With anxiously waiting for 4 months for summer, our hopes were drastically ambushed with Covid-19 domineering our lives and the entire world, we were all stuck in our homes with very little to do. After the Distance Learning Programme implemented by the school came to an end with the school year ending, I was extremely happy to have a few days off of school work. Despite not been travelling to and fro from school, the DLP was quite tiring as we had to strain our eyes in front of a screen for hours. So I was happy for the vacation and spent a lot of time watching movies on Netflix, reading books and hanging out with friends. However, as we started off last year the EE deadline was approaching and I had to abandon myself from all distractions at least once a week. Since I had completed my outline before the summer, I only had the mere job of writing down my essay. But as I sat down in front of my computer on the 20th of June, my mind was completely blank. It took me a couple of days to figure out how I was going to start my essay but after the first two lines were there all of the rest flowed through. Each week I spent one day to write my EE which helped me finish my draft sooner than I expected. The last week before school started was me all editing and re-editing my draft. And soon enough, I was packing my bags for my senior year. 

I was a little anxious to be back at school for my last year at OSC. There was a set of protocols that we were informed of that had to be followed at school. Most involving sanitisation, physical distancing and wearing masks. It was a challenge that all of us was going to get used to.

As I walked to school on the 12th of August 2020, I was wondering if this year was going to be the same as last year. Should I expect the same from myself or should I aspire to be more? That brought me to work up to my goals this year and also to reflect on my previous goals.

Creativity

This year for creativity, I am hoping to keep Performing Arts as my main focus. But with the current situation, several protocols have been adopted that prevents us from engaging in actual performances. However, we have been putting our ideas into work by producing our own play. I have also signed up for teaching new kids and organizing workshops for them. For the past few weeks, we have been doing several ice breakers and introduced them to the different form of performing arts. All the students are talented which makes it a challenge to come up with activities for them that would both entertain them and also full fill our purpose. Since the new recruits are not categorized according to age, I found that some of the students I teach are also older than me. Which I feel is also a huge challenge to not consider the age gap during class and prove yourself worthy of your position. So during the next 3 months, I hope to work to the best of my ability and work cooperatively with the other teachers and at the same time improve myself in every aspect.  Apart from that, I hope to continue with some of the art projects I started during the summer. With Covid-19 leaving us a lot of free time at home, I found myself in a new interest in colours. So I’ve been making different things using waste and painting them. I also tried doing some actual painting, which I have to say wasn’t much of a success. So my goal is to complete a big wall decoration make of recycling newspapers and paint before December break.

I believe engaging in some creative activity helps to reduce our stress at school and at home. With starting school as seniors, DP2 brings a lot of work and assignments that require frequent revision. So with meeting all the deadlines and IAs due it really adds up to all the stress. So for me performing arts and handwork aids me to take my mind off the school work and enjoy myself.

Activity

As part of my activity this year I will continue with Kandyan Dancing. It is a bit strange to be dancing with 2m distance between you and also coming to class on separate days. Nonetheless, some functions and concerts have been cancelled this year so we are left off to improve ourselves for the competitions. This year my main goal for dancing is to stay fit and improve muscle strength and coordination. We have been having dancing practises thrice or twice a week to catch up with the time we have lost so I think it succeeds to keep me fit for now. Also during the DLP season, I and my family decided to go for runs and walks every evening and we continued it during the summer as well. However, now since the school finishes late I have less time to get home and complete all my school work. So we have pushed it towards the weekends. But I often play badminton with my sister. Overall, I hope to continue these till next year and be fit and healthy.

Service

I have been a member of the service group ‘Girls for Girls’ for the past year and we’ve been engaging in a lot of activities with them from cooking to playing sports. We have been working with groups of girls from Emerge Center, which is a rehabilitation centre for sexually abused girls. Our main goal is to build awareness within our community about these impacts and help all the girls around the country to stand strong. But with the limitations that come with Covid-19, the service sessions have been cancelled for a few weeks and interactions with outer institutions has been prohibited. So when the group meets I hope to discuss with the others and come up with different ideas to approach our aim. I also wish to conduct an online campaign or social media account to make awareness within our society. Throughout DP 2 my goal is to work collaboratively with the leaders and accomplish our aims.

Learning outcomes:

• Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth.
• Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
• Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.