Senior School

Grade 11 art student Tamlynne Alsemgeest has had her oil painting "Life in the Time of Corona" accepted for an exhibition at the Zeitz Mocaa which runs from October 22nd - 5th January. We are so proud of you Tamlynne!

Cross Curricular

John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” is a literary classic. In English classes last term, the Grade 8s had the opportunity to wrestle with the challenges that this novel offers to all who read it. What is significant about the novel is that offers opportunities to work across learning areas. It holds a wealth of cross-curricula openings. The English, History and Life Orientation departments created a programme that allowed the Grade 8s to improve their experience of the novel.

The programme was structured to include a screening of the 1992 version of the film ‘Of Mice and Men’. This was followed by an opportunity for the pupils to engage in a ‘Silence Conversation’ around the Great Depression. The stimulus for this ‘silent conversation’ was several photographs by Dorothea Lange of rural poverty in the United States during the 1930s. A space was created for the Grade 8s to move from one medium and expression, the novel, to another, visual literacy and history. The final task was for the pupils to develop their ability to express a more nuanced response to the character of Lennie in the novel. The task was to develop a personal wall poster exploring friendship and disability in broad terms.

Cross-curriculating allows multiple responses to a stimulus. Moreover, cross-curricular learning can strengthen “left brain – right brain” connections and strengthen the sense of achievement that pupils feel when connecting and link the different stimuli when completing a learning activity.

Silent Conversation strategy

This discussion strategy uses writing and silence as tools to help pupils explore a topic in depth. Pupils respond on a big piece of paper writing out their thoughts and comments to a stimulus, in this case Dorothea Lange’s photographs of the rural Great Depression. This process slows down a pupil's thinking and gives an opportunity to focus on the views of others. It also creates a visual record of the pupil's thoughts and questions. Pupils learn to listen and think, as well as write in this activity. It is a great strategy to build pupil confidence and skills.

GILL SUTTON

Debating

Despite lockdown and physical distancing, debating last term was a huge success. As a result, debating will continue for six weeks of term 4. These sessions will continue on an online platform, and we have fantastic coaches and heads of the society that will be running the sessions. These sessions will run as follows:

Wednesdays 14:00-15:00.

There will be sessions where content and debating techniques will be discussed and taught, as well as sessions where the girls will be able to submit speeches that they will receive feedback on. These sessions will alternate from week to week.

We will start by using WhatsApp as a platform for communication, so we ask that your daughter have access to a device where WhatsApp can be accessed.

For larger group discussions and virtual debates, we will use Google Hangouts.

There is a fee associated with joining debating of R150,00. This is the payment that will cover debating until the end of Term 4, and this will be added to your account.

If your daughter is interested in joining Team or Social Debating, please complete the following form: Please note, that even if your daughter is part of Team/Social debating this form still needs to be completed.

Sam Whitehorn

EXTRA MURAL SPORTS

You may be aware of the briefing from the Department of Basic Education which was held on 1 October 2020. Reference was made to School Extra Mural activities as follows:

"With the country having moved to Alert Level 1, we would like to propose that non-contact sport training and physical activities in schools should resume, subject to compliance with measures to prevent and combat the spread of Covid 19. We will gazette new directions in this regard once the processes have been completed."

We are awaiting formal directions from the Department of Basic Education as to which sports training will be permitted as well as information regarding the required Covid-19 protocols. It is our intention to get going with as many Summer sports as possible, as well as provide our girls with some fitness and conditioning sessions, as soon as we have been given the necessary permission from Government.

5 TIPS FOR COPING WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH

With exams almost upon us, Covid concerns all around us and the end of the year flying up behind us so fast, the world sometimes feels overwhelming!!! Here are five tips to cope when times are tough:

5 BE WITH YOUR EMOTIONS

Sadly, our emotions are part of our make-up. We cannot just avoid or suppress them. But what we can do is learn to recognise our emotions and how to deal with them. If you feel that your emotions are spiralling out of control, stop and take a breath and then RAIN on them!

SUMMER SURFING!

What better way to spend a Wednesday afternoon than surfing with the Springers in Muizenburg! Surf Emporium have set aside time for Springfield as a group to go out and learn, all levels welcome. We have a growing group of talented surfers catching the waves under the careful eye of Surf Emporium. Here is a photo of some of our girls - what happy faces!

INDOOR HOCKEY PSI IS BACK!

Anyone interested in joining PSI Hockey? Have a look at the flyer below for details.

COLLEEN REED