Dear Parents and Guardians

I remember writing to you at this time last year and contemplating the irony of spending Freedom Day in deep lockdown. This past weekend was quite different, and we are all grateful for these things that we have previously taken for granted.

While Freedom Day was originally conceived to celebrate our political freedom and to honour those who fought and gave their lives for that freedom, it has evolved into a day when we also consider and celebrate its broader meaning.

Religious freedom allows Springfield to operate as a Catholic School. At face value, this may appear to be a constraint on our offering however, this direction statement from the 2019 Catholic Schools’ Congress, highlights the liberating principles that are inherent in a Catholic education: “We commit to the holistic education of our pupils, grounded in the dignity of each person as created in the image of God – an education towards a meaningful and purposeful life, with a concern for justice and for the vulnerable, and where the integrity of creation is recognized and respected.” For our school, I am grateful for the freedom that our independence grants and I am always mindful of the importance of harnessing this in our approach to curriculum design and delivery.

2020 stood in the way of many of our usual rhythms including the celebrations of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. On Saturday 17 April, an excited group of Grade 4s and 5s enjoyed their First Holy Communion and tomorrow evening several of our Grade 12 students will be Confirmed. May God bless you all with true happiness and may you be blessed in all that you do.

PENNY MULLAN

Head of School

Good Shepherd Sunday, Freedom Day and Worker’s Day

“May the light of your soul bless the work you do

with the secret love and warmth of your heart.”

~John O’Donohue

This week, with Freedom Day yesterday, is flanked by Good Shepherd Sunday last weekend and Worker’s Day on Saturday. These three important, yet very different, celebratory days give us so much food for thought. On Good Shepherd Sunday each year we are asked to pray for vocations – vocations to the priestly and religious life, but also for ourselves and the vocation we have chosen in life. A few years ago, I was asked to give a talk on Good Shepherd Sunday to a group of young Confirmation candidates on vocations, and my chosen vocation. I remember using the above quotation by John O’Donohue and telling those young people that I am so blessed in what I do – that entering school each day and encountering young persons in my daily life provides “the secret love and warmth” of my heart. I wonder how many people are fortunate enough to be able to say that about their daily work.

When I was listening to the gospel at Mass on Sunday, where Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14), our beautiful First Communion Mass held just ten days ago came into my mind, and I found myself reflecting on our own school chaplain and shepherd, Father Manuel Fernandes, whose deep faith and utter sincerity and humility are such an inspiration to me and all at Springfield. I pray that he, who is indeed the authentic face of Jesus in the lives of all he encounters, will be in Wynberg parish and the shepherd of Springfield for many years to come.

There was a wonderful hush in my suburb on Freedom Day yesterday. I live on a busy road, which is normally anything but quiet, and yesterday it was as if everyone was freely enjoying the day with a different rhythm – definitely a day for recharging personal batteries!

International Workers’ Day on 1 May is the feast of St Joseph the Worker. I do hope that this special day, held on a Saturday this year, does not go unnoticed. May St Joseph, the patron of the Universal Church and workers worldwide, bless the work we do. “No work is insignificant. All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” Martin Luther King

Here’s the whole O’Donohue Blessing. May it inspire you as it does me.

May the light of your soul bless you.

May the light of your soul bless the work you do

with the secret love and warmth of your heart.

May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.

May the sacredness of your work bring healing,

light and renewal to those who work with you

and to those who see and receive your work.

May your work never weary you.

May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment,

inspiration and excitement.

May you be present in what you do.

May you never become lost in the bland absences.

May the day never burden.

May dawn find you awake and alert,

approaching your new day with dreams,

possibilities and promises.

May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.

May you go into the night blessed, sheltered

and protected.

May your soul calm, console and renew you.

~John O’Donohue

ALISON DUNN

Principal of the Junior School

Dear Springfield Community

Yesterday I pondered and paused, reflecting on the life altering day 27 years ago. The day so many of my family, friends and neighbours stood in line to vote for the very first time. The group consisted of varying ages and the energy was palpable. Lines free of impatience, negativity, gloom and sadness. Instead it resembled an atmosphere of heightened jubilation and acknowledged sacrifice. Similar scenes repeated in every part of South Africa. On 27 April 1994, a mere 27 years ago many South Africans were recognised for the first time as full citizens. Martin Luther King reminds us so starkly that Freedom is not Free. We see this everyday within every setting in South Africa. For many years to come we will pay the price of our oppressive and dehumanising past. Today it asks us, 27 years later, to authentically treat our brothers and sisters with dignity and kindness. When we truly begin to see the God-given dignity in our brothers and sisters, equity and social justice will radiate within every encounter and experience shared. While the 27 April is recognised as a public holiday, let’s hold on to the memory of that special day and never take freedom for granted.

GILLIAN STUBBS

Head of RE

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.