The Elephant 2021 17
We've Got Spirit
2020 can be summed up in many ways, however, it was a comment Mrs Kendall made when we came out of the first lockdown about the incredible feeling and sound of everyone being together on campus that inspired a week like no other for students in Years 7, 8 and 9. By the commencement of Term 4, Year 7 - 9 students had been learning from home for over 100 days. As the last students to return back to campus, 'Spirit Week' was launched to help them reconnect, to ensure that 2020 could be remembered for the fun times as well as the challenging times, and to get back the energy and noise we had all missed so much. It was no easy feat taking 250 students away from their timetable for a week while adhering to frequently changing COVID restrictions, but our staff were determined and encouraged our students to participate in a range of activities that would help them develop friendships, strengthen bonds across year levels, push them out of their comfort zone and allow them to get busy doing things they loved but may have missed over lockdown - photography, cheer, cooking, jewellery making, gardening. Working in House groups, our Year 7 students were able to experience the magic of House events for just the second time and our Year 9 students had the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by helping plan and manage the week and by organising and leading their teams. For five days, our Year 7s, 8s and 9s dressed up, danced, ran and played their way around the school and I felt incredibly proud to watch our young leaders flourish and see the camaraderie among the entire cohort.
As the most joyful and loudest week on the 2020 calendar, when we came together on the field in the sunshine to announce the Spirit Week Champion (congratulations Mayfield), it really didn’t matter who had won as the true achievement was being together and singing ‘Spirit’ at the top of our voices.
Spirit Week was definitely a lot of fun! My year level became mentors for the Year 7 and 8s and we certainly enjoyed learning things about ourselves and who we can be. I think we were all surprised by the leadership we were able to demonstrate and my proudest moment was seeing how my team went from a group of extremely hesitant girls to teammates who cooperated together and showed immense amounts of gratitude and support towards one another. Sophie M, Year 10
After being in lockdown for almost 6 months, I couldn’t wait to get back to school and see my friends and teachers! Spirit Week was a great week and I made a lot of fun memories and friendships that I never thought I would. Unfortunately the Year 7s didn’t get many of the usual Year 7 experiences last year so being able to connect with your friends and work in our House groups really lifted the spirits of us all. Ava B, Year 8
Ms Olivia Bugden Deputy Head of Senior School, Personal Growth
