Back in the bubble
Armand Kertzman, photographer and teacher, documents life at primary school De Wingerd in Roosendaal in Corona time. Until December 16, 2020, school offered students an escape, he says.
Armand Kertzmann
In addition to his job as a teacher for group 8 at primary school De Wingerd in Roosendaal, Armand Kertzman is following a course at the Rotterdam photography school. In the form of a photo documentary, he records what happens at his school during the corona crisis.
“The photos must form a recognizable story,” says Kertzman. “I want to show that despite the measures, there is still a lot of fun in the children. They have tremendous adaptability. ”
Radically changed
School offered children an escape to some extent, he says. “When you enter the school, you step into a world that continues. Although that world has changed radically, of course, with meetings via Microsoft Teams, parents who are no longer allowed to enter the school, constantly washing hands and cleaning tables. ”
Armand Kertzman recorded three phases of the corona crisis for his photography training: 'fear', 'living in a bubble' and 'free at last'. With the second lockdown, the photo of his 17-year-old daughter became relevant again.
In addition to fear, work pressure and uncertainty, the corona crisis has also brought great things to the Wingerd, says Kertzman. “You used to see that even up to and including group 7, parents still accompanied their children to class. We discouraged that, but you don't want to ban it. From group 6 onwards we try to allow the children to enter the school alone in the context of independence. Now you can already see toddlers coming in alone. They become independent faster. ”
Independence
Over the years, De Wingerd makes 'child reports' with students in which students characterize themselves, draw or indicate in a circle how they score on qualities such as independence and self-confidence. “My impression is that many of the children in my 8th grade are now further than in the years before,” he says. "You can see that in the reports because on average they situate themselves more on the outside of the circle."
Kertzman and his team try to make the most of it in times of crisis. “Much cannot continue or must be changed, but at the same time we try to preserve as much as possible. The group 8 camp was canceled at the end of last year. That is why we chose to let the children sleep at school. Instead of activities in the woods, we had a survival trip in the schoolyard. Afterwards, the children were convinced that they had experienced the most beautiful school camp in history. ”
