In the second installment of our ‘Student Voice’ blog, we asked two of our Year 7 students, Sanah Dadabhai and Khadijah Patel, to reflect on topics ranging from their lockdown experience, their first year at Sharples and their hopes for the next academic year. Here’s what they talked about.
What have you been doing at home during the lockdown?
During this lockdown I have been doing lots of school work and have been attending live lessons. I have also been catching up with all my friends and how their lives in quarantine have been going. This experience has made me realize how important school is and how you should not take life for granted.
Sanah
During lockdown, I have been recycling and gardening to help the environment such as, re-using plastic to make different products e.g. pen holders, rockets etc. I have learned to be creative which I have really enjoyed. I also enjoyed cooking meals; you need to try my ‘Spaghetti and Grassango’ smoothies!
Khadijah
What has Sharples done to make sure you are still learning at home? What have you enjoyed about this distance learning?
Sharples has provided us with many amazing teachers and online facilities to ensure that all students are up to date with all their learning. I have enjoyed many of the school tasks which the teachers have sent us and I especially have enjoyed the amazing live lessons which are really educational but also full of joy and (sometimes) sarcasm!
Sanah
I have engaged in various intellectual challenges and, sometimes, physical activities. Taking part in the obstacle course challenge for Bolton Hospice was fun! I have also enjoyed showing my artistic skills – check out my 5 dance actions and my imitations of several artists! I have been in all the live lessons, which has been a new, innovative, learning experience. It has helped me in developing my knowledge and understanding of certain subjects. I want to thank all of my teachers for their hard work and effort in bringing this experience to me and so many other students.
Khadijah
What do you miss about school?
I miss all my lessons, my wonderful teachers and my friends. My friends all mean so much to me and they are a huge part of my life. I can’t wait to see them all again.
Sanah
The lockdown has made me realise how dear and important my friends are to me. I am really grateful to have them in my life. I really miss Zainab, Emaan, Maria, Ayesha, Madiha and many more. It has also given me an opportunity to think of the teachers I am really grateful for. I am grateful to all the teachers at Sharples, especially Mrs Smith! She has been encouraging me ever since lockdown started and has opened my mind. She has been such an inspiration and is a great English teacher. Thank you Mrs Smith for all you have done! I also miss my PE, art and other clubs that I do as part of the Baccalaureate.
Khadijah
What are your best memories of your first year of Sharples?
Some of my best memories are:
The ‘Night at the Museum’ trip to Birmingham.
All my astonishing lessons with my brilliant teachers
Being with my friends
Singing the Sharples School ‘Book of Honour’ in my very first year was incredible!
Sanah
One of my best memories at Sharples School so far is the ‘Night at the Museum’ trip. It was amazing! I also enjoyed the movie in the theatre for the Sharples Baccalaureate.
Khadijah
What are you looking forward to doing in Year 8?
Once I’m in Year 8 and things are hopefully back to normal, I am really looking forward to coming back to school and getting back into my old daily school routine. I miss that, my lessons and I really miss my friends.
Sanah
I am excited to return to school in Year 8 and meet my friends, talk to my current teachers and meet the new teachers we will have. I am also looking forward to going on trips.
I just want to say a huge thank you to all teachers and I cannot wait to see you again!
Khadijah
