Ten-year-old Mansfield girl wins college's writing competition

Ten-year-old Evelyn Minty from Mansfield won the 350-500 word contest with a horsey tale.

Evie is in year five at at Berry Hill Primary School. She took on the Academy Transformation Trust Further Education (ATTFE) College challenge to write a story on the theme of community and her story about a helpful horse called AIko Ville. It was nominated as the best in a public vote.

The writing competition is just one of the activities organised throught the ATTFE Community Facebook Group aimed to help people cope with social distancing amid the Covid 19 crisis.

ATTFE college says it “mobilised swiftly” in response to coronavirus by organising a varied programme of virtual classes to keep the community occupied.

The college has its main centre in Sutton but also has campuses at Ollerton, Ransom Wood (Mansfield Campus) and Retford.

Each day the college continues to run themed online activities, such as Thumbs Up Thursday or Music Monday. It includes everything from wellbeing and exercise sessions, to art, music, writing, gardening and cooking, as well as lifelong learning opportunities.

Other notable events this week have seen community member Jack Red creating a special Mine Craft song for Music Monday, and Simon Martin, from the college, delivering a gift of sterile gloves to Brierley Park Medical Centre, to help staff stay safe during Covid-19. The college has also been supporting a food parcel delivery scheme on its site.

A spokesperson for ATTFE college said: “As the stark reality of Covid-19 came to light, ATTFE College mobilised swiftly by setting up the ATTFE College Community Facebook Group to support vulnerable learners, staff members, community members and local families and businesses during Covid-19.

“The intent and implementation of the ATTFE College Community Group generates a hugely valuable contribution towards dissolving social isolation and the ‘burden’ of home schooling for parents/carers and families.”

To see the ATTFE Facebook Community group page to read some of the stories , hear Jack’s song and to get involved with some of the activities ongoing on in the community visit the page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1648363791973109/.