Kingsmead UBUNYE - April 2024 highlights

April 2024 Highlights

Pomegranite ConsultingJunior School, Senior School Leave a Comment

Last month was a busy one at Kingsmead College, where our girls continued to embody strength and courage. We saw students work hard for athletic achievements, volunteer their time over the weekend to help the elderly, and even spread the African spirit to Europe on an arts tour!

Get the full scoop of our exciting activities in our April 2024 highlights below.

Our Grade 8s flew into a world of science in April, with our ‘Curiouser and Curiouser’ module! The students explored critical scientific skills by investigating how paper aeroplane design impacts flight distance. Who knew paper aeroplanes could teach us so much? This hands-on project involved research, design, and testing, providing practical experience in scientific analysis.

The Grade 10 Life Sciences classes have been studying the human skeletal system, and they have been fortunate enough to look at the inside of a lamb’s bone. They felt the bone marrow (with gloves of course!) and got a closer look at the intricacies of the tissues. According to Anna Hawes – “Theory’s cool, but nothing beats seeing the real deal!”

Our Grade 5 students had such a fantastic time during their SEL lesson, where they dove into the topic of Health & Nutrition and learned about its importance. Not only did they collaborate and share their knowledge, but they also created some balanced meals together. And to top it off, they started the day with an awesome exercise routine. Way to go, Grade 5! Keep up the great work.

Our Junior school students had the honour of welcoming the legendary Banyana Banyana football captain, Janine van Wyk, to inspire our students in assembly.

Janine shared her inspiring journey with our students and reminded them of the importance of finding their full potential and never giving up on their dreams, no matter the obstacles they may face. She highlighted the significance of perseverance and resilience, urging everyone to push through hardships and believe in their abilities.

We are immensely grateful to Janine for taking the time to motivate our students. Her incredible achievements and spirit have definitely left a mark on our school.

Our First Team bounced into action at the St. Andrew’s Netball Festival, snagging the runner-up title in the Bowl Section. Congratulations to one of our star players, Megan Meddows-Taylor, for making it into the All-Stars Team!

First team netball

The Kingsmead Junior School Ensemble Festival was a symphony of joy, showcasing the talents of our girls. Our Wind & Brass bands and the Junior School Orchestra displayed their dedication.

Thank you to our performers and supportive community for making this musical extravaganza unforgettable! Here’s to music that brings us together.

We wished our Muslim families a joyous Eid al-Fitr. May the spirit of unity, gratitude, and compassion fill your hearts and homes. Eid Mubarak!

Eid al-Fitr

From concerts to festivals, we’ve danced and moved through it all. Kingstock may have been dampened by the weather, but our spirits remain high, fueled by the KMC spirit of togetherness. We are proud to be part of a community that shines through any storm!

The Senior Primary students celebrated the conclusion of the term with an exciting Inter House Netball tournament. The event was filled with an electrifying spirit as students from different houses competed on the court.

Meet the dedicated First Aiders for 2024, armed with bandages and charm!

Preparedness and compassion are crucial in providing first aid support, and our First Aiders are ready to save the day, so be ready to witness some serious first-aid flair! Join us in applauding their commitment to safety and well-being.

Images captured by Amy Falcon and Sarah Florence

Kingsmead first aiders

Our Arts Department had the honour of performing our major production, UBUNYE, across Europe in Prague, Czechia and Austria. From the heart of South Africa to the world stage in Europe, our students and teachers performed and sang their hearts out, showcasing the vibrant talent our country has to offer. We’re feeling incredibly proud of our talented girls!

Our talented girls got to showcase their skills by serenading opera stars! The sight of our girls proudly singing our national anthem and ‘Shosholoza’ at the Opera House fills us with immense pride. Thank you for spreading the spirit of South Africa across Europe!

Congratulations to Maya Rono, who was crowned as the SA Nationals Champion for 2024 in her age group for diving. Her flawless dives secured her 1st place in both the Group B Elite 1m and 3m dives. Way to make a splash, Maya!

Maya Rono

We wished all our Jewish families a joyous and meaningful Pesach in April. We hope this Passover brought you moments of reflection, celebration, and cherished traditions shared with loved ones. Hag Pesach Sameach!

Passover

On Freedom Day, we honoured the resilience and sacrifices of those who fought tirelessly for the freedom and equality we cherish. We used this day not just to remember our past, but to recommit ourselves to building a future where justice, dignity and opportunity flourish for all. Together, let’s continue to strive for a society where every voice is heard, every dream is possible, and every individual is valued. Happy Freedom Day, South Africa!

Freedom Day

We are so excited about this – the complete renovation and refurbishment of our three Grade 0 classrooms has been one of our major projects during the April school holidays. Progress went well, the classrooms had been completely gutted, windows reconfigured and in one of the classes we had created additional window openings to allow for more natural light – it’s incredible what a difference a small change can make.

Just as we learn, unlearn, and relearn, these teaching spaces have been completely rethought, designed, redesigned, and will delight little minds, inspire creativity, offer quiet spaces, fun spaces and learning spaces.

Follow our social media to track the progress.

The true Kingsmead spirit of giving without expecting reward was evident on Saturday, 6 April when Roedean, St David’s Marist Inanda, De La Salle Holy Cross and Kingsmead College travelled to the St David’s Marist Alexander Campus for Inter School Volunteering.

We were warmly welcomed by Father Madondo, who shared the importance of young people volunteering and thanked the students for their time and spending their Saturday morning in the service of others.

Students were divided into three groups. The first group joined the gogos from the Old Age Home and prepared vegetables – generously donated by a parent from De La Salle Holy Cross – for soup. The second group planted flowers – much to the delight of the residents of the Old Age Home. The third group began work on a mural that will adorn the wall outside of the Alex Campus. The groups rotated throughout the course of the morning. It was beautiful to see how the various groups built on the artwork of the previous groups.

At the end of the morning, students joined the residents of the Old Age Home for a spirited game of Bingo!

“It’s inspiring to see young people coming together from different schools to make a positive impact in their community. Events like these not only benefit those who receive assistance but also instil valuable lessons of compassion, teamwork, and social responsibility in the volunteers themselves. Congratulations on a successful event!”

Nyasha Musimwa from De La Salle Holy Cross

Leave a Reply