“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears”

~Nelson Mandela

What follows has been inspired by current events, but I hope that the way in which it is written, makes for a message that will remain at Springfield’s core, and will be an important message to revisit for as long as is necessary.

Two pandemics are spreading throughout the world: coronavirus and bigotry. The latter having affected and consumed more lives than the former. Eradicating the world of coronavirus is in the hands of a few scientists, but eradicating the world, and our school, of the endemic racism, discrimination and bigotry, requires the efforts of all.

We have read the reports from Springfielders, past and present, of hurtful, disparaging and discriminatory experiences at school. Your anger is justifiable, and your voices are heard.

Throughout her school days, each child must feel safe. She feels safe when her identity is acknowledged, respected and valued.

We are filled with shame and remorse that this is and was not true for all girls in our care. We will do better.

In Defining Diversity: Beyond Race and Gender, Kevin Whitelaw writes:

"The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizes our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual."

At Springfield, we take responsibility for ensuring that transformation is the process whose outcome will be the manifestation of authentic acceptance and respect for all who work and for all who learn at the school. In addition, the words of Chief Justice, Mogoeng Mogoeng, instruct that "nothing that threatens to take us back to our racist past should be glossed over, accommodated or excused." This must be stated and restated. We insist upon such attitudes and behaviours and persist in our work to achieve them.

Achieving authentic diversity at our school is a conscious and ongoing process. We are committed to dismantling racism and all acts of unfair discrimination within our institution. Pupils and teachers must be taught to recognize prejudice and will be encouraged to use their voices to call out injustices, both big and small. We call upon parents to accept their responsibility in supporting their daughters, as well as the School, on this path to building a community that abhors racism and strives for inclusivity.

Lovelyn Nwadeyi prepared this open letter. It was shared with all the teachers this week. It is an extremely worthwhile and important read and I encourage parents to read it too. https://www.lovelynnwadeyi.com/post/an-open-letter-to-white-teachers-and-parents-consider-this-an-olive-branch?fbclid=IwAR0m4KGdKmP7HWCoat9KIgfgLHSCKjxW1kR0jwWgQPcryovQv1oJk-70stA

At Springfield, we will listen to empower our pupils and we will listen to learn.

Term 2 draws to a close

This has been a term like no other and it will leave its mark on all. Seeing the girls during their orientation sessions has been fantastic and it also demonstrates how important it has been for them to see each other.

An end of term often requires a few farewells. We say goodbye to Mrs Martindale who has so willingly and ably supported the Mathematics Department while Ms Dumont has been on leave. Mrs de la Mare will be on accouchement leave for the remainder of the school year and we wish her and her family everything of the very best as they await the arrival of their ‘little man’.

To the pupils who leave us at the end of this term, we wish you all the very best for your bright future and may God Bless you in every endeavour.

Our application to the WCED for pupils from Grade R to 12 to return in Term 3 has been approved. Many deliberations continue about the return of pupils in the Nursery and Pre-Reception age groups. Those age groups are overseen by the Department of Social Development and I hope that we will be able to deliver positive news of these engagements during the school holidays.

Please keep a lookout for all details pertaining to the return to school. These will be posted to ‘Resources’ on D6 on Friday.

We have lived through eleven weeks that have tested us all in unique ways. I hope that the school holidays bring the rest and rejuvenation that is needed, for all, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back to school from 7 July.

May God Bless you all.

PENNY MULLAN

Head of School

“To love another person is to see the face of God”

Over the past weekend, I was using my remote to search for something to watch on TV, and came across an anniversary concert in the Royal Albert Hall of the production of Les Miserables, which is probably my all-time favourite musical. Right at the end of this truly beautiful production, just before the rousing final chorus, the main character, Jean Valjean, sings the words to love another person is to see the face of God. That phrase has remained in my mind, and has provoked some serious thought.

Within the turmoil and anguish we are witnessing in the world at the moment, both through the corona pandemic and the angry protests happening in the aftermath of the senseless killing of George Floyd, I find it necessary to turn my mind towards love and the face of God in our lives. Last week in my assemblies with the senior primary girls, I spoke about the fruits of the Spirit, and how people will see Jesus shining out of us through the way the gifts of the Holy Spirit bear fruit in our lives: through our behaviour and how we treat others. It is my hope and prayer that the behaviours learned by our young girls at Springfield will grow and bear fruit into loving adults, seeking peace and justice in their world.

I believe we are lucky at Springfield. The girls come from loving families, they love and are loved by their teachers, and they develop loving, lasting friendships. While I have absolutely no doubt that we don’t always get it right, and that hurts are caused and felt deeply at times, these become learning experiences for us all, helping us to learn how to change our behaviours to present the authentic face of Jesus to all.

Every year, after Easter, I tell the children the story of St Thomas the apostle, and the words Jesus said to him: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe (John 20:29). The children hear from me that, while we have not seen the wounds of Jesus, we have indeed seen the face of Jesus, and do so all the time – in everyone we love. I see it in your daughters’ faces every day and eagerly look forward to welcoming them back to Springfield in July.

I wish you all a blessed and peaceful holiday, within the loving environs of your homes and families. I would like to extend deep gratitude to all parents for their active involvement in the distance-learning programme, as well as to the teachers who have facilitated this programme so efficiently and effectively. May you all enjoy a well-earned rest.

All the details of next term’s programme will be sent to parents via email and placed on the D6 on Friday.

ALISON DUNN

Junior School Principal