Christmas lights, 2027

Round 17: December 2027

Alexandra Hayes is 53, Quinn is 51 and Jeremy is 16.

(Aaron is 19.)

Narrated by Alexandra.

School is closed for the holidays and I feel like all Jeremy does all day is mope around the house all day. He broke up with Ross in the spring and I think he's regretting it a bit. He's been out on a few dates with Iona Fielding who I suspect was at least part of the reason for the break-up but he hasn't been going out at all lately.

We rule the school, April 2027

Round 17: April 2027

Principal Nyah Marlowe, teachers Phoebe Lind and Quinn Hayes.
Students: Riley Cooper (17), Ross Cooper (16), Madelyn Cooper (16), Jeremy Hayes (16), Skye Marlowe (15), Todd Robinson (15), Liam Cooper (15), Iona Fielding (15), Jesse Midlock (14), Jett Marlowe (13), Kyra Marlowe (13) and Mia Greene (13).

Teachers and students of Wellington High School are thrilled about the new school building. It took the construction company twice the time they initially thought but the building is finally finished and school is in session. There's so much more space than in the old school and the class rooms are better equipped as well. Skye and Todd are just thrilled that they get to sit next to each other. Not that Mrs. Lind allows them to interact much during the class.

Kisses of fire

Round 16: September 2026

Aaron Hayes, Emily Midlock and Frieda Robinson are 18.

(Alexandra is 52.)

Narrated by Aaron.

I've been trying very hard to concentrate on my studies but I'm very easily distracted with thoughts of Emily. It feels weird to feel this way about her because we've been friends for so long and she used to be my brother's girlfriend.

Heaven knows

Round 16: May 2026

Sam Cooper is 48, Grace is 43, Madelyn and Ross are 15 and James is 10.

(Greg is 33 and Jeremy is 15.)

Narrated by Sam.

Ross came out as gay last year and I'd be lying if I said I was happy about it. I didn't say anything to him about it but I guess he noticed because at some point it felt like he spent more time at his boyfriend's house than at home. I'm okay with it now that I've gotten used to the idea of my son having a boyfriend. Seeing him happy is what matters the most.

How it goes

Round 16: November 2015

Patrick Marlowe is 78, Alexandra Hayes is 51, Quinn is 49, Aaron is 17 and Jeremy is 14.

(Amabelle is 70 and Ross is 14.)

Narrated by Jeremy.

Ross came out to Maddy and his parents in January. It didn't take long for him to tell me either although I had kind of figured out that he liked boys. I've had a huge crush on him for about two years so when he told me that he's gay I felt like my chance had finally come.

We rule the school, January 2025

Round 16: January 2025

Principal Nyah Marlowe and teacher Phoebe Lind.

Students: Frieda Robinson, Aaron Hayes and Emily Midlock are 17, Sara Midlock is 16, Riley Cooper is 15, Ross and Madelyn Cooper and Jeremy Hayes are 14, Liam Cooper, Skye Marlowe, Todd Robinson and Iona Fielding are 13 and Jesse Midlock is 12.

Narrated by Nyah Marlowe.

We're finally getting a new high school this year. The construction workers are currently tearing down the old one so we're stuck with this temporary lot with a couple of barracks working as class rooms and other necessary buildings. It's not ideal but it would have been impossible to tear down the old building and get a new one up and running during the summer holiday. At least this way we'll hopefully get to start the autumn semester in a brand new school building.

Christmas lights, 2024

Round 15: December 2024

Sam Cooper is 46, Grace is 41, Madelyn and Ross are 13 and James is 8.

(Jeremy is 13.)

Narrated by Madelyn Cooper.

We're on Christmas break from school now which means we get to hang out more with our friends who are not from our school. Julia is Riley's girlfriend but Georgina is up for grabs. I've been sort of trying to push Ross and her together but it's just not happening.

We rule the school, October 2023

Round 15: October 2023

Principal Nyah Marlowe is 37 and teacher Phoebe Lind is 29.

Students: Aaron Hayes, Frieda Robinson and Emily Midlock are 15, Sara Midlock is 14, Riley Cooper is 13 and Madelyn and Ross Cooper and Jeremy Hayes are 12.

Narrated by Phoebe Lind.

This semester's start couldn't have been worse. Ethan Hayes passed away just two weeks before school started and it really changed the whole school. Nyah immediately arranged a counsellor to stay at the school for the first month so that students could get some help in this crisis. Ethan was such an outgoing person and loved to joke around. I've never seen the students so quiet especially after summer.

Some die young

Round 15: August 2023

Patrick Marlowe is 76, Alexandra Hayes is 49, Quinn is 47, Aaron and Ethan are 15 and Jeremy is 12.

(Emily is 15.)

Narrated by Alexandra Hayes.

Having three teenagers in the house is sure way to drive any adult crazy. It feels like the boys are going through every emotion every day. Aaron and Ethan can be at each other's throats at any time.

Happy Birthday, January 2023

Brady Cooper will turn 4 this year and he's already anxious to start pre-school.

School days, Autumn 2022

Round 14: Autumn 2022

Principal: Rianna Midlock
Teachers: Patsy Greene, Quinn Hayes
Students: Jeremy Hayes and Ross and Madelyn Cooper are 11, Liam Cooper, Iona Fielding, Skye Marlowe and Todd Robinson are 10, Jesse Midlock is 9, Mia Greene and Jett and Kyra Marlowe are 8, James Cooper, Connor and Dane Harper and Lina Marlowe are 6, Paloma Lind is 5 and Bridget Greene-Cooper is 4.

Narrated by Rianna Midlock

I've taken the habit of meeting with Quinn and Patsy once a week in my teeny tiny office so we can discuss what's going on in the school. It's also refreshing to hear their ideas about how to develop the school.

Breathe slow

Round 14: Spring 2021


Patrick Marlowe is 74, Alexandra Hayes is 47, Quinn is 45, Aaron and Ethan are 13 and Jeremy is 10.
(Stephen is 20, Emily is 13 and Sara is 12.)

Narrated by Ethan Hayes.

Mom's been really worried about grandpa ever since grandma died last summer. At first he barely got out of the house and most days he wouldn't have gotten out of bed if one of us didn't tell him to get up.

School days, Spring 2020

Round 13: Spring 2020

Principal Rianna Midlock is 50, Quinn Hayes is 44 and Patsy Greene is 29.
Students: Sara Midlock is 11, Riley Cooper is 10, Madelyn and Ross Cooper and Jeremy Hayes are 9, Todd Robinson, Liam Cooper, Skye Marlowe and Iona Fielding are 8, Jesse Midlock is 7, Mia Greene and Jett and Kyra Marlowe are 6, James Cooper, Lina Marlowe and Connor and Dane Harper are 4.

Summer is getting close and the kids are getting more and more restless. Rianna finds it hard to get them to work at all. She's teaching Grades 1-3 this year and has the largest group with 8 kids and she's completely knackered every day when the classes are over.

If this is it

Round 13: Winter 2019


Patrick Marlowe is 72, Vicki is 68, Alexandra Hayes is 45, Quinn is 43, Aaron and Ethan are 11 and Jeremy is 8.
(Stephen is 18.)

Narrated by Alexandra Hayes

I got a call to work that Quinn had been in a car accident. He drove to Brixton University that morning to enroll into the master's program. On the way back some lunatic had rammed him off the road! The police caught the guy and he was drunk.

I rushed to the hospital immediately. I guess I looked quite panicky because doctor Grace Cooper grabbed me by my arms and told me that Quinn was doing alright considering the circumstances. I felt a huge wave of relief.

Hourglass

Round 12: Autumn 2017


Patrick Marlowe is 70, Vicki is 66, Stephen is 16, Alexandra Hayes is 43, Quinn is 41, Aaron and Ethan are 9 and Jeremy is 6.

Narrated by Quinn Hayes

Living with the in-laws is actually pretty great. Patrick and Vicki are both retired and they're always willing to babysit. They also take care of most of the household chores which is a big plus for me.

The girl and the robot

Round 12: Spring 2017

Erin Fielding is 22 and Iona is 5.
(Max is 61, Regan is 53, Toby is 25 and Liv is 19.)

Narrated by Erin Fielding

Toby and I have been dating for about a year now but we're still taking things slow. We haven't even slept together yet! We get to spend more time together now that Greg has moved back to Wellington and Iona spends some time at his apartment too. I usually ride the bus to Exmoor with Iona and then continue to Wellington where Toby lives.

Is it like today?

Round 11: Autumn 2016

Principal Rianna Midlock is 46, Quinn Hayes is 40 and Patsy Greene is 25.
Students: Finn Harris, Lilly Fielding and Josh Cooper are 11, Frieda Robinson, Aaron and Ethan Hayes and Emily Midlock are 8, Sara Midlock is 7, Riley Cooper is 6, Jeremy Hayes and Madelyn and Ross Cooper are 5.

The school has gone through some renovations during the summer. There are new desks for all students, a new computer class room and more instruments for the music class room. Patsy teaches all kids from preschool to grade 2 and has 5 students this year. The girls are already waiting for the class to begin so Patsy tells them what to expect this year. The boys on the other hand have to be dragged to the class, they would much rather stay outside because it's so warm and sunny.

That's not my name

Round 11: Summer 2015


Patrick Marlowe is 68, Vicki is 64, Stephen is 14, Alexandra Hayes is 41, Quinn is 39, Aaron and Ethan are 7 and Jeremy is 4.
(Thomas is 28.)

All the other family members are enjoying lunch together but Alexandra and Quinn mostly enjoy each other. They've been married for 4 years now but they still act like newlyweds.

Winter 2015 birthdays

In Allerdale the Marlowe twins have their first birthday.

Here's Jett...

Uprising

Round 10: Spring 2013


Patrick Marlowe is 66, Vicki is 62, Stephen is 12, Alexandra Hayes is 39, Quinn is 37, Aaron and Ethan are 5 and Jeremy is 2.

Narrated by Alexandra Hayes

I can't believe Aaron and Ethan have started school already! Seems like I don't have to worry about them making friends since they brought a couple of class mates home after school on the first day. They're only 5 years old and already bringing girls home!