'Beast!' by Multistory Theatre Company

Tavistock College Performance Studies Department was host to the devised community theatre show 'Beast' by Devon based theatre company, Multistory.

The hunt for the Beast of Exmoor provided the starting point for a taut psychological thriller about our need for beasts and what happens as we hunt them. A marine on the moor stalks the beast. A mysterious woman appears at his side – to help or to hinder? For the soldier, fresh from conflict, the hunt takes on a startling significance. The tale takes on a life of its own, interweaving stories and myths from other times and other traditions to examine the nature of the beast – and the fate of the hero who hunts it. Hercules and the Lion, Diana and Acteon, Beowulf and Grendel - even the Werewolf of Ilfracombe - they all make an appearance along with the Marines and other assorted victims and hunters.

This pacey two-hander used lightning-quick changes of character, heightened physicality, music and projection to tell its story. The range of theatre skills and styles that it employed made for essential viewing for students currently working on devising projects.

The students were also able to discuss methods of devising and production with the cast afterwards who told them about the need for research alongside playfulness in rehearsal. They also discussed the need for a narrative 'spine' that audiences can come back to as well as creating a mix of 2d and fully rounded characters.

'So useful for our upcoming exam and coursework!' Year 12 student. 'Awesome!' Year 11 student

Eva Pearson

Y10 and Y12 BTEC Health and Social Care Students

Over the past two weeks students on the Health and Social Care course have had two professionals visit them to share information about their job roles in caring for adults and the elderly.

Anne Hine the owner of Meadowside Residential Home in Tavistock spoke to the students about how she specialises in care for adults with mental health care needs. She shared many experiences and gave the students the opportunity to talk about the course and how their learning has helped them to understand the main principles of the ‘care value base’. The students asked many questions and Anne found interesting ways to help the students answer for themselves, giving them the opportunity to revisit some of the knowledge that they have already gained.

Kay Slater a young carer also came to speak with the group about her experiences working with dementia sufferers. She offered a positive and often humorous view of what life is like as a sufferer. The talk was very sensitive to the needs of others and demonstrated to the students that respect and awareness of others was very important within the care sector.

On both of these occasions the students demonstrated a positive and respectful attitude towards the outside speakers and I was very proud of the way that they conducted themselves.

Anne Styles

Inspirational Visit to the Tate Modern

On Friday 27th January forty-eight intrepid Art and Photography students braved leaving their beloved South West county for the international experience of the inspirational art and photography exhibits at the London Tate Modern Art Gallery.

We set off reasonably early and made good time to the Tate. Students were given themes for which to collect images, photographs, ideas and artists names (so as to provide inspiration for their art and photography exams) and they happily pottered around in small groups, being an excited part of the eclectic body of people visiting the gallery. We are extremely glad our students had this opportunity to experience real artwork in an internationally renowned gallery setting, which is so important not only for helping them build upon their understanding and knowledge of art, but also for helping them develop as well-rounded individuals.

All students were a credit to Tavistock College, their teachers and their parents and had the best attitude, despite the long day. A big thank you to the fabulous Mr Byron and Mrs Helm who came with us on the trip and a small mention of Sally Taylor and Jemma Scott who looked after the trip mascot: our bear "Corduroy Potatohead". PS. Thank you also to Kerry Walker for the camera.

A lovely group, a successful day and a satisfied teacher.

Miss A Mckeown.

Tavistock teams win resoundingly at the first round of Rotary Youth Speaks.

Tavistock College entered five teams in the first round of the Rotary Youth Speaks competition held at Kelly College on 26th Jan. Very well supported by parents, siblings, grandparents and even former Tavistock Youth Speaks teams, the Tavistock teams had resounding success.

The College had four teams in the Intermediate section and we were delighted that so many Year 7 students embraced this competition, ensuring we continue to do well in future years.

Rugby needs a conversion
Chairperson: Katya Church
Speaker: Callum
Proposer of Vote of Thanks: Hannah Watson

Exotic pets
Chair: Katelin Goodbourn
Speaker: Alex Cekalla
Proposer of Vote of Thanks: Thea Bourton

The two winning Intermediate teams who both continue to the next round at Callington on 22nd February were:

Women in Sport
Chair: Darcy Hepworth
Speaker: Molly Bolding
Proposer of Vote of Thanks: Emma Sampson

Superheroes - the true villains?
Chair Marianne Quinn
Speaker: Freya Chambers
Proposer of Vote of Thanks: Millie Kelly

Tavistock had one team in the Senior competition and we are thrilled that they also won very convincingly:

Do we need a back-up planet?
Chair: Joe way
Speaker: Flo Rodgers
Proposer of Vote of Thanks: Jed Coiley

Mention also must go to Kalyani Costello and Sophie Manton who worked tirelessly to prepare for the competition but whose team unfortunately had to withdraw due to sickness.

All the entrants were engaging, confident, poised and humorous. The speeches were a product of hours of work both in and out of College. The students were a credit to the College.

S. Hubbard & A. Morgan

Year 8 Football Report

Last week of January 2012

This week has been very busy with two matches played by the Year 8 football team.

Tavistock 0 - St Boniface 4

Monday's match resulted in a loss but our players worked very hard and came close to scoring in a much improved 2nd half - denied only by some good goalkeeping.

Tavistock 3 - Tor Bridge High 0

In this match our team put Monday's loss firmly behind them with a very good win against Tor Bridge. No score at half time. Substitute Tate Budge scored after the break to swing the match in our favour. Goals also came from Mathew Chambers and Kenny Warden: Chambers at close range and Warden from 15 yards into the top corner. A very good team performance with some outstanding individual performances.

Both matches were played with good discipline and the players represented the College with pride.

Javen Schmid, George Murrain, Theo Cousins, Dan Willis (Captain), Kieran Bond, Toby Samuel, George Hillson, Dan Towl, Dan Drummond, Lawrence Dobson, Tim Westcott, Kenny Worden, Ben Holland, Josh Coombe, Matthew Chambers, Tate Budge.

Neil Hosking

To Boldly Go.....

Exeter University were the generous hosts for a group of gifted and talented students from Year 7 at Tavistock College on 31st January. The group have studied astronomy as part of their provision as able students, to extend their curriculum and experiences. They took part in an interactive workshop exploring the impact of space travel on astronauts; this included discussing the effects of gravity, loss of communication, lack of exercise and having to eat different food. The group learned of how future space stations might have artificial gravity.

They then attended a lecture from the associate Professor of Astrophysics, Dr Jenny Patience, who spoke about the search for planets beyond our solar system. One students "really liked learning about what astronauts go through whilst in Space." Another commented that she now understood "how vast our solar system is and that Mars is actually a very long way away!"

The visit to Exeter also allowed the Year 7 students to tour the campus with Exeter student ambassadors who spoke to them about University life and showed them the many facilities. One Tavistock student commented: “the tour of the campus really made me consider going to Exeter University in the future."