Faith and resilience at Springfield

RENEE MICHALKOW

springfield communications and events officer

In spite of the uncertainties and disappointments encountered through 2020, Year 12 students remained optimistic and persevered. In less than 12 months they’ve learnt how to navigate independent online learning, dealt with cancellation of activities, adapted to the requirements of the new ATAR system, and planned their post-school pathways. Commendably, they’ve worked through it all with positivity and faith. Year 12 Springfield Captains Zac H, Minna H and Khushi P talk candidly about their year.

Zac H

Online learning was a big challenge in adjusting to the way we had to access our daily tasks and speak to our teachers. Obviously, it came with its own set of hurdles including motivation and adapting to working alone, but the work itself was consistent in its content. Leadership responsibilities also changed, causing us to rethink our whole strategy for the year and move instead to our aim of 'Virtual Leadership' which has been a challenge. QCAA has been helpful in recognising the stress this year and removed one of our assessments to ease this. Our teachers have also all been very understanding of our situation and have been providing ongoing support for us. For me at least, my family and friends have also been instrumental in maintaining a healthy outlook.

The pandemic hasn’t impacted significantly on my future plans, since my path of going to university and studying law is still intact. However, it could be an entirely different experience if universities decide to exclusively implement online lectures and teaching. A big disappointment that I (and the other House Captains) have experienced is the loss of the majority of our sport carnivals. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to enjoy what would have been our final Cross Country and Track & Field Carnivals. As Leichhardt Captains, we had planned initiatives to boost morale and win us the House Cup. However, it’s important to be grateful for what we didn’t miss out on—which was an unforgettable Year 12 Formal. Three things from the Graduate Tree that resonate with me personally would have to be: love, compassion and resilience.

Khushi P

Online learning was a big adjustment this year and that’s affected our workload a lot. We had assistance but you spend the whole day at home doing schoolwork. Then you’d spend the next couple of hours at home writing assignments and doing homework, or studying for exams.

The mental health awareness and resources provided a big support for us this year. Mrs Johnson (Student Counsellor) has been incredible having her wellbeing chats and wellbeing meetings and we’ve had a Firefly page regularly updated as well. Mrs Johnson has always been there for us and especially this year if we’ve been having a hard time. We know we can have a chat to her and talk through our problems which is definitely helpful. We’re unsure if university content will be online next year or whether it’s a mix of in-class as well as online learning. That’s going to be a big impact because we’re going into a new environment with new people and we won’t know any teachers or lecturers. It will be difficult to interact with them through a computer screen. We have missed out on some of the rights of passage of being Year 12. We did have the Formal but no outside dates, no dancing and we couldn’t have an after party. We’ve missed out on some bonding as a cohort because of restrictions. Influential, connected, empowered, inclusive, genuine. I really like those Graduate Tree adjectives, they represent St Peters students. I think those are the kinds of qualities I would like to maintain as I leave the College. I think St Peters has empowered me to go out into the world and to be influential, inclusive, genuine and I think we’re such a close community that connected is a big one for all of us.

Minna H

For every single Year 12 student in Australia, this year has shown how resilient we can be. We’ve had to be flexible and we’ve gone through a lot to get to this point. This year has been unique to the 2020 cohort across the board. One of the most important things I’ve learnt is to be kind to yourself and do little things for yourself every day to make things easier. I’m going to have many good stories from this year to tell my future employers about how resilient I am. I was a part of the 2020 cohort of Year 12 who had to become organised with online learning, deal with things during the coronavirus outbreak — all during our most important year of schooling, our final year of schooling. Also, we had to deal with stress about applying for university and different things with leadership. There are so many things we’ve all gone through so the adaptability of this cohort is going to look very good to future employers.