November was a magical month of special moments. Our Hindu families celebrated Diwali, the Grade 9 students inspired us with the adverts they created for the Kingfisher Awards module, we were treated to stunning art and cultural showcases and, as always, our students made some record-breaking sporting achievements. Finally, we wished our Matric Class of 2021 well as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. See some of our November 2021 highlights below.
On 4 November, we wished our Hindu families a happy and blessed Diwali!
2021 Kingfisher Awards
The Kingfisher Awards, a module which aims to mirror the advertising depth of the Loerie Awards, is an annual English department and Growth Curriculum initiative. Combining the subject of English with the interdisciplinary range of Visual Arts, Computer literacy, Music, as well as Economic and Management Science. Students were treated to workshops and Q/A sessions with experts in the advertising field, Kayla Roelofsz and Kgaugelo Mokgehle.
The theme of this year’s Kingfisher module prompted students to create an advertisement for a particular ‘hidden’ female figure who has had an impact on our society and has not received the recognition that they deserve. We hope that this vast array of global female heroines have inspired our students. The Awards were judged by our experts in the field, and as such the Kingfisher team would like to extend an enormous note of gratitude to Kayla, Kgaugelo and Alex Hitzeroth for their input and dedication to the judging process.
The Awards were hosted via Zoom on Friday 29 October, and there were a number of interesting and exciting submissions.
In the category of “Best Overall Advertisement”, Team 4 (Emma Keast, Naledi Mthembu and Kate Chapman), got the award for their advertisement for the figure of Sau Lan Wu.
Kayla and Kgaugelo had the following to say about this winning advertisement: “After hours of deliberation, we looked at whether the brief was answered and how well it was answered across different categories. Did the team identify a hidden figure in their ad? What story did they tell about this figure? Did they tell the story in an interesting way that relates to everyday people? Did they tell viewers what they want them to act on or be aware of, after watching the ad? These are all important questions that we thought Team 4 resolved in a simple, human and effective way. Overall, the work was impressive and we’re incredibly delighted to see the talent coming from young creatives who will, one day, make a necessary impact in the industry. Well done to all teams!”
A huge congratulations to all Grade 9s and a very big thank you to all the staff involved in this immense module!
Congratulations to Georgia Lenaerts on making her first podium finish on 6 November. She placed 3rd overall in the Rotax Regional Go Karting at FK Benoni. Well done, Georgia!
Congratulations to Noa van Zalk who participated in an Eastern Gauteng Aquatics gala which took place at the Delville Swimming pool in Germiston.
Not only did Noa place first in both of her races, but she competed against girls who were older than her, and broke 2 Eastern Gauteng Aquatics Age Group records for the 200m Individual Medley and 50m Fly.
Noa truly showed her Kingsmead courage!
We held the Matric Class of 2021 in our hearts during their final IEB Examinations. We celebrate their many achievements, one of those being their beautiful art. The IEB Art brief was “Living Stillness”, with a combination of the year work and the drawing exam. Even though it was a trying time for our country, our students continued to be courageous and persistent, and thrived to embrace their passion in all spheres of the school. We are so proud of you girls!
“Our duty is to train the whole personality,” – DV Thompson, 1938
There was much excitement last month about our Junior School’s new arrivals. Congratulations to our resident guinea pigs, Brownie and Bob, on the birth of their three babies!
What a joy and privilege to experience our Junior Primary students on stage again during their showcases! They performed the Nativity scene, Tales from the Khoisan: stories of courage, kindness and friendship with all sorts of fabulous creatures.
On 19 November, we enjoyed the spirit of Christmas with our community at the Kingsmead Christmas Market. We had a variety of products and scrumptious food on sale from our wonderful vendors. For a full list of all the vendors that were at the Market, click the link to our Facebook post below.
The Matric Dance Committee held such a special ceremony where they gave the Class of 2022 their Matric Dance invites. It was such an exciting moment for our students. We look forward to a magical dance!
“The world is torn with strife and conflict of thought and belief – economic, political and religious – it has a need, as never before, of thinking men and women, disciplined, controlled and sincere persons. I would like to feel that Kingsmead will send out considerate, disciplined, efficient women, but above all, women in some sense consecrated to the search after truth and happiness. Then indeed we need not fear that we can play our part in the world and play it worthily,” – DV Thompson, 1934.
Go and play your part, and continue to be courageous. We wish you well as you begin a new chapter.
Class of 2021, it’s a wrap!