PLYMOUTH COLLEGE
PLYMOUTH COLLEGE SHINES AT PARIS 2024
Former and Current Pupils Compete, Win Medals, and Inspire Future Champions
Plymouth College families, past and present, have been on the edge of their seats this summer watching an incredible fifteen current or former pupils competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics
The opening ceremony gave us all such incredible joy, watching current pupil Chadd, just fifteen years old, proudly carrying the flag for his home nation Eswatini What an extraordinary experience for this young man
Our first medal was won by former pupil Tom Daley in the 10m Synchro Diving, alongside his diving partner Noah Tom now has a full set of Olympic medals, having won gold and bronze at past Olympic events What a role model for our pupils dedication and hard work pay off! Our second medal was by former pupil Ben Proud. Ben joined Plymouth College from Malaysia on a Swimming Scholarship and has shown remarkable progress ever since He won his first World Championship as a pupil in 2017 Since then, Ben has become a multiple-time World Champion and now an Olympic medallist
We have a strong sporting record at Plymouth College, with over 200 former pupils having competed at the very top level - an extraordinary achievement by the pupils supported by an equally dedicated and supportive team at our school
We have a limited number of places available on our elite sports programme with scholarship and bursaries for September 2024 , so if you have been inspired as much as we have and have pupils from all corners of the world looking for high sporting achievement within a fantastic school environment, please get in touch!
Admissions Team: Fiona Jones, and Daisy Nunn
+44 (0) 1752 505120 | admissions@plymouthcollege com
“MOST ATHLETES COMPETING IN THE OLYMPICS FROM ONE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL IN THE WORLD”
A Y E A R I N T H E L I F E O F
T H E S C H O O L
CELEBRATING FUTURE LEADERS: SPEECH DAY
2024
Speech Day 2024 was a remarkable event, celebrating the achievements of our future leaders The day featured inspiring speeches, proud parents, friends, family and pupils showcasing their exceptional accomplishments throughout the year.
Judith Petts, MBE and Vice Chancellor of the University of Plymouth, graced the occasion as the guest speaker Her uplifting address highlighted the importance of perseverance and community spirit Petts also presented this year ’ s awards, recognising the hard work and success of our pupils.
The celebration continued with a barbecue and picnic, where Old Plymouth Mannameadians (OPMs) and their families joined current students and staff The thrilling Current XI vs OPM XI cricket match and stunning performances by our talented music pupils added excitement to the day.
This memorable event concluded the academic year perfectly, just before Activities Week begins Congratulations to all our pupils on their wellearned successes!
SIXTH FORM PHYSICS TRIP TO THE DIAMOND LIGHT SOURCE
Our Sixth Form Physicists went on a day trip to the Diamond Light Source – The National Synchrotron Facility near Oxford Diamond is a machine that accelerates electrons to almost the speed of light in order to produce highly intense electromagnetic radiation that can be used for experiments investigating the structure and nature of materials
The trip gave us all an insight in to a world-leading research facility where thousands of scientists and engineers are working on discoveries that will have a direct benefit to everyday people
ROYAL SOCIETY SCIENCE PROJECT
News just in! After submitting a bid for £3000 from the Royal Society, we have just found out that we have been awarded the money! We are one of only two secondary schools in the South West to have been given funding The Royal Society is an internationally respected independent organisation that is dedicated to promoting scientific research which is of benefit to mankind This project is designed to be an open-ended science investigation and we have decided to explore the diversity of the Tavy river Working with us will be Dr Nicola Quick, a lecturer in marine mammal conservation at Plymouth University.
The project is planned to run for a number of years and give the widest range of pupils a taste of how real science works. This will also include outreach work with local schools Part of the project will monitor otter populations on the river using wildlife motion-triggered cameras To assist us in this will be two leading experts on otters in Devon, Hillary Marshall (an experienced ecological consultant) and Jon Valter (a conservationist campaigner and former wildlife journalist for the BBC) Other weeks will be spent looking at bird, moth, arthropod and water invertebrate indicator species. We will also be equipped with the latest water testing kits to monitor electrochemicals Dr Quick will help us plan, conduct, analyse and evaluate our data in a professional way so that we can feed back our findings to the Royal Society and our community
Exciting news and a lot of hard work ahead of us!
ANTARTIC FLAG COMPETITION
Geography and Art teamed up with their designs making it all the way to Antarctica!
We are thrilled to announce that our flag design has been chosen to journey all the way to Antarctica with Carrie Gunn, Marine Biologist for the British Antarctic Survey!
From the creative minds of our pupils to the vast icy landscapes of the South Pole, our flag will proudly represent Plymouth College and our vibrant community in one of the most remote places on Earth
This incredible opportunity not only showcases the creativity and talent within our school but also highlights the importance of what you can achieve with cross curriculum engagement
Congratulations to all our pupils who were involved across the Art and Geography departments for this remarkable achievement! Let's continue to inspire and create, reaching new horizons together!
MATHS CHALLENGE SUCCESS
Pupils in Years 11 to Upper Sixth have recently taken part in two of the mathematical challenges run by the UK Maths Trust. In the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls, Angie P (Year 11), Freya P and Phoebe T (both Lower Sixth) gave up two and a half hours of their time to sit the paper which consisted of 5 unfamiliar problems They had only a ruler and a pair of compasses to help them, no calculators! Angie and Phoebe gained a merit award. In the Senior Maths Challenge, which consists of 25 multiple choice questions to be completed in an hour and a half, again with no calculators allowed, four pupils - Ben S (Lower Sixth), Matthew C, Rohan C and Berk P (all Upper Sixth) were awarded a gold certificate
INNER DRIVE WORKSHOP
InnerDrive came to deliver study skills talks to pupils from Year 10 all the way through to the Upper Sixth InnerDrive are a company that work with school pupils, businesses and professional athletes both in the UK and overseas. They specialise in delivering sessions focusing on study skills, mindset, stress management and a number of other areas to better help pupils, athletes and professionals reach their full potential During the sessions to our pupils, they covered a wide variety of topics, from the working memory, to note taking methods, goal setting, how to “fail better” and many more. These sessions from a key part of the overall study skills programme that is delivered to our exam years and will hopefully provide the pupils with some useful, practical tips as they prepare for their exams
S P O R T
YOUTH TALENT PROGRAMME SELECTION FOR NUBIA E-S IN THE DISCUS
"The Youth Talent Programme (YTP) is the first step on the Talent pathway designed to meet the needs of identified, talented English athletes/para athletes aged between 16 and 18 years of age and their coaches.
“The programme focuses on developing a dual career for the athlete/para athlete through fulfilling their potential within the sport and also in their education and employability " England Athletics
Nubia E-S was encouraged to apply for a place on the programme by her coach and has successfully beaten many other talented applicants to earn a place This latest achievement is a significant milestone in Nubia's quest to ultimately compete in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games and she should be congratulated We look forward to seeing her progress
BABB BROTHERS SELECTED TO REPRESENT TEAM GB IN THE TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tristan B (Year 10), and brother Alexander B (Year 8), will be representing Great Britain at the Biathle/Triathle World Championships taking place in Bali, Indonesia in early November The boys will be competing in Triathle, an event that involves cross country running, freestyle swimming, and laser pistol shooting in multiple sequences The legs are raced with continuous transitions The boys have both competed at this event for GB before, Alexander at the World Championships in Madeira 2022 and Tristan at the European Championships in Germany 2023 However, this will be the first time they have competed at the same competition and therefore joining a small group of siblings competing together for their country Good luck
EDWARD A COMPLETES RED BULL CAMP
Red Bull Junior Brothers is a global talent scouting programme aimed at finding the next generation of professional road cyclists Edward A (U6) was one of 91,000 boys who started the challenge However, he was only 1 of 12 that actually made it through to the final! This is such a fantastic achievement and is a true testament to Edward’s talent, hard work and dedication Congratulations Edward!
CRICKET
After taking 5 wickets against the MCC in our 2022 fixture, Matt W (Year 10) was invited to Day 2 of the England v Ireland Test earlier this Summer at Lords In recognition of his achievement a special presentation was made on the outfield - during the lunch interval - by MCC President, Stephen Fry Congratulations to Matt!
SOPHIE R SUCCEEDS IN THE BRITISH
TENNIS TOUR
Sophie R (Year 10) won her first ever British Tour main draw match to reach the last 16 in the Premier Grade One event in Penarth, South Wales.
Sophie came through the qualifying event which allows rising stars of the game to enter the tournament with the chance of competing against Britain’s top tennis talent in later rounds. She achieved two wins - over Sholape Ayanbadejo of Middlesex and Dorset’s Sienna Smith, a Freshman at New York State’s St Bonaventure University
In the first round of the main draw, Sophie faced another American scholar and Wild Card, Nicole Kells, of Alcorn State University, Mississippi. Sophie delivered a commanding performance and led 6-3 1-0 40-0 before Kells retired
In the round of last 16, Sophie was drawn against 18-year-old British Tour leader Kate Mansfield. Sophie gave a good account of herself on Penarth’s new show court, breaking Mansfield’s serve in the opening game and trading high quality shots with her more experienced opponent before losing 6-3 6-3
Sophie was really pleased with her successful week which generated valuable ranking points towards her GB ranking.
The British Tour Penarth is part of an annual circuit of around 30 tournaments which make up the LTA’s British Tour series Previous Tour champions include Emma Raducanu Well Done Sophie
A Q U A T I C S
INTERNATIONAL SELECTION
In an outstanding achievement in the realm of aquatic sports, three talented pupils have been selected to compete in the prestigious Africa Aquatics Junior Swimming Championship in Mauritius This remarkable accomplishment reflects the prowess of these young athletes
The three outstanding pupils, Johari M, Ivan S, and Chadd N, have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and determination in their journey to qualify for this esteemed competition Their selection is a testament to the hard work and commitment they have invested in honing their swimming abilities
The Africa Aquatics Junior Swimming Championship in Mauritius is a platform that brings together the continent's most promising young swimmers, providing an opportunity for them to showcase their talent and compete at a regional level Our pupils will not only be representing their schools but the entire nation on this international stage
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these exceptional young athletes on their well-deserved selection and wish them the very best of luck as they prepare to make waves in Mauritius Their achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring swimmers across the country, encouraging them to pursue their passion for aquatic sports and strive for excellence
JACK B IS CROWNED YOUTH CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Huge congratulations to Jack B (U6) for winning the title of National Youth Champion at the 2023 Swimming Awards!
In the pool, he's not just swimming – he's soaring! But outside of the pool Jack's
A R T S
BRILLIANT BROOMHILL
The Art Department gave pupils studying A Level Art and Photography in the Lower and Upper Sixth the opportunity to visit the Sculpture Gardens at the Broomhill Estate in Barnstaple. The sculpture exhibition has been active for over 25 years and showcases approximately 150 pieces from established and emerging artists throughout the gardens The exhibition is divided into two gardens; the first exhibits a mixture of permanent installations alongside sculpture available for sale The second sits in the lower river meadows, showcasing The National Sculpture Prize, now in its eleventh year The trip provided pupils with the opportunity to gather first-hand contextual information and source imagery for their A Level coursework units During the visit, pupils were encouraged to experiment with different ways of photographing the artworks, including the use of handmade viewfinders, coloured lenses and mirrored prisms. They also undertook some observational drawings of the sculptures using pastels and charcoal. The collection of sculptures on display were really inspiring and it was great to see the pupils immersing themselves in the creative tasks
CREATIVE ARTS EXTRAVAGANZA
The Year 7s stepped up and started the musical academic year with a bang! All the pupils took part in the concert, showcasing what they have been doing in their Art, Drama and Music lessons so far this term The artwork was exquisitely displayed in the foyer The Year 7 pupils have been undertaking a practical project entitled ‘A Sense of Place’ and exploring motifs associated with Devon They began with a series of observational drawings of an afternoon tea still life in the Art studios These were further developed into monoprints, which have since been embellished with both oil pastels and paint to create the vibrant outcomes seen on display The pupils have also been studying Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations by Alan Ayckbourn in Drama lessons and performed some extracts from it In addition, pupils performed some Cold Play and Ed Sheeran playing piano, drums and percussion throughout. A thoroughly enjoyable concert.
PLYMOUTH COLLEGE LAUNCHES ARTS AWARD
This year, pupils in Years 10 - Upper Sixth are being given the opportunity to participate in the Arts Award during the Friday Art Enrichment sessions
This is a nationally recognised qualification and pupils can specialise in either Art, Music or Drama We will be working towards the Bronze Award this academic year This award develops young people’s artistic abilities alongside their research and communication skills This level involves them in the arts as creators and audience members, and encourages them to take their first steps towards leadership by sharing their learning with others
This qualification develops knowledge and creativity alongside reflective practice, problem-solving skills and confidence Pupils will complete a portfolio as their Arts Award journey progresses, explaining what they've seen, done and learned along the way
PLYMOUTH COLLEGE JAZZ BAND
SHINES AT MUSIC FOR YOUTH NATIONAL FINALS
The Plymouth College Jazz Band delivered an outstanding performance at the Music for Youth National Finals at Birmingham Symphony Hall This event marked a significant milestone for the talented young musicians, who have dedicated countless hours to perfecting their craft
"Their hard work and passion for music have truly paid off," "We are immensely proud to see them shine on such a prestigious stage."
The Music for Youth National Finals is a highly competitive event, and the Plymouth College Jazz Band's performance was met with enthusiastic applause from both the audience and judges. This opportunity allowed the students to showcase their talents to a wider audience, boosting their confidence and inspiring their musical journey.
Congratulations to the Plymouth College Jazz Band for their remarkable achievement and for representing their school with excellence The future looks bright for these young musicians!
"SHREK THE MUSICAL" WOWS
AUDIENCE AT PLYMOUTH COLLEGE
The performance of "Shrek the Musical" at Plymouth College this year was nothing short of spectacular. From start to finish, the cast, crew, and audience came together to create a truly magical experience
Talented performers brought beloved characters like Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey to life, transforming the stage into the whimsical world of Far Far Away The audience was captivated by the energetic performances and vibrant production.
A huge round of applause goes to everyone involved in making this production a resounding success Their hard work, dedication, and passion shone brightly, making us incredibly proud.
B O A R D I N G
BOARDING FISHING TRIP
A small group of boarders went on an amazing fishing trip out in Plymouth Sound and caught lots of fish (including Mackerel, Pollock, Wrasse) that we then brought back to school and Steve the chef showed them how to gut and fillet a fish then cook it to perfection
BOARDERS LET OFF STEAM AT
ADRENALIN QUARRY
The thrill-seeking boarders had an unforgettable day o Adrenalin Quarry in Cornwall. The quarry is a pe location for adrenaline junkies who love extreme sport adventure activities
The boarders were treated with an array of exciting act that made their day a memorable one. They kicked off day with a thrilling zip line experience where they so through the stunning scenery. The beautiful view o quarry and surrounding areas made their experience better
The boarders then proceeded to try out the Aqua which is a floating obstacle course on the quarry's c clear water The activity was a perfect way to cool off the summer heat while having an adrenaline rush at the time
The boarders enjoyed a VR activity before they got back to studying for their mock exams this week.
Overall, the day out at Adrenalin Quarry was a perfect way for the boarders to bond and enjoy an adrenaline rush They left with unforgettable memories and a desire to come back for more extreme sports and adventure activities.
EARLY PANCAKE DAY
Pancake day came early for our Boarders this week They spent the evening creating tasty pancakes Who doesn’t love a tasty treat to kick start the week!
C O - C U R R I C U L A R
SKI TRIP 2024
The ski trip to France was so amazing! 74 pupils and 8 staff departed the boarding houses at 2am on a cold December night, flying from Bristol to Geneva and then travelling into the high Alps, to finally arrive, sleep deprived but excited, in Les Deux Alpes. After spending the first afternoon kitting all 82 people out with skis and boots, and the first evening having a huge snowball fight, we spent six gloriously sunny days skiing
With the help of our brilliant instructors from ESF, the pupils were put into their ski groups based on ability, and spent each day progressing their ski technique whilst exploring the mountain Les Deux Alpes is a huge resort topped by a large glacier and the slopes reach an altitude of 3400m, some of the highest in Europe Skiing lots of cruisey blue runs, with some reds and the occasional black to challenge the higher ability groups, the pupils all had a fantastic time There was also some cool video footage from the snowpark! The views were incredible, with Mont Blanc on the horizon and clear blue mountain skies all day, every day The snow conditions were fabulous and the resort gave us everything we wanted
Evening activities included laser tag, bowling, eating local crepes and other delicacies, quizzes and a disco in the hotel DJed by Malik the legend! Not to mention the hats! There was plenty of time too for souvenir shopping The pupils were definitely kept busy!
The staff were incredibly impressed by the attitude and conduct of all the pupils They were amazing, displayed their best Plymouth College attitude, and there was barely a grumble (apart from about the lasagne )
The ski team would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Wesley for organising a wonderful experience for our pupils, and of course we wish him and Mrs Wesley all the best in New Zealand, where they have just arrived this week
All being well, the intention is to run the next trip in two years time, in December you are interested in expressing early interest, please contact any member of the Pl College Ski Team
Finally, we'd like to thank all the pupils who came, for making it such a great experie us too!
Dreaming of the mountains until next time, The Ski Team - Mr Grey, Miss Sherratt, Mrs Manuel, Mr Underwood, Mrs Holden and Lauren
SOURCE TO THE SEA
In a bid to reduce the environmental impact of challenges like the National Three Peaks but still maintain the challenge aspect of the event, the Outdoor Ed team devised the Source to Sea challenge The aim was to Walk, Bike and Canoe the River Dart from Source to Sea in 12 hours. Rising in a remote corner of Dartmoor, the river starts as the East and West Dart, merging at Dartmeet and winding its way through wooded valleys and past ancient forts, train lines and towns to join the sea at Dartmouth
A 5 30am Saturday morning start saw the team drive up to Fernworthy Forest before leaving the minibus and being led by Mr Nunes and Dr Jordan on a 13km walk across Dartmoor to Dunnabridge Pound where Mr Chilcott and Mr Rees were waiting with a fleet of bikes to lead the nine L6 pupils and Mr Tim Lambie on a 31km cycle to Totnes Unfortunately the rain had started by then and this made the hills a bit more of a challenge, by the time they arrived in Totnes fatigue was starting to kick-in
ACTIVITIES WEEK
Year 7 have been down near Falmouth at BF Adventure experiencing a quarry and water based activity week The weather was not kind the first night with torrential rain and wind, but spirits were high and the Via Ferrata and Temple run were tackled enthusiastically On Wednesday, they hit the water and took to Quarrysteering, jumping off higher and higher platforms and challenging each other to synchronise hitting the water at the same time Onwards to the low ropes and zip wire and the much anticipated Adventure Quarry where teamwork is a must or a plunge into the water will follow! Other activities encompassed archery, orienteering and rock climbing So enjoyable for everyone and despite some initial wobbles, a fabulous week
Year 9 and 10 had an action-packed week enjoying paddle boarding, escape rooms, outdoor climbing and abseiling, and giant inflatable rafting The pupils have had a really fun week and have worked
OPM SUCCESS
N
E W S
In 2020, Talia Sullivan, daughter of Mrs Sullivan, Art teacher at Plymouth College, left Plymouth College with A levels in Biology, History and Art and applied to study in the United States through an intermediary body called Sporting Elite She achieved a full scholarship to study at Savannah College of Art and Design because of her track speeds and general academic / artistic potential Within a short amount of time, she became the team captain of Women’s Athletics at this prestigious independent Art College Her scholarship included all sports kit, medical care, food, accommodation and tuition in beautiful old town Savannah
Last week Talia was the only member of her team to make it to Nationals of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) in Indiana This was a huge achievement The NAIA comprises of approximately 77,000 College athletes and those who reach Nationals are few and far between There were more than 30 athletes in her race If you finish in the top 8 competitors, you are awarded the honour of being called an 'All American Athlete', which is an annual honour bestowed upon an amateur athlete from the United States who is considered to be one of the best amateurs in their sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an All-America team for their sport.
24 HOUR CYCLE CHALLENGE
Over the last 24 hours, our amazing pupils and staff have been taking o the challenge of cycling 1518 miles virtually from Plymouth College to Jo O’Groats They have done an excellent job with a smile on their fac throughout, raising over £2,000 for charity! This is a fantastic achieveme As a school, we are extremely proud of our pupils and staff for smashi this challenge
They have been raising money for Make-A-Wish UK, which is a charity th helps fulfil the wishes of children with a critical illnesses between the ages 2 and 18 years old.
Together, we can turn their dedication into life-changing opportunities f those in need Together, we can make a real difference
If you wish to donate or find out more then please follow the link below:
https://giving give-star com/microsite/make-a-wish-uk/southwest/team/1d91ae6f-0c8a-4ae8-a7d4-da8fedf154df
EDUCATE - ENRICH - EMPOWER
PLYMOUTH COLLEGE
Ford Park, Devon, PL4 6RN
T: +44(0)1752 505100
ADMISSIONS
T: +44(0)1752 505100
Email: admissions@plymouthcollege com