Savio College during Corona Time

These words were said prior to the COVID-19 pandemic by a student during the last Award Giving Ceremony theatre performance. Who would have thought that these same words were to be tested a few months later? In March 2020 our lives were shaken to the core and schools closed their doors and teachers and the administration tried hard to adapt to all the changes that the Coronavirus pandemic brought along.

Fast forward to the scholastic year 2021 and Savio College opened its doors for scholastic life on a daily basis. The domestic staff, the administration, the Salesian community and educators all adapted very effectively and efficiently to the pandemic situation in a short time. All the educators got online training on the use of Microsoft Teams as well as other changes, including, method of teaching in case students end up in quarantine as well as online home works and corrections to be there for students in a more efficient manner.

What one could immediately notice when entering Savio College were the health and safety protocols everyone started following, including temperature-taking, walking in an orderly manner following floor markings, standing in waiting areas according to the year group, different break times and entrances and exits keeping every year to its own bubble, hand sanitizers present in every classroom, distance between teachers’ area and students’ area and masks on at all times, except when eating/drinking. The domestic staff did and still do an excellent job at keeping everyone safe by their continuous cleaning of the school premises as well as the up keeping of the school premises. Their work has been top notch.

Keeping all of these protocols in mind, the school provided a sense of warm welcome anyway to students and educators alike. Whilst in different area bubbles it has been great to have all year groups present from Monday to Friday, as we truly believe that nothing can substitute face-to-face teaching and learning! Despite the changes and the lack of physical contact, the limitations due to the pandemic did not dampen the Salesian spirit. On the contrary, one could feel a sense of normality due to the team effort that everyone showed and is still showing in the face of such hard times. The staff, the educators and the Salesian community remained resilient and rose to the challenges that this pandemic brought along. For the school to remain a place of education, spirituality and also a place of refuge in these uncertain times, it has taken everyone’s effort, support and work.