COVID-19 Time Capsule
The Mayor of Swindon was among the special guests who joined students at Nova Hreod Academy for a COVID-19 time capsule ceremony.
The time capsule has been placed in the grounds of Nova Hreod Academy with the intention that it will be opened in 50 years’ time. Year 9 scholars Blaise and Logan won a competition in school where they had to crack a code to win a mystery prize, which was to bury the time capsule. Clues had been dropped into assemblies, the newsletter and on the big screen in the school atrium throughout the summer term.
Year 9 scholars Harvey and Ryan gave a speech about their experiences of COVID-19 and paid tribute to everyone who had suffered as a result of the pandemic. Headteacher Nick Wells praised scholars for the strength and resilience that they had shown during the difficult periods, including home learning and lockdown.
In creating the time capsule, students considered what items would be of interest to people in 2071. As the first generation of students to live through a global pandemic in the digital age they included letters and poems about their personal experiences of lockdown, remote learning and how they coped with isolation. Added to this were some photographs and other memories of Nova Hreod in 2020/2021, including school ties and timetables, together with a bottle of hand sanitiser and a COVID19 home testing kit.
Students then chose which items to include and produced writing and artwork inspired by their experiences over the past 18 months which were put into the time capsule – to be opened in 2071 for future students to gain an idea of what life was like for Nova students during such a challenging time.
Once of the winners, Blaise, said: " We didn't know what the prize was when we entered the competition but it's been exciting being chosen to bury the time capsule."
Assistant Principal Simon Foster, who came up with the idea of a time capsule, said:
“The time capsule provides an important snapshot of what life has been like for a generation of young people who, although they might not realise it, are living through a major historical event. The work that has been included really captures the range of experiences students have had and whilst many of the artefacts may seem somewhat mundane now, in 50 years’ time they will provide a fascinating record of what life in school was like for the past 18 months.”
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