From the Head of School’s Desk

Term 2 2020, edition 2

“If you believe in what you are doing, then let nothing hold you up in your work. Much of the best work of the world

has been done against seeming impossibilities.” [Dale Carnegie]

The second term of 2020 has certainly been different for the Epworth community. Much of the April holiday was spent

preparing for online teaching and developing COVID-19 protocols and procedures and preparing the school venues for

the long-awaited reopening of schools. How it has influenced and challenged the logistical management of the day-to-

day running of the school! Nevertheless, it was wonderful to welcome the Grade 12s and then the Grade 11s back to

school.

We are pleased to announce that after an inspection from the Department of Basic Education yesterday, we have met

the COVID-19 protocols and procedures’ requirements for school readiness in all areas of the school, High, Prep and Pre-

Primary. Thank you to our Compliance Officer, Craig Manuel, and our Whole School Management team for their com-

mitment and long hours of extra effort given to ensure the safety of our pupils and staff. Therefore, we are looking

forward to having the full complement of pupils back at school next term.

Given the different learning “environment” brought about by COVID-19 and the challenges of learning online, I would

pose the following questions for our pupils to consider: What was your term like? What did you accomplish? What did

you learn about yourself? What can you do better?

For the majority I would suggest that their response to the final question would probably relate to them being back at

school. Why? So much of the process of learning is dependent on the connection and interaction between the pupils,

their peers and their teachers. Perseverance is the ability to tell yourself “I will not quit!” especially when you think you

should or when you think there seems no other way out. Perseverance is seeing obstacles as opportunities. Persever-

ance is important for success because life is not easy. In fact, life can be very awkward and challenging – at home, at

school, at work - add into the mix a global pandemic and a three-month lockdown, and perseverance and resilience

become curriculum requirements for academic success.

Actively pursuing perseverance develops responsibility, grows maturity and builds character. Perseverance means

setting the bar a little higher to test and stretch your ability and to ensure success. Of course, it is difficult to persevere.

Failure is often painful – and no one wants to experience pain. But without perseverance we cannot enjoy the feeling of

accomplishment and joy when we do succeed at something. Developing the resilience or endurance to keep on keeping

on so that perseverance becomes a habit and routine. This is the journey of success.

“Success is something that you determine yourself…it is to work while others rest; to continue despite resistance, always

striving to reach a distant goal…success is a dream, an ideal…it is to see something different and better waiting in the

daily drudge and to fulfill a dream by persevering.” Unknown

Success and achievement are not just about the end of a year or the accolades you may or may not receive or achieve at

a prize giving or speech night. It is about your own personal achievement or measure of your own goal.

When we consider this year and the challenges we have and are facing as a school community, country and globally,

what is success? What is a successful Epworth pupil? Success is about being your authentic self, doing your best, finding

your potential by getting involved in the opportunities offered in all areas of the school. Success at Epworth would be

defined as best individual or group effort and holding true to our motto of faith, compassion and courage.

The racism concerns that have been brought to our attention are receiving our earnest consideration (refer to communi-

cation from the Head of School and the Chair of the Epworth Board).

An excerpt from Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

“Only when diverse perspectives are included, respected, and valued can we start to get a full picture of the world: who

we serve, what they need, and how to successfully meet people where they are.

Daring leaders fight for the inclusion of all people, opinions, and perspectives because that makes us all better and

stronger. That means having the courage to acknowledge our own privilege, and staying open to learning about our bias-

es and blind spots. It is also listening, centering, and honouring stories that reflect experiences that are different than our

own.

Courage is listening, learning, unlearning, knowing when to lead, and knowing when to let others lead.”

FAITH COMPASSION COURAGE

Laura Bekker

Head of School

Grade 11s and 12s return to campus

Embracing the “new normal”

For more than 10 weeks, the Epworth campus was rather forlorn without the usual buzz of pupil activity and

exuberance. Eventually, on 1 June, the Grade 12s returned to campus, followed by the Grade 11s a week later.

Although some of the pupils chose to stay at home and continue with their learning online, it was wonderful to

re-connect and engage face to face, albeit at a distance, with many Grade 11s and 12s. Next term, we look forward

to welcoming all the High School grades back on campus. We can’t wait to once again experience the great Epworth

vibe that is prevalent when all our pupils are together.

Pupils and staff returning to campus were greeted with a “new normal” in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Their wellbeing is of

utmost importance and the school has worked diligently to ensure all the necessary safety and health protocols are in place. The

pupils have adapted well to the new procedures associated with being back at school and have embraced the challenges with

maturity. The school is committed to staying abreast of new developments to ensure the campus is a safe space for all.

Celebrating 20 years of dance at Epworth

Sport under Covid-19 The pandemic has upended all areas of life, including the sporting calendar. As a result, sport this term adopted a very

different format and the range of activities was severely restricted. The pupils were limited to running and walking

around the cross-country course on campus, exercising individually, or practising hockey skills on their own. They made

the most of the afternoon exercise programme while wearing masks, sanitising and adhering to physical distancing

protocols. The Sports department hopes to be in a position to introduce more activities in Term 3.

It was disappointing not to be able to participate in some of the prominent sports tournaments and leagues that are

common place in the second term. As winners of the PMB SPAR Central Regional Hockey Tournament, the first hockey

team could not contest the KZN finals, at which we placed fourth last year. The KZN Top Schools’ Squash Tournament,

which Epworth has won 29 times, was also cancelled. Another popular winter competition, the Midlands Cross-Country

League, suffered the same fate and sadly our runners did not have the chance to build on their winning record: winners

of the senior league from 2013 to 2018, and of the junior league from 2016 to 2019.

On 16 June, Epworth celebrated the youth of our country, while reflecting on and remembering the great sacrifices made by the young black school children in Soweto in 1976. In saluting them and their bravery, we also

acknowledge that we are still on the path to achieving equity, justice and freedom for all.

To commemorate the day, the pupils and staff observed a moment of silence at 10:30 am. They watched and lis-tened to a special Youth Day presentation that highlighted the history behind this auspicious day and what it has

meant for our country. They also enjoyed a celebratory tea with party packs and cupcakes.

Commemorating Youth Day

“I have been thinking about my time at Epworth a lot while in lockdown. Stepping into the outside world has been

quite the experience, and not only did I realise how sheltered I was growing up, but also how lucky I have been. I

have also been able to look more closely at what Epworth has really done for me when it comes to living in the

great big world.

Unfortunately, I can't say that I can remember much about the actual content of what I was taught in classes, but

what Epworth has taught me has been way more beneficial. Although I was constantly stressed about the amount

of work that we had due and the amount of tests we had to write in a week, it has benefitted me because now

varsity life is a breeze. Epworth has taught me to persevere and has helped me become more resilient. Epworth

was kind enough to give me the tools to better myself and gain that extra bit of understanding that I needed

(academic support, etc.) I also realise now that Epworth teachers were always willing to go the extra mile and I

really appreciated that. Epworth has also taught me that building relationships with your teachers is an important

part of the learning process and the overall experience of school. Each teacher and member of staff has left a little

bit of themselves in my heart in a form of advice or a personal characteristic/trait. I hadn't realised how well

equipped I was for the world until I left, maybe not with the practical knowledge that I thought you needed in life

(I wish someone had warned me about how expensive food really is...) but with all the skills and knowledge to

keep me going when no one else will. Skills like being able to plan my time, conflict resolution and critical thinking

skills. Being able to say no to things that I don't want to do and asking for help when I need it.

In conclusion, I want to say thank you for everything that the Epworth family did for me in my 14 years of school. I

know that we gave you a hard time a lot of the time but you really did know what you were doing, even if we

couldn't see that. I have made life long friends that I still meet up with and keep in contact with. Epworth has

been more of a blessing than I had ever thought possible.”

Reflections from a past pupil during lockdown

Epworth Foundation news

New Foundation website The Epworth Foundation, the school’s social impact arm created to support the wellbeing of Epworth, has a fresh, new

website. Click here to view the website.

A second Foundation report Click here to view the second Foundation report that was published at the beginning of June.

A testimony to an Epworth education

Meet Noluthando Nzimande, an inspiring Epworthian, who was the beneficiary of a well-deserved Epworth bursary.

Click here to view Noluthando’s story

Virtual choir performance

During the lockdown, members of Epworth’s choir

“joined” together to produce a virtual

performance of the school hymn, O Joyful Light.

We draw inspiration from some of the words:

“O Joyful Light, by whose clear shining only,

In trust we seek, and seeking find a way...

The whole world’s hatred, broken by our loving

Shall bow to love, Thine everlasting name.”

Click here to view this uplifting, virtual

performance

Epworthian Day

May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,

so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart. May God bless you with holy anger

at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.

May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish,

so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy. May God bless you with enough foolishness

to believe that you really can make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.

A Franciscan blessing

The annual Epworthian Day reunion celebrations

were due to take place on 30 May, but had to be

cancelled due to the pandemic. The school was

heartbroken at not being able to welcome our

Epworthians to campus and to provide them with

the opportunity to rekindle old friendships and

venture down memory lane. In celebration of the

day, the school compiled a video dedicated to

Epworthian Day 2020.

Click here to view the video