Sheffield secondary school celebrates team spirit to mark one year anniversary of first lockdown

As the nation commemorated one year anniversary of the first coronavirus lockdown on Tuesday (March 23), a Sheffield secondary school came together to celebrate the team spirit that has emerged amidst the national tragedy.

By Rahmah Ghazali

Published 24th Mar 2021, 12:35 BST

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Outwood Academy City on Stradbroke Road organised a programme of events on National Day of Reflection, including a one-minute silence to remember the 126,000 people who have sadly lost their lives to the deadly virus as students and staff reflected on the past year in education.

Teaching assistant Ange Kilcoyne, who lost her brother in May to Covid-19 said she has spent everyday supporting the most vulnerable students in their learning during the pandemic as the school remained opened even when the stay-at-home notice was issued a year ago to provide education for vulnerable students and children of key workers.

Sharing her experience, she said: “My brother was so good to me because he stuck by us. I have stuck by our students all the way through so they get the help they need".

These ladies have kept students safe and the dining area clean every day during the pandemic. The school has had key worker students and vulnerable students as normal, and this has only been able to happen due to these remarkable people. Picture by Outwood Academy City.

These ladies have kept students safe and the dining area clean every day during the pandemic. The school has had key worker students and vulnerable students as normal, and this has only been able to happen due to these remarkable people. Picture by Outwood Academy City.

Louise Parkin, 49, was in every day to make sure that students had an outstanding experience that included English and Maths as well as music, physical education and cookery.

She said: "I love working with students and will always put them first. Everyone who worked here made a huge difference and gave a sense of normality and experience that they wouldn't have had otherwise".

For the school’s science technicians, James Trueman and Julia Holden, they decided to retrain in the third lockdown to support the online attendance to live lessons where they would monitor attendance and ensure that support was given to those that were struggling to log on.

James said: "When something like this happens, you just want to chip in where you can". Also working in attendance is Sue Robinson who has been blown away by the support within the community for the school.

The teachers at the school received almost 1000 thank you cards from their students. Picture by Outwood Academy City

The teachers at the school received almost 1000 thank you cards from their students. Picture by Outwood Academy City

She said: "The parents have been so supportive and made our job easy. They have been so grateful for our hard work".

And their students are the true heroes of the past year, said the school, as they have joined online lessons and make as much progress as possible.

Nearly 1,000 students have sent letters of thanks to their teachers for helping them to do this.

Alexia Wild, a Year 9 student said she was very glad to return to school when it reopened on March 8.

The school's kitchen staff have worked wearing masks in a hot kitchen to feed all the staff and students. Picture by Outwood Academy City

The school's kitchen staff have worked wearing masks in a hot kitchen to feed all the staff and students. Picture by Outwood Academy City

She said: “School has helped me stop worrying and become productive. I get to see my friends and complete work that I am genuinely proud of".

The Principal, Mr Andrew Downing described the day as “remarkable”, and that he was humbled by the stories the students have shared as they reflected on the past year.

He said: “The students have been incredibly resilient throughout the difficult time. I would also like to thank parents for their ongoing support. Staff have worked incredibly hard and I am so proud of the way that they have supported students and their families, from delivering food parcels to live lessons.”

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Year 9 pupil, Alexia Wild. Picture by Outwood Academy City

Year 9 pupil, Alexia Wild. Picture by Outwood Academy City

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