UPPER SIXTH ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME CONTINUED
The leavers ’ concert of support : not only did we support one another , but teachers supported students . Looking back , I realise black screens with no faces to look at must have been incredibly hard for teachers delivering lessons , but likewise , sitting at home in the comfort of our bedrooms sometimes made it hard to concentrate .
There was also a considerable difference in how boarders felt compared with day students ; boarders felt isolated away from everyone in their home countries , whereas day students felt stuck at home , unable to meet due to the multiple lockdowns within England .
IMMERSING OURSELVES IN THE ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME
Once exams were cancelled , the school created an alternative programme for our Summer term . This consisted of lessons leading to an academic project in the morning and a range of enriching activities in the afternoon . There was a vast selection of activities to choose between , from painting to designing cars to student-led conferences . We found that the best approach was to immerse yourself and step out of your comfort zone . My Friday activity was a programme of student-led conferences , in which we planned and prepared a debate . On Thursdays I painted – a relaxing and enjoyable interlude amidst the chaos of the pandemic .
A lot of the cohort realised quite how much our lives had been oriented around working towards the IB , and it was a big adjustment to having more free time . In the boarding house , this was a mixed blessing . We even found ourselves planning activities to reduce the amount of free time we had . However , friendships grew stronger and time spent with friends was so precious .
12 A FUNNY OLD YEAR