“Children are the priority.

Change is the reality.

Collaboration is the strategy.”

~Judith Billings

On Saturday we welcomed prospective parents and pupils to our school. The nature of the Covid restrictions requires that we administer the admissions process differently to previous years and, as such, we will continue to meet with families, in small groups, through to this weekend.

These meetings have been exceptionally energising and affirming. Energising because I am a ‘school nerd’ who loves having conversations that are dedicated to talking about schools and education. Affirming because of the parents’ reactions to our pupils who engaged with them honestly, sincerely and with confidence.

The quotation above captures the essence of the relationship that must exist between parents, teachers, and schools. As time passes, and I meet with more and more Springfield families, I know that this is true of our parent body and I am pleased to see evidence of this in our prospective families too.

I am sure that you are all eagerly awaiting the long weekend that Human Rights Day affords us. For me, the acknowledgement of this day is one of South Africa’s most poignant reminders of the atrocious laws that were once pervasive in our country. As you relax and unwind this weekend, take time to appreciate the hope that exists in our Constitution and the rights that it affords to all. Let us also ponder the meaning of human rights and how each of us might contribute to making them a reality in the daily life of every single person.

PENNY MULLAN

Head of School

The Holy Father wrote Patris Corde against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, he says, has helped us see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. In this, they resemble St Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence,” who nonetheless played “an incomparable role in the history of salvation.”

In this Year of St Joseph, and in this week when we celebrate the feast day of St Joseph, let us pay tribute to all fathers who love, care for and protect their families during these difficult times. When I take assembly near Father’s Day in June, I have a slide that I show the children which says “I have a hero; I call him Dad”. We also look at the beautiful parable of the Prodigal Son, where the image of God as a loving, compassionate dad is portrayed. And we know, all of us who have or have had such dads, that both St Joseph and all fathers are made in the image and likeness of God.

On Friday this week, 19 March, as we celebrate the feast of St Joseph, husband of Mary, the carpenter who raised Jesus and taught him his trade, who has always been “in the shadows,” let us give special thought to all who play this role in the lives of their families.

Prayer to St Joseph

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To you God entrusted his only Son;

in you Mary placed her trust;

with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,

show yourself a father

and guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,

and defend us from every evil. Amen.

May you all enjoy the long weekend to celebrate this important public holiday.

A CHANGE TO CASUAL AFTER-CARE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

In order to support and help our parents who have more than one child at Springfield, to manage the afternoons when a younger sibling has to wait for an older one, we have revised our rule regarding casual After-Care. From Term Two, the following will apply:

Free casual After-Care is offered to girls from Nursery to Grade Three while they are waiting for an older sibling to complete their school day or extra-mural.

ALISON DUNN

Principal of the Junior School

Human Rights Day also known as Sharpeville Day

Human Rights Month is commemorated in March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa. Human Rights Day on 21 March falls within this period.

This year we commemorate Human Rights Month under the theme:

“The year of unity, socio-economic renewal and nation-building.”

Parents have been sent a notice regarding access to the school shop for the purchase of uniform items. Due to the size of the shop, and physical distancing, access to the shop is by appointment only. Should you have any uniform queries, please contact Mrs Moore on 021-797 9637.

As The Shop @ Springfield is a relatively small space and does not allow for adequate social distancing, we will not be trading ‘as usual’. We will however have an appointment system in place via the Picktime app – see link below.