Goodbye from Year 13

FEATURE Goodbye from Year 13

Goodbye from Year 13

Two years ago we started full of hope and expectations Preparing for tests, exams and applications. We enjoyed our time during classesIn drama and music we performed for the masses. In games we celebrated a lot of success. We supported each other during times of stress.

Suddenly the world changed and lives had to be rearranged. We were not together any longer Nevertheless we grew stronger. We stayed connected through Zoom and Teams Which we would not have expected in our wildest dreams. In the last school year we were reunited We were nervous and always excited. Half a year of testing and tracing helped us against the problems we were facing. The teachers’ support was immense. The time until December was very intense. The new year began and everything went to plan. But we unexpectedly had to go home again.

In April we were back at College together hoping to stay forever. We thank our teachers and everybody for their support who have done so much for our cohort. We have spent much time in front of a screen Now we say “Goodbye” - We are your Year Thirteen!

Reflecting on our time at Sixth Form

What a time it has been! I still remember vividly our first day at the College in August 2019 when we first met and started our A level studies. During the Lower Sixth Dinner, we got to know each other and quickly became a very strong community. Michaelmas term was soon over and we were looking forward to the new year. In January 2020 the world changed: because of the Covid-19 pandemic we could only spend four out of six terms at school. This was a big challenge for all of us: we had to adapt to studying online and were living around the world. Lockdown made us value our time at Eastbourne College even more and we missed the moments we have spent at school together. Normal aspects of life such as being in a classroom, eating in the dining hall, competing in sports and having in-person conversations suddenly became very important. We would not have succeeded without the support of our teachers and staff of Eastbourne College who have made Sixth Form a very special time for us. Thank you to everyone for your patience, encouragement and kindness. We are soon leaving school: some of us might go to university, others might start a job or an apprenticeship. We will be living all over the UK and wider world. Nevertheless, I hope that we will be able to reunite in a few years’ time to share our experiences and reflect on this time which shaped our lives.