CONTENTS

"History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children.”

Nelson Mandela

10 July 2019

Dear Parents

"In the tapestry of life we're all connected. Each one of us is a gift to those around us,

helping each other be who we are, weaving a perfect picture together"

Anita Moorjani

It is with pleasure that I greet you and welcome you back to Springfield for the third quarter of the year. I trust you all had a restful and enjoyable three-week break. The girls definitely seem glad to be back – I’m sure you were happy to send them back to us as well!

Our Grade Six and Seven classes moved into their new classrooms yesterday, amidst much excitement and delight. While the flooring of the passages is not quite complete yet, the classrooms are looking stunning and will provide a state-of-the-art space for our senior girls. We are very pleased with the finished product and are most grateful to the architects and builders for all that went into making this possible. I have no doubt that you, as parents, will be pleased with this building, made possible through your building levies. The younger girls will now definitely aspire to their ascendance to the top passage!

Our biggest change this term is going to be our new-look weekly Newsletter. After many, many years of producing the Principals’ Newsletter each week, I have decided to bow to more superior technical skills, so Mrs Mehl will take over this work of art each week and it will be modelled on the look of the Senior School Newsletter. Today is our first attempt, and no doubt we will improve each week – we would certainly invite comment. Please continue to send all news to either Mrs Mehl or Mrs Moore for inclusion as usual.

Today we welcomed three new pupils, one new staff member, and one substitute teacher. We welcome Alex Sheahan into Pre-Reception, Emma Fraser into Reception and Refiloe Mothekhe into Grade Five. On the teaching staff we welcome Mrs Merrill Velensky into our Computer lab, and Mrs Leigh Webber in Mrs Jonas’ class while she enjoys her long leave. See below.

I encourage you to peruse the school’s website frequently, and keep abreast of the daily happenings on the school calendar. This promises to be a busy, event-filled term. May all go well.

Alison Dunn

Message from Ms Hauxwell - Nursery

My sincere thanks to all those families who enveloped me in love and kindness after the sudden passing of my dear Mom. I was overwhelmed by all the many messages, emails, cards and hugs I received in the aftermath. The beautiful, hand-drawn cards, gifts, and visits were most appreciated and really gave me strength. Being back at school has been an enormous tonic, as I'm encircled by the loving Springfield family. Feeling blessed!

Start off by Making your Bed

I always enjoy chatting to the girls in assembly and giving them a different message every week. The first assembly this term was no exception. On this occasion, I played a YouTube video to them of a speech given by US Navy Admiral William McRaven to the 2014 University of Texas graduating class. As I only played them an excerpt, I asked the girls to go home and download the full nineteen minute version and to watch it together with you parents. I promise you that it will make a wonderful dinner time conversation as you discuss the various issues which the video raises.

The essence of the speech was Admiral McRaven using his experiences of 36 years before while he was training in 1967 to be a navy SEAL – which, even though we hear the name regularly on TV, probably few of us realized that it stands for Naval Sea Air and Land Team. The speech contains the life lessons he learnt in his SEAL training which are relevant to all of us – regardless of gender, ethnic or religious background or social standing. The struggles of life are common to all of us but the lessons we learn from them, will stand your daughters in good stead throughout their lives.

My excerpt to the assembly was only six minutes long but it contained four vital lessons which undoubtedly will last much longer than normal dinner time conversation.

‘If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed’. If you can’t do the little things right, then how can you be entrusted with the big things?

• He told us about the ocean swim which the SEALs had to undergo in shark invested waters. ‘The world is full of sharks, do not back down from them’. There are many ‘sharks’ waiting to pounce on our teenagers which cannot be ignored. They need help in handling them.
• He gave us stories of what they had to undergo in their six month training made worse by instructors continually exhorting them to go for the easy option and to give up. ‘Nothing matters except the will to succeed. Measure a person by the size of his heart not by any other trappings.’ For our girls, these ‘trappings’ are branded clothes, money, cell phone….
• He described how in a moment of extreme stress, one person started singing and eventually they were all singing. ‘One person’s positivity changed everything’. This is, of course, a choice. We can choose to be negative or positive. Our choice will affect those around us. If we can influence ten other people positively and they influence ten other people and then they influence ten others….. then you literally can change the world. You can certainly change South Africa.

The other six points? You will have to watch the video with your daughter

Happy talking.

Keith Richardson

Please note that all Sport Activities has commenced as well as Snr Primary Study.

HELP NEEDED! (Sandwich) Roster for Term 3 are up outside the Secretaries’ Office – please look at suitable dates when you will be able to assist and put your name down to help if you are able.

Friday 12 July: Grade 7 Chapel Mass @ 09:00. Parents are welcome to attend.

Friday 12 July: Final Individual/Sibling Photograph Orders to be handed in with payment.

Wednesday 17 July: Grade 6 Outing to Bo Kaap.

Wednesday 24 July – Music photographs

Please see Tuck Shop Family Meals Order form link to order your family meals.