Grade 8s Share their Thoughts about their First Year of High School in Lockdown

GRADE 8 GRADE 8

The Grade 8s of 2020 share their thoughts about their first year at high school and dealing with the national Lockdown.

Is High School as scary as everyone thinks?

37.3% 15.7%

47%

Yes

No

Too soon to tell

Three words to describe your school?

ƒ Amazing, fun, loving ƒ Diverse, communal, proud ƒ Fun, stressful, exciting ƒ Fun, delightful, nourishing ƒ Exciting, fun, chaotic (sometimes) ƒ Inspirational, huge, home

Looking back, how did Lockdown feel and what have you learned from it?

ƒ Lockdown was good but at the same time tiring, I’ve learned a lot about myself and learned to be grateful for what you have! I have learned how to manage my time well, and to be organized at all times. Nobody thought lockdown would be so long but I wouldn’t regret anything! ƒ It felt very different and took some time getting used to, but I’ve learned that you must do your best during all four terms so if something happens, and you end up not doing an important exam, you don’t have to worry because you did your best throughout the year. ƒ Lockdown felt quite tedious when it started to reach the middle of the year, but luckily there are many ways to entertain yourself and to keep in contact with others. The most valuable lesson that I have learnt from lockdown was that it is okay to make time for yourself because in the first term when I started high school and was still getting used to it, I felt like

I needed a break that was a bit longer than a week but I was definitely not expecting 5 months! ƒ I honestly quite enjoyed lockdown, it was kind of nice having a break from everyone (I’m an introvert) and

I also feel like I learned a bit more about myself during lockdown. ƒ Lockdown was boring because there are only so many things that you can do in your house. After a while you run out of ideas for new things to do. ƒ Everyone had different experiences of lockdown.

In my opinion, lockdown has been an exhausting experience but also a time where I could interact with my family a lot more seeing as I was not physically at school 5 days a week. Lockdown has taught me to show more gratitude towards teachers who put in a lot of hard work to ensure that we are coping during this difficult time, as well as my parents who have made sure that I am happy and healthy.

School may have been scheduled to start on 15 January for most learners, but arriving at school a whole day early were the eager leaders of 2020 to welcome the new class of Grade 8s joining our Wynberg family. Houses revealed, and new alliances forming, so started the Grade 8s high school journey.

NOW they are Wynberg learners!

The Grade 8 Pledge Ceremony held on Tuesday, 28 January, marked the culmination of the Grade 8 Orientation Programme of 2020 and the ceremonial acceptance of our Grade 8s into the school. As with most rites of passage, it is both a serious moment in the lives of these young women and a celebration!

ACADEMICMATRIC