“Friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe called life”

Girls are social beings

There is no arguing the fact that girls need their friends. The well-known actress and political analyst, Jane Fonda, puts it so well when she says, “Women’s friendships are like a renewable source of power.” Without doubt, what our girls are missing the most is the social aspect of school. They miss being part of a group, they miss chatting and playing with their classmates, and they miss the constant contact with others in their age-group.

This is day 27 of lockdown. I have spent a great deal of time over the past few days reading two sources of reflection coming from within the homes of our families: the feedback documents sent back to the class teachers, and emails written to me by the Grade Seven girls (at my request), asking them how they are doing. One parent wrote poignantly, “This is having an emotional impact on my daughter. She is lonely.” While another parent countered this by writing, “There is a bit too much chat between some girls”, I guess any teacher in a girls’ school would reply -welcome to my world!

My heart goes out to the girls. They are just not meant to live and work in isolation. They need the contact with others of their age. So, while I understand the busyness of any at-home school day at the moment, I ask you, parents, to allow your child to use your cell phone every so often to chat to her friends. But, I beg you at the same time, to monitor their use of the cell phones. We have had some reports of girls in the Intermediate Phase passing on unkind messages too freely and misusing their “IT freedom”. I cannot but agree with one parent’s comment that “the acceleration of the girls’ IT know-how is amazing”, but at the same time we have to remember the vulnerability of the age of the girls who are now exposed to far more IT freedom.

In this time of information overload and increased screen time, let’s not let our girls hang-out with their phones in their bedrooms. Let’s get them doing what boys would do – kick a ball in the garden! And maybe video themselves doing that, to send to their friends and laugh about it together.

Alison Dunn

Junior School Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians

When schools were closed in March it was with the purpose of contributing to the national imperative of containing community transmissions of COVID-19. During this last week, draft documents from the Department of Education, have been leaked into the public domain leading to much speculation around the reopening of schools and the recovery plans that will be implemented.

It is important to note that any information that is being circulated is pure speculation.

What I do know is that, at some point, a date will be announced as to when Springfield may reopen. When this date arrives, it will not be a simple matter of unlocking the gates and running a normal school day. We remain mindful of our responsibility to contain community transmissions and strict health and hygiene protocols will be in place to mitigate risk to all on campus as well as to our extended community.

These protocols will include, but are not limited to:

• the use of infrared forehead thermometers to measure the temperature of each person requiring access to the campus
• mandatory wearing of face masks/screens
• use of hand sanitizer prior to entering any venue on campus
• arrangement of desks in classrooms that ensure safe distances between individuals
• no large gatherings of people e.g. assemblies
• continued education and reminders relating to hand-washing routines and safe coughing and sneezing practices

To facilitate our planning, Springfield has prepared a Health and Hygiene Protocol however, we await guidelines from both the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) and the Departments of Health and Education before ratifying and publishing this information.

We are aware that there are pupils and members of staff who, owing to pre-existing conditions, may choose to continue to self-isolate. When school reopens, we anticipate running classroom-based lessons in tandem with the distance learning that is currently in place. In this way, we will be able to accommodate the needs of all. If rolling lockdowns are implemented, Springfield’s remote academic offering will continue.

I am neither a doctor nor a risk assessment specialist, but I am committed to providing a learning environment that is safe for all. With this in mind, I welcome input from members of the Springfield community who have expertise in these fields. Please email me at pmullan@springfieldconvent.co.za should you wish to contribute suggestions of best practice.

I emailed the Senior School pupils, asking for their feedback on distance learning, and was struck by two aspects that were common to almost all responses. Firstly, the responses were positive and resonated an upbeat tone. The girls were able to recognize both their difficulties and their triumphs. This has led to a depth of learning about themselves and their learning styles. Secondly, the girls applauded the efforts, skills and support offered by their teachers during this time. I am so proud of them for adopting such a healthy perspective and for their acknowledgement and appreciation of others.

Keep well and stay safe.

Penny Mullan

Head of School

What a very different and rather surreal start to this term this has been.

Usually we are surrounded by very excited little girls, and are almost knocked off our feet as they race to hug us and to tell us their news.

When the school closed on 16 March, a few days before the first term was due to end, little did we know, nor ever imagine, that we would still not be back in our beautifully equipped classrooms by now.

I salute the Pre-Primary teachers who have embraced this challenge and stepped out bravely into unknown territory and, as is the case of all the Springfield Junior and High School teachers too, are working so hard to keep connected with the children and to continue teaching from a distance.

Early childhood education is all about learning through play and by physically “doing”, exploring, investigating and learning incidentally. We usually beg parents to restrict screen time, and yet, here we are, a whole new reality.

Camera shy and self-conscious as we are, and not being very tech savvy, we are creating videos and activity schedules to send out and are actually enjoying learning and growing from this experience, but miss interacting with the girls immensely.

Last week we had photos of the girls beautiful Easter creations, and now we have lovely photos of the girls showing the work they have done on “Shapes” in the two Reception classes, and “Occupations” in the two Pre-Reception and the Nursery classes.

Some are very busy planting vegetable gardens, fishing, helping with the cooking and even mastering power tools.

I think these girls are going to be resilient, confident, independent and determined young ladies of the future.

Rainbows and Reflections

Yesterday, I marvelled at a magnificent rainbow etched in the sky outside of my study window. As I transfixed on its hues, I could not help but reflect on the symbolism attached to it.

Rainbows are symbols of hope and success. I see promise beyond the rainbow – the promise of a new dawn. The vibrant colours indicate happiness. The happiness in the cheery faces we get to engage with online.

As pupils, parents and teachers continue to embrace and grow through this new learning platform that we are navigating – we must remember to be kind to ourselves and to one another. The majority of children in our country are unable to have any form of schooling right now. Therefore, we must keep perspective and be content with coping within the various limitations that we face. All will be fine.

“Formal education teaches how to stand, but to see the rainbow you must come out and walk many steps on your own.” Amit Ray

One thing for certain, is that every teacher is doing their very best right now. We keep trying and we keep reaching to teach. I am grateful to all of the Senior Primary teachers for guiding their pupils so ably each day.

Karen Smith

Head of Senior Primary

Tech pearl of wisdom for the week💻

Tech Tip #30

Keeping our children safe is our main priority. Our children's online use should be a positive experience and we as their caregivers, guardians and protectors need to do all that we can to make their experience safe, educational and enjoyable. Some ways in which to do this:

• 1 Always let them use their device (eg. laptop, computer, tablet, ipad, phone) in a communal area
• 2 Never let them be alone in a room while they are online (internet, emails, gaming online, etc)
• 3 Limit technology use; to school work and regulated "free time/social" time
• 4 Do random checks of your child's online activities...it's not an invasion of privacy if your child is a minor and if it helps to keep them safe (#4 is is often debatable, but i stand by it).

Kindest regards

Mrs Merrill Velensky

Lockdown entertainment and learning...

Exercise during lockdown

If you would like another alternative to the exercises sent out by the school, the below are good alternatives.

PowerEd on Facebook, https://facebook.com/PowerEd.Kids/ If you would like to ask them questions or give them feedback, their email address is info@poweredkids.com

Another alternative on Facebook is Johno’s Efitness Faculty – https://facebook.com/groups/jefftogether/ (Discovery Vitality). There are fitness sessions every morning at 8am and again at 3pm for 30 minutes.

If you or your parents have any questions, please contact Ms Hardiman on jnrsport@springfieldconvent.co.za