Great Torrington School

IN THIS ISSUE

STEM UPDATES

YEAR 7 GETTING TO KNOW THE SCHOOL

PERFORMANCE AT RHS ROSEMOOR

Great Torrington School Calvesford Road Great Torrington, Devon EX38 7DJ

01805 623531 [email protected] www.gts.devon.sch.uk The Big Bang @ GTS is a STEM event aimed at pupils in years 5 – 7 from across North Devon schools and inspires them to consider science or engineering careers.

On Friday 6th October, over 600 pupils from 15 primary and secondary schools from across North Devon attended the fair. The aim of the Big Bang @ GTS is to show pupils how the science of today is the technology of tomorrow, with interactive STEM activities. Throughout the day there was an array of interactive workshops, which involved hands-on practical skills in STEM, from extracting your own DNA in the ‘Who do you think you are?' workshop, to working with green screen technology, making slime and building their own elastic racer buggy to investigate how forces, energy and friction work.

The day was a great success with so many young people engrossed in STEM activities provided by a collection of exhibitors from local industry and education. These include, Anglo Krempel, Austin Phillip, Beran Instruments, TDK Lambda, Exeter College, IET, Petroc, SEA, Institute of Physics, Greenfield, Specsavers, X-STK, Eton Aerospace, TT Electronics, National Trust, Science Magic sow, Sciencedipity, Fire brigade, Police, Dr Stuart Davey and Anew South West.

The fair, organised in partnership with GTS, North Devon Manufacturers Association and Group Training & Development couldn’t have run without our very kind sponsors, Ernest Cook Trust, Bideford Roundtable, Great Torrington Cavaliers, Holmes Hines Memorial and Engineering and Physical Science Research Council.

Thank you to everyone who took part, including our Young GTS Science Ambassadors, who looked after all 600 visitors so very well.

THINKING OF OTHERS JUST KEEP GIVING

YEAR 11 REUNION

A fantastic evening of celebration was held on December 6th, when we welcomed back our ex Year 11 to receive their GCSE certificates and awards. Congratulations to the whole of the 2017 cohort for their GCSE achievements and we wish you all the very best for your future.

Award winners:

LISA ROKER AWARD – Flynn Miller HEAD OF YEAR AWARD (given for caring service, personality and willingness Presented by Heads of Learning to give time) Caitlin Jackson, James Clement, Rose Mason, Alice Presented by Miss Tracey Amos, on behalf of Mr & Hayward Mrs Roker SCIENCE AWARD - Adam Gasiorowski DARTINGTON AWARD – Keeva Dennis Presented by Mrs Jacqui Royse (given for academic excellence) Presented by Ms Jacqui Royse DAYLIN BROWN AWARD - Joshua Knight (given for being a role model and achieving success H.M. THE QUEEN’S GOLDEN JUBILEE “ICEBERG” despite finding academic journey a challenge) AWARD – Daniel Carter Presented by Miss Tracey Amos (given for contribution to Music and time given in the school community) GOOD CITIZENSHIP AWARD - Trinity Hickford Presented by Mrs Nicola Buckley, on behalf of Great (given for being an outstanding leader within the school Torrington Almshouse, Town Lands and Poors community) Charities Presented by Mr Andy Bloodworth

DALZELL AWARD FOR HUMANITIES - Oli Jewitt (given for excellence in Humanities) Presented by Mr John Stanier

3Rs: at the heart of the curriculum 3Rs has had a very busy Autumn term. In all years we have been discussing the delicate subject of bullying: online, in school and out of school too. We take bullying very seriously at Year 10 Plan your Work Experience Great Torrington School and we have tried to reinforce ideas for tackling the issue if and Year 7 - "A Telling Tale" when it arises. We pride ourselves in having teachers, LSAs, The Hardy Centre and PSCs by that care and who are here for the pupils to Paul Stevens talk to. However, we have reinforced that family, websites and helplines are valuable too. Our main focus was that talking about the problem is at the heart of tackling bullying. A fun performance and had us laughing

Year 10s will soon be heading off to do their throughout. It also made us think very carefully week’s Work Experience and some of the about what kind of person we think we are and pupils have been rewriting their CVs and how we show respect to others. letters of application/speculation. We would be really grateful if you could check your child/ren have done this and ask them if they have secured a placement. They should be doing this at the moment.

Year 11s should be thinking about what they want to do next year. In 3Rs we are encouraging them to think about what they want to do in the future and to apply to college. Not all students are confident in their next step and they will need their family’s/carer's advice. The pupils must apply Year 8 - 11 Future Opportunities for themselves and although we are helping Evening and supporting them in this, it is ultimately their responsibility.

3Rs’ charity this year is Save the Children and this ties in with this term’s school value: Respect. On the 15th December we were all decked out in our ‘Christmassy’ best raising money for children at home and abroad. Total raised £582.44 ROLLE CANAL PERFORMANCE The Rolle Canal Gig is an Under the direction of Babcock Our Year 10 performing arts original production based on LDP Music Service Professional pupils took part in the production the history and legacy of the Lead, Debbie Kent, a cast of over at the beautiful setting of RHS Rosemoor, along with other Rolle Canal (Great Torrington). 150 young voices joined forces participating schools from, This transformational project with the Rolle Canal Gig Appledore Primary School, Great brought young people and community choir, led by Jan Baker (Head of Teaching School - Torrington Bluecoat C of E community members together Ventrus). School, Monkleigh Primary and St to tell the story through Mary’s Cof E Primary School. drama, scripted and directed This production detailed the by Robert Barber (Dramatise initiation, development and Amazing performances from Learning) and newly importance of the Rolle Canal everyone who took part and we commissioned songs, written and its impact on the local look forward to sharing the clip of a performance with you shortly. by local composer, Tony Kent community. (TeeKay Publications).

Reading Hub occurs every Tuesday and Thursday after school, for 6 week blocks, and is for invited guests. We focus on: Learning to GTS read for enjoyment; the meaning of unfamiliar words. Pupils that have taken part have begun to find pleasure in reading and look forward to each session in anticipation of the next instalment of the novel. We are so pleased and proud of the improvement that READING pupils have made in such a short space of time. Their attitude towards learning and improving their reading skills has been HUB excellent. WEMBLEY TRIP On Friday 10th November, a coach of excited pupils made the long journey to Wembley to watch England’s men’s GTS TRAVELS football team take on Germany. The atmosphere was good and it was an amazing opportunity for our pupils to see some of the best footballers in the world in our very impressive National Stadium. Even though the score did not end with the win we’d hoped for, it was still a tremendous experience for our pupils, who were impeccably behaved throughout the whole trip. AMIENS CHRISTMAS MARKET TRIP On November 30th a group of GTS pupils travelled to Amiens, France to enjoy and experience the wonderful bustling festive atmosphere of a Christmas Market. One of the highlights of the trip was that it snowed and we explored the cathedral and the streets of Amiens. We also visited a light and colour exhibition and walked around some of the streets in Amiens. The following day we went to the Citie Europe, a shopping mall in Calais; this was fun as there was a variety of shops and restaurants to explore. After a few hours of shopping and purchasing gifts we started the journey home again. It was a great experience. By Madison Kirk, Grace Cotgreave, Ruby Vallely and Amy Watson M A T H S T R I P I attended a Maths Master class at Kingsley School in Bideford last Friday with four students from GTS. They joined students selected from other local schools for the course, which was led by Jenny Sharp, a lecturer from Plymouth University Maths Department. They enjoyed the day – and the food (!) – which was spent studying patterns and sequences in a fun way. The four students acquitted themselves very well and received a certificate to reflect their efforts. The students are: Harley Lambert, Ciara Luther-Gavin, Harry North and Juliette Reed. KRAKOW TRIP

Pupils from GTS recently returned from a school trip to Krakow, which will be one that they will never forget. It was also incredibly valuable in helping them understand the unsettled past and inhumanity of the Holocaust. Without doubt, a visit to one of the concentration camps will have left a lasting impact on them, depicting the sheer scale of the terror that took place there. We are hopeful that someone reading this might be interested in sponsoring the Great Torrington School Show Jumping Team kit. SHOW This group of dedicated, ambitious young riders who are regularly out competing at venues throughout Devon and Cornwall; such is their success that we have now entered three teams, as well as JUMPING further individuals, into the North Devon Schools Show Jumping League. This is a very well supported, well publicised league, which SUCCESS attracts large entries (in excess of 50 riders per class) to its monthly GTS SHOWJUMPERS competitions at local equestrian competition centres. Riders from GTS make up three teams taking part in a variety of classes from 50cm, 60cm, Our riders are very proud to represent their school and have had 80cm and 90cm classes, in the North Devon considerable success, with all teams being placed and two individual Show Jumping League, held at either Coxleigh firsts in the last round. They are incredibly proactive; organising a Barton or Mullacott Event Centre every month. great deal themselves and are true young sportswomen and men, thanking organisers, parents and supporters, both in person and on This is a newly established league, social media without prompting. encouraging all pupils with ponies to take part The school has funded the initial registration fees, with parents in the event and represent their respective covering the cost of travel and entry. However, having noticed that a schools in the monthly qualifiers for this unique event which started on the 1st October number of the other school teams have a team kit sponsored by and will end with the Championship taking local equestrian or agricultural businesses, the show jumping teams place in July 2018. There are some very have approached me as they too are keen to be able to ride in talented show jumpers and they are achieving school/team colours. some excellent results individually and as a team so far. To keep up to date with the We would be most grateful of any support that you could offer our team's progress, please follow the ‘North team of hardworking, keen, young equestrians. I know they would Devon Schools Show jumping League’ on be incredibly excited to have some team kit and would wear it not Facebook. only at the monthly North Devon Schools Show Jumping League GTS Flying Fillies: Oceana Tyas, Sophie competitions but also to all of the other equestrian events they Hedden, Lucy Brown and Charlotte Bellamy. regularly attend throughout the area. We would also be able to GTS Daydreamers: Tayla Cane, Megan Cole, mention the sponsorship in our newsletter and in social media Emily Marshall and Abi Knight. postings following such events, as well as their pictures appearing in GTS Daredevils: Ginny Knight, Megan Cole & publicity connected to the league. Tayla Cane. . Thank you very much for considering this proposal. Please contact Mrs Mounce if you are interested. YEAR 7 SETTLING IN The first few months at GTS are all about settling into school life and hopefully making lots of new friends and getting to know your teachers, not to mention finding your way around the school and getting used to new routines.

A couple of pupils have taken the time to reflect on how their Lbacc challenges are going. Ashley Patt gave an overview of his term so far, she said: “As you know during the first year at GTS you have a series of challenges called LBacc, or Learner’s Baccalaureate. I love Lbacc because classes are the same and everyone gets to know each other and there are no boring teachers. So hopefully we can produce the best work we can. The challenges are fun and we get used to the way we communicate with other people and we understand what kind of work we need to produce.”

Ruby Milton gave her overview of the two challenges that she has completed this term; “I didn’t like orchestrate because I’m not into music and performing, but I did enjoy planning, designing and making my own instruments; that’s because I enjoy technology as I do it all the time with my dad. In the Youth Speaks challenge, I have learnt a lot even though I have been off for a while. I enjoyed learning about the holocaust because I found it interesting because it was in the same place as where I lived and it hits you knowing that has happened; just thinking about it is scary. Just imagine if you lost your family in the holocaust; it’s horrifying that someone could be so evil to kill so many just because they thought they were different." HOMEWORK HUB After school till 4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, young people have the opportunity to use computers and access support from Teachers. Based in SC4, Teachers are on hand to help with pieces of work that have been set or to help with course work or revision techniques. Clancy Stephens is the consistent member of staff each week, with a rota of other staff with different specialties. Young people are welcome to attend voluntarily, whilst some young people will be more formally invited, should they receive regular consequence points for not doing their homework. Starts Thursday 4th January 2018.

This year pupils from Year 10 took up the challenge to do their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. The group have recently completed their Bronze qualifying expedition across Exmoor with an overnight camp. The assessors were really impressed with the pupils, how they worked as a team , their camp craft skills and planning.

Many of the group have completed their volunteering, skills and physical sections and they now are compiling their evidence online ready to be submitted to an assessor.

Our Bronze Award is now open again for the next group of Year 9 pupils to take the challenge. Year 10 pupils are now starting to make plans to move onto Silver.

Taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme offers you the opportunity to develop your skills for a successful future at the same time as making a huge contribution to your local community. It is a fantastic chance to take on new challenges and meet new people.

For more information, please visit the DofE website www.dofe.org or see Ms Anstee or Mrs Leonard to find out more.

We are delighted to welcome back the National Citizen Service (NCS) into school 3Rs lessons to promote their skills programme. The NCS helps build skills for work and life whilst taking on new challenges and meeting new friends. The programme starts in the Summer after Year 11 exams and involves a residential experience and team project in the local community. We were delighted to be awarded Champion School status in 2016, in recognition of the enthusiasm and dedication of our pupils who participated in the National Citizen Service. For more information go to www.ncsyes.co.uk YOUNG CHEFS TURNING UP THE HEAT The next generation of young chefs from Great Torrington School came together to pitch their skills against their peers, battling it out for two places to cook in the North Devon final at Petroc College.

Watching the group cooking, we witness a real interest and passion from pupils developing creative dishes as well as gaining valuable life skills. Every year the competition goes from strength to strength whilst producing some superb quality cooking from our young people, aged between 11 to 15.

For the local heat, contestants prepared and presented their two course meal for £10 for judging by Tom Lewis, Petroc’s catering and hospitality lecturer, Mrs Margaret Hopkins, former GTS Food technology technician and Rotary club members. Winners were announced for the Torrington heat as, 1st Joe Mitchell and 2nd Charlotte MacFarlane

All pupils received certificates from the Rotary club and a small catering themed gift from the Rotary club.

Charlotte and Joe were declared winners of the first heat and proceeded to District level, where they have to produce a three course meal for £15. Both Charlotte and Joe did extremely well, with Charlotte being highly commended on her planning and cookery skills and Joe scooping second place and he will now go on to compete in Plymouth in the South West Regional Heats and the Future Chef Springboard Competition. BUDDING FLIGHT ENGINEERS TAKE TO THE SKY Twelve students from North Devon had the chance to become engineers for the day when they took part in an event hosted by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovil.

Teams from across the South West had the opportunity to design, build and test an aircraft to launch from a stable platform. There were four tasks the team had to complete: Design and make a model of a stable platform deck from which an aircraft can be launched; Design and make a model aircraft; Design and make an electronic control system; Demonstrate, present and market their completed system to the judges.

Teams worked against the clock to solve the challenge and to come up with a design that would work and meet the customers brief then presented their work for scrutiny by the judges. Everyone had to work as a team to reach their end goal by taking up specific team roles, such as Project Manager, Chief Engineer, Skill Operator, Electrician, Purchaser and Marketing Manager. Both teams succeeded in their construction of a stabilised flight desk using a pivot point called a gimbal.

Both GTS teams tackled the challenge with great enthusiasm and perhaps a bit too much over engineered creativity? I was impressed by the skills of the pupils, who seemed to enjoy the task and it was great to see them overcome their challenges and work together as a team. All pupils who took part were awarded with a certificate from RNAS.

The event aims to encourage more young people to study and consider exciting and rewarding careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and maths (STEM subjects) by using creativity, innovation and problem solving. ARTIST OF THE MONTH

September October Nina Whittaker Yr10 Anna Beer Yr11

November December Faye Bartlett Yr11 Lucy Hearn Yr7 MAMMOTH TALKS The feedback from the Parent Talks has been so positive. All those who attended found the sessions really useful and have gained practical tips that will help to support them whilst they are supporting their children. Parents also said they have gained some valuable insight in to the subjects discussed. We have had some fascinating discussions, sparked by some amazingly knowledgeable and experienced speakers.

I know that some people were disappointed that they couldn’t attend because of the early start but luckily all the speakers have kindly agreed to offer these sessions again in the New Year. Please could you tell your friends and come along yourself. Sessions start Monday Feb 19th 5pm-6pm in the Hardy Centre.

Speakers Simon De’ath - Ysmart Drugs Service - Feb 19th Steve West - EH4MH Mental Health - Feb 26th Dave Atkinson - GTS Safeguarding - March 5th Andy Branston - SPACE - Devon Youth Service - March 12th Helen Whiterod - GTS Individual Needs - March 19th John Stanier - GTS Teenage Brain - March 26th ROTARY YOUNG MUSICIAN COMPETITION The national Young Musician competition is a well organised and established competition organised by the Rotary club. Eight young musicians, between the ages of 11 and 16, competed for a place in the next round of the Rotary National Young Musician Competition which will take place in February at Fowey.

Family and friends, along with members of the rotary and judges, were treated to an uplifting evening of music ranging from classical pieces to contemporary. Congratulations go to Libby Brown, winner of vocalist heat and Rebecca Miscovic, winner of Instrumentalist section. HACKFEST 2017 HackFest is a collaborative project between Fab Lab Plymouth at Plymouth College of Art and Next Steps South West.

Having triumphed in 2016, GTS were eager to experience the sweet taste of success again as they set off for a training day at PETROC FE College, where the students were challenged by HackFest Project Team Leader, Oliver Raud, from Plymouth College of Art and his team to build a product prototype that responds to a situation the students see becoming an issue in the future; based on the environment, farming and food systems and their impact on human health and wellbeing.

The first day’s training saw numerous workshops developing skills such as laser cutting, 3D printing and design, programming using the Arduino and pitching a plan, á la Dragon’s Den, to the other teams. We were pitted against Pilton Community College, Ilfracombe Academy and FE students from PETROC. All participants were able to tap into the expertise of the Fab Lab staff and soon became adept at writing code that was processed by the Arduino into movement and flashing lights. 3D printers beavered away in the corner, building layer upon layer of plastic to produce small models expertly conceived on the computer.

For the second day, GTS were able to muster 5 teams of 3, each with differing ideas on products that fitted the brief, ranging from plant growing biomes and irrigation control systems to surfboards made from recycled plastics and a water purification system. Given half term to think about it, the students had returned with real energy, intent on seeing their ideas through to fruition. Provided with differing materials - computers linked to Arduinos, gaffer tape, polystyrene and glue guns, all teams were given 6 hours to see their ideas become reality. Printing a sphere that would collect and purify water using the sun’s rays proved ambitious, but a prototype was none the-less printed in miniature scale – a larger model would have taken significantly longer than the 6 hours allowed! A small biome with vegetation and soil demonstrated a controlled growing environment; a laser cut surfboard was used to draw the attention to the global mismanagement of plastic waste and a polystyrene mock-up, including computer controlled paddles, and demonstrated how water supply could be optimised to feed crops without wastage. All groups beavered away building something with which they could pitch their idea to a judging panel drawn from local industry and education.

Unsurprisingly all ideas were well received when pitched, with congratulations going to the two GTS teams that came back to Torrington with first and second place in the heats and two mini Arduino sets – bartering began almost immediately to see who would ultimately take these outstanding starter kits home!

The winning teams would now have to refine their ideas and, more importantly, their sales pitch to sell their concept to another panel of judges, this time using the school’s video editing expertise – we await the wider results from Devon and Cornwall and hopefully, more success. SCHOOL RECEIVES BOOST FROM TESCO'S Great Torrington School were successful in bidding to bag a cash boost from the Tesco’s Bags of Help initiative. Tesco team up with Groundwork to launch a monthly funding scheme – all raised from the 5p bag levy. Three groups in the area were shortlisted to receive the cash award and with GTS Supporters’ help we were successful in obtaining the top prize.

The school has applied for funding for the outdoor garden that is being created, where the old Hardy Centre used to be situated. The area will be developed for pupils to enjoy outdoor lessons across the curriculum and will be wheelchair accessible.

Mrs Pettifer, Staff Governor and Exams Officer at the school, said “We are absolutely delighted to have been successful and we look forward to watching the project develop over this coming academic year.” CHILDREN IN NEED Thanks to your generosity last Friday, GTS has raised £903.13 for Children in Need. A special thanks to the House Captains who arranged an excellent fundraising day.

MACMILLAN’S BIGGEST Year 7 Children In Need Disco COFFEE MORNING proved very popular. Great Torrington School pupils from Resolution House have risen to Macmillan's 'Biggest Coffee Morning' challenge, hosting their first charity fundraising event, by baking and hosting a fantastic cake sale for pupils at break time as well as a non-school uniform day. They sold out of their delicious selection of home baked cakes at break and lunchtime.

Speaking about the event, Mr Robilliard, Head of House for Resolution, commented, "I am so proud to see our pupils making such a positive contribution to our school community. It has been great to see them enthusiastically rise to the challenge, raise funds for such a worthwhile cause and make new friendships in the process."

Students, staff, parents and visitors to the school helped the House group A second coffee morning raise £306.06 for Macmillan Cancer Support, so a huge thank you to organised by a team of friends everyone who contributed. raised a further £79.34. GEOGRAPHY NEWS GCSE classes have been looking at how developing countries have expanded economically and the impacts this has upon the culture, environment and improving quality of life for its population. Pupils had to work independently and research a country of their choice. They have also taken a look at Rio De Janiero and London and what challenges and opportunities there are of living in such diverse and changing cities. Year 9 have been studying Natural Hazards – Currently looking at Tropical Storms and what extreme weather the UK receives. Year 8 have been learning key skills that every young Geographer needs to know; how to use and interpret maps. Yr.11 Geography Field Trip NATIONAL POETRY DAY National Poetry Day is an annual celebration that inspires people throughout the UK to enjoy poems. Pupils from across the key stages, including primary school, were involved in creating poetry masterpieces and the English Department were thoroughly impressed with everyone’s imaginative ideas. Miss Dodwell said, “The standard of writing this year was extremely high – I am so proud of the incredible creative talent that exists in the school!”

Winners KS2: Raven Webber (Bluecoat Primary) KS3: Kitty Sam EgTK KS4: Ben Sanders DrLMD Staff: Michelle Whitney

Runners-Up KS2: Poppy Heard (Langtree Primary) KS3: Oberon Webber DrNLM KS4: Chris Hunt EgTK Staff: Chris Ward

Breath Freedom. WHERE LIMITS DON’T EXIST. A lady walks to the iron gate. Where anything can be captured just with your fist. Inhale, exhale. SPACE, She felt its icy fingers in her palms. Where silence is a sound, Where you can explore the night sky without touching Inhale, exhale. the She lifted its rusted latch, tugged it to her might. ground.

Inhale, exhale. Books, WHERE WORDS DEFINE THEMSLEVES, She struggled up the weary path, squelching in the gravel. Where stories create a drawing and tumble off the shelves. Inhale, exhale. SPRING She found her son Where new chances and opportunities come your way, Inhale Where accomplishment and achievement reward you every day. With a headstone above him, WINGS Exhale. WHERE ALL YOUR PROBLEMS TAKE FLIGHT, Where all of your wonders carve into the She was free. NIGHT Ben Sanders, DrLMD, Year 11 Kitty Sam, EgTK, Year 7, KS3 Winner GTS ALUMNI APPLEDORE BOOK FESTIVAL

GTS had four author events this year with over 450 students from years 7, 8, 9 & 10. The Appledore Book Festival School Programme has been gaining We welcomed back in former popularity here for years and from the first days of the new term our students eagerly quizzed me to find out which author they would meet! Internationally famous, award-winning and celebrated authors Bali Rai, Christopher Edge, Tamsin Cooke and Kathryn Evans Everyone who has been to Great Torrington School played to packed and excitable audiences in the automatically becomes a member of the Great Drama Studio and School Library. Kathryn Evans had a Torrington School Alumni. We are delighted to launch long road to being published whilst running her our GTS Alumni page on our website and facebook farming business and talked about the huge group (@GTSAlumni) so that we can we can re-engage importance of reading and how resilience is vital. As with our former students; we would love to be able to she twirled and swirled in her gorgeous gold shoes utilise the skills and experience of former pupils for the with our Year 9s, it was fascinating to find out about benefits of today’s pupils. It would be great to know her acting and sporting accomplishments in Fencing. where former pupils are now in their chosen career Try her book, ‘More of Me’ and watch for more from paths, and be able to showcase their achievements. this energetic lady.

We were absolutely delighted to welcome back former Bali Rai asked to come back to GTS after his sessions pupils of Great Torrington School for such a lovely with History students last year. He was very impressed afternoon of tea, cake and memories. It has been with questions and insights from our students so I wonderful to hear stories of the time they spent at the hope he will return again. This time the subjects of school. identity, race and thinking independently were Any former pupils who have not already joined the GTS strongly debated with Year 8 and Year 10. Borrow any Alumni page are invited to join our facebook group. of his books from Mrs Ward in the library, from the gritty dramas for emerging readers through to his contributions for Amnesty International, ‘Here I Stand: INSPIRING WORK Stories that Speak for Freedom’. WITH STEM Tamsin Cooke had many willing volunteers for developing story-telling techniques and acting as cat AMBASSADORS burglars and stunt men from her popular ‘Scarlet Files’ We are incredibly pleased to inform you that GTS has series and her latest book ‘Stunt Double.’ Her been awarded a STEM (Science, Technology, forthcoming books are a secret at present but she’ll be Engineering and Mathematics) Ambassador Award for keeping in touch as Ozzy Manning DrRHI and Alyssa our ongoing commitment to STEM engagement. Semmens RpSJA in Year 7 both won books for their superb skills. This award has been received in recognition of the commitment of the staff at Great Torrington School for Christopher Edge also wanted to come back to GTS encouraging and inspiring young people in STEM and has won many prizes for ‘The Many Worlds of subjects, through the use of STEM Ambassadors. Albie Bright’ and, ‘The Jamie Drake Equation’, so we Rachel Higgs, Head of Science at GTS, said. “As a started with a science quiz! This was very well received school we are very committed to expanding our pupils’ and complemented our Year 7 Learners Baccalaureate knowledge and awareness about STEM subjects and students’ challenge ‘Arrival’. When you ‘Drop careers that are available to them all. We are very Everything And Read’ every afternoon, choose one of proud to be receiving the recognition for this work and these books to enjoy! look forward to continually building upon this work.” GTS IN PICTURES

We welcomed back in former GTS SPORTING NEWS

JUDO

In November, Fintan Connor and Tristan Walters represented Great Torrington School in the British Schools Judo South West Competition. Mr Simon Ward, head Judo Coach from Kingsley School, where the boys train at their community club, said “Fintan produced his best form during competition winning all his contests by throwing his opponent with his trademark Ko Uchi Gake. This helped secure his first Gold medal at the school championships, after he beat Harvey Creasey- Cottle from Livington School in Wiltshire, in the final of the under 38kg division. Tristan Walters won a Silver medal; unfortunately a slight lapse in concentration cost Tristan the Gold medal, after he was counter-attacked by Oakley James from Maiden Hill School in Gloucester, in the final of the boys under 30kg Years 6-7.

It’s a massive competition for them both that they put themselves up for and we wish them all the best at their next two day event at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, with around 600 other Judoka.

NATIONAL AMBASSADOR FOR SPORT This breaking news just missed our summer newsletter. In August, we were delighted to hear that Emily Tyrell was announced as a Sportshall Ambassador for the 2017-2018 season. Emily has become a national role model for the forthcoming Sportshall School and UK Championship events, where she will take part by presenting awards and inspiring young athletes to follow in her footsteps.

Emily progressed to the UK finals as the SW All Rounder Champion and will accompany her Devon team after a close regional final competition. Emily competes for the North Devon Athletes association and is currently ranked 9th in the U17 Power of 10 Long Jump.

Congratulations Emily, an amazing opportunity and achievement - we wish you all the very best.

Left: GTS Kurling event Right: Y6 Gifted & Talented Volleyball session with Denise Austin GTS SPORTING NEWS

Stephen Shield Cup Cross Country Runners

Rugby Development Days A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL! On Thursday evening, GTS celebrated Christmas in the best way it can; through song. There were many memorable performances throughout the evening, which were enjoyed by a packed audience at St Michaels & All Angels Church, Great Torrington. By the time this newsletter has been printed and published the whole school will have celebrated the end of term with the annual Christmas concert, which with no doubt will be a wonderful conclusion to such a busy term for all at GTS. Thank you to all our young vocalists, musicians and members of staff who helped organise and support this event; it’s what makes the end of term even more special.

DATES January Exams 9th Yr11 Creative Imedia Exam 10th Yr11 Maths Functional Skills Exam, 12th Yr11 Health & Social Care & Sports Science Exam 15th Yr11 Parents Drop in Session - Exams

Spring Term 2018

Term Begins: 3rd January Half Term: 12th - 16th February Last Day of Term: 29th March Training Day: 2nd January

Summer Term 2018

Term Begins: 16th April Half Term: 28th May - 1st June Last Day of Term: 24th July

Mayfair Day: 3rd May WINNER Congratulations to Bethany King, EgASP for her winning design for the GTS Inter House Christmas Art Competition. Bethany's artwork was chosen as the front cover for the Christmas Concert brochure. Well done Bethany.