Football Champions, Coasteering and Gliding

Football Finals

U18 Boys Devon Champions

Our U18s won the County cup against Colyton Grammar School. It was an entertaining game that saw us take a commanding 2-0 lead before Colyton grabbed two goals in the last 8 minutes to take it to extra time and then penalties. We achieved it the hard way, but the boys deserve some silverware after a season of hard work. Well done, everyone. A great way to finish the season

Goals in the game were scored by Charlie Pope and Sam Hext

Year 8 South Devon Champions

After a frantic start to the game with chances at both ends, we settled into the game and went into half time 2 0. A third was added at the start of the second half, and we were cruising to a second victory in this cup with a number of chances. Torrential rain started as The Spires College mounted an incredible comeback in a crazy few minutes of football that led to the score being 3 3 at full time.

As we moved into extra time, we had the better of the chances and eventually secured the winner. Well done to the boys on a brilliant season.

U13 Girls Devon Cup Semi Final:

Our U13 girls reached the County semi-final, where they met Exmouth at Coach Road in an unbelievable game that had everything. Last ditch tackles, world class saves, with some great football from both sides. Kayla put us ahead with a good finish from the edge of the box giving us the lead at half time. An early goal for Exmouth after the break caught us out and we then had a blip for a while which Exmouth capitalised on with their midfielder scoring a great goal on the break. We had two chances to bring it level but were stopped by two world class saves from their keeper, who was voted player of the match. The girls gave it everything but we couldn’t get back into the game. Exmouth won 2-1 in the end but both teams were brilliant. Another good season for our girls with more to follow I’m sure

Year 10 South Devon Cup Final

On Wednesday the year 10 football team took on TBGS in the South Devon Final.

TA started well and were competing exceptionally well against a very strong TBGS side. The game however took a turn for the worst on twenty minutes when Tom Thorner went down with a nasty injury. Tom was unable to play on and this had a big impact as many then had to play out of position. A few quick fire goals from TBGS found TA 2-0 down at the break.

TA rallied hard in the second half and were undone by another goal before Charlie Green latched onto a ball over the top to score. TA then gambled and thought all the way to the final whistle but it was too much over a hurdle to overcome. The score eventually finished 5-1.

It was a tough day but Mr Grinsill and Mr Hogg were exceptionally proud of the boys and their efforts.

Man of the match Colby Brittan.

Year 9 Football Final

This was one of those games that just wasn’t to be. This team, who reached the last 8 in the country, just couldn’t get started and you knew it wasn’t going to be our day.

Year 11 Humanities

Year 11s in Geography have been working hard to revise in preparation for their Paper 2 examination. They have been making concept maps to aid personal revision and revisiting case studies for issues of urban sustainability and urban regeneration in London.

During History lessons, Year 7 have been learning about the British Empire and its links to slavery. Students have learned about the history of Nigeria, one of the countries which was within the British Empire, and looked at the different ways Britain colonized Nigeria. As part of this learning, students have looked at the story of Oludah Equiano and how his life was impacted by slavery in Nigeria.

Year 9 Gold Effort Lunch

On the last day of term we celebrated the 25 students who were at the top of the Cycle 3 Effort Boards with Pizza and Games! The year 9 team are all so proud of these students in their effort and hard work to gaining a 1.15 or below in their average effort score. Keep up the hard work and hopefully see even more year 9 students at the end of Cycle 4! Also, a special mention to Harrison Harkin scored a 1 in both Cycle 2 & 3!

House News

The final of the Year 7 Blockbusters’ competition took place on Friday 24 May. The competition consisted of four students from each house attempting to block out a line across a quiz board by guessing which word corresponded to given letters.

Contestants were from 7P and 7B -both teams had already knocked out two other houses to reach the final. Both teams were very evenly matched and played with real strategy -blocking each – others’ possible lines. The outcome had to be decided by a tiebreaker question, from which Brunel emerged victorious.

The picture shows Brunel victors: Jorgie-Jayne Barnett, May McDonough, George Giles and Toby Preston celebrating with Brunel Head of House, the delighted Mr Pugh.

Hospitality and Catering

Wow!! We were impressed by the year 9 and 10 students in Food Technology. They were given a brief to adhere to and then they had to create some sweet treats suitable for an adult . They focused on looking at suitable recipes that demonstrated basic medium and complex skills in the preparation ,cooking and presenting of the dishes. They rose to the challenge and brought in lots of fruit and cream to make it delicious sweet and seasonal.

Year 7 Hospitality and Catering

The year sevens rose to the challenge in the creation of Irish Potato cakes. They demonstrated knife skills in the preparation and then they also thought carefully about how to cook them to perfection and how the finished product could be presented. They were delicious too!

Ben German Makes History with Prestigious ATCL Qualification

Ben German, a dedicated full-time music student, has achieved something truly remarkable: the Associate of Trinity College London (ATCL) diploma with distinction. This marks the highest instrumental qualification ever earned by a student at our school and surpasses the standard of Grade 8 exams.

The ATCL is a prestigious qualification that demonstrates exceptional musical ability. To earn this distinction, Ben embarked on a challenging journey. He meticulously prepared a 32-minute performance showcasing his versatility across a wide range of genres. From catchy pop tunes to funky grooves, smooth jazz to Latin rhythms with a jazzy twist, and even powerful rock pieces, Ben’s repertoire impressed examiners and set a new standard for musical excellence at our school.

We are incredibly proud of Ben’s accomplishment. His dedication, talent, and perseverance have paid off in spectacular fashion.

Congratulations, Ben! We have no doubt you’ll continue to achieve great things in the world of music.

CCF Update

Exciting Adventures and Achievements
Welcome to the latest update on the Torquay Academy Cadets, where the action never stops, and the learning is always hands-on. Our cadets, both Army and RAF, have been engaged in a variety of challenging and rewarding activities that not only build skills but also foster teamwork and resilience. Here’s a highlight of what we’ve been up to lately.Kayaking Wednesdays
Every Wednesday has been a splash for our Army and RAF Cadets as they take to the water for kayaking sessions. These activities are designed to develop physical fitness, coordination, and team spirit. The cadets have shown remarkable progress in their paddling techniques and water safety skills. It’s been fantastic to see them working together, navigating through courses, and even participating in friendly races. The joy and camaraderie on the water are evident, making these sessions a much-anticipated part of our weekly schedule.DCCT Shooting Tuesdays
Tuesdays have been all about precision and focus with DCCT (Dismounted Close Combat Trainer) shooting for both Army and RAF Cadets. This advanced simulation training has provided our cadets with a unique opportunity to improve their marksmanship in a controlled environment. The results have been nothing short of amazing, with many cadets achieving personal bests and displaying exceptional accuracy. This training not only enhances their shooting skills but also instills discipline and concentration.RAF Training: Marching, Field Craft, and More
The RAF Cadets have been busy with a variety of training exercises. Marching drills on the roads have refined their parade skills and ensured they move with precision and unity. In addition to marching, field craft training has equipped them with essential survival and tactical skills. These sessions include navigation, camouflage, and other techniques critical for operating in various environments. Our cadets have embraced these challenges with enthusiasm and determination, making significant strides in their abilities.Army Section Activities: Drill, Map Reading, and More
The Army section has been equally active, engaging in a broad spectrum of training exercises. Drill practices have sharpened their discipline and cohesion as a unit. Map reading sessions have enhanced their navigational skills, crucial for any field operation. Air rifle shooting has allowed them to practice their marksmanship, while paintballing has added an element of fun and tactical gameplay, teaching them to work effectively under pressure. Additionally, field craft training has prepared them for real-world scenarios with practical survival and tactical skills.RAF Cadets Soar in Gliders
4 cadets from the RAF section joined cadets from Penair school CCF for the best day’s gliding yet this year at RAF Predannack, near Helston in Cornwall.
The sun was already up as the team left TQ Academy at 0530 and, by the time the minibus arrived at Predannack just after 8am, it was clear the day would be perfect for gliding – plenty of fluffy clouds in a blue sky, and a breeze.
Following the mandatory brief at 0900, the cadets spent an hour or so going through essential drills and familiarising themselves with the aircraft controls. Meanwhile, the staff attended the formal flight brief and drank tea while the winch vehicle, control vehicle and gliders were towed out to their positions on the airfield.
Flying started at around 1030am and all the cadets had either 2 flights, or one flight if the flight time was over 12mins – which was the case after midday as the thermals kicked in over the airfield.
All flying for the Torquay cadets finished at just after 3pm and we arrived back at Torquay at 6pm, another fantastic day flying for the RAF section..

Highlights and Achievements

Kayaking Proficiency: Our cadets have mastered basic and advanced kayaking techniques, showing excellent teamwork on the water.

DCCT Shooting Success: Outstanding shooting accuracy with many cadets surpassing their previous best scores.

RAF Marching Skills: Perfected parade drills, demonstrating precision and discipline.
Field Craft Mastery: Both RAF and Army sections have excelled in navigation, camouflage, and survival skills.

Diverse Training: From map reading and air rifle shooting to paintballing, our cadets have shown versatility and dedication.

Gliding Accomplishments: RAF Cadets soared to new heights, gaining valuable flying experience and inspiring future aviators.The dedication and enthusiasm of our cadets are truly commendable. Each activity not only hones their skills but also builds character and camaraderie. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to more exciting adventures and successes in the future.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Torquay Academy Cadets as they continue to learn, grow, and excel in their training.

DofE Bronze Practice Expedition

Last weekend 42 students completed their DofE Bronze Practice expedition. The weekend forecast promised sunny, warm weather, and Saturday morning this was certainly the case. With 8 teams primed to really test their expedition training out, Mr Brett and Mr Adams had to minibus students to the start point in Ashprington in two trips. With some groups accompanied by a member of staff for the first section of their hike, some with a tracker, and some unaccompanied as their team members had Ten Tors experience, they set off in staggered starts, commencing at 1000h.

By 1230 all the teams were on the ground hiking their way along the River Dart, towards Totnes. Spirits were high and the sun was shining! The groups all showed excellent map reading and navigational skills in making it to the first checkpoint and water stop on the edge of Totnes. For the first time in practicing these skills they did an amazing job!

From this checkpoint all teams continued unaccompanied by staff. The next leg of the journey took them along bridleways, tracks and lanes, through Aish to the campsite on the edge of Stoke Gabriel, at Broadleigh Farm Park. Again the teams showed considerable aptitude for navigating themselves successfully and all teams were in before 1900h. More importantly most teams reached the campsite in the 6 hours that the DofE rules state the teams should be on expedition for each day at Bronze level.

The students got their tents set up effectively and cooked a range of pasta based dishes for their dinner. One student even brought their own herbs and spices to make their camp fare more tasty! At camp the teams conducted themselves in an exemplary manner. This was commented on by the campsite owners and some members of the motorhome rally who were staying in the same field, as they said how impressed with how polite and well behaved our students were. We are very proud that members of the public were so impressed with our girls and boys.

For some of the students it was the first time they were sleeping under canvas and some reported that it hadn’t been their best night’s sleep! Despite their wearniness and yawns the students were up early, breakfasted, packed up and ready to start their second day of hiking very promptly. With another 6 hour expedition day ahead, it may have been expected that the students were intimidated, however the opposite was true. Each team set off in high spirits and all were off the campsite by 1000. All the staff were so impressed by the students’ determination and resilience, particularly as each team was planning to reach the expedition end point at Brixham Harbour.

Most teams made amazing progress to Galmpton Creek and then faced the testing navigation challenge around the Greenway. This section of the route is notoriously difficult and teams have often got lost in this area. This year more teams than ever before made it out of this ‘Bermuda Triangle’ area! Admittedly some of the teams did make a few wrong turns and did get lost but each team that did go wrong managed to relocate themselves and got back on track. Again displaying very competent map reading and navigation skills. And more importantly none of the students became disheartened at any point during the day.

The positivity and resilience of the students resulted in more teams than ever before reaching the expedition end point at Brixham Harbour. 15 km hiked by the students over some steep ground with some difficult navigation, following an 11km hike the previous day – an amazing achievement by all! In three weeks time the students take on their Qualifying Expedition, and on this showing they should feel ready for it and confident that they will succeed.

Thank you to Mrs Lancaster, Miss Jelbert, Miss Cape, Miss Mewett, Mrs Berry, Miss Baker, Mr Gratton, Mr Brett and Mr Adams for all their help and support over the weekend, without which the expedition couldn’t have gone ahead. Most importantly warmest congratulations to all the students who participated in this expedition – well done and good luck for the Qualifying Expedition on the 29-30 June.

Update on Year 11

Year 11 students have continued to work hard towards their GCSEs. Over half term a number of sessions were put on for them to attend. Over 30 attended their history session on the Wednesday and about 100 came on for their Maths session ahead of their Monday exam.

Breakfasts have has a real focus again this week with students doing their last minute preparations with support from their subject teachers, which they hugely appreciate. Briefings have continued to have an impact on the students with a real focus on exam technique and structure.

Royal Navy Visit

Two chefs from the Royal Navy visited TA this week. The students in Hospitality and Catering participated in a cook off challenge where they were given the ingredients , handed a recipe and then had to prepare, cook and present the dish in an hour and fifteen minutes. The savoury option was to make a home made chicken kiev/ fondant potatoes followed by the sweet choice of a summer fruit pavlova. The students were an absolute credit to TA demonstrating this, not only in their cooking and demonstration skills, but also in the enthusiasm and respect they showed the experienced chefs.- There was a real sense of achievement and pride in the dishes they produced!

We want to thank Sam and Darren for taking the time to meet us , phenomenal role models to our students. We hope you can return soon !

Drama

At this year’s Torquay Drama Festivalmone rising star stole the show in her age category. Poppy Sims-Walton, a remarkable young performer, impressed the judges with her emotive recital of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem, “Sympathy.”

Dunbar, was known for his evocative verses that explored themes of race, identity, and social justice. “Sympathy” is a particularly poignant piece that delves into the power of empathy and understanding. Poppy’s performance captured the essence of the poem, conveying its message with maturity and nuance that belied her young age.

The Torquay Drama Festival attracts a wealth of local talent. This year, the competition was fierce, with many performers vying for top honors. However, Poppy’s exceptional rendition of “Sympathy” stood out, earning her a commendation from the panel and a well-deserved win.

Poppy’s triumph is a testament to her dedication and passion for the performing arts. It’s no small feat to master the delivery of a complex poem, especially in front of a critical audience. Her win is sure to serve as a springboard for her future theatrical endeavors.

Congratulations, Poppy, on your well-deserved win!

D-Day Events

Connor and Sophie Dean were released from school to attend the D Day events with their sea cadet unit TS Torbay. The parade during the day was very well attended and Connor and Sophie were a credit to the unit and also to the school.

Students of the Week

Year 7 – Bradley Wright and Madison Wood

Year 9 – Oscar Mills and Connie Kinghorn

Year 9 Dance Cinema Trip

On Tuesday, the Year 9 Dance cohort attended a screening of ‘Message in a Bottle’, choreographed and produced by Kate Prince. This is the production they will be studying for their Component 1 and 2 modules in Year 10.

The students enjoyed the show, which follows the story of 3 siblings navigating life as refugees after a war. Overall, it was a very successful trip and had the students feeling very inspired for what’s to come next year.

Year 7 & 9 Rounders Tournaments

This week a team of Year 7 and Year 9 students attending the central venue league for Rounders at Churston Grammar School.

The Year 7 team played in their first ever matches and did so well as a team! They gained so much experience and had an amazing game against St. Cuthbert Mayne particularly which ended up as a draw. There was some fantastic hits and catches from Madison and Seren, and overall it was a fantastic afternoon.

The year 9 team played four games and managed to secure two wins against Paignton Academy and Teign. They showed their progression in terms of fielding, preventing the other teams from scoring lots of runs. There was some excellent communication and brilliant bowling from Maisie.

Year 7 team: Seren Chadwick, Emilee Fenner, Madison Wood, Isla May, Isla Bryant, Alana Houlihan, Freja Mcelkenny, Ruby Turner, May McDonough, Emelia Wood.

Year 9 Team: Frankie Skelly, Larna Waller, Leela Cartwright, Millie Swift, Connie Kinghorn, Maisie Sandercock, Matilda Steven, Miley Beavis, Ashleigh Evans, Lucy McMahon.

Well done all!!

Prestigious Diamond Award

Year 7 – George Garbett, Charlotte Townsend and Poppy Haslett

Year 8 – Tristan Ellis

Year 9 – Indy Evans

Governor’s Platinum Certificates

Year 7 – James Costello, Edith Mackenzie, Charlie Berry and Immy Shaw

Year 8 – Annie Aldous, Tyler Evans, Jesse Mountstevens and Vaughn Heavens

Year 9 – Bailey Heaward and Laurentiu Mihai

Governor’s Gold Certificates

Year 7 – Seren Chadwick, Andy Iftode, Phoebe Acton, Treesa Telson, Daisy-Mae Rees, Isaac Mccabe, Khalid Al-Ajrami, Elizabeth Francis, Gabi Cobain, Haydon Coatesworth, Jessica Stoyle, Viktoria Simunkova and Dion Maharjan

Year 8 – Max Warner

Year 9 – Grace Gibbings, Evie Alford, Harry Newman, Lexi Jessup, Connie Kinghorn, Leornardo Marcheggiani, Liam Anthony, Farrah Ambrose-Paradise, Brodie Reddish and Ben Jeffs

Governor’s Silver Certificates

Year 7 – Brayden Lane, Leo Shaw, Max Kapusta, Wiktoria Aleksander, Billie-Jo Dolling, Poppy Evely, Emily Redmond, Aaliyah Akpo, Theo Slater, Ruby Turner, Ted Dudley, Morgan Fisher, Oakley Mudge, Logan Payne, Freya Brown and Stefan Manta

Year 8 – Anastasiia Tukilush, Cody Burton, Lewis Collett, Lucie Bowers, Daisy Humphreys, George Evans, Charlotte Holmes-Vittles, Talia Street, Kaitlin Jarvis, Anya Cosslett, Poppy Sanderson and Louise Porter

Year 9 – Farrah Ambrose-Paradise, Amelia Rose, Kiki Marker, Toby Waring, Scarlett Finley-Squires, Connor Dean, Heidi Bowers, Lilly-Rose Garbett, Summer Lawford, Liam Anthony, Grace Gibbings, Oscar Mills, Abigail Yau, Nyla Wakefield, Barnaby George, Olly Whittred, Naphtali Phinehas, William Candy, Sunny Long, Brodie Reddish, Ayden Goldsbrough, Chloe German, Carla Lawrence, Sera Elsa Jomon, Alex Nagy, Leonardo Marcheggiani, Orley Copeland, Julia Tatarynowicz, Phoebe Smith, Ben Jeffs, Lexi Jessup, Freya Mealin, Halayna Hussain, Miley Soby, Nevin Vithayathil, Benjamin Houghton, Hannah Brazier, Connie Kinghorn, Lottie Roberts, Oscar Leonard, Lewis Phillips, Lili Budavolgyi, Kaiden Mclaren, Rebecca Quarshie, Felicity Adams, Ella Randall, Nataliya Spasova, Josh Parkinson, Aaron Saunders, Maisie Sandercock, Imogen Symonds, Kelsey Drew, Isabella Bentley, Daniel Elkins, Amy Rogers, Ben Tucker, Ethan Anyon, Blarye Holden, Mihai Marin, Darcey Mellish, Aleksander Treder, Ava Storey, Jack Slater, Benjamin Jolly, Hallie Davies, Harrison Richards, Mikolaj Piasecki, Larna Waller and Emilee Payne

Governor’s Bronze Certificates

Year 7 – Brogan Holmes-Inch, Dylan Drinkwater, Elise Musgrove, Freya-Mae Mcelkenny, Corey Davies, Florence Botten, Ollie Humpreys, Daisy Dorman, George Gibbs, Kumar Hopton, Cooper Syms, Bella Hall and Sophia Adamson

Year 8 – Heston Hart, Max Weston, Bela Hobbin-Mills, Emily Watts-Simpson, Saskia Cooper, Sunny Weedon, Ruby Fitzgerald, Harry Pudney and Hattie Gamble

Year 9 – Phoebe Smith, Alexy Nagy, Chloe German, Carla Lawrence, Josh Parkinson, Julia Tatarynowicz, Ben Tucker, Luke Horrocks, William Kelly, Marlee White, Serina James, Alba Fogarty, Charlotte Little, Maisie Sandercock, Daniel Elkins, Lucas Quaintance, Sera Elsa Jomon, Aaron Saunders, Ellie Mildren, Amy Rogers, Orley Copeland, Lucas Chappell, Francesca Skelly, Kiel Mortimer, Freya Coatesworth, Analais Biggs, Blessings Nguono, Scarlett Lacey, Anthony Potter, Oliver McHugh, Jake Knight, Shannon Clark, Grace McCarthy, Joshua Ward, Chelsea Milton, Millie-Anne Adamson, Lola Benney, Maddie Kenyon, Issy Kells, Mach Adach, Kallie Stewart, Hamish Herring and Halle Wotton

Principal’s Gold Certificates

Year 7 – Bradley Wright and Oscar Deegan

Year 8 – Emily Colclough, Sienna Holton, Noah Margetts, Kaelum Bowness, Kiara Ujj, Crea Crofts, Chloe-Mae Jones, Cohen Andrews, Alfie Brayne, Sienna Wilschere, Toby Howell, Mia Hawkes and Zach Venter

Year 9 – Millie Routledge, Dylan Parker, Eva Spicer, Daisy Johns, Declan Smith, Anna Pearn, Zak Turner and Sam Bowden

Year 10 – Sara Santos Martins,

Principal’s Silver Certificates

Year 7 – Niah Slowley, Hollie Bassett, Riley Gomes and Namma Johns

Year 8 – Harry Hutchings, Holly Nunn, Brooke Birchall, Blake Young, Alfie Spicer and Olivia Stewart

Year 9 – Leela Cartwright, Kai Chalmers-Wood, Daisey Johns, Mason Mitchell, Joselyn Full, Phoenix Quetelle, Eva Spicer, Dylan Parker, Olivia-Mae Franke, Edward Evers, Bella Williams, Mya Brown, Daniel Piper, Faye Cassidy, Eden Nelson-Minns, Kyle Madge, Caine Dickson, Oscar Tallon, Susie Lester, Evie-May Howell, Sonny Bond, Bella Blatchford, Leah McClements, Leon O’Connor, Abigail Hytch, Corey Batten, Emilia Hunt and Phoenix Furse

Year 10 – Jayden Trevelyan, Lucian Churchward