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
Introduction to I am African and song, Beautiful Woman
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.
I am an African by Thabo Mbeki
Beautiful Woman by Tina Schouw (singer/songwriter and guitarist)
Herewith, please find the latest Briefing Paper
Briefing Paper 481: Refugees, Migrants and Displaced Persons by Fr Peter-John Pearson
Happy Hampers
Thank you to all who contributed towards the successful outcome of our Happy Hampers.
Past Pupils Function
Don't forget about the Past Pupils function this Saturday 14 September at 10:30am. Would be lovely to see, our many Past Pupils coming together to reminisce about their wonderful years spent at Springfield.
Johannesburg save the date:
On Saturday 12 October Penny Boock and Robyn Morgan will be in Johannesburg, and would love to meet up with past pupils for a cup of coffee and a chat. If you are available and would love to catch up and hear about Springfield plans for the 150th birthday celebrations please email Penny on pboock@springfieldconvent.co.za
Wellness
As part of the wellness programme the grade 8 classes took part in a African Dance workshop. The workshop was filled with music and energy and the girls learnt to move in ways many of them had never experienced before. A big thanks to the Jazz Art Dance Theatre for their enthusiastic facilitation of these workshops.
Workshop for Teens on Managing Anxiety and Stress
Being a teenager can be tough with stress and anxiety from the workload at school as well as friendships and relationships with parents and peers. If your daughter is feeling a little stressed out, then this workshop could offer her practical tips on how she can manage these challenges, her emotions and her behaviour on a daily basis to make it better for her. Through creative activities and guidance, participants will learn to identify and understand their feelings and to regulate their behaviour in a healthier way to help you. Offered by Foundations for Life, this two-hour workshop will take place on 28 September 2019 from 11:00 - 13:00 at 2 Hemyock Road, Plumstead. The cost is R300 per person, with the group size ranging between 6 and 12 members. Bookings can be made by email on info@foundationsforlife.co.za or by calling 021 761 8144.
Springfield Choral Festival.
The Springfield Choral Festival takes place Wednesday 11 September at 18h30 in the Centenary Hall.
Our Ubuntu, Glee, JP, SP and Senior Choirs will be preforming with the Choir and Vocal Ensemble of Wynberg Boys High School.
Guitar Concert
A guitar concert will be held in the Annex on Thursday 12 September, from 18h00 to 20h00. All welcome.
Week 2
We are full in the swing of week 2! The first week of the challenge taught us that no idea is too big, how to identify a beachhead market for our business and how to deal with rejection. Currently, Springfield is placed 72nd out of 186 schools and Julia Marx in grade 11 is placed first in the school and 78th in the country.
71 learners signed up to compete and so far only 37 have submitted challenges or visited the site, where are the other 34??? Get involved! Sign in to the site and start competing. Mrs Tromp is available every break in the Senior Computer Lab for any questions you may have. Let’s get competing!
Cross- Curricular Learning
"Tell me and I will forget,
Show me and I will remember
Involve me and I will understand.”
B. Franklin
I am a student teacher from UCT and had the privilege to teach drama in some high school grades alongside Mr Fick for the last six weeks. In my last week I collaborated with Mrs Jenny van Zyl in the Geography department to devise a cross-curricular lesson in which the subject’s drama and geography are combined. Drama lends itself wonderfully to teach subjects across the board due to its interactive, multi sensory nature. In geography the grade nines were learning about sustainability, non- and renewable resources, pollution, farming and fishing as well as food security. Being very passionate and an advocate for sustainability and change, I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to create an interactive theatrical performance in which the students would be faced with multiple obstacles and problems as well as provided with the tools to come up with innovative solutions.
The music Annex was transformed into a world of chaos and pollution. We scattered litter across the floor and turned on a heater to simulate our current earth pollution and rising temperatures. The students were divided into debating groups consisting of farmers, fishers and miners and had to argue for or against sustainability. This became very heated because many of the girls were passionate about this topic and presented the pro’s and cons with objective, scientific facts. After this, the students were required to walk around the space and search for objects that they thought would contribute to an ethical and more sustainable lifestyle. They picked up recycling bins, bicycle helmets, keep-cups, eco -bricks and so much more. These items were then taken into a “new world” which was clean, filled with plants and fresh air and lit up with solar-jar lights. Here our very creative students wrote clever Haiku’s in which they expressed what they love about planet Earth and how they vowed to change their own behaviours in order to preserve the planet.
This cross -curricular lesson was received with a lot of enthusiasm because the students could display their geographical knowledge by getting into ‘roles of experts. ‘They enjoyed the theatrical elements paired with the knowledge that they had come across in geo. I hope that in future we can devise more lessons like this, because people tend to learn best when ‘doing.’ I am very grateful that I got to learn and teach at Springfield and will remember my time here fondly.
Yours Katharina Berner
Geography Outing
Grade 11 Geography Outing Friday 6 September We set out on our Geography field trip bright and early, our destination - Paarl rock. We armed ourselves with maps, hats, water and sunscreen and started our hike from Pienaars camp to the top. We climbed quite a bit, walked some of the way along a contour path and then eventually pulled our way to the top using the chains provided.
We were met at the top by the most spectacular view. On the one side, a view of the Paarl Valley and Drakenstein mountains and on the other side Table Mountain in the distance. Having calculated the gradient of our climb, drawn some field sketches and answered a worksheet, we climbed down again, having had a great experience. We got back on the bus with a better understanding of Paarl, its shape, geology and land-use.
Alexa Msakiwe
SAIPA South African National Accounting Olympiad
Congratulations to Alexa Msakiwe in Grade 12 who achieved a Top 3 position in the SAIPA South African National Accounting Olympiad. Alexa, her parents and Mrs Gibbon have been invited to to attend the annual SAIPA awards Lunch in Johannesburg in October. Well done Alexa, on a truly outstanding achievement!
Ada Lovelace Day
WE NEED YOUR HELP On the 8th of October this year we will be celebrating, Ada Lovelace Day. Ada was a mathematician in the early 1800’s, and she played a pivotal role in the building of the first computer. Ada Lovelace Day (ALD) is an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). It aims to increase the profile of women in STEM and, create new role models who will encourage more girls into STEM careers and support women already working in STEM.
We are running a programme for grade 8s and 9s from 10h30 to 12h30 and would love to include a slot where women can share some information about their career and journey in STEM.
If you know of any women working in these fields who may be able to join us on Ada Lovelace Day, please contact bjansen@springfieldconvent.co.za or jballantyne@springfieldconvent.co.za
With so much happening on campus and off over the past week and plenty more scheduled through the end of the term, it is time to recognise some of the co-curricular and extra-mural academic activities that take place almost every day at Springfield.
Grade 12 Moderation
Moderation sessions and final practical exams have taken place for the Grade 12s in Consumer Studies and Music, with the Dramatic Arts final practical exam scheduled for this coming Monday morning. The final run-through of the learners’ Dramatic Arts theme programmes takes place on Sunday afternoon at 14:00 and all are welcome to attend.
Dramatic Arts
The Grade 10 and 11 Dramatic Arts pupils have performed in their termly showcase, with the pupils also having had input from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in an afternoon workshop today.
Geography
The Geography department will be taking out their Grade 10 learners this week, following a successful outing in Grade 11 last week. Weather-permitting, the Grade 8s will visit the Tygerberg Nature Reserve tomorrow.
Toastmasters
Toastmasters wraps up for the Grade 10s soon, with their showcase evening scheduled to take place in the Music Annex next week on Thursday. The English department is also gearing up for The Schutz American School Model United Nations competition this weekend.
Interfaith Excursion
The Grade 11s will venture out into the city for their annual Interfaith Excursion under the auspices of the Religious Education department, while the Grade 10s will be experiencing their second Lead4Life one-day process, dealing with the topic of “Celebrating Diversity.” Workshops in AP Mathematics have also been held for the Grade 11s.
Thank you: It is important to acknowledge the incredible work our teachers are doing outside of the classroom in pursuit of the school’s mission and vision to enable our pupils to reach their potential, spiritually, intellectually, physically and socially.
Ballet Eìsteddfod
Erin Ansell, in Grade 9, competed in the Cape Town Ballet Eìsteddfod 2 weeks ago. She was the winner in the Under 14 Classical section and her group dance won the 15-16 year amateur section.
Blood banner
We have finally completed the 125 strips and 1000 plus images that we need to sew our 25metre x 1.5m banner. This banner will be used to raise awareness of the need for blood and bone marrow donation. If you have a sewing machine/white or cream cotton/sewing skills/enthusiasm/are willing to help, please come to the Junior Art room at the Art school, at 3.15 pm on Wednesday 18th September. All members of the Springfield community are most welcome!
Senior Mother Daughter Breakfast, Saturday 5 October
Sunflower Day: Friday, 20 September (Break up day)
Charity: Sunflower Fund
Cause: Support for individuals diagnosed with life-threatening blood diseases like leukaemia.
Pupils must wear school uniform, but bring topes with and wear them in interesting ways at school.
Topes have been ordered, pupils will be notified when and where they can go and buy them once they have arrived.
U14 Hockey Evening Friday 6 September
On Friday evening the U14 hockey team together with their coach Michelle Tullis challenged the parents and siblings to a match under lights. The parents put up a good fight but perhaps underestimated the speed at which their daughters now play hockey. The girls came out victorious 4-1 (I think) but fun was had by all. A lovely spirit permeated the match, and everyone had a good time. Thank you to all the parents for providing refreshments and joining in the fun and to the U14s for being such good sports.
Old girl/coach’s vs 1st team Netball.
Old Girls and coaches game
On Monday evening a few of our old girls and coaches joined together to play the 1st Hockey & Netball teams.
Great fun was had by all.
Old girl/coach’s vs 1st team Hockey.
Wellness Sessions
" Mrs. Susan Flecker will be starting mindfulness and wellness sessions which will provide girls with a relaxing environment to assist in stress relieve and help girls become aware of their breathing and what an important role it plays in tackling tasks of a difficult nature, including communication with one another. The effect of taking time out to be mindful of everything in and around us and our thoughts are an integral part of managing stress"
Georgina Kirkman
Georgina Kirkman
Georgina Kirkman in Grade 9, attended a charity fundraising event (#SpringRally19 ) The annual Spring rally, traditionally on the 1 September, takes place in order to raise funds for Atlantic Hope, an organization helping provide safe housing for newborns and infants who have been abandoned. Special guest, Premier Alan Winde, also joined our non-profit event. What an amazing initiative!
Georgina is a volunteer at Atlantic Hope, as part of her Outreach commitment. She drew the raffle tickets in the evening and was very much a part of the process having the honour of meeting Premier Alan Winde at the opening, who cut the ribbon at the start.
Georgina was very proud to be involved in this annual initiative which raised a staggering R 200 000.00 for abandoned babies!