4 minute read
COMMUNITY
Abbey
Change: Learning to adapt
RGS Year 10 students have experienced an adventure this year, just not how they had planned at the start of 2020. The Outdoor Adventure, Challenge, Service and Preparation Programme, which includes overseas trips to China, Vietnam or New Zealand along with sailing, hiking and canoe adventures was stopped in its tracks by COVID-19.
Determined to help the students connect with the key traits of the programme, an alternative programme was created embracing what we can offer in our Central Queensland backyard. Activities included a community service revegetation project with Capricornia Catchments, an adventure day at Ritamada, fun times around the Keppel Islands, careers advice and students received a reality check on the outcomes of road trauma.
Year 10 students Abbey Mann and Charlie Bain were among the students who made the early decision to move on and adapt. Abbey, who had planned to join the kayaking expedition, said she was pretty frustrated when COVID hit but she would rather stay safe. “There will be more opportunities for me in the future,’’ Abbey said. “There’s always going to be rough spots and you’re going to face bigger things in life.” Charlie was ready to set sail in the Whitsundays this year. “What we did was still pretty good. I wasn’t disappointed at the time (when the trips were cancelled). Stuff happens and you just have to adjust,’’ Charlie said. Each student gained something different from the alternate Year 10 programme. Charlie “got pretty good at surfing” at Ritamada and enjoyed the service day, while Abbey particularly enjoyed the careers day. “I was able to map out where I want to go to university and what I want to study,’’ Abbey said. “It was a really helpful week. You had those days you could go out and have your fun, but then had to go into the classroom and focus on your future.” Charlie said it was just good to get out with everyone. Both Abbey and Charlie are looking to the future and are firmly focused on 2021 plans and goals. “I just want to do well next year,’’ Abbey said. “I want to do more with my schooling to have a better chance at getting into university. I’ve had to change the way I learn during COVID. Online learning was difficult but you had to adapt and keep working through it.” Charlie is keeping positive, saying 2021 “hasn’t been the worst year”. “COVID came and we had to make adjustments. Online learning was quite different from being in the classroom. You couldn’t ask direct questions to teachers,’’ Charlie said. “I’ve learnt what I want to do out of school and have now set some goals. I just have to work hard at it next year and achieve those goals.”
Reggie Heppel
RGS Prep 2020: What we loved about our first year at School
2020 was a year that no students, teachers or parents expected. It was different. One thing that was still the same was a group of excited children exploring their first year of school. Here are some favourite memories from the RGS Preps of 2020.
There are so many magic moments from Prep – for the students, parents and teachers. Finding just one special memory can sometimes be tricky. Below is a sample of some fun times in 2020:
• The favourite thing with everyone was climbing on the rocks at Ritamada and building Pirate Ships.
• The next best things were all of our trips –
Dreamtime, Ritamada, Crocodile Farm and the visits of people to the school – police,
Mrs Spark (lifesaving), dentist.
• Cultural celebrations where parents came in and shared their culture, language, food, dance, songs, clothes and stories. • Science experiments – with Dr Moulds and in the classroom experiments.
• Getting to know the school – climbing in the
Secret Jungle Garden, having sneaky plays in the Year 1 playgrounds, visiting parents and siblings at school.
• Last but not least was Jocelyn’s comment that every one agreed with was – I just love learning – its all about learning: learning to be a friend, learning how to share, to read to do our maths, to be kind. I love learning.
SOPHIE KERR
“I like doing free play in our classroom.”
ELISE ATTOKARAN
“I liked making dust bunnies with our Year 5 buddies.”
ZAHLI SKILTON
“I liked cooking last week when we made the owl ice-cream from The Gruffalo.”
REGGIE HEPPELL
“I just loved EVERYTHING! Learning, playing with my friends, eating and making things. Sometimes Mr Hadwen even came to read FANTASTIC MR FOX!”
SAMUEL STANKE
“My favourite thing in Prep was learning how to read.”
MUNROE ANDERSON
“I liked learning how to read and write in my classroom. When I go home I like do lots of schoolwork too!”
ASHER NOIJ
“I liked doing our scrapbooks in class.”
ANNIE PATTERSON
“I liked the Book Week dress up.”
BEN GIBBS
“Learning to throw the spear at Ritamada was my favourite thing at Prep this year. I hope I get to do it again in Year 1.”
FLETCHER DEAVES
“I liked learning how to make ‘Dancing Milk.”
DAISY NEILSEN
“Going to PE was my favourite thing to do in Prep. We did lots of different activities in Duggan Hall.”
LILA POTENT
“I loved cooking in the Cooking room with my Mum. The cupcakes and rocky road were really yummy!”
