I am completely overwhelmed by the grit and diligence that our pupils have displayed as they have wrestled with a new way of learning. And I am deeply appreciative of the support that our parent body has shown both to Springfield and to their children over this time.

Some lessons have emerged about what has worked most effectively over the past weeks.

Establish a routine. The timetable is there to help our pupils to create a realistic daily schedule for themselves. Please encourage them to follow the timetable for May, as many of the difficulties that pupils have faced - especially in Grades 8 and 9 - have arisen when pupils have skipped over a subject with the intention of working through all the content set in a single setting. Working through each section of work set at the time it is set is the ideal.

Protect time off. Focussed application in lesson time should eliminate homework in the way we have traditionally experienced it. The work for each grade is laid out in weekly planning grids, which are shared with the pupils on Friday afternoons ahead of the week to come.

The current week’s grids can be viewed here: Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11 and Grade 12. An effective schedule includes defined periods of work time, but will also include chores, breaks for socialising, exercise and time for entertainment. With a day’s academic work behind them, the evenings should be reserved with family time and activities that are fun or relaxing.

Keep open the channels of communication. Pupils should feel confident to make contact with their subject teachers about their concerns or about the work they find challenging. I am certain that every teacher at Springfield will help a pupil to work through something step by step, to leap over a hurdle in their path, or to extend their learning - depending on their needs. Please start academic conversations with the person closest to the issue, usually your daughter’s teacher, who will bring the Subject Head when necessary.

Acknowledge uncertainty - and resilience. There are many rumours about how education will be structured for the rest of the year, whether curricula will be trimmed and how exams will be handled. While this may prompt feelings of stress, anxiety, sadness, fear or anger, our pupils’ ability to rebound in the face of these challenges is a constant blessing. The only thing we know for sure is that the decisions at the Department of Education are being deliberated slowly and that we will continue to respond to announcements as they are made with the best interests of our pupils at heart.

Supporting students to work independently at home is no easy task. Elevate Education, who works with our Grade 10s and 11s, is hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, 19 May from 18:00 - 19:00 exploring neuroscience and the psychology of motivation to equip you with practical strategies to improve and sustain your child’s motivation. This is a great opportunity to find out more about how you can assist your child through this difficult period. The webinar is free and is titled: “How To Help Your Child Study Effectively (Without Becoming The Enemy).” If you wish to attend this session, please sign up directly with Elevate Education at this link. The talk is open to parents in any grade.

My thanks for the support from all members in the Springfield community can never be enough.

DAVID FICK

Head of Academics

Springfield Writing Competition

Congratulations to the featured writers who won certificates in our COVID19 Lockdown Writing Competition which closed on Monday. Thank you Ms Wyllie for organising the event which generated such inspiring writing.

ANDREW BENTLEY

Head of Cultural

ANDREW BENTLY

Head of Music

BLOOD DRIVE

You can give three people the gift of life by donating blood at the Western Cape Blood Service Clinic at the Blue Route Mall. Due to the lock-down, WP Blood desperately needs blood donations. Their clinics at Blue Route and N1 City are still open, every precaution is taken to prevent the spread of COVID 19 and blood donation is considered an essential service so no permit is required. Please consider donating. For more information, see https://www.wcbs.org.za.

NICKY GOING

Head of English

All of our girls should be enjoying at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day. Whilst we are aware that the current out of home exercising hours are not suitable for Springfield as we start school at 08h00, leaving very little daylight time to exercise between 06h00 and 09h00 as per Government regulations, there should be plenty of time during the day to put down your pen and paper, take your eyes off your laptop, remove yourself for just a while from social media and get going for some physical activity.

We all know that physical exercise is so good for emotional and mental well-being, as well as acting as a help to relieve stress and anxiety. If you have not already done so, we recommend that you plan exercise time into your daily schedule.

For most of our girls, this should take the form of exercising major muscle groups and some cardio work daily. But if you only run around in your garden with your dog, it is better than doing absolutely nothing.

It is proven that it you can get into this habit, your physical and mental and emotional well-being will increase, you will be able to apply yourself to your school work better and will reap the benefits! It is also proven that if you can apply yourself for just two weeks, you will start to form this healthy habit and it will become part of your life.

We know things are tough. But true GRIT is needed now. Exercise can help to pull your life together. So, as Nike would say - "just do it".

Should you be battling in any way, please feel free to contact me for advice and assistance.

COLLEEN REED

Head of Sport

GREAT NEWS!!

Our preferred HITT provider, JEFF (Johnno's E Fitness Faculty) has increased the number of their live daily sessions! Springfield Convent Junior and Senior School endorse JEFF as our leading provider of online workouts. Sessions are constructed for maximum cardio and strength benefits as well as endurance and are a quick and fun way to exercise for 30 minutes a day. What is more, you can go back to the sessions at any given time in the day and do the workouts so there is no excuse to delay having fun at these sessions. Johnno and Jules Meintjies are already part of the Springfield community, being new 2021 parents! They are providing an outstanding platform for the wider community to work out in a meaningful way and have members from all over the world enjoying their sessions. Their results are amazing! Sessions are free during lockdown.

Check out JEFF Together on Facebook to register. JEFF Johnno's E Fitness Faculty

Sessions are now as follows: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 06h00 with Seri, 07h00 with Johnno and 08h00 with Johnno and Jules Tuesdays and Thursdays 06h00 with Seri and 08h00 with Johnno and Jules Mondays and Wednesdays 17h30

There is also JEFF LITTLE LEGENDS session for all kids from age 3 - 85 which is a half hour of fun and will get you up and about.

Got a spare 10 minutes? Follow Jessica for her 10 minute workouts!