Captains’ Corner | Vice Captain, Patrick Gleeson

Today I sat down for lunch at a table built for eight but limited to just four students in an effort to maintain social distancing. Around the school, students have given up bubblers in favour of water bottles, and there is hand sanitiser in every classroom. We are rallying to the battle cry of control what we can, and are adopting the mantra of business as usual for what we can’t.

On the other hand, when I sat down for lunch today, the conversation was as enthusiastic as ever. Looking around, I saw many in the same situation – laughing, talking and playing handball with the occasional bump of elbows in place of a handshake. 

The Terrace spirit is unbreakable. 

While it might not be the Senior year that my classmates and I envisioned, the challenges that 2020 throws at us can’t shake the bonds that hold Terrace together. Those bonds will see us through uncertain times.

I recently read an Imperial College report modelling the spread of Coronavirus and the impact of different strategies. What caught my attention were the percentages of people predicted to adopt each strategy - numbers ranging from 80% to as low as 30%. Few of us have the background required to guide a country through an epidemic, but all of us have the capacity to play our part. One person’s actions make a difference.

At home, my family each have a sticker on the fridge handle, and that’s where we open it from. Last week at primary school, my little brother was taught to wash his hands properly – and mum made him teach the whole family. He is learning just now something that we should all be doing to help stop the spread of Coronavirus.

Social distancing does not change the fact that we are connected – through family, friends, teachers, children, siblings and more. We need to trust each other to do the right thing, and more importantly, Be the One who others can trust. Fortunately, support is at the heart of Terrace – this term alone, we have seen it time and time again from Volleyball to Rowing, from Debating to Cricket. An epidemic can stop sport, but it can’t stop the spirit behind it.

It is time to be thankful for the Terrace Family, to remember that it is for each other that we must rise to the challenge, and most importantly to remember that we are not rising to the challenge alone.

Be the One