We have had a request from the Wynberg Military Hospital to please be aware that St John's Road and Hospital Road are the roads used for the access of emergency vehicles to the Military Hospital. Please be aware of this when entering and exiting the school campus and do not park in the road blocking this emergency access route.
To the Springfield community
Attention was drawn in our 3rd February newsletter to the practice of inappropriately undermining teachers because, over time, it has become more commonplace.
Sadly, an incident occurred during the first week of online schooling relating to inappropriate and hurtful dialogue within a Parent WhatsApp group requesting feedback about a new teacher of colour at Springfield. A number of parents emailed me to express their deep concern that a teacher was being judged before having had their first lesson with the students and because of the inappropriateness of the dialogue in a public forum. Other concerns expressed by parents were of perceived prejudice shown towards a black teacher, and to express concern for the teacher and for staff, parents and pupils, especially those of colour, who are inevitably deeply affected by such a happening.
On two occasions, I have met with the parent concerned to alert her to the above. These meetings allowed this information to be shared and to express the School’s view. The meetings ended by being restorative in nature, the parent expressing regret, and apologising to all other parents in the WhatsApp group. The parent has also removed herself from the WhatsApp group as well as the role of Class rep.
In addition, meetings have been held between me and the teacher who was targeted in this incident. He has been informed of what happened and of all subsequent engagements, that I gave the criticisms no credence and assured him of the School’s support. A final request from the teacher was for a meeting to take place between himself and the parent concerned to hear an apology and an acknowledgement of the hurt caused. This meeting took place on Monday and, while exceedingly difficult for both parties, I am happy to report the matter has drawn to an amicable conclusion.
I send this message with the knowledge of those involved in an incident that reflected prejudicial attitudes and that were the source of tremendous pain to the affected teacher.
Incidents of this nature are traumatic, but we can all learn from them in building up our Springfield Community. Please know that the School’s Counselling services are available to pupils and staff who may need support at this time.
SR KATHY GAYLOR op and PENNY MULLAN
Dear Parents and Guardians
A positive change in curriculum
During the course of last year, as our conversation groups and town hall meetings took place, management at Springfield began making plans for a curriculum change in the Grade One and Two learning schedules. A new language policy came into being – this can be viewed on the school’s website - and one of our decisions was that we would introduce isiXhosa at the level of First Additional Language, on par with Afrikaans, for these two grades, as from January 2021. These girls will pioneer this initiative, and will, in 2028, be able to make informed decisions about their languages of choice when they reach Senior School.
In order for us to facilitate this language programme, extra hours needed to be built into the academic day for Grades One and Two. We decided that we would extend the school day on three of the afternoons and therefore not compromise the core hours required to teach the other learning areas such as Maths and Language of instruction, namely English. The girls also get a second break on those days. Their academic timetable has therefore been extended by sixty minutes per week. We are most fortunate that Mrs Mjucu was available for the extra teaching time. We are in week three now, and I am told the girls are loving their extra language lessons.
We are excited to be one of the first schools in the province to introduce a revised Language Policy, including two first additional languages in the Foundation Phase. We have no doubt that our girls will get accustomed to the new extended day with ease. In fact, I had two of the Grade Two girls in my office at the end of last week (bringing a birthday treat) and when I asked them how they were enjoying Grade Two, they informed me that the best thing ever was: “We now have a second break, Miss Dunn! And then we work again after that break!”
ALISON DUNN
Principal of the Junior School
150 Update: mid-February 2021
There was enormous excitement in the Pre and Junior School on Friday morning when our mascot, Dominic, visited every class and handed out keyrings as a gift for Springfield’s 150th birthday. This is one of many such occasions that will happen during the year as we celebrate this milestone in the life at Springfield.
Also during this week, the mosaic appeared on the wall next to the Centenary Hall, and men were seen at the top of the scaffold grouting and polishing this truly beautiful piece of art that commemorates Springfield's 150 years by capturing the story of the School's Vision and Mission. While it is not quite finished, I urge you to go and have a close look – you will need plenty of time! Every time I look at it, I see something I hadn’t noticed before. The girls whose pieces were used in this art work are delighted!
To add to this, suddenly two flagpoles appeared in the middle of our car park one day last week. We all eagerly await the arrival of the flags we have ordered – one a South African flag and the other a unique 150th flag. We will have a special flag-raising ceremony in the near future.
With all this in mind, and knowing the covid-19 protocols forbidding large gatherings, we need to inform you that the birthday Mass scheduled for Sunday 7 March has been postponed until later in the year. We are hoping for a relaxation of the protocols sometime in the second half of the year so that the birthday Mass can still happen. We will keep all parents informed of developments in this regard. The outdoor concert scheduled for 13 March has also been postponed. Despite these disappointments, we have other birthday surprises in store as the year progresses. Our Jean Doyle statue is nearing completion and we hope to have this installed in the garden while the weather is still good. Our stained-glass window for the Chapel is also close to being finished, so we eagerly await the installation of that too.
On Friday 5 March we hope to have “day with a difference” for the girls to celebrate the school’s birthday. Once we have finalized all the details we will inform the school community. I’m sure Dominic the dog will put in another appearance, and treats for the girls are definitely on the cards!
I thought you might like to know something about the organization called Heartfelt that made the keyrings:
A 150th gift to the girls with PURPOSE …
Last week Friday, the girls were given a gift by Dominic, our dog mascot, to mark our 150th birthday. We engaged with a wonderful community based social enterprise, Heartfelt, to design and create a keyring of Dominic’s dog face for the girls' school bags or lanyards.
The keyring was handmade and individually hand-sewn by one of 20 ladies in rural Makapanstad in the North West Province.
Heartfelt, founded in 2006, is a job creation and skills project helping to empower not only the lives of these women and their families, but it helps to uplift this extremely poor community.
Giving the girls a gift that makes a difference - so Standing Strong with the Sisters of Makapanstad - was important to us. Springfield is proud to support and partner Heartfelt as part of our 150th celebrations.
For more information visit www.theheartfeltproject.com
I look forward to updating you at regular intervals about our celebrations throughout this special 150th year.
ALISON DUNN
Dear Springfield Community
Greetings on this Ash Wednesday, the commencement of the holy season of Lent. For those acknowledging the season, it becomes a time of focused prayer, almsgiving/sacrifice and fasting. A time of spiritual renewal and discernment. As we contemplate the essence of our time in the desert, may the inner yearning for goodness be mirrored by a Christ like transformation. Let us use this period of lent to ponder and reflect on how our daily actions and words impact all those we encounter. Allow the vulnerability of the human spirit to radiate an authentic restorative presence as we build relationships.
One of the many significant 150th celebrations is the erection of wooden carved Stations of the Cross in Palm Avenue. The Stations of the Cross are places to contemplate the meaning of those moments in the life of Jesus. I’ll focus on a few of the Stations in the next few Newsletters. Below find two reflections to focus on.
Stations of the Cross: Lent 2021
With blessing
Gillian Stubbs
1st Station - Pilate condemns Jesus to die
2nd Station - Jesus accepts the Cross
3rd Station - Jesus Falls the First Time
4th Station - Jesus meets His Mother
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.
How this works – follow the link to the app.
Request 1 of the 3 services offered. These vary in time allowed (15mins/30mins/45mins) according to how much shopping you need to do and how much assistance you are going to need.
Please book accordingly.
Please be on time for your appointment so that the customer after you is not kept waiting.
No cash payments will be accepted.
Please ensure that you can pay using Snapscan, credit/debit card via Yoco or do online banking on your phone while doing your shopping.
Please also note that only the student/s that require the uniform + 1 adult will be allowed into The Shop space at a time – all extra family member to please wait outside The Shop.
Access to The Shop is through the foyer at Centenary Hall for Covid screening.
Please remember that masks must be worn in The Shop at all times.
If you only require a couple of new items and you know the sizes accurately, feel free to email me your order at schoolshop@springfieldconvent.co.za and I will then put your order together, will advise the amount to pay and you can do an eft and collect from the Junior school secretaries’ office - remember to bring payment confirmation with you on collection.
Link to Picktime - https://www.picktime.com/TheShopatSpringfield I sincerely hope that this system will work and I will endeavour to give you the best possible service under the circumstances.
Regards, Shirley Woodward
The Shop @ Springfield
ADMISSIONS ALERT:
The closing date for applications for Nursery 2022 (children born in 2018) is 1 March 2021.
150 birthday memorabilia now available from the secretaries' offices. Beautiful beach tote bag made from recycled plastic bottles will keep all your picnic food and drinks fresh and cool.
Elegant 150 celebratory key rings R50
The next Springfield Blood Donation clinic will be held on Monday, 22nd of February, at the Senior School Campus.
The clinic will be open from 11.00am-3.15pm and all medically fit donors who are over the age of 16 and weigh more than 50kg are welcome. All members of the Springfield community (family, friends, siblings) are welcome to donate and adult donors will be prioritised. COVID-prevention precautions will be taken, and donors will be able to book a time to donate, to avoid queues. On average, it takes 20 minutes to donate a pint of blood, and every pint is used to saved up to three lives.
You can be a hero in your lunch hour!
Dear Springfield Parents and Guardians
As from the start of the second term 2021 Springfield’s official communication will be uploaded onto the Edana App. The app allows parents to access all the information needed regarding their daughters as well as general information, easily on mobile devices. Emails will no longer be the primary form of communication. This will ensure that parents have access to important information at all times. Please follow the step by step instructions below to download the app. Should you have any queries or need further assistance please contact helpdesk@springfieldconvent.co.za
Click here for the link to the Parent Portal, or
Search for “Edana Parent Portal” in either Google Play Store or Apple iStore.
Please use the unique Springfield Mobile App activation code: 264733 , tick the box when you have read the End User License Agreement and then click “Activate”.
Please then use the Email option and type in the email address you supplied to the school to receive the one time pin (OTP).
Class rep WhatsApp groups
An email was sent to all parents last week on Friday with a WhatsApp link and QR code to join the individual class and grade WhatsApp groups. Should you wish to join these groups, please follow the link or scan the QR code. We have been advised that some of these emails were directed to parents spam or junk mail. Please check these folders for the email. Each class or grade has their own unique link. The groups will be for communication from your class reps.
Access control stickers are used at the entrance of the junior school gate to monitor access to the campus for security purposes. It is vital every vehicle has a white 2021 access sticker as we take every measure to ensure our students are safe at all times.
Each family receives one sticker, thereafter the cost is R10.00.
2021 Access control sticker
