I hope this finds you and your family safe and well.  

The highlight of this week was the way in which the college community marked Armistice Day on Wednesday this week. Our Public Service Students, Chaplaincy and Marketing Team produced a thought provoking film to mark the occasion. Level 4 Art and Design students created a unique piece of art using a technique called bulletism to reflect the horrors and folly of war.  

The Government has released new guidance to parents and carers; this has been amended in light of the recent national lockdown and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-in-the-autumn-term. This outlines and clarifies some of the new guidance which came into force on the 5thNovember.  

As a college community, we will always place the health and safety of our staff and students at the centre of our decision-making. It is vital that every member of our community plays their part. Please could you remind you sons and daughters of the importance of following the rules, both in college and when at home. All students must: 

• Stay at home if symptomatic and get a test. Inform the college on the absence line (0161 330 2330) as soon as you become symptomatic and as soon as you receive a test result, whether positive or negative. You can book a test at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.  
• Follow the advice if asked to self-isolate by the college or local test and trace services. Information on how to self-isolate can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/.  
• Wear a face covering when on corridors and in social spaces such as Costa, the Food Market and IT drop in centres. Students can wear these in the classroom if they chose to. 
• Use hand sanitiser when entering and leaving the college campus 
• Use hand sanitiser when entering and leaving the classroom and wipe all workstations prior to and after use (including desks and IT equipment) 
• Only attend the college site on their identified week (week A or week B) 
• Think about social distancing at all times. Try to stay 2 metres from others as this will protect you from becoming a close contact should a student or member of staff test positive.  
• As classroom windows and doors will be open to improve ventilation, they should dress accordingly. Classrooms may be cooler than they are used to.   

Further information about the rest of the term, parents’ evenings, mock examinations and student support will be circulated next week. There are no plans to move away from our current way of working, but there will be some changes to the timing and nature of some of our other events.  

This is a testing time for all; if you have any concerns about your son or daughter, please contact their Senior Tutor who will be able to provide support.  

Thank you for your support and understanding. By working together, we will manage the next few weeks so we can continue to deliver the best possible quality of teaching and learning to your son or daughter, as well as maintaining our vigilance towards the health and safety of all in our community.   

Take care, look after yourself, your families and each other; be patient and stay positive. 

Anton