Christmas concert video, Oxford university and football roundup

Christmas Concert Highlights Video is Here!

We're thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated highlights video from our recent Christmas concert has landed! Relive the magic, the music, and the festive spirit of our wonderful evening.

The video captures the incredible talent and dedication of our students and staff, showcasing the memorable performances that made the concert such a resounding success. From heartwarming Christmas classics to energetic musical numbers, the highlights reel is a perfect way to revisit the joy of the season.

Whether you were there in person or missed out on the live event, this video and the longer full version to follow, allows you to experience the festive atmosphere and celebrate the hard work of everyone involved.

We extend a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making the concert and this video possible. Happy viewing!

Lights, Camera, TA! Our Students Shine in International Showcase Video

This week, seven of our students experienced the excitement of a professional video shoot at TA, contributing to a promotional video that will showcase our inspiring learning environment to audiences across the UK and as far as Dubai.

The day involved on-camera interviews and filming various scenes throughout the school, providing a glimpse into the dynamic and inspirational learning environment at TA. Our students handled the challenges with remarkable poise, acting as true professionals from start to finish.

Year 10 student Harrison Harkin perfectly captured the day's atmosphere, describing it as "great fun and nerve-wracking all at the same time!" We are incredibly proud of all the students who participated and represented TA so well. Our movie stars include: Alex Nicholson, Evan Jones, Daisy Hellier, Ella Randell, William Candy, Harrison Harkin, Luca Cronje and Henry McManus.

We look forward to sharing it with you soon!

Cadet Blog – A Milestone for Torquay Academy CCF

Last Wednesday marked a significant achievement for Torquay Academy CCF as cadets participated in a Range Day entirely run by school staff.

A Challenging but Rewarding Shooting Experience
The range day was held at Wilsworthy Electronic Target Range (ETR), where cadets put their marksmanship skills to the test in a variety of weather conditions. The day truly had all four seasons. Cadets braved sunshine, heavy rain, hail, and even a brief flurry of snow. Despite the challenging elements, they remained focused, disciplined, and determined to perform at their best.

Their hard work paid off, with outstanding marksmanship results across the board. The highest possible score of 25 was narrowly missed by just one point, and an incredible 95% of cadets scored 20 or above. The dedication and perseverance shown throughout the day highlighted how the structured training already in place is producing excellent results.

The experience provided cadets with real-world shooting practice in varied conditions, reinforcing essential skills such as patience, accuracy, and weapon handling. It was a true test of their ability to adapt and maintain focus under pressure, qualities that will serve them well as they progress in their cadet careers.

Preparing for the Year 8 Pass Out Parade
Meanwhile, back at school, our Year 8 cadets were preparing for a key moment in their cadet journey, a beret fitting session ahead of their Pass Out Parade. This parade will mark their official entry into the cadet system, and parents will be invited to witness this proud occasion as the recruits march and receive their berets, a symbol of their commitment and dedication.

A Day of Achievement and Progress
The day was a huge success, demonstrating the capability of Torquay Academy CCF to independently run high-quality training while providing cadets with valuable skills and experiences. Whether out on the range or preparing for their next big milestone, our cadets continue to strive for excellence.

Torquay Academy CCF – Strength Through Discipline and Training.

HPA Visit to Oxford University

Before half term, our Year 9 and Year 12 High Performance Academy students had a memorable journey to Oxford University where they visited Exeter College, one of the oldest constituent colleges of the university. It is a place steeped in history and academic excellence, founded in 1314 by Walter de Stapledon, then Bishop of Exeter.

Our students were fortunate to experience the academic excellence and beautiful surroundings firsthand. Led by undergraduate student guides, they had a comprehensive tour of the college grounds and facilities including the common room, library, Fellows' garden and chapel, which gave them a good feel for the world of higher education.

The Year 12 students' day was particularly focused on academic exploration. Following the college tour, they went into the city of Oxford itself, and then participated in tutorial seminars, choosing between Law and Artificial Intelligence. These small-group sessions gave them a sense of the style of teaching at Oxford and challenged them to think critically and engage in deep discussion.

The Year 9 students enjoyed a taste of college life in a different way, starting with lunch in the impressive Exeter College dining hall, with portraits of former scholars hanging on the walls. Afterwards, they took a walk to the Earth Sciences department, where they participated in a practical lecture on different types of volcanoes. They learned about the forces that drive eruptions, and the impact of these on our planet.

Throughout the day, the students were immersed in the atmosphere of Oxford and its university. The experience was designed to inspire them, broaden their horizons, and encourage them to aspire to future academic pursuits - and as always, our students did us proud and were great ambassadors for TA.

mock exams

Twin DofE Gold Success!

Just before Half Term, twins Hannah and Lauren Carr from Year 13 have had their DofE Gold success confirmed. They have received their certificates and brooches in the post. Now they are awaiting confirmation of dates for the DofE Gold garden party at Buckingham Palace, hosted by the Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Prince Edward.

Hannah and Lauren are members of our DofE Gold cohort from last year. This cohort have had five successful DofE Gold award completions, our most successful cohort yet, and we are hopefully expecting a few more before these amazing Year 13's leave us. Both girls completed all levels of DofE from Bronze through to their current success with Gold. Make sure you let us know when that date at the Palace is confirmed please girls!

Year 9 Art

Our Year 9 students have been busy exploring architecture through clay in their latest GCSE Art project. This exciting task involved designing and creating textured clay tiles inspired by the school building and it architectural details.

Using slabs of clay, students translated their designs into relief tiles, carving, impressing, and layering to create depth and texture. Various tools and techniques were used to enhance the surface, capturing the essence of their chosen architectural influences.

Once dried and fired, the tiles were finished with oxides to highlight texture and detail. The results were stunning, with each tile showcasing a unique interpretation of architecture through the lens of shape and texture. This project allowed students to develop their skills in relief work while deepening their appreciation for architectural design and lays a foundation for creating 3-dimensional responses to our next artist John Piper.

Maths with Mr Penrice

Mr Penrice's class have just completed their module on 2D Geometry with the focus on angles and the angle facts the girls and boys need to know and be able to apply.

They have started to use Brain Dumps at the start of the lesson followed by Teacher exposition and student engagement.

The students have also contributed to this blog:

"Today we have been learning about angles.We started with off with drawing angles that we can remember, we then went through the Brain Dump and we added some more shapes that we didn't already have.We made our brain dumps even better and we added lots of colour.We did that for half an hour and then Mr Penrice gave us three sheets of questions to try and answer. We had to write the reasons for the answer and the sum we had to do. I learnt so much today, everyone learnt so much today "

"Today we revised about angle facts, for example, vertically opposite angles are equal, three different types of triangles and angles around a point..We had a good time and hope we do some more"

" We have learnt about angles and angle facts and adding up angles and now I can work out the missing angles and I can also give reasons. I need to remember the little circle at the end of the answer because it represents an angle"

"My favourite fact is angles around the point sum to 360 degrees"

"Today we were learning about angle facts and we did some really nice examples about some things I didn't remember and then we practiced on the questions sheets".

dancing success

Esme and Isla danced at Disneyland Paris last week with their dance school as part of the Disney Performing Arts Programme. They have been rehearsing for several months following a successful audition, and the performance was a success with hundreds of Disneyland guests in the audience!

They both dance 5 times a week (contemporary, ballet, street, musical theatre and tap) to exam level and so this was an amazing opportunity for them both. Well done, girls.

rugby achievement

Abigail Rayment year 7 Brunel and another 13 players (U12 and U13) from Paignton rugby club, took a trip up to Allianz Stadium on Saturday for the England vs Scotland six nations game! The group took to the pitch as a curtain raiser and played two games of T1 Rugby. Later that day Abigail took part in the pitch pageantry and was one of the children holding the red rose!

Whilst on the pitch she stood proud through the anthems and the felt buzz of the atmosphere as they heard the roar of the crowd.

Her mentor Ella Fielding and Paington Rugby Club made this dream reality. Abigail's hard work and determination showed that every dream can become true when you work hard and put your heart into something that you love.

'Realism' Our online Art Club Competition – A Celebration of Detail and Precision

Our recent online art competition, themed ‘Realism,’ showcased an exceptional range of talent and skill from students across all levels. The challenge encouraged participants to explore the intricacies of lifelike representation, with a focus on fine details, light, shadow, and texture. The submitted pieces were a stunning reflection of the hard work and dedication of the artists involved, with each entry demonstrating a deep understanding of the techniques that bring realism to life.

The competition was not only an opportunity to showcase talent but also to inspire creativity and foster a deeper appreciation for the art of realism. Congratulations to all participants, and thank you for contributing to a truly inspiring event!

Ist Prize: Imogen Harnett

2nd prize: Anastasiia Tukilush

3rd prize: Saphron Rosemar-Byers

Special Commendation: Emily Lock

Review of the 'Torbay Student Art Show' at The Artizan Gallery

Torquay Academy is proud to have been part of the Torbay Student Art Show, recently held at the prestigious Artizan Gallery in Fleet Walk, Torquay. The exhibition, which ran for two weeks, was an exciting opportunity for our students to showcase their diverse talents in front of the public.

Our students’ work was prominently displayed in the front half of the gallery, artwork from Churston Ferrers and Brixham College was also on show further back in the space. The exhibition featured a wide array of mediums, including fine art painting, ceramics, photography, and mixed media textiles. The diverse range of work demonstrated the creativity, skill, and hard work of our students, and we are thrilled to report that it received an excellent response from visitors.

The Torbay Student Art Show not only gave our students a platform to exhibit their art but also provided them with valuable exposure in a professional gallery space. We were especially proud of the students who were awarded prizes for their outstanding work. Their talent and dedication were truly recognized, and they represent the very best of what Torquay Academy’s art department has to offer.

This exhibition was a fantastic opportunity for our students to connect with the local art community and gain a sense of achievement in seeing their work displayed in such a renowned setting. We look forward to more opportunities like this in the future, celebrating the creativity and passion of our young artists. The following TA art students received prizes for their inspiring work.

Sculptural Practice Award - Lena Ceramic Shoe

Sustainable Practice Award - Tayler Reynolds Jellyfish Junk

Innovative Practice Award - Tilly Skeffington Family

Photographic Practice Award - Vicky Bulwicka Renaissance Lady

Mixed Media Award - Isla Howarth - Paper Dress on Mannequin

Portraiture Practice Award - Fearne Harby - Self Portrait

Year 7 - Zafirah Faryal and Freddie Brabon

Year 8 - Matilda Thorner and Ben Walters

Year 9 - Jorden Fonseka and Olivia Stewart

Year 7 & 8 Netball

Year 8 - Tia Woodward, Lilly Shaw, Grace Gatting, Lottie Knight(C), Lucy French, Lily Langler, Emelia Wood, Milly Skelly.

Year 7 - Poppy Hewings, Achara Edmund, Mia Kost, Sophia Hill, Lilly-Ella Smith, Sophia Houghton, Myah Bishop, Dee Davies (C)

Some of our Year 7 and 8 netball academy played away matches at St Cuthbert Mayne on Tuesday and gave a fantastic performance. While the results didn’t end in wins, the improvement in both teams' play was evident. They applied the skills they have learnt at training , with plenty of interceptions and a determined effort to contest every ball. The girls demonstrated huge progress in their ball handling, showing great teamwork and skill. It was truly amazing to see all the girls enjoying their time on the court, giving their best effort and continuing to grow as teams! Well done girls, keep up the good work!

Opposition’s Players of Match: Dee Davies & Lily Langler

Player’s Players of the Match: Achara Edmund & Lottie Knight

Coaches Players of the Match: Mia Kost & Emelia Wood

Park run

On Saturday 15th Feb, 10 runners from Years 7-9 took park in the 3rd school visit to the park run this year. The students completed the Torbay park run and ran a total of 5km. Everyone did so well, and a special mention goes to Alana Houlihan who set a personal and school PB of 25:39, and came 2nd in her age category. If you’d like to get involved, keep your eyes peeled for the next trip coming in April! Well done all.

7s training Day for year 9 rugby team

This week the year 9 rugby team had a day of training by UR7s specialist 7s coaches at Ivybridge RFC. The boys enjoyed some intense and bespoke training from rugby 7s experts. The training elements focussed on the key fundamentals of 7s rugby of passing, handling, finding and creating space, attacking defenders and competing for restarts. It was a great day out and the boys trained hard and learned a great deal from the academy coaches. They were very impressed with the boys' attitude and application to their rugby training. The lads are one step closer on their road to Rosslyn Park in a few weeks time. Keep working hard boys, training continues each Wednesday on the field or Astro.

FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

YEAR 7 & 8 BOYS

Year 7 boys - What an amazing start to their footballing journey at TA, reached the last 8 in the country in the Elite national schools cup, also playing against Whitgift school from Croydon this month in the last 8 again of the National schools cup and currently in the ¼ finals of the County cup after a strong win this week against DHSB. This is an exciting group who keep getting better and are hungry for success.

Year 8 boys - A brilliant performance against St Peters before half term in the county cup has boosted morale after losing a real close game against MAP in the national cup.

This year group has had a tough year so far with injuries and players missing so fingers crossed we have a good run in the County and Torbay cup with no more injuries.

We now play MAP in the county cup next week and look to get that win back.

year 9 & 10 boys

Year 9 boys - This group have so much potential and have played some great football so far, they beat Exmouth in the County before half term and await the winners of Colyton v St Peters in the ¼ final. The boys are hoping for a good run in the County and Torbay cups after two really close losses in games against Millfield in both national cups.

Year 10 boys - This group have bounced back after really tough games in the national cups, winning convincingly against South Dartmoor and ISCA in the County cup to progress to the ¼ finals. They now await the winners of Plymstock v Ivybridge in the next round.

year 11 boys

The boys played a very strong Eggbuckland team in the County cup and put on an amazing show, with players missing and 5 players playing a year up they took the game to them and were winning 3-2 with 10 minutes to go. Two bits of brilliance from their forward separated the two teams at the final whistle but the boys were a credit against one of the best teams in the country. We now look forward to the Torbay cup to finish off the season. So many of the team have been playing with the 6th form in the U18s cup and have stepped up so well, we look forward to seeing them perform again in our 6th form next year.

u13 girls

The girls across all ages have been incredible this year and keep improving, the under 13’s did really well in the national cup, reaching the last 16 in the country and were heartbroken to lose from a last minute penalty in extra time. The girls I'm sure will bounce back and that will hopefully start at the county cup tournament on March 21st.

U15 GIRLS

Another brilliant group who were again doing well in the national cup, strong performances led the girls to the last 32 in the country against Richard Lander. This was a hard game but a great learning opportunity for our players around what it takes to push on again. We are sure that they will continue to develop and will look forward to the county cup tournament coming up in the next few weeks.

Football tournament

A group of TA students took part in a local football tournament with 18 teams involved and they came third overall, goals came from Jaden Harrison x2 and Vinnie Scanlon. Well done to you all!