News & Events

A team from Tavistock College are celebrating having won the third, District round of the prestigious Rotary ‘Youth Speaks’ competition.

The College puts teams in every year and has frequently been successful, getting through to the national final in recent years.

The intermediate team of Emily Handel, Isabel Prout and Thanae Garland Tsirka (13 to 13 years old) came away as the District Champions after an eloquent, passionate and engaging speech about “Music: Art or Industry?” The team spoke with clarity and precision about how they feel music is becoming too much of a business dominated by celebrity and that there is little opportunity for new, different musicians to have their music heard. It is a topic close to their hearts and this was evident in their compelling delivery.

The standard was exceptionally high and judges commented on the fact that the standard rises year on year. The College also entered another team, Darcy Brown, Amelia Harrison and Jessica Dent, who spoke about “graffiti” and discussed whether graffiti can enhance an area or whether it should always be considered vandalism. They spoke about the famous street artist Banksy and gave their own opinions about how graffiti could be controlled. They spoke eloquently and were also commended for their confidence and poise.

The winning team now progress to the Regional Final in Shaftesbury. This is the semi-finals of this national competition.

Twenty-seven sixteen to seventeen year old students from Tavistock College have taken part in the annual trip to London to raise their aspirations and help them prepare to make applications to some of the most competitive universities in the country.

“The Aspire trip,” said James O’Connell, Head of Sixth Form, “aims to provide some of our most academically able Year 12 students with some enriching, cultural and knowledge broadening experiences to give them confidence and an edge when they come to apply to competitive, higher education institutions later this year.”

The trip, made possible by the generous financial support of the College’s Trustees, involved the students being given a guided tour of the Houses or Parliament, seeing the Houses of Commons and Lords in action, viewing real cases being heard at the Old Bailey, advisory talks and tours of Imperial College and University College London, a theatre trip to ‘Shakespeare in Love’, opportunities to tour the Natural History, Science and British Museums, as well as the Tate Modern and other galleries, and also a tour of the Google offices in London.

Year 12 student, Conner Kearey, commented: “The trip let me immerse myself in the culture and historic intrigue that London has to offer. This was not least due to the fact our accommodation was right under the shadow of St Paul’s cathedral, within which we saw the tomb of both Nelson and the Duke of Wellington.”

Joel Gilhespy said: “I feel that I have gained confidence from this trip. As well as this, from the trip to University College London, I learnt much more about the application process and how different courses can have very different requirements, and how to tailor my application accordingly.”

For Freya Chambers, “The visit to the Houses of Parliament was a particular highlight for me; viewing the proceedings in the House of Commons from the public gallery is something few people are able to experience and was fascinating.”

Tavistock College wants to support the national charity day, Comic Relief on March 13th.

Various events are organised which students can participate in, if they wish.

• On Friday March 13th there will be a mufti day for all students. If a student wishes to participate they should bring a donation of £1.00 for Comic Relief
• Year 7 students and parents will be holding a cake sale on Friday March 13th. If anyone would like to buy cakes they should bring money to do so
• On Thursday march 12th year 7 students will be completing a mile run, or walk, in their PE lesson. They may wish to donate £1.00 in the spirit of the Comic Relief mile.
• There will be a book sale of unwanted books and any student may bring in books for the sale. Books should be left in the Year 7 office.
• Year 9 students will be doing face painting at lunch time under the supervision of their Head of Year. A donation will be required.