merit.

 

Year 7 lego club

LEGO bricks have been a source of joy and creativity for children and adults alike for decades. But have you ever considered what happens when you bring those colorful pieces into a school setting? Welcome to the world of a year 7 LEGO club, where imagination and learning meet to create something truly special.

LEGO has always been more than just a toy—it’s an educational tool that stimulates critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. Through building, students learn about engineering, design, and architecture in a hands-on, engaging way. Plus, the open-ended nature of LEGO construction encourages creativity, helping children think outside the box while developing spatial reasoning skills.

The Benefits of a School LEGO Club:

1. Teamwork and Collaboration
   LEGO clubs often require kids to work together to build large structures or solve challenges. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to practice collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution. Whether they’re working on a shared vision for a project or coming up with creative solutions to tricky building problems, they’re learning how to work as part of a team.

2. STEM Learning Made Fun
   Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) might sound intimidating to some students, but LEGO makes these concepts accessible and fun. In a LEGO club, students can build models of real-world machines, vehicles, and buildings, giving them hands-on experience with engineering and physics concepts. They can even go into more depth with the separate LEGO Robotics club with LEGO Mindstorms, sparking an early interest in coding and robotics.

3. Creativity & Problem-Solving
   One of the most exciting things about a LEGO club is the freedom it offers. Children are not bound by instructions (though they can use them for guidance)—they are free to create anything their imaginations can conjure up. This unrestricted play encourages creative thinking and problem-solving, as students often face challenges that require innovative solutions.

4. Boosting Confidence and Persistence
   In a LEGO club, there’s no such thing as failure—just opportunities to try again. Students might not get their structure right on the first try, but they learn to problem-solve and iterate. Over time, this boosts their confidence as they gain a sense of accomplishment with each project. Whether it’s completing a complex build or finishing a team challenge, students learn that persistence pays off.

5. Inclusive Environment
   LEGO clubs can be incredibly inclusive. Since the activity doesn't require specialized skills to get started, children of all backgrounds and abilities can participate equally. From shy kids to those who love to take the lead, everyone has a place in a LEGO club. This makes it an excellent environment for building friendships and encouraging social interaction among diverse groups of students.

A typical day in a LEGO club might start with a short discussion about a new theme or challenge for the week. Students could be tasked with building a bridge strong enough to hold a certain weight, designing a futuristic city, or creating a vehicle that moves on its own. Once the challenge is introduced, students dive into the bricks, letting their creativity flow. Mentors or club leaders might circulate to offer guidance, but mostly, the kids are in charge of their designs.

The club is a great mix of structured activities and free play. Sometimes, students work on group projects, but other times they have the freedom to explore individual ideas. By the end of the session, they’ll have a range of models to showcase, from intricate miniatures to impressive larger-than-life structures.

The year 7 LEGO club is more than just a fun extracurricular activity—it’s an opportunity for students to learn, grow, and build skills that will serve them for years to come. From teamwork and problem-solving to creativity and STEM exploration, the benefits are endless. So, whether you’re a teacher looking to inspire young minds or a student eager to explore the world of building and design, consider joining or starting a LEGO club in your school. The sky's the limit—let the building begin!

 

Training Successes at Wednesday’s Cadet Training

Another fantastic evening at cadet training saw our young cadets continuing to develop their skills, confidence, and teamwork across a range of activities.

Air Rifle Training and Handling

Cadets made impressive progress in air rifle training, focusing on safe handling and improving their target practice. Their dedication to precision and safety reflects their growing expertise, with each session building their confidence and control.

St John’s First Aid for Year 8 Army Cadets

Our Year 8 Army cadets continued their St John’s first aid training, gaining valuable skills that could one day save lives. From practicing essential techniques to understanding emergency response protocols, these young cadets are setting an excellent example of responsibility and readiness.

Drill and Parade Preparation

Drill remains a cornerstone of cadet discipline and development. This week, cadets refined their saluting techniques, learning the significance of respect within the ranks. With each practice, they’re working hard to prepare for their upcoming parade and are well on their way to earning their cadet berets – a proud milestone for any recruit.

RAF Training for RAST Competition

Our RAF cadets are laser-focused on their preparation for the pending RAST competition. Their training combines air rifle practice and first aid, ensuring they are ready to excel in this challenging event. The determination and teamwork on display are inspiring!

Phonetic Alphabet and 24-Hour Clock for Army Cadets

Army cadets dove into learning the phonetic alphabet and mastering the 24-hour clock. These essential skills not only enhance their communication abilities but also prepare them for future operational tasks within the cadet program.

Radio Module for Years 9 and 10

Years 9 and 10 cadets wrapped up their radio module by assembling the PRR (Personal Role Radio). Their hard work has equipped them with vital communication skills, and they are eager to move on to the next challenge: the CFIT (Cadet Fieldcraft Instruction and Training) module.

Looking Ahead

As training progresses, the dedication and enthusiasm of our cadets continue to shine through. Each session brings them closer to their goals, whether it’s mastering a skill, earning their beret, or preparing for competitions. Well done to all cadets and instructors for another successful evening.

 

year 8 food technology

In this week's Food Technology lessons Year 8 have been making Mac & Cheese. I have been blown away by the cheese sauce consistency of each of the groups. 

 

sixth form heath and social care

The year 13s have been working hard on Unit 2 - Equality and Diversity after completing the Exam for Unit 3 at the beginning of January.  

 

Year 7 - Jack Lennox-Statham and Abigail Hardin 

 

 Year 8 - Lilly Langler and Harry Evans

 

 Year 9 - Hayden Quadling and Talia Street

 

 Year 10 - Callum Pile and Layla Broadway 

 

year 7 football

The Year 7 team bowed out of the National Elite cup in the quarter finals.  After a long trip to Watford they faced a very strong team from Aldenham School.  This private school team featured five players from Premier league clubs.

They went into the break drawing 1 - 1.   Unfortunately we fell behind and were then chasing the game.  We eventually lost 4 - 1.  The boys should be very proud of their run in this elite cup and they have pitted themselves against the top schools in the country.

 

Year 7 netball

Year 7 A Team:

Mimi Skelly, Zenna Venter (C), Eva Thompson, Millie Skelly, Ela Uven, Rhia Holding, Mia Kost

 

Governor's platinum certificates

Year 7 - Kayden Harper

 

Governor's Bronze certificates

Year 7 - Brooke Harding, Lexi Walker and Eva Thompson

 

principal's gold certificates

Year 7 - Gracie Ritson, Peyton Wilkin, Freddie Thatcher, Lydia Shetliffe, Kaiden Ilhan, Louie Gribbin, Nora Gordon, Calvin Downer, Josiah Addai, Cody Butler and Evan Jones 

Year 8 - Charlotte Townsend, Immy Shaw and Aaliyah Akpo

 

Principal's silver certificates

Year 7 - Lottie Forrester, Josie Cotton, Beau-Angel Talbot, Tehya Quennell, Tyler Moss, Jake Jolly, Evie Jewell, Oliver Beamish, Frederick Sintim, Amaris Quennell, Tallulah Owen, Oscar Hall, Ryu Cutts, Cian McHugh, Lexi Nicholson, Nouh Haridi, Max Bovey, George Ballance, Dee Davies, Jacob Purdie, Kai Parton, Jaycie Kennedy-Taylor, Darcie Mae Finch, Colby Craig, Jacob Caldwell, Jude Brodie, Hope Burston, Sara Szewczuk, Riley Piercy, Caelan O'Gorman, Jude Nwachukwu, Freddy Bonner, Braxton Biggs, Millie Beamish and Liv Andrews 

Year 8 - Jack Robinson, Seren Panther-Glinn, Kaitlin Towell, Tyler Jackson, Bailey Taylor, Jessica Stoyle, Luke Sandeman, George Garbett, Kobi Burness-Moakes, Tyler Davis and Frances Roberts

 

principal's bronze certificates

Year 7 - Millie Porter, Alex Oleksy, Lexi Johnson, Chloe Hornsby, Erin Gayton, Caiden Edmonds, Milly Skelly, Cabel Drein, Kieran Truong, Darcey Partridge, Kobe Laker, Riley House, Jasmine Craig, Ruby Crago-Gould and Laura Mercer

Year 8 - Jessica Munnangi, Ruby Turner, Theo Slater, Isla May, Darcy Dainton, Freya Brown, Leon Nicholson, Allen Burns-Muir, Ethan Hindom, Alfie Williams, Cordi Williams-Powell, Logan Payne, Hydie Munday, Phoebe Grindling, Flo Evans, Freddie Wallis, Jack Hughes, Oliver Withers, Andy Iftode, Ebany Fawkes, Gabriela Piasta, Matilda Thorner, Seren Stephenson, Ben Walters, Jenson Tandy, Treesa Telson, Dion Maharjan, Rosco Biagott, Keeley-Mae Moran, Alex Iftode, Edward Huxtable, Elissia Greenwood, Morgan Fisher, Ollie Humphreys, Riley Gomes, Marcus Findlay-Peers, Annalise Little, Oaklie Chancellor, Seth McCann, Christopher Csapo, Sofia Adamson, Aaron Pinto, Izzie Mildren, William Schmiedinghofer, Kierra O'Neill and Billie-Jo Dolling 

 

 

House stars of the week

Year 7

Brunel - Erin Ayres

Christie -  Nora Gordon

Darwin -  Lexi Johnson

Fawcett -Cody Butler

Harrison -  Luca Guppy

Kitson -  Taylor Matthews

Nearne -  Maya Campinaneau

Pengelly - Josie Cotton

 

Year 8

Brunel - Maddie Smith

Christie - Ellie Mae Burton

Darwin -  Allen Burns-Muir

Fawcett - Codi O'Shea

Harrison -  Isla Coish

Kitson -  Florence Botten

Nearne -  Poppy Haslett

Pengelly - Tom Zaple

 

Year 9

Brunel - Bali Mudge

Darwin -  Sunny Weedon

Fawcett -Anya Cosslett

Harrison -  Emily Kenny

Kitson -  Jack Forte

Pengelly - Poppy Sanderson

 

Homework Stars of the Week

Year 7

Brunel - Jack O'Connor

Christie - Lexi Walker

Darwin -  Amaris Quennell

Fawcett - Lexi Nicholson

Harrison -  Mason Beardsley

Kitson -  Kallie Somerset

Pengelly - Jessica Green

 

Year 8

Brunel - Xanthe Tyson

Christie - Freya Brown

Darwin -  Ebany Fawkes

Fawcett - Marcus Findlay-Peers

Harrison -  Leonard Toribio

Kitson -  Ava McArdle

Nearne -  Keirra O'Neill

Pengelly - Madeline Woodger

 

Year 9

Brunel - Allanna Butler

Darwin -  Immy Pace

Fawcett -  Halle Walker

Harrison -  Molly Hollomby

Kitson -  Heidi Bowers

Pengelly - Finley Dawson

 

university offers this week

Thompson	Joshua	Durham University	Sport and Exercise Science
Thompson	Joshua	Oxford Brookes University	Sport and Exercise Science
Jeneway	Gabrielle	Bristol, UWE	History
Thompson	Joshua	Loughborough University	Sport science, coaching & physical activity
Jeneway	Gabrielle	Bournemouth University	History
Denby	Ellie	Bath Spa University	Business & Management (marketing)
Denby	Ellie	Bournemouth University	Business & Management
Bestandji	Younes	Cardiff Metropolitan University	Accounting & Finance
Bestandji	Younes	UCFB	Football business & finance
Phillips	Emily	University of Bristol	Film and English
Piper	Melissa	Falmouth University	Commercial Photography with Professional Placement
Whatley	Jeb	University of Exeter	Mechanical Engineering (Foundation)
Unsworth	Lily-May	University of Gloucestershire	Sports Therapy
Edwards	Callum	University of Sunderland	Film production
Frankum	Danny	University of Exeter	Finance: Business management
Frankum	Danny	University of Exeter	Marketing and management
Frankum	Danny	University of Exeter	Finance: Business management with industrial placement
Denby	Mia	University of Exeter	Accounting & Business
Lown	Phoebe	University of Warwick	Biomedical Science
Bestandji	Younes	University of Brighton	Accounting & Finance

 

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