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Lockdown Reflections

27th April 2020

Pupils from Year 7 - 11 were tasked with reflecting on their experiences of the lockdown so far and how it has affected them.

Many thoughtful, considered and mature responses were submitted, including the following poignant piece.

During this coronavirus lockdown I have found it difficult. With the stress of vulnerable family members, the uncertainty of GCSEs and essential family workers it has been difficult to cope.

Initially I didn’t take the coronavirus very seriously but then, when I saw how worried it was making the vulnerable people in my family, I started to become more aware of what I was doing.

I was unhappy during the first few days of the lockdown because I wasn’t allowed to go and see my friends or even say goodbye to a friend properly. I was also upset because I wasn’t allowed to go to work, which may sound strange but it is a sort of haven and a constant in my day to day life.

However, after the initial shock of how much things have changed, I started to get into a routine and felt normal again. I had peace of mind knowing that it was highly unlikely that my mum would become infected, and my elderly grandad had moved in with my uncle and his family just before the lockdown. Also my other grandparents are safe and my dad can go and deliver their shopping.

What made me smile and laugh was Mrs Evans' emails she would send out every day during that last week of school. "What happened on this day in history...?" She also emailed our history class regularly and invited us to reply. It was really comforting to have a conversation with her over the Easter holidays.

As always my family were there for each other. As we live all over the country we have been connecting over Zoom. Our family; my grandparents, my aunt and her family and my other uncle, who is quarantined with her, would all chat over Zoom whilst playing each other in Scrabble. This was very funny and kept my grandparents sane I think!

To keep myself active I started cycling 10k every day and I have enjoyed it. Also, for my mental health, I am currently re-doing my bedroom. I think it is important to have a project which you are passionate about to keep yourself occupied.

Overall I think this lockdown has been difficult at times but we have gotten through it with the support of our neighbours, who we chat with every Thursday at 8pm, family, friends and teachers. Hopefully it shall be over soon, and we can return to everyday life, but as Mr Coen said, "We are living through history."