So, I just heard last night that another student at my old school has committed suicide. I'd like to say there was a gag in that sentence somewhere, but there isn't. It's a blessed relief that it's not someone I knew, and just saying that makes me feel disgustingly blithe.
My younger brother [now in his 12th and final year of highschool, the same position I was in four years ago] dropped that bombshell last night. He went on to say that there's a police investigation going on, apparently something suspicious was found or observed. Apparently it's the second student from my brother's year that has taken their own life.
I'm sick of this, I really am. I don't like counting how many friends who have died, but I remember them all every time I get this news. What is going on?
Oh right, I know.
The school changed principals [ha, even principles] the year after I graduated. The new principal put in changes to support the performing arts [yey-about time], he changed the uniform [weird, but sort of makes sense] and caused a variety of shakedowns on the academic side as well as playing down the importance of sport.
A key thing here to know is that when I was at that school, we had four days a week where we had 6 subjects a day that went for 50 minutes each with a short morning tea break [30min] and a lunch break of approximately 1.5 hours.
Wednesday was an exception, only 4 subjects and then the remainder of the school day was spent doing Sports and Options. A time where people could do their athletics training etc, driving courses, self defense, rehearsal for the School Musical and so on. The last half of the year this Wednesday period was used by the year 12 students for study.
Problem: New principal has abolished Sport and options. 5 days a week, solid school. The breaks are now shorter over all by apparently 45 minutes. During "exam block" instead of students being able to study and prepare for that 5 day period where end of semester exams are on, students are to attend normal school classes and learn new material.
What the hell? University isn't even that harsh!
Basically from reports I've heard, students are freaking out with added workloads, and all are being denied time to simply chill out and take a breather. Even the Performing arts are being toned down. Student committee groups are being dismantled.
Ugh. They've made a machine out of these kids. Is it any wonder more and more are cracking under the pressure? There's no support any more.
I'm sorry. I'm just too worked up over this right now to do an "In one Hour"
