Junior School

Dear Parents

Since returning to school in July, the Nursery and Pre-Reception girls have been focusing on protecting themselves and the environment. We started with the theme of “Health, Hygiene and Safety” and our responsibilities to keeping ourselves clean, healthy and safe, with a special focus on the COVID-19 protocols. We then learned about “People who protect us”, the Police Service, Medical Service and the Fire and Rescue Service, and are now focusing on our role in protecting our environment. We have learned about the importance of preserving our planet, saving our oceans and forests and reducing our carbon foot print by reducing, recycling and reusing products.

The Reception girls have been learning about domestic, wild animals, farm animals and insects.

I am so proud of the girls and their parents for the wonderful work they have done following the home programs sent for the days they are not at school and the lovely excursions the girls have been on to farms, forests and the beach to consolidate their learning.

See photos of some these activities in the ' Preschool News and Pictures continue' below.

We are happy and relieved to be able to welcome all the girls back daily from 7 September whilst still maintaining all the physical distancing and Covid -19 protocols.

We have all been busy with assessments and progress reports will be sent home on 11 September.

Parents are welcome to set up appointments with the class teachers between 14 and 17 September.

Spring is on the doorstep heralding new life and a reawakening from the chill of winter – may we all be blessed with the reawakening of our economy and a bright, healthy and happy future going forward.

Dear Junior Primary Parents

We are midway through week 8 of Term 3 and next week we have the pleasure of having all our JP students back at school. While the Grade 1s have enjoyed the daily routine for the entire Third Term and settled into the rhythm of daily school attendance with relative ease, we hope and trust that the Grade 2s and Grade 3s will adapt with similar ease.

The staggered commencement and dismissal times will continue for a while as this facilitates the screening process as well as traffic congestion. So many have remarked on the free flowing and efficient system in place. With more students returning in week 9 and 10 respectively, please be mindful that the traffic volume will increase.

Please be aware that we will not be sending home names within the three teaching groups as the class teachers will still be responsible for teaching core curriculum and will be rotating around the three groups. The learnership students will facilitate and support the teachers in a supervisory capacity. We have been blessed to have phenomenal learnership students and they have worked very closely with our class teachers throughout the ‘covid’ conditions. I’d like to commend the JP team for their complete commitment to your children. I’d like to recognise and acknowledge their vocation to the teaching profession. They give daily witness to the saying, “teaching is a work of heart”. Thanks to you parents for providing the affirmation and gratitude to your daughter’s teachers too.

With gratitude and appreciation

GILLIAN STUBBS

Head of Junior Primary

The Prevalence of Procrastination

Tomorrow is a mystical land where 99% of all human productivity, motivation and achievement is stored.

The girls have entered the last 4 weeks of the term and due dates and deadlines of assessments and assignments are looming and weighing on their shoulders. The skill of planning and preparing in advance for these tasks can prove challenging for many. The stages of procrastination includes the following:

1. False security - “I’ll relax for now as this isn’t due for a while”

2. Laziness - “maybe I should get a head start...nah”

3. Excuses - “I’m busy right now, just taking a short break”

4. Denial “I still have time, I don’t need sleep”

5. Crisis - "I’ll never procrastinate again!”

6. Repeat

In my home it always amuses me at how despite a set schedule of university and school tasks, my boys often fall prey to these stages which in turn invites this ritual: tackle task - workspace arrangement - stationery choices - snack break - workspace re-arrangement - snack break - advanced workspace re-arrangement! I wonder how often you have witnessed this in your homes?

Social psychology professor, Devon Price says that: “More often than not, the underlying reasons for procrastination fall under two categories: fear of failure or confusion about the first steps of an assignment.” Therefore, distracting themselves makes them feel better temporarily, but unfortunately, reality comes back to bite them in the end. Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and low self-confidence, are associated with an increased fear of failure, which makes people who have these traits more likely to procrastinate.

According to accountability coaches - Ali Schiller and Marissa Boisvert, there are four main types of avoidance archetypes, or procrastinators: the performer, the self-deprecator, the overbooker, and the novelty seeker. Figuring out which group you're in can help you break out of your procrastination patterns.

So, how can we assist our children in reducing procrastination?

1. The performer, those who work under pressure - the challenge is getting started. The solution: Flip the script and set a start date.

2. The self deprecator, those who tell themselves that they are so lazy. The challenge: Taking a break. The solution: Recharge. Suggest taking a walk to rebuild energy.

3. The overbooker who says, "I'm so busy!" The challenge: Creating chaos to avoid facing what you know you need to face right now. The solution: Take a moment of introspection. Ask yourself: What am I really avoiding?

4. The novelty seeker who says, "I just had the best idea!" The challenge: Completion. The solution: Make it stick. Literally. Write down new ideas or projects on a sticky note — but don't pursue them until you finish what you are currently working on.

Therefore, I encourage you to help your daughter to not put off for tomorrow what she can do today.

KAREN SMITH

Head of Senior Primary

Dear Springfield Parents

I can't tell you how excited we are to have all the girls back at school full time -I’m sure most parents feel the same way!

I’ve noticed how emotionally and academically “well” the Grade 7 and Grade 1 classes have been for the past 8 weeks- both these Grades have been back at school every day since the start of Term 3 and it goes a long way in showing us how important routine is for learning, and socialising is for mental health.

Most children need the structure that a school day provides for optimal learning and even though the “one day on one day off” routine has been lovely in many ways, it's now time to get back to reality.

Children are naturally optimistic and upbeat and will adjust to the old normal pretty quickly. They do however follow our lead emotionally and are looking at us for cues on how to handle this next transition - so it’s important for us as adults to role model positive sentiments about getting back into the swing of normal, productive life.

If you sense your child is going to struggle to go back to school full time, talking helps. A simple question like, “Any thoughts or feelings about school starting every day again?” is an opening. Let the question hang there. You don’t need to clarify or say more. Give them space to think and feel. If you have concerns about transitioning your child from part time to full time school mode, talk to your friends, your child’s teacher or me.

All the best for this next constructive and positive forward step!

Please also look out for our Zoom workshop on Tuesday 1 September from 6-7.30pm with Talya Ressel - a leading specialist in Anxiety in Young People. Details have been sent to you via email.

GABBY CLOETE

Junior School Counsellor