We were sad that we were unable to host the annual PSTT Regatta on Tuesday 7th July.

Despite the teacher’s strikes, the PSTT Team decided to invite the young people to participate in races at the Andrew Simpson Centre Portsmouth. The team gathered on Friday morning, unsure if anyone would turn up. To their delight, 32 young people turned up! All who attended had a great day out on the water and enjoyed receiving their qualifications in the awards ceremony.

Below Ed Phillips, PSTT Founder and Trustee, shares how he enjoyed the day:

“I would like to share with you all the humble joy of being part of such a special day with PSTT on Friday 7th July.

As you are all aware it was a teachers’ strike day so sadly the decision had been made to postpone the formal Regatta event. It was then with a little nervousness that the PSTT team awaited to see if any of the pupils and teachers would come in their own time. Our joy when 32 pupils and so many teachers all arrived on lovely sunny day with a light breeze was palpable.

We set out onto the harbour with an eclectic array of boats and crew. Several happy hours of fun races including hunting the duck and finding the gear were the source of much merriment and friendly competitiveness. We came ashore for food, prize giving and the award of qualifications.

As an example of the challenges for our pupils, I was talking with one of the teachers about a 14 year old girl whose father had left the home years ago. Last year the mother announced she was off to the Isle of Wight and the daughter could not go with her. As a result, the daughter is left with her 19 year old sister, who has a 2 year old child. The pupil understandably faces many challenges. PSTT is, for her, the absolute pillar around which she is starting to rebuild her life. The team is amazing, there is trust, respect, and a sense of purpose and direction, underpinned by sound values. We are on a path to a better future. One in which we can all take pride”.