Student Reflections on COVID-19

Students were given the task of completing some reflective writing on the impact that the Coronavirus has had in their lives. They were encouraged to record some thoughts and feelings, as well as some of the details about their new world both at home and at school.

A thought-provoking conversation followed about the fact that students are living through times, that one day will be looked back upon with historical interest, and how recording their reflections and attitudes would be fascinating in years to come. Students have been encouraged to keep some sort of journal, or to sporadically do a single entry. I am doing it too! 

Mrs Liz Tobias

Teacher of English

Sampson Tully (8 Riley)

The coronavirus has affected me in all different ways. I never thought I could go without having footy on the TV or not being able to hang out with my mates on the weekend. And especially the most favourite thing to do - playing footy on the weekend with my mates. Not being able to do all that with my mates is a kid’s nightmare.

Round one in the AFL having no crowd had its ups and downs. With no crowd, you were able to hear the players yell and scream for the ball. And you were able to hear the thud off lance Franklin’s boot as the ball went 70 meters straight through the goals. But the downside was that there was no atmosphere. When someone was nailed for holding the ball, there was no yelling and screaming from the crowd like there normally is. And that’s the bit where you get fired up and excited. That’s the bit I miss the most. 

Eva Ingram Sandercock (8 Jones)

The coronavirus has been a completely different experience to what I am used to. Life in quarantine has been very difficult, but at the same time, very relaxing and enjoyable. I have enjoyed being able to take a break from life outside of my home. I have also enjoyed being able to try new things like home-schooling which has definitely been a very unusual experience so far. While there have been some positives, there have also been a lot of negatives that have come along with this pandemic. Some things that I haven’t enjoyed, are: Not being able to physically see my friends and some of my family, not being able to go shopping or going down the street as I usually would, has been tough as well. I am missing going over to my friend’s houses for sleepovers and just seeing them as I usually would at school as well. I am missing being at school and seeing friends and teachers, but also have enjoyed being home, as I can focus on my health and wellbeing as well as looking after my dog. I have a desk set up in my lounge room, facing the window, so I can still see outside. I am very relieved that we are allowed to go for runs/jogs because I am sure that If we weren’t allowed to go out to do that, I would definitely be struggling quite a lot more. I have been Facetiming friends to make sure I am still being social and seeing how they are going. I think that I can get used to home learning and making sure that I get all of my work done. I know how much the coronavirus has changed many people’s lives, as a lot of people have been dying and a lot of people are losing their jobs which is devastating.  

I feel extremely grateful that my family is healthy, and that my parents have been able to keep their jobs. Overall, I have enjoyed quarantine and hopefully everyone can get used to the changes and listen to the laws. I hope everyone stays healthy and safe while the coronavirus continues. 

Lincoln McKern (8 Riley)

Footy and hanging out with mates are my favourite things to do, but because some bloke ate a bat, I can’t do either of them.

I’ve never been more bored then I am now in quarantine. My saviour is playing on the Xbox with Sammy and Jimmy.

I am most frustrated about footy. This year was shaping up to be my best year. I was finally playing at top age. Also, just to add more salt to the wound, this was my first year in the football academy and who knows if I’ll make it next year. It’s not just that I can’t play footy, I can’t watch it either. I had tickets to the opening AFL round, but spectators couldn’t go.

It’s not just AFL, it's every single professional sport. Name it, and it has been cancelled. The only positive I can possibly think of is being able to sleep in. Oh and no exams. I think that I have been ranting on for long enough now, so if there are any lessons that can be learned. DON’T EAT BATS.

Lily Anthony (8 Jones)

Going into lockdown in our own homes has been a completely new experience and something I never thought could happen.  There have been positives and negatives throughout this period of time.  The positives to this pandemic have been, being able to relax and take the time to do jobs that I am normally too busy to do, for example cleaning my wardrobe and changing around my bedroom. I have also learnt to really appreciate socialisation with friends and family as that has been taken away from me.  Although there are so many negatives from this situation, I have been able to focus on my personal well being and emotional intelligence.  The negatives from this situation have taught me to never take things in my everyday life for granted, for example getting all the food I like from the supermarket, going to swimming training and even travelling to school each day.  Although online school is very different from normal circumstances, I don’t mind the change.  I think that in the future this will be a very important time to remember because a lot of lives have been lost, jobs have been made redundant and many families have been made worried for the future. 

At the start of this lockdown I came up with a list of activities I could do, I have made sure to always keep myself busy so I am not spending too much time on electronics and timewasting things, I have made sure to get the best out of this time being stuck at home and not wasted precious time.  Home DIY’s, exercise, cooking, family time and now online school have kept me very busy. 

I hope to continue to keep myself entertained for the remainder of this time in lockdown and get the very best out of it. I am thankful that all my family have stayed safe and healthy and I am glad that I can just press a few numbers and have face time with my grandparents.  The future is unknown for how long we are going to be in these conditions, but I know the lockdown will keep everyone safe by staying indoors. But luckily, we all live in a very safe country and soon enough it will be back to normal. 

Henry Rathjen (8 Riley)

Coronavirus crept up stealthily. It took me by surprise and suddenly everything changed. The first thing I noticed was that all my sport was getting cancelled. Soccer was cancelled before the season even started and I was very disappointed.

Even worse was when the Australian and New Zealand one day international cricket series was cancelled. I realized that all the cricket I like to watch on television had been cancelled or postponed.

One day after school I went to the supermarket with Mum and I was surprised that lots of shelves were empty.

Suddenly school finished very quickly, and I wasn’t able to see my friends. One good thing was that I didn’t have to get up early to catch the bus.

Things are very quiet now and I am trying to get used to online learning. I would prefer to be at school.

I think we are very lucky here in Australia because we live on an island. Like everyone else I look forward to the day when we can go back to normal life.