How to teach your daughter to create a BALANCE – Helping Students Manage their Time
More and more we are finding our students grapple with the daily demands of school work and extra-curricular commitments, coupled with leading a very busy social ‘media’ based lifestyle.
It is important to acknowledge that as teachers we assign work each and every day during our lessons, and the bulk of the work is not for homework. We too provide our students with a week’s notice to prepare for the more formal assessments. But this often causes our students to feel frustrated and too often ‘stressed’. It is important that your daughter ask herself a very important question: how much time do I allocate to homework, to formal preparation, projects and extra-curricular commitments?
The ideal solution here is to teach your daughter how to manage her time using a digital calendar, desk calendar, daily planner, homework diary or management tool of her own. We acknowledge that many of our students have a few years until they reach high school, however, our goal is to foster independence and finding the balance. One goal for you as parents, is to ideally role model the balance between work and ‘play’.
Why is this important? With good time management, students know how much time they have, how long it will take to complete tasks, and what they can accomplish in the time they have. This gives them more ‘breathing room’, which reduces the feeling of being rushed, which in turn leads to less frustration and stress.
As parents, here are two ways to support your daughters in understanding the value of time management.
Encourage your daughter to do the assignment herself. She must see how long it takes her to complete the work. Then to remember, she is the ‘expert’ with this material/task. A student should be able to check in with a teacher how long a task might take. In terms of studying, a study session should last 45 minutes to an hour in Grade 5-7. The benefit of knowing this, is that it allows students to plan better. They can situate homework/studying in the context of their entire day.
A student may get home from school at 15h30 and has hockey practice at 5pm. She now knows that she can complete her homework in any 25-minute window between the end of the school day and the start of practice. The downside to this is that some students may lose confidence and doubt themselves if an assignment takes much longer than they had planned/thought.
An additional thought is to teach your daughter to ‘rate or classify’ her tasks into three categories with time frames for each so that she will know what type it is and how long it should take to complete. Here are three ways that I categorize tasks for students:
Quick checks: These tasks are measuring sticks of understanding and they are short and sweet. We would anticipate a student to spend 20-50 seconds on each question on these types of assignments. A 20-question quick check should take 6-10 minutes.
Thorough Responses: When a student needs to answer with more substance and more development, we look for thorough responses. These types of assignments are different to quick checks because we expect students to spend 2-4 minutes per question. Thorough responses typically have fewer questions consequently. Thorough response assignments take students 20-35 minutes. (Grade specific and quantity of questions set).
Sustained Thought: When students must access new material (research), when there is challenging reading, or when they must process ideas before they formulate responses, students can expect to spend 30-40 minutes to complete an assignment.
Last but not least, one of the most integral parts to leading a balanced lifestyle is that of good sleep. Be reminded to set a bedtime for your daughter. Children ages 5–12 need 10–11 hours of sleep per day. Set a reasonable bedtime and stick to it.
Tarryn McLaren
Deputy Head: Senior Primary
Car Park Safety
It is critical that our school is a place of safety for all our children, staff and parents at all times. We have received an increasing number of incidents reported in our school carparks, which is a concern.
Once you enter the school premises, please be aware of the number of children crossing the road as well as the entering and exiting of cars from their parking bays. There have been reports of parents who are driving too fast; driving while texting, as well as cutting in front of cars trying to move through the carparks.
Please be reminded that this is a school and the adults are the role models. Please drive carefully and with respect for each other at all times and most importantly be alert at all pedestrian crossings.
We request your support in ensuring that Kingsmead is always a caring, nurturing and safe environment.
Thank you,
Kim Lowman
Grade 5 Workshop
The Grade 5s had a very chilly and exciting morning with the creative facilitators from dramatic arts company, Zikka Zimba Productions. The students participated in a number of workshops that were carefully crafted to remind the students of social inclusion and being a positive change-maker in society.
The day began with storytelling with Letsi, who happened to be one of the talented authors from Kingsmead Book Fair. She began with the beautiful art of telling stories that were imbedded with morals. With the purpose of creating an anti-bullying campaign, the students were put in groups and tasked with performing their own story which shared the message of not oppressing others and the importance of courageously standing up for those around us encountering difficulties.
Using physical theatre as a form of teaching, Ryan made the students use their whole selves to collaboratively create various objects found in their everyday lives. While this prompted many laughs amongst the groups, team work was certainly the lesson of this workshop. The experiences of social exclusion and empathy were also explored during this time, acknowledging the emotions and isolation it can create.
The final workshop was led by Uphile who, through games and play, placed the students in situations where they were grouped with peers they may not normally socialize with. This allowed them to learn about one another in many ways. The broadening of friendship circles and finding common interests while working towards a goal featured greatly in this hour.
Reflecting on the events of the day, the students found other themes hidden within these activities, such as kindness, tolerance and love despite differences of opinion and how imperative it is to listen to something without giving a response.
We thank Zikka Zimba Productions for a memorable day and encourage all our students to put these skills and lessons into practice on a daily basis, in order for everyone to feel that Kingsmead is home.
Arts & Music
Congratulations!
The Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition is organized by the South African Society of Music Teachers and was inspired by Professor Hubert van der Spuy, at that time the chairperson of the Tygerberg branch of the Society. In 2022 the competition celebrated its 33rd anniversary. This competition is the only one at this level in South Africa and its mission is to offer talented young music students the opportunity to learn from one another in a competition environment and to compete on a national level.
Congratulations to Inés Bregman who has been selected to participate in this prestigious competition in the last week of September. We are super proud of you, Inés!
Share with us!
Many of our students achieve in examinations, eisteddfods, and competitions outside of school and we would love to hear about it! Please send us an email so we can acknowledge our students who achieve in the performing arts: dance, drama or music.
Kingsmead & Pridwin African Music Festival
We are excited about the Kingsmead & Pridwin African Music Evening on Wednesday 8 June at Pridwin. Students must be at the Pridwin Auditorium by 16h45; the combined rehearsal is from 17h00. A packet of crisps and juice will be provided for students before the concert. Tea and coffee will be available for parents while the students are in rehearsal, and there will be food trucks selling beef pregos and pizzas. The concert starts at 18h00 and should conclude by 19h00. The Junior School Orchestra, Grade 6 & 7 Marimbas and Grade 4-7 Choir are performing. Students must wear their full winter school uniform with a blazer. Please note that there will be no bus transport to Pridwin Preparatory School or back to school. Only two guests per student will be allowed to attend the concert.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Save the dates!
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za /
Mia Loock
Head of Junior School Music
mloock@kingsmead.co.za
Sport
Netball
Congratulations to all Netball players who took part in our final fixtures of the season. The Grade 4 – 7s played against St Katharine’s and Brescia on Friday 27 May and against Holy Rosary on Friday 3 June. Please see below results:
Friday 27 May
Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7 |
KMC D Vs Brescia E:
0-3 Loss |
KMC A vs Brescia A:
8 – 0 Win |
Brescia E v KMC C:
2 – 3 Loss |
Brescia A vs KMC A:
5 – 7 Win |
KMC D Vs Brescia D:
0-3 Loss |
KMC B vs Brescia B:
4 – 2 Win |
KMC A v Brescia A:
7 – 8 Loss |
Brescia D vs KMC D:
3 – 4 Win |
KMC A Vs Brescia A:
8-0 Win |
KMC A vs St Katharine’s A: 5 – 1 Win | KMC A v St Katharine’s A:
2 – 5 Loss |
Brescia B vs KMC C:
4 – 4 Draw |
KMC A Vs St Katharine’s A: 5-1 Win | KMC B vs St Katharine’s B: 7 – 0 Win | KMC B v St Katharine’s B:
2 – 3 Loss |
Brescia D vs KMC D:
3 – 2 Loss |
KMC B Vs Brescia B:
4-2 Win |
KMC C vs Brescia C:
2 – 8 Loss |
KMC D v Brescia D:
0 – 6 Loss |
Brescia E vs KMC C:
1 – 13 Win |
KMC C vs St Katharine’s C: 3 – 0 Win | Brescia C v KMC C:
9 – 3 Win |
||
KMC C vs Brescia D:
4 – 1 Win |
Brescia E v KMC D:
5 – 0 Win |
||
KMC C vs Brescia E:
13 – 1 Win |
St Katharine’s C v KMC C:
5 – 4 Win |
||
KMC D vs Brescia D:
0 – 3 Lose |
Brescia B v KMC B:
2 – 4 Loss |
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KMC D vs Brescia E:
2 – 2 Draw |
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KMC D vs Brescia F:
2 – 1 Loss |
Friday 3 June
Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7 |
KMC D Vs HRS D:
8 – 0 Win |
KMC A vs HR B:
12 – 0 Win |
KMC A vs HR A:
1 – 1 Draw |
KMC A vs HR A:
5 – 4 Win |
KMC D Vs HRS C:
5 – 7 Loss |
KMC C vs HR D:
8 – 0 Win |
KMC B vs HR B:
3 – 1 Win |
KMC B vs HR B:
4 – 0 Win |
KMC A VS HRS A:
3 – 0 Win |
KMC D vs HR E:
2 – 8 Loss |
KMC C vs HR C:
3 – 1 Win |
KMC C vs HR C:
4 – 3 Win |
KMC A VS HRS B:
12 – 0 Win |
KMC C vs HR E:
16 – 1 Win |
KMC B vs HR A:
0 – 2 Loss |
KMC D vs HR D:
3 – 1 Win |
KMC B vs HR B:
3 – 1 Win |
KMC D vs HR D:
0 – 6 Loss |
KMC D vs HR C:
0 – 4 Loss |
KMC A vs HR B:
15 – 1 Win |
KMC C vs HR C:
8 – 3 Win |
KMC C vs HR C:
4 – 6 Loss |
KMC A vs HR B:
2 – 2 Draw |
KMC B vs HR A:
0 – 8 Loss |
KMC C vs HR D:
7 – 1 Win |
KMC D vs HR C:
0 – 2 Loss |
KMC D vs HR C:
4 – 0 Win |
|
KMC B vs HR A:
3 – 6 Loss |
KMC B vs HR A:
4 – 1 Loss |
KMC C vs HR D:
2 – 8 Loss |
|
KMC B vs HR B:
3 – 0 Win |
|||
KMV A vs HR A:
5 – 2 Win |
Squash
The Kingsmead Junior Squash team participated in their very first Squash matches on Tuesday 31 June St Stithian’s and Tuesday 7 June at St Andrew’s. They players played various matches against St Mary’s, St Andrew’s, Roedean and St Stithian’s. Our players were exceptional and won many of their matches on both afternoons. Well done to the following players:
Olivia Turck
Zoe Kennedy
Maria Yiannoulakis
Vuyo Mkwanazi
Rebecca Donly
Hockey
As we approach the start of the hockey season, I would like to remind parents, guardians, and players that teams will be selected each week based on attendance as well as talent. Each squad will have replacement players who will also get playing time. I would also like to encourage parents and guardians to explain the function of substitute players to their daughters. Substitute players are equally significant in the context of practice and competition. The quality and intensity of training and matches will be at an optimal level if all players in a squad are dedicated to coming and giving their all. I would like to encourage parents and guardians, of all players, to please educate our students on good sportsmanship both on and off the field and especially when being substituted.
Hockey Clinic
We hosted a very successful Hockey clinic on Saturday 4 June. We covered all basics, positioning as well as set pieces whilst having fun. Thank you to all players and coaches that attended the clinic.
Outside Sport
We would like to congratulate Darcy Anderson on her recent achievement. Darcy took part in the 2022 KWF SA National Children & Youth Championship for Karate and won two golds medals on Saturday 28 May. She is now SA Champion in her division. Congratulations, Darcy!
Congratulations to Aalia Essack who was awarded the Sheila Webster Trophy for Best Junior Sportswoman 2021 at the Old Edwardian Club Awards ceremony.
Upcoming Events
Friday 10 June – Grade 4 & 5 Hockey vs Brescia/APPS (Teams to be confirmed and on App by Wednesday)
Matches will take place at Brescia. ALL PLAYERS TO MEET AT THE GYM BY 13h00 TO TRAVEL ON BUS.
Friday 10 June – Grade 6 & 7 Hockey vs Brescia/APPS (Teams to be confirmed and on App by Wednesday)
Matches will take place at Kingsmead.
A few reminders for parents & guardians:
- Please send any sport achievements (school & non-school) to Mrs. Hanekom.
- A reminder to please download the Kingsmead app as this will be the direct method of communication to parents on sport fixture days.
- All team lists will be published on the app by no later than the Tuesday for a Thursday fixture and the Wednesday before the Friday fixture.
- A reminder to refer to the week ahead document and the Term 1B/2 Sports information on the app under the Sport section.
Yours in sport,
Shavaun Hanekom
Head of Junior School Sport