New School Council, Snowy conditions and dance

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New School Council

This week, along with the student leadership team, I had the pleasure of welcoming our new school council to a celebratory breakfast, which was gladly received.

We all got to know each other, along with some initial ideas for the school, which ranged from more accessable seating in the play areas, to finishing school early (That one may be difficult!).

Following talks from myself and the Deputy Head Girl regarding the role of the school council, and the frequency of meetings, we finally allowed the breakfast to be eaten! Thank you to all the staff who facilitated this breakfast – which went down a treat!

It has been brilliant to collaboratively lead the school council so far, and I look forward to hearing all ideas that come forward in the separate meetings we aim to start next week.

We created the school council in order to implement student voice from every corner of the school, ensuring that the student leadership team are ready to act on any ideas, suggestions or concerns the council members (or the classmates whom they represent) may have.

I am exceptionally proud to present the school council by year group below.

Kole Gjikolaj – Head Boy

 

DofE Gold – First Camp and Training Walk

On Friday after school 22 DofE Gold students commenced their training for their DofE Gold Expedition. With the prospect of  Practice Expeditions in Brecon and Snowdonia and the Qualifying Expedition in the Lake District this was the first test for the students. And it turned out to be some test of character!

Friday evening was all about campcraft. With a mixture of experienced Ten Tors and DofE Silver veterans, and students with no expedition experience whatsoever, first on the agenda was setting up tents. Particularly important to get this done promptly as the weather was threatening to come in wet! The students had chosen their teams strategically, in that there was a good mix of experience in each group. Their team work was excellent and all tents were set up competently.

Next up was getting a hot meal prepared and cooked – much needed as the temperature was dropping to close to zero. Again many of the students were competent in the setting up and use of Trangia stoves having used them on Ten Tors and previous DofE expeditions. Spirits rose amongst the teams once the benefits of their hot meals were felt, however, the bitter conditions meant they turned in early and most were in their tents by 9pm. The freezing temperatures were confirmed by the ice forming on the outside of the tents!

Saturday morning came and the students set about making their hot breakfasts – mostly varieties of porridge or sausage and beans boil in a bag camping breakfasts. Once breakfast was consumed and camp struck, the teams were briefed on the route, the skills to be developed, and the expected conditions for the day. With Miss Risk and Mr Grattan joining Mr Beswetherick, Mr Butler and Mr Adams, in leading the teams they set off for Nodden Gate, the first objective. The walk was fairly easy at first, along a gravelled track, but  just after Nodden Gate things changed. As the teams came on to the open moor the steep climb up Great Links Tor was encountered along with soaking wet moorland terrain – and falling snow!

The students were carrying full rucksacks for the first time, so the climb was even more gruelling. What was really commendable was how the teams stoically faced up to the challenges and remained in great spirits throughout. They faced up to weather of all seasons – bright sunshine, snow, rain and fog! – and tough terrain to walk on. ‘Babies heads’ grass tussocks, between which it is easy to turn an ankle, and swamp like mud and water, often between these tussocks. Wet feet were almost inevitable, or at  least a good test of walking boots quality, as the walk included a couple of river/stream crossings in full spate.

Despite these challenges the teams continued to walk in good spirits, chatting and playing games, as well as developing necessary expedition skills. Each team member practiced navigation skills, such as taking and walking on bearings, measuring distances, pacing and map to ground. As importantly, the team working and way in which team members supported and encouraged each other was commendable, and staff were very impressed by this as it is such an important factor for their forthcoming expeditions.

Overall an excellent weekend, and a great experience for the students. Their character and resilience was certainly tested in the conditions encountered, and it bodes well for the expeditions. Well done to the following Year 12 students:

Penny Richards, Phoebe Lown, Hannah Carr, Oriana McCaul, Ava Sams, Lauren Carr, Katie Williams, Elsie Taylor, Jamie Nunn, Kole Gjikolaj, Bogdan Pamfile, Vensan Crushcov, Charlie Fox, Arren Button, Will Reed, Dawid Galazkiewicz, Will Harrison, Harrison Horrell, Bobbie Royal, Mia Denby, Amelia Washbrook, Lucas Washbrook

Science Club

We were really pleased to have two new members of Science Club this week, and what a week to start with! This week’s demo showed the students a common concept learnt in chemistry lessons called ‘displacement’ but with an explosive twist! The students were treated to a spectacular firework show that is the reaction known as thermite. Here you can see pictures of the reaction involving aluminium powder and iron oxide that can reach up to 2500 degrees celsius! A big thank you to Niki Lawford for setting this up for us.

The students also carried on with their plans of their own investigations and should be ready to start testing and data collecting next session. The diverse range of projects includes; can you taste the rainbow?, does the colour of a drink affect a person’s preference?, what helps a rocket go the furthest?, how can you make a bath ready the quickest?, what’s the perfect bread mix?, and how much energy is in your cereal?

Mr Spittle

Year 9 Dance Leadership

On Wednesday, the year 9 dancers led their practical dance sessions to 25 year 7s and 8s to go towards achieving their Level 1 Dance Leadership qualification. The students delivered with confidence and the many hours spent planning definitely paid off!

Well done to those involved and a big thank you to the Y7 and Y8 students that helped make the sessions run smoothly!

Cadets Update

Celebrating another Epic Week at Torquay Academy CCF Cadets.  The cadets have once again showcased their dedication, determination, and teamwork in another epic week filled with achievements and milestones. From mastering weapon handling tests to forging new friendships, every moment was a testament to the cadets resilience and passion for excellence.

This week we celebrate the success of 20 more cadets who passed their weapon handling test at Netheravon. Their hard work and commitment paid off as they demonstrated proficiency and safety in handling the cadet rifle.   The weekend was abuzz with activity, with cadets putting in a tremendous effort to secure a pass. Their dedication was evident as they immersed themselves in training, honing their skills and pushing themselves to new heights.

Wednesdays cadet saw the integration of year 8 cadets into the three cadet platoons, a momentous occasion that not only strengthened the cadet force but also fostered new friendships and camaraderie. Training together as one unit they embraced the opportunity to learn and grow together laying the foundation for future successes.

 In the RAF cadet division, a new wave of part one training commenced, offering cadets exciting opportunities to delve into flight simulation, drill, command tasks, and first aid. Each activity presented a chance for cadets to expand their knowledge and expertise, preparing them for the challenges ahead.

 Meanwhile, the Army cadets embarked on a series of rigorous drills and training exercises, from harbour drills to fire control orders, climbing, fire and manoeuvre, first aid, and air rifle training. Their unwavering focus and determination were evident as they tackled each task with precision and skill.

 As the senior cadets prepared for Exercise Senior Stretch anticipation mounted for a weekend on the moor, where they would put their fieldcraft skills and tactics to the test. Their preparation was meticulous, burgan packing and kit check showed their commitment to excellence and readiness to face any challenge head-on.

 This week was a testament to the incredible achievements of each and every cadet at Torquay Academy CCF. From personal goals achieved to collective successes celebrated, it was a week filled with pride and endless possibilities. Well done to everyone involved for their hard work and dedication.  Here’s to many more epic weeks ahead!

Year 11 Maths

Our Year 11’s have just completed their last round of PPE’s. As a team we use this data for the students core maths lessons, but also to inform other skills that can be improved in our Period 1 interventions. 11EngMaths4 are working hard on interpreting some complex multiplicative questions by recognising key command words and knowing how to apply proportional reasoning strategies such as percentage multipliers for repeated compound interest problems.

 

English with Miss Smith

8T5 had a productive lesson this week, looking at a World War 1 poem by Siegfried Sassoon. Students annotated ‘Dreamers’ to conclude that Sassoon held a cynical attitude to the war and denounced the poor treatment of frontline soldiers. Students will use their notes and understanding to craft an analytical paragraph next week.

Alongside Power and Conflict poetry, students have been completing their literacy intervention involving reading tasks on ‘Sparx Reader’. Students have been reading extracts from books and answering comprehension questions. Miss Smith has been impressed by the amount of words students have read in just a short space of time. Katie is our class champion having read almost 19,000 words!

Hospitality and Catering Year Seven Burrito Bonanza!

 

The Year sevens have been developing their knife and cooking skills in the creation and process of Black Bean Burritos. After a wonderful demonstration by Miss Spiller the students then enthusiastically but carefully created the Mexican dish from scratch, folding the tortilla wrap to produce the vegetarian high protein, low fat snack. Well done to all!

Art with Mrs Lithgow

Mrs Lithgow’s Year 9 class have been studying the work of British artist John Piper. Working from their own photographs of local Churches and buildings they have worked quickly with pen and then layered with mixed media to observe key architectural shapes and details. In our last lesson these drawings were developed into several card maquettes to help students decide on a final design to create into clay next week. Many of the students have worked really hard on this project and presented thoughtful and interesting sketchbook pages; well done Year 9!

Students of the Week

Year 7 – Leo Nicholson and Tilly Longthorpe

Year 8 – Sean Canham and Millie Russell

Year 9 – Lili Budavolgyi and Josh Ward

Year 11 – Melvin Page and Serena Iordache

 

U14 Netball Academy

U12 Boys Football vs Ivybridge

U13 Boys Football vs Colyton

House Students of the Week

Year 7

Christie – Sophie Howard

Darwin – Riley Johnson

Fawcett – Fraser Whitehead

Harrison – Noah Amor

Kitson – Grace Gatting

Nearne – Isla Bryant

Pengelly – Madeline Woodger

Year 8

Brunel – Johnny Sandbrook

Christie – Lola Reece

Darwin – Finlay Clark

Fawcett – Phoenix Reeman

Harrison – Kordian Wisnik

Kitson – Emmy Warren

Pengelly – George Viediernikov

Year 9

Brunel – Lena Galazkiewicz

Christie – Hallie Davies

Darwin – Lily Hawkings

Fawcett – Leela Cartwright

Harrison – Darcey Mellish

Kitson – Lora Cadman

Nearne – Maja de Carvalho

Pengelly – Ellie Mildren

Homework Students of the Week

Year 7

Christie – Lily Langler

Darwin – Oktawian Siennicki

Fawcett – Ellie Palmer

Harrison – Annalise Little

Kitson – Tyler Davis

Nearne – Frazer Lewis

Pengelly – Bradley Wright

Year 8

Brunel – Chloe Bayliss

Christie – Sophia Peryer

Darwin – Faith Stevens

Fawcett – Ethan Greenwood

Harrison – Oscar Spurle

Kitson – Zak Helmore

Pengelly – Anastasia Tukilush

Year 9

Brunel – Ashleigh Evans

Christie – Freya Coatesworth

Darwin – Ellie Farthing

Fawcett – Amelia Wisniewska

Harrison – Daisey Johns

Kitson – Ethan Lynch

Nearne – Rylan Chambers

Pengelly – William Kelly

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