The role of Meriden’s Prefects has always been to inspire the student body to live and learn with courage, compassion and grace. The Prefects of 2020 have been challenged by these responsibilities like no other cohort and their commitment to unify Meriden girls has never been more vital. At the advent of our students’ return to online learning, Head Prefect, Genevieve McKeown, offers this special message to Senior School girls on behalf of the Prefects.
Online learning. It’s something we’ve often predicted would be part of classrooms of the future but we never expected it to be our reality. However, here we are, completing another week of learning from home.
Firstly, on behalf of the Prefects, I would like to extend to all Meriden students my congratulations. It is amazing how well you have taken the current circumstances in your strides and have continued to put time and effort into your learning despite not being in the classroom. It has been really encouraging to see you all continue to interact with each other and stay in contact to support one another. The positive attitude you have displayed about academic work, sporting commitments and cocurricular activities not only benefits your own progress but also motivates the girls around you.
As the last few weeks have unfolded, we have been reminded that we are not in control of the obstacles life throws at us and that the future is unknown. But we can control how we react to what happens to us and work to overcome the obstacles placed in front of us. The Prefects know that being on top of school work helps us feel calm and we wanted to give you a few tips that we have found effective when learning from home.
- Set up a study space that has minimal distractions. You will complete your work more efficiently and to a higher standard if there are less distractions around you. An environment free of distractions may mean finding somewhere that is quiet, without the dog barking or younger siblings arguing. Phones are another big distraction, so we recommend keeping them out of sight during class time. Maintaining a routine, including wearing the School uniform, will help to keep your mind on the task at hand.
- Staying in contact with your friends is essential! You’re not alone in missing your friends – they miss you too! Sending them a message can be a pick-me-up for both of you. It’s also fun to set up a video call with a group at lunchtime. We would like to encourage you to send a message or an email to someone whom you wouldn’t usually message and check in to see how they are going.
- Maintaining physical activity brings a whole range of benefits. Raw Fitness is a great way to start the morning and do some exercise before school begins. Make sure you get up off your chair between classes so you are not sitting down for long periods of time. Doing a few star jumps or squats gets your blood pumping and can help you re-focus on the work ahead, too. We also like going for walks or doing a relaxing activity straight after school and before starting any homework to give your brain a break.
Many have predicted that in the future, teachers will be replaced by robots. This experience of online learning has shown us just how valuable and irreplaceable our teachers are. We are so thankful for all the time and effort they have put into every class to make learning enjoyable for us and to ensure we have support where needed.
Even though we are apart at this time, we continue to be a strong community united by our love of learning and our care for each other. We wish you the very best as you continue with your online studies and we look forward to seeing you in person again in the near future!
