Adapting to Life Back at School

Students across Year Groups have showed remarkable resilience in adapting to School life with all the Covid-19 restrictions in place since the start of the new academic year: Year Group Bubbles, one-way systems and staggered lunches to name just a few. all far from the usual, cross-Year Group mixing the Cobham Hall family is used to.

Due to Year Groups not being able to mix, the Student Leadership Team had to get creative in maintaining School spirit. To their immense credit, the Team rose to the challenge, arranging several end of term Christmas actvities such as the Christmas video, available on YouTube.

However, it wasn’t just activities outside the classroom that had to be adapted, as Deputy Guardian Alisha discovered. Alisha had to proceed with her Extended Project Qualification - an Upcycling Fashion Show - as simply cancelling was not an option in order to complete her EPQ and gain the creidt for her work. Originally intending to display her upcycled fashion garments in a fashion show with invited guests from the school community, Alisha had to adapt and create a virtual event instead. Filming the event with her friends and maintaining social-distance during the process, Alisha was able to advertise a premiere of the event on the School’s YouTube channel. Alisha has since had over 580 views on her Fashion Show. School events also adapted, such as the Model United Nations Conference.

MUN Conference Goes Virtual

This year Cobham MUN rose to the challenge of the “new normal” and went online. Students remained in their Year Group Bubble areas but joined debates on Climate Change, Coronavirus and the NagornoKarabakh Conflict. After an hour spent researching the various topics and learning about the countries they were representing everyone was well equipped to participate in the debates. Despite some technical teething problems, debate was able to flow pretty well and there was plenty of lively, well informed and passionate discussion. Well done to all who took part and in particular to the following students who received awards for their contribution to debate.

Highly Commended Delegates: Anna, Martha, Elizabeth, Kesi, Jena, Rhiannon, Loantrang, Precious, Alisha

Best Delegates: Selena, Henrietta, Leena, Zoe, Izzy

The debates were chaired by Heather, Maisy, Jess, Hafizah, Jess, Daisy and Amy-Rose. The Chairs worked hard to keep debate flowing and explain procedure all whilst operating remotely and their efforts ensured that everyone was able to participate and enjoy the experience. Thanks also go to the whole staff team who supported the research time and got the online conference calls set up and working.