Year 10 Reflections of Covid-19

As students returned to school this week, Year 10 took the time to reflect on the past six weeks. Here are three reflections from Ella, Amelia and Will.

Reflection by Ella van Egmond

I always thought it would never reach Australia, but before we knew it, cases were found. My thoughts then changed to ‘it would never reach Temora,’ we are just a small country town in the middle of no where, nothing reaches us. Before we knew it the virus was surrounding us with cases in Wagga, Leeton and Griffith. 

Fear and doubt filled most peoples heads and the aisles in Woolworths and IGA began to run empty. The realisation of how bad this virus was kicked in when we were told that our schooling would be going online. 

Within a short week, everyone was schooling from home...it was amazing how quickly we (the students) and the school adapted. I was in Canberra, Isabelle was out at her farm, Abbey and Hannah were just 100m away, yet we were still all receiving the same education. We always talked about how much we hated school but it wasn’t till it was taken away that we realised how much we actually enjoy it.

During this pandemic our household found some crazy ways to keep entertained, especially with Brodie being home. A blue and black box of hair dye, a second piercing and eyelash tint later, we managed to keep entertained. The board games and cards were brought out while the keys gathered dust. Even during such a horrible time it brings people together. The greatest realisation for me was not being able to see my Nan and Pop...I never realised how often I saw them till I wasn’t able to see them at all. Family gatherings were zoom meets and the only way to see our friends was through Facetime.

Six weeks from when it all started, good news came our way. Normality and hope filled our heads as we found out that Week Three Term Two we would be returning back to school. The start of something new. This is our chance to make the world a better place. 

2020 a year that’s made history!

Covid-19 Reflection Poem by Amelia Murphy

When I first heard of Coronavirus, I thought it was pretty dumb

Only sick and elderly people could get it, so I could still have my fun.

But then people started dying, and they were locking up the towns

There was no more flying, all the airports were shut down.

We couldn’t go outside, but at least we still had education

Until online schooling started and it felt like true incarceration.

But now there’s flamingos in Albania and Venice waters are crystal clear,

And hope is starting to emerge amid Covid-19 fear.

Toilet paper and hand soap are scarce, but I still have my health,

So all that's left to do is take care of myself.

It was tough but now I’m back at school, which I actually kind of missed,

And though it’s scary at the moment, we’ll soon be living in bliss.

Covid-19 by Will Matthews

December 2019...the first outbreak of the COVID 19. At first I thought it would not be bad. As the Chinese watched the COVID 19 spread for a few weeks, countries around the world were getting new cases, faster than I thought it would spread. As soon as Australia announced the first case, I started to get worried. Handling anxiety and keeping strong during these times were critical. Not just everyone gets anxious when something happens but if you do you need to believe in yourself. 

Schools were shut and it was time to test out the online learning. Even though I wanted to sleep in, school was always in the back of my mind so I would get up early and go onto my ‘Google Meets’ for the five periods each day. 

Laws were getting stricter. Non-essential travel stopped, apart from shops, medical centres etc. This was put in force with the aim of having less and less Covid 19 patients. 

During these times, I always say to myself “be strong, be courageous and don’t try to get caught up in this pandemic.” As the world slowed down to a halt, transport also slowed down.  Cargo flights were put into action so medical equipment could be sent to where it was needed. As months past, laws have become much stricter. 

I am very lucky to live in a country with very good health professionals that have training for this type of scenario. They are well prepared if anything happens. 

Six weeks after school was closed for me, I am finally back at school and enjoying it. It is nice to see my friends whilst trying to keep the social distancing up as much as possible.

I give credit to the teachers and principal for the time they had to try to work out a way for us to keep up our education whilst not at school.