A report from our students
Finding the Light
Well... what a crazy year this has been so far. So much has happened, so much has changed, but we as a Year 12 cohort have fought against complete adversity. Defying the odds, we have found light within ourselves and each other. As Senior School Council representatives, we couldn’t be prouder to be a part of such a strong group of individuals, living up to the motto ‘Perseverance conquers all’.
COVID-19 has been one of the many unprecedented challenges that Year 12s have had to face this year. Having to adapt so quickly from face-to-face learning to continuous learning from home created a lot of added stress, however we’ve managed to prevail and push through... just! We’ve been lucky enough to have such amazing teachers who are committed to helping us through this crazy time. With their help, remote learning has become efficient and easy for us to adjust to. Their attentiveness, support and extra guidance has been immensely helpful for all of us going through VCE, and we are so grateful to them.
Even though we have been thrown into the deep end, Isolation 2.0 has allowed us to create some amazing moments. The bonds we have created in such darkness have proved to be the sources of light that we didn’t realise how much we needed until now. Little things such as the ‘Isolation Video’ that the Year 12 SSC put together earlier in the year to the ‘Thank You Thursday’ videos we receive and competitions for the Year 12 Cohort that Mr Stone arranges weekly, allow us to see the light in this strange situation.
As Year 12s, we want to be the role models that younger year levels can look up to and, hopefully, people who they strive to become. The knowledge and experiences that the Class of 2020 has endured this year, provide that much needed hope to our school and the rest of the Padua College community that we are proof that we can do anything together!
Chloe Lieberman, Year 12 Elizabeth
Opportunities & Challenges
The return to online learning has definitely been a much smoother transition in comparison to our first experience of online learning. As much as it is not ideal that we are in lockdown again, I’m glad that I know what to expect. Whilst there are many challenges associated with online learning, there are definitely things that can be done to minimise these. One of the biggest challenges is missing the social side of school. I miss four square the most and the banter that comes with it. Whilst my four-square skills have never been very good, I’m happy to say they are significantly better than those of my brothers at home. And the banter still continues in online learning in the use of Kahoot, a popular tool of choice for Padua teachers. A Kahoot may just be a quiz, yet it’s also an opportunity to earn fame and glory amongst classmates by answering questions correctly or hoping for a fast internet connection. Online learning and lockdown are definitely challenging but the best thing we can do is to remember that we have the technology and resources at our disposal to still enjoy the things we like about school, whilst still at home in our pyjamas.
Online learning has been a rollercoaster of emotions! Though our community is separated again, we are now more connected then ever and can take on online learning in new ways. I would like to highlight the importance of checking up on friends and family and acknowledging that we are all in this together. Having to do school online makes us realise how grateful we are for our Padua community. The incredible efforts from our teachers and staff during these unprecedented times definitely does not go unnoticed. We are so grateful for our strong support system and this struggle will definitely not be forgotten. It is important to recognise the small things that make online learning a little better and acknowledge the opportunities it has given us. For example, that extra sleep in, cooking yummy food at lunch, daily walks and having more time with your pets and family. We hope that our transition back to school will run smoothly and is, hopefully, just around the corner.
Heath Crosling, Year 11 Frayne
Ella Denvir, Year 11 Merton
Adaptation & Change
Students have adjusted to remote learning by now and there is generally a mix of anxiety and ambition among students as we progress through this uncertain time. Students have had to adapt to the current environment with some making friends online or talking to their friends via other means. The staff at Padua have been amazing in providing the best possible experience for us and we the students and our parents applaud them for adjusting so well to current events.
