Welcome back

Welcome back to everyone and a warm welcome to all our new Year

7 pupils and their families.

We were all very proud of the results in the summer. We asked Year

11 to ‘Aim High’ and they did, smashing their initial target of 49% A* -

C including Maths and English. This really was an outstanding

achievement by all the pupils and the staff. Yet again it shows what

teamwork and effort can do. The current Year 11 have quite a

challenge on their hands. We believe they are up for it.

Streetz go from strength to strength. Competing in the World

Championships they gained an amazing 12th place out of 28

countries. Danny Witney and Tate Rowtcliff then gained 2nd place in the UDO World

Under-14 Newcomer Duos. GTS has without doubt become a centre for excellence in

Street Dance. Who knows what they will achieve next?

There have been a number of changes at GTS since July:

The school attained Academy status on the 1st August 2011.

A new pupil support centre has been opened.

We have appointed four Pupil Coaches who are there to support all pupils and the work of the Heads of Year.

We have a new reporting system in place which will ensure parents/carers and pupils will be getting a progress review four times a year.

Heads of Year will now focus even more on the academic progress of their year group ensuring pupils do not ‘fall behind’. They will be in contact with parents where there is a concern and place pupils on a Back-on-Track programme. The new focus has also seen their title change from Heads of Year to Heads of Learning.

Room Sc4 and Reception have both had a long-overdue facelift. Many thanks go to all the staff who put so much time and effort into ensuring all of these

changes happened.

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Pam Hargreaves, our Vice Chair of

Governors, passed away at the beginning of October after a short illness. Pam had been

Chair of Governors at GTS since around 1998 stepping back to Vice Chair in October

2010. She worked tirelessly for the school always wanting the very best education for the

pupils that attended. She will be a huge loss to us and the community.

Tracey Amos Headteacher

Inside this issue:

NEWS NEWS

NEWS

Dream Believe Achieve

The schools new mission statement was formally launched in the recent whole school assembly

Richard Cheetham delivered the key note address telling us of his amazing adventure, running an

ultra-marathon across Atacama, 155 miles in 6 days

across the driest desert on earth. Inspired to do so

because he had dreamt about doing something

extraordinary which would push him to challenge what

his mind and body could achieve to overcome his fears

of failure because he was unable to reach the summit

of Kilimanjaro due to altitude sickness on a previous

challenge. This disappointment was his drive and

determination to complete his ultra-marathon. The

stories of the race and the blisters (the pictures

weren’t a pretty sight!) that occurred didn’t stop

Richard. Richard answered lots of questions and was

truly inspirational and if you have a dream all you need

to do is to start your life story.

Welcome to GTS

We would like to welcome to GTS the following

members of staff who have joined us this Autumn

Term. From L to R, back row; Sean Freeman,

Mark Carter, Jo Phipps, Lisa Buss and Roger

Bicheno. Front L to R; Laura Bunyard and Harriet

Chambers. We also welcome Wendy Frost who

works alternative days to Laura.

Exam Results

The class of 2011 achieved a record breaking Year of results with 71% achieving 5 A*-C and 60%

of students achieved 5 A*-C (including English and maths) which is the National benchmark for

pupils attainment. 17.5% of pupils achieved 5 or more A* and A. The most pleasing statistic was

the fact that the cohort smashed its target of 49% - a target that would have placed us in the top

25% of schools Nationally by 11%. This indicates the outstanding progress made by pupils during

their time at GTS. As Ellie Wonnacott, the schools top achieving girl with 7A* and 3As said, “It has

been really good here at Torrington and the teachers are great”.

Senior School Leaders with Richard Cheetham

The Macbeth Experience Trip

In the second week of term, the English department

took forty eight KS4 pupils to Stratford-Upon-Avon,

to see a Royal Shakespeare Company Production of

Macbeth, in their brand new purpose built theatre.

The aim of the trip was to give pupils a high quality

theatre experience with the best in the world, the

RSC, which will hopefully remain fresh in their

memories when they sit their Shakespeare exam in

the spring!

The Stratford experience began with the aid of our

knowledgeable coach driver, who pointed out

interesting landmarks such as Shakespeare’s birthplace and the nearest public toilets! We then

traipsed through the beautiful sunny Stratford town centre, to arrive at the RSC’s education

venue. Pupils were put through their paces by professional RSC actors, focusing on the text and

themes of Macbeth. Pupils already knew the plot of the play and represented the school

confidently in their knowledge and understanding. Even though many of us were not natural

actors/actresses, every single person played their part.

We then drove to a beautiful youth hostel nearby called Hemmingford House, an old Georgian

mansion, of which we had booked the whole top floor. Then came the main event! The new Swan

Theatre is a dramatic modern building from the exterior, impressive and, when we arrived,

buzzing with people. We quickly found our seats, a mere arms length from the action! We found

ourselves struck dumb by the splendour of the enormous three-tiered auditorium, the stage

surrounded on three sides by the audience.

When we emerged, two hours later, reeling from the intensity of the experience, many pupils

were amazed; they hadn’t expected it to be so powerful, thrilling and emotional. “That was the

best thing I’ve ever seen in my life!” exclaimed one. “It was so much better than the cinema,” said

another. The coach ride home (and a significant few hours into the night) rang to the sound of

excited voices, discussing the characters, the fireworks, the numerous murder scenes (so much

blood!); the incredibly creepy opening of the play when three seven year old children descended

from the heavens, hanging on wires - as if dead, before twitchingly coming to life as the three

witches.

We compared our reactions: “Did you cry when...?”; “I was really scared when...”; “Did you see

the bit when Lady Macbeth looked straight at me?”; “What about the bit when hundreds of dolls

fell down from the rafters?”

The experience far exceeded all our expectations and, although the pragmatic aim of helping

pupils to pass their GCSE exam will hopefully prove very valuable, the most important outcome

will be the magnificent memory in years to come of this incredible performance.

Sincere thanks to Mrs Ayton, Mrs Tillier, Mr Willats and Mrs Simpson for their support in running

the trip, as well as Taw & Torridge coaches – for getting us there and back!

Well Done to Year 11 raising money for

Shelterbox The Year 11 Society Health and Development

diploma pupils visited Shelterbox on 5th

September as part of their ASDAN qualification.

They presented a cheque for £116.13, which they

had raised through fundraising activities, such as a

sponsored silence and cake sales.

JUDO

World Challenge

Twenty six pupils from GTS School plan to tackle an adventurous challenge this year which will

change the way they will see the world. They are going to be tackling the Morocco expedition

where they will trek across the breath-taking scenery and experience a mixture of cultures whilst

weaving through Berber villages and participating in rewarding volunteer work. They are currently

busy fundraising the full amount of £1049 to take them on the unforgettable trip of a lifetime.

Part of the criteria is that they have to raise the money themselves. Pupils taking part have all

sorts of activities to raise the money from

making and selling cards, car washing and

odd jobs to help fund themselves on the trip

of a lifetime. If you have any ideas that

pupils could do please let Miss McCarthy

know.

A fun Judo taster session was

put on after school by Simon

Ward on Tuesday 18th October.

If you are interested in

participating in the near future

please see Mr Avery in PE

Office.

Outdoor Education Duke of Edinburgh Expedition

This year we have nineteen

pupils in Year 10 going for

their Bronze award. The

group have just completed

their bronze qualifying expedition covering over 20

miles along the North Devon Coast Path with an

overnight camp in Appledore. The assessors were

really impressed with the pupils, how they worked

as a team, their camp craft and planning. Here are

some of the comments that the assessors made

“Their teamwork was good, helping each

other when necessary and the whole team

appeared to have had fun and thoroughly

enjoyed themselves”

“The team got on really well together,

helping each other and sorting things out

quietly and efficiently”.

“A small girl coped remarkably well with the walking with a big bag. Although she was

very tired she didn’t let that stop her finishing with the girls or holding them up. She

was a very determined young lady”.

Many of the group have started their volunteering section by helping out in local youth

groups, people in their community or afterschool clubs in and around the surrounding

Torrington area. We hope that they will be inspired that they are making a difference to their

community or to an individual’s life by developing compassion by giving service to others.

Three year 11 pupils have recently completed their bronze award – Congratulations to Jessie

Shere, Jessica Heywood and Tim Isaac.

Faiths Beliefs

and Ideas

9Y4 built an amazing sukkah in their Faiths Beliefs and Ideas lesson last week. A sukkah is a temporary structure built by Jewish families to celebrate the festival of Sukkoth, which takes place this week. It is an ancient tradition to build a shelter outside and to decorate it with fruit and leaves as a reminder of the 40 years spent by Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness. It is the

forerunner of our Harvest Festival. Ms A Sparrow

GTS Sports Personality of the Year 2011

The GTS Annual Sports Awards 2011 celebrate the talents of Great Torrington's talented

sports men, women and Sports Leaders were recognised and short listed for these

prestigious Sports Awards. Hosted at Langtree Village hall at the end of July 2011. The

evening recognised pupils achievement and contribution through a wide range of

prestigious awards. Seth Hodorowski was the overall crowned winner of the Sports Personality of the Year

for his superb contribution to school sport and performance, demonstrating an excellent attitude and being an

outstanding role-model to pupils.

Streetz Crew were named as the winners of the Team of

the Year. Morgan New was awarded the Leadership Award

for her netballing commitment and dedication to

volunteering her time to help promote practical activities for

others. Huge congratulations and a big well done goes to

all the students who were short listed in categories for their

outstanding achievements and efforts during the course of

last year.

Shore Thing Project

Great Torrington and other schools in the South West are

part of this National project run partly by the Marine

Biological Association, Plymouth. With the help of marine

laboratories and field study centres, schools from Cornwall to

the Highlands will be contributing to the Shore Thing

database.

The students record seaweeds and animals in quadrats as

they walk down the shore from high to low tide, along a

transect line. They then spend 20 minutes looking for a

number of marine species that scientists have selected as

being indicators of climate change. Once the data has been

checked it will be made available to the wider community

including scientists and decision makers via the internet.

A class of Year 11 pupils studying for their Biology GCSE went

to survey the shore at Abbotsham on September 27th with

Dr Phillips, Mr Dorrell, marine expert Dr Jollands from

Hallsannery centre and Ms Crouch who organises the „Shore

Thing‟ project, nationally. It was a beautiful, hot, sunny day

and we enjoyed seeing how varied life is on the shore,

particularly in our local Biosphere Reserve. Pupils had the

opportunity to learn about species surveying techniques and

some used an underwater camera in the rock-pools. The visit

seemed all the more worthwhile as it was contributing to a

National study. This is the fifth annual survey Great

Torrington school has taken part in. Already it is showing an

increase in top shell numbers as they extend their range

northwards as sea temperatures rise.

NORTH DEVON HOSPICE FUNDRAISER

VISITS GTS Emma Lowe from the North Devon Hospice came in to

talk to the pupils about their upcoming fundraising

evening. She started with the opening question, “Have

any of you ever thought about doing fundraising as a

career choice?” A lot of thoughtful faces looked up and

started taking notes as she talked about her role and

event planning tips. Topics covered were legal aspects of

selling raffle or lottery tickets, obtaining prizes,

advertising, risk assessments, layout and her most

important advice to everybody was to SMILE. See page

10 of the newsletter for more details.

On Tuesday 4th

October, the staff and pupils of GTS took part in a sponsored

circular walk of the school grounds to raise money for the North Devon

Hospice as part of the Devon Walks appeal, their latest fundraising campaign.

We were approached by the ND Hospice to take part and held a non-school

uniform day in the theme of dress as a twin and sponsored walk.

Gerard Fawcitt from ND Hospice came into each of the year school assemblies

prior to the event and gave an interesting and thought provoking talk about

what the hospice does and why sponsorship money is so important to them.

Although the day started out wet, the rain clouds were soon gone. All the

pupils in the school tackled the walk in their hour slot with several members of

staff joining them.

The route set was a half mile long circuit and approx. 3000+ laps were

recorded equating to 1500 miles being walked or run, others did it in a group

all tied together and some even did it in a three-legged style race.

Sponsorship money has reached a staggering £2285.87; if any pupils haven’t

returned their sponsorship money please return so we can do a final cheque

presentation.

Thank you so much to everyone who sponsored staff and pupils for the walk.

The day went really well as you can see from the pictures.

GTS & Appledore Book Festival

Great Torrington School students were lucky to meet three authors in a week. The library

was kept even busier than usual with a performance poet, Ash Dickinson, working with Year 11

students too.

Ruth Ward from the school library said, “We have developed a great relationship with

Appledore Book Festival and I requested the writer Nicola Morgan a couple of years ago. Her

historical adventures had been highly recommended to me and the students love them.” The

Nicola Morgan event answered many questions from Torrington‟s Year 7, 8 and 9 aspiring

writers and fans of her work. Internationally known playwright Terence Frisby asked

students to act in scenes together. “They are developing a story with a beginning, middle and

ending at the scene of some type of accident,” said Terence. Many students are seeing the

musical play in Barnstaple, „Kisses on a Postcard‟ and Terence gave a heartfelt account of his

own wartime experiences. Library campaigner and acclaimed writer Alan Gibbons completed

the trio of authors. Alan‟s work is taking him all over the world now and the largely male

audience were very appreciative of a very lively talk. “We challenged some less confident

readers that have benefitted from our daily Reading Club to read Alan‟s books before the

visit and the results have been really worthwhile. Alan started with face pulling, humour and

encouragement. The audience were putty in his hands and delighted to stay for photos and

autographs.”

The visits coincided with Year 5 and 6 student and parent visits as part of our Open School

morning tours so there were extra audience members stopping by each day, adding to the

enjoyment. “The children are already asking for more author visits and suggesting authors.

Enjoyment from reading is alive and well at Great Torrington School.” Mrs Ward Library

Congratulations to Yr 9

Netball team who came second

in the North Devon tournament on

10th October 2011. They lost in the

last 90 seconds of the final. It was 4-4

until the end of the game when in the

last 90 seconds they then lost 7-4!

They are through to the Devon

Tournament being held on the 15th

November. Good luck girls.

Multi Skill

Festival Year 11 OCR

Sport group ran a multi skill festival

for 160 year 5/6 pupils from the GTS

learning community at GTS on the

fields. The festival was a great

success with all 160 pupils being

involved in various activities including

running, jumping, javelin throwing,

rugby passing and kicking, long distance

running, tennis ball throws and speed

agility and quickness type activities. All

young leaders were a credit to

themselves and the school showing

fantastic leadership skills and

encouraging all visiting pupils on each

activity. Teachers from visiting primary

schools commented on our pupils being

brilliant motivators and very clear in what

they were expecting the pupils to

achieve. Mrs Frickleton

Year 10 Work Experience

2011/12 The dates for the Year 10 block work

experience weeks are 16th - 20th April 2012 for

students who are taught in Band X and 23rd –

27th April for students taught in Band Y.

Students will be given further information and

support later in the term as part of the

preparation programme. The responsibility

for finding a work placement lies with the

student and their parents although help will

always be provided by the school. There can

be strong competition for places, especially

within certain employment sectors, which is

why I wanted to inform you of the dates at

the earliest opportunity. It is never too early

to arrange a placement!

Sandra Peters – Personalised Learning

Manager

Breakfast Club

8.30am – 8.50am Monday to Friday

Toast, cereals, fruit, bacon rolls, coffee, tea

Fruit Juices

GOOD LUCK

EliteZ StreetZ (yrs 9-11) in

orange below and our fantastic

new younger crew SneakerZ

(yrs 7-9) in pink will be

representing GTS in the

National High Schools

Streetdance Competition.

Making the news

Many congratulations to Phoebe Baker and Annabel Halstead who have beaten tough competition to win places in the Devon FA Centre of Excellence. The girls train at Ivybridge Community College and Phoebe was selected for trials for the FA’s Elite Performance Camp.

Morgan New has been making the news in her netballing locally and in a national

magazine, England Netball. Morgan has been awarded the Young Netball Volunteer

Award for the South West Area. A stunning achievement and a lot of dedication

have been given to her local Netballing clubs and schools.

Message from The NHS Immunisation Team

In line with national policy, BCG vaccination for TB has not routinely been given to children in schools since

2005. NHS Devon are now screening young people in Reception year, who are at risk of developing or have on

going risk of exposure to TB infection. This includes any child aged 5 – 18 years old who has not been

vaccinated against TB infection and:

Have a parent or grandparent born in a country with a high incidence of TB OR

Were born or lived for more than 3 months in any country with a high incidence of TB

Please contact The Immunisation Team on 01392 208469/ 208470 to arrange screening and vaccination.

The Immunisation Team, Franklyn House, Franklyn Drive, Exeter, EX2 9HS

Attendance

Our attendance target for the year

is 95%. It is our expectation that

all pupils attend school to enable

them to access the best possible

education. If pupils attendance

causes the school reasons for

concern then the Education

Welfare Service will be involved.

Persistent absences can involve

penalty notices/fines being issued

or even court proceedings.

Mrs A Hardy

NOTICES

Non Uniform day November 18th Children in Need Day

Year 11 will be organising some money raising events during break time and lunchtime, so bring

some extra loose change as well as £1.00 for non-school uniform on the day. There will be the

cake bakes, and some fun activities planned by Yr 11 including penalty shootout against staff and

someone did mention “Throw a sponge at a Teacher!”.

Over half of our parents have now signed up to our Parentmail. We are regularly sending messages home on Parentmail from trips to calendar reminders to afterschool clubs. There is an option to pay for trips and school uniform on the Parentmail +Pay section. If you are not yet a user of Parentmail, or need your password reset please contact Mrs Louise Leonard at school on admin@gts.devon.sch.uk.

ORGANISED BY Y11 DIPLOMA STUDENTS in aid of the ND Hospice

Wednesday 16th November

Drama Studio at GTS

6pm – 8.45pm

Body Shop, Refreshments, Hand Manicures

£1 entrance fee includes cake & drink

Please come along and support the event.

GTS Christmas

Concert

9th December

St Michael &

All Angels

Church 7pm.

We hope to see

you there

DJ/MC & Music Workshop

Wednesdays 3.10 -5.10

Ages 13 – 19

GTS Music Studio

. For more information please call Steve on 07977573706

Outside Group Hire

Great Torrington School possesses some excellent and wide-ranging facilities across many

subject areas. From Classrooms, meeting rooms, halls, Tennis and Netball courts, IT Suites,

and Art rooms available to hire.

Whilst these are put to good use within the school day, and in some cases during extra-

curricular activities outside of normal school hours, the opportunity presents itself for these

facilities to be utilised during evenings and weekends by groups or individuals either from

within the school or from the wider community. If you interested in hiring GTS facilities

please contact the Letting Officer, Mrs Leonard, on admin@gts.devon.sch.uk

Day Location Timing Contact

Step n Tone Monday Gym 1815-1915 Amy Avery

Adult Streetz Monday Gym 1930-2030 Amy Avery

South American Style Dance Tuesday Gym 1800-1900 Amy Avery

Adult Streetz Tuesday Gym 1900-2000 Amy Avery

Gt Torrington Open D of E Tuesday J1 1830-1930 Nick Muir

Adult Streetz Class Wednesday Gym 1845-1945 Amy Avery

Torrington Athletics Club Wednesday Gym 1800 Start Marilyn Blair

North Devon Gym Thursday Gym 1700-2000 Tracey Davies

Table Tennis Thursday Dining Hall

1845-2045 Kevin Taylor

Akidio Friday Gym 1830-2100 Geoff Murby

Streetz 6-9 year old Saturday Gym 0900-0945 Amy Avery

Streetz Age 10-16 Old Saturday Gym 0945-1030 Amy Avery

Elite Streetz Crew Saturday Gym 1030-1115 Amy Avery

Gym Sneekers Saturday Gym 1115-1200 Amy Avery

ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE FROM

THE LIBRARY

Revision Sessions & Clubs

Class Subject Revision Day Timings Teacher Place

Yr10-11 Graphics Tues, Thurs 3:10-5:00 PA Tec 6

Yr10-11 RM, Construction, Engineering Wed 3:10-4:30 AJF Tec 3

Yr10-11 RM, Construction, Engineering Thurs 3:10-4:10 JDA Tec 4/5

Yr 11 and 10 ART Coursework/Exam Preparation

WED 3.10-4.30 TK A2

Yr 10 & Yr 11 ART Coursework/Exam Preparation

Thurs 3.10-4.30 BI A1

Year 11 Dance Monday 1.20-2.00 CDF P1

Year 11 Drama Tues/Weds 3.10-4.00 AMP P1

Year 11 Music Tues/Weds/Thurs 3.10-4.20 HJC P3

Year 11 Geography - controlled Assessment catch-up

Tues & Thurs 3.10-4.30 EM S2

Year 11 Food and Nutrition GCSE Monday lunchtime SMC Tec 2

Year 11 Food and Nutrition GCSE Tues, Weds, Fri 3.10pm-5pm

HVW Tec 1

GCSE Dance Dance practical Mon lunch 13.30-14.00

CDF P1

Year 10 Food Tuesday 1.30- 2.00 SMC TEC2

Year 11 Food Monday 1.30- 2.00 SMC TEC2

11xPg1 PE Monday 1.30-2.00 JVA CR1

YR 11 Geography Tues & Weds 3.15-4.15 NGD S1

Year 11 Maths – Module 2 Tuesday After school

TC /MAL

M1

Yr 11 10x1 Maths – Module 2 Wednesday After school

CD M1

Yr 10 11 Maths – Module 1 Wednesday After school

AQ /AGB

M4

Yr 10 11 Maths – Module 1 Thursday After school

CTS /AGB

M1

Yr 11 PE GCSE Tuesday Lunchtime JC Tec 6

Lun

chti

me

s Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

ATP Yr 7 ATP Yr 8/9 ATP Yr 10/11 ATP Yr 8/9 ATP Yr 10 11

GYM Street Dance

Street Dance All

Street Dance All Years

Stages Rehearsals

Fitness Suite

Fitness Suite

(Yr 10 -11)

Fitness Suite (Yr 10 -11)

Sports Hall

Open Sports hall

Yr 11 Netball (JC)

Open Sports hall Every other week only

Open Sports Hall (SE)

Open Netball

P1 GCSE Dance

Yr10&11

Impro Club AMP

DJ and mixing Club

Watchers Film Club

Watchers Film Club

P2 Glee Be a Technician

Food Tech 2

Food&NutGCSE

Aft

erS

cho

ol

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday ATP Yr 11

Football Yr 7/8/9

Football Yr 10 Football

Sports Hall

Indoor Hockey All Years

Climbing Trampolining

Field Yr 7/9 Rugby Yr 10 Rugby Yr 8 Rugby

Gym Primary Gymnastics

Staff Circuits / Exercise

Gymnastics Street Dance (Crew)

Courts Tennis up

to half term Yr 9 / 10 Netball

Yr 7 / 8 Netball

Other Areas

Tennis Torrington Tennis Courts to half term

Table Tennis Dining Hall

J7 Homework Club

Homework Club

Homework Club & Cobra Learn to Touch Type

Homework Club & Cobra Learn to Touch Type

Tec 3 Technology (GCSE CDT) 3.10 - 4.30pm

Tec 6 Technology (GCSE CDT) 3.10 - 5pm

Technology (GCSE CDT) 3.10 - 5pm

Tec 4 Technology (GCSE CDT 3.10 - 4.10)

Art Rooms

Pottery (Oct Half)

Art and Design (TK)

Art & Design (BI)

P3 Cobra Film Animation

P2 Devon Youth Service DJ/MC & Lyric Workshop

P1 Wren Music (Yr 5 - 7)

Food Tech Tec 1

Food & Nutrition GCSE & COBRA 3.15 - 4.30 After

Oct Half Term

Food & Nutrition GCSE & COBRA 3.15 - 4.30 Up to Oct half Term

Food & Nutrition GCSE 3.15 - 4.30

SC3 Science Drop in Clinic

Tele: 01805 623 531 Fax: 01805 624 332

Website: www.gts.devon.sch.uk Email: admin@gts.devon.sch.uk

GTS Academy Trust, known as Great Torrington School. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, number 7698197. An exempt charity. Registered Office: Great Torrington School, Calvesford Road, Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 7DJ