Girls break 50 year old record and climbing Snowdon

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DofE Gold Teams in Snowdon

 

Between the 14and 16June, 19 yr12 students undertook theirDofEGoldPractice Expedition in Snowdonia National Park supported by Adventure Academy Staff.  The 3 day adventure introduced the teams to scrambling on steep rocky ground and navigating in the mountains.  An essential experience before heading off for their final qualifying expedition in the Lake District in July. For theGoldstudents this would be their first time climbing to over 3000 feet in the UK. 

A 6am start and a relatively clear route for the long journey to North Wales meant the group set up camp just after lunch at the foot of the bleak and imposing Tryfan. At 918m this mountain is one of the most recognisable peaks in Britain with a classic pointed shape and rugged crags.  Friday afternoon saw the group hike and scramble up the side of Tryfan – a precarious ‘path’ known as the Heather Terrace leading to a classic Grade 1 scramble up North Gully to the peak.   From the peak it was a steep rocky descent back to camp. After a relaxing evening cooking, resting up and dodging the midges, it was early to bed in preparation of an early start the next day.

A 9am start on Saturday saw the teams transit from the Ogwen Valley to the far side of Snowdon, close to the start of the Watkins Path. However, the day’s hiking would not be up Snowdon but up and along the Nantlle Ridge – a challenging route with stunning mountain views to Snowdon and the Pembrokeshire coast.   A long, successful day ended at a campsite alongside the ridge and after a good night’s sleep the teams packed up for the final day’s walk to a distant pickup point and the long journey back to Torquay for Sunday evening and the England football match.  Well done to all.

Year 11 final day

The Year 11s celebrated their final exam with the traditional short signing.  It was a lovely way to end their exam season.  Next stop, the prom!

CCF Update

Another exciting week has flown by, filled with thrilling activities and invaluable learning experiences for the Torquay Academy Cadets.

The highlight being the exhilarating launch of the giant paddle board, creating unforgettable memories for all who participated. Our cadets truly embraced the adventure, demonstrating teamwork and enthusiasm throughout.

Back at school, the cadets continued to impress, showing remarkable growth in confidence. It has been inspiring to witness our senior cadets stepping up to lead and instruct their fellow cadets during engaging lessons. This is a testament to the strong leadership skills fostered within our cadet community.

The week was packed with a diverse range of activities aimed at honing essential skills. Cadets delved into the intricacies of map reading, mastering the art of navigation with precision and accuracy. The exploration of drones opened up new horizons, providing insights into modern technology and its applications. Additionally, the invaluable training in casualty evacuation in the paintball lane showcased the cadets’ readiness and dedication to learning crucial lifesaving techniques.

Excitement is brewing as both the Army and RAF sections gear up for the upcoming summer camp. Anticipation runs high as we prepare for a week-long adrenaline-fueled adventure away from school, where friendships will be strengthened, skills will be tested, and memories will be made that last a lifetime.

The dedication and commitment displayed by our cadets are truly commendable, reflecting their determination to excel and embrace new challenges. As we look ahead to the summer camp, let us continue to support and encourage one another, ensuring that we make the most of every opportunity for growth and adventure.

Stay tuned for more updates and adventures as we continue to strive for excellence and camaraderie within our CCF family.

Sixth Form Games Trolley

As a result of feedback from our School Council, the Sixth Formers purchased a games trolley this week for use during breaks and their free periods.  As you can see, they have gone down very well!

Dance

This week the students from Miss Felton’s Year 10 Dance class have been performing their pieces they have been working on as a part of their mock exam in preparation for Year 11.

They have been given the stimulus of ‘Too good to be true’ and must create a 7 minute performance relating to the theme. One example of how a group have interpreted the theme, is by suggesting that it is too good to be true that people can live life after the coronavirus pandemic without any lasting effects, so they have created a piece which reflects this period (shown by the masks in their performance).

So far, the work created by the students is fantastic and the performances are really starting to take shape! I am very much looking forward to watching the finished pieces in a few weeks time!!

Power Up

C25K Running Club

This week, the TA running club embarked on week 7 of the ‘Couch to 5K’ programme. After a quick warm-up, students took to their biggest challenge yet; running for a total of 25 minutes! The beautiful sunshine proved a challenge for some as the heat increased. However, students have worked hard to improve their stamina – which is really starting to pay off. The group continue to motivate each other as they head towards the 5K finish line in a couple of weeks time.

Running club takes place every Wednesday afterschool and is open to Year 7s and Year 8s. Our sessions involve a mixture of running games, as well as keeping up with the C25K programme. Meet Dr Davies and Miss Smith outside the Sports Hall if you are keen to take part. All abilities welcome!

Spanish Club

This week in Spanish Club, we were appreciating Mexican culture as it plays  an important role in  the Hispanic Heritage, bringing together elements of autochthonous American heritage and European customs . The students enjoyed learning about Mexican food, traditions and playing typical Hispanic games such as “Ponle la cola al burro”. “piñatas” o la baraja de cartas española

 

English with Mr Crow

Mr Crow’s 9T9 class has been devout in their devotion to speaking and listening success. Like a scriptorium of old, their classroom has become row upon row of monkish studiousness and scribing.

The aim of the presentation is straightforward: speak for five minutes on a topic of their choice, delivered in a way that is engaging, inclusive, and responsive to questioning. This week has been spent preparing scripts and notes for our start next week. Some of the topics include:

–        How Guardiola has ruined football

–        The influence of Greek mythology

–        The need for rewilding

–        Is AI a force for good? (Mr Crow’s side note: it’s not)

–        Loneliness and the Elderly

–        Influential musicians of the 20 century

Science with Mr Lennon

This week in Science, Year 7 have been investigating gravitational potential energy and how it transfers to kinetic energy when an object is dropped from height. Students were given a tray of sand, some different size marbles and a metre ruler as asked to demonstrate the effect of dropping different size objects from different heights. In order to measure the force on impact they measured the crater they produce, and therefore the amount of energy they had.

They were able to calculate the gravitational potential energy by using the equation:

Gravitational Potential Energy (J) = Mass (kg) x Height (m) x Gravitational Field Strength (N/kg)

Another Year 7 class were tasked with exploring forces and identifying the differences between contact and non-contact forces. Whilst identifying a contact force like friction or upthrust is relatively obvious, the same cannot be said for non-contact forces, as you are unable to see them but you can see their effects on objects. We were able to demonstrate a non-contact magnetic force by using a very powerful magnet, a weight attached to a piece of string and a clamp stand to tie the weight to. The result was seeing the weight balance in mid air whilst the magnetic force was in tension with the normal reaction force of the clamp stand.

UK Maths Trust Junior Challenge

A huge congratulations to Poppy Sanderson and Harry Pudney in Year 8 who both qualified for and participated in the final round of the UK Maths Trust Junior Challenge! The competition encourages mathematical reasoning and precision of thought at the highest level and a place in the final is by invitation only. This is in incredible achievement and the maths department are so impressed with their efforts, success and love of maths!

Students of the Week

Year 7 – Alfie Williams and Matilda Thorner

Year 9 – Lewis Phillips and Summer Lawford

Exeter Arena 2024

Team TA travelled to Exeter arena on Tuesday to compete in area athletics finals. They competed in 6 teams. Year 7 boys/girls, junior boys/girls and intermediate boys/girls. 45 students made the squad and we achieved our best results so far in the competition. We have some amazing athletes in Torquay Academy and it was a great venue to showcase our talent.

There were many highlights for the day with the main ones being Keeley Little beating the 300m track record and the intermediate girls relay team beating the 100m relay record from 1974! This relay team was made up of Keeley Little, Isabelle Moxham, Frankie Skelly and Leela Cartwright producing a fantastic performance!

Well done to all of our athletes!

Netball Academy v Coleg Cymoedd

On Wednesday, a mixture of our Sixth Form, Under 16 and Under 15 Netball Academy players hosted Coleg Cymoedd from Wales in a series of friendly netball fixtures in preparation for the World School Games. Both games were played to a high standard and overall, it was a very enjoyable afternoon for all.

Prestigious Diamond Award

Year 7 – Kobi Burness-Moakes, Bobby O’Regan, James Costello, Mila Cairney, Alfie Williams, Jack Crabb and Frazer Lewis

 

Year 9 – Harrison Harkin

 

Governor’s Platinum Certificates

Year 7 – Jacob Wakefield, Isla May, Oktawian Siennicki, Charlie O’Connor, Lily Langler, Layla Lock and Jax Biagott, Isla Coish, Jamie Hancox, Elena Bolton, Chloe Taylor, Jack Robinson, Oaklie Chancellor, Harlow Bown and Harley Smith

Year 9 – Sonny Long, Harry Newman, Leonardo Marcheggiani, Chloe German and Phoebe Smith

 

Governor’s Gold Certificates

Year 7 – Tilly Longthorpe, Alex Iftode, Jack Hughes, Max Kaspusta, Tyler Jackson, Charlotte Holmes-Vittles, Allen Burns-Muir, Oceana Furse and Seraphina Rozier

Year 8 – Dylan Tripp, Lilly-Rose Garbett, Scarlett Hill, Logan Watt, Anastasiia Tukilush, Poppy Sanderson and George Evans

Year 9 – Jack Slater, Ethan Anyon, Kelsey Drew, Larna Waller, Ava Storey, Freya Mealin, Daniel Elkins, Maisie Sandercock, Ellie Mildren, Mihai Marin, Darcey Mellish, Aaron Saunders, Charlotte Little and Seina James Benjamin Houghton, 

 

Governor’s Silver Certificates

Year 7 – Sonny Wildy, Keylan Hodgson, Xanthe Tyson, Gustaw Adamczak, Rudy Abdulla, Ellie- Mae Burton, Lily Thomas, Grace Gatting, Toby Preston, Scarlett Connolly, Oliver Ayres, Anna Rozanska and Harry Rowlands

Year 8 – Sean Canham, Emily Cowan, Kordian Wisnik, Michael Wynd, Mason Findlay-Peers, Paul Blades, Melissa Page, Warren Biggs, Aiden Hooper, Daisy Board, Matthew Campan, Lee Stevens, Ruby Chamberlain and Lily Thomas

Year 9 – Cody Cave, Blessings Nguono, Grace McCarthy,Oliver McHugh, Joshua Ward and Millie-Ann Wigston

 

Governor’s Bronze Certificates

Year 7 – George Moran, Tyler- Joseph Broadley,Elliot Hytche, Harry Evans, Esme poole, Sanije Hoxha, Hayden Quadling, Emily Lock, Thomas Zaple, Madeline Woodger, Luke Moran, Isla Herbert, Seth McCann, Marcus Findlay-Peers, Dolly Gagg, Vinnie Frankum, Archie Harman, Luke Smith-Harding, Aleta Stojic and Codi O’Shea

Year 8 – Zakariyah Haridi, Autumn Wagstaffe, Robyn Higgins, Evie Ford, Lewis Graham, George Viediernikow, Reef Whayman, Immy Pace, Lacey Redhead, Oscar McLaughlin, Faith Stevens, lauren Harbutt and Kiara Ujj

Year 9 – Daisy Johns, Rufus Scrase, Tallulah Houlihan, Maja de Carvalho,Nancy Brown and Sam Bowden

 

Principal’s Gold Certificates

Year 7 – JJ Howell, Ayden Quarshie,Isabelle Leech, Lucas Vesely, Emilia Wood, Christopher Csapo, Shae Craig and Riley Harper

Year 8 – Jonathan Oleksy, Jamie Tully, Isabella Allen and Alexander Moss

Year 9 – Fredi Tuci,Leon O’Connor, Charli Brown, Susie Lester, Mya Brown and Edward Evers

Year 10 – Dolce Zulhayir and Lewis Watt

Principal’s Silver Certificates

Year 7 – Archie Phillips, Freddie Bowerbank, Finley Bratcher, Jonathan Siuchninski, Ellie-May Jackson, Jasmine Edwards and Oscar Spurle

Year 8 – Francis Downer, Ethan Tomlins, Macie Robinson, Jasmin Collins, Sonny Cayford and Ollie Payne-Stanbury, Emily Lucas and Ashton Lynch

Year 9 – Daisy Hellier and Olly Payne

Year 10 – Keeley Little, Laila Heavens, Amara Phillips, Jessica Nicholson, Chloe Hollis, Agata Sadlik and Poppii Marshall

Principal’s Bronze Certificates

Year 7 – Ava-Rae Mills

Year 8 – Ella Fordrey

 

House Students of the Week

Year 7

Brunel – Freddy Novis

Christie – Jamie Hancox

Darwin – George Garbett

Fawcett – Olivia Hooper

Harrison – Jack Parton

Kitson – Daisy Dorman

Nearne – Benjamin Cowie

Pengelly – Niah Slowley

Year 8

Brunel – Stella de Rose

Christie – Sydney Summers

Darwin – Harry Pitman

Fawcett – Tegan Harrison

Kitson – Scarlett Hill

Pengelly – Noah Kirby

Year 9

Christie – Declan Smith

Darwin – Sonny Bond

Fawcett – Tallulah Houlahan

Harrison – Kelsey Drew

Kitson – Daisy Cosh

Nearne – Thomas Connolly

Pengelly – Chloe German

Homework Students of the Week

Year 7

Brunel – Poppy Anderson

Christie – Tyler Jackson

Darwin – Jesse Isemede

Fawcett – Mia Piewiszko

Harrison – Giovanni Vaio

Kitson – Cordi Williams-Powell

Nearne – Shae Craig

Pengelly – Esme Poole

Year 8

Brunel – Cohen Andrews

Christie – Lola Reece

Darwin – Lilly-Rose Garbett

Fawcett – Ellie Simpson

Kitson – Max Warner

Pengelly – April Hubbard

Year 9

Christie – Matthew Bailey

Darwin – Tegan Ross

Fawcett – Nevin Vithayathil

Harrison – Millie-Anne Adamson

Kitson – Poppy Sims-Walton

Nearne – Rylan Chambers

Pengelly – Marlee White

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