During the lockdown, teachers, as well as pupils, have been encouraged to try and fulfil the CAS ideals (Creativity, Activity and Service).
Roxanne Irani, Biology
Are you finding any creative ways to adapt to day to day life during this period of isolation?
I have been painting almost every day. I’ve finished an acrylic of the northern lights and a set of sketches of my garden with its changing blooms. I’m also learning to play the piano and in the absence of a teacher, I’ve got a few apps that I’m following. At the same time, I’m using Duolingo to learn Italian – I started learning with Mrs Duncombe but since the lockdown restrictions, I’ve been using the app every day! I’ve also been baking, gardening, embroidering (my mother convinced me) and I’ve made a wreath out of pinecones for my front door!
Are you managing to stay active? If so, how?
I live near some nice country lanes so I’ve been practising my cycling (I only learnt a short while back!) and it’s nice to be out without any cars to worry about. I go running after school if I’m not cycling or doing a YouTube yoga class. I also really enjoyed completing the Joe Wicks workouts over Easter. Finally, I love gardening and there are lots of jobs to do right now.
The ongoing pandemic is proving challenging for many, are you finding ways to help your community?
The barn kitchen is a restaurant that is cooking, delivering and donating food to the NHS and I’ve been supporting them. We are setting up a community allotment project to help grow fresh food for food banks – which we are hoping to get approved soon. Finally, I’m part of a Covid-19 aid group in my area with lots of people who are helping with dog walking, groceries, etc. for those who need it.
Helen Ferguson, Biology
Are you finding any creative ways to adapt to day to day life during this period of isolation?
I have started virtual piano lessons, which are not as good as face-to-face piano lessons but it is still really nice to learn new songs. I have also been trying out a few TikTok dances and making my whole family join in!
Are you managing to stay active? If so, how?
My children are six and three, and as I am also looking after them 24/7 I am having to do things which they can also do, so I am not doing as much as I would like but we do Joe Wicks, Cosmic Yoga and bike rides (although my three-year-old sometimes rides so slowly I am not sure if I would class it as a bike ride!)
The ongoing pandemic is proving challenging for many, are you finding ways to help your community?
Working and children mean I don’t have much free time to help in the community. I have encouraged my Sixth Form tutor group to volunteer for the NHS (if they are 18 or over). However, I did throw my son’s friend a virtual Zoom birthday party at the start of the lockdown and now I am having requests to throw them for other students in his class and have so far done five. This is keeping his school and, in particular, his class community spirit going. It just goes to show that you don’t always have to have a plan to help others, sometimes those situations just arise and it’s about being open to them when they do.
