Ten Tors, Northern Lights, 20mph zone & fledglings
Ten Tors 2024
Every year is memorable for something with Ten Tors. This year our training was packed into a shorter period of time after Christmas and was very notable by just how wet we got. I know that when hanging tents up afterwards and we actually soak the entire floor training has been tough as the students have been carrying at least an extra kilo of weight. No pain no gain springs to mind.
Then we get to the event and the rain gave up and we had the hottest weekend of the year so far to contend with. The teams were briefed, get hydrated before you start! Keep hydrated while you are on the move and hopefully the heat will not be an issue. The start was a bit earlier than usual but for the first time in 3 years the sky divers were able to perform and what a performance. Ray Mears did the address and actually spoke to the Children lined up on the start. He even offered good advice about teamwork which of course is key to the whole event. A speech I will remember for a good while.
The start this year was over very quickly and with 2 of our teams turning round and walking of the start in the opposite direction we lost site of everyone inside 20 mins. Our hopes were high as we knew that all 5 teams were ready. After good progress in the early morning cool, the heat set in and there was a bit of slowing but everyone appeared on track and making the progress that they hoped (planned) to make. Unfortunately, a couple of injuries in one team put them under pressure and then a very unwell student (we now believe that to be the Cryptosporidium) left the 45-team making the only decision that they could and that was to pull out. Gutted for them as they had made good time and were in a strong position. The other teams’ managed to camp up in very good positions with 2 teams camped at the 8 Tor which is as far as they are allowed to go on Day 1. Day 2 started with 4 teams very much in the running. Heat stroke had taken a toll on one student and even after a night to recover it was clear that a fall out was necessary. 5 carried on knowing that they were very much up against their crash times. The organisers stopped the team at Postbridge which saved them walking to Fernworthy and having the same fate. Cruel to be kind. They were emotional when they returned to camp but a thoughtful parent had cooked some brownie which is the perfect moral booster and soon the stories of the event started to flow and the thought crossed one or two minds of getting back at it next year and smashing it.
While this was all unfolding the first 2 teams were on the finish line. The School 35 milers succeeded in smashing the school record for the event by hours which was an amazing performance given the heat. They came in looking great. Not to be out done by much the Mixed cadet group came in over the line about an hour later and again were in good spirits as they too had beaten the previous best for the school. The final team out on the Moor was a CCF team of boys from Yr9 and 10 who had come together at the end of training as a team to see if they could get round. This was going to take really determination from the Yr9’s and a good bit of leadership from the Yr10’s. They were still going well inside the cut off times for their route. We wondered about the 30 min stop but were soon told that the military had put in a compulsory 30 mins stop for everyone because of the heat (a first for Ten Tors). They left Dinger tor and raced home at 4kph which for your last hour is good going! They were in before 1600 and there to meet them was the Principal which they were very pleased about, confirming that Ten Tors really is that big a deal.
On a personal note, I should be grateful to the boy’s tent of keeping me awake after 10 O’clock because when they had gone to sleep I went to the top of the car park to stretch my legs and was rewarded with a spectacular display of the Aroura borealis.
On a personal note I would like to thank all the staff and parents and students for their help and support. As a parent I know that getting young people ready each training weekend and for the event is hard work and I hope that you are rightly proud of their achievements. As for the staff I would praise their professionalism in keeping all the young people who took part safe even when the weather was very challenging. And finally to the students “Well Done” for an awesome display of team work. I hope the memories are starting to turn to the fun moments as the pain of the blisters fade.
An update on our baby birds…
Many thanks to Mark Halsam and Miss Spiller for looking after our chicks and filming this wonderful video.
20mph Consultation
I would like your help in trying to secure a 20mph zone around Torquay Academy to make travel to and from school safer for your child and all other students.
I have had the pleasure of being Principal at Torquay Academy for over 10 years, and have been campaigning relentlessly to ensure the roads around the school are safer for our children. It has largely been a frustrating experience and despite numerous meetings with politicians and officials, I continue to have to rush to incidents when our children have been involved in accidents on the roads.
We recently had a zebra crossing installed at the back entrance of the school. This has had a significantly positive impact on the Barton Road gate, as children can cross more safely, and car speeds have been significantly reduced.
I am pleased to inform you that the council has put together a consultation process for views on plans for six new 20mph zones to improve road safety around schools in Torbay. The proposal for our 20mph zone is on Cricketfield Road to include the mini roundabout at the junction with Barton Road and Old Woods Hill. It then extends on to Barton Road, past our back gate, to Audley Avenue.
Please spend two minutes to complete the consultation. There are just four questions:
1. Please provide the first digits of your postcode (from TQ1 to TQ15 or Other) *
2. Which proposed 20mph zone would you like to comment on? Tick one box only *
3. Do you support or oppose the proposed changes? Tick one box only *
4. Please give the reason(s) for your response
Once you click submit, you will then be asked for your contact details.
It is vital that the council hears our voice. Please can you take part in this consultation to support the introduction of the 20mph zone. This will not only improve road safety for your child, but for future students as well.
Complete the consultation
You can find the consultation survey here (the link for the consultation is in a text box over the image of hands towards the bottom of the page):
https://yoursay.torbay.gov.uk/school-20mph-zones
Other priorities
I try to focus on a small number of areas when discussing road safety with the council. Now we have the zebra crossing, my key areas for improvement are:
The mini roundabout at the end of Cricketfield Road and Barton Road needs to be made more pedestrian-friendly.
There is no green man phase for crossing Newton Road to Queensway; children have to cross three lanes of traffic.
Extend the Torre Primary 20mph zone to include Torquay Academy.
My response to the consultation
The response that I have written to the consultation was:
1. Please provide the first digits of your postcode (from TQ1 to TQ15 or Other)
TQ2
2. Which proposed 20mph zone would you like to comment on? Tick one box only *
Torquay Academy (Barton Road/Cricketfield Road area, Torquay)
3. Do you support or oppose the proposed changes? Tick one box only *
Support
4. Please give the reason(s) for your response
1,500 students arrive and leave Torquay Academy every day. Children are an especially vulnerable group of pedestrians. Despite the road safety education that is specifically taught in school, children are not as experienced in using the road, which makes them particularly vulnerable to injuries and accidents.
A study by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) found that 20mph zones can reduce the number of casualties by over 40%, with a 50% reduction in fatal or serious injuries to children. This view was reinforced by The Stockholm Declaration from the third Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in February 2020, where they saw having a maximum speed of 20mph in areas where vulnerable road users and vehicles mix is “vital to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries”.
Having safer roads around the school will encourage more children to walk or cycle to school will promote healthy habits and reduce traffic congestion. Studies have shown that parents are more likely to allow their children to walk or cycle to school if they feel the roads are safe.
Increased walking, cycling, and reduced speeds will have a beneficial impact on air quality and climate change.
Torbay has signed up to Vision Zero and its “ambition is to cut road deaths and serious injuries to zero by 2040 – and to reduce current numbers by 50% by 2030”. If we are serious about prioritising the safety and well-being of our children then we must set up the 20mph zone around Torquay Academy.
Cadets
At Torquay Academy cadets, Wednesdays are not just another midweek day; they’re an opportunity for our RAF and Army cadets to immerse themselves in a world of learning, teamwork, and skill-building. From mastering the art of RAF fieldcraft to honing military tactics and everything in between, our cadets engage in a diverse range of activities aimed at fostering leadership, discipline, and camaraderie.
RAF Fieldcraft: The afternoon kicks off with RAF fieldcraft, where cadets learn essential skills, camouflage techniques, and how to navigate unfamiliar terrain, every lesson equips our cadets with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in challenging environments.
Drill and Command Tasks: Discipline and precision are at the heart of military training, and our cadets excel in drill and command tasks. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, they perfect their marching techniques, learn intricate drill sequences, and develop the ability to follow commands with speed and accuracy. These skills not only instill a sense of pride and professionalism but also lay the foundation for effective teamwork.
Team Building: Teamwork lies at the core of every successful cadet military operation, and our cadets understand its importance firsthand. Through a series of team-building exercises, they learn to communicate effectively, trust one another, and leverage each other’s strengths to overcome challenges. Whether it’s navigating obstacle courses or solving complex puzzles, these activities foster a sense of unity and cohesion among the cadets.
Two-Person Shelter: In the field, shelter can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort. That’s why our cadets dedicate time to mastering the art of building two-person shelters using issued military shelter. From selecting the ideal location to constructing sturdy structures, they learn valuable lessons in resourcefulness, adaptability, and resilience. These shelters not only provide practical protection from the elements but also serve as a testament to the cadets’ ingenuity and teamwork.
Drones and Beyond: As technology continues to play an increasingly prominent role in modern warfare, our cadets stay ahead of the curve by exploring the world of drones and other cutting-edge innovations.
We are always looking for adult volunteers to get involved. If you have some time available on a Wednesday afternoon and the occasional weekends, please contact us for more information at CCF@tqacademy.co.uk
C25K Running Club
This week, the running club embarked on week 4 of the ‘Couch to 5K’ programme. Once Will and Tyler had led the warm-up, students were ready for their walk and run around the field – even venturing up to various playgrounds across the school. Students worked hard to improve their stamina, whilst motivating their peers along the way. Students racked up almost a total of 3K (not long until 5K now!).
Running club takes place every Wednesday afterschool for 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!
English with Miss Daw
Miss Daw’s year 7 class have just started to study the Romantic poets. They had a bit of fun creating their own Romantic poems, based on a sublime moment in nature from memory. The students enjoyed telling each other where their special, serene moment in nature was and why it was important to them. I wish we had room to print them all!
The students have also enjoyed stretching their potential by studying an array of Shakespeare plays including: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet and King Lear. Our class were exceptional at reading the parts in the plays and have shown excellent ability in their understanding and analysis of 16 and 17 century prose and verse.
I can feel the sand beneath my feet,
I can feel the sudden wave of heat,
I want to run across the beach
But my mum’s hand clings to mine like a leech.
Kobi Burness-Moakes
The grass sways,
The music plays,
But it seems the whole world is silent,
In this moment there is no violence,
To my dismay
there will come a day
I will have to leave.
The golden sun shines,
The clouds are fine,
In a way I cannot explain.
These arrays of colours
As I sit with my brothers,
Makes me realise how precious life is.
Elizabeth Francis
Along the soft sand
I run my hand
The sun feels warm and bright
It gives such a natural light
The sea, clear and blue
There’s nothing more I have to do
Than sit and gaze at the view
Swans sway to the sound of the sea
And buzz goes a bee
That wanders the forest looking for flowers
Oh, nature has so many powers
Myah Sellick
Bright light reflecting,
Dejecting,
Blue sky
Fluffy, radiant, bright,
Woodlands weaving whispers
Sun kissed winters,
Floral summer bees
Buzzing in the sky,
Rhyming between the lines.
Elena Bolton
Pictured students are Cooper Syms, Rosco Biagott and Esme Poole. Cooper is Tybalt ‘Prince of Cats’ from Romeo and Juliet and Rosco and Esme are Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
Head Boy and Girl Walk Around
Kole and Penny had a tour of the school this week, dropping into lessons and speaking to students.
Geography with Mr Adams
7T8 focused and engaged in their Geography lesson on ‘how we measure the weather’.
Hospitality and Catering
The Hospitality and Catering students in year nine have been creating a sweet treat for an elderly person. and a wholesome pie for a young person. As part of their assessment, they have to create a dish based on the life stage of the customer, focusing on their nutritional needs. To attain the highest marks for this they aim for the more complex skills such as pastry, blind baking, crimping and decorating their food products. I am sure you will be as impressed as I am in the different, innovative and creative dishes that they have produced.
Students of the Week
Year 7 – Oliver Forsdyke and Phoebe Acton
Year 9 – Kacper Drygiel and Chelsea Milton
Year 10 – Norbert Tomsia and Naomi Redmond
Year 7 Netball Academy
Some of our Year 7 Netball Academy took to the court at Teign School on Tuesday. All the girls played well and displayed great teamwork. A special mention goes to the Coaches Player’s of the match Lottie Knight and Esme Poole, and to the oppositions Player, Matilda Thorner.
Well done, girls, for representing Torquay Academy to such a high standard.
Year 7 Netball Academy: Tilly Longthorpe, Matilda Thorner ©, Madison Wood, Layla Lock,Tia Woodward, Esme Poole, Lottie Knight, Elena Bolton, Isla Bryant, Emilee Fenner, Emelia Wood, Alana Houlihan
Prestigious Diamond Award
Year 8 – Brodi Docherty
Governor’s Platinum Certificates
Year 7 – Poppy Haslett, Olivier Szyszka, Madison Wood, Charlotte Townsend and George Garbutt
Year 8 – Tristan Ellis
Governor’s Gold Certificates
Year 7 – Alfie Williams, Calum Carpenter, Isla May, Annalise Little, Immy Shaw, Luke Sandeman, Charlie Berry, James Costello, Emilee Fenner, Owen Spies, Lilly-Rose Haughton, Rosco Biagott, Jacob Wakefield, Oktawian Siennicki, Ebany Fawkes, Alana Houlihan, Charlie O’Connor, Elena Bolton, Lily Ellis, Lily Langler, Mason Maxwell, Poppi Jones and Jamie Hancox
Year 8 – Indy Evans, Vaughan Heavens, Tyler Evans, Annie Aldous and Naomi Szyszka
Governor’s Silver Certificates
Year 7 – Jorgie-Jayne Barnett, Olivia Martin, Esmie Riggs, Jack Hughes, Jessica Stoyle, Maddie Smith, Pheobe Acton, Viktoria Simunkova, Alex Iftode, Elizabeth Francis, Harry Evans, Eric Montague, Gabi Cobain, Myah Sellick, Bonnie Stacey, Noah Amor, Freddy Novis, Jessica Ferguson, Ben Walters, Tyler Jackson, Alfie Mackin, Jelani Ondo-Chamielec and Benjamin Cowie
Year 8 – Sophia Peryer, Dylan Tripp, Leon Snell, Max Warner and Summer Pallant
Year 9 – Evie Alford, Ashleigh Evans, Oliver Cocker and Adam Sadlik
Governor’s Bronze Certificates
Year 7 – Morgan Fisher, Leo Shaw, Stefan Mantra, Kierra O’Neill, Xanthe Tyson, Toby Preston, George Pitts, Wiktor Koza, Ellie-May Burton, Frederick Blagdon, Benjamin Nicholson, Alexa Lyons and Allanna Butler
Year 8 – Lewis Collett, Daisy Humphreys, George Evans, Warren Biggs, Paul Blades, Katie Peryer, Anastasiia Tukilush, Louise Porter, Sean Canham, Teddy Watson, Poppy Sanderson, Scarlett Connolly, Charlotte Holmes-Vittles, Keane O’Neill, Michael Wynd, Tegan Harrison, Kaitlin Jarvis and Mason Findley-Peers
Year 9 – Connie Kinghorn, Connor Dean, Lottie Roberts, Scarlett Finley-Squires, Benjamin Jolly, Ella Randall, Hannah Brazier, Rebecca Quarshie, Oscar Leonard, Brodie Reddish, Lexi Jessup, Barnaby George, Olly Whittred, William Candy, Lily Budavolgyi, Nevin Vithayathil, Halayna Hussain, Lewis Phillips, Freya Mealin, Miley Soby, Leonardo Marcheggiani, Ben Jeffs and Ayden Goldsbrough
Principal’s Gold Certificates
Year 7 – Isla Herbert, Luke Moran, Chantelle Robinson, Elliott Hytche, Daisy Dorman, Thomas Zaple, Ollie Humphreys, Morley Villiers, Codi O’Shea, Aaron Pinto, Marcus Findley-Peers, Seren Panther-Glinn and Bonnie Talbot
Year 8 – Bella Hobbin-Mills, Kordian Wisnik, Harry Pudney, Meilssa Page, Sunny Weedon, Ava Luker-Hulme, Ellie Bowden, Halle Walker, Aleta Stojic, Max Weston, Ruby Chamberlain, Emilia Warner, Ellie Simpson, Lacey Redhead, Zakariyah Haridi, Charlie Jackson, Lewis Graham, Heston Hart, Reuben Harrison, Luke Smith-Harding, Ruby Fitzgerald, Thomas Cox, Sophie Timms, Riley Meadows, Janzen Flores, George Viediernikov, Faith Stevens, Immy Pace, Evie Ford, Sanje Hoxha, Bali Mudge, Tom Weaver, Maria Nihtyanova, Will Wrathall and Sonny Hutchings
Year 9 – Blayre Holden, Emilee Payne, Cody Jones, Isabelle Kelly, Scarlett Lacey, Amelia Wisniewska, Charlie Wise, Mihai Marin, Darcey Mellish, Kelsey Drew, Thomas Connelly, Ellie Mildren, Sera Elsa Jomon, Jasper Franklin, Amy Rogers, Jack Slater, Ava Storey, Ben Tucker, William Kelly, Julia Tatarynowicz, Maisie Sandercock, Luke Horrocks, Phoebe Smith, Daniel Elkins, Alex Nagy, Chloe German, John Parkinson, Lucas Quaintance, Aaron Saunders, Orley Copeland, Carla Lawrence, Serina James, Charlotte Little, Shannon Clark, Layla Broadway, Cody Cave and Alana Livermore
Principal’s Silver Certificates
Year 7 – Christopher Csapo, Caius Harman, Ellie Palmer, Lucas Vesely, Rosa Murray, Olivia Hooper, Riley Harper, George Kasparis, Emelia Wood and Kara Breach
Year 8 – Lilly Drake, Sienna Wilschere, Ethan Lewis, William New, Cohen Andrews, Alexander Moss, Ivan Masliakovas, Emily Colclough, Archie Harman, George Jeffs, Maxwell Murphy, Paris Reid and Isabella Allen
Year 9 – Kyron Connor, Oliver McHugh, Nikkita Hookway, Rufus Scrase, Nea Joshy, Tallulah Houlahan, Zak Turner, Anna Pearn, Ryan Allaker, Maja de Carvalho, James Bond, Ruby Sellick, Eunan Campbell, Sienna Painter, Mason Bryant, Gracie-May Tolley, Lucy McMahon, Ollie Martin, Nancy Brown and Connie McMahon
Year 10 – Lewis Watt, William Denega, Bartosz Mitula, Ruby Bovey and Dolce Zulhayir
Principal’s Bronze Certificates
Year 7 – Laila Mills
Year 8 – Dylan Bolton, Benjamin Davies-Miles, Georgee Westhead, Olly Payne-Stanbury, Aaron Hering, Brooke Birchall. Ellie-May Jackson, Erin Glancy, Chloe Bayliss, Brook Giles, Harry Hutchings, Ashton Lynch, Emily Cooper and Oscar Spurle
Year 9 – Evie-May Howell, Corey Batten, Caine Dickson, Matilda Stevens, Ethan Piri-Sadigh, Karthika Sundharam, Daniel Piper and Olivia-Mae Franke
Year 10 – Charli Porter, Olivia Hosking, Poppii Marshall, Agata Sadlik, Lola Cornock, Caitlin Cornish, Alfie Eccles, Isabelle Moxham, Aliyah Smith, Laila Heavens, Amara Phillips and Keeley Little
Year 11 – Riley Collett
House Students of the Week
Year 7
Brunel – Toby Preston
Christie – Ellie Mae Burton
Darwin – Charlie Berry
Fawcett – Marcus Findlay-Peers
Harrison – Mason Maxwell
Kitson – Ava McArdle
Nearne – Frances Roberts
Pengelly – Jake Richards
Year 8
Brunel – Olivia Stewart
Christie – Elijah Addai
Darwin – Daisy Board
Kitson – Maxwell Murphy
Nearne – Lacey Redhead
Pengelly – Reuben Harrison
Year 9
Christie – Harry Paul
Fawcett – Connie Kinghorn
Kitson – Faye Cassidy
Nearne – Mason Bryant
Pengelly – Carla Lawrence
Homework Students of the Week
Year 7
Christie – Farah Davidson
Darwin – Bobby Joint
Fawcett – Elise Musgrove
Harrison – Phoebe Acton
Kitson – Alexa McCarthy
Nearne – Gracjan Rutkowski
Pengelly – Levi Jones
Year 8
Brunel – Benjamin Nicholson
Christie – Paul Blades
Darwin – Charlotte Holmes-Vittles
Kitson – Brodi Docherty
Nearne – Finley Corderoy
Pengelly – April Hubbard
Year 9
Christie – Millie Routledge
Darwin – Phoenix Furse
Fawcett – Adam Sadlik
Kitson – Olly Payne
Nearne – Abigail Yau
Pengelly – Charlotte Little
Sparx Leaderboards
Sparx Level Up
Congratulations to these students for achieving a new level in their Sparx this week! Certificates and badges will be awarded at the end of every cycle.
Tassomai Leaderboards
