JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
4 March 2020
Quote of the week
“Springfield the school we love so well
Has wide and pleasant ways…"
~First lines of the School Song
A message from Miss Dunn
Principal’s Message 4 March 2020
Just One Year to 150…
On Saturday this week, 7 March, Springfield celebrates its 149th birthday. Happy Birthday Springfield! Which means that our big 150th celebrations are getting closer and closer.
Next year is going to be such a special year. A planning committee has been hard at work for the past year, under the efficient and passionate co-ordination of Kate Maurel, putting together a list of events and memorabilia to commemorate 150 years of schooling at Springfield. Girls, teachers, parents, past pupils and Dominican Sisters will celebrate this milestone together throughout the 2021 year.
Here is a glimpse of some of the things being planned:
- An exhibition of “then-and-now” photographs and items;
- The publication of a 150 Book;
- Music concerts – an outdoor concert in or gardens in March around the time of the birthday, and a City Hall Concert in August around the time of St Dominic’s Day;
- Special Masses will be celebrated on the actual birthday on 7 March as well as on St Dominic’s Day in August;
- We have commissioned a “St Dominic” stained glass window for our Chapel;
- We have commissioned a Jean Doyle sculpture for the garden to form part of a special memorial walk planned near the rose garden;
- A Drama production to depict the 150 years is being specially written for us.
And many, many more events with a special 150 flavour (there needs to be a 150 cake somewhere in the mix!)
A year-long Community Involvement programme is being organized where every grade will take on a different project and run with it for the year. This promises to add an important service component to the 150th year.
We would love your input, support and involvement as we move towards this important milestone in our school’s history.
Every week from now on, there will be a special 150th folder in the weekly Newsletters – both Senior and Junior – with updates, requests for help and further information on projects.
We look forward to celebrating 150 years of the Springfield campus, with its unique Dominican traditions and values. Watch this space!
Floreat Springfield!
Alison Dunn
Junior School Principal
Headmaster's Message
Our Springfield Potjie Pot
We are in the throes of interviewing 279 Grade 7 girls and their parents and endeavouring to perform the impossible Mathematical task of dividing the number of girls applying into the number of places available. The prospective new girls all write me a letter indicating what they can offer the school while their parents also write one indicating why they think that Springfield would suit their daughter.
I particularly enjoyed a comment made by one parent in her letter who, in volunteering her services, said: ‘We understand that a school is only as strong as the community which supports it.’
This was appropriately brought home to me on Friday evening walking around the Carnival. I was absolutely astounded by the degree of effort and commitment which had gone into the organization of the evening. The school was buzzing with activity and there was a wonderful atmosphere. The bunting, the colourful stalls and the music all contributed to the ambience and the positive mood of the evening. The wind was barely noticed.
Everything centred around the stage area where a number of bands from various schools were performing. The queues at the vast number of food stalls surrounding the stage never seemed to diminish while the outlying areas of stalls selling knick-knacks, books and jewellery were very popular. My wife and I brought our border collie who was energized by the ongoing swell of continual movement. She proved to be a great hit with the girls as we wandered around the playground area sympathizing with the various parents who were being beseeched by their young offspring imploring for one more ride or slide or jump on the castle.
I used the dog as an excuse to the parent who offered me a ticket to the Grade 6 and 7 disco. ‘I knew there was a reason why you brought the dog,’ said my wife.
The Springfield community really rose to the occasion. I am reminded of the metaphor of the potjie pot which I often use to describe a successful school. One leg of the pot represents the pupils, the second the teachers, the third represents parents. If one leg does not perform properly, then the pot cannot remain upright and no cooking can take place.
The legs of the potjie pot were clearly firmly in place as I saw pupils helping out at various stalls, teachers playing their part all over the carnival, while nothing would have happened without the drive and the initiative of our parental body. It really was a team effort.
I saw happy children everywhere. It is a rule of thumb that parents of happy children are normally the ones who are prepared to give of their time in volunteering to make things happen. Events like our carnival are a case in point. Everything was so professionally organized and planned that I am quite prepared to recommend Springfield parents to PRASA and ESKOM who, if Friday evening is anything to go by, I know would have turned around these institutions in the blink of an eye.
It brings home to me, yet again, that all this comes about when relationships between school and parents are built on trust and mutual goodwill. I tip my Springfield Supporters Cap to the efforts put in by the parents of this school to ensure a successful evening. If the criteria for success is financial, then this evening certainly was.
However, even if a cent had not been raised, the evening would have been a success. The camaraderie, spirit and fellowship engendered at the 2020 Carnival are what makes Springfield so special.
Our Potjie Pot is bubbling energetically and vigorously – thanks to the stable foundation of the three legs. We are grateful to everyone who played a role.
Keith Richardson
Headmaster
Weekly Inspiration
As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus' thirst...'Repent and believe' Jesus tells us. What are we to repent? Our indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe? Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor -- He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you. ~Mother Teresa
Beautiful Lenten focus areas in the Junior School classrooms
Gill Stubbs
Head of RE
Office Information / Calendar events
WEEKLY INFO LETTER 04 March 2020
**DATES TO REMEMBER**
Friday 6 March – Grade 7 campers return
Friday 6 March - Grade 3 Outing
Tuesday 10 March - Summer Sport photographs
A reminder that our Springfield 149th Birthday Mass will take place on Monday 9th March at 09:00 in the Convent Gardens. All welcome.
Please note:
- The first term finishes for the Pre and Junior School girls on Thursday 19 March at normal time. There will be no Junior or Pre-School staff at school on Friday 20 March as all staff are having a Staff Development Day.
- On the first day of next term, Monday 6 April, the Pre and Junior School will close at 12:00, as the staff will be attending a staff development workshop on that afternoon. There will be After-Care and supervision available from 12:00.
- Staff parking bays may be used by parents in the afternoons only after 15:00 if they are vacant.
Senior Primary
We congratulate this term’s Senior Primary Pupil of the Term girls. The girls enjoyed pizza and a chat with Miss Dunn and Mr Meehan. Great fun had by all- the empty boxes speak volumes.
Grade 6 physical science electricity project..
Grade 7's all ready for their camp taking place in Calendon on the Brede River
Junior Primary
JUNIOR PRIMARY WARM FUZZY
Pre School
Theme for this week in Pre School " Happy Birthday Springfield"
Counsellor's Corner
Dear Parents
A friend of mine, who teaches in the high school, sent me this most beautiful poem which I thought is too good not to share. It’s a good reminder to take stock, slow down and focus on what really matters.
“Do not ask your children to strive”
~ by William Martin
Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
And the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.
Warm regards
Gabby Cloete
Tech tip
💻Tech pearl of wisdom #26:
Cycle through open windows Pressing Alt + Tab allows you to cycle through currently open windows (Alt + Shift + Tab will cycle backwards). This makes switching back and forth between running processes quick and painless. In macOS the shortcut is Cmd + Tab.
Kindest regards,
Merrill Velensky
Robotics Pilot team at work
Our girls' proud moments
11 Springfield Junior School girls, namely (Emily Greenwood, Sabien Hartgers, Isla Irving, Zara Welthagen, Daniella Schlenk, Paige Jones, Nicole Greenwood, Emma Engela, Isabel Engela, Francesca Preen and Emma Jones) competed in a gruelling two day nippers competition at Hout Bay Beach. These girls were put to the test in the water with the surf swim, run-swim-run and the board as well as on the beach with beach sprints, flags and long run. Many of the girls scored points and were placed in the top 8 for their club, Llandudo.
The following girls were awarded a medal
- Francesca Preen: Bronze medal (long beach run) and Gold medal (taplin relay)
- Nicole Greenwood: Gold medal (beach sprint), Bronze medals (surf swim and flags)
- Sabien Hartgers: Bronze medal (beach sprint)
Below is a photo of this season’s U11/12 PSI league hockey winners. The team included 5 Springfield girls: Carolyn Lord, Hannah van den Heever, Emma Webber, Anna Bredell and Jessica Paverd
Art
Music
Music School Guitar Concert
Outreach
Its almost Easter!!
MARSHMALLOW EASTER EGGS - As part of our Easter Outreach programme, we are appealing to the girls to bring strips/box of marshmallow Easter eggs to school to be distributed to charities, these donations of Easter eggs brings so much joy to many children. All Grade 1 to 7 donations of marshmallow eggs must be taken to the classroom or the secretaries’ office up until Wednesday 8 April. The class with the winning amount of eggs donated, will be allowed a civvies day!
PTA
The Springfield Summer Carnival
Thank you to the PTA Summer Carnival orgnanising committee, class reps, staff, girls and volunteers on another successful fundraiser. The Summer Carnival was a wonderful success and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Many thanks to all the sponsors who gave so generously of their time, services or products that contributed to the success of this event. Proceeds from the PTA fundraisers are allocated towards enhancements of the campus for the benefit of all the girls. Thank you also to all the families who brought along their friends and enjoyed the many stalls and entertainment on offer.
Springfield
MADDD evening: all parents, family, friends and students are welcome to attend the Senior School MADDD evening, this Friday, 6th March. Come and enjoy the best music, dance, drama, film, art and talent that the staff and students have to offer! Delicious food (including vegan options) will be on sale. Please note that content suitable for Junior School students will be staged up to 7.30pm. Entrance fee is R20 - wrist bands will be on sale during breaks in the Senior school and at the event. Profits will be donated to a charity enabling disadvantaged students to participate more fully in the arts.
Past Pupils
Request from a Past Pupil
I trust that this email finds you well.
My name is Natalie Muchenje and I matriculated from Springfield Convent Senior school in 2017, where I had the privilege of serving the school as Head girl. Along with an amazing leadership team with the likes of Bianca Lakey (Deputy Head girl), Michaela Ho ( SRC Head), Tara Boulle (SRC Deputy Head) and school management we were able to initiate a process that dealt with issues of transformation which pupils of colour, like myself, had dealt with for a while at the school. It was truly a humbling experience to have been part of such an experience and it is one I will always cherish.
After matriculating from Springfield in 2017, I went on to pursue a Bachelor of Social Sciences Degree majoring in Sociology, Politics and Philosophy. This year, I would have been completing my final year of studies, graduating early next year. However, my studies were put to a stop due to outstanding fees in my account which prevents me from registering for any courses this year. Although I have a bursary which helps to fund my studies, I have a partial bursary, it does not fully cover all the necessary expenses required and because I am a refugee citizen, I do not qualify for NSFAS and the majority of other funding opportunities. I have also started a Go Get funding account to help me raise funds. I am really hoping that the Springfield community could possibly help with my endeavour to pursue an education and my goals. Hence, I am desperately appealing to the Springfield community as my final resort through you or the Past Pupils' Union or anyone at all to kindly assist in clearing the debt so that I may register for my final year of studies. Here is a link to my Go Get Funding account that you can kindly click on and read:
https://gogetfunding.com/donations-towards-outstanding-fee-debt/?fbclid=IwAR2UkVeMx4HzXIWy0hEgvs1zxpXPz96FGFDmGFQcsI0F42mjOnLCq7xbtvY
I hope to hear from you soon.
Kind RegardsNatalie Muchenje
Sport
Results
Our Girls took place in the PGSGU Gala on Friday the 28th. Well done to all our swimmers who did so well taking Springfiled up to 2nd place!!
Indoor Hockey
Congratulations to our girls for making the following PSI Teams
U11 - SEALS: Stef Warner, Anna Bredell, Sophie Luger SHARKS: Carolyn Lord SUNBIRDS: Emily Walters, Josephine Latham, Mika von Arx, Sky Willoughby-Williams, Grace Lagan, Hannah van den Heever.
U12 - SEALS: Tess Ryan, Julia Christodoulou SHARKS Olivia Corlett
U13 - SEALS: Keri Warner, Christina Caryer, Khanya Moore SHARKS Sarah Palframan, Jenna Kalis
WELL DONE!
Cricket
What a fun afternoon of cricket! Our girls were stars and very excited to play a cricket match.
Here are a few photos of the afternoon. The girls played against St Annes , Plumstead
