Open Parachutes

It made my day when I received the email below last week which was written by a Grade 11 parent. As part of their awareness campaign, the Transformation Committee had sent jars home to every Springfield family which they had filled with pertinent and thought-provoking questions. Families were encouraged to take out one topic every day and discuss it around the dinner table.

This is the email I received:

I would just like to add a quick comment on the little bottle we received with the ‘topical talk’ slips inside - what a fabulous idea! Our family actually looks forward to pulling out a slip at dinner time - healthy debates and discussions have resulted with different points of view being put forward and challenged. Also an opportunity to really hear the opinions and thoughts of our daughters who have matured before our eyes. A conversation stimulating and enlightening initiative. Thank you.

Some questions were seemingly innocuous:

‘Should parents be checking their children’s cell phones? Why? Why not?’

Other questions were stimulating:

‘How does our own culture affect how we interpret the culture of others?’

And then there were those with bite:

‘How do you feel about a gay couple raising a daughter / son?

The cliché goes that minds are like parachutes – they only work when they are open. The Committee designed their questions to ensure that not only would the minds of our girls be opened, but also that the channels of communication between parents and daughters would be unrestricted and free flowing. This allowed for a reconnection of relationships which really matter. There is no need for agreement on issues – just that everyone around the dinner table listens - and listens well. Few people truly listen when they are in disagreement so it is beholden on adults to model these skills during discussions.

I have been asking various girls how these evening chats have been going. I found some responses very gratifying:

‘I have never spoken to my parents about things like this before.’

‘It was very embarrassing – but only at first.’

‘I saw things through my parents’ eyes and they saw things through mine.’

This is a wonderful exercise for children as they learn not only the art of a meaningful discussion in the safe surrounds of their family, but also to bounce idea off others while listening to different viewpoints.

Rather like different views on that parachute jump.

Keith Richardson

Headmaster

Parent Think Tank 2

A number of parents, who were unable to attend the first session, have contacted us about another opportunity to engage in transformation discussions with other parents. We are offering another day of think tank sessions and they will follow the same format as the previous ones - the feedback from these will be collated with the feedback from those done earlier this term. Venue details will be emailed to participants directly, once we have an idea of the number of parents attending.

Please click on this link to reply...Parent Think Tank2

ASSISTANCE REQUIRED

We are so grateful for the offers of support and assistance we have received. It is great to know that we are all working towards the same vision - creating a school which is welcoming to all and where everyone is valued.

If you are able to assist us in any way please sign up to be part of our Transformation partnership. Although we have only listed a few particular skills, we welcome the support of all parents - there is a part for everyone to play.

We will use this database to ask for help for future events and programmes.

Weekly Info Letter – 31 JULY 2019

We are still needing help with the (Sandwich) Roster for Term 3. If you are able to assist, please put your name down on the roster outside the Secretaries’ Office. Many thanks to all who assisted in the past.

The PTA Cake Sale hosted by the Grades 5, 6 & 7 on Friday raised an amount of R6381.00. Thank you for your support!

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**DATES TO REMEMBER**

Friday 2 August: Grade 2 and 4 Chapel Mass at 09:00. Parents welcome to attend.

Friday 2 August: Junior Primary Quiz Night.

Tuesday 6 August: Junior Music Concert.

Thursday 8 August: St Dominic’s Day: Mass in the Centenary Hall for Grades 1 to 7 at 08:00. All welcome to attend.

• Please note early closing for St Dominic's Day: Pre School @ 11am; Jnr Primary and Snr Primary @ 11:30am. There will be no Afternoon Activities or Sport. Aftercare will be available from the end of the school day as normal for Grades 1-7. Any Pre Primary girls not collected by 11:15 will be taken to the Main Aftercare.

Friday 9 August: SCHOOL CLOSED (Women’s Day).

Thursday 15 August: Winter Team Sport Photographs will take place. All girls must please ensure that they bring their correct togs to be in the team photographs.

No togs – No photo!!

Girls must bring their school uniform to change into after their photographs.

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Please find Tuck Shop Weekly Family meals on this link

Dear Parents

I hope you are well and surviving a REAL Cape winter.

I meet with the Grade 3 classes every Tuesday and yesterday we talked about gratitude - some of the things that they said they were grateful for are our rising dam levels, that they have a roof over their heads and a warm bed to sleep in, a family to love and who loves them in return, and a school that they enjoy going to each day. How privileged and fortunate we all are.

Another privilege to pursue for your daughter are the fabulous courses and workshops on offer at “Kids who Can”. I have heard such great feedback from girls, parents and teachers about this organisation. The focus of the courses are on building identify and self esteem, and learning how to manage what life throws at them in a healthy and effective way. Have a look at what’s on offer at https://www.kidswhocancommunity.co.za.

Keep warm,

Love Gabby

To add a child account to family sharing, check out our How to create and add a child to Family Sharing article.

After you've added your child's account to Family Sharing, you can control their Screen Time settings by doing the following.

1. Launch Settings.

2. Tap on your Apple ID.

3. Tap Family Sharing.

4. Tap Screen Time.

5. Follow the instructions to create your child's Apple ID