The Dominican Way

Walking out of my office late yesterday afternoon, I saw a book that had been left at my door. The book’s title, ‘The Dominican Way’, caught my attention. Inside the book was a little note requesting that it be returned to Sr Francis. Before returning it, I was compelled to page through the book and read the introduction, written by Timothy Radcliffe op. I spend a lot of my time getting to know the ways of Springfield and her people and Timothy manages to put into words much of what I am observing and experiencing.

Radcliffe stated, “Dominic wished us to have the space to be ourselves, otherwise we could not speak of the God who has created each of us and wishes us to flourish.” He continues to tell how St Dominic “believed in democracy because everyone is given something to say, and so, if we are to find the right way forward as a community, we must listen to everyone”.

The community engagement meetings held last week were strong examples of the Dominican way. I am exceedingly grateful to Sr Kathy for her leadership of those spaces and for the time afforded and her commitment shown to our school. The meetings were designed to allow for active listening; a type of listening that requires effort and is the product of engagement. The room was filled with a sense of optimism as enthused parents sought to transform problems into opportunities. The sessions were productive and highlighted the importance of getting the right things done and doing work that matters.

This is a very busy time of the term for the teachers who never waive in their commitment to seeing each girl flourish. The engagement and conversation during the recent Parent Teacher meetings was valuable and a welcome time to reconnect over a common interest for the pupils/daughters in our care.

The official title of the Dominicans is the Order of Preachers (op). Radcliffe continues in his introduction to explain “Preachers are often seen as people who address people from on high, beyond the risk of being challenged. But all good preaching springs from conversation...a good conversation implies that you not only share your faith but that you listen to the other person, and are open to what he or she can teach you.”

Next Friday, the School will close for a short Spring holiday. A much-anticipated break and one that is needed and deserved by all. I hope that the time affords families time for enjoyment, good conversation and relaxation ahead of our final term of 2020.

PENNY MULLAN

Head of School

The greatest kindness we can show another is by giving them something we need ourselves

I have had the great pleasure of starting face-to-face Assemblies with all the girls this week. I have loved being able to address the girls, and having the Assemblies grade by grade due to numbers allowed in the hall. This has in fact, enabled me to direct my teachings specifically for that age group. Due to the trimmed curriculum, I have taken on both Religious Education as well as Life Skills input for the girls during these sessions.

As part of the Life Skills input, I am focusing on values, and this week we spoke about kindness. To me this is such an important and valued lesson for us all, to live our lives being kind to others. I was able to show the girls two beautiful videos, one a short three-minute film that won an Oscar and the other a Thai advertisement with a special message. I have attached the links for parents to watch these lovely videos. I do hope that these can start some conversations at home as well.

I witness kindness in our children every day: from their greeting in the morning, to their willingness to smile, engage and help their friends. Thank you, parents, for instilling this wonderful value in your children.

Links to the videos shown at Assembly this week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8c8cY8-PyE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWA2GbcnJU&t=14s

A giggle for the day

This morning, as I was standing at the screening station greeting girls, I had two sisters, giggling madly, approach me to say good morning. I asked them what the joke was and they said, grinning with hilarity, that they had both left their school bags at their front door and arrived at school without them. And there was poor dad having to drive all the way back to Rondebosch to fetch the bags! I’m so pleased that kind parent found the humour in that mistake! That little incident brought laughter to my day.

ALISON DUNN

Junior School Principal

Matthew 18: 15-20

“There I am in the midst of them.”

Christ assures His ever abiding presence with those who gather in His name. This encourages and motivates us to seek His presence always in our lives.

This past Saturday both Alison and I attended a Catholic Board of Education Meeting via zoom. The meeting commenced with a prayer reflection titled Leadership in a Tempestuous Storm . The following reflection was prepared by Dr Evona Rebelo, Director of Catholic Education in the Western Cape. Due to the relevance of its theme, I felt motivated to share it with you.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity.” How true this quotation from Dickens rings today.

Who would have believed just a year ago that today the entire world could have been held ransom by a virus? We thought that this was impossible in the 21st century with artificial intelligence and with the knowledge boom. Yet we have been humbled by a simple virus.

We are increasingly aware that Catholic school leadership needs to become adaptive. Leadership which is prophetic, not messianic. We are called by baptism to be prophets, not messiahs. No one leader can deliver us from this calamity but they can be the prophetic voice which empowers others to adapt to the challenges they face.

Prophetic action presupposes a certain degree of well-being: One must be attentive to one’s own present, spiritual, mental and emotional health in order to be in a position to help others. Jesus would withdraw to deserted places to rest (Luke 5:16), and Pope Francis has invited all of us “…all Christians everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day”. (Francis, 2013)

The storm exposes our vulnerability and uncovers those false and superfluous certainties around our daily schedules, our projects, our habits, our priorities. It shows us how we have been allowed to become dull and feeble the very things that nourish, sustain and strengthen our lives and communities. (Francis, 2020)

“We are not all in the same boat. We are in the same storm…some are in yachts…and some just have one oar”

Some will sail through, health and profession intact, some will lose one or both. Some of us get to feel we’re part of a substantial crew. Some of us feel we’re rowing alone. We can move forward through this crisis experiencing our country as an embittered navy waiting to fight it out on shore. Or, alternatively, as a big crazy armada with millions of people throwing and catching millions of lifelines…What effort, patience and creativity it will take to reach safe haven. How much easier it will be if we see ourselves not as separate ships but members of the most brilliant, raucous and varied armada.” (Noonan, 2020)

To be Church is to know that one is not alone or abandoned, even when it might feel like that is indeed the case. (Adapted from J.T James, In Response to COVID-19)

The meeting was divided into a pastoral and business space. A sacred space of authentic sharing was held and what became absolutely apparent are the challenges faced within our Catholic School network, while starkly different are equally demanding on so many different levels. Our Dominican Council and school leaders need to be held and supported through these times.

May we become the spiritual leaders that our schools need at this time. May we receive the gifts that we need to guide our schools through this tempestuous storm. May our Lord who calmed the turbulent seas of Galilee, bring peace to our troubled souls.

Amen.