A group were selected, as Year 9s, to sit a short course early with twenty seven of them opting to top it up to a full course GCSE this year.  They have now completed an intense Moderation Day and last Wednesday, a tough 90 minute examination.

They can now sit back, relax and enjoy their sport without having to remember which muscles do what!

Well done – we await the results in August -the PE Faculty are proud of you.

Mrs Cornish/Mr Godfree

The girl’s had a tough set of fixtures ahead of them against the best teams in Devon.   Having qualified top of the South Devon area, just beating Coombeshead on penalties, we knew our first fixture would be a tough one with Coombeshead out for revenge.  Our worry soon subsided when we quickly went 2-0 up through two Sian Miller goals.  Two more games followed before lunch, the first against a resistant Devonport High School team.  The game looked to be ending goalless, but an Ella Pegg toe-in from a Katie Sawyer corner saw PCSA deservedly taking all the points.  The third game proved too much when the tiring girls’ unfortunately lost concentration and let Kings School, from Ottery, in for a goal that won them the very close game.

Lunch was a good time for the girls to reflect on the disappointment of the last game and they stormed through the next game against Pilton College, winning 3-1 with goals from Sian (2) and Georgie Veysey.  Going into the last game, an overall win seemed beyond us, but Kings School drew with Coombeshead and so were only one point ahead.  We needed to better their result in order to win.  It was a very tense sixteen minutes, but the girls’ incredible preparation saw us do all we could, winning the game 2-0 with goals from Sian and Katie.  It must be mentioned that the defence in this game were incredible, some huge crunching tackles from Nicole Smith, Jasmine Northcott, Jess Fulcher and Hannah Brown and inspired double saves from Bryn Suddick.  We nervously awaited the outcome of the King’s game and they didn’t look to be celebrating.  They lost their final game so with PCSA winning we were victorious and the 2013 Devon Champions!

An excellent day with a victory so well deserved!

The Champions are: Katie Sawyer (c) (1), Georgie Veysey (1), Ella Pegg (1),Bryn Suddick (gk), Nicole Smith, Hannah Brown, Jasmine Northcott, Jess Fulcher, Sian Miller (4)

Don’t forget to make sure you have a Unit 8 Revision Guide and to come to revision classes on Tuesday and Thursday this week; after school in B03.

Good luck to everyone.

Have you ever felt your heart pound in your ears and mouth, where the deep throbbing lub-dub sound not only reminds you that you are alive, but that you have  just given your every being into the demand that life’s rich tapestry has just thrown upon you?

For twelve of our finest students, they have crossed the finish line with selfless care and courage, as their hearts beat as one; tired and wet, they will glow in their beds with great pride of beating the moor, and finishing this years 10 Tors Challenge.

You may ask why they do this? Is it for glory? No!  Is it to brag?  No!  Is it for the memories that will fill their souls and lift their spirits when they are old, grey and doddery?  Yes!  Although they don’t know this yet, they will remember this weekend with the fondest affections for the rest of their lives, always smiling and with a twinkle in their eye that only those who have completed this challenge will know & recognise! You see, the challenge of 10 Tors teaches you a humbleness which makes you warm and light your eyes with pride; it fills your belly with a fire of passion, that once you cross that line you get: you know what it takes; you know what it means; and you know you will never forget your team members and trainers that made you smile, sweat, and cry.

Both our 35 & 45 mile teams have now entered this elite club of youngsters, that have completed the challenge, and we are very proud of them.

Miss English, a member of that elite club who has completed 10 Tors herself as a young girl, sent her congratulations to the teams.  She is very proud and pleased that these young people have represented the Academy with such vigor and passion.  Yet again it was an honor for her to see the teams off on Saturday morning.

And so, we say thank you and congratulations to these 12 young students, that have completed the challenge.  I know you will temporarily feel the blisters on your feet; the rubbing on the shoulders, and the damp in the core of your bones, but, you will always feel the pride, passion and friendship that you experienced this weekend, for the rest of your life.  How do I know?  I still feel it from 24 years ago!

Congratulations!

Mr Thomas

Sunday 12th May – 0925hr:

Led by Alison Northcott, the 45 milers checked in at Tor 7 at 0602hr, and then Tor 8 at 0749hr, whilst us mere mortals were still swaddled in soft Egyptian cotton, dreaming of fluffy kittens, warm sunny beaches, and luxurious bars of chocolate!  This spirited team of young people are on course to finish as one, and conquer the might of Dartmoor.

We must remember, this land is shared only by harden ponies, the cronk of the scavenging raven, and the sweat from the Royal Marines & Special Forces, who use this moor as a final testing ground.

Jordan Chapman, Troy Deakin, Owen Hartmink, Tyler Ferry & Ashley Davies, with Alison, now look to tame this wild beast as they march their final leg.

Good news also for our 35 milers.  They also were up and running early, and at 0724hr, they checked into Tor 7, with Tor 8 being clocked at 0804hr. Leading from the front, Tom Stevenson is becalming the sea of rolling moorland, with his fellow team mates Becky Bainbridge, Reece Hooran, Alex Moore, Callum Bavister & Brendon Stacey. Like the 45ers, they too are looking strong to conquer this bronzed aged beauty, called Dartmoor.

Behind all good teams are good managers & staff, and like the mighty well oiled FA Cup winning football club, Wigan, our mighty students are supported by the following trainers, who sit tight under canvas, awaiting to share in the moment our students cross the line safe and well:

Mr Cook; Mr Sobey; Miss Singleton; Mr Willcocks; Mrs Arranz & 6th Former Zach Baggot.

Saturday 11th May:

Wind, driving rain and a chill factor that makes your bones stiffen to the core, are minor concerns when facing the grueling terrain of Dartmoor: terrain that sucks every one of your foot steps back into the sodden peat  land, that reclaims your energy, soul and mind. The Ten Tors 2013 Challenge started early this morning, when most of us were enjoying a snuggle in our duvets followed by the fresh smell of bacon, eggs and jam laden toast! For our 35 & 45 Mile Ten Tors Teams, they headed off into the open bleak and baron moor, with nothing more than courage, spirit and a rucksack weighing the equivalent to a Labrador on steroids! These well prepared individuals are focused on beating the blisters, cheating the cold, and mashing the miles that lay ahead of them. At Paignton Community & Sports Academy, we are proud of these young students who represent us in this 53rd annual expedition challenge.  They have sharpened their compass points & we are pleased to report that at 1728hr, the 45 mile team had reached tor 6. At 1645hr, the 35 mile team had reached tor 5. To monitor their progress, click >>HERE<< to see the official Ten Tors site. Both teams are on schedule and remain as a full team of 6. We wish them well, and send warmth to their canvas cribs with our respect, as we reflect and remind ourselves of the Ten Tors Prayer:

“O God, who has made the earth of great beauty and instilled in man a spirit for adventure, we thank you for the beauty of nature for the courage and vigour of youth for companionship and for the opportunity to enjoy these gifts

Go, we pray, with all who are setting out on this great venture among the tors of a unique and ancient moorland. Grant that, by meeting each challenge and difficulty with honest endeavour and unselfish courage they may find a spirit of determination and true comradeship that will benefit themselves and those about them both now and in the future.”

Paignton Community & Sports Academy’s Torquay United Development Squad clinched a stunning 3-1 victory against their Plymouth-based rivals, Plymstock School in the final of the U18’s County Cup at Newton Abbot Spurs’ Recreation Ground on Wednesday, 8^th May.

With the 7-a-side U14 girls march to glory still fresh in the memory, the victory marks the Academy’s second County Championship crown in a fortnight, and under the stewardship of head coach Nick Milton, has done much to lay the foundations for future success.

An even, cagey opening 10 minutes served as a prelude to Paignton’s 1^st half dominance.  Kennard’s tenacity on the left of a 3-pronged attack caused many a headache for Plymstock and it was his searing pace that allowed him to fashion the first half’s most notable opportunity. After cutting inside his full-back, his powerful shot was parried into the path of Luke Boyle who could only drive the rebound against the post.  With Derbyshire recruit Tom Bellini proving a constant menace on the opposite flank, aided by the boundless energy of local custodian Ben Brown, Plymstock were grateful to reach half-time with the score-sheet unblemished at 0-0 and still very much in the game.

The manner of Paignton’s play at the start of the second half was that of a team who had, during the interval, found an inner steel and focussed determination to break the deadlock.  Fortunately, they did not need to wait for long.  The clever movement of Boyle earned the Paignton hit-man the yard of space in the box required to calmly slot past the stranded goalkeeper and put the Academy into a deserved 1-0 lead.

Instead of resting on their laurels, Paignton continued to put Plymstock to the sword for long spells and their admirable resistance wilted once more and another frenzied piece of goalmouth action resulted in the ball finding its way once more to Boyle who gave the keeper no chance with a clinical finish from 8 yards.

Any football theorists in attendance proclaiming 2-0 as a deceptively precarious score-line were soon rendered silent by the frankly irrepressible Sam Fearon.  The athletic midfielder, who has enjoyed a simply stunning debut season, received the ball from the impressive Josh Webber, moved inside and a full 25 yards from goal, unleashed a fearsome drive into the top left corner to send the Academy’s faithful supporters into euphoric rapture.

The quality of the goal was a fitting tribute to a team performance of high energy football, full of verve and quality; typical of the style that Milton has so successfully augured throughout the 2012-13 season.

To their credit, Plymstock managed a late consolation goal, however, this was Paignton’s day and is surely one which will be cherished for many a year.

This Concert will complete the Group’s two year course:  the BTEC Certificate in Music.    The students have organised everything  concerning the Concert themselves:  they have decided who will do each job, discussing their requirements with the Sound Technician,  organising all hospitality, publicity and programmes, etc.

All are very welcome to attend, tickets are priced at £2.50 for adults and £1.00 for children and OAPs and can be purchased on the door.

The project will require this group of students to compose a song called ‘Follow Your Dreams’ and teach it to three groups of Year 5 and 6 students from Oldway Primary School and Sacred Heart RC Primary School.

After half term there will then be a ‘Cluster’ concert in the Academy’s Performing Arts Suite at Waterleat Road sharing performances and singing Paignton Academy’s song ‘Follow Your Dreams’.

This is followed by a concert, including all the secondary and primary schools involved, at the Princess Theatre, Torquay on the 10th July 2013.

The pupils, enthused by the book, have created a display in our Library at Waterleat Road, consisting of items that Puritans would have taken with them to the New World.  Some even dressed up as Puritans, with the help of some artistic creations!

The final exam next is next Friday, 17th May.  Revision sessions will be held after school in B03 on Tuesday and Thursday of next week. 

If you have lost your revision guide please see, either Mrs Sanford, Mr Craw or Mrs. Craw.

Good luck to all students taking this GCSE.

The day is for Year 5 and 6 pupils from Torbay and Teignbridge to take part in a series of free taster sessions from local sports clubs, offering a variety of different sports.  The young people will then have the opportunity to win a FREE membership to one of these clubs and allow them to enjoy the sport without having to pay for a membership.

If you would like to sign up for this event, then visit www.torbaysport.com/talentscout and register.

For more information please contact Nick Gillard at nick.gillard@paigntonacademy.org.