Dear Kingsmead Community,
We are nearly there! The end of this long and complex year is almost in sight and I cannot thank you enough for the support and encouragement that you have given us along the way. It certainly feels as if we have run a marathon and although we are now completely spent and exhausted, we have managed to get to the finish line.
I was privileged to attend a moving induction service for a dear colleague and friend, Celeste Gilardi, who has been appointed as the Fourth Rector, but the first female Rector of St Stithians College. At the service, the General Secretary of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Rev. Michel W Hansrod, said that the important thing was not that Mrs Gilardi was appointed as the first female Rector (although that was significant), but it is what she does with this that is of utmost importance. He urged her to lead with charm, compassion, conviction and courage.
We also think of Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng – the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town and Dr Judy Dlamini who is the Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand. It is wonderful to see these influential women in important positions in education.
On a sporting note, Aimee Barrett-Theron, made history in South African rugby by refereeing a top-level 15-a-side rugby match (The Bulls vs The Pumas) and gave a “flawless performance” according to an article in Sport24 on Monday 23 November 2020.
Staffing updates:
- Lisa Pienaar has resigned and will be leaving us at the end of the year. We welcome Jacqui Aires as a locum English teacher in this position.
We are delighted to announce the following appointments to the staff:
- Apel Kunene has been appointed as the Grade 8 Co-ordinator from 2021.
- Liezel van Lith will be moving into Grade 9 with her current Grade 8s next year.
- Bianca Meyer has been appointed as the Grade 12 Co-ordinator from 2021.
- Bianca Barnett has been appointed to be the House Parent for Kruger House from 2021.
- Jessica Govender has been appointed as a full-time teacher at Kingsmead from next year.
I wish you all a wonderful, happy holiday ahead and a blessed festive season. If you are travelling, please do so safely.
Warm regards
Lisa Palmer
Executive Head: Kingsmead College
Staff News
A GREENER FUTURE
Climate change has already disturbed the delicate balance of life on earth and without an international effort, that balance may shift irreversibly. Rapid growth in human population has resulted in unsustainable practices and the use of non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels. The widespread use of fossil fuels has caused sequestered carbon to be released into the atmosphere which prevents solar radiation from being reflected back into space. As such, average global temperatures have risen and have caused irregular weather patterns. Finding alternative and renewable sources of energy will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in restoring the delicate balance of life on earth. This creates the window of opportunity for providers of renewable energy and therefore sound research in this field is essential.
As a contribution to this global initiative, Kingsmead College has supported Verlin Govender in his postgraduate research (PhD). In his research, Mr Govender investigates more efficient ways to carry out a process called ‘pyrolysis’. Here, waste materials such as crop residues, plastics, rubber and other carbon rich substances undergo de-molecularization in large specialized reactors at high temperatures to produce useful liquid fuels. The liquid fuels can be used as a replacement for coal and diesel in industrial processes, whilst the solid products can be used as fertilizer.
So far, the research has stirred significant interest in the chemical engineering community and has caught the attention of some major companies in the paper and pulp industry of South Africa. Without getting into the technical details, it is safe to conclude that this research will play a meaningful role in making our future more sustainable.
Mr. Govender thanks Lisa Palmer and Bridgit Miller for supporting his academic growth in the scientific field. Through their support, he is able to better inspire his Physical Science students as he brings real world science into the classroom. Further to this, Kingsmead College has made a significant contribution towards reducing the environmental impact of our society.
DELUDED GODS
‘DELUDED GODS’ was initially launched in the Amazon.com bookstore in April 2020 during the national lockdown. Since then, the book has sold over 1000 electronic copies internationally and has received excellent feedback. Due to several constraints in the publishing industry, the launch of the paperback edition was delayed. Despite this setback, Protea publishing house has agreed to distribute the book to CNA, Bargain Books and Exclusive Books across the country from March 2021 after a final round of editorial.
A special pre-release edition was recently printed to create a local community for the book and is available for R100. Please click here to order this special edition.
Synopsis:
Does God exist? What caused the Big Bang? What is our purpose in life? Why does pain and suffering exist? Does science free us from religion? Which ‘god’ is the real ‘God’? ‘DELUDED GODS’ is unique in the simple and concise manner it answers some of mankind’s’ age old questions. From start to end, the book is an exciting journey of discovery which leads to bold and interesting conclusions.
Genre: Christian Philosophy/ Education
For more information, please visit Amazon.com
Verlin Govender
Senior School Physical Science Teacher
Arts and Music News
DEBATING
Despite 2020 being a tumultuous year in Debating, we did our best to continue as normal. Kingsmead entered the SACEE championships, the first online Debating tournament and qualified for the Gauteng Provincial Schools Debating Tournament.
The debaters participated enthusiastically in weekly online meetings using a variety of platforms to share research and have live discussions. Our debaters are commended for their agility, continued enthusiasm and grit to make the best of Debating this year.
We bid farewell to our exceptional coach, Maxine Khumalo and wish her well in her future endeavours and new job. We look forward to welcoming our new Debating coach in January.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
The Public Speaking Club has had a successful term and year, thanks to the enthusiastic students involved and our committed coach, Tumelo Bore. The online platforms have proven most efficient and successful to run this activity and the students have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to participate in both weekly meetings and competitive events.
INTERHOUSE ARTS
We are so excited to still have Interhouse Arts 2020 and look forward to sharing this year’s event with you on YouTube! The three houses are hard at work putting their play, musical and dance items together. The competition took place today, 1 December for students only, but has been recorded so that parents can share in the fun.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
We were delighted to have ‘live’ concerts at school this term. Thank you to our parents for your support and our musicians for their continued diligence and hard work.
Watch our latest concerts and last term’s Concerts in the Lounge on our YouTube channel:
Visit the Kingsmead Arts & Music YouTube
Enormous THANK YOU to all our musicians and parents for welcoming us into your homes for online music lessons and rehearsals; for supporting our concerts and video projects and for your ongoing love and support of the Arts & Music Department.
The Arts & Music Department wishes everyone in our Kingsmead Community a blessed Festive Season, wonderful holiday and healthy, happy 2021.
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
Sports News
We were very fortunate to have completed the following leagues before Lockdown.
WATERPOLO
Club finished 3rd overall in league.
We have 15 provincial representations and 4 students have been selected for SA National training squads, namely Kimberley Sheridan, Kate Galloway, Caitlin Stott and Alison Gace.
We are thrilled to welcome Jean Le Roux to our coaching team as the new waterpolo head coach. Jean has played for South Africa and we look forward to him coaching our team.
TENNIS
Both A and B teams finished in the top 13 out of 28 schools at Inter High.
All teams finished mid table of their leagues
Game Set Match has been appointed as the new tennis service provider for 2021
SQUASH
U16A and U15A teams finished 2nd in their leagues.
Three of our players have been selected to play at a provincial level Katelyn Wijtenburg, Rachel Shannon and Natalie Solomon.
DIVING
The team finished 3rd at Inter High (Sarah Benning 2nd in Opens, Katharine Jones 5th in u15, Nina Evans 8th in u16).
Congratulations to Sarah Benning who has been selected for the SA Junior Diving team.
SWIMMING
Both teams finished 7th at the A and B Inter High galas. Six of our swimmers qualified for Nationals but it was cancelled due to Covid.
HOCKEY
Both u14 and 1st hockey teams took part in the Best of the West festivals and produced great results.
NETBALL
The u16 and 1st team both took part in the Best of the West festivals and only lost 1 match each.
Mia Koutromanos was selected for the Central Gauteng u17 indoor netball team.
ATHLETICS
Isabella and Helen Cockeran were both selected for Gauteng to compete in the 800m and 1500m races.
EXTERNAL SPORTS
Cheryl Smith was selected for Gauteng North figure skating.
Ameera Adam was selected for Central Gauteng Acrosport.
Six schools took part in a virtual run on 3 October 2020. Each student/staff/family member could take part. Prizes were donated for each category that completed the most distance on that day. Kingsmead finished 4th out of 6 schools.
2021 remains uncertain due to Covid-19. Plans are in place to compete in all our Term 1, 2 and 3 sports but we will need to remain flexible in the new year as we assess the current Covid-19 situation.
Academic News
ENGLISH
Congratulations to Lucy Clegg, Lucy Wagner and Georgina Clark whose writing has been published in the 2020 edition of English Alive. Lucy’s piece entitled, The Automaton Man; Lucy’s, Paper Butterflies and Georgina’s Arboretum- a commemoration were selected from hundreds of entries.
Suzanne Cambitzis
Head of Department English
2020 SACEE CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION
The SACEE Creative Writing Competition is open to all secondary school students in South Africa and the adjudicator of the competition is the highly-respected South African novelist, Jane Fox.
The English department is exceptionally proud to announce our award winners in the following categories:
Category 1 – Junior Poetry
Platinum Award to Julia Aspoas, Grade 9
Category 2 – Junior Short Story
Silver Award to Leah Falcon, Grade 9
Category 3 – Junior Monologue
Platinum Award to Leah Falcon, Grade 9
Category 4 – Senior Poem
Gold Award to Lucy Clegg, Grade 11
Well done to our award winners, as well as all those who participated! The English department encourages our young writers to continue to persevere and participate. The entries in this year’s competition were of an exceptionally high standard. 2021 will be another opportunity to delve into and develop our creativity and enthusiasm, and submit to the competition once more.
Danielle Wepener
Senior School Visual Art and English teacher
GROWTH CURRICULUM – ELEMENTS OF EXISTENCE
In the Elements of Existence module, the Grade 9 students learnt about the basic elements that make up everything around us. In one particular practical, they extracted lead metal from synthetic ore. This was achieved through a hot gas jet which was directed from a Bunsen burner to a coal block which contained the ore. Once the hot mixture cooled down, a thin layer of silver lead was left on top of the coal.
In the second part of this practical, the students decomposed copper carbonate into copper oxide by gently heating it over a Bunsen burner. They identified the effervescent gas as carbon dioxide by bubbling it through clear lime water, which immediately turned milky white. The students learnt about basic laboratory safety practices amongst many other skills that they will find useful in the future.
Verlin Govender
Senior School Physical Science Teacher
GROWTH CURRICULUM – THIS IS US
In the This is Us Module the students learnt about the element of colour – they were then tasked with looking at various images under microscopes and using this knowledge of colour to complete a canvas painting.
NATURAL SCIENCE
This term in Natural Science, we have been tasked with deepening our understanding of the different types of reproductive disorders that affect women. One of the main reproductive disorders we have focused on is cervical cancer, as it is one of the biggest silent killers for women globally.
According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), 1 in every 42 women have a lifetime risk of being diagnosed with cervical cancer. The incidence rate of cervical cancer in SA is between 22,8 and 27 per 100 000 women, compared to the global average of 15,8.
99% of cervical cancers are associated with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV is a viral infection that’s passed between people through skin-to-skin contact. Most of the time HPV infections go away on their own in 1 to 2 years. Yet some people stay infected for many years. If you don’t treat an HPV infection, it can cause cells inside your cervix to turn cancerous.
But did you know that cervical cancer can be successfully treated if detected in the early stages of the disease? This is why it is imperative for women over the age of 21 to go for routine screenings. Screening tests can help detect cervical cancer and pre-cancerous cells that may one day develop into cervical cancer. Most guidelines suggest beginning screening for cervical cancer and precancerous cells changes at age 21.
Tracey Minnie
Senior School Life Sciences Teacher
Service News
GRADE 12 SHOE DONATION
On Wednesday 25 November the Grade 12s celebrated their final day by generously donating their school shoes as they finished their last examination. We thank them for their donation that will enable other students to have shoes to wear to school next year.
CLOTHES TO GOOD
Thank you to the entire community for the tremendous support to Clothes to Good during Goodwill Week. 1.5 tons of clothing were donated. Please collect your H&M voucher and a Spekboom gift from Music Reception if you donated clothing or books to Clothes to Good. Please note that if you did not include the permission slip, you will unfortunately not be eligible for a voucher/gift.
DONATING SCHOOL UNIFORM
Gently worn school uniform can be donated to either the school shop or to Service. Please place all Service donations in the drawers in Music Reception. These donations will be gifted to Phulong Secondary School who wear similar skirts as Kingsmead College. Thank you in advance for your generous donations!
SUPPORT THE SOCIETY FOR ANIMALS IN DISTRESS THIS FESTIVE SEASON
As the festive season approaches, The Society for Animals in Distress has a beautiful Christmas catalogue with a wide variety of gifts available (not just for pets). Please consider purchasing your festive season gifts from them and contribute to their mission of providing veterinary care and animal care education:
https://animalsindistress.org.za/shop/said-catalogues
Jenny Venter
Director of Service
BREAD TAGS AND BOTTLE TOPS – WHEELCHAIR
Sue-Ann and Sibongile have delivered the 11th wheelchair to Mr Thabo Amos Tsotetsi.
Monica Loubser
Kingsmead Medical Centre
Letter from Grade 12 2020 Head Girl and Deputies
Dearest Kingsmead Community,
An old Kingsmead tale tells a story of Kingsley the frog, who fell into a bowl of milk. His persistence resulted in the milk transforming into butter, which ultimately allowed him to escape. This year, our school followed suit. Kingsmead was plunged into a bowl of milk. Although it was difficult, we, being the frogs we are, continued to persevere, churning the milk into butter. Frogs live almost everywhere: from tropical forests to frozen tundra and scorching deserts. Frogs are known for their ability to overcome almost any situation in which they are placed. The secret to their success, is their adaptability. Here at Kingsmead, it has been no different.
We, as your Head Girls of 2020, found it fitting to address the school for one final time. We need not remind you that this year went beyond what we could’ve ever expected. It seems like only yesterday, we were sitting in our studies, denying the probability of Covid-19 reaching South Africa; we never even considered it putting our lives on hold.
Until this year, it was very easy to operate according to a schedule. Our 2020 calendars were filled with dates, plans and events, and then were quickly discarded. Despite all of the obstacles the year presented to us, Kingsmead swiftly adapted to the new rhythm. The school’s heart continued to beat, despite us not being on campus and shifting our learning environments. Within days of the Government closing schools, we had already attended our first online classes.
Our success this year would not have been possible without the continued support of our teachers, students and broader Kingsmead Community, and for that, we would like to say a heartfelt thank you.
We wish the school only the best for the years to come. Best of luck to the leaders of 2021; there is no doubt in our minds that you will lead the school with pride and passion.
This school will always hold a special place in our hearts.
All our love and farewell,
Gaby, Meghna and Georgie
A Note Regarding Cellphone Upgrades
We have been notified by our App development company that new model Huawei devices no longer have access to the Google Play Store (USA put a ban on this). This means that if you are upgrading your device you need to be aware that you will not be able to install the school app at this point. We are waiting to see what Google and Huawei agree to going forward, but at this stage they are blocked.
Huawei devices have a very tiny percentage of the smart device market worldwide (outside of China and Asia), and this means that many app developers will not be building new platforms to accommodate these devices. One of the crucial issues is that Huawei devices are not very secure and the user information is not protected. This means that loading an app onto their platform exposes users to this lack of device security.
Huawei users who cannot install the Kingsmead App will have to use the browser version.