Kids can step up

‘OUR STUDENTS HAD TO ALSO BECOME MORE RESOURCEFUL THAN EVER AND FIND THINGS AROUND THEIR HOME THAT DEMONSTRATED THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, INSTEAD OF EVERYTHING BEING PROVIDED AT SCHOOL.’

up! step can Kids

Resilience, or the lack of, is spoken about as a deficiency in our youngest generation.

They are referred to as being a ‘molly-coddled’ generation, unable to do anything for themselves or solve problems on their own. It is said that they’re often the product of helicopter parenting and never hearing the word ‘no’. But, let me assure you, the children of Wesley Junior School are anything but!

COVID-19 has brought to the forefront a number of unexpected treasures during a time that will definitely go down in the history books. 2020 will be remembered as the year that the world stopped, shut down and was faced with an enormous challenge–a highlycontagious and dangerous virus. But, maybe it will be remembered as much more.

For children, it was a frightening time. Adults were scared and a

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new set of routines and rules were forced upon children. Handwashing was constant, touching your face was forbidden and school was changing-fast! Lessons were no longer in classrooms with their peers, children were trapped in their homes with little freedom, birthday parties and outings were cancelled and children were stuck in a chair in front of a screen for much longer than normally allowed. The world as they knew it was turned on its head and they needed to pivot and learn new skills. Our students had to also become more resourceful than ever and find things around their home that demonstrated their knowledge and skills, instead of everything being provided at school.

Yet, our Junior School kids took up the challenge to ensure they remained engaged and connected and proved that they could continue under the conditions they were facing, conditions in which many adults were struggling. For a generation criticised for how easy they have it, these children didn’t complain, didn’t bawk at the demands and proved that they are, in fact, a strong, resilient, adaptable generation that we can all learn from.

It is pure relief that school is returning to what we used to consider normal and that the classrooms and playground are once again filled with the sound of happy children. I will remember 2020 as a testament to our students, a time where resilience was demonstrated. Our youngest children stood up and showed that they can do what is required when it counts. They proved to be adaptable and demonstrated agility in their learning and daily lives. I will always remember the virus of 2020 and how it proved our children are in fact a strong, resilient generation.

Maria Hodges Head of Junior School

Isabella Daffron (501) and friends playing chess with Brad Hilliard.