Message from the Chair of the KCA
Dear Alumnae and Kingsmead Community,
Another year is drawing to an end and what a year it has been. We sadly could not do any fundraising, besides the Kingsmead Alumnae lunch, due to Covid but we did achieve other goals we had set out to achieve for 2021.
We changed the OKA to the KCA, Kingsmead College Alumnae, to attract the younger generation and to give a new fresh start to 2021.
At the beginning of each year we have a breakfast with the Matric students and give them a KCA badge to welcome them into the Alumnae. We explain to them what the Alumnae is all about; about connecting with past alumnae and the fundraising we do to support families and alumnae in the Kingsmead Community.
The only fundraiser we managed to organise this year was our KCA lunch on the 16th October, this was a huge success and enjoyed by many. We had a 40 year reunion and Dorianne Isaacman did an incredible job of gathering her ladies from 1981. They managed to connect with some of their classmates from around the world on a Zoom call during the lunch so they could all feel very much part of this special occasion.
I spoke to a staff member, whose daughter finished matric last year, who mentioned that she felt that the cost of the lunch for students was too expensive. We would like the day to be accessible for all and attract even our newest alumnae and so we would like to suggest that we provide a reduced rate for students and pensioners from 2022 onwards.
Kingsmead College has TDI (Tranformation, Diversity and Inclusion) as one of its core focus areas. This is key to ensuring that every person that interacts with Kingsmead feels welcome and is able to be exactly who they are. The KCA has been working with the TDI Committee to ensure the alumnae feel heard and seen. In order to hear the viewpoints of many we arranged a Zoom call with the Matrics of 2021, Heads of School, TDI Committee, alumnae and teachers to provide a safe platform to express their feelings about their time at Kingsmead. Some difficult and brave conversations were had and we are grateful to those who shared their experiences with us. This is just the first step of many to understanding each other and ensuring that everyone views Kingsmead as a place of welcome and belonging. We aim to have more of these discussions going forward.
Next year we have welcomed the Heads of 2022 onto our committee to help us move with the times and to help us connect with the girls so they know what we stand for and to give us advice on how we can improve on our journey with the school.
Phillipa Grundlingh-Miles and I met with Bianca Meyer, who is a Grade Co-ordinator & Life Orientation Teacher at Kingsmead, to discuss how our Alumnae can connect and reach out to the students in the school, particularly around career choices. We are very grateful to the alumnae who we contacted who were able to send video messages to the Class of 2021 which were shown during their Speech Evening. You are able to watch the evening by clicking here.
It would be wonderful to have alumnae as mentors to our current students, if there is anyone who might be interested please contact myself carointhekitchen@gmail.com or Philly, Kingsmeadoka@gmail.com.
We would like to start a blog! If anyone is technologically minded and keen to get involved please contact me at carointhekitchen@gmail.com or Philly at Kingsmeadoka@gmail.com. The blog will highlight the incredible things being done by our alumnae around the world and hopefully create a networking community.
We would like to host a Gin, Champagne and Chocolate evening next year to welcome 2022. Please save the date for Friday 19th March 2022, 18h30 in Kingsmead’s beautiful gardens by the Joel Hall.
We would like to wish each of you a wonderful festive season and look forward to seeing you in 2022.
I close with a quote that I used from a previous head girl’s speech at our lunch this year,
Lauren-Ann Hodgson.
‘Kingsmead College possesses a beauty far beyond the naked eye. A beauty that can be found in our community. A community where unbreakable bonds exist, spirit burns continuously and the pride and camaraderie we feel for our school and each other is always evident’.
Keep safe and well.
Caroline Berry
Message from the Executive Head
I cannot believe how quickly the year has passed. Certainly, much of the middle part of the year was a blur in which I cannot separate the days. This has been an exceptionally tough year personally and I thank the community for your support, particularly when I lost my dear Dad in July.
We would have loved to have ended the year with our Inter-House Art and our Final Assemblies, but unfortunately had to close early and quickly because of a number of positive cases in the Senior School. Thank you for your understanding in this regard.
At our final Council meeting on 15 November, we said farewell to Nhlanganiso Mkwanazi, who has been our Chair of Council for the past 3 years. Before that he was the Chair of our Financial Committee. I quote the following from the farewell speech on the night:
“Guard that thing which is committed to your charge. Keep it safe, untarnished, happy, free and loyal.”
Doris Vera Thompson said these words in 1944 and they are as relevant today as they were then. I received an email from the previous Chair of Council, Phillip Myburgh on the 18 September 2012, stating that Nhlanganiso Mkwanazi could possibly be a successor to our then Chair of Fin Com and that Nhlanganiso as a new parent at the Junior School may be reluctant to immediately be immersed in school affairs, but that he (Phillip) knows you well and that he thinks very highly of you. Fortunately for us, you became the Chair of the FinCom and then the Chair of the Council. You have certainly guarded that good thing which has been committed to your charge.
Thank you, Nhlangi for being a sounding-board over the years; for carefully considering matters and thinking deeply about them. For your vested interest in the school, which is evident and for reading all about the Founder – which has delighted Gillian Wilkinson to no end.
Thank you for steering this ship over the past 2 years, in particular. For the endless calls on a Sunday night or over the weekend, when a decision needed to be made about the closing or the opening of school.
Thank you that you have shown incredible support of Kim Lowman and myself over the years – trusting in us to lead the school and not getting involved in any operational matters, but keeping a firm eye on our strategic planning. And pushing us to achieve the stretch needed for the strategy.
We have taken the decision to name the new theatre, which became a reality under your leadership – The Mkwanazi Theatre – may it forever hold the legacy of the work that you have done at Kingsmead.”
We were also able to say thank you to Advocate Lara Grenfell (SC) who has served for 4 years on the Council and to Paul Schonborn who has given 9 years of service to the Council.
Simon Fifield will be the in-coming Chair of the Council. Simon has been the Chair of Fin Com and has been the most incredible pillar of support during the past two years, in particular. We are looking forward to working closely with Simon in this role.
Staffing updates:
Suzanne Cambitzis who is currently the Head of the English Department has resigned and will be leaving us at the end of Term I.
We also thank Alexia Osato for helping us out in the English Department this year.
Jacqui Aires, who has been teaching English will be leaving us at the end of Term I.
Jane Elsworth has been appointed as my new Executive Assistant as Evani Naidoo will be moving into the Central Admissions Officer role from January.
Noluthando Mdhluli will taking over the campus Head of TDI portfolio from Sharekha Banwa who will be concentrating on her role as Deputy Head: Academics in the Senior School.
Catey Leholo has been appointed in the Senior School as a Sesotho teacher.
Danielle Wepener has been made the House Parent of Baker House and Bianca Barnett will be taking over the role as Co-ordinator of the House Parents.
I wish you a wonderful, restful holiday break and I look forward to seeing you onsite at the start of the new year.
Fondest regards
Lisa Palmer
Executive Head: Kingsmead College
Congratulations to our newly inducted leaders for 2022. Emma Tindle (Deputy Head: Pastoral), Tayyeba Peer (Head Girl) and Nazrana Jhavary (Deputy Head: Discipline and Organisation). Wishing your team all the best for the year ahead!
Message from the Head of Junior School
Dear Kingsmead Community,
This newsletter signals the end of a complex, yet very successful school year. I would like to acknowledge our staff for their ongoing flexibility and endurance to see all the reasons to celebrate come together at the end of the year. I have the honour and privilege of working with the most professional, dynamic teachers who continually seek to place your daughters at the centre of our purpose at Kingsmead.
Although we are starting to feel a whole lot more ‘normal’ in terms of our community events, functions and running of our school day, I would like to urge our families and staff to remain vigilant and aware of the possibility of a fourth wave of Covid, likely to arrive this holiday season. While we would all like to return to the way it was before, we need to persevere and ensure the safety of our community. I encourage all those who qualify, to get vaccinated as soon as possible so that we can return to the vibrant, personally connected community we love.
I wish you the most wonderful festive season. Enjoy every moment together. May we forever seek Faith over Fear.
Stay safe and return ready for the greatness that 2022 promises.
Love and Courage Always,
Kim Lowman
Message from the Director of Book Fair
Kingsmead Book Fair 2021
Following the cancellation of the 2020 Book Fair due to Covid-19 we felt that we couldn’t let another year go past without celebrating the world of books and reading. This year saw the Kingsmead Book Fair go virtual with a packed and diverse programme with something for everyone. Our theme of ‘Bound by Stories, Bound Together’ certainly came through strongly throughout the day.
The adult programme saw nine sessions running across three timeslots with thought provoking and informative discussions on topics ranging from politics, the power of stories, whistleblowers, domestic noir, and the secrets to lifelong financial success. The programme was a celebration of African authors and storytellers, and we were thrilled to be able to host the likes of Sindiwe Magona, Elizabeth Nyamayaro. Gail Schimmel, Garth Japhet, Dr Emmanuel Taban and Sue Nyathi, to name just a few. Even though many people were already feeling a little Zoom-zausted we had a good turnout for a virtual event with more than 300 people joining us on the day and interacting with our authors online.
Our children’s programme was filled with fun for all ages and included a talk about snakes, the Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia Quiz Show with Christopher Lloyd, authors reading their stories and tips for teens on how to manage their money like a grown up.
While we missed the vibe and delight of the in-person Book Fair we were thrilled that we were still able to share these sessions with our community. We are holding thumbs that we will be returning in person again in 2022.
Alex Bouche
Director of Book Fair
Dear Kingsmead Community
Click here to watch the ✨2021 Festive Carol Service✨
We wish the Kingsmead Community a fantastic festive season and a wonderful holiday.
May 2022 be a healthy and happy year for everyone.
News
Dear Kingsmead Alumni,
We would love to receive news and updates from the Kingsmead past pupils the world over. Please could you email kingsmeadOKA@gmail.com with:
- Full name
- Maiden name
- Year of matriculation
- Contact details
Any news you may have of your own or news of other Kingsmead past students that you would like to share.
Please pass this mail on to anyone you may know who may not be on our database. We look forward to hearing from you and sharing your news.