Boys and girls teams into Devon finals, DofE and PPE results
Year 11 PPE results evening
On Wednesday evening The Platform was filled on two separate occasions as Year 11s and their parents came into school to collect their PPE results. They started off in The Platform for a talk from Mr Pugh who described how they can best prepare for their exams over the coming couple of months. Students then headed up to school to collect their results before having an opportunity to speak to their teachers about what they can do in order to maximise their chances of success.
DofE Gold Team Training Walk and Camp
With the Practice Expedition a mere two weeks away the Year 12 DofE Gold team had their last training session before things really start to count. Setting off straight after school last Friday Mr Adams and Mr Butler took the team to the Fox and Hounds Hotel campsite near Lydford. The team were hoping for good weather for the weekend, but as soon the minibus turned on to the A30 the rain came down hard and the wind howled!
So with the rain still falling heavily on arrival at the campsite the students set their tents up and began preparing their meals on the Trangia stoves. Despite the elements, the students competently erected their tents and had a good feed. Knowing they were carrying full packs, including tents, stoves and gas canisters, for the first time, they turned in early for a good nights sleep.
After a good nights sleep for some but not for others, the team was packed up, wet tents and all, and breakfasted before 8am. The plan for the day was to undertake a 16km walk taking in a couple of small river crossings to ensure the team were trained for all eventualities they may encounter on their forthcoming expeditions in the Brecon Beacons and the Lake District. As the team set off, a heavy shower came down again, making some wonder what they had let themselves in for! Thankfully the weather improved as the day went on, although waterproofs would be worn, taken off, then donned again during the morning.
The first challenge encountered was finding a safe fording point of the River Lyd near Nodden Gate. The team rightly took their time deciding on the safest crossing point and crossed safely.
Each team member took lead navigation responsibilities for legs of the planned route. With some guidance from Mr Butler and Mr Adams each team member successfully navigated their given sections of the route.
The team were initially finding things tough with their full packs, but following some successes with the river crossing and navigation choices, spirits rose. Passing under Brat Tor and Widgery Cross the team became more proficient in linking landmarks with map features. The sun came out at times too, making the steep climb up Hare Tor a more pleasant experience. With this climb, it became clear that this team is resilient.
After a short break and route planning session at the summit of Hare Tor the team headed for Sandy Hole Pass. Here the team encountered their second river crossing of the day. They soon realised this was a tougher prospect. This crossing was at the confluence of two large brooks and with the recent rains the streams were swollen and faster flowing than normal. The team had navigated successfully to the ford point on the map, but on the ground it was not obvious. Again rightly taking their time they chose a crossing point. Due to the deeper waters and slippery stones the decision was taken to pass rucksacks across and Mr Butler’s walking poles were utilised to make the crossing safer. With a couple of people getting wet feet and legs the team got safely across but it had been an adventure!
Another ford was encountered straight after this, again causing the team to really consider their crossing point choice. The team’s decision making skills were really being tested and Mr Butler was really pleased with the way the team made the right and safest choices.
With the fording points being less obvious, more metres being covered in looking for these, and with the difficult terrain, it became clear that the team would not make the rendezvous at Middle Staple Tor car park on time. So a decision was taken by the team to head east from Lynch Tor to join a track and lane at Wapsworthy, where Mr Adams met them in the minibus. Despite the route being changed, the team still covered 15km, navigated superbly well and learned valuable expedition skills.
A fantastic effort by the following students: Harvey Bates, Ena Brett-Wilson, Olivia Simpson-Lewis, Angus Graham, Kai Fowler, Alan Kumiega
UCAS Discovery Day 2023
This week all of our Year 12 students went to this fantastic event to support them in planning their futures. Whatever their plans are after Year 13, the UCAS exhibition had it covered with:
● Live application clinics and personal statement workshops
● Course and careers taster sessions
● Student talks and Q&As
● Expert advice on how to research and choose what’s right for you
● The chance to explore and meet universities, colleges and employers face-to-face
The students left the event with their aspirations raised and clearer sights set on their futures past sixth form. All were exceptionally well behaved, grabbed multiple prospectuses, some free bags and maybe consumed a doughnut or two from the burger van along the way. This was a very successful visit!
Sport GCSE results
This year marked a stunning set of results for the Sport Science exam our students took in Januray. They achieved 11D*, 18D, 15M, 1P including the amazing Hannah and Penny who both achieved full marks in this exam. Well done, everyone.
Year 9 Biology with Miss Sykes
This cycle, year 9 biologists have been learning about infection and response. This has involved studying the four different types of pathogen: viruses, bacteria, protists and fungi and describing examples for each.
This past week they have been learning about the immune response of the body. Firstly, we discussed the first line of defence which is non-specific against any type of pathogen – did you know that the skin is the largest organ in the body and prevents pathogens from entering? Secondly, we looked at what happens when this first line of defence is broken and we instead need to rely on our immune system to protect us against pathogens. The immune system consists of some helpful white blood cells called phagocytes and lymphocytes.
Below are some examples of work produced by 9T8 students Lottie Davis and Phoebe Denbow – here they have drawn the responses of the lymphocytes, phagocytes and memory cells against pathogens.
Dance
This week year 11 dancers have been rehearsing hard for their practical dance exam next week. The girls have been given the theme ‘truth and lies’ from the exam board. In small groups they have had to create a 7 minute dance with no help. It has been amazing to see them think of the story line, costumes, lighting, music and dance styles. Miss Walklin can’t wait to see you perform next week and she knows you will be incredible! Well done, girls.
Tubers
This week at Tubers, the students have been filming their promo videos for Xbox and Prime.
Geography with Miss Stephens
This week in Geography year 11 students received their PPE grades. There were some fantastic results, including many students who achieved well over their target grades. Keeping with year 11, Miss Fannon’s tutor group have been spending their week revising content for their upcoming GCSE, including looking at desertification and practicing their exam techniques. Up next for year 11 is the paper pre-release where students will be given an unseen booklet that they will be using for paper 3.
Year 9 have been looking at weather hazards and climate change. Thinking about how this will affect them in the future. Year 10 have been looking at ecosystems, in particular hot deserts, and learning about how plants and animals adapt to live in these hostile environments.
Year 8 have been looking at what causes river flooding and the impacts of this. Year 7 have been studying why tropical rainforests are at risk- including writing a letter to the Brazilian government advising them how to best use the tropical rainforest.
All in all, another very busy week in the Geography department!
Miss Stoyle’s Year 8 Science Lesson
This cycle, Miss Stoyle’s Year 8 have been learning about electricity and circuits and used their new skills to investigate how changing the length of a wire affects resistance. They looked at what variables they needed to change (independent) and keep the same (control), and what variable they were going to measure (dependent) and used their knowledge of connecting components to build a circuit to measure current and voltage. They then used VEVA to calculate the resistance of the wire.
Mrs Thorne’s Business Studies Lesson
Mrs Thorne has been working with the Year 9s looking at the marketing mix. The particular focus of this lesson was the importance of price for consumers versus the benefits of promotion for the brand. The students worked with three case studies assessing the merits of decreasing price or increasing promotion in order to increase profit. In most cases, they decided that promotion added more value to the brand. However, when they started to look at the current external environment, they were also able to factor in that the current cost of living crisis also would impact the decisions of the businesses.
The students then had to answer a 9 mark question to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding. First they go through an exemplar answer using the visualiser. This is live marked to show the students how each mark is achieved. Then they plan their answer together and the students write their own version. Finally, they look at student examples using the visualiser and crosscheck performance against the exemplar piece.
Cambridge University Visit
On Thursday we had an admissions officer from Cambridge University in school to talk to our Year 8 HPA students about university life and to our Year 12 students interested in Oxbridge about the admissions process. Our Year 8s left inspired about going to university in the future while our Year 12s picked up lots of helpful tips and advice, particularly about writing personal statements and interview techniques as they work towards their Oxbridge applications next year.
Year 7 boys into Devon Final
What a fantastic County semi final away to Ivybridge for our year 7s. Both teams were a credit to their schools and the game was a close one.
Ivybridge took the lead in the first half and looked strong whilst we gradually grew into the game, the second half saw Lee Stevens hit a wonderful strike to take the game into extra time. With us having a real push at the start of extra time we were rewarded again with a fantastic strike from Lee into the top corner to win the game for us. Well done to everyone involved and thanks to the parents for travelling down to support the boys. We now wait to see who we will play in the final #TeamTA
Year 7 boys vs Teignmouth
U13 Girls National Schools Round 2 vs Court Fields
On Monday the U13 girls football team took on Court fields School in the next regional round of the National cup. The girls turned up and played a strong game despite only have 8 players for a 9 a side match. They came away with a strong win, finishing 8-2. Not only is this a fantastic result, but the standard of Football demonstrated by the girls was phenomenal and we are already looking forward to watching them play in the next round. Goal of the day was a cracking header from Neeve from Leela’s corner!
Huge well done to Kayla Hadley, Poppy Bettridge, Maria Nihtyanova, Farrah Ambrose, Leela Cartwright, Ava Mills, Neeve Thomson and Frankie Skelly, keep up the good work!
Year 11 in another semi-final
On Wednesday a clinical second half display saw the year 11 Football team reach yet another semi-final after an 8-0 win against Spires. The first half was a battle with Spires putting in a dogged and determined performance along with TA being wasteful in front of goal. A few changes at half time along with a klt change saw TA dominate the second half and be far too strong for Spires in the end. The goals came from Harry Clarke x4, Will Green, Zac Rowand-Steele, Tommy Aldous and Charlie Stevens.
TA will now play the winners of Cuthbert Mayne and South Devon College in the semi final.
Year 8 girls into Devon Final
What a performance from our U13 girls today. 6 schools from Devon competed in the semi final knockout stage today. Our girls played some great football and secured 3 wins and 2 draws to win the competition and go through to the county final against Plymstock to be played soon. Really well done to all the players.
U15 Girls perform well in the Semi Final
On one of the wettest afternoons I can remember in a long while our U15 girls put in a fantastic performance in the county semi finals. After winning the last group stage, this was always going to be a big step up with so much talent on show from all schools involved. The girls worked so hard and put in strong performances in every game but unfortunately didn’t get enough wins to make the final. They can be proud of themselves as they held their own as a team amongst some very good players and teams. Well done girls. Lydia, Willow, Bella, Eve, Maisy, Lana, Ava, Katie, Amara, Summer, Millie, Chloe #TeamTA
Students of the Week
Year 7 – Jamie Tully and Mollie Longthorpe
Year 10 – Elliot Mills and Elspeth Herring
Year 11 – Harrison Spurle and Oriana McCaul
Sixth Form – Holly Bastow and Harvey Bates
Governors’ Bronze Certificates
Year 7 – Charlotte Holmes-Vittles, George Evans, Lilly-Rose Garbett, Riain Leal, Sean Canham
Principal’s Gold Certificates
Year 7 – Kiara Ujj, Lewis Graham,
Principal’s Silver Certificates
Year 7 – Anastasiia Tukilush, Millie Russell, Lewis Collett, Alfie Speed, Teddy Watson, Kordian Wisnik, Lily Thomas, Benjamin Nicholson, Sienna Holton, Lilly Drake, Max Weston, Logan Watt, Lauren Harbutt, Daisy Board, Riley Burton, Matthew Campan, Isabella Allen, Zakariyah Haridi
Year 8 – Grace Halsey, Kiki Marker, Oliver Cocker
Principal’s Bronze Certificates
Year 7 – Gracie Sandercock, Ivan Masliakovas, Reuben Harrison, Tom Weaver, Riley Gilmour, Brandon Callow, Lily Campbell, Lee Stevens, Sonny Cayford, Keisha Powell, Elliot Baines, Vaughn Heavens, Halle Walker, Chloe-Mae Jones, Paul Blades, Sophie Dean, Emily Kenny, Will Wrathall, Mollie Peters, Louise Porter, Euan Miller, Aaron Herring, Scarlett Connolly, Anya Cosslett, Lucie Bowers, Freddie Fenner, Charlie Jackson, Dylan Bolton, Johnny Sandbrook, Finlay Clark, Ava-Rae Mills, Than Lewis, April Hubbard, Jack Hornbrook, Adalynn Abraham, Ethan Veasey, Samuel Sanders, Maria Nihtyanova, Trent Blackmore, Stanley Austin, Honor Dawson, Molly Hollomby, Harry Lee, Toby Hamilton, Lily Robins, Naomi Szyszka, Brodi Docherty, Jessie Mountstevens, Summer Pallant
Year 8 – Nataliya Spasova, Benjamin Jolly, Toby Waring, Scarlett Finley-Squires, Bailey Heaward, Lena Galazkiewicz, Harrison Harkin, Lili Budavolgyi, Adam Sadlik, Emma Giles, Isabelle Kelly, Joe Boyce, Aleksandra Treder, Leela Cartwright, Connie Kinghorn, Rylan Chambers, Ben Jeffs, Josh Parkinson
House Students of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Charlie Jackson
Christie – Paul Blades
Darwin – Vinnie Frankum
Fawcett – Sean Canham
Harrison – Stanley Austin
Kitson – Jaylen Hunter
Nearne – Oscar Read
Pengelly – Ivan Masliakovas
Year 8
Christie – Olivia Fordrey
Fawcett -Felicity Adams
Harrison – Barnaby George
Kitson – Charlie Toomey
Nearne – Nyla Wakefield
Pengelly – Ben Jeffs
Year 9
Brunel – Caitlin Cornish
Christie – Joshua Rogers
Darwin – Charlie Green
Fawcett – Owen Ingram
Kitson – Aliyah Smith
Pengelly – Oliver Nunn
Homework Students of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Sienna Holton
Christie – Ella Fordrey
Darwin – Lauren Harbutt
Fawcett – Ellie Bowden
Harrison – Lee Stevens
Kitson – Jessie Mountstevens
Nearne – Milan Ujj
Pengelly – Edi Ferencz Csibi
Year 8
Christie – Mille Routledge
Darwin – Kacper Piwowar
Fawcett – Rebecca Quarshie
Harrison – Roxy Johnson
Kitson – Corey Batten
Nearne – Kyron Connor
Pengelly – Maisie Sandercock
Year 9
Christie – Seth Margetts
Darwin – Zak Shaw
Fawcett – Jamie John Palmer
Kitson – Laila Heavens
Pengelly – Toby Lee
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