Ten Tors is all about attitude! Our students who took on this endurance challenge have developed an amazing skill set and proved themselves in the harshest environment over the last six months, whilst training on Dartmoor.

Each student has been totally committed to their team and conquered the rain and wind, the hail and snow, the ridiculously tough terrain, and defied the tricky navigational challenges. In addition, each hiker has had to carefully pack and then carry all the necessary equipment needed to camp and be self-sufficient, over two long days on Dartmoor.

Plymstock School works closely with the Dartmoor Plodders – which is actually managed by Huccaby Brown (an ex-student), and ably assisted by a dedicated team of qualified and experienced helpers, including three further ex-students.

This season we organised 12 separate training weekends and the following students were involved:

• Ben W, Ellie M, Elena L, Jacob H, Ed C, and Tom B (Training for 35-mile team)
• Alex D, Jacob B, Charlie B, Jacob G, Tom D and Amy J (Training for 45-mile team)
• Andy H and Lucy E– Year 11 (Training for 55-mile team)

(Students in bold made it into the 6-person team for the actual 2018 event).

The main event over the weekend had favourable weather and our teams were all brilliantly successful!

The 35-mile team finished at an amazing 13:01 on the Sunday. The 45-mile team strolled round and finished at an awesome 12:30 (several very sore feet though!). The 55-mile team struggled over the last five miles and incurred some horrendous blisters (Andy H!) but there was never any doubt they would pull through together to finally cross the line at 16:00.

We are unbelievably impressed with the sheer determination and commitment of all these hikers. A big well done to all of them, even if they didn’t quite make it to the event itself. Mr Steward, who has supported them throughout said “It has been a genuine privilege to work with each and every one of them – so thank you and well done”

A big thank you goes to Mr Steward and the Dartmoor Plodders – you have been brilliant and have given up hours of your time for our students. We would also like to thank all the parents who supported, not only the training events, but for being there over the main weekend event. Without your help, this couldn’t have happened.

A group of 15 students recently took part in The Diana Award Anti Bullying training, in conjunction with Coombe Dean School and Devonport High School for Boys. The programme aims to empower young people, through a holistic and peer-led approach, to build skills and confidence to address and support others in different social situations, both online and offline.

The group that took part are going to be our new Peer Mentors next academic year and have also qualified as Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. Mrs Smith, who accompanied the students, was really impressed with how quickly they mixed with the young people from the other schools, and the fact they were always the first to put their hands up and jump into the activities.

Two of our students, Livvy and Katie, were given the ‘Ambassadors of the Day Awards’ for significant contributions throughout the day and really impressing the trainers.

We think this group will make great Peer Mentors going forward and will be inspirational for our new Year 7 students starting in September.

Last week we were visited by Roz from the UK Parliament Outreach Team. Roz delivered an assembly to all of Year 8 about Parliament today and how laws and legislation are passed. She also taught a lesson to a Year 7 History class, on the role of Parliament and the different methods of campaigning.

In addition, our Year 11 students also had a visit from the National Citizens Service. The NCS delivers a 3-4 week experience over the summer aimed at Year 11 students, that helps build confidence and self-belief. Students live away from home, develop skills and meet amazing people. The experience is very affordable with the cost for food, accommodation and activities being no more than £50. Every year we have a large number of students who choose to participate in this opportunity – they always have a brilliant time.

If you would like to find out more you can visit their website HERE

Our Year 10 Hospitality and Catering students were given the opportunity to visit the Holiday Inn, Plymouth. They had a tour of the hotel, afternoon tea, and finally a question and answer session with the managers of the hotel. The students really enjoyed the experience and it helped them develop a wider understanding of the industry.

A big well done goes to our Year 8 girls in the Plymstock Community Netball Club. The team, who are coached by one of our ex-students, headed to Torbay over the weekend to compete the Junior tournament. Despite many of the teams present being almost exclusively from Year 9 in schools across the South West region, the girls won their pool and semi-final, booking a place in the final. The team battled really hard but narrowly lost. Overall the Plymstock Pythons finished as silver medalists, despite being one of the youngest teams there. Well done girls – a great achievement.

As you know, we like to keep up to date with what our ex-students are getting up to. One of those students is Dr Rory Cormac.

Rory is an Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Nottingham. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a leading expert among a new generation of intelligence historians, he specialises in British covert operations and the secret pursuit of foreign policy. He has published widely on intelligence and security issues and regularly appears on radio and television. He has just published a book called ‘Disrupt and Deny: Spies, Special Forces, and the Secret Pursuit of British Foreign Policy’. It is a detailed look at the covert history of Britain. Keep up the great work Rory.

Now it’s time for students of the week. It’s Years 7 to 10 only, as the older students have now started their GCSE and A Level examinations.

Jemima in Year 7 starts off as our first student of the week. This young lady has shown the most incredible capacity to overcome adversity and still maintain a smile. She is an absolute star, a credit to the school and we couldn’t be prouder of her.

Our Year 8 winner is the fantastic Mia. This is in recognition of her amazing resilience, the building of confidence and for being a really pleasant and hard working young lady. Mia – you are doing brilliantly.

Kieran is our Year 9 winner this week. Kieran has been training hard with the England Roller Hockey Development Squad for the last few years and has shown real potential to be one of the best players in England. His coach said that if he continues with his dedication and commitment, he will give himself the best opportunity for selection to the final squad, that will represent England in the European Under 17 Championships. In the meantime, Kieran has been selected to represent England for a trip to Portugal, during which he will take part in challenging training sessions, as well as games against Portuguese teams. Well done Kieran.

Last but by no means least, is Hannah, our Year 10 winner. Hannah is really great Plymstock student. She is always hard working and positive but impressively she travels nearly 50 miles to get here every morning and has not been late even once! A 100 mile round trip every day shows real dedication and commitment.