
3 minute read
The Stages of Lockdown
from The Focus- Issue 3
MRS GERAGHTY GREEN
Stage one – the ‘virtual’ classroom. Now I say ‘virtual’ but actually it’s not. In reality it’s a console table in my living room that I’ve re-purposed into the teacher’s desk, like in Rm2. I’ve taken a chair from the kitchen to be my seat which is making the most horrendous divots in my carpet. I’ve also finally been able to realise my long held (not so secret) desire to be the crazy old cat lady that brings her pet into work with her. The living room is where my elderly cat Kato likes to hang out. If I teach you, then you’ll already know that because he clearly has a bit of a stage diva spirit inside of him, that was never realised until now. The second that I start a live lesson, he gets up and starts shouting at me. Loudly. So very loudly. And it could be for any number of reasons. He wants to go out. He wants to come back in. He wants food. Or Water. Or milk. Or just to be walked back to his cat bed in the living room. Yes, you read that right – he likes to be escorted places around our house. I think he might be worried that something will spring out of a cupboard and attack him so he wants a personal bodyguard.
Advertisement
Stage two – keeping busy. I’m a person who thinks fast, walks fast, talks fast. With nowhere to go, I’ve had a
surfeit of energy so I’ve had to keep busy in other ways. I know that it’s hard to tell under all the black clothes and cardigans, but I’m actually a creative sort. Art in all its forms are products of the time and environment of the creator. Seeing as this is an unprecedented time, it seemed like a nobrainer to try to establish a community where staff and students can share creations or discuss / explore works as a means of dealing with this lockdown. Check it out some time. Mr Baldock takes us on a virtual tour of tremendous works of art in the National Gallery; Mrs Hall shares baking tutorials; Mr Lloyd the world of sports journalism; Mr Tunsill and Mr Sandiford share exceptional performances and Miss Creegan and Mrs Coates have explored different artists and genres. Personally, I could listen to Dr Matthews talk about American theatre all day long and I can on the creative collective.


In addition, I’ve read more, watched more theatre from my living room than I’ve managed to see in London for the last two years
combined and annoyed more neighbours with impromptu concerts, by singing with the windows open.
Stage three – re-emergence And so here we are already at stage three. We’ve reached the moment of reemergence as we start to come out from our bunkers and cautiously dip our toes in the sea of socialising and shopping. It’s a bit odd to not be able to hug those you love, but so awesome to see people in 3D rather than just on a screen. So far I have managed to see both current and former colleagues for walks and talks, as well as experiencing my own virtual birthday celebration complete with a harmonised (I expect no less from my family) version of happy birthday via Google Meet. I’m even looking forward to seeing you lovely lot back in Rm2. Virtual teaching is better than no teaching but doesn’t come close to the real thing. I just ask for one favour when we do meet again in class – just pretend that you can’t hear an elderly cat meowing loudly from the corner of Rm2…
