Ten Tors Success, 1st Team Devon Champions and DofE
Ten Tors
Torquay Academy’s Ten Tors Training started back in October last year. The students began an extensive training program that included, map reading, food and water management, physical endurance to name a few.
The teams experienced colder than normal conditions after the Christmas break and into February, but it was clear to the staff that all potential team members were up for the challenge.
This year for the first time they managed a walk over the Brecon Beacons just to give the teams a change of scenery from Dartmoor. Day one was a gruelling 15 mile walk. The following day, climbing and abseiling was carried out by our resident Rock Climbing Instructor, Mr Beswetherick.
As we progressed through the Ten Tors Training it was clear that the 35 and 45 teams were getting into the spirit of the challenge. With the start date looming, regular kit checks and even more walking, the teams were finally set.
Thursday morning 0400hrs was the start of the challenge weekend. Vehicles packed, the advance party set off to Okehampton Camp. Mr Brett, Mr Jackson, Mr Cawood and supported by James Lovell and Taylor Holton, made life a little easier preparing the camp for the arrival of the teams the following day.
Both teams arrived at Okehampton camp on Friday lunchtime. The size of the event hit them as soon as they got out of the minibus. In all, 2400 youngsters aged between 14 and 19 took part in Ten Tors, with a further 300 youngsters with physical or educational needs taking part in the Jubilee Challenge.
First order of the day was to complete a final kit check, always an anxious time but thankfully the pre-preparation meant they were ready to go. This year was the 60th Ten Tors Challenge and Jubilee Challenge. The majority of the teams who enter Ten Tors are from schools and youth groups from across the South West. These include scout groups, sports and ramblers’ teams and Armed Forces cadet units, all of whom have trained hard over the last few months and are ready to accept the challenge. What’s great about this is the way that everyone rallies together and shares a common goal…. the can-can around the camp!
Lights out at 2200hrs, the teams were fast asleep by 2201hrs… that’s a first! Alarms set for 0400hrs, Mrs Schwarz, Mr Butler and Mr Andy Henry, lighting the water boiler and preparing the breakfast for the teams at 0600hrs. No surprises to see Dillion White first up and ready for breakfast.
All fed and watered, we headed to the start line. This year all Ten Tors Teams formed a large 6 and 0 to celebrate the 60th Year. A large Army Cannon fired by the Royal Artillery started the event. Teams headed in all directions, the staff wouldn’t see them until the finish on Sunday. It was quite an inspiring moment to watch them all head off. This was also the start of the nervous wait for the staff.
This year the students taking part, trekked unaided over different 35 and 45 mile routes and encountered some of the toughest terrain and highest peaks in southern England. Relying on navigation skills, both Robin Pightling (35 team) and Gareth Mufford (45 team) demonstrated their map skills to an exceptionally high level. However, it must be said that Robin may not want to follow an Air Cadet Team in the future, it’s the only time they found the wrong Tor. Jokes aside, both navigated the teams around the Dartmoor. Well done gents.
Monitoring the teams online, it was clear that both teams set out to complete the challenge ahead. Due to an ankle injury, Lauren Major was taken off the event. Kieran Towell, unfortunately, had to step out as well due to an injury. Well done Lauren and Kieran for all your hard work and determination through your Ten Tors experience.
Both teams camped down for the night on the Moor after what was a gruelling hot day. The 35 Mile Team completed a staggering 48 km before missing out on a checkpoint by 2 minutes. Back to camp safe and sound, we all waited for the 45 Mile team to complete the challenge by 1530 hrs on Sunday afternoon. Well done everyone, such an amazing achievement.
On behalf of the teams we would like to thank the parents for the support during the training and for being at the finish line. The students have learnt so many new skills and personal achievements.
We would also extend our thanks to Claire Dickinson and her team from the school kitchen staff. The meal on Friday night and breakfast, gave the teams the best start they could have had. Thank you also to our event helpers, Tony Jackson and Andy Henry for their continued training and support. I would also like to thank all of our staff who have given up countless weekends to make this memorable event happen for our girls and boys.
Year 10 Revision Session
Mr Pugh, Mr Gale and I took the Year 10s through some different approaches to revision. They are now in the run-up to their PPE exams that will take place towards the end of June.
LAMDA Acting Exam Success
After a nervous wait, six of our very talented performing arts students received their LAMDA graded acting exam results this week. LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) is the oldest and most prestigious acting exam board and we are delighted that our students didn’t just pass their grades, they went one better and achieved passes with merits and distinctions! All six students receive 121 acting tuition and are members of our Performing Arts Academy. Pictured left to right: Nya Bettridge; Kole Gjikolaj Grade 5 (Distinction); William Bevan, Grade 5 (Distinction); Elizabeth Cameron, Grade x (); Katie Packer, Grade 5, (Distinction),
More D of E bronze and silver success
This week we saw more certificates awarded for the successful completion of their DofE Bronze and Silver Awards. These certificates are fantastic recognition of the efforts our students have put into independently chosen Physical, Skill and Volunteering activities and their resilience in completing the gruelling Expedition section! Our young people have been involved in activities as diverse as beach clean-ups; coaching younger children in various sports; participating in various sports and physical activities such as athletics, gymnastics, dance and sailing; learning marksmanship; military drill at cadets; assisting nursery age children in their development at nursery; and even learning about different crystals and their healing properties! And as a globally recognised award, a great addition to the students CV’s for when they complete university and job applications in the future. So congratulations to the following for their fantastic achievements:
Bronze Awards – Amelia Batten, Penny Richards, Zack Jones, Ollie Hill
Silver Awards – Emma Harrison, Sam Foley, Harvey Bates, Seb Grute
Year 9 Maths
In Mr Penrice’s Year 9 Maths lessons the focus this week has been on Percentages. Starting with the use of multipliers in order to find percentages of an amount and then to increase and decrease values. This involved lots of deliberate practice to ensure the concepts were fully embedded before moving on reverse percentages.
Extension work progressed to Compound Interest which included a session on Interest Rates and the impact a small increase can make on their lives.
Tubers update
It was all about cameras, microphones, and laughter this Tuesday as the Year 7s continue with their after school club at Tubers. It is great to see them having a wonderful time whilst learning important creative skills.
Year 13 Biology
This week the Year 13 Biologists have been carrying out a their ecology fieldwork practical. They are busy revising the Biodiversity topic for their upcoming A level exams and we were lucky enough to have some good weather this week to collect data for our field studies linked to this topic.
The Year 13s used biological keys and random sampling to find out which area of the school field was the most biodiverse. In one area of the grass the students found 16 separate species. This data was then taken back into the laboratory and analysed. We use the Simpson Diversity index which allows the students to calculate the Biodiversity in each area. High Biodiversity means that ecosystems are more stable and less affected by the environment such as climate change.
House Hobbies Series – Harrison House
This week Miss Risk has been talking to four students from Harrison House who all have very active hobbies and interests. Their house captain, Miss Felton, is a PE teacher so the students are well-placed in her tutorial group! Miho Marin belongs to a tennis club that he has been attending weekly since the age of eight. He plays single tennis in the Under 14s category. When she asked Miho what his favourite aspect of tennis was, he told her that he likes over-arm shots and the power of hitting a ball down with the racket. Thus far, Miho has performed in three tournaments.
Larna Waller plays for Dart Netball Under 14s and varies her positions around the court, although she is often Centre or Goal Shooter. She has been playing netball since she was nine and is delighted that she has been able to play for the Year Seven team at Torquay Academy. Like Miho, Larna has performed successfully in a number of tournaments, both in and outside school.
Eden Nelson-Minns is a dedicated swimmer who trains six days a week in terms of straight swimming and also attends life-saving sessions on Sundays! With such dedication, it is understandable that Eden has achieved many successes. In life saving she has learnt the traditional skills of swimming in pyjamas and retrieving bricks from the bottom of the pool. Eden swims for Brixham Mile End and has a big gala fast approaching on May 14th. Whilst front crawl is her fastest stroke, breast stroke is her favourite. Although Eden has had many triumphs, she told Miss Risk that her greatest success came last November when she came first and second in her races with a personal best in each.
Finally, Thomas Connelly is an excellent all-round sportsman, playing football three times a week alongside table tennis and Taekwondo. In football, Thomas’ positions are centre and mid-field. His greatest accolade came when his team-WBB-drew with Torquay United Under 13s. His skills in table-tennis are so developed that he played in a sixth-form tournament-impressing the six-form players so much that they bought him a cookie afterwards. Taekwondo is a more recent hobby that Thomas followed his brother into. He is currently working towards his yellow belt and is trained by one of the best masters in the world.
Year 8 Star Readers
Well done Phoebe Denbow 8K who has earned her bronze Star Reader certificate for tracking her reading for four weeks and completing one quiz. Congratulations to the following students who have earned their silver Star Reader certificate for tracking their reading for eight weeks and completed to Accelerated Reader book quizzes: Will Denega 8D, Colby Britton 8N, Harrison Davies 8N, Brooke Tully 8C and Kyla Ridgewell 8H.
1st Team Devon Champions
On Tuesday our Sixth Form had their Devon Cup Final against Plymstock at Coach Road. There was a great turn out of support for the lads from parents, students and members of staff for their final game of the season. The lads ran out 5-3 winners on the day with goals from Sean Brown (3) Tor Swann and Jacob ALmond. The goals will be featured in next weeks blog!
Year 9 South Devon Cup Final vs TBGS
On Monday our Year 9s had their South Devon Cup Final against Torquay Boys’ Grammar School at Coach Road. There was a great turn out of support for the lads from parents and members of staff for their final game of the season. This year group has so much potential but has had an up and down season due to many injuries and players missing training.. To get to the final this year was another great achievement and on the day the game was very close with both teams having moments in the game where they looked like they could come away with the win. The game ended in a 3-2 loss which was hard for the boys to take after a fantastic fightback in the second half. This group knows exactly what they’re capable of and is already looking forward to a successful season next year with every member of the team thriving to get their hands on some silverware.
Year 8 County Cup Final vs NAC
On Wednesday our Year 8s had their Devon Cup Final against Newton Abbot College at Coach Road. There was a great turn out of support for the lads from parents, students and members of staff for their final game of the season.
This year group has shown so much improvement this year and has done so well in reaching the County cup final in their first proper year together.
It was always going to be an entertaining final as both teams have shown they have goals in them and also both teams along the way have shown that they can come from behind to win games as well. For the neutrals, this was a brilliant game with end to end action and worthy of the final game of the season. Unfortunately, it was us who had to have the heartbreak with the winning goal coming 4 minutes from time to end the game 3-2 to NAC, in spite of going two goals up in the first half. This group will only get better and the taste of defeat and the feeling that comes with it in that manner will only push them on to get better next year and come back fighting.
Year 10 County Cup Final vs DHSB
On Wednesday the year 10 football team took on Devonport High School for Boys in the final of the Devon Cup at Coach Road.
The two teams had already met this season with TA running out 10-9 winners on penalties in the National Cup. Both teams knew it was going to be an extremely competitive game and that they needed to be on top form
TA put in the performance of the season but in terms of work rate and game play but DHSB ran out 1-0 winners with what can only be described as a smash and grab performance. TA certainly did not deserve to come out as runners up but in sport, we do not always get what we deserve. This was the first time in eighteen games that TA had failed to score. Mr Grinsill and all the staff are exceptionally proud of the team and what they have achieved along with their performance. The team have the chance to right the wrongs next Monday when they take on Dawlish in the South Devon Final.
Year 10 Semi Final SDC
On Friday year 10 reached their second final and the final of the South Devon cup. Even though the performance was poor by the standard set by year 10 they still proved far too strong for south Devon college running out 5-2 winners. The goals came from Josh Thompson x2, Will GreeN, Charlie Pope and Zac Rowland Steele.
TA now play both finals at Devon FA.
Harley Sneap Wins EFL U18 Merit 1 League
Harley and his team at Plymouth Argyle won the EFL U18 Merit 1 League Title against Oxford last Friday winning the match 4-0. Well done Harley! What a great way to finish the season before joining them full time next year as a scholar. All of us at Team TA wish Harley all the very best with his footballing journey – we will be watching every step of the way!
Table Tennis update
Last week Jakub and Kacper have visited Saarbrucken in Germany to sign a contract with one of the biggest table tennis equipment suppliers, TIBHAR. This partnership will help boys in their future development and open many more exciting opportunities like playing in the German league next season. Well done boys, your hard work and dedication to the sport pay off. Good luck with your new adventure.
Governor’s Platinum Certificates
Year 7 – Hamish Herring
Governor’s Gold Certificates
Year 7 – Briony Pightling, Grace Gibbings and Leah McClements
Year 8 – Jayden Trevelyan
Governor’s Silver Certificates
Year 7 – Malachai Morris, Ben Jeffs, Amelia Rose, Oliver Cocker, Matilda Stevens and Samuel Johns
Year 8 – Lottie Davis and Millie Sneap
Governor’s Bronze Certificates
Year 7 – Faye Cassidy, Olivia Murr, Oskar Demkowski, Rufus Scrase, Cody Cave, Imogen Symonds, Aleksandra Treder, Rebecca Quarshie, Ethan Anyon, Connor Dean, Emilia Hunt, Daisy Hellier, Brody O’Neil, Layla Loizides and Samuel Johns
Year 8 – Joe Taylor, Buster Watson, William Jackson, Benjamin Watts, Laila Heavens and Ruby Donaldson
Principal’s Gold Certificates
Year 7 – Ollie Cooper, Nikkita Hookway, Susie Lester, Sophia Box, Darcey Mellish, Isabelle Voisey, Marlee White, Alex Nagy, Aaron Saunders, Ayden Godborough, Julia Tatarynowicz, Maya de Carvalho, Mason Mitchell, Joselyn Full, Mason Bryant, Nancy Brown, Imogen Symonds, Oliver Welsh, Nicholas Heale, Laurentiu Mihai, Indy Evans, Benjamin Jolly, Liam Anthony, Emma Giles, Toby Waring, Nataliya Spasova, Kiki Marker, Ella Hylton, Charley Guite, Lili Budavolgyi, Sunny Long, Olly Whittred, Eden Nelson-Minns, Hannah Brazier, Kallie Stewart, Sophia Burnham, Kacper Piwowar, Phoenix Furse, Ryan Allaker, Tegan Ross, Taniesha Hippolyte, Sonny Bond and Charlie Burton
Year 8 – Joshua Rogers, Alfie Eccles, Matt Wadling, Oliver Los, Billy Botten, Amber Dicken, Ollie Coleman, Harry Smith, Harrison Davies and William Denega
Principal’s Silver Certificates
Year 7 – Louis Tillen, Daisy Cosh, Jade Cook, Evie-May Howell, Libbie Grindling, Carla Lawrence, Ben Tucker, Holly Mae Robinson, Nyla Wakefield, Layla Broadway, Vincent Leibrick, Kyron Connor, Lola-Grace Thomas, Caine Dickson, Donney Connors, Bailey Heaward, Alba Fogarty, Chelsea Milton, Freya Mealin, Alana Livermore, Lottie Roberts, Roxy Johnson, Eunan Campbell, Olly Whittred, Hannah Brazier, Millie Routledge, Anna Pearn, Callum Pile, Maks Adach, Scarletg Lacey and Hope Bratcher
Year 8 – Ben Charters, Seth Margetts, Callum Jackson, Alfie Mahoney-Billis, Sara Mills, Jamie John Palmer, Finn Moncrieff, Christian Cornforth, Charlie Porter, Kye Giffard, Evie Hambleton, Paige Clements, Colby Britton, Samuel Alcock, Callum Cliff, Lucas Berry, Erin Wiseall and Jessica Nicholson
Year 11 – Katie Packer, Lila Nyari, Gareth Mufford and Charlie Nunn
Principal’s Bronze Certificates
Year 7 – Levi Larcom, Maddison Ginley, Zachariah Lovell, Henry Brewer, Rylan Chambers, Kacper Drygiel, Chelsea Milton, Kaiden Mclaren and Paige Wakerley
Year 8 – Finley Allnut, Oscar Hughes, Lydia Bevan, Harry Taylor, Callum Jackson, Ryan Bridgman, Charlie Dudley, Grace Milloy, Leah Jones, Letoja Hoxha, Erin Bond, Millie Edwards, Charlie Knight, Lenny Mugliston, Madi Chandler, Diego Zulhayir, Isabel Sockett, Alfie Jeneway, Lucas West, Henry Tregea, James Hutt, Summer Thompson, Lily Phillips, Cerys Lowe and Charlie Frankum
Year 11 – Boris Pugh, Gareth Mufford, Charlie Nunn, Katie Packer, Lila Nyari, Emilie Cartwright-Lomax, Kelsey Hawkings, Joshua Furze and Lauren Wills
Students of the Week
Year 7 – Harrison Harkin and Serina James
Year 8 – Erin Bond and Norbert Tomsia
Year 9 – Illiana Lidstone and Oliver Reeves
Year 10 – Ben McCarthy and Katie Williams
House Stars of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Ellen Scott
Harrison – Eden Nelson-Minns
Nearne – Cody Cave
Pengelly – Josh Parkinson
Year 8
Darwin – Lucas Berry
Fawcett – Daniel Billingham
Harrison – Toby Forrester-Finney
Kitson – Liam Trapp
Nearne – Dolce Zulhayir
Pengelly – Lyra Bowstead
Year 9
Brunel – Isabelle Davis
Christie – Coral Stewart
Fawcett – Olivia Wood
Harrison – Lexi McLaurin
Kitson – Daniel Thomas
Nearne – Oliver Reeves
Pengelly – Kasha-Lily Borge
Homework Stars of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Amelia Scott
Darwin – Brody O’Neill
Harrison – Emilee Payne
Nearne – Mya Brown
Pengelly – Chlow German
Year 8
Darwin – Alfie Jeneway
Fawcett – Laura McCondichie
Harrison – Will Godfrey
Kitson – Laila Heavens
Nearne – Bartosz Mitula
Pengelly – Ethan Lane
Year 9
Christie – Oliver Huxtable
Harrison – Marcus De Lucis
Kitson – Samuel Eaton
Nearne – Kevin Viera
Pengelly – Alfie Walker-Fenner
Sparx Leaderboards
Tassomai Leaderboards
Accelerated Reader Leaderboards
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