Springfield
Convent
School
Newsletter

Head of School Message

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

~ Jane Goodall

Societies are complex systems in which people, objects and nature interact. There is an interconnectedness in which each is both responsible for the other and reliant upon the other. These difficult times indicate how falling ill has never only been about the individual. People who catch diseases are parts of families who in turn are components of other communities. Our whole globe has changed because of our interconnectedness.

Schools are equally complex with many stakeholders who all share one common goal. Our hope is that, when the girls in our care feel that they belong, they will flourish and achieve their God-given potential. For this common goal to be realised, every adult who plays a role in the life of a child should actively commit to the kind of difference that they would like to be in her life.

Since last writing to you on 10 June, much has happened. Perhaps this is an understatement! I participated in a PTA meeting during which new members were admitted and roles were delegated. A sub-committee, who will focus on transformation, was formed and Ms Dunn and I look forward to our first engagement with this team on Saturday morning. Our hope is to define meaningful ways for the Parent body to be able to support their children, each other and the school, as we consciously seek ways to achieve our shared commitment to a school that embodies both equity and a sense of belonging.

Early this week I enjoyed the discussion and input during a meeting of our School's Transformation Committee. The energy and enthusiasm within this team is the key ingredient that will ensure that our work is prioritised, valued and visible. Our next meeting will include pupils from both the Junior and Senior School. Our School exists for the education of our pupils and it is right that their voices are placed at the centre of the discussion.

Throughout my first few months at Springfield, I have never doubted the support of each member of the Board of Governors for the work that has and will continue to take place. I would like to express my thanks to all who engaged in the Parent-Board meetings this week. The meetings were designed to be spaces of deep listening that will allow all stakeholders, especially myself, to understand our School’s context and to facilitate my thinking and planning for Springfield beyond its 150th year. The love and care expressed for our School, during the meetings, was tangible.

In and among all that is described above, school has re-opened for the new term and teachers and pupils are immersed in the process of teaching and learning. We have all seen how different the learning environment has become, none of which happens without depth of thought and meticulous planning. To this end, I must acknowledge the unbounded efforts, in the Senior School, of Mr Geoff Quinn and Mr David Fick. In a COVID world, no two days of school are alike. Daily rosters, timetables and venue adjustments take place, always mindful of health and safety protocols and our usual standards of care and compassion. I am exceedingly grateful to Geoff and David for their significant contribution and for the difference that they are making each day at our School.

I am intent on making a difference at Springfield and I hope that my actions will reveal the kind of difference that I envision.

PENNY MULLAN

Head of School

Mandela Day

On Saturday the 18th of July we will commemorate Mandela Day as we have been doing since 2010. Around the world this year we have battled a pandemic and though there have been lessons learned and stories of hope to share, there have also been many stories of devastation. We cannot ignore the effect it has had on many less fortunate than ourselves.

As you consider how you choose to spend your 67 minutes, it may be helpful to revisit the Mandela Day focus areas and goals for 2019- 2029

1. Provision of quality education for all children

2. All children in ECD to have access to learning resources for development

3. Reduce hunger through the provision of nutritious meals

4. Eliminate malnutrition and stunting in young children

5. Provide safe shelter for families to live and thrive in

6. Eliminate homelessness

7. Sanitation that is safe in every school

8. Enable access to safe sanitation to all communities

9. Dedicate more resources to poverty eradication projects

10. Encourage public participation and activist voices towards the eradication of poverty and inequality

Goals 3 and 4 have been highlighted as an area of particular focus in 2020 and the Each1Feed1 campaign is something you may wish to investigate.

In what ever way you spend your 67 minutes on 18 July, and your time thereafter, let us each contribute actively by inspiring change in a way that rightfully honours this great man’s life.

BRONWYN JANSEN

Deputy - Senior School

As a school, we are collecting items to deliver to the Health Foundation.

School holidays

The table below outlines the revised Springfield calendar for the remainder of this year. In the most part it remains as it was originally, the only exceptions being:

While we await confirmation of the final National Senior Certificate examination timetable, the ending date for Term 4 is unknown.

Message from the Junior School Principal

Happiness is the key to life

The famous Beatles songwriter and vocalist John Lennon was once asked by a journalist during an interview at the peak of his career whether, when he was young, being a famous musician was what he had wanted from life. His answer was the following:

When I was 5 years old my mom told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "happy". They told me I didn’t understand the assignment. I told them they didn’t understand life.

It is said that he gave that answer to that question on a number of occasions during his life.

Over the past week I have stood at the entrance to the school welcoming children back after three months spent at home. These children are happy to be back in the school routine. They are happy to see their friends and teachers and they are happy to be sitting in their desks in the classrooms again. After the initial apprehension of a different entrance and the wearing of masks, the girls have adapted easily and now bounce happily into the school each morning. Thank you, parents, for giving your children back into our care.

And care it is. I thank Mr Meehan and his team for executing every minute detail of the Covid operating procedures, and I congratulate all our children who have taken to the new Covid protocol rules like ducks to water. I also have a special word of thanks for our gifted teachers who are traversing the minefield of hybrid teaching and offering superb lessons on a completely new platform, themselves learning new ways every day to deliver the curriculum so ably.

It’s not just a new normal, it’s a new beginning for a different way of teaching and learning.

Please, parents...let us know as soon as you become aware that your daughter is not happy about something, or not happy to come to school. We promise to help immediately.

We want smiles behind all the masks.

ALISON DUNN

Junior School Principal

A message from the Head of RE

Dear Springfield Community

“I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Eph 3:18 (Rev Delk)

Greetings to you and welcome to the start of Term 3. Once again our journey continues along covid lines…sanitize, wear a mask and physically distance. While these three things are crucial in keeping us and others safe, it presents a challenge. We are social beings and fundamental to our emotional well being is being in contact with those near and dear. While teaching a matric RE class this week, a student raised a question…Ms Stubbs, what is God trying to teach us in these unprecedented times? While the impact has been enormous what are the lessons? “An unexamined life is not worth living for a human being” says Plato. Have our lives become so devoid of authentic relationships and presence that we’ve been challenged during this time to distinguish the real from the superficial. This week is significant on so many levels...let me focus on an exemplary South African role model of authentic presence. On Saturday the 18th we celebrate Mandela Day. Annually, citizens of the world focus on what can be done to make a difference...spending either 67 minutes or hours doing something meaningful to enrich the lives of fellow brothers or sisters.

Lessons I’ve learned from Mr Mandela

Calm and courage through adversity - irrespective of our challenges walk with dignity and integrity
Spirit of reconciliation - acknowledging that in order to move forward, there has to be a longing for healing and forgiveness
Humility - Confucius says…”Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.” Not easy but can be a daily choice
Patience - when you are working towards realising a goal, it takes time. Realising that with deep faith, all things are possible...in His time.
Tenacity of spirit
Inherent belief in the potential of humanity - this remains my source of hope

With blessing

GILLIAN STUBBS

Head of RE/Ethos

RE Message continues: Click here

Important notice from the Music School

Violin Lessons

From Monday 20 July, girls who take Violin lessons will have the option to be taught face-to-face once again.

It has been difficult during the lockdown to deal with tuning and technique digitally online, so hopefully this will be useful to teachers and pupils alike.

As we slowly re-introduce instrument lessons, violin seems the safest option as it can be played and taught using proper safety protocols and PPE.

We shall closely monitor how this proceeds before extending the option to other instruments in phases depending on safety and appropriate venues.

Important notice from Cape Foto

Dear Parents,

With everything that has gone on over the past few months, you may have forgotten to order your daughter's school photos. No problem, if you would still like to view and/or purchase the 2020 individual and class photos, please see below.

New to Cape Foto Online? Visit www.capefoto.co.za:

Click ‘Create an Account / Login’ (top right of page)
Click ‘Create an Account’
Your unique code is SFS_2020
Fill in your details and click ‘Submit’
Check your inbox for your verification email (can take up to 2 hours)
We will finalize your account setup within 24 hours

Already have a Cape Foto account?

Email us at orders@capefoto.co.za with your daughter's name, grade and unique code (SFS_2020) and we will add her photos to your account within 24 hours.

Have any questions regarding your account?

Email us at orders@capefoto.co.za and we will respond within 24 hours.

How will I get my order?

You have the option to collect a completed order from the school, from our Home Office or we can courier your order. We will email you when the order is ready.

Cape Foto is a small family business and we greatly appreciate your support during these difficult times.

PLEASE PLACE YOUR ORDER BY FRIDAY, 24TH JULY.

ANY QUERIES, PLEASE CONTACT CAPE FOTO DIRECTLY orders@capefoto.co.za