‘These obstacles won’t last forever’: Principal
IT’S A TOUGH TIME FOR PUPILS, BUT WE WILL PREVAIL AND BE STRONGER FOR IT
FOR first-year students, this year in school has been filled with new experiences.
You began the academic year in new schools, making new friends, meeting new teachers and studying new subjects.
Just around the time when you were getting used to all of these new things, you were asked to deal with more: new terms like ‘social distancing’; new ways of working, ‘distance learning’; and new meanings for the core principles of the Junior Cycle, such as ‘self-awareness’, ‘managing myself ’ and ‘self-regulation’.
While schools had begun to prepare for the possibility of a shut-down, when it came it was still a shock to all of us: Hearing the announcement, getting last words of advice for how to log-in to your new digital classes and emptying out your lockers to take your books and equipment home made for a very busy, bustling last day in school.
I know that there isn’t a single spare box or bag left in Pres Tralee after that day!
After all that busyness, you went home to a new, quieter way of living.
I know you are worried from time to time: worried about your grandparents or your parents/guardians, or perhaps a sister, a brother or a friend that has ‘an underlying condition’ that might make them vulnerable.
Sometimes you may even be worried for yourself.
No matter how boring or frustrating it is, please answer the call of our country’s leaders and medical professionals.
Keep yourself as healthy as possible: sleep well, eat well, drink enough water, and exercise.
Cut down your physical interactions with friends and extended family as much as possible. Wash your hands. Keep up good respiratory hygiene.
This is what is being asked of you. If you do this, you are doing everything you can to help all the people around you.
Try not to worry too much, try not to spend too much time online or on social media looking up or discussing COVID-19. Ask your parents and/or guardians if you can do anything to help them.
And if you need help, with your homework or anything else – ask us. We are still your school family.
Finally, keep in mind that this challenge will pass. You will return to school and have to fill the lockers you emptied.
You will make it to second year and, one day, these days will be an amazing story you get to tell. Perhaps you can start with next year’s new first-years.
Keep busy, stay well and we look forward to seeing you back with us.