Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students,
We often talk of Kingsmead being a balanced environment where you can achieve in Academics, the Arts, Sports and Service – and we encourage our students to adopt this well-rounded approach to all they do at school. This weekend certainly was an example of this playing out to its fullest.
On Saturday morning, the Senior School students were finishing their examinations; the Junior School held several music concerts; we hosted a hockey tournament for several schools where the PTA was hard at work showcasing our community, and the Junior playground and gym was abuzz with 75 families who have disabled children. Kingsmead partnered with the Sunshine Centre (our Grade 5 service partner) and I saw service in action in the most wonderful way. The Senior girls entertained and played with the children, giving their parents time to fill in forms and have some tea. They were then moved into the gym where there were many “stations,” manned by doctors and medical students, to take the vitals of these children, which will assist them when they need to access our state hospitals. This was truly service in action, and I commend all involved, particularly Karen Landi (our Service Director) who arranged this day.
This has been a very busy term, yet I reflect on one filled with many opportunities; with incredible commitment shown by our students, staff and families. Thank you to our whole community for your continued support of our amazing school; for truly living out the Kingsmead values and for helping us to create such magical and memorable moments.
I wish you all a restful and relaxing August break and if you are travelling, please do so safely. I look forward to welcoming you back to school in September when our campus will be showing off its springtime beauty.
Fond regards,
Lisa Palmer
Executive Head: Kingsmead College
Academics
Gr.8 Capitalism and Communism Growth Curriculum Module:
A new island has been discovered off the coast of Tonga. The island is located in the South Pacific near Tonga and is unofficially called Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (Hunga Tonga). It came into being after a volcanic eruption in 2014 connected two older islands. NASA says it is the first island of its kind formed since satellites began consistently taking pictures of Earth.
The Grade 8s were tasked with advertising this new island and setting up a political and economic system. They designed and delivered a presentation during their first Senior School Examination period.
Urban Food Gardening and Water Sustainability
How do we work with nature rather than against it? Permaculture – A system of agricultural and social design principles aimed at mimicking natural ecosystems. The Future of Food. Our world is evolving and so should Sustainable Agriculture.
On the 27th of July, Amy Hill – a grade 9 learner, Mrs Lesufi and I represented Kingsmead College at an Urban Food Gardening and Water Sustainability Workshop at Roedean School hosted by Jason Godfrey, Megan Wilson and Daniel Godfrey of TrvthGro.
The two-part workshop successfully educated us on many innovative farming methods that work for nature. Aquaponics, a system where fish and plants grow together in a symbiotic environment and Hydroponics which involves growing plants in a soil-free medium are just two examples of methods to enhance water sustainability. Systems like Aquaculture directly contrast commercial farming practices – proving that nature can be restored without compromising on what is already available.
If you think agriculture is not for you, think again. There is more to it than watching a plant grow. Whether you want to go into Finance, Media or Tech – there is a place for you because we all NEED food! The small scale at which urban food gardening can be done provides empowerment and self-sufficiency for numerous communities as well as Environmental Sustainability and several health benefits.
Today, think of ways you can contribute to creating a better you and ensuring there is a future. Whether that be learning to grow your own food, shifting towards more plant-based eating or simply cutting down your consumption of items that contribute to climate change.
Sanda Tuku Grade 10
To learn more visit:
Arts & Music
What a term we have had!
The 2nd term is always a bit of a whirlwind for the Arts & Music department and this one has been particularly busy! We have so much to celebrate and be proud of.
- Our inaugural PREDA festival and subsequent participation in FEDA – our Drama students did us proud at this event with their incredible play Bluecrest High.
- The Mkwanazi Theatre has been noticed in the theatre circles and we hosted our 1st professional play My Left Breast in May; we will be hosting our 2nd professional play in September: S.O.N.D.A. (State Of the National DisAster) with Philangezwi Nxumalo.
- The Music department hosted the annual Kingsmead Ensemble Festival, Masicule Sonke Junior and Senior Choir festivals, and our 1st Senior Schools Marimba Festival. We are proud of the culture of group music-making we have established at Kingsmead, and it was a pleasure to witness the joy on stage as students performed for each other.
- In late June and July, the Music department has instrumental and voice concerts for all age groups, from Grade 0-12, 9 concerts in total!
- The term ends with our annual Inter-house Arts – a firm favourite on the school calendar.
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
Sports
Diving
Maya Rono has been selected for the South Africa Junior National Diving team squad. The upcoming Junior World Championships trials will be in October.
Go-Karting
Georgia Lenaerts took part in the 3rd round of the RMC National South African Kart Championships at Formula K over the 4-6th July, and won the last heat of the day!! She placed 3rd overall for this National event.
Hockey
Congratulations to the following Provincial hockey players who competed at their Inter Provincial Tournaments and achieved good results.
Nozipho Magondo -u18
Charlie Dalling – u16
Kyla Hall – u14
We must congratulate our 1st and u16 teams for their participation in the Pullen(u18) and Howell (u16) Trophy tournaments which took part during the exams. Both teams finished up 1ST – 11TH, and U16 – 15TH and both were still in the A sections of the event. The event boasts 73 teams across both age groups including A and B sections.
Biathle
Marguerite Cockeran placed 5th, girls u/15 at the Gauteng Biathle Championships (800m run / 100m swim / 800m run) held in Pretoria on the 29th of July 2024. She has been selected for the Gauteng team and will compete in the SA Biathle Championships that will be held in East London on 10 August 2024.
Equestrian
Congratulations to the following riders for competing at the Gauteng Championships, Lily Yorke-Smith, Mila Hozack, Emma Berry, Hannah Cooke, and Allegra Manchia. We are waiting for the selections of the Gauteng teams that will attend Nationals in September.
Hannah competed in the Gauteng Dressage Champs and achieved two first places and the overall Victor Ludorum prize for Junior Novice Dressage. She also completed in the South African Championships and placed third for Junior Novice Dressage and first for Junior Novice Freestyle Dressage. As a result of these accomplishments Hannah is currently ranked the top graded Junior Novice Dressage rider in the country.
At SA Champs Hannah had also been selected for and competed for the Gauteng Junior Novice Dressage Team and the Gauteng Junior Novice Equitation Team. Her Dressage team achieved a first place and her Equitation team achieved a second place against the other provinces.
Service
Every year on 18 July, South Africa and the rest of the world embrace the spirit of Nelson Mandela. As explained to the Junior School students Madiba dedicated 67 years of his life to service to others. Service is one of our values at Kingsmead. Service is introduced to our students from when they are in Mornington and is lived throughout our student’s school lives. We strive to make every day a Mandela Day, during July we hosted three very special events and our Winter Warmer collection.
On Friday 12 July the children from The Sunshine Centre for Children with Disabilities joined us for a picnic. The Sunshine and Kingsmead children had the best time! Our Kingsmead girls engaged so well with the children and showed great kindness and compassion. We were thrilled to join in little Z’s 5th birthday festivities and celebrate with him. The morning was an absolute delight.
For Mandela Day our Kingsmead community – students, teachers, parents, friends and alumnae joined us for our Toy Making Workshop, in collaboration with Clothes for Good. Educational toys were created using upcycled materials, all 1 – 2 – 3 Educational Toy Kits will be donated to low-resourced ECD Centres. A visit from Kingsleigh delighted the girls and everyone had great fun, engaging in meaningful activities. We were so delighted to have our Heads of Service from 2001 – Lara Burgarin, 2013 – Paige Dott, 2023 – Scarlett Muirhead and 2024 – Cara Nicholson join us, all living a life of Service.
Thank you to everyone who donated so generously to our Winter Warmer collection. This year we chose to have our collection to coincide with Mandela Day. As July is typically the coldest month of the year, the timing was perfect to distribute warm winter jackets, clothing, blankets, toiletries, and laundry products. We partnered with the Rosebank Management District, Immaculata Shelter and Rosebank Homelessness Association as the pressing social issue of homelessness in Rosebank is tackled.
The power of volunteering. On Saturday 27 July volunteers from Special Olympics, the medical fraternity, WITS Medical Students, UJ Chiropractics, Gift of the Givers and Kingsmead College gathered to host a medical screening day for children with intellectual and developmental delays.
The medical screening day was facilitated and managed by Special Olympics – changing attitudes and changing lives. Hosted by Kingsmead College, and supported by Gift of the Givers, 70 children were able to consult with medical professionals including neuro-developmentalists, medical officers, clinical associates, dentists, audiologists, nutritionists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, educational psychologists. Based on the reports from each of these medical professionals, representatives from Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital provided feedback to the families and were able to provide referral letters to assist the families easier access to the various departments at their nearest hospital. Each family left with feedback, a plan of action, and a sensory pack to assist their children at home. We are so proud that the children each received a sensory book from us, made with love by our Grade 2s and 3s.
It was a long day for the families and Kingsmead were delighted to entertain the children and provide refreshments for the families. We are immensely proud of our students who engaged with the children and families with such kindness and compassion, each of them truly embracing our value of Service – giving without the expectation of reward. Mr Chocolate – the Laughter Hero (therapeutic clown), delighted the children, and Ms Palmer! Mr Chocolate is from the Reach for a Dream Foundation and is specially trained to bring joy to children who are in hospital.
To the amazing team at Kingsmead – THANK YOU! Your support and commitment to Sunshine is truly overwhelming and I am forever grateful ~ Shannon O’Keefe, General Manager, The Sunshine Association
Thank you, Kingsmead for your amazing hospitality and incredible generosity in hosting the event. This was the best Special Olympics to date from the venue to the phenomenal volunteers and families ~ Dr Jacqui Bezuidenhout, Clinical Director – Special Olympics, head of Neuro Paediatrics – Charlotte Maxeke Hospital.
I just wanted to send this email to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to take part in such a special event today. I truly feel so fulfilled after being able to help where needed. It truly was an amazing day! ~ Holly Franks, Grade 11 student
Wishing you all the most wonderful holiday, be kind and live a life of Service always
Karen Landi
Director of Service
