SPRINGFIELD CONVENT SCHOOL
27 May 2020
Message from the Head of School
The energy and vitality of our campus is slowly being restored. Teams of staff are preparing the grounds and the classrooms for the return of some pupils on Monday. All staff are being guided through training and orientation programmes to ensure their understanding and application of all health, hygiene and safety protocols. In addition to the information contained in this newsletter, you will have access to a variety of documents, via the D6 app, that provide details of our school readiness and compliance.
Throughout this time, I have witnessed a level of professionalism, commitment and loyalty from all Springfield staff in all sectors of our school. I am immensely grateful to all for the attention to detail and for their level of care shown for each other and most especially, for our girls.
Monday 25 May was Africa Day and, as you continue to read, you will see many tributes that celebrate our continent, her cultures and her people.
Ghanaian born, Fred Swaniker, is a person of Africa whose work and thinking I admire. Fred has re-imagined education and, on a continent that houses the oldest University in the world (University of Karueein, in Fez, Morocco), he has started two of the world's newest universities whose mission it is to produce our continent’s next generation of leaders. With a focus on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, Fred Swaniker challenges his students to question their calling and to identify their purpose. This resonates with me and is especially significant in the 21st century. Instead of asking ‘what’ we will do with our lives, to achieve real success and happiness, we must first identify our ‘why’. This means knowing your purpose, defining your mission and using this to set your course.
I would like to thank Mrs Pippa Visser and her team for curating the reflections on Africa and for reminding us of the wonders of this continent.
PENNY MULLAN
Head of School
Message from the Head of the Junior School
The View from my Window
During the Covid lockdown periods across the world, one enterprising person began a Facebook page called The View from my Window, and people from all over the world have been placing photographs of the view from their windows at home as they are forced to work from home instead of their offices. I have certainly seen some stunning views on this site.
This got me thinking about the view I have from my study window at home. For the past two weeks, I was forced into self-isolation as I attended a funeral where someone had been exposed to the virus. Luckily, I have been extremely well, but had to stay working from home instead of joining the school management team back at school.
I love the view from my study window. While my garden faces north and I have a view of the mountain, my study faces east and looks onto a busy road in Kenilworth. So there has been plenty of time for me to watch the activity looking down and reflect on the busy lives of the people going past. In the book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, the main character, Jo, writes about sitting at her window: “I can breathe all the air I want just sitting here.” I agree with her sentiment as I too feel safe breathing in the air from my first-floor study window.
This started me thinking about the beautiful views we have from all our classrooms and offices at Springfield, and I had this pang of longing to be back at school. Our children and staff are indeed fortunate that we work and learn in such a beautiful environment, where the view is indeed stunning. Yesterday I returned to school having successfully completed my fourteen-day period of isolation, and have had a chance to walk around our campus, renewing my energy while absorbing the beauty of God’s creation at Springfield. I now long for all in the Springfield family to be back, to be enriched by this spirit-filled space.
On Monday we welcome our Grade Seven girls back to school. This is the start of the return of girls and I am confident it will go well. We have re-arranged their classrooms to allow for the social-distancing protocols, and I know the girls will once again enjoy the view from the windows of their classrooms and as well as delight in the presence of their teachers and friends (even if slightly distanced from them). Once again there will be the happy noise of girls on our campus.
The view from my window will again reflect that which feeds the soul.
“Blessed are those who see life through a different window and understand their view”
~ Unknown.ALISON DUNN
Junior School Principal
Back to School
Preparations are under way to welcome back our Grade 7 and 12 girls and staff back to school on Monday.
Due to Covid 19 there will be no over the counter service at the Tuck Shop. Girls can order via the daily pre order form which will be emailed to all via the D6App on Friday.
A message from the Head of RE
At Springfield we’ve decided to extend our celebration of Africa Day, 25 May, for the entire week and therefore seek to ignite an energy and an awareness of the rich legacy of our continent. There are so many poems, songs and reflections written which capture all the faces of Africa - both the broken and healed. The potential of our great continent is really held in our hands. It takes the genuine acknowledgement of our need to respond to the inherent potential to all rise!
To quote John Henrick Clarke , “Africa is our centre of gravity, our cultural and spiritual mother and father, our beating heart, no matter where we live on the face of this earth.”
By virtue of my birth in Africa, I’ve always considered myself African. I am a child of this soil and will savour the lavish gifts it offers me and grapple with the challenges it presents me as I have such a responsibility to own my purpose. I'm reminded of the quote from Mr Mandela, "I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.” My African identity encapsulates the diversity of my genetic inheritance, celebrated by the complex, yet exciting mingling of so many cultures and traditions. I consider the African soil I stand on as sacred. Sacred because so many sacrifices were wrought to liberate it.
GILLIAN STUBBS
Head of RE
Africa Day is intended to celebrate and acknowledge the successes of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU now the AU) from its creation in May 25, 1963 in the fight against colonialism and apartheid, as well as the progress that Africa has made, while reflecting upon the common challenges that the continent face in a global environment.
I am an African by Puno Selesho
Stellenbosch University Choir (USK) - Indodana
A Zulu hymn
Because you have taken your Son, please stay with us
The Son of the Lord was crucified
This Sunday we also celebrate Pentecost, commonly referred to as the Birthday of the Church
Pentecost Sunday - 31st May
National Day of Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit!
Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (20:16) and St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (16:8). It is the 50th day after Easter (if we count both Easter and Pentecost), and it supplants the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which took place 50 days after the Passover and which celebrated the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai.
The Acts of the Apostles recounts the story of the original Pentecost as well (Acts 2). Jews from all over were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish feast. On that Sunday, ten days after the Ascension of Our Lord, the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary were gathered in the Upper Room, where they had seen Christ after His Resurrection:
http://sugarlandcatholic.com/2015/05/pentecost-the-birthday-of-the-church/
Gospel Reflection for Pentecost Sunday
Ronald Rolheiser “The world is charged with the splendour of God”
Our Mother -Tongue Is Love; a Sonnet for Pentecost
By Malcolm Guite
Today we feel the wind beneath our wings
Today the hidden fountain flows and plays
Today the church draws breath at last and sings
As every flame becomes a Tongue of praise.
This is the feast of fire,air, and water
Poured out and breathed and kindled into earth.
The earth herself awakens to her maker
And is translated out of death to birth.
The right words come today in their right order
And every word spells freedom and release
Today the gospel crosses every border
All tongues are loosened by the Prince of Peace
Today the lost are found in His translation.
Whose mother-tongue is Love, in every nation.
Dear Springfield Family
We request that you keep Gemma and Kaelyn Mills in your prayers.
We’d also like you to keep Mr Keith Richardson in prayer. He recently underwent major surgery and is in need of all our prayers for a full recovery.
With deep gratitude
Ms Stubbs
The Shop @Springfield
Until further notice, pupils who are attending school, may wear civvies. However, should you wish to purchase any uniform items, the procedure below is to be followed.
Please note that when school reopens on 1 June, the Shop @Springfield will not operate in the usual manner. School uniform items may be ordered via email and once processed they will be ready for collection. Orders will be taken from today for Grade 7 and Grade 12 only. Orders for other grades will be taken once those grades return to school.
Please send your order to schoolshop@springfieldconvent.co.za Please be as specific as possible regarding the sizes as returns/exchanges will be difficult during this time. Please include your daughter's grade and your cell number in the email. Once email orders are received they will be processed and you will be advised via email or phone on the amount to be paid. Please remember to bring along confirmation of payment when collecting items.
Snapscan and EFT payment will be accepted for orders. For EFT payments please use the following bank details:
Springfield Convent PTA
First National Bank
Acc 50192029088
Branch 250655
ref: name & clothing shop
Thank you for your understanding during these difficult times.
Shirley Woodward