Our Springfield Potjie Pot

We are in the throes of interviewing 279 Grade 7 girls and their parents and endeavouring to perform the impossible Mathematical task of dividing the number of girls applying into the number of places available. The prospective new girls all write me a letter indicating what they can offer the school while their parents also write one indicating why they think that Springfield would suit their daughter.

I particularly enjoyed a comment made by one parent in her letter who, in volunteering her services, said: ‘We understand that a school is only as strong as the community which supports it.’

This was appropriately brought home to me on Friday evening walking around the Carnival. I was absolutely astounded by the degree of effort and commitment which had gone into the organization of the evening. The school was buzzing with activity and there was a wonderful atmosphere. The bunting, the colourful stalls and the music all contributed to the ambience and the positive mood of the evening. The wind was barely noticed.

Everything centred around the stage area where a number of bands from various schools were performing. The queues at the vast number of food stalls surrounding the stage never seemed to diminish while the outlying areas of stalls selling knick-knacks, books and jewellery were very popular. My wife and I brought our border collie who was energized by the ongoing swell of continual movement. She proved to be a great hit with the girls as we wandered around the playground area sympathizing with the various parents who were being beseeched by their young offspring imploring for one more ride or slide or jump on the castle.

I used the dog as an excuse to the parent who offered me a ticket to the Grade 6 and 7 disco. ‘I knew there was a reason why you brought the dog,’ said my wife.

The Springfield community really rose to the occasion. I am reminded of the metaphor of the potjie pot which I often use to describe a successful school. One leg of the pot represents the pupils, the second the teachers, the third represents parents. If one leg does not perform properly, then the pot cannot remain upright and no cooking can take place.

The legs of the potjie pot were clearly firmly in place as I saw pupils helping out at various stalls, teachers playing their part all over the carnival, while nothing would have happened without the drive and the initiative of our parental body. It really was a team effort.

I saw happy children everywhere. It is a rule of thumb that parents of happy children are normally the ones who are prepared to give of their time in volunteering to make things happen. Events like our carnival are a case in point. Everything was so professionally organized and planned that I am quite prepared to recommend Springfield parents to PRASA and ESKOM who, if Friday evening is anything to go by, I know would have turned around these institutions in the blink of an eye.