From the Counsellor’s Desk | 30 April, 2020

Dear HBIS family,

I hope this finds you safe and in good health as we continue to deal with the harsh realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearing the end of Week 5 of our shelter-in-place existence and online-learning, with many uncertainties still looming, we acknowledge that this remains a time that has been challenging and has tested our patience, our humanity, our worldview and our resolve. Our thoughts and prayers continue for all those who are suffering physically, financially, and emotionally. We continue to pay tribute to essential workers and acknowledge the risks that they take daily to provide us with medical care, necessities and hope. We also want to thank you, our parents, for all your input, patience, and support during these unprecedented times. We are grateful to our teachers and all staff members working diligently to make this a smooth process, taking on this uncharted territory with enthusiasm, aiming as always to bring quality education to our students, encouraging them to reach their full potential and to embrace this journey of character building and growth.  

Most of all, we are immensely proud of our students. Having minimal time to understand the pandemic itself, their lives have changed significantly in a short period of time. Our students have risen to the challenge and have taken up social isolation, online schooling, and loss of normalcy with gusto and positivity. We acknowledge that this has not been an easy transition, we acknowledge that some days will be better than others, and we acknowledge that some may have adjusted easier than others, but most of all we acknowledge that you are trying. We are proud that you have been open-minded, taking the risk and plunging into the unknown with us, exploring new avenues, communicating your needs, researching ways to enhance your setting to make it more conducive for learning, and for being resilient in the face of uncertainty.  We celebrate and salute you. 

Furthermore, we acknowledge that this period will take us all on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. You will experience fluctuations in your mood, motivation and overall mental wellbeing. Please do reach out on challenging days to your family, peers and as always you are most welcome to set up some time with me: zeenat.nieftagodien@iesmail.com where you will be allowed a space to vent, explore fears, celebrate achievements and talk about aspects that will be tailored to your specific requirement at the time. 

Let us continue to care for each other and to work together to end this pandemic. Let us be kind, patient, and ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. Let us make a difference in our community and our academic careers by coming together to ensure that this pandemic does not impede negatively on your respective journeys.

With admiration, 

Zeenat Nieftagodien