The Form I project this term asked the question: ‘Can you survive a digital detox?’ The students were required to hand in their devices and encouraged to engage with one another without the distraction of social media.

The intention of unplugging to reconnect - Diary of a Wimpy Kid: OLD SCHOOL by Jeff Kinney - was to realise that it is okay to unplug for a little while. We wanted to encourage a shift towards interacting with peers in the present and appreciating one another’s company. As a work ethic, it is important to reduce the noise and focus on what is needed.

The students experienced ‘vintage’ arts and crafts that included embossing, origami, crochet, silk-screening and scrapbooking. There was also a significant focus on the vast benefits of journaling. A highlight of the project was to build a tent, chairs and table cloths out of found materials. The final product was to design and develop a game or activity and identify the psychological, cognitive and physiological benefits.

What was marvellous to witness was that when the Form I girls would usually revert to their phones, they were engaged in conversation or were playing fun physical or verbal games. It was certainly a worthwhile project.

JANE MCMURRAY
HOD: CULTURALS