Interview with Rishad – Distance Learning
Interview with Rishad Cook-Sabatino Year 10 (Hodges House) as he continues to learn via distance at St Michael’s Primary School, Thursday Island – Cay Camden- Senior School Counsellor
9th September 2020
Rishad how long have you been learning via Distance in the Torres Strait Islands?
110 days!!!
What does your daily routine look like?
When I am going to learn via distance at the primary school on Thursday island I am up early and do all the usual things but I then walk to the ferry wharf and catch a ferry across from Horn to Thursday Island. It takes about 20 mins. Then I walk up to the school. I follow the SHORE daily routine as best I can, and try to keep up with all the notifications and any Zoom meetings possible.
What has been the most challenging part of distance learning?
Missing my friends, the new gym and Basketball.
What has been ‘a positive’ out of this new experience?
Being more independent, learning how to use new IT-Zoom and being more patient. I am now more organised (but that took a while) and being on time (which I am still mastering). I have much more time with my family and love leading sports with the little kids from the primary school, Basketball, touch footy and AFL. I have loved seeing my whole community come together in this crisis.
How do you feel still being at home, and not back at SHORE yet?
A bit weird, like I am definitely in a different world. I like being at the school here though as I am getting work done now, which I couldn’t before schooling from home on Horn Island.
How did they react when you first came?
The little kids stared at me. However, I was introduced to everyone, and now they are all happy to see me. There are about 100 students here, so quite a small school.
Tell me what is the most interesting thing we wouldn’t know about your home Horn Island?
That the only way to get to any of the smaller islands of the Torres Strait is through Cairns and then through Horn Island.
And Thursday Island, has all the major infrastructure like businesses, boarder patrol and many more houses.
What would you like to tell your boarding community?
I WILL RETURN.
