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.

School days, April 2026

Round 16: April 2026

Principal: Rianna Midlock

Teachers: Patsy Greene, Quinn Hayes and Lilly Fielding (student teacher)

Students: James Cooper, Connor and Dane Harper and Lina Marlowe are 10, Paloma Lind is 9, Bridget Greene-Cooper and Minka Harris are 8, Brady Cooper and Lucas Greene-Cooper are 7, Jena Harper and Nick and Shea Harris are 6, Tate Cooper, Hanna and Jared Greene, Molly Greene-Cooper, Jasper and Tessa Lind and Emma and Tim Robinson are 5.

Narrated by Rianna Midlock.

We had to renovate the pre-school class room to make room for all our new pre-schoolers. We have eight this year! Luckily Patsy has a lot of experience so she can handle the situation just fine. The kids have gotten used to school by now and she's even able to get them to sit down to do some work from time to time.

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.

Wonderful life

Round 15: October 2023

Nyah Marlowe is 37, Thomas is 36, Skye is 11, Jett and Kyra are 9 and Lina is 7.

(Alexandra is 49, Quinn is 47 and Iona is 11.)

Narrated by Nyah Marlowe

We've been trying to spend even more time with the kids than usual since Ethan's death in August.It was such a shock for everyone but it's especially hard for the children to understand how a young person could die so suddenly.

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.

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.

School days, Spring 2018

Round 12: Spring 2018

Principal Rianna Midlock is 48, Quinn Hayes is 42 and Patsy Greene is 27.
Students: Aaron and Ethan Hayes, Emily Midlock and Frieda Robinson are 10, Sara Midlock is 9, Riley Cooper is 8, Madelyn and Ross Cooper and Jeremy Hayes are 7, Iona Fielding, Skye Marlowe, Liam Cooper and Todd Robinson are 6, Jesse Midlock is 5, Jett and Kyra Marlowe and Mia Greene are 4.

The school has bought some digital cameras and Quinn's class is the first to try them out. Ethan and Frieda get to work right away while Emily gets some advice from Quinn.

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.

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.

All that matters

Round 11: Winter 2016


Rianna Midlock is 46, Anthony is 42, Emily is 8, Sara is 7 and Jesse is 3.
(Ryland and Jackie are 65, Quinn is 40, Denise is 30 and Zach and Dawn are 12 .)

Narrated by Rianna Midlock

Anthony has been feeling quite discontent with his job lately. He says that it feels like he's not getting anywhere. He's stuck in the studio all the time.

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.

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!

Autumn 2011 birthdays

Alexandra Hayes goes into labor in the middle of breakfast. Her newlywed husband Quinn rushes over to her side for support.

The Hayes-Myerson wedding

Round 9: Summer 2011

Alexandra Hayes is 37 and Quinn Myerson is 35.

The summer has been hot as hell but it starts raining right before Alexandra and Quinn are preparing to exchange their vows. They won't let a little summer rain bother them though. Alexandra has told Quinn that she doesn't want to change her last name since she doesn't want to use a different last name than Aaron and Ethan. Quinn tells his bride that he will become Quinn Hayes so their whole family uses the same last name.

Sex on fire

Round 9: Winter 2011


Patrick Marlowe is 64, Vicki is 60, Stephen is 10, Alexandra Hayes is 37, Aaron and Ethan are 3 and Quinn Myerson is 35.
(Bobbie and Alexander are 60 and Thomas is 24.)

Narrated by Vicki Hayes

Patrick retired last year so he looks after the twins while Alexandra and I are at work. I think he's really enjoying his new role as a grandfather.