Guest blog: Kia kaha New Zealand, by Isla Partridge, Year 6
This week, we invited Isla Partridge, one of the kids in the Planalytics’ whānau, to share her ‘Letter to New Zealand’. She wrote it as part of her learning last week, from her new bedroom-based classroom. It reflects on the challenges of a life in lockdown for a 10-year-old and looks towards a post-COVID-19 future with hope and compassion. Thank you, Isla, for letting us share your writing. Now, it’s over to you.
Isla’s original letter
Hi, my name is Isla. I’m a Year 6 student at Greytown Primary School in Wairarapa. Mr Walker, my teacher, asked the kids in my class to each write a letter to themselves in the future talking about COVID-19 and what it was like to live through this time. This is mine.
Dear Isla
Do you remember what it was like?
The streets are usually bustling with happy families and passionate tourists all eager for a cake and coffee at the local cafes. Or excited children coming to spend their pocket money at the famous Lolly Jar or the cheerful dairy just down the road from where you live.
It always seemed that neighbours, friends, relatives, teachers, even your deadly enemies were always there to say hi to and start chatting!
There were cars every single colour of the rainbow and saying, “yellow car!” as many times as your friend was easy peasy. But now there wasn't even a car in sight, let alone a yellow one.
It was scary seeing the completely empty roads and street. Walking down the pavement felt like you were about to automatically die! When you did see your friends walking down the street the only thing you could think about was, “Mum, mum, mum! Two meters, remember!!!” But whenever my friends went by my house and said hi all they could hear was my high-pitched screaming from me being so excited. We didn't even say anything except for “I’LL SKYPE YOU LATER!!!!!!”
Somehow the days didn't seem so long and mostly went by quite quickly though they were still so boring and the same each day. I tried to get some exercise but days felt tiring and at four in the evening all I wanted to do was lie in bed and watch TV. Although I did say it went by quickly the first week now feels like years ago.
When I go back to school, I think I might be a little bit worried but I just can't wait to have a proper chat with my friends and I think our friendship will just grow as we know how boring and lifeless it is to be without one another.
This is probably a once in a lifetime thing that will happen to me even if it isn't the best thing and this is something I should remember forever because this will make us all stronger, capable, kind, understanding and ready for what comes next.
Kia kaha New Zealand
From me, Isla Partridge
