“Books are a uniquely portable magic”
~ Stephen King
11 September 2019
Reading gives you Superpowers!
What magic we are experiencing this week! I cannot begin to describe the vibe that was tangible at Assemblies on Monday and today, as girls dressed up in their favourite book characters. We are seeing creativity, fun, enthusiasm and utter delight as the girls are embracing our annual Book Week that has been organized by our librarian, Brigid van der Westhuizen.
What went through my mind as I was witnessing the dress-up parades, was how well this works in an all-girls environment. Each girl presented a unique character, in a unique costume, with no sense of feeling conspicuous or self-conscious or foolish. They all just wanted to enjoy the experience, with complete freedom and abandon, caught up in the spirit of just being themselves.
It was a wow moment for me. I wanted to capture it and bottle it, a memory to recall whenever things get hard or overwhelming. Happy children, laughing and enjoying themselves, trying to capture each image as the girls paraded around the hall – an incredible start to any day.
But there was more at Monday’s Assembly… Twenty-eight little Grade Three girls in their First Communion dresses, spirit-filled and exuding radiance as they shared the memory of an important milestone in their spiritual journey.
Today the Junior Primary girls had their turn to parade, with even more giggles and shining eyes….
Parents, you cannot know how much joy you have engendered by helping your daughters with their costumes – even if it did mean cursing over a witch’s hat, or tying pigtails like Pippi Longstocking, or finding a striped shirt for Where’s Wally – not to mention using every creative particle you have to create that cat-in-the-hat headgear, or Hermione’s cloak and wand – and what about those weird jungle book characters! You are true stars, moms and dads!
And at the end of the week, after fabulous story tales and Hooked on Books, and a Spelling Bee thrown in for good measure, we will all indeed be able to say: Reading gives you Superpowers!
Or, as Dr Seuss puts it so aptly, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
Alison Dunn
Principal Junior School
Building Confidence through Debating
Watching the news on television last week has been a debilitating affair. I found myself switching from the emotional exhausting events in South Africa where there has been ongoing protesting about gender-based violence (shouldn’t this sanitized version rather read ‘Rape’ and ‘Murder’?) to the UK where the squirming of the British Prime Minister to avoid constitutional requirements, makes for riveting viewing.
All these scenes made me think back to the Springfield debates I have attended this term. The cut-throat and deadly serious debating styles of both our senior and junior teams also made equally absorbing viewing as their senior political counterparts. Yet, in contrast, our girls never lost their dignity. In spite of interruptions and points of order, they always maintained their composure. Throughout all school debates I watched, shone a gravitas and a respect for the opposition. The fact that our junior team went on to win the Rotary competition– which was fully deserved in my unbiased opinion – was a credit to their preparation and their unflappable equanimity under pressure. Debating has taught them the valuable lessons that this good preparation enhances their knowledge and their arguments.
Nothing could be more different to the scenes we have seen on television of our own parliament in action where debating seems to equate with shouting at members of different parties; to the British Parliament this week, where the image is etched in my mind of the Leader of the House, Jacob Rees Mogg, reclining over three seats assuming a pose of insulting indifferent boredom while other speakers had their say; to President Trump eviscerating anyone who has the temerity to hold a different view.
‘Raise your argument, not your voice,’ said a poster at UCT a few years back - trying to make a point to demonstrating students. Our debating girls understood this. The girls in their dignified silent vigil on Waterloo Green last week understood this.
My only problem with debating is that there has to be a winner. That is not a good life lesson for our girls. We have to teach them that sorting out their concerns is about listening to others and discussing issues. Often in life there is not a ‘winner‘ and compromises have to be made if we are to move forward. Unfortunately, role-models in politics today on the world stage leave much to be desired for our children.
The lesson for us as teachers is that we have to use the classroom and our portfolio system as places where our girls can voice a point of view without fear of being shouted down. For parents, the same has to happen around the dinner table – another safe place for discussions to take place. By the way, how is it going with those discussion topics sent out in those glass jars?
In a few weeks time, another cohort of Springfield girls go into society. If they are to make a meaningful contribution, I suggest that they switch off the parliamentary debates on television and definitely ignore social media on their cell phones. They won’t gain much intellectual value from these sources.
Keith Richardson
Headmaster
Last week we were brought to our knees in pain, despair and feelings of deep loss. Somehow through a collective energy of God's loving grace and discernment we gradually recouped a sense of hope and slowly the light began to emerge in our solidarity to face our fears, reflect a united voice and gain momentum as we endeavour to stop the scourge of femicide facing our beautiful country. The following two clips were chosen to raise a sense of hope and sisterhood.
Gill Stubbs
On Sunday the 8th September, 28 of our Grade 3 girls received the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time at Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Hugh O'Connor and concelebrated by Fr Manuel at St Michael's Catholic Church in Rondebosch. A truly moving celebration of the extended Springfield community.✝️
Our Grade 3 Readers
WEEKLY INFO LETTER – 11 SEPTEMBER 2019
Happy Hampers – Thank you to all who contributed towards the successful outcome of our Happy Hamper Fundraiser. Winners List uploaded on the D6+ under PTA.
WINTER SPORT Photographs are now on display outside the Secretaries’ Office. To order please quote the Photo Number on the order form and place payment in an envelope and hand in to the office by no later than Wednesday 2 October. Order forms can be collected from the office.
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**DATES TO REMEMBER**
Wednesday 11 September: Springfield Choral Festival starts at 18:30 in the Centenary Hall. All are invited.
Thursday 12 September: Guitar Concert takes place from 18:00 to 20:00 in the Music Annex.
Friday 13 September: Preschool Grandparents Concert starts at 8:30am for 09:00am in the Centenary Hall.
16 September: Grade 4 Camp (High Africa Adventure Centre)
NB***Tuesday 17 September & Wednesday 18 September – Grade 1 – 3 Parent Teacher interviews (13:30 to 17:00) Early closing at 13:00 for Junior Primary.
Wednesday 18 September: Peer Support Talent Show (Please note this is for the girls only, parent are encouraged not to attend )
Thursday 19 September: Pre-School End of Term. (Normal School Day)
Friday 20 September: End of Term – Junior and Senior Primary finish at 10:30am.
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**NB** Afternoon Activities & Clubs Term 4 (2019) will be emailed separately to all parents on Thursday 12th September.
*** Please encourage your daughter to check Lost property items in the Tuck Shop Foyer until the end of Term AND also check school uniform items to see if it indeed belongs to your child. We have had many requests for lost uniform items. All unclaimed lost property items will be donated to charity in Term 4.
The Grade 6's enjoyed three action packed days at Camp Waterval, in Tulbagh, last week. The weather was spectacular allowing the girls to participate in a range of outdoor activities. Highlights were the hike to the waterfall and relaxing in a giant jacuzzi before supper. Juno, the farm dog, joined in the fun each day. The girls had a positive "glamping" experience.
Rehearsing for Grandparents Day
Fun in the Pre-School
Kaila and her two rescue dogs participated in the aid for aid animal rescue dog show on Saturday at kirstenhof primary school.
Each dog got a chance to shine bringing home two third places, one for best trick and one for judges favourite
Dear Parents,
Here we are again - in the midst of such strife in our beloved country - I’m curious to ask how you are coping…...
We seem to go through constant bell curves of highs and lows as South Africans - but I can’t remember being in such a low before. How we long for some comfort from our Leadership that everything will be okay.
I got some comfort from the mouth of babes this week- if each person in South Africa could implement this advice, perhaps we could make some progress:
Gabby Cloete
GARY KIRSTEN SPORT TALK
Please join us for and hour with Gary Kirsten where he will talk about
PARENTING AND SPORT: A crucial talk for all parents of children who play sport.
Wednesday 9th of October, 6 - 7pm in the Centenary Hall
When on the web use your spacebar...
If you are fed up with using your mouse to manually scroll down a webpage, you have a little friend to help you out. The spacebar is not just an essential key for writing, it can also be of infinite time-saving use whilst browsing the web.
Simply tap it to scroll down a page with ease. If you want to scroll back up, hold shift and employ "Mrs reliable" spacebar once again
Junior Primary Staff in costume
Hooked on Books came to visit
The grade 7’s who dressed up themed around the book, “Where’s Wally?”
Grade 6 girls on "Book Week"
Ms Atkinson and Mrs Bennetts were great sports and dressed up as Wally and Wenda!
Girls having a read during Book week (Also showing off their 'pink' in support of Respect Day on Tuesday)
SPRINGFIELD CONVENT SCHOOL MAGAZINE
The 2019 Springfield magazine is currently underway and, once again, we are appealing to our parents for their generous sponsorship of this beautiful colourful magazine which is always a proud reflection of the school year and a special memento treasured by each girl.
👇... Click on the image below for the Google Sponsorship response form.
Golf Day
On Friday the 13th, use all your good luck on the golf course! Book now. Limited number of times still available.PAST PUPILS UNION
HOCKEY
U13 A at the Top Schools' tournament at Hartleyvale. Girls played their hearts out finishing in 6th. Well done, Ms Hardiman and Coach Shaun.