The Bodmin ASDA branch were phenomenally kind in preparing seven trolleys full of cereal for our students' Breakfast Club! Special thanks to Jackki and Alex, who were happy to pose for some photos.

It's starting to warm up. The students are back, the birds are singing, and we're welcoming new animals to the farm, including a new reindeer, born just this week.

The Word Document attached is information for learners, parents and guardians regarding remote learning. Remote learning is taking place while the UK continues to enforce lockdowns nationwide.

The document covers curriculum overview, study times, and ways to access remote learning information.

Link to download: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wzv4...

2020 was a hard year for everybody. COVID restrictions made it a particularly challenging year, and we understand that moving into 2021 isn't going to make that magically disappear. However, we believe that there is a light emerging at the end of the tunnel. We hope that this year will make up for the previous!

The farm is still observing proper COVID safety protocols, so please be aware of the rules if and when they arise. But no matter what, the team at Together We Can Succeed will strive to ensure you get the most from our wonderful facilities.

We wish you a Happy New Year. We'll see you on the farm!

Together We Can Succeed are looking to raise money for a fundraiser - Christmas Caring for the Community.

This Christmas is going to be very different for many of us, but imagine having no close family or friends to support you and nothing to look forward to. Battling On's Caring Communities appeal aims to bring a little bit of joy and hope to those most vulnerable within our communities who have suffered the most in this pandemic from social isolation and loneliness. This appeal will reach out to those living with life limiting illnesses and disabilities and the elderly.

 
Battling On is a multi-award winning organisation that provides wrap around care, support and training to veterans through a number of innovative programmes. Much of the work Battling On does is designed to utilise the skills of veterans to support those in need within local communities. This year our veterans and volunteers will be mobilised to distribute Christmas food parcels and gift boxes to bring a little bit of happiness to those in need.

If you would like to donate to our fundraiser, please follow this link: https://gf.me/u/y8hhh9

Merry Christmas!

All staff at TST

Our staff are working remotely, keeping our students on track with their qualifications, and more importantly, helping them to stay positive in the current situation. 

The management team have also been working remotely, making sure we have all the right plans, procedures, risk assessments and equipment in place for when we are able to re-open. We are taking this opportunity to improve the infrastructure of the site with plans for two new large polytunnels, landscaping around the construction unit, converting "Steve's shed" into a disabled access classroom space, and installing a new teaching space for learning independent living skills.

All of this will enable us to provide safe spaces for our students when they return/join us.

Follow us on Facebook for photos of developments, and to enjoy the antics of our animals!

TST remains closed due to the national lock down.

The online Homework Portal is now active through the button on the website homepage (scroll to the bottom of the page). Or if students have asked for paper copies of work these will be sent through the post.

Tutors are continuing to do a fantastic job supporting students with both academic work and pastoral care via telephone and text.

Although there is no date yet for re-opening, the management team are working on an action plan to ensure TST can re-open promptly and safely when given permission to do so.

We're very please to confirm that the tests for one member of staff, who was in Venice during half term, have been returned as negative.

In line with current Government advice, TST remains open.
If any students feel unwell with coronavirus symptoms of a high temperature, a new persistent cough, or a fever, they should stay at home and not attend college for 7 days. This will be an authorised absence.
If you need to stay at home please let us know and we will stay in contact with you throughout your absence.

The following letter has been sent to all students today:

March 11^th 2020

Dear Parent / Carer / Student

We are writing to you because we take the health and wellbeing of our students, staff and their families very seriously. As you may be aware, there have been a small number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Cornwall, but we are not aware of any confirmed cases in our local community. However, one member of staff at TST has self-isolated and been tested for coronavirus, and their results are due back on Thursday 12^th March. 

We are taking advice daily from the NHS, the Department for Education, and our contract holder V Learning Net. So far, the advice has been to keep the college open and continue as normal, while taking precautions with personal hygiene.

However, if you are a student who has an underlying health condition and are therefore more vulnerable to infection or live with some with an underlying health condition, we are advising you not to come into college at this time. This will be recorded as an authorised absence and will not affect your attendance.

If you have a cold, sore throat, a fever or feel unwell please do not come into college and take advice from the NHS helpline 111.

To reduce the risk of catching coronavirus, or any other virus, please use the following guidelines:

• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water
• Avoid touching your face
• Avoid close contact with other people
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then put the tissue in the bin and wash your hands
• Do not attend college if you have cold or flu-like symptoms (e.g. high temperature, cough, shortness of breath).

Any changes in our approach will be posted on our website and social media. Should we be advised to close the college we will endeavour to phone everyone individually, so please listen to your voicemails and keep an eye on our social media.

Yours faithfully

Katie Connell

Head of Education