Goya Dmytryshchak
Five students from Caroline Chisholm Catholic College at Braybrook described their feelings during Victoria’s fifth lockdown.
Anna Marabeliotakis, year 12
Ahh, here we go again. Lockdown 5.0, most people’s initial reaction to another lockdown. Mine too.
I must admit, being stuck at home has me craving human connection more than ever, and I mean human contact away from a screen. I miss the social aspect of being at school, work, and having the freedom to organise a catch-up whenever and wherever I feel like it. However, in times of such uncertainty with so much negativity floating around, I find myself grateful for the extra sleep-ins, studying in the comfort of my home and the value of nature.
Friedrich Tan, year 10
Being a year 10 student, I feel the challenges many Victorian students face with a burden that most of us understand from multiple lockdowns in the past.
We know the drill at this point, it’s very hard to face the fact most of us started a new term recharged for the classroom only for the reality of lockdown to return again and jeopardise plans for a terrific start to term three. But with lockdown comes opportunities in times of crisis.
Without the long commute to school, we have more time on our hands to work on homework and other school projects. Even though the new term started with derailed plans, I look forward to putting my blazer and tie on once again.
Mathias Sisay, year 9
I am a year 9 student and campus captain at Caroline Chisholm Catholic College. Once again, we are back in lockdown for a fifth time. Personally, I despise lockdown as I lose my social interactions within the community and as a captain – hard to obtain behind a laptop. Nevertheless, when we start to think about it, there are only negatives to COVID-19 and being in lockdown. However, it is important to remember the good things too. Keeping a positive mindset during these times is vital to keeping healthy and positive. Stay safe everyone and look after yourselves.
Micah Cursio, year 9
Sitting at my desk 24/7. Masks on masks off. First lockdown, then second, third, fourth and now fifth. I’m getting restless trying to figure out what’s going to happen next. A part of me is satisfied: I get my sleep-ins, food whenever I want and more time to watch TV. But the rest of me? I’m upset. I wish we were back at school. I miss people more than I ever have. I’m going to miss out on my science dissection. Again! But then again, this situation has left me feeling different. I’m seeing things from a different perspective. I’ve learnt to appreciate the things we’ve lost more than I did before.
Vi Truong, year 12
As a Melburnian year 12 student, lockdowns are nothing out of the ordinary – though nonetheless, quite honestly, still challenging each time.
Along my VCE journey, we’ve endured a couple of the strictest, lengthiest lockdowns worldwide. Necessary, of course, but each has confronted us with mental, physical, social challenges, whilst undertaking one of the most important years of our lives, substantially through a screen. The recent lockdown felt like it’d spontaneously sprung upon me; from being right back into term three, energised and alongside my peers, to the humble abode of, well, my bedroom.
But alas, amidst the winter doom and gloom, each lockdown has challenged me to grow and broaden my perspective; this lockdown is no exception. I’m now on the homestretch of year 12 and although this lockdown has caused some exhaustion I’m eager to be back in the classroom soon.
