Year 12 Pastoral Guardian

Recent months have meant a timely slowing down for everyone and so much more time at home with family. For me it has been a bonus of family connection, self-reflection, and challenges of self- sufficiency. I have enjoyed my garden, planting herbs, cooking, reading, cycling, photography, walking local paths with my family, staying in contact with my mum and lovely sisters, viewing home movies, and online Arts. I have missed the freedom and social aspects of being able to attend theatres, art galleries, concerts, restaurants, gym, swimming, barbeques with family and friends, walking in favourite National Parks, and weekends away in the country or at the beach. However, during my isolation Stage 1 neighbourhood walks, I have really enjoyed seeing whole families with their much-loved pets walking or cycling along paths, people stopping at a distance to acknowledge others, children playing tennis and ball games in the street, and families having picnics when restrictions eased. Time slowed down and it seemed as if we were back in the 'not so rushed' past.

Despite the changes and restrictions, I realised the positives that I live in a beautiful, safe country, have a healthy environment, a comfortable roof over my head, a loving family, food on my table, and good health. Not everyone has been as fortunate in recent times in Australia or overseas. So I am grateful.

Stage 2 is my chance to continue what I have been treasuring and to visit my mum and extended family, further afield. Maybe in Stage 3, my hopes are to venture over the border to beautiful beaches and headlands in New South Wales, go on long drives in the country, hopefully travel abroad again to experience more of South America, and relish seeing live artistic opportunities where available.

In this time of change, it was reassuring that communities locally, nationally, and internationally came together with people approaching change by creative problem solving. I especially appreciated the way I could continue my love of the Arts by all that was generously offered online by theatre companies, galleries, and museums to keep the Arts, culture, and learning alive. Here at the College, I loved the way our Captains and Seniors were not daunted by change and problem solved in designing engaging lunchtime challenges and activities for the students and other innovative ways of communicating with the student body. Lunchtimes, since the return of all the students, have been fun, active, and inclusive, and technology has helped us to learn, hold a new style of assemblies, and keep connected. I must say that the return of all students this term has breathed life, laughter, and vitality into the college grounds again. During these times, our Seniors in Elizabeth Hayes School have shown that they are innovative, committed to leadership, forward thinking, and positive. A great, welcomed resilience has been a positive outcome across the whole College and community in these challenging times of change.