July was a month filled with connection, courage, and celebration at Kingsmead College. From Mandela Day acts of service and sporting excellence to joyful events like the 100 Days of School celebration and Christmas in July, our students embraced every opportunity to grow and give back.
Choose Confidence. Choose Connection. Choose Growth.
Our Grade 6 students were given the chance to choose courage and curiosity as they stepped into the world of high school during the Grade 6 High School Experience.
Welcomed in the Mkwanazi Theatre by our executive team and guided through their day by their Grade 9 and 10 buddies, the girls embraced every moment, from their first high school class to the final bell with smiles, laughter, and enthusiasm.
Positive experiences like these help our students make good choices for their future, grounded in happiness, confidence, and connection.
In July our inter-house netball and hockey matches brought energy, teamwork, and tons of spirit to our school courts! A special highlight was watching our Junior School 1st team take on the Senior School 1st team, a thrilling display of passion and friendly competition.
Moments like these remind us that wellness isn’t just about balance, it’s also about belonging, connection, and joy in movement.
Video by: Kingsmead PR students
7 July marked the start of exams for our Senior School students, a time to rise with courage, one of our core values.
Courage isn’t about having no fear, but about choosing to try even when it feels tough. You are capable, prepared, and supported every step of the way.
Kingsmead College proudly wished Lucy Davis (Head Girl 2025) and Masibonge Namba (Kingsmead Water Polo Head Coach) all the very best as they represented South Africa at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore from 11 July – 3 August.
Lucy has been selected as a Goalkeeper and holds the incredible honour of being the only schoolgirl in the national team. Masibonge will travel as the team’s Assistant Coach, a true leader and role model.
Your dedication, talent and courage inspire us all!
100 Days Smarter!
In July our Junior Primary students celebrated their 100th day of school with a day full of fun, laughter, and learning.
In class, the number 100 came to life as our girls:
- Counted and grouped 100 items.
- Made delicious, edible necklaces with 100 fruit loops, counting in groups of 10.
- Jumped, skipped, and hopped 100 times (phew!).
- Got creative with 100 blocks, sticks, and cups, building everything from tall towers to imaginative structures and patterns.
- Explored what 100 might look like in the future.
To add to the fun, the girls arrived dressed as grannies, complete with spectacles, walking sticks and grey wigs, while the teachers surprised everyone by arriving in the school uniform, much to the girls’ delight and amusement.
In their DigiTech lessons, the excitement reached a whole new level. Our students from Grade 000 to Grade 3 snapped selfies and used a special app to imagine themselves as 100-year-old grannies, cue the giggles.
Grades 0 and 1 coloured in their granny creations.
Grades 2 and 3 drew their future selves.
Then, the magic really happened as they brought their characters to life using animation tools.
The joy and wonder on their faces reminded us all:
Learning is magical, meaningful, and truly timeless.
Congratulations to Sarah Jensen on her selection to the Southern Gauteng Phoenix Hockey Team!
Her team competed in the recent District Tournament held in Potchefstroom, making it all the way to the finals. After a nail-biting week, they showed true grit and determination securing a win in the finals against the MPU Kiwi team.
A phenomenal achievement and a proud moment. Well done, Sarah.
In July we welcomed Old Girls from the Classes of 1961, 1994, 1998, and 2008 to our Memory Hour at the Lisa Palmer Museum.
Stories were shared, memories relived, and friendships celebrated over tea and scones – a beautiful reminder of the bonds that tie us across generations.
We look forward to seeing even more of our alumni and past staff at the annual KCA Lunch on 25 October – all are welcome to join us for this special celebration of the Kingsmead community.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”Nelson Mandela
Living the Legacy – Mandela Day at Kingsmead
The gym at Kingsmead was alive, with service creating so many amazing ECD toys and goods to gift those less fortunate in the spirit of Mandela Day.
Our students came together in the true spirit of Ubuntu, to create, connect, and give back. In partnership with The Sensory Space, we made sensory items for ECD centres in the inner city, while the incredible Gogos from Go GOGO Go hosted a heartfelt Chaka Chaka blanket-making workshop. All blankets will be donated to the Rosebank Homeless Shelter, spreading warmth and care to our wider community.
A special thank you to our Kingsmead Service Team for organising such a meaningful day and to the UJ student volunteers, who brought energy and enthusiasm to each activity station. We were also honoured to have UJFM broadcasting live from the heart of the action, capturing the spirit of Mandela Day in full force.
It was a day filled with purpose, creativity, and joyful giving.
Click below to view the full image.
Our incredible production of Imagine a Dragon came to a close, and what a phenomenal journey it’s been! From brave princesses and washed-up heroes to innkeepers with wild imaginations, our talented cast brought every moment to life with heart, humour, and pure stage magic.
These photos are just a glimpse of the energy, passion, and creativity poured into every performance. Bravo to each and every girl who gave it their all; you were simply unforgettable.
Click below to view the full image.
Grade 3D enjoyed a meaningful and joy-filled outing to the Sensory Space in July, where creativity and compassion came together in the most delightful way!
As part of Kingsmead’s ongoing commitment to giving back, our girls were invited to be of service to the Sensory Space community, while imagining, creating, and designing their very own aliens, complete with names, ages, and personalities.
At Kingsmead, service is a joyful expression of compassion, where giving back goes hand in hand with having fun and building community. This outing was a perfect example of that spirit in action.
Click below to view the full image.
We are incredibly proud to announce that the following Kingsmead students have been selected to represent the Gauteng Regional Equestrian Teams in their respective classes!
Your hard work, dedication, and passion for equestrian sport have earned you this honour, and we are behind you every step of the way. Ride with courage, pride, and Green & Gold spirit.
Junior School:
- Isabel Munro – A & B Team
- Jasmine Berridge – A & B Team
- Anvita Nunna – B Team
- Sophie Rohrs – A & B Team
- Gemma Amoils – B Team
- Bowden Jennings – A & B Team
- Jemima Rohrs – A Team
Senior School:
- Emma Berry – A & B Team
- Hannah Cooke – A & B Team
- Lucy Berry – A & B Team
- Onthatile Malakalaka – A & B Team
- Allegra Manchia – A & B Team
- Mila Hozack – A Team
- Pippa Pascoe – A Team
- Lily Yorke-Smith – A & B Team
- Bokang Mafokeng – A Team
Wishing all our riders the very best in the upcoming competitions, we are so proud of you.
July’s Junior School Library Thunk asked: “What is she looking at?”
From volcanoes and treasure to “your mom” and “a star”, our students shared their imaginative, hilarious, and heartfelt answers as they passed by.
This activity is a simple reminder that well-being includes creativity, curiosity, and the freedom to express yourself, no matter how wild or whimsical the answer may be.
At Kingsmead, we nurture wellness not just in mind and body, but in imagination too.
Even ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
Ms Lisa Palmer, our Executive Head of Kingsmead College, had the pleasure of meeting with Leanne Maiden (Class of 1999), who visited with Gillian Wilkinson to see the museum and archives. Leanne shared her truly inspiring story of resilience and courage, completing a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean in just 66 days.
Her journey is a testament to the power of determination and mindset. Thank you, Lara Bugarin (Advancement Officer), for arranging this incredible meeting. We hope to welcome Leanne back soon to share her story with our students in person!
Our Senior Primary students dived into genres using a Tree Map to classify books they’ve read, from fantasy and historical fiction to mystery and science fiction!
Students also contribute a LEGO piece for every book read, building a visual representation of their grade’s collective reading journey for a prize at the end of the term.
It’s a fun and interactive way to celebrate reading, deepen genre knowledge, and show how every book counts.
On 25 July we wished happy birthday to our Executive Head, Lisa Palmer!
We celebrated not only her birthday but the heart, wisdom, and unwavering leadership she brings to Kingsmead College every day.
Lisa’s integrity, compassion, and commitment truly embody the values we hold dear as a school. She leads with grace, courage, and vision, inspiring both staff and students to live with purpose and kindness.
We wished our Grade 6 and 7 Hockey teams all of the best as they took to the field at the St Anne’s Hockey Tournament!
We are so proud of your dedication, teamwork, and passion.
A heartfelt thank you to First Choice Dairy, High Protein Recovery Milk and Candice De Mendonça for your generous sponsorship and support of our players. Your partnership makes a real difference.
Christmas in July at Kingsmead College!
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible PTA for hosting such a magical Christmas in July event. From festive stalls to joyful moments for both parents and children, it was a day filled with cheer, community spirit, and support.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it so special.
“Happiness must come from within; it cannot be imposed from without. It is a by-product of true living and thinking.”DV Thompson, Founder of Kingsmead College
At Kingsmead, happiness is more than a feeling; it’s a value we nurture. It grows from meaningful connection, purposeful action, and joyful learning. May we all choose to live and think in ways that invite happiness from within.
Let’s share smiles, uplift others, and embrace each moment with joy.
Grade 1M had a very special visit from the South African Guide-Dogs Association, Kingsmead’s Grade 1 service partner.
The girls were introduced to Larry and Lochlan, two adorable puppies in training, and learned all about the important role guide dogs play in supporting people with visual, physical, and developmental needs.
Moments like these remind us that service starts with understanding, compassion, and connection, even at the youngest age.
Click below to view the full image.
Our Grade 12 Consumer Studies students rose to the challenge in their practical exam in July by creating showstopping novelty cakes for a simulated launch event at a brand-new function venue.
Each cake was beautifully themed, professionally packaged, and designed with both creativity and purpose, perfect for birthdays, weddings, and special celebrations.
From design to delivery, the girls showed true skill and passion, a sweet taste of what it means to be innovative, prepared, and future-ready!
Click below to view the full image.
Another successful transformation by the Kingsmead DIY class, this once weathered bench has been lovingly restored and is now ready to be enjoyed again!
At Kingsmead, we believe that wellness is not only about self-care, but also about caring for our environment and community. There’s something deeply fulfilling about working with your hands, seeing progress, and knowing you’ve made a difference, one screw, one plank, one project at a time.
