Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Henrietta Leavitt

  Tue 26 Oct 2021

  Great Torrington School was proud to host Links to Life visit on Friday 15th October 2021 to learn about the life and work of little known, yet hugely significant Henrietta Leavitt.

  The day was designed to encourage more young people to consider a future in science and learn about the history of our understanding of the cosmic distance scale beginning with an overview of the theories of Ptolemy and Copernicus, the work of Kepler and Newton, Leavitt, Hertzsprung and Hubble.

   

  The day included a live biographic performance by three actors and science leader, Alice Mills (co-director of Exeter Science Centre) telling of the life of Henrietta Leavitt (1868-1921). They also practiced GCSE Maths skills - trigonometry, algebra, use of a calculator, and similar triangles. They learned how to carry out calculations involving distances determined by the analysis of trigonometric parallax and plot some of Leavitt’s original data to determine the period-luminosity relationship.

   

  For the final part of the day, we were joined by a visiting female STEM professional who talked about her work and joined in discussions.

   

  The entire day was enjoyed by everyone who took part with some great feedback received by our young people who were inspired by the day.

  

• Digital Futures Summit

  Fri 22 Oct 2021

  Twelve GTS students enjoyed a wonderful day exploring digital careers on Monday 18th October at the RIO (Real Ideas Organisation) Digital Future Summit at Market Hall, Plymouth.

   

  The summit was a finale to a pilot project that the current year 9 took part in the summer term, where they watched a series of short films about jobs and industries from the Southwest that utilise digital skills. The project aimed to highlight the digital skills required in today's world of work and the importance of pursuing computing studies.

   

  At the summit, we met some of the digital leaders that were featured in the films. Our student's carousal around six half-hour workshops with the employers they met through the engagement videos in the summer term. 

   

  • BT- working with representatives from BT the group split into two teams to design and deliver an idea for an app that would solve a problem.  
  • Ocean City Media- the company behind the making of the Digital Engagement Pilot videos talked about their jobs and careers. We also learned how it was possible to film, shoot and edit short little films using our phones and editing software.
  • Fab Lab Plymouth- the Fab Lab demonstrated their 3D scanning and 3D printing equipment and its capabilities. 
  • A panel of digital industry professionals- Lydia from Fishtek Marine and Tom from Lineal Software Solutions talked about their careers in-depth and gave an insight into how useful digital skills are.
  • Immersive Dome experience - this dome was enormous and completely mesmerizing; we watched a mini film and were shown the capabilities of the technology that draws you into the story or performance being shown.   
  • Bluescreen IT- experts in Cyber Security, Bluescreen IT delivered a workshop for the children to learn more about the industry. We all learned not to leave the house with our Wi-Fi switched on! 

  

• New Netball Kit

  Wed 20 Oct 2021

  On Tuesday 19th October, Jonathan Heard, Director of Furze Game and David Large, Rotarian from Torrington Rotary Club proudly met with Year 8 and 9 netball teams from Great Torrington School for launch of their new netball kit that they have both kindly sponsored.  

   

  Mrs. Frickleton, PE Teacher, said:  

   

  “I am so proud of the teams for their talent, dedication and enthusiasm to their netball and training after such a long break from the sport.

   

  “The netball team love their new dresses and we thank the Rotary Club of Torrington and Furze Game for supporting us. We will be proudly wearing our kit in upcoming matches.”

  

• ATP Works Complete

  Tue 19 Oct 2021

  We’re pleased to announce that our All Terrain Pitch is now complete and re-open ready for use! The last few months has been busy with new drainage, base and playing surface all installed along with new fencing. Special thanks to Torridge District Council and Charles Lawrence for organising, and completing, all the required works on behalf of our pupils and the wider community.

  

• GTS Careers | Bideford College Sixth Form visit Year 11

  Thu 14 Oct 2021

  We welcomed Mrs K French, Head of Sixth Form and two GTS Alumni who are now part of Bideford Sixth Form for an assembly to give our Year 11 further information about life and opportunities at Bideford College .

   

  An invite was extended to visit the site with Mrs Leonard after half term (now full) and reminder that it is Bideford's Information Evening on Tuesday 2nd December 4.30pm - 7pm.

   

  We would like to thank Mrs French for visiting GTS and for the opportunity to visit Bideford College Sixth Form for Year 11 to explore their choices and options.

   

  Links:

   

  Website: https://sixthform.bidefordcollege.org/

   

  Prospectus: http://sixthform.bidefordcollege.org/wp-content/uploads/prospectus/index.html

   

  Subjects: https://sixthform.bidefordcollege.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Entry-Criteria-2020-1.pdf

  

• GTS Celebrates | Sporting Achievement

  Tue 05 Oct 2021

  On Sunday, Freya Woodhead in Year 9 took part in the London Mini Marathon, as part of a Southwest team.

   

  She competed in the U15 age group and came 20th position with the Under-15s girls team coming an amazing 4th overall.  

   

  She still has another year left competing in this age group! Such a wonderful experience and achievement for her! Well, done Freya, GTS are very proud of you!

  

• GTS Careers | Virtual talks from North Devon District Hospital

  Mon 04 Oct 2021

  Eight GTS students from years 9,10 & 11 took up the opportunity to attend virtual talks from North Devon District Hospital nursing team last week. As the hospital have limitations on visitors now, Lucy Warner delivered an excellent programme of speakers in a virtual setting using Microsoft Teams.

   

  Students were able to listen to the experts about their jobs and find out about qualifications, study, and routes into nursing. They also took part in break out rooms with little mini tasks and scenarios to discuss with their peers and hosts.

   

  If any year 9,10 & 11 are interested in further talks about careers at North Devon District Hospital, please contact Mrs Leonard, Careers office.

   

  Next Dates:

  Wednesday 15th December - Are you an aspiring Doctor

  Friday 28th January 2022: What opportunities exist in non-clinical posts?

  Thursday 28th April 2022 - What are Allied Healthcare Professionals?

• Joseph Coelho with Appledore Book Festival at GTS

  Mon 04 Oct 2021

  Joseph Coelho was here with two Year 8 classes today.

   

  He said that at a young age he was behind with his reading and learning.

   

  Finding his library and teachers brought his creative ideas together - writing and performing his stories and poems.

  He has published over a dozen books including anthologies and ‘Fairy Tales Gone Bad’

   

  Try ‘Zombierella’ for something scary and creepy.

  Joseph read from ‘The Girl Who Became a Tree’ - a story told in poems

   

  You can borrow this now from GTS library.

  Enjoy the mixture of real life, myth, and fantasy - it’s a powerful exploration of grief and renewal.

  We had a sneak preview of his latest ‘Fairy Tales Gone Bad’ book.

   

  Thank you for coming to GTS Joseph Coelho!