Over the lockdown this year, Year 9 Ako classes completed a COVID-19 Legacy Project, making memories of their individual and collective lockdown experiences. Each class took their own approach but some highlights included:

• 9AGK & 9SMN collated a photo gallery of how students spent their time on personal interests over the lockdown. Students shared pictures of: their baking successes, new pets, fun times with their family, walks in the country and beautiful artwork!

• 9CMR & 9JAA put together reflection presentations with each member of the class adding their thoughts on the things that they found challenging and the activities that helped them to stay positive. Some students found that getting out and about doing exercise really helped them, while others really enjoyed playing music and learning musical instruments. One student even turned to dressing her cat up in costumes to pass the time! For some people, family seemed to be both a blessing and a curse at times! But, annoying siblings aside, everyone recognised that people helped them to get through!

• 9THL worked in groups to complete mini projects, including designing posters of the activities that kept them sane, writing poetry about lockdown life and drawing. After giving things a lot of thought, it seems that being at school isn’t so bad for 9THL, with the class reaching a general consensus that online schooling is a lot tougher than being on site with your friends and teachers!

• 9COV decided to create an original music video about their experiences during the lockdown. Mrs Collingwood wrote her own song as an example, which she showed to the class. Then, after brainstorming as a class, one of the music students in the class went away and wrote the lyrics and put music to it. After the lyrics were compiled the class planned different video segments to accompany the song and reflect what was being sung. After three weeks of writing and recording the song was completed!

It wouldn’t be right to say that lockdown was completely easy for anyone; there were definitely pros and cons! One thing is for sure though - Year 9s learnt a lot about themselves and what makes them tick! We hope you enjoy the videos below.

The song lyrics:

You know it's getting dark

You know it's not that hard

Not ever going outside

You know it's half past 10

And you can't see your friends

Cos now that there's a big divide

It's harder to see

But we can only beat

It, by doing this

'Cos there are only phantoms,

Stuck in the dark

Wanting to be seen tonight, tonight

'Cos there aren't any people

None to meet

Going in the street tonight

You know there's nothing new

Stuck in level 2

Trying to hear a story

It's been a long run

Waiting for level 1

Now that we're a part of history

It's harder to see

But we can only beat

It, by doing this

'Cos there are only phantoms,

Stuck in the dark

Wanting to be seen tonight, tonight

'Cos there aren't any people

None to meet

Going in the street tonight

'Cos there are only phantoms,

Stuck in the dark

Wanting to be seen tonight, tonight

'Cos there aren't any people

None to meet

Going in the street tonight