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“How wonderful is it that nobody need wait a single moment
before starting to improve the world”
~ Anne FrankPreschool News
Preschool News
Dear Preschool Parents
I am writing this newsletter while the sun shines brightly through my office window, such a contrast to the cold, grey and rainy week that we have just had.
Last week I informed you of the earlier than expected departure of Mrs. Hauxwell on a repatriation flight to the UK, and this week I can share with you the news that she and her children arrived safely and are spending their 14 days of quarantine in the beautiful countryside of the Cotswold’s, where they have a wonderful support system of many friends made over the 20 years that they lived there.
They then have the daunting task of finding a new home in Nottingham where Cat is enrolled in school and Jack is enrolled at the University.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome Mrs. Avril Fick as the Nursery class teacher from Term 3.
Fortunately she had the opportunity to meet the girls in their final Google Meet sessions with Mrs. Hauxwell on Friday 22 May and is so looking forward to taking over on 7 July.
Mrs. Fick is currently teaching Grade R at Rustenburg Junior School and has over 18 years’ experience teaching children from birth to age 9 in the UK and in South Africa.
She has two daughters, Kirsten in matric at Rustenburg High School, and Cayla in Grade 10 here at Springfield.
We also wish Ms. Theresa Wani a very happy birthday. She celebrated her special day on 2 June and is pictured here with her spoils in the foyer of the Centenary Hall. All of the Preschool and After-care Assistants are helping with the Covid-19 screening at the entrance to the Junior School campus.
Photos below of the activities done by the Nursery and Pre-Reception girls during their theme on “Numbers” while the Reception girls continued their theme of “People who help us.”
DIANE VILJOEN
Head of Preschool
76a64794-3847-4ddd-9557-5017a6d9b63c.MP4Nursery and Pre Reception girls learning about numbers
Nursery and Pre Reception girls learning about numbers
97e586e1-5fa8-4456-b7a0-7ddb73dec038.MP4Reception
Reception
Learning about People who help us
Learning about People who help us
Junior Primary
Junior Primary
Dear Junior Primary Parents and Guardians
While this has been a particularly difficult time for all of us and at times, very scary, we seem to have adapted to our current ‘norm’ and are attempting on a daily basis to make the very most of life. The decision to stagger our girls for a morning of Orientation next week has filled me with great excitement. While meeting with the girls over the Google meet platform has been fantastic, nothing compares to actually seeing them and engaging with them face to face. I’m sure it will be a wonderful opportunity to socialise with their friends while adhering to the physical distancing protocols. Please note that due to the Orientation programme next week, google meets on those respective days will not happen. Namely Grade 1 on Tuesday, Grade 2 on Wednesday and Grade 3 on Thursday. The Junior Primary teachers will also have to get their classrooms ready so please be mindful that some meets will be reduced. They will try to work around their program to the best of their ability.
With gratitude
GILLIAN STUBBS
Head of Junior Primary
Happy 9th birthday to Katie and Courtney
Sarah’s Xhosa poster regarding Covid 19 and ways of protecting themselves against coronavirus (ikhovidi)
Sofia loves Touch typing
These girls are so ready to get back to school...
These girls are so ready to get back to school...
Mia Pieters Grade 2P trying on her winter uniform to make sure it still fits... She is so excited for school to go back...
Nabila Patel Grade 2P is really missing school. Also trying on her school uniform and cant wait to get back .
Georgia Galloway's (Grade 2P) chameleon for Art
Anneli Van der Merwe making an Eiffel tower for her Teddies (girl guide) badge
Senior Primary
Senior Primary
Chain Reactions
Chain Reactions
The acclaimed cartoonist and inventor, Rube Goldberg is known for his model illustrating the positive result of a chain reaction. The aim is to string together everyday items to make complicated systems to accomplish a simple task. It aims to deliver vital lessons with creativity, artistic expression and just plain fun. If the whole trajectory of your machine is to drop a bar of soap into someone’s hands, the message is clearly demonstrating how important handwashing is. The Grade 5s have done a magnificent job at accomplishing some extremely creative chain reactions. After watching their videos, it triggered my thought process about the merits of chain reactions in our learning environment.
A chain reaction is key to generating positive feelings through creativity and play which in turn introduces an element of pleasure and levity that is really important to connect children with one another.
So, my question is - How can one create a chain reaction of good learning habits? Human behaviours are often joined to one another. Such as making your bed every morning can lead to you feeling the need to pick up your clothes off the floor and put them into the laundry basket, which in turn leads you to feel the need to tidy your room and so on… Thus creating a domino effect / chain reaction of good habits.
The Domino Effect states that when you make a change to one behaviour it will activate a chain reaction and cause a shift in related behaviours as well. It is within your power to spark a chain reaction of good habits by building new behaviours that naturally lead to the next successful action.
The Choice Boards have allowed the children to drive their own learning this term. Through this, many children have inadvertently started chain reactions of positive learning and accomplishment through creative and fun online lessons.
Choice Board Chain Reactions:
- Start with the thing you are most motivated to do each day. Consistency is key.
- By maintaining momentum the children move to the next task they are motivated to finish. The momentum of finishing one task will carry them directly into the next behaviour.
- With each repetition, they will become more committed to their work. The Domino Effect is about progress, not results. Momentum is key.
“You can never change just one behaviour. Our behaviours are interconnected, so when you change one behaviour, other behaviours also shift.” (Prof BJ Fogg)
There are many different paths to getting dominoes to fall. Focus on the behaviour you are excited about and the rest will follow.
Thank you to all the parents for your consistent support of your daughter as well as for the teachers in facilitating this domino effect.
KAREN SMITH
Head of Senior Primary
Grade 5 - Rube Goldberg's Chain reactions
Grade 5 - Rube Goldberg's Chain reactions
Zinneerah Adams.movScarlett Davidge.MOVMegan Gold.MOVKatherine_N_Rube_G_project (1).mp4Noa Banks.MOVAlice Durrant.MOVEmily Walters.MOVJessica Paverd chain reaction.mp4Grade 5 - How to juggle!
Grade 5 - How to juggle!
Nicole Greenwood .movDarcey van der Walt .mp4Carolyn Lord .MOVGrade 5 - Quarantine Songs/Poems
Grade 5 - Quarantine Songs/Poems
Quarantine
In quarantine We have to keep our hands cleanIt is very very boring Having nothing to do in the morningWalking with the dogs We have to watch out for poisonous frogsEveryone says wear a maskBut how can we when we drink hot chocolate in a flaskI am either playing sport or lego with my brotherOr baking with my motherI am also watching TVWhen Cyril Ramaphosa alerts level 3You’ll see me flying faster than a beeI think Covid really means stay clean~GRACE LAGAN
IMG_2169.MOVMy Movie 4 (2).mp4QUARANTINE POEM
Roses are red, violets are blue covid is bad so had to stay at home to. Lockdown is good and lockdown is bad so please stay at home or we will be very very sad.Start slowing the cases so we can have some fun, go outside and we can play with everyone.~Jess Gardiner
THE TERRIBLE FLU
There once was a terrible flu,It could make people sick, even you,We stay home day and night,And try not to fight,And I wish I could have a new view!~Andrea Stenson
Covid - 19
I've been staring out the window for a very long time'Long as I can remember, never really knowing whyI wish I could be free in lockdown nowBut I go to the shops and buy as much food as I canEvery turn I take, every trail I trackEvery road leads back to my home I stayTo the place I know, where I have to stay, where I long to be See the line where the social distancing starts, it tells me to stay backAnd to wash my handsIf the mask and the hand sanitizer stays on meOne day it’ll go, if it goes there will be no germs anymore I know if everybody in this world can be careful it can go back to normalEverything will be fine I know if everybody in this world does their roleSo I should roll with mineI can lead with pride, I can make us safeI'll be satisfied if I play alongBut the heart inside tells me to stay home What is wrong with me? See the line where the social distancing starts, it tells me to stay backAnd to wash my handsIf the mask and the hand sanitizer stays on meOne day it’ll go, if it goes there will be no germs anymore~GEMMA HOEKS
Corona Coaster
This is a bad diseasebut soon it will freeze.It seems there's no endDon't worry, soon this virus will mend.Washing our hands all daywill keep the germs away.Social distancing will stop the spreadit is a pity that the virus fled.It put us in lockdownwhere we are starting to break down.Not allowed to see friends, this is not fairI feel like I am a fox living in a lair.We have to wear masksday and nighthow are we going to drink out of our flask?It has put us all in a panic.We are all feeing a bit manic.Let's not give up nowCome on lets work togetherand this disease will get much better.
~NICOLE GREENWOOD
Lockdown
Lockdown oh lockdown…Why are you so long!? I miss my familyI miss my friends Google meets is my new classroomAnd Houseparty my new playdate My dogs drive me mad They look so sadThey need a walkAnd don’t understand I never thought you had to clean the toiletsOr unpack the dishwasher.Lockdown oh lockdown you have taught me so much! Family game nights and marathon monopolyBaking and cookingLots of laughs…… Lockdown oh lockdown you haven’t been all badYou sometimes make me sadAnd sometimes glad~Anna Bredell
Lockdown Poem - Erin Willard.docx~ERIN WILLARD
Grade 5 Afrikaans Reading aloud
Grade 5 Afrikaans Reading aloud
Jocelyn White 5R.movJenna Morris 5R - Drie Varkies.MOVTannah Quarmby 5V - Drie Varkies.mp4Mila Barton - Drie Varkies.MOVKimberley Latham Afrikaans Lees (2020-06-01 at 02:09 GMT-7)Kimberley Latham Grade 6 - Afrikaans Lees
Katya Bell's Symmetry monster
Copy of Emma Jones 2.mp4Emma Jones Grade 4
Copy of Eloise du Toit.mp4Eloise du Toit Grade 4
Grade 7's First Day Back
Grade 7's First Day Back
Before Orientation
Mrs Bennetts ready to sanitize hands...
Catching with friends...
Break Time
New Normal
Ready for the First lesson
Engaging online
Counsellor's Corner
Counsellor's Corner
Dear Springfield Parents
Hilda Katito (one of the high school counselors) and I met with Matric girls on Tuesday morning and then later on in the day, with our Grade 7 classes.
It was a wonderful experience of sharing and reconnecting and brought home the resilience, optimism and strength of our girls. Their fresh, eager faces smiling through their masks was beautiful - being with them and being back at school was so much better than I thought it was going to be and for the first time in ages, I felt that we are almost through this tunnel and that life before Covid 19 might just be in sight again.
That said, many of our girls still have quite a while at home and motivation might be wearing thin.
Below are some tips that help when ones tank is empty and distractions are boundless:
- Staying motivated is not something that happens naturally all the time. Rather, we need to be intentional about our behaviors to be sure we are staying on the right path.
- Set daily goals for what you aim to achieve. Start by being specific and making it a challenge to reach those goals by the end of the day.
- Be realistic about what you can achieve. This is crucial to your success and for your morale and motivation levels.
- Write your list of what you aim to achieve - don’t have lists in your head.You need to have a visible, tangible list to work from. Crossing off tasks on your list is highly rewarding and motivates you on to the next task. Each time we hit one of these goals a burst of dopamine is released — this allows us to train our brain to crave achievement and push towards the next item on our list.
- Start first with what you enjoy. Leave the worst for last but don’t leave it for the end of the week - you won't have energy or motivation to tackle the hard stuff by then. Tackle small bits of a difficult task each day. Fight the small battles and celebrate after a small win. This is particularly important for unpleasant or difficult tasks or for subjects that you find hard or unenjoyable.
- Practice the “Once I’ve” reward system: “Once I’ve finished my work, I can watch my series”, “Once I've done my Maths, I can have a bath”
- Make every Friday (or Sunday) your D Day - don't start a new week with unfinished work from the week before. Make sures to start each week with a clean slate.
Give yourself a reward for reaching your goals - pat yourself on the back, compliment yourself for working hard, bask in your glory!
Onwards and upwards girls - we are nearly there!
Lots of love to you all
GABBY CLOETE
Junior School Counsellor
Tech tip
Tech tip
💻Tech pearl of wisdom for the week.
💻Tech pearl of wisdom for the week.
Tech Tip #34
Tech Tip #34
Safety! Safety! Safety! It's been an interesting school term of eschool, with lots and lots of screen time. Some students and even teachers(shhh...), have turned to TikTok for entertainment and to show off their hidden talents. Yes, it is fun, interesting and informative. But, as with most online use, safety and privacy is an issue that we need to be vigilant about and TikTok is known for being a bit "dodgy" when it comes to user privacy. So, here's the most important thing to know about TikTok:
How can you make your TikTok account private?
How can you make your TikTok account private?
To make your TikTok account private, go to your profile page and select the three-dot icon in the top-right corner. Select Privacy and Safety. There, toggle the switch for "Private Account." You can also select who can send you comments and direct messages, and who can do a duet with you. Using the "Friends" setting or turning those features off completely limits contact with strangers.
Read Common Sense Media's full review of TikTok, and help your kids use it safely with answers to parents' most frequently asked questions below. Click on the link(it''s green this time) to get the answers you need:
All the best; stay safe, be patient and enjoy the rest of the week.
MERRILL VELENSKY
Junior School IT Teacher
Art
Art
Lockdown Photography Competition - "Reflections & Silhouettes"
Lockdown Photography Competition - "Reflections & Silhouettes"
Lockdown Art - May 2020
Lockdown Art - May 2020
Sport
Sport
Exercise during lockdown
Exercise during lockdown
If you would like another alternative to the exercises sent out by the school, the below are good alternatives.
PowerEd on Facebook, https://facebook.com/PowerEd.Kids/ If you would like to ask them questions or give them feedback, their email address is info@poweredkids.com
Another alternative on Facebook is Johno’s Efitness Faculty– https://facebook.com/groups/jefftogether/ (Discovery Vitality). There are fitness sessions every morning at 8am and again at 3pm for 30 minutes.
If you or your parents have any questions, please contact Ms Hardiman on jnrsport@springfieldconvent.co.za
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