GB selection, a national champion and Lourdes
Farah selected for GB
Farah Davidson, in Year 8, has been selected for the 3rd year running to represent Team GB in the IDO World Tap Championships. This Year she will be travelling to Prague to compete with the rest of her team. She has been training four times a week in Swindon throughout the summer and cannot wait to again represent her country. It is an incredible achievement. Congratulations and good luck, Farah.
Fun Friday
The Year 9s and 10s were in The Platform for a karaoke session. The Year 8 enjoyed carnival games and Years 7 and 11 enjoyed donuts.
Lourdes
I am very grateful to Penny Richards, our Head Girl, who has written the following about her trip, with some of our other 6th Formers, to Lourdes over the summer.
Over the summer a few of my friends (Charlie Fox, Bogdan Pamfile, Vensan Crushcov, Lewis Dewar) and I visited Lourdes together with Mrs Venter as volunteers to help out with a religious pilgrimage. Over the course of the 6 days we stayed there, we stayed in ‘Hosanna house’, which was situated just outside the town centre of Lourdes. We learnt about the spiritual significance of this area and became familiar with the catholic faith, which some of us had no prior knowledge about, but everyone there was massively inclusive and eager to teach us more.
Throughout these 6 days we were busy with helping our allocated individuals. Still, we also had a deeply personal experience of Lourdes through attending a daily mass and an international mass where Catholics from all over the world come to visit the sacred grotto. It was here where Saint Bernadette, in 1858, encountered the virgin Mary and found a miraculous spring of water, which is believed to have healing properties, explaining why people from all over the world come to Lourdes for recovery and a potential cure. Due to the importance of this water to Catholics, we took part in a water ceremony. Afterwards we shopped for souvenirs and keepsakes in the tourist area, which was fun but also extremely busy. On the last night, we visited the infamous light procession in front of the basilica, where everyone held candles; it was an amazing experience and luckily, no one caught on fire! Charlie and Vensan were allocated the job of holding the charity banner during the whole procession, they thought it was because they're strong but I think it's because they couldn't be trusted with the candles!!
To sum up, the whole trip was amazing, and it was such an eye-opening experience of different cultures and disabilities within the realm of religion. So, a big thank you to Mrs Venter and her family for organising the trip.
Bumper numbers attend PAA auditions
We were thrilled to have a record number of students audition for our Performing Arts Academy (PAA) this week. The talent and dedication on display were truly inspiring, and we were blown away by the performances of every single boy and girl who took part.
The students were put through their paces in workshop sessions focusing on acting, singing, and dancing. Given the exceptional level of talent, we are delighted to announce that we will be welcoming the largest ever number of students into PAA this year.
Now that the company is established, we are excited to begin casting for this year's production of Matilda. The company list for PAA 2024/2025 is on display in F block - a huge congratulations to all those who have been selected!
We look forward to working with our talented young performers and bringing Matilda to life on stage in March next year.
Josh is a National Champion & Bowler of the Year
The 2024 Devon cricket season was brought to a close at the annual County Age Group and Devon Women awards night last week, as players, parents and guardians joined coaches and staff in a celebration at Exeter City FC's St James Park. Josh Thompson, in Year 13, won Bowler of the Year for the U18 team which he also won last year for the U16s. He has shown grit and determination with his bowling over the last few years and is now the U18 opening bowler for Devon.
Josh was also part of the Devon Under 18 Boys team who were crowned Vitality Under 18 Boys National County T20 champions at Kibworth CC on Sunday 8th September after beating Berkshire by 5 wickets, almost a year after falling to defeat against the same opponents. Well done, Josh!
Year 7 Meet the Tutors Evening
On Thursday, we hosted our Meet the Tutor event for Year 7 students and their parents and carers. The school atrium was a buzz of conversations, refreshments and smiles as the Year 7s were able to celebrate their successes of their first few weeks with their families and tutors. It also gave our parents and carers the opportunity to ask any questions they had. We also had a carousel of presentations including Sparx, Tassomai, Report Systems and our Extra-Curricular offerings. This allowed parents and carers to leave the evening feeling empowered and confident in the new homework procedures, as well as everything that TA is offering our Year 7s. Thank you to all those who attended and to all the staff involved.
Year 9 Parents' Information Evening
Year 9s, along with their parents and carers, joined Mr Foulds, Dr Hocking and Mr Dyer to be given an overview of the year as they embark on the GCSEs.
Maths with Mrs Aplin
Mrs Aplin’s Y10 maths classes have been working on percentages this week. We have looked at increasing and decreasing by percentages as well as percentage changes. You can see students from 10T5 and 10Q6 using mini-whiteboards to find compound interest and depreciation. Both classes have worked so well in these first few weeks and I am so excited to see what they’ll achieve in the next 2 years before their exams.
House News
Even though our new Year 7 students have only been with us for a few weeks, they are already very much affiliated to their designated house. Miss Risk met with representatives from each group who were very anxious to tell her why their group was better than the others.
Alex Nicholson and Abi Rayment representing Brunel: ’Quite simply Brunel stands for the best. We have the best head of house, Miss Pappin, and the best tutor. We have been told that lots of staff changed houses to be in Brunel.’
Zenna Venter and Harry Monroe representing Christie: ‘We have the best head of house and the best tutor. Christie always win Sports’ Day and most sporting events.’
Poppy Pope and Simeon Manners representing Darwin: ‘Darwin is a very enjoyable group in which to work; it is full of people who are calm, nice and helpful people. Our tutor is very caring.’
Heath Slater- Suant and Isla Mae representing Fawcett: ’Like our mascot the fire-ant, we are fierce and ferocious. Yellow represents positivity. Miss James -Mellitt is lovely and enthusiastic.’
Jude Storey and Dee Davies representing Harrison: ‘We were told by Mr Gratton that Harrison is the best house. Our homework is always completed to a good standard. Our motto is the best as it’s Be Courageous.’
Oscar Anderson and Callie Somerset representing Kitson: Mr Risdon is a great tutor and Mr Bindon our head of house is always happy because we do so well. Kitson is unrivalled.’
Bradley Eccles and Sarah Szewczuk representing Nearne: ‘Mr Gratton is the best and looks funny when he dresses up. The colour teal is the hardest and most expensive to reproduce, which makes Nearne unique.
Pandora ferguson and Joe Matthews representing Pengelly: ‘The best is always left till last. Mr Chadwick is so cool; he buys us sweets as a reward for Tassomai. We have two of the best tutors , Mrs Lancaster and Mr Penrice . We are a very friendly house.’
Our first house competition starts next week and we expect a very close result with such a positive team spirit already in Year 7.
Year 7 French & Spanish
Mrs Berry's Year 7 French classes have been learning to introduce themselves by saying their names, their age and how they are feeling. They have also learnt how to ask other people and have practiced their conversations in pairs. They are using actions to help them remember the words for the numbers 1 to 20.
The Year 8 French classes are learning to talk about their holidays, saying how many weeks' holiday they have and when and how this is different in other parts of the world. They have enjoyed practising cheerleader chants to learn the verbs 'avoir' (to have) and 'être' (to be).
Meanwhile, the Year 7 Spanish students have learnt the names of the items in their pencil cases and, in just their second lesson, have already written their own short paragraphs.
TA go Coasteering!
This past month, our school embarked on an exciting journey into the world of coasteering, and it was an experience our students will never forget! Coasteering combines rock climbing, swimming, and cliff jumping along stunning coastlines, offering both thrills and valuable lessons.
Under the guidance of experienced staff instructors, students were introduced to safety protocols and the essentials of navigating rocky terrains. The energy was electric as everyone suited up in their wetsuits, ready to tackle the day’s challenges.
As we ventured along the coast, the students tackled everything from climbing rocky outcrops to leaping into the sea below. It was amazing to see their initial nerves transform into exhilaration with each jump and every wave they conquered. The camaraderie built as they cheered each other on, building a sense of community and support.
By the end of our coasteering sessions, we saw not just a boost in confidence but also a deeper appreciation for nature. These experiences taught our students resilience, teamwork, and the joy of stepping outside their comfort zones.
We’re excited to continue exploring the great outdoors and creating more opportunities for growth and learning. Here’s to many more thrilling adventures ahead!
Science with Mr Lennon
Today, students in 10Q8 were learning about the human endocrine system and where particular glands are located in the body which help ensure homeostasis is maintained.
Year 9 Hospitality and Catering
The new Hospitality and Catering students have begun their new GCSE qualification with the most wonderful conscientious attitude . They have excelled in their theory lessons and then consolidated what they have learned beautifully in the application of knife skills and preparing vegetables for their dish. They then produced the most amazing Autumnal and seasonal soup with croutons which is not only a healthy option but one that will serve them well in independent living for their future .
Year 7 Hospitality and Catering
Our year seven group have excelled themselves in the production of their healthy American pancakes . They not only prepared them well but the attention to detail in the cooking of their dish was immense and we are very proud of their accomplishments. Well done to all for a wonderful start to the year!
Students of the Week
Year 7 - Ela Uven and Kaiden Ilhan
Year 8 - Poppi Jones and Tyler Jackson
Year 9 - Molly Hollomby and Sean Canham
Year 11 - Evita Labalaukyte and Billy Wilcox
It has been amazing to see so many new and familiar faces taking full advantage of our extensive super-curricular sports and physical activity offer! The PE team love nothing better than seeing lots of students each day after school getting involved, having fun and furthering their skill levels. The department has been extremely busy each day at 3.15pm. Just as a reminder, below are the details of the clubs on offer!
Football
This week all our year groups were back training and playing, season 24/25 is already in full flow.
Our 6th form started their ESFA league with a very good performance against Trinity, winning 3-1 with our goals coming from Fin Herbert x2 and Sam Hext.
Next week, the younger years start their games in the national cup. We are all looking forward to another fantastic year of boys' and girls' football.
We are currently holding open trials to Years 7s and for those who do not quite make the team, we have recreational football every Wednesday.
U18 Vs Trinity
Table Tennis
Open to All Abilities!
Do you want to have fun, stay active, and improve your skills? Whether you're a beginner or advanced player, the Table Tennis After-School Club is for you!
Every Monday, at 3:15 - 4:15pm at the sport hall.
Rugby
There is rugby training for all boys and girls every Wednesday. We have lots of fixtures coming up and events throughout the year, so come and get involved, even if you have not played until now!
Badminton & Pickleball
Open to all abilities. If you want to try and new sport and have fun at the same time, badminton and pickleball could be for you! Mondays 3.15-4.15pm in the sports hall.
Junior Gym
A hugely popular club for all of our students and open to all years. The fitness suite is open every day!
Basketball
This is open to all and could lead to a place in the basketball squad. Every Tuesday at 3.15pm.
Netball
Sixth Form
Mia Denby ©, Ella McLachlan, Ellie Denby, Emily Graham, Maisy Green, Tammy Westacott, Ellie Stone, Elspeth Herring
On Tuesday, our Sixth Form netball academy took to the court for the first netball match of the season against a tough opposition, Ivybridge Community College. The team showed great potential and determination, steadily growing stronger as the game progressed. Although we faced a narrow loss against a well-drilled and experienced opposition, the squad displayed excellent teamwork and resilience. Our communication and coordination improved with every quarter, highlighting the promise of an exciting season ahead. Despite the final score, the match served as a strong foundation, and we are confident that we will build on this performance in the coming games.
Oppositions Player: Tammy Westacott
Players Player: Mia Denby
Coaches Player: Elspeth Herring
Year 8
Seren Chadwick ©, Maddy Wood, Isla Bryant, Matilda Thorner, Heidi Milner, Poppi Jones, Emillee Fenner, Lily Langler, Alana Houlihan, Elena Bolton
On Wednesday the Year 8 netball team faced a tough challenge against a strong and experienced opposition, Wellington School, ultimately losing the match, but showing great promise. The squad demonstrated excellent defensive work across the court, making it difficult for the opposition to score easily. Strong connections between players allowed for some impressive passages of play, and despite the result, the team's spirit and determination were evident. With such solid foundations, it’s clear that this is only the beginning of an exciting season ahead.
Oppositions Player: Maddy Wood
Players Player: Maddy Wood
Coaches Player: Seren Chadwick
Year 11
Isabelle Moxham ©, Millie Edwards, Brooke Tully, Ema Kestell, Amara Phillips, Katie Rowe, Ivy Hodgson-Hunt, Larna Waller, Maisie Sandercock
On Thursday the Year 11 netball team played a nail-biting match against Exeter School full of end-to-end action, resulting in an unfortunate 34-39 loss. Down by 5 at half time, the players responded brilliantly to coaching points, pulling the score back to 27-27 by the end of the third quarter. Despite a couple of crucial interceptions by Exeter in the final quarter, the team's work rate and through-court connections were fantastic throughout. Brooke's shooting accuracy was impressive, with a 74% success rate, while Isabelle's outstanding 10 interceptions kept the pressure on the opposition throughout the match. A strong performance overall, with plenty of positives to take forward.
Oppositions Player: Isabelle Moxham
Players Player: Brooke Tully
Coaches Player: The whole squad for the work rate, teamwork and pure determination
Year 8 Rugby
The year 8s kicked off their season with an away game against St. Cuthert Maine this week. In blistering sunshine the boys played some outstanding rugby and the effort from all the boys involved was incredible. The boys ended up eventually losing the game however there were some huge postitives to take from the experience. Well done to all involved. Training continues on Wednesdays after school.
Year 9 Rugby
The year 9s kicked their season off this week with a game agaist the Spires at home. The boys came back from being 6-1 tries down at half time to lead 8 tries to 6 going into the last few minutes. Unfortunately the boys lost to two late tries, however, there was some outstanding play going forward and some solid defence on show. Three debutants represented Team TA for the first time in the game and the squad is looking healthy as more return from illness and injury in the coming weeks. Well done to all involved. Training continues on Wednesdays after school.
House Students of the Week
Year 7
Brunel - Tehya Quennell
Christie - Grace Donnelly
Darwin - Poppy Pope
Fawcett - Gabe Talbot
Harrison - Darcie Mae Finch
Kitson - Charlie Williams-Powell
Nearne - Braxton Biggs
Pengelly - Jessica Green
Year 8
Brunel - Poppy Anderson
Christie - Elena Bolton
Darwin - Rudy Abdulla
Fawcett - Freja Mcelkenny
Harrison - Jess Wiltshire
Kitson - Emily Bowden
Pengelly - Jessica Munnangi
Year 9
Brunel - Louise Porter
Christie - Bella Horton
Darwin - Harry Pitman
Fawcett - Gustaw Adamczak
Kitson - Jessie Mountstevens
Nearne - Zach Venter
Pengelly - Anastasiia Tukilush
Homework Students of the Week
Year 7
Brunel - Ela Uven
Christie - Josiah Addai
Darwin - Abel Shiju
Fawcett - Taylor Chipchase
Harrison - Charlie Courtier
Kitson - Kobe Laker
Nearne - Maya Campineau
Pengelly - Lottie Forrester and Liv Reed
Year 8
Brunel - Hadassah Inturi
Christie - Harry Austin
Darwin - Lucy French
Fawcett - Archie Phillips
Harrison - Pheobe Acton
Kitson - Alba McKechan
Pengelly - Lucas Vesely
Year 9
Brunel - Kiara Ujj
Christie - Riain Leal
Darwin - Leon Snell
Fawcett - Anya Cosslett
Kitson - Tristan Ellis
Nearne - Emily Watts-Simpson
Pengelly - James Beer
Sparx Leaderboards
Tassomai Leaderboards
