Light painting, DofE Silver and 20mph zone update

20mph zone

The formal consultation on the 20mph zone will soon start.  This is an important milestone in helping to create a safer environment around our school.  The addition of the zebra crossing on Barton Road has been a big part of this, but reducing speed will make our roads safer for our students.

Thank you to everyone who completed the initial consultation.

DofE Silver Practice Expedition

Last weekend, 24 Year 11 students undertook their Silver Practice expedition. The expedition started with a hike from Starcross to Cofton campsite on the first day, then moved on to Cofton to Teigngrace on the second day, and on the final day, a hike from Teigngrace to Heathfield, near Bovey Tracey.

The focus of this expedition was to practice camp craft and navigation skills, as well as build stamina before the Qualifying Expedition later in October. The navigation tasks, on looking on the maps and route cards, seemed straightforward. However, in reality, on the ground, it was difficult because many of the bridleways were overgrown and difficult to find. The students at times, needed to take compass bearings off the map to ensure they were taking the correct path or track,

Overall, the students performed very well, making good navigation decisions, finding and re-routing themselves when they went wrong, and becoming more proficient in taking bearings. Their campcraft skills were excellent. On arrival at both Cofton Campsite and Twelveoaks Campsite in Teigngrace, the students were extremely quick and efficient in setting up tents and having dinner on the Trangia stoves. Equally, with the news of high winds and heavy rain coming in around lunchtime, the students were very prompt and efficient in getting breakfast and packing away in order to complete the shorter 10km hike on Sunday. Each team made it to the destination before the storm came in, ensuring spirits remained high and an earlier than expected finish.

Highlights of the weekend were the efficiency of the teams' campcraft skills, their navigation skills, particularly in relocating themselves, one student deciding to continue walking despite having very bad blisters and having turned her ankle, and, for one team, their culinary skills. This team, inspired by Masterchef Rayan Nafim and Adam Wright, cooked a delicious-looking vegetarian chilli on their stove! It was much more ambitious fayre than usual!

Well done to the following students: Nelly Sichuchninska, Amy Harrison, Agata Sadlik, Sara Santos-Martins, Ema Kestell, Eve Cameron, Millie Sneap, Jemimah Jones, Isabelle Moxham, Keeley Little, Summer Faulkes, Amelie McCaul, Rayan Nafim, Emma Matthews, Cerys Lowe, Amber Dicken, Adam Wright, Ollie Coleman, Noah Butler, Lewis Watt, Joe Taylor, Leon Mugliston, Finn Moncrieff, Jack Hicks.

Good luck to all for the three full days Qualifying Expedition on 18th to 20th October!

 

Year 11 Geography Fieldwork

The Year 11 Geographers have enjoyed a successful two days in Plymouth this week to collect their data for their Human Fieldwork. Students collected data for a Land Use Survey, a Pedestrian Count and an Environmental Quality Survey. All of the data collected will go towards preparation for their Paper 3 examination in the summer.

 

CCF

This week at Torquay Academy, our cadets have been making the most of the beautiful weather while sharpening their skills in various activities.  From impressive climbs to leadership training and lifesaving first aid practice, it’s been an action-packed cadet session once again.

Cadets took to the climbing wall with determination and focus, showcasing some excellent climbing skills. For many, it was a chance to conquer new heights, both physically and mentally. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or new to the ropes, it was fantastic to see everyone encouraging and challenging each other to reach the top. Climbing builds confidence, resilience, and teamwork—key qualities for any cadet.

 RAF Cadet Leadership Training Our RAF cadets have continued their journey toward becoming strong leaders. This week’s leadership training involved practical tasks that tested decision-making, communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Watching the cadets guide their teams through challenging scenarios, it’s clear they’re building the skills needed to lead both on and off the field.

Army Section: First Aid Mastery Continues The army section is continuing its focus on mastering crucial first aid skills. This week’s sessions emphasized managing casualty evacuation techniques. These hands-on drills are not just about ticking off boxes—they’re about preparing cadets to handle real-life emergencies with confidence and composure.

Air Rifle Target Practice One of the highlights of the week was air rifle target practice, where cadets got the chance to test their accuracy and concentration. Air rifle shooting is all about precision, patience, and focus—skills that translate directly to so many aspects of cadet life. Cadets showed great improvement, with many hitting their targets consistently. It's a great way to develop hand-eye coordination and stay sharp!

With the sunny weather on our side, the cadet session was a perfect mix of outdoor adventure and essential skill development. Whether scaling the climbing wall, perfecting first aid techniques, practicing their marksmanship, or stepping into leadership roles, cadets have shown great commitment and teamwork.

We look forward to welcoming the year 8 cadets to a first training session.

Fun Friday

Year 7 - Guess the Sweets - Winner was Darcy Gibbings

Year 8 - Dingbat Challenge

Year 9 - Higher or lower winner Annie Aldous

Brunel Swimming Success

Science with Mrs Thompson

This cycle, Mrs Thompson's 7Q5 science class have been learning the names and functions of all the different pieces of science equipment. In this week's lesson, they took particular pride in their work and completed a matching activity to identify the correct pieces of equipment and its uses. Here are some examples from Hope Burston (7K) and Kyle Squires (7B).

Horse riding update

Dolce competed in the National Schools Show jumping (NSEA) Competition at the weekend and we are please to say she qualified. She gets to head to the National Schools Championship finals in October, held at Addington to represent Torquay Academy. Well done Dolce!

Open Evening

Year 7 Healthy Pancake Fun

Year 7 students have been enjoying their Design & Technology lessons cooking this week. They have been making American style healthy pancakes allowing them to develop their cooking, cleaning and organisational skills.

Science with Mr Lennon

Students in Year 7 have just done a lesson on microscopes and were tasked with the finding the cells in an onion skin. The best image can be seen clearly below where iodine was used to differentiate the sub-cellular structures.

Class Review: A session with Art and Design/Technology Trainee Teachers

Mrs Lynch recently delivered a lesson to a group of Art and Design and Design Technology trainee teachers. The primary focus was to introduce them to The A Level Art/Photography curriculum and to explain how the syllabus is taught at 6th form level.

During the session, the trainees were presented with a range of portfolios showcasing the exciting work produced by the Photography students. This gave the trainees a clear understanding of the creative potential within the curriculum and how students can interpret themes in innovative and diverse ways. The work ranged from conceptual photography to more traditional approaches, which stimulated a lot of discussion and enthusiasm.

In addition to this, the trainee teachers were guided through the structure of the curriculum, highlighting key areas of study, assessment objectives, and the skills students develop over the course of the program. This gave them valuable insight into how the syllabus supports both artistic exploration and technical proficiency.

The trainee teachers also had the opportunity to review a variety of GCSE and A Level sketchbooks. These sketchbooks, filled with students’ artistic processes, research, and experimentation, served as a source of inspiration for the trainees. It helped them visualise how they could implement similar approaches in their own classrooms, encouraging a strong foundation in both creativity and critical thinking.

Overall, the session was engaging and seemed to ignite a lot of curiosity and excitement among the trainee teachers. It was rewarding to see how inspired they were by the student work and how eager they were to apply some of the ideas in their future teaching.

The afternoon session was led by Jo Leach, the lead practitioner of Art at SWTT. Jo gave the trainees a taste of working with clay, exploring pinch pots and coil pots.

Mrs Lynch looks forward to welcoming the trainees back early 2025 for another exciting and inspiring workshop.

A Level Photography - Light Painting

The recent A Level Photography workshop on "Light Painting" was an inspiring session that encouraged sixth-form students to explore creative techniques in a hands-on, immersive environment. Held in the school's darkened dance studio, the workshop provided an ideal setting for students to experiment with various light sources, including torches and fairy lights, to craft unique visual effects.

Students worked with manual camera settings, pushing them to go beyond the basics and fully engage with shutter speed adjustments. This hands-on approach helped them understand how prolonged exposure can capture movement and light trails, resulting in mesmerizing patterns and shapes. The exercise promoted a deeper understanding of technical concepts in photography while also allowing students to express their creativity freely.

Observing their enthusiasm as they discovered the artistry in controlling light and movement was particularly rewarding. This experience has not only boosted their confidence in using manual camera settings but also expanded their appreciation of experimental photography techniques. Overall, the workshop was an excellent platform for fostering both technical skill and creative exploration, making it a truly enlightening experience for all involved.

A rainbow

They always look great over the school!

Students of the Week

Year 7 - Ruby Ross and Kai Parton

Year 8 - George Pitts and Annalise Little

Year 10 - Jacinta Ampomah and Nevin Vithayathil

Year 11 - Will Godfrey and Tessa White

Year 9 produced an outstanding performance

Year 7 Netball

Ela Uven, Georgiana Elliott, Eva Thompson, Zenna Venter, Milly Skelly, Sienna Hunter, Lilly-Ella Smith, Mia Fellows, Myah Bishop, Rhia Holding, Darcey Partridge, Poppy Hewings, Sophia Hill, Abigail Harkin, Darcy Gibbings, Lottie Forester

On Tuesday our Year 7 netball academy had a very successful afternoon playing their first ever matches for Torquay Academy!  The two teams enthusiastically took to the court against various other schools, winning 3 of their matches, drawing one and losing one.  All the girls represented Torquay Academy to a very high standard and enjoyed putting some of the netball they had learnt into practice. 

Coaches Players throughout the tournament were: Rhia Holding, Lottie Forester, Eva Thompson, Zenna Venter

Oppositions Players throughout the tournament were: Zenna Venter, Milly Skelly, Mia Fellows, Lilly-Ella Smith

Overall Coaches Players: Eva Thompson & Lottie Forester

Overall Player’s Players: Ela Uven & Lottie Forester

Table Tennis After School

We had a fantastic turnout, with over 20 students enjoying a fun-filled table tennis session this week. It's wonderful to see students from Year 7 to Year 10 bonding through the sport. 

There are still spaces available if you'd like to join us every Monday, at 15:15 - 16:15 (Sport Hall)

Just remember to bring your PE kit! 

U14 vs Dawlish

U18 vs Truro

House Students of the Week

Year 7

Brunel - Sophia Houghton

Christie - Freddie Thatcher

Darwin - Alex Oleksy

Fawcett - Isla-Mae Gale

Harrison - Amelia Palla

Kitson - Hayley Steenkamp

Pengelly - Joe Matthews

Year 8

Brunel - Emily Redmond

Christie - Alana Houlihan

Darwin - George Garbett

Fawcett - Gabriela Piasta

Harrison - Matilda Thorner

Kitson - Keylan Hodgson

Nearne - Poppy Haslett

Pengelly - Elizabeth Francis

Year 9

Brunel - Benjamin Nicholson

Christie - Chloe-Mae Jones

Darwin - Ava Luker-Hulme

Fawcett - Louie Leighton

Kitson - Tyler Evans

Nearne - Saket Raj

Pengelly - James Beer

Homework Students of the Week

Year 7

Brunel - Abigail Rayment

Christie - Skye Beesley

Darwin - Frederick Sintim

Fawcett - Henry Cooper

Harrison - Dylan McDonald

Kitson - Ethan Nichols

Pengelly - Eve Truscott

Year 8

Brunel - Toby Preston

Christie - Andy Iftode

Darwin - Oktawian Siennicki

Fawcett - Ayden Quarshie

Harrison - Alfie Williams

Kitson - Grace Gatting

Nearne - Madison Wood

Pengelly - Esme Poole

Year 9

Brunel - Will Wrathall

Christie - Lewis Allington

Darwin - Vinnie Frankum

Kitson - Scarlett Hill

Nearne - Hattie Gamble

Pengelly - Ethan Lewis

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