Junior School

We started Term 4 celebrating “Heritage Day” by dressing “proudly South African” and learning all about our beautiful country.

Blocking Out The Noise

Term 3 ended with a sigh of relief for parents, pupils and teachers as most of us felt that we had reached our capacity in terms of the juggle and change that Covid invited. The short reprieve from the busyness of the term has hopefully recharged everyone sufficiently to embrace the last quarter of the year with renewed faith and energy. My leap from desk to duvet was the ideal remedy to achieve just that! The usual grapple for couch time and the remote control in my home was synchronously shared between my boys and I for once, as we devoured what Netflix had to offer with regard to two dynamic Docu-Dramas, namely The Social Dilemma and My Octopus Teacher.

As a society we are bombarded with a deluge of distractions, disrupting our thoughts, daily lives and good karma. In order to live in a mindful, meaningful and constructive way - how are we then able to block out this noise?

Step 1: The Social Dilemma, ends with interviewees exhorting viewers to “change the conversation” around technology. Some self-help suggestions include: turn off notifications; uninstall time-wasting apps; fact-check before you share sources; and follow people with different views than you. The girls have benefited from technology in the classroom as it has proved the following:

• It has created a more engaged environment and has encouraged active participation in lessons

• It has incorporated different learning styles

• It has improved collaboration

• It is preparing children for the future

Therefore, we will be continuing to facilitate learning at school this term using devices wisely, creatively, optimally and safely.

Step 2: My octopus teacher

It has been labeled "the love story that we need right now" by, The Cut. This story teaches us about a world of possibilities. Craig Foster, battles career exhaustion and depression which leads him to daily swims in the kelp forests in the ocean. He follows the life of an Octopus over 300 days. He finds new meaning and direction for his life by learning from her. Through the healing power of nature, he starts to make new connections with his family and finds a new meaning to life.

Being in nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Studies reveal that children are healthier, happier, and perhaps even smarter and more creative when they have a connection to nature. So, let us not be spectators of nature but rather immerse ourselves in it.

The recent earthquake which occurred about 1900km offshore from Cape Town- released its energy causing the ground to shake which was felt by many in the surrounding suburbs.This immediately fuelled some thought and analogy in me for the term ahead. Moving forward, let us rebuke 2020 as an Annus Horribilis. Let us create our own positive seismic shake up in learning and living.

Everything happens for a reason. That reason causes change. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it’s hard. But in the end, we find our way through. (Healing energy Tools)

All the best for the last stretch.

KAREN SMITH

Head of Senior Primary