Torquay Academy

tas got talent auditions

It has been a pleasure to finally kick off the long awaited TAs Got Talent Auditions this week across the school. Over 70 performances throughout the week have been bravely shown to our student leadership team, from singing, dancing and acting to magic, contortion and world record attempts, we were truly blown away with the amount of talent TA has shown.

The judges have the difficult task of making some decisions surrounding progression into the semi finals, which will see individuals perform to their year group. 3 finalists will then perform at the end of term assembly in front of the whole school.

The student leadership team has remained committed to celebrating all year groups and talents at TA, and this is our legacy and appreciation to pass on to the incoming student leadership team come January.

Thank you to the staff, music students and creative arts department who have facilitated this competition.

plymouth university

Some of our Year 11s recently visited Plymouth University, which provided a valuable opportunity for them to gain a deeper understanding of student finance, accommodation options, and university courses.
 
Guided by student ambassadors, the year 11 explored the campus, visiting the state-of-the-art facilities such as the Marine Laboratories and the impressive library. They also got a firsthand look at student accommodation, giving them an insight into the lifestyle that awaits future university students.
 
The best part of the trip was the way in which it broadened the students' horizons, with many of them saying how the experience opened their eyes to university courses and pathways they hadn't previously considered. 

creative Arts Radio Makes its Debut

Year 8 Golden Lunch

On Friday, Year 8 had their Golden Lunch celebration. Every student who was in the Gold for effort on the Cycle 1 effort boards had their lunch together in the Year 11 dining area.  They are all working so hard and we are so proud of every one of them.

A Christmas Carol Performance

Year 10 were treated to a performance of A Christmas Carol on Thursday. Not only did this give them the opportunity to gain valuable insights into their GCSE text, but also gave them a brilliant experience of live theatre which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Year 7 Music/Singing with Miss Graham

The Year 7 students have transitioned well into their music lessons at TA. The Year 7 cohort has proven to be a musical year group - demonstrating a keen enthusiasm for learning and performing. Their positive attitude and collaborative spirit have fostered a supportive learning environment in only a few lessons. The students have embraced musical challenges, from learning new songs to exploring different musical styles. 

Their willingness to experiment and take risks has led to some truly exceptional performances in their recent singing assessments. They were able to show the progress that they have made in their vocal abilities, whilst confidently executing challenging pieces, and in some cases, showcasing their unique vocal qualities in solo’s and duet’s. 

It has been exciting to witness their growth and enthusiasm in music so far, and we can't wait to see what they achieve in the months to come.

RNAS yeovilton

Last week I shared news about the cadets incredible day at RNAS Yeovilton - this week I can share some great photos that were taken by their team.

devon wheatley gymnastics competition

Over the weekend Brogan Holmes-Inch competed in the Devon Wheatley gymnastics competition under 14 category in Plymouth along side Milan Ujj. They both received medals with Brogan taking home the gold and Milan the silver. Well done boys!

Creative Arts Live Music Lunch Series Continues to Rock the Platform

The Creative Arts Live Music Lunch Series returned to Platform this week, bringing another dose of musical magic to Sixth Form and Year 11 students.

The event kicked off with an energetic set by DJN Dylan Nock, who got everyone moving with his upbeat dance tunes. The stage was then taken over by Year 13 students, who delivered a powerful rendition of Royal Blood's "Troubles Coming."

The Music Academy followed with a stunning performance of "Tears Dry On Their Own," featuring an incredible vocal performance by Ava Storey that channeled the spirit of Amy Winehouse. The highlight of the day, however, was a show stopping rendition of JVKE's "Golden Hour," which had the entire audience singing along.

A huge thank you to all the students who participated and created such a lovely atmosphere. The Creative Arts Live Music Lunch Series continues to be a fantastic platform for showcasing student talent and fostering a love of music.

A Level Photography Lesson: Exploring Cyanotype Photography

In one of Mrs Lynch's recent A Level Photography lessons, students delved into the historical and artistic process of cyanotype photography. 

This is a technique that combines chemistry, creativity, and a touch of experimentation. The session was designed to deepen their understanding of alternative photographic processes and encourage them to explore new ways of presenting their work.

The lesson began with students selecting their own photographs, which were printed onto acetate to act as negatives. This step ensured that each student's work was uniquely personal while also providing an opportunity for them to critically engage with their compositions and contrasts. They then prepared their papers using a sensitizing solution made from a combination of chemicals. This process was both a lesson in precision and patience, as the coated papers needed to dry for 24 hours before they could begin exposing their images.

The exposure stage was particularly engaging. Students experimented with two light sources: natural sunlight and a UV lamp. This dual approach allowed them to observe the impact of different light intensities and durations on their final prints. The results highlighted the importance of experimentation in photography, as the exposure times and light quality yielded varied and fascinating outcomes.

Throughout the session, students demonstrated remarkable curiosity and enthusiasm, embracing the trial-and-error nature of the cyanotype process. They were encouraged to document each stage, making notes on their methods and observations, which will serve as valuable references for their ongoing portfolios.

The lesson successfully blended historical techniques with contemporary practice, enriching students' understanding of photography as both an art form and a scientific process. Their final prints, with their striking Prussian blue hues and intricate details, were a testament to their hard work and creativity.

Overall, this session not only enhanced students’ technical skills but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the tactile and experimental aspects of photography. It was a rewarding experience to see their excitement as their images emerged, and I am looking forward to seeing how they incorporate this technique into their future projects.

Thanks to Mel Piper and Hayden for making such a great creative team (great Modelling Hayden!)

Cycle 1 Assessment Drawings

The art department would like to showcase the hard work of their students in Years 7, 8 and 9 for their assessment drawings over the last two weeks. 

draculin update

On Sunday, Draculin (Will Candy, Oliver Cocker, Bartosz Mitula and Emilee Payne) performed at the Palace Theatre in Paignton. 

They had been looking forward to this all year, handing out leaflets and promoting this show online to get as many people to come and watch, even going onto a local radio. 

The show was a little under 2 hours long and contained a mixture of their own original music and covers of rock songs from the 70s through to the 90s. 

gcse artwork

Miley Shines Bright!

We're bursting with pride for Miley Soby, who has achieved a Distinction in her Grade 4 LAMDA exam! This incredible accomplishment is a testament to her dedication, talent, and hard work. Miley's passion for the arts is truly inspiring, and we can't wait to see what she achieves next. Congratulations Miley.

Junior music academy get ready for Christmas

Mr Comer’s junior music academy are rehearsing hard ahead of this years Christmas concert. The academy meet every Friday from 15:15 to 16:15 and are sounding fantastic. It’s been amazing to see such talent from the younger years in such a large ensemble.

This year Emilee Payne and Libbie Grindling from our senior music academy have been supporting rehersals. It’s been lovely to see the older students mentoring the next generation and they have had such a positive impact. We look forward to hearing more from the juniors as the year goes on.

PSHE Day

This Tuesday saw the second of our PSHEe days for this year. The lower school had a theatre production of ‘Unacceptable’ which looked at raising awareness and promoting cultural change around sexism, misogyny, sexual harassment and sexual violence.

For the year 7s the programme included sessions on caffeine and tobacco. They also looked at how our emotions change during puberty and various ways to identify and cope with situations that worry us. Students were introduced to Unifrog, an online system to give careers advice and to record their career ideas.

Year 8 students looked at the laws relating to drugs and who/what influences our actions related to drugs. Students had a brief introduction to some of the most commonly used types of contraception. They also looked at how to identify, and protect themselves from scams and how to keep their devices safe. We also looked at healthy ways to manage stress and worries. 

The year 9 year group looked at contraception in greater detail, along with what it means to have the capacity to consent. Students were reminded about what a healthy relationship looks like and the reasons someone might get married. As students get older and take increasing responsibility for their own health they need to know why regular dental check ups, sun safety, and routine health screenings are important. The final session widened students' knowledge of online safety, looking at malware, social engineering and other online threats, along with reminders on how to keep safe.

Year 10 students looked at what it means to be a family and the different forms a family can take. They identified what could influence them to make poor decisions around drugs and alcohol and identified strategies to combat these. Students identified when attention may be unwanted and where to seek help and also how it is possible for someone to be exploited.

Another session prepared students for work experience later in the year and the final session was on consumer rights. Finally, students looked at where the defibrillators are in school and rehearsed their CPR skills.

On this occasion the year 11 students did GCSE studies.

6th form taster sessions

Kole ran a meeting with some aspiring Year 11 students to answer their questions on 6th form generally, and then answer questions about a range of A level subjects, including Maths, Economics and Music. The students discovered the basics of A level economics, learned about student life, 6th form facilities, UCAS and homework. Their conductivity was exemplary.  Futures are made in TA's 6th form.

6th form Decorations

The 6th Form student leadership team put up their decorations today in the sixth form centre.  They were very proud of their efforts!

 

Students of the Week

Year 7 - Bailey Clements and Isla Parsons 

Year 8 - Esmie Riggs and Ollie Humphries

Year 9 - Trent Blackmore and Heidi Bowers 

Year 10 - Olly Whittred & Julia Tatarynowicz

Year 7 Netball

Mia Kost, Myah Bishop, Rhia Holding, Ela Uven, Eva Thompson, Zenna Venter, Mimi Skelly, Milly Skelly, Achara Edmund, Bella Stevenson, Lilly-Ella Smith, Lottie Forester, Darcy Gibbings, Delilah Davies

Two squads from the Year 7 netball academy enjoyed taking part in a netball tournament against other local schools on Tuesday.  The girls all played with enthusiasm, taking all they have learnt to the court.  They came across some tough competition, but managed to match the level of play, making every match an exciting one! All of the girls were fantastic team players, supporting each other, and were great ambassadors of Torquay Academy!  Well done girls!

Oppositions Players: Eva Thompson, Darcy Gibbings, Zenna Venter, Lottie Forester, Mia Kost

Coaches Players: Myah Bishop and Zenna Venter

Year 10 Netball

House Climbing

The year 9s and 10s travelled to Exeter on Monday for our annual house climbing event. All the climbers had to compete on the speedwall with some fantastic performances. Everyone who competed has gained house points so congratulations to all. Special congratulations to Maks Adach who achieved an amazing fastest time of the day with 8.24 seconds!

Year 9 boys

Gold- Toby Howell

Silver - Stanley Austin

Bronze- Leon Snell

Year 9 Girls

Gold-Neeve Thompson

Silver - Sienna Welsh

Bronze- Evie Ford

Year 10 boys

Gold- Maks Adach

Silver - Edward Evers

Bronze- Ollie Cooper

Year 10 Girls

Gold- Amelia Rose

Silver - Frankie Skelly

Bronze- Lucy McMahon

Cross country South Devon Trials

On Thursday the cross country team travelled to Stover to compete in the South Devon trials. There were 20 places available for the team, 16 qualifiers and 4 reserves (TBC).

Students ran In their age groups or combined age groups. Year 7’s ran individually with the 8/9’s combined, 9/10’s combined. Some of our athletes qualified against the year above which is particularly impressive. Well done to all involved. Standout performances of the day were Leon Snell and Annalyse Little who both won there races by large margins!

Qualifiers: Leon Snell, Annalyse Little, Will Wrathall, Josh Parkinson, Charlie Wise and Josh Kittow

governors bronze certificates

Year 7 - Kayden Harper

Principals Bronze Certificates

Year 7 - Kayleb Yeo, Laila Stuttaford, Mollianne Potter, Archie Payne-Stanbury, Harry Monro, Luna Mearns, Maddie Mack, Chloe Eales, Willow-Mae Calland, Myles Bonnici, Cody Butler, Zafirah Faryal, Archie Kershaw, Lexi Walker, Eva Thompson, Mimi Skelly, 

House stars of the week

Year 7

Brunel - Darcy Gibbings

Christie - Rhia Holding

Darwin -  Abel Shiju

Fawcett - Bella Stevenson

Harrison -   Myles Anyon

Kitson -  Madison Stewart

Nearne -  Ella Batten

Pengelly - Eve Truscott

Year 8

Brunel - George Pitts

Christie - Jamie Hancox

Darwin -  Summer Reed

Fawcett - Mia Piewiszcko

Harrison -  Emilee Fenner

Kitson -  Grace Gatting

Nearne -  Heidi Milner

Pengelly - Lily Hubbard

Year 9

Brunel - Euan Miller

Christie - Harry Lee

Darwin -  Neeve Thomson

Fawcett - Ethan Greenwood

Harrison -  Ella Lake

Kitson -  Ollie Martin

Nearne -  Hattie Gamble

Pengelly - Ivan Masliakovas

Homework Stars of the Week

Year 7

Brunel - Erin Ayres

Christie - Maddie Mack

Darwin -  Gergo Rammer

Fawcett - Cian McHugh

Harrison -  Lucas Guppy

Kitson -   Jasmine Craig

Nearne -  Riley Piercy

Pengelly - Ellie Palmer

Year 8

Brunel - Eric Montague

Christie -  Tyler Jackson

Fawcett - Ellie Palmer

Harrison -   Poppi Jones

Kitson -  Harry Rowlands

Nearne -  Lilly Shaw

Pengelly - James Costello

Year 9

Brunel - Sienna Holton

Christie - Ava Wilson

Darwin -  Maisie Darke

Fawcett - Sean Canham

Harrison -  Archie Harman

Kitson -  Bradley Harrison

Nearne -  Emily Watts-Simpson

Pengelly - Sienna Wilschere

university offers this week

Sparx Leaderboards

Tassomai Leaderboards

Sparx Reader Leaderboards