Dear Parents and Carers,

We have enjoyed a wonderful summer term with so many activities and events happening, I can only mention a few. Year 10 went off into the world of work earlier in the term, our thanks go to all our local employers who are prepared to offer our young people such a valuable experience. There was a double trip to the Ardeche with 70 pupils and 8 members of staff enjoying a very energetic week in the sun, leaving some very happy memories for all involved. Our well-oiled transition camp was brilliantly supported by staff and our transition leaders and hopefully has left all our new Year 7 excited about starting in September.

As ever at this time of year, it is time to say goodbye to a number of staff and wish them well in their future careers. So we say goodbye to Laura Marzaroli, Katharine Smaldon, Davina Gunn-Hawking and Tara Neve-Scott.

Earlier in the year we also said farewell to Adrian Farmer, Gill Kerr, Emma Lefort and Claire Cunneen. For September we also have a few reshuffles. Tanya Kevern is stepping down from

many successful years as Head of Endurance with Jacqui Holleran moving into the role. Likewise, James Bunyard is handing the role of Head of Endeavour house over to Mrs Emma Richards, who is joining us in September. We will also be welcoming Mr Tim Cloke (Humanities), Miss Katharine Le Petit (English) and Mr Steven Beams (maths).

This year we also wish happy retirement to 5 dedicated staff from Great Torrington. Their combined time at GTS amounts to 94 years! Thousands of children from the Torrington area and beyond have experienced wisdom, humour, creativity and support from them all in their various roles. They have undoubtedly changed many people’s lives. So, Bill O’Donnell, Gill Clayton, Theresa Cockman, Linda Oke and Karin Egan, we wish you all a fulfilling and happy retirement. You all richly deserve it!

Homework and Reading Club From September we will be supporting pupils even more with these two important areas of their learning.

Running on a Tuesday and Thursday from 3.10pm to 4.00pm, staff will be available to help pupils who wish to access more help or just wish to use the facilities to enable them to complete homework or read. We will also be identifying pupils who would benefit from attending either of these activities.

Homework Club Pupils who are regularly finding it difficult to finish homework to the required standard and/or get their work in on time, will be identified for a 6 week support package involving attending homework club twice a week, that will help develop these skills and enable them to achieve quality homework. Homework is essential in supporting young people in their studies and has a direct impact on their progress. It also teaches them time management skills, the ability to work independently and the importance of meeting deadlines. All important employability skills.

Reading This year we will be specifically looking to support pupils in Year 8 whose reading ability is preventing them from making progress in their learning. Identified pupils will be given 6 weeks intensive support with their reading to help them catch up with this essential life skill.

Further information about these clubs will be sent to you in September.

GTS Animal Agents Congratulations to this fabulous four: Lily, Jasmin, Nina and Jake for securing a volunteering placement at Torrington Library this summer. They will help inspire a love of reading with younger children by volunteering as one of their Summer Reading Challenge Mentors. For Jake, it also means that this will count towards his Duke of Edinburgh Volunteering section for his Bronze Award.

Are you taking part in Animal Agents, the Summer Reading Challenge 2017? You can sign up at your local library, then

read six library books of your choice to complete the Challenge.

Year 7 Love Reading Challenge GTS rewards students for their reading achievements & each term

there is a new 10 book challenge—Happy Reading!

Start at the school website www.gts.devon.sch.uk

Green tab Resources, use Renaissance Learning—take a quiz as

soon as you have finished reading your book (not films)

Personal Achievement Reward Points for good quiz results:

80% + = R1

90% + = R2

100% = R3

10 book quiz challenge = R4 (50 reward points)

Mammoth Challenges Thank you to those who contributed to the recent online survey, the information was very helpful. The dates for the All About Mammoth parent talks next term are as below. Some sessions are still to be arranged. Please put these dates in your diaries, and let us know if you can attend. Email: CSTEPHENS@gts.devon.sch.uk

All events will take place in the Hardy Centre, entry via reception. 4pm—5pm

28th Sep -’Adolescent Development’ by Clancy Stephens/ John Stanier

5th Oct – ‘Early Help 4 Mental Health’ by Steve West

12th Oct- ‘Y-Smart (Drugs)’ - Simon Death, Drugs Specialist

19th Oct- ‘Online Safety’ by Dave Atkinson

2nd Nov- ‘Individual Needs Coordinator at GTS’ by Helen Whiterod

9th Nov- ‘Extra activities for young people’ by Youth Service.

Big Bang 2017 We are looking forward to hosting our third Big Bang at GTS in October. This event has become hugely popular with Primary & Secondary schools from all over North Devon & Torridge Catchment areas. The best news for all our incoming Year 7 pupils for September is that they have this

School life Year 7 Learning Mandarin A class in Year 7 have been learning Mandarin

Chinese. It is one of the most widely-spoken

languages in the world and GTS pupils have been

having lots of fun with the interactive lessons via

computer link with a tutor from Beijing.

Not only are our young learners developing their

understanding of world cultures but they are also

learning a language that is increasingly recognised in

the business world. In the lessons, the pupils were

keen and excited and really threw themselves into

learning the new language. It can be daunting and

difficult to learn a new language, but GTS pupils

didn't hold back, they gave it their best shot.

Here are some of the young linguists’ comments:

"I thought the lesson was fun and interactive, I

would like to learn more about Chinese culture."

Cerys Beer

"I like learning Mandarin. I thought it was very

interesting. However, I would prefer if there was

written work. Zai Jani!" Harvey Hodge

"It was a really fun session and I would love to do it

again and learn more Mandarin. She said everything

so clearly and helped us so we understood." Kelsey

Allum

"It was fun learning with Kiki because it was nice to

learn a new language that I don't know." Abbie

Summers

"I enjoyed learning 'Mandarin with Kiki because it

was something different to do in a language lesson

and I would love to do it again." Gabbie Leonard

"It was amazing! I would really like to learn

Mandarin. It was easier than I thought it would be."

Izzy P.

"I thought it was a fun and a good learning

experience." Alec Zaharia

"I thought it was really good and fun, it was also

really cool!" Kieron Sargeant

"I can't wait until the next lesson." Chelsea

GTS Awards Day 2017 Parents, governors, staff, and pupils have joined together to celebrate and enjoy Great Torrington School's many successes

and talents at our annual Awards Day.

There were also ‘shining’ examples of pupils’ work showcased for visitors to enjoy – including an Art and Design film

showcasing the amazing artistic talent produced at GTS. Pupils also ‘presented’ their work in a variety of forms: vocally and

musically in a range of different pieces from classroom work and performances held during the year. The picture gallery

shows just a taste of what was showcased during the day.

The focus of the day was the awards, where the school community gathered to listen and praise the winners. Many awards

were given out during the ceremony - for academic, artistic, extra-curricular, musical, community service and sporting

successes.

3Rs— Effort: Shayla Cooper, Megan Healy, Sophie

Mitchell, Lydia Wooldridge. Attainment: Cerys

Beer, Abby Carter, Livvy Hopkins, Emily Mills.

Progress: Nicole Barnes, Megan Birch, Fintan

Connor, Jade Craker

Art— Effort: Tehya Dallison, Rosie Fiddy, Alfie

Myhill. Progress: Ryan Goldsmith-Ryan, Jacob

Hughes, Mia Lewis. Attainment: Faye Bartlett,

Pippa Beer, Jessica Gluzman, Olivia Seward, Nina

Whittaker.

Catering— Attainment: Abbie Allmark, Jamie

Mitchell.

Computer Science– Effort: Harry Hendy, Emma

Lewington, Hazel Ley. Attainment: Eve Bridger,

Alex Bunn, Harry Laughton, Baz Meeson. Progress:

Tiegan Simmons.

Drama—Effort: David Ashman, Georgina Baldwin,

Lucy Brown, Charlotte McFarlane, Bethany

Woolacott. Progress: Billy , Attainment: Tehya

Dallison, Enya Flack, Bethany King, Lauren Parker,

Sian Tetley, Dexter Williams.

Engineering— Attainment: Sam Hill. Effort: William

Wooldridge.

English— Attainment: Jade Craker, Sadie Dennis,

Sophie Hedden, Kristen Hellens, Jack Hill,

Christopher Hunt, Joshua Smart. Effort: Georgia

Britton, Saffron Goldsmith-Ryan, Daniel Lobb,

Poppy Mercer-Phillips, Bryony Mewett, Emma

Moulton, Joshua Perkis, Tiegan Simmons, Connor

Underwood, Nina Whittaker. Progress: Abbie

Allmark, Saskia Batten, Paige Busby, Harry

Laughton, Brooke Lee, Tom Robbins, Niamh

Saltern, Zara Stevens.

FBI—Attainment: Emma Nicholls, Bradley Smart,

Zara Stevens. Progress: Chloe Courtney Effort:

Ruth Boundy, Alex Scott.

Food Technology—Effort: Chelsea Babb, Cleo

Babb. Progress: Kirsty Milton, Alicia Stacey.

French—Effort: Amelie Folland, Daisy Grundy,

Nina Whittaker. Progress: Libby Brown, Jasper

Hemsworth, Adrianna Jankowska, Lani Sellors,

Tommy Webber.

Geography—Attainment: David Ashman, Lily

Dixon, Nell Gierke, Charlotte Hearn, Drew

Shearing. Effort: Shannon Found, Kirsty Milton,

Sian Tetley, Finn-Leisgh Towse, Keeley Tucker,

Lydia Wooldridge. Progress: Megan Cole, Sky

Hopkins, Emily Mills.

Health & Social Care—Progress: Ellie Balsden,

Emma Nicholls. Effort: Summer Daw, Emily Mills,

Josie Wheeler.

History—Effort: Chelsea Babb, Jade Craker, Sadie

Dennis, Brooke Lee, Rebecca Miskovic, William

Nicholls. Attainment: Cleo Babb, Libby Brown,

Charlotte Hearn, Jasper Hemsworth, Riley Hewitt.

Progress: Jimmy Birch, Ben Burrows, Megan

Evans, Bethany Northover, Abbie Soanes, Amy

Symons, Greg Tucker.

Learners Baccalaureate—Progress: Hope Busby,

Bella Darby, Adrianna Jankowska, Harley Lambert,

Ciara Luther-Gavin, Charlotte McFarlane, Immy

Paiano, Saffron Sanders, Leo Sharp, Savannah

Stewart, Ruby Vallely, Dexter Williams.

Maths—Effort: Cerys Beer, Libby Brown, Rebecca

Cox, Ellie-May Crouch, Mia Jeffries, Jack

Magarotto, Erin Mahoney, Reece Martin, Charlotte

Mcfarlane, Emma Moulton. Attainment: Sadie

Dennis, Megan Healy, Jake Irvine, Ciara Luther-

Gavin, Joshua Smart, Dexter Williams.

Music– Effort: Kiera Cook. Attainment: Joel

Clement, Bella Darby, Alex Kinkaid, Mia Lewis, Tilly

Rooke. Progress: Jack Hill, Charlie Mason, Mary

Miskovic.

PE—Attainment: Louis Atkinson, Jack Hill, Oscar

Jarrett. Effort: Abby Carter, Aiden Craker, Jade

Craker, Mia Lewis, Scarlett Taylor-Coleman.

Resistant Materials—Effort: Jimmy Birch. Progress:

Daniel Lobb.

Science– Attainment: Saffron Goldsmith-Ryan,

Megan Healy, Joshua Smart. Effort: Ebony Bugge,

Harry Hendy, Cameron Vallely. Progress: Sadie

Dennis, Daniel Lobb, Jack Magarotto.

Spanish– Progress: Thomas Bright, Alicia Stacey.

Effort: Zoe Babb, Georgia Bealey, Molly Harding,

Erin Mahoney, Bethany Northover, Drew Shearing.

Tutor Group Awards by House.

Endurance:

EgJLH - Charlotte Bellamy. EgASP—Bethany King.

EgLMA– Molly Harding. EgLM– Jacob Bowden.

EgAMW– Greg Tucker. EgTT—Alfie Roberts.

EgDGH—Alex Bunn. EgAJF—Alisdair Lonsdale.

Endeavour:

EbAMP—Hope Busby. EbMJA—Gwen Stanley.

EbDCR—Jake Tetley. EbCVF - Ollie Luxton. EbFSF—

Max Avery. EbTC—Scott Stoneman. EbBD– Louise

Wood. EbCTSHD—Isobel Pollit.

Discovery:

DrBI—Joshua Smart. DrCDF—Sky Hopkins.

DrDPN—Lara Gasirowski. DrJPB—Anna Beer.

DrKVM—Jade Craker. –DrNLM—Rosaline Fiddy

DrRHI—Harry Hendy. DrTNS—Thomas Bright.

Resolution:

RpMBL—Megan Evans. RpKRS—Harry North. RpJCK

- Natillie Durk. RpRGB—Andrew Hodge. RpHJB—

Nicole Wafforne-Lock RpCLC– Summer Daw, RpGTC

Sadie Dennis. RpSJA—Alex Kinkaid.

Reward Points Winners

Endeavour:

Sian Tetley (EbaMP), Owen Thomas (EbMJA).

Discovery:

Harry Hendy (DrRHI) Charlotte Hearn (DrTNS)

Endurance

Bethany King (EgASP) Daniel Lobb (EgLM)

Resolution

Megan Healy (RpSJA) Harry North (RpKRS)

Head of House Awards

Endurance: Mia Lewis (EgASP)

Discovery: Charlotte Hearn (DrTNS)

Endeavour: Sian Tetley (EbAMP

Resolution: Megan Healy (RpSJA)

GTS Community Volunteer Award

David Ashman (EgaSP)

GTS Personal Development Award

Nell Gierke (RpGTC)

Overall Contributions to life at GTS

Zuzanna Jankowska (EbTC)

Rhona Heath Library Award

Jasmine Eastman (EbCVF)

GTS English Prize

Sadie Dennis (RpGTC)

Bob Brewer Sports Award

Charlotte Hearn & Toby Hookway

Special Governors Award for Effort & Contribution

Sian Tetley, Harry Hendy, Bethany King, Charlotte

Hearn, Daniel Lobb, Zara Stevens, Megan Healy,

Harry North, Mia Lewis, Ellie Heard, Ciara Luther-

Gavin, Hope Busby, Tom Owen, Keeley Tucker,

Lydia Wooldridge, Jade Craker, Hazel Ley, Adrianna

Jankowska, Libby Brown, Sadhbh Connor, Nell

Gierke, Jake Irvine, Charlotte McFarlane, Joshua

Smart, Dexter Williams, Summer Tucker, Reuben

Beer, Zuzanna Jankowska, Harley Lambert, Brody

Stride, Jasmin Sherrett, Greg Tucker, Saffron

Goldsmith-Ryan, Rebecca Miskovic, Luke Stevens,

Rhianne Mitchell, Abigail Compton-Mcculloch,

Phoebe Bond, Harry Bryant, Emily Tyrrell, Ned

Pettifer, Tyler Bolt, Alex Bunn, Charlotte Wade,

Morgan Gabe, Bethany Evans, Alisha Bissett, Toby

Evans, Courtney Martin, Niamh Shearing, Ben

Brown, Callum Duhig, Hannah Daniel, Neve Cox,

Amelie Buckeridge, Grace Cotgreave, Rose Mason,

Joanna Grigg, Milly Newell, Macey Goodman.

Tutor House Group Winners

Endurance: EgAMW Discovery: DrTNS

Endeavour: EbCVF Resoloution: RpSJA

AW

AR

DS

DA

Y 2

01

7

Ardeche June saw the return of the ever popular Ardeche water sports

adventure trip in the South of France. This year, to the delight of

the PE department, 80 pupils took part which was more than

double the normal number of pupils that usually participate in the

trip. It really isn’t hard to see why though when you look through

the list of activities that are on offer from the fantastic PGL teams

in Mimosa and Segries, where the pupils stay for the duration of

the trip.

The trip is split into two sections, the first section sees the pupils

open top canoeing down the mighty Ardeche Gorge, shooting

white water and rapids, paddling through the majestic natural arch

of Pont D’arc, taking part in cliff jumps and altogether learning and

developing new skills and challenging themselves in a stunning

backdrop of natural beauty second to none. For the majority of

pupils that went (and have been previously), this first section of the

trip is always something that remains as a very special memory and

is enjoyed immensely by all.

On the way down to Mimosa (the location of the second half of the

trip), the pupils and staff spent an action packed day at Aqualand in

Cap D’Agde, a water park with a huge selection of slides, wave

pools and, most importantly ice creams. The remainder of the trip

saw the pupils developing a wide range of new skills such as sailing

catamarans, Pico boats, fun boats, lazer boats, sea kayaking and

snorkeling all in the beautiful warm waters of the Mediterranean.

Oh, nearly forgot to mention the banana boating, I don’t think

anyone really enjoyed that though!

The evening entertainment also proved to be a great team building

experience with dance battles, fancy dress and trips into Cap

d’Adge and the beautiful town of Vallon giving all the pupils plenty

to keep them busy and the chance to experience the local culture

and develop their language and bartering skills for much needed

gifts and presents for their parents! The pupils had a fantastic

week basking in the glorious sunshine whilst taking on new

challenges. They were impeccably behaved, threw themselves into

the true spirit of the trip and were a real credit to GTS and

themselves. They received a huge amount of positive praise from

all their instructors, leaders and coach drivers over the course of

the trip.

The pupils were a delight and worked as a fantastic team to ensure

enjoyment was had by all. Many thanks to all the staff involved in

making this trip such a great success; we are sure it will be

remembered long after our pupils have left GTS.

"Ardeche was a brilliant trip, so many activities and lots of funny

Ardeche Trip

Duke of Edinburgh Practice GTS pupils in Year 9 put their navigational, cooking and tent-pitching skills to the test on a two-day expedition and overnight

camp in July. In their practice, they received adult assistance with training on countryside code, first aid, learned how to

pitch a tent and cook a hearty meal for themselves before camping under the stars. On day two, the young adventurers

awoke to a dry morning. With breakfast made and tents packed, the teams were presented with the task to navigate to

Dolton using their new found map reading skills and to pass through certain checkpoints.

All the pupils that took part in the expedition were a credit to themselves and Great Torrington School. It is easy to forget

that learning how to be fully independent is a big step. This group of pupils now have their actual expedition to look forward

to in September. Thank you to GTS staff team for volunteering at the weekend to ensure a very successful first expedition.

Notefest Note fest, organised by a group of 3 Y10, students was yet again a superb showcase for the talented students at GTS to perform, and an opportunity to demonstrate significant independence and autonomy for Joanna Grigg, Tyler Cole and Tom Brockway. The event included a huge variety of acts, from a choir to Grunge band. It is wonderful to sit back, relax and observe students who are feeling the pre-event pressure, probably having sleepless nights and then to have them see how that preparation will shape the nature of the event. This is creative learning consolidated through a genuine outcome. Mr Robilliard

GTS Ready to Rock into the

Future! Students at Great Torrington School will have the opportunity to take part in

the school’s next spectacular drama production: “We Will Rock You”. The

musical, written by comedian, Ben Elton, is based on songs performed from

the legendary band, Queen. The story is set in the future where musical

instruments are banned by the killer queen, but a hidden rebellious gang,

called The Bohemians, decide to search for the hidden music and bring down

the dictatorship they live under. A lively show with all of the classics:

Bohemian Rhapsody, Under Pressure, Somebody to Love and Killer Queen, is a

show not to be missed.

In the autumn term we will start thinking about how we can produce some

amazing costumes and sets. We are asking if anybody has any suitable

clothing items that we may adapt for our show; we have an eager team of

costume designers waiting to get started in the Autumn. Donations welcome,

please drop them into reception.

DATES: Wednesday 28th March , 7pm & Thursday 29th March, 7pm (TBC)

School Life

As in previous years, GTS pupils wowed the Torrington's Got Talent

audience with their wealth of talent, during auditions as well as the

show itself. The guest judges were: Singer, Rhi Wright, and Bill

Buffery and Gill Nathanson from the Multi Story Theatre Company.

They were overwhelmed by the variety of acts which included:

singers, dancers, musical

theatre, pianists and much

more. Pupils performed

alone, in pairs and in

groups - a lot of hard work

had clearly gone into

preparing for the final

show.

It was inspiring to see the

enthusiasm and complete

joy of the performers,

some of whom were really

going out of their comfort

zone. It was delightful to

see such encouragement

and respect for one

another throughout the

auditions and finale of Torrington's Got Talent - these performers

are a real credit to the school.

The judges gave thoughtful feedback full of encouragement and

words of wisdom, which was both poignant and motivational. It

was wonderful to announce that in their final year at the school,

duo Emily Herbert and Alice Hayward were crowned as this year's

Torrington's Got Talent winners with their duet of ‘Taking Back my

Heart’, with Emily singing and Alice playing the ukulele.

Well done to the winners and to everyone who took part. A big

thank you to Mr. Mark Pluckrose and Mr. Simon Robilliard who

organized the show and auditions, and Mr. Marcos Williats for the

technical back up. Also, a big thank you to our three judges.

Results:

First Place: Alice Hayward and Emily Herbert - singing and

ukulele - Taking Back my Heart. Second Place: Jessica

Smallcombe - singing - Gary Barlow - Sing. Third Place: Molly

Harding - singing - Naughty, from Maltida. Fourth Place (Tied):

Amy Watson and Keira Cook - Street Dance to Clean Bandit,

Symphony Feat . Kathryn and Rhianne Mitchell - singing and

piano, Christina Perri - A Thousand Years. Tiegan White and Abi

Searle - dance

Next Year’s Date for TGT Final Night: Wednesday

23rd May 2018, 6.00pm Drama Studio.

Torrington’s Got Talent

Work Experience

GTS Work Experience

Celebration Year 10 GTS pupils recently completed their week's work

experience, enabling them to gain knowledge and experience

through Work Related Learning in the world of work. One

hundred and thirty-eight pupils aged 14-15 went out to 100

employers. These included ICT, Agricultural & Land Management,

Sales, Hairdressing, Sports & Leisure, Animal Welfare, Healthcare,

Mechanics, Engineering, Childcare, and Retail. The School

received huge amounts of praise and positive comments from

employers and many pupils had a really memorable experience.

On Thursday 13 July 2017 a Celebration Employers’ Tea was held

at the School where employers, staff, and Employers Forum were

invited to recognise the top 20 pupils who had been nominated to

receive awards. These pupils were presented with certificates

which were presented by their Head of House.

Mrs. Peters, Personalised Learning Manager, said, “Once again this

year it was an incredibly difficult task to choose the top 20 Year 10

pupils from the Work Experience placement feedback. Our pupils

proved to their employers that they are hardworking, confident,

resourceful, creative and mature. At Great Torrington School, we

remain committed to offering our Year 10 pupils the chance to

experience a week in a real work environment and the opportunity

to gain skills and a greater insight into their strengths and to help

them make decisions about their futures”.

Year 9 pupils have already this summer term started to work on

their CVs in preparation for seeking their work experience

placement in the Autumn Term.

Work Experience Dates: Your band will be announced in the

Autumn Term.

Week B 23 – 27 April 2018

Week A 14 – 18 May 2018

Rotary

RYLA A massive well done to Georgia Booton who has been selected by Great Torrington Rotary Club to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camp this summer. At the time of print, Georgia will be on her final day and presentation ceremony. RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, which are gained by candidates who complete a one-week residential course held every July. The course comprises an intensive programme of outdoor activities and tasks aimed at team building skills, along with a series of projects and lectures from members, business professionals, Rotarians and adventure instructors.

Youth Speaks Competition Shebbear college again hosted the annual Youth Speaks competition for Torrington Rotary. GTS entered three teams who sadly just missed out on going through to the next round, but our speakers were highly commended! It was one of the best quality competitions that Torrington Rotary have run and the judges had a very difficult decision to make, as in each age group the marks were so close!

Young Person of the Year Award Congratulations to Trinity Hickford for being presented with the Rotary Club Torrington, Young Person of the Year Award 2017. Trinity was nominated by her tutor, Mrs Moores, for her quick thinking one day on her way to school. A gentleman was in need of help as his wife had taken quite poorly and was in need of assistance. With Trinity's first aid knowledge, gained at cadets, she was able to ensure her own safety and that of her patient until the emergency services arrived. Trinity was also recognised for her role in Great Torrington Army Cadet detachment of Platoon Sergeant and Mayor’s cadet as well as the various school leadership positions that she has held.

District 1175 Young Achiever Award Rees Parkhouse won the local Young Musician competition in 2015/16 round and went through to the district final where he impressed the District Youth Committee Chairman Carol Ley and her husband, Stephen. Stephen was so impressed that he invited Rees to perform again at his incoming District Handover event in 2016. Sadly his wife Carol died earlier in the year and in her memory he instigated the District 1175 Young Achiever Award. Rees is the first recipient of this award. Congratulations Rees, keep on drumming!

Club Round:

November 2017

At GTS, Drama Studio

Mr Robilliard

Club Round: GTS

9th November 2017

District Round: Petroc,

14th November 2017.

Club Round:

January 2018

Mrs Annie Sparrow

Two Opportunities: Submit articles to Miss Dodwell for monthly Crier articles. 50 Reward Points for a printed article. & receive a certificate from the Rotary.

Competition Theme: ’A Different Perspective’. Entries to be submitted to Miss Dodwell by Christmas.

January 2018

Launch Assembly with

Year 11 by Mrs S Evely

GTS Transition: a week

to remember! Stepping up from Primary School to Secondary School is undoubtedly a scary moment for pupils making that step, but the Year 6 who move up to Great Torrington School will not feel so afraid because GTS has had Transition Week for them to enjoy.

On the 26th of June, the first group of Year 6 were anxiously waiting to find new friends and try out new experiences at the Ultimate Adventure Centre, Westward Ho! All packed up with their sleeping bag and pillows, they waved goodbye to their parents for two and a half days. Whilst one half of the new Year 6 taking the massive step up from primary school to secondary school went to camp at the centre, the other half had fun-filled days at the school site learning about the Battle of Hastings, trying out the school’s science department with Bunsen Burners, and finding out about all the different things the school has to offer. Having enjoyed one experience, at mid-week they swapped round and enjoyed the other.

At the camp the children had a range of activities to do such as surfing at Westward Ho and a hike back to the centre: a chance for them all to get to know each other. Then it was on to perhaps the most exciting part of the camp, the assault course with the 'big balls', the high ropes and climbing wall. Also at the camp, Year 6 got to meet some of the teachers they might be taught by, the Head of House, Pupil Coaches and an evening with their Junior Leadership Team from their House. They could start to build up their relationships with the teachers so they don’t feel anxious when they start in September.

All in all, the children have a fun and exhilarating week. Being one of the only schools to have this type of transition period for Year 6 makes coming up in September much easier and stops them being so nervous about starting at the ‘big school’, as they have already met some of their new friends. The thing that most Year 6 had to say about the trip was that they really liked making new friends. This shows how GTS transition camp gives our pupils an advantage over all the other children moving up to other schools. What we do at GTS makes your children feel much more comfortable moving up to secondary school. It certainly helped me when I did it. I loved Transition Week!

Luke Stevens, Year 10 House Captain

Check out our website under gallery section.

School news

Sports Day 2017

GTS Sports Day took place on Thursday 13th July at

GTS, and house teams were blessed with a

wonderful sunny day. The Sports Day is a

spectacular day of the school and sporting

calendar. It's a colourful day with pupils donning

House colours, house chants and drums beating as

all Years from 7 to 10 unite together to compete in

track and field as well as the much-anticipated tug

of war and staff house relay. This year the staff

competed in their own tug of war competition,

which resulted in lots of entertainment for their

house supporters. Throughout the afternoon a

number of school records were broken, so well

done to all those setting the standards so high.

Each of the four house competes in a range of

events including: netball, football, tug of war,

rounders in the morning session, followed by

athletics in the afternoon which include: long jump,

high jump and a number of track races.

Highlights:

Emily Tyrrell was in winning form and set two new

school records for Year 10 Girls. She beat Lauren

Priest's record set in 2007 of 13.5 for 100m sprint

with a new record of 12.09. Then she went on to

claim a new school record for the 200m sprint,

beating Megan Gallagher's existing record set in

2015 of 27.2, with a new school record of 26.92.

Olivia Seward ran the 200m race in 27.18 taking

0.53 second off the previous record set back in

2014 by Abi Davey.

Sophie Heddon has equalled the Year 10 Girls

800m record set by Steise Hodgson in 2011 of 2.44.

All runners should be immensely proud of their

accomplishments.

The results

In a very competitive sports day, Endeavour

captured the crown from last year's Champions

Discovery:

1st Endeavour

2nd Discovery

3rd Endurance

4th Resolution

Congratulations to house winners and well done to

all those pupils who took part in the day.

Science Ambassadors Announced for 2017/2018 We have 22 school science ambassadors from across all year groups who applied for the position. The ambassadors help to promote science across the school and help to run events like; Jean for Genes day, the Big Bang @GTS, National Science week competitions and events, plus much more.

We are delighted to welcome the following students to the Science Ambassador Team: Lewis Tucker, Lani Sellors, Hope Busby, Maise Ryan, Jack Lewington, Elliot Towell, Morgan Kavanagh, Sky-Elouise Hopkins, David Jackson, Finton Connor, Georgia Duncan, Katie Collins, Niamh Shearing, Jasper Hemsworth, Paige Busby, George Cook, Aaliyah Cartwright, Macie Robertson, Georgia Britton, Bethany-Jane Doolan, Daniel Lobb and Alex Kinkaid.

House Leadership Teams Congratulations to our newly appointed House Captains, who also make up the Junior Leadership Team (JLT). This group of pupils and their School Leaders have been selected based on a rigorous application process and is now attached to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to give feedback in pupil perspectives of how best to make improvements to the school. Representing your houses are:

Endurance House Captains—Luke Stevens & Emily Mills

Senior Leaders—Daniel Lobb & Georgia Britton Sports Captains– Megan Cole, Ben Brown & Tom Robbins

School Leaders– Niamh Saltern, Tiegan Simmons, Tyler Cole

Resolution House Captains—Megan Healy & Macey Goodman

Senior Leaders— Alex Kinkaid & Andy Hodge Sports Captains– Nell Gierke, Summer Daw, Jamie Mitchell

School Leaders– Sophie Fether, Sophie Haddden, Jed Boundy

Endeavour

House Captains—Sian Tetley & Joanna Grigg Senior Leaders— Kian Petherbridge & Sadhbh Connor Sports Captains– Sadhbh Connor & Ryan Pluckrose

School Leaders– Macie Robertson, Ollie Luxton, Nina Whittaker, Ewan Duhig, Saskia Batten, Abigail Compton-

Mucculloch Discovery

House Captains—Charlotte Hearn & Ashley Hendy Senior Leaders—Jack Thurlow & Jade Craker

Sports Captains– Jade Craker, Emily Tyrrell & Jack Magarotto, Lauren Standen & Sophie Heddon

School Leaders– William Bright, Katie Mansfield

GTS Ambassadors

Dates

PARENTS EVENINGS

Year 7

Monday 6th November

4.00pm – 6.30pm

Year 11

Monday 11th December

4.00pm – 7.00pm

Year 8

Monday 5th February 2018

4.00pm – 6.30pm

Year 9

Monday 26th March

4.00pm – 7.00pm

Year 10

Monday 21st May

4.00pm – 7.00pm

YEAR 8 GUIDED CHOICES EVENING

Monday 26th February 2018 6.00pm – 8.00pm

YEAR 8 & YEAR 9 GIRLS HPV IMMUNISATIONS

Tuesday 12th September 9am onwards in B6

YEAR 7 & 9 PHOTOGRAPHS

Thursday 14th September 8.50am – 12.45pm in the Boardroom

CHARITY DAY’S – NON-SCHOOL UNIFORM

Discovery - Friday 20th October - Torrington Museum/The Plough

House Captains – 17th November 2017 - Children in Need

Endeavour - Friday 9th February 2018 - Edukid

Sports Captains – Friday 23rd March – Sports Relief

Resolution – Thursday 29th March – Torrington Silver Band

Endurance – Friday 25th May – Little John’s House

YEAR 11 MOCK EXAMS

Monday 30th October – Tuesday 7th November inclusive

YEAR 9 BOYS & GIRLS & YEAR 10 GIRLS

TETANUS/DIPTHERIA/POLIO & MENINGITIS ACWY IMMUNISATIONS

Tuesday 7th November in B6

MOP-UP IMMUNISATION SESSION FOR SOME YEAR 8, 9 & 10S

Thursday 7th June in B6

Year 11 LEAVERS, FRIENDSHIP PHOTOGRAPHS

Tuesday 13th March 2018 9am—break time in the Sports Hall

UKMT Junior Maths Challenge 2017 Pupils at Great Torrington School achieved two golds, 5 silvers, 17 bronzes in this year's UKMT Junior Maths Challenge. Over 250,000 pupils from across the UK sat the Junior Maths Challenge with roughly the top 6% receiving a gold certificate, the next 13% silver and the next 21% bronze.

Fintan Connor,Yr8 and Harry North, Yr7 were two of the top students in the country to sit a follow-on competition, the Junior Kangaroo Challenge where Fintan gained the qualification and Harry north obtained a Merit.

The Junior Maths Challenge is run by the UK Mathematics

Trust and supported by the Institute and Faculty of

Actuaries. It is aimed at those in Years 7 and 8 and is sat in

schools.

Bronze Winners

Mia Lewis, Joshua Smart, Eddie Mitchell, Georgia Duncan-

Hope, Charlie Sears-Avery, Leo Randall-Hobbs, Kaia

Fishleigh, Ciara Luther-Gavin, Rebecca Cox, Michael

Newberry, Immy Paiano, William May, Charlotte Wade,

Archie Holloway, Fern Pateman, Callum Duhig and Harry

Bloodworth.

Silver Winners

Caitlin Eastman, Ben Drew, Nathaniel Bridgman, Baz

Meeson.

Gold Winners

Fintan Connor (Best in Year) and Harry North both achieved

Best in Year Award

Maths Challenge Transition Dates

2017-2018 Open Evening

Thursday 21st September 2017, 6.00pm

Open Morning Tours

Monday 25th—Friday 29th September 2017 , 9.00am –

10.30am

National Allocation Day

Thursday 1st March 2018

Year 6 Transition Information Evening for Year 6 pupils

Tuesday 13th March 2018 , 6.00pm—9.00pm, Sports Hall

Year 6 Transition Week for all Year 6 intake for Sept 2018

Monday 25th June—Friday 29th June 2018

Year 5 Taster Day

Friday 6th July 2018—All day at GTS. Register by contacting

reception 01805 623531 or email

reception@gts.devon.sch.uk

New Entrants Evening

Monday 9th July 2018, 6.00pm Sports Hall

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs.

Leonard, 01805 623531 ext. 231 or email

lleonard@gts.devon.sch.uk

Term Dates 2017—2018 Autumn Term 2017 Term Begins: 6th September Half Term: 23rd - 27th October Last Day of Term: 15th December Training Days: 4th & 5th September 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 (No School)

PROM 2017

MTV & Battle of the

Bands

The GTS MTV Awards & Battle of the Bands The annual Battle of the Bands Competition for Year 8 and the showcasing of the MTV awards took place on Wednesday 19th July. Band winners from all the heats held during the year came to showcase their performance once again. The MTV Music Award Videos were screened to the audience and we are pleased to announce the winners .

Nominees and winners were as follows:

Award for the Best Designer: Sophie May, Zara Stevens, Mia Lewis, Lottie Summers

Award for the Best Editor: Ben Drew, Baz Meeson, David Ashman, Ho Yeen Lau

Award for the Best Female Actor: Tilly Rooke, Lily Allmark, Courtney Martin

Award for the Best Male Actor: Kieron Sargent, Bradley Smart, Lewis Bacon, Tom Owen

Award for the Best Director: Neve Cox, Tahya Dallison, Abbie Soanes, Carrie Lawrence-O’Shea

Award for the Best Video Team Ben, Team Neve, Team Courtney, Team Carrie

Award for the Best Drummer: Leo Randall, Abbie Soanes, Jack Lambert, Alex Stacey

Award for the Best Bass Guitarist: Brooke Lee, David Ashman, Sophie May, Neve Cox

Award for the Best Guitarist: Eddie Mitchell, Tilly Rooke, Stuart Cowan

Award for the Best Pianist: Ethan Cook, Holly Rice-Smith, Tehya Dallison

Award for the Best Singer: Mia Lewis, Libby Brown, Molly Harding, Becky Shailer

Thank you to all the parents and families that turned up for this celebratory evening , and thank you for the Performing arts team for organising such a superb evening. Further pictures can be found on our online Gallery www.gts.devon.sch.uk

Our annual Sports Awards Evening marks the end of

our sporting year and is a highlight of the PE

calendar.

The evening celebrates the achievements of the

talented sports performers we have here at Great

Torrington School.

All achievements in sport are important to us and a

selection of awards are given out during the

evening. We recognise pupils success not only in

achievements representing sporting excellence

(county, regional, national) but also achievements in

sustained effort and progress; service to the School

and its community; Contribution of Sport leaders

and team success.

As with BBC's 'Sports Personality of the Year' awards

there is an overall winner on the night, this year we

are delighted to announce that it is Callum Vingoe

who will enter the GTS School of fame for GTS

Sports Personality of the year.

Sports Awards 2017

Great Torrington School Sports Awards

(Nominees in brackets)

Netball — Lower: Libby Brown (Ellie Heard,

Grace Cotgreave), Upper: Abi Davey (Jade

Craker, Macey Goodman).

Rounders - Lower: Alicia Stacey (Beth

Stacey, Saffron Sanders), Upper: Summer

Daw (Martha Boundy, Sian Tetley).

Rugby — Lower: Lloyd Flack (Leo Randall-

Hobbs, Tyler Whittaker). Upper: Aidy Guppy

(Jack Hill, Toby Hookway, Max Walker).

Swimming Girls — Lower: Libby Brown (Tilly

Rooke, Lauren Parker, Juliette Reed). Upper:

Emily Tyrrell (Channon Wilton, Olivia

Seward, Emma Moulton).

Swimming Boys — Lower: Eddie Mitchell,

(Harvey Reeves). Upper: Adam Lawton

(Oliver Stacey)

Athletics Boys — Lower: Oscar Jarrett

(Adam Lawton, Tom Owen). Upper: Alfie

Roberts (Tom Robbins).

Athletics Girls — Lower: Olivia Seward

(Lydia Wooldridge, Jess Gluzman). Upper:

Emily Tyrrell (Georgia Britton, Channon

Wilton).

Table Tennis — Lower: Tom Venn (Michael

Newberry, Chase Moore). Upper: Aiden

Davey (Chris Hunt, Tom Beer).

Tennis — Oliver Luxton & Alex Grigg (Tom

Beer and Jake Irvine).

Horse Riding – Megan Cole (Tayla Cane,

Sada Ord).

Trampolining — Jo Grigg (Rhianne Mitchell).

Cross Country Boys— Lower: Oscar Jarrett

(Oliver Lucton, Morgan Gabe). Upper: Trai

Sheppard (Nathan Board).

Cross Country Girls— Lower: Hannah Daniel

(Scarlett Taylor-Coleman). Upper: Sophie

Heddon (Emily tyrrell, Nell Gierke).

Streetz— Lower: Daisy Pitcher (Beth King,

Hannah Kelly) .Upper: Cameran MacDonald

(Lucy Sowden, Lauren Standen).

Football Boys— Lower: Oli Luxton (Ben

brown, Aiden Craker, James Meardon).

Upper: Nathan Souster & Jack Magarotto

(Alfie Stevens).

Football Girls—Lower: Lani Sellors (Hannah

Daniel, Adrianna Jankowska). Upper:

Channon Wilton ( Nell Gierke, Jade Craker).

Gymnastics—Lower: Molly Harding

(Rhianne Mitchell, Madison Kirk). Upper:

Jodie Rowcliffe (Kelsi Hill, Olivia Seward).

Ability Games Award — Harlum Lewis

(Harry Hendy, Abi Haswell).

Sports Leader Award—Lower: Natillie Durk

(Harry Bryant, Emma Moulton). Upper:

Charlotte Bellamy (Nell Gierke, Channon

Wilton).

Best Female Newcomer— Scarlet Taylor

Coleman (Hannah Daniel, Grace Cotgreave,

Ellie Heard).

Best Male Newcomer— Callum Duhig,

(Morgan Gabe, Harry Bloodworth, Louis

Atkinson).

Team of the Year: Year 10 Boys Football

(Horse Riding, Yr9 Boys Athletics, Yr 1o Girls

Athletics, Swimming Team)

Bob Brewer Award: Charlotte Hearn and

Toby Hookway

Craig Award Winner: Adrianna Jankowska

GTS Sports Personality of the Year: Callum

Vingoe (Emily Andronik, Alfie Stevens,

Martha Boundy)