"R U OK?" Year 12 students asked their peers at Chevalier College, Bowral, last week.
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The school was marking the national suicide prevention event, R U OK? Day, on Thursday. This has been a tough year for the class of 2020; they must grapple with both coronavirus restrictions and the HSC - but they've adjusted well, students and staff say.
"There are not enough words to describe the pride that I and many others have in our Year 12 group of 2020," principal Chris McDermott said. "They have been hit from pillar to post by this COVID situation. They could easily have thrown in the towel and said 'Why bother?', but they have chosen the alternate path: they have said 'Let's get on with it!'"
R U OK? Day was particularly important this year, student leader Angus Spencer said. He had co-ordinated the event at the school, making sure it went ahead despite COVID-19 protocols.
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"Everyone has been locked inside for so long, and unfortunately mental health has been affected in a negative way," Angus said. "From that, we also find that mental health is a big issue in our community as well. Many people are suffering with depression and anxiety."
By helping others, Angus said, R U OK? Day gives students a cause that might in turn help them - finding meaning in supporting others.
In previous years, the college hold stalls and food - all yellow, the R U OK? colour. "Unfortunately, we couldn't do what we'd normally do," Angus said, "but we adapted. We have implemented some traditions which we hope will carry on."
Each student wrote letters to other pupils, asking how they were going. These personalized affirmations, Angus said, were beneficial for everyone. Students tied yellow string around their wrists to show that the community was battling mental health problems together.
They were also delighted to be given 110 biscuits by Abbeyvale Cookies, thanks to the Siva Beauty salon.
There had been a lot of support in the Year 12 peer group, Angus said. "We're pushing each other and getting through this. Sending a text to see if they're OK is about communicating and keeping contacts, even though physical distance may prevent that."
Among other restrictions, the Year 12 graduation ceremony will be small this year. In previous years, parents would hand out the awards; with social distancing limits, there will only be a small awards ceremony via Zoom on the last day of term, where top students in academic subjects will be recognised.
Angus thought it was sad, but better than having no ceremony at all.
"Obviously it hasn't been easy this year," Angus said. "We'd have loved to have the things we normally have - a proper graduation, valedictory dinners, and some of the other celebrations we've missed - but we've been able to adapt to circumstances.
"We've had fun Zoom calls in class, and some kids have come up with really creative ideas. It has been hard, but there's been good fun out of it as well."
Staff member Simone Wilson said that the school hoped to send the Year 12s off with more ceremony if restrictions were loosened in Term Four. "We will do our absolute best to celebrate our Year 12s more formally, but for now, that's all we can do."
Staff were proud of the resilience the students had shown this year, Ms Wilson said.
"It's incredible to watch how mature and positively they're facing these challenges. They think about others a lot, and about our greater community. I think the Highlands community are lucky to have this cohort of Year 12 students coming out who embrace and are part of the community. They are fine young people who will be an asset to the community."
- For more information about R U OK?, visit www.ruok.org.au
- If you or someone you know are contemplating suicide, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14; or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.