The Senior School feels unusually quiet as our students immerse themselves in their July examinations. While this calm is a necessary part of academic life, I’m already looking forward to the energy and creativity that will return with our Inter-House Arts events at the end of the term. It’s always astonishing how our students, especially our Grade 11s, manage to deliver such first-class performances in such a short time, with minimal staff support. Their leadership and talent never fail to inspire.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to share some thoughts on the anxiety that often surrounds exam timetables and exam revision, and how you, as parents, can support your daughters through this process.
Summative assessments are more than just tests—they are opportunities for students to consolidate their learning, develop critical thinking and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. These assessments mark a shift from information transfer to deeper processing and reflection. While it’s natural to question the structure, timing, or length of exams, it’s important to consider the broader perspective.
Staff wellness is also a key factor, as teachers must mark, analyse and reflect on student performance across departments to produce comprehensive reports. This collaborative process ensures that each student’s progress is understood holistically.
Through this experience, students learn to manage their time, build resilience and take ownership of their learning. Every school has its policies and structures, and at Kingsmead, we’ve developed our approach through careful research and reflection. We believe it offers a fair and authentic examination experience.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Together, we can help our students navigate this important time with confidence and care.
I look forward to a successful end of term, and if I don’t get to see you, I wish you a wonderful end to the cold weather and a very restful and safe August holiday. May you use the time to reflect on the world outside and how it impacts us daily, how we are able to manage conversations and still keep this a safe space without being enclosed in a bubble at the same time.
Courage Always,
Sharekha Banwa
Academics
The Power of DIY as an Elective
In a world rapidly shifting toward digital solutions and disposable goods, the value of working with one’s hands can sometimes feel forgotten. However, Kingsmead College offers DIY (Do It Yourself) as an elective is rediscovering the importance of practical, creative, and hands-on learning. One such elective at our school is not just about crafting objects—it’s about crafting confidence, self-reliance, and lifelong skills.
This term, our DIY elective embarked on a special project: the refurbishment of a weathered wooden table. The project, simple in appearance, became a powerful lesson in the transformation of furniture and of ourselves.
Our group began by examining the old table, which had clearly seen better days. It was scratched, stained and weather-worn. But we saw potential.
“At first, I didn’t think we could fix it,” one student admitted. “But once we started sanding, it felt like we were peeling away years of damage. It was kind of satisfying.”
Step by step, we learned the craft. First came sanding—hours of work, smoothing out imperfections and removing the old paint. Then came the staining and sealing. Each student took turns applying layers of varnish, learning patience and attention to detail. The transformation was astonishing: a table that once looked like junk was now a beautiful, functional piece of furniture.
DIY as an elective goes beyond making things. It teaches collaboration, critical thinking and creative problem-solving. In our table project alone, we had to plan, divide responsibilities, and troubleshoot when we encountered splinters, uneven surfaces, or staining mishaps.
According to our teacher, “DIY builds resilience. When something doesn’t go right, students don’t just give up, they adapt, ask questions and they try again. That’s a life skill.”
Moreover, in a time when sustainability is more important than ever, DIY instils a respect for resources. By refurbishing the table instead of replacing it, we learned how to reduce waste and value what we already have.
What surprised many of us is how personal the process became. We weren’t just working on wood—we were working on ourselves. As one student reflected, “When you take the time to fix something with your hands, you feel proud. You feel like you did something real.”
This sense of accomplishment is something traditional academics can sometimes overlook. While math and science teach us logic and reasoning, DIY gives us an outlet to apply these in the real world.
Now, that refurbished table sits proudly on the lawn. It’s more than just a piece of furniture—it’s a symbol of what can happen when young minds are given the space and opportunity to create, fix and grow.
DIY may not be your typical classroom subject, but in it are lessons of patience, perseverance and creativity; it may just be one of the most valuable.
Shriya Naidu Grade 9 2025
SANGO Geaography Olympiad
In May this year, our Senior Geography students participated in the SANGO Geography Olympiad. The olympiad focused primarily on testing students’ understanding and application of Geography to current events. We are delighted to share that Lucy Davis and Amy Falcon in Grade 12, as well as Rachael Drake in Grade 11, achieved a gold certificate; Amelia Cadman in Grade 10 a silver certificate; and Annabelle Smith in Grade 12 a bronze certificate. We look forward to our Grade 8 and 9 students participating in the Junior Olympiad in September later this year.
Arts & Music
SACEE Championship
The Kingsmead Junior Debating team, including Adiva Tickoo, Valentina Whitcutt, Kristen Benjamin, and Zivanka Chetty, qualified for the SACEE Championship rounds by ranking fourth in the SACEE Central Division. Adiva Tickoo, Valentina Whitcutt, and Kristen Benjamin also ranked in the top 20 best speakers. This earned them an invitation to compete in the championship rounds, where the top teams from each division come together to determine the winners. This past weekend was the preliminary rounds of the championship division, in which Kingsmead Gold won three of their six debates, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the final rounds. The Kingsmead teams represented our school brilliantly across both competitions, and we are exceptionally proud of all our students who participated.
Atheneum Debating League
The Kingsmead Junior Debating Team, including Josephine Less, Chloe Pon, Amaanah Ebrahim and Sophie Wolstenholme, took part in the Atheneum Debating Competition. At the end of the preliminary rounds, our team was ranked fourth overall and advanced to the break rounds. In the quarter finals, the team faced St Andrews and unanimously won, moving on to the semi-final against The Ridge, which they also won, qualifying for the Junior Grand Final against St John’s College. We are excited to announce that the Kingsmead Atheneum Team won the Junior Open Atheneum Finals. Josephine Less placed fourth, Chloe Pon eighth, and Sophie Wolstenholme twentieth in the Best Speakers Competition. Well done to all our debaters!
Congratulations!
Amy Hill recently entered her composition, ‘Cascade’ in the Debussy International Music Competition, with adjudicators from all over the globe. Amy was awarded a Silver Prize in the Original Composition category. We are so proud of you, Amy!
It is that time of the year when every house is hard at work creating, writing, designing, arranging and practising to put the BEST short production together for the annual Inter-house Arts competition! We cannot WAIT to see what our students produce this year!
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za
Sports
Swimming
Congratulations to Eva Dal Cin who participated in the Winter National Championships swimming gala in Mauritius. Eva achieved the following medals:
6 gold – 800 free, 50 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, 100 free, 100 breaststroke, 200IM (all for the age group 14-15 yr old)
5 silver – 800 free (final), 200IM (final), 4X200 freestyle relay, 4X100 freestyle relay, 50 free (age group 14-15 yr old)
3 bronze – 50 breaststroke(final), 200 breaststroke (final), 100 breaststroke (final)
Water Polo
Congratulations to Lucy Davis (Head Girl 2025) and Masibonge Namba (Kingsmead water polo Head Coach) who represented South Africa at the World Aquatic Championships in Singapore.
Equestrian
Well done to the following riders who were selected for the Gauteng Regional Equestrian Team.
Emma Berry
Hannah Cooke
Lucy Berry
Onthatile Malakalaka
Allegra Manchia
Mila Hozack
Pippa Pascoe
Lily Yorke-Smith
Bokang Mafokeng
A special well done to Hannah Cooke, who won the overall Victor Ludorum for Junior Elementary Dressage at the SA Youth Championships.
Rob Pullen
Director of Sports
rpullen@kingsmead.co.za
Baker House Birthday
This past week, the yellow spirit of Baker House lit up Kingsmead College as the Baker students gathered for a vibrant House Meeting in celebration of Baker’s birthday. From Grade 8s to Matrics, the room buzzed with excitement as students came together to honour the legacy of their house and the sisterhood they share.
The celebration kicked off with a reflection on the history of Baker House, where students from all grades stood up to speak about what the house represents and how its namesake, the renowned South African architect Herbert Baker, continues to inspire the values of creativity, tradition and resilience.
After the formalities, the celebration truly came alive. Each class took fun group photos with the signature ‘Baker Board’, proudly showing off their yellow colours and school spirit. Then came the sweet surprise: cupcakes for every Baker girl, generously shared to mark the special occasion.
As music filled the air, the room turned into a joyful celebration zone. Karaoke, dancing and laughter followed as students belted out their favourite songs and created lasting memories together.
What began as a reflective morning turned into an hour of fun, connection, and celebration, a reminder of what makes Baker House so unique. The unity, energy and yellow pride on display proved that Baker is not just a house, it’s a home filled with heart.
Sophia Yiallouris
Head of Baker
💛❤️💙 THE HEART BOARD 💙❤️💛
What truly makes a school feel like home? It’s not just the buildings or the uniforms, it’s the energy in the hallways, the shared moments, and the way we support each other every day. That’s the inspiration behind The Heart Board, a new and meaningful way for our community to celebrate spirit, connection, and participation. Next to the board, you’ll find a jar of sweets, not just a treat, but a symbol. Each time you take a sweet and pull a string to add to the heart, you’re recognising a moment where someone showed up, helped out or brought joy.
It’s a simple act with a powerful message: You matter here. Whether you’re participating in events, encouraging a friend or simply being present, your actions pull heartstrings that strengthen the fabric of our school. The Heart Board is a living reminder of how small acts build big connections and together, we fill it with pride, joy and heart.
Sophia Yiallouris
Head of Baker
TDI
Youth Day 2025
This year, the TDI Youth Day assembly centred around the theme of light and fire, reminding us that every generation carries the responsibility to keep the flame of freedom burning. We honoured the bravery of the youth of 1976, whose courage lit the way for the rights and opportunities we enjoy today. The assembly unfolded as a living story. A narrator, positioned among the audience, shared the voice of a ‘student from the past’, drawing us into the emotions and struggles of a time when freedom was not a given. The performance reflected how often we take our privileges for granted, while young people before us risked everything to create change.
Throughout the assembly, music, traditional dance and student voices echoed through the space, reminding us that the flame of hope is still alive, but it needs to be protected. In a striking moment, students stood up from the audience carrying posters, symbolising how action starts with ordinary individuals who are willing to stand for something greater. Our Freedom Wall, set up outside the TDI board, allowed students to reflect personally by sharing what freedom means to them in their own words. Their responses showed that while the struggles may look different today, the responsibility to keep the fire of justice, unity and accountability burning has never gone away.
Youth Day is not just a history lesson; it is a living reminder that the spark of change starts with us. Our generation has inherited that light and with it, the power to make sure no one is left in the dark.
Thando Sibanda
Head of Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion
Service
Winter Warmer Collection
Thank you to everyone who donated so generously to our Winter Warmer collection. As July is typically the coldest month of the year, the timing was perfect to distribute warm winter jackets, clothing and blankets. We partnered with the Rosebank Management District, Immaculata Shelter and Rosebank Homelessness Association as we tackled the pressing social issue of homelessness in Rosebank. Together we made a meaningful difference.
Mandela Day
On Mandela Day, we celebrated Africa – our rich tapestry of colours and design, flora and fauna.
Partnering with the Sensory Space, we created sensory items for ECD centres in the inner city. We spent the morning creating Auti-Sensory Torties, African leaves for African trees, Coral leaves, Octopus shakers and Monster succulents. All of the toys that were created are gifts from a child to a child, made with great love. The distribution of the sensory toys is in partnership with Jozi My Jozi.
The Gogos from Go GOGO Go joined us and hosted a Chaka Chaka blanket-making workshop; all Chaka Chaka blankets formed part of our Winter Warmer donation to the Rosebank Homeless Shelter.
It was a day of creativity, compassion and community – honouring Mandela’s legacy through acts of kindness and care.
The Grace Factory Packing Event
It is always a pleasure to partner with The Grace Factory and host a Maternity Packing Event. The Grace Factory packs and distributes essential items to vulnerable moms and their children. Our dining room was abuzz with volunteers who worked together. The Grace Factory had set a target of 1500 maternity packs across their three centres; in total, 1725 packs were completed. It is always special to welcome back Kingsmead alumnae and for our current students to be able to volunteer alongside them.
Please CLICK HERE to view photos.
The Kingsmead Service App
At the beginning of 2024, our Service department partnered with the developers at My App Zone to develop a Service App. My App Zone is the developer of our Kingsmead App. Our Service App enables students to keep a digital record of their volunteering hours. Students can search the directory for volunteering opportunities. Once they have volunteered, they log their hours, and all hours are verified. Each student has an online volunteering portfolio which tracks their Service hours throughout their high school career.
The Service App entered the final phase of development. A major challenge is the verification of hours; to address this, QR codes have been launched. With customised QR Codes per event / per non-profit organisation, when the student volunteers, they scan their QR Code at the start of their volunteering and then scan it again when they have completed their volunteering. This captures their hours in real time. For in-kind donations, there are quantitative QR codes.
Student volunteers at The Grace Factory packing event were the first to test the QR Codes and the result – a game changer!
Service and Inclusion Day
On 30 July, the Grade 9s and 10s participated in an experiential day of Service and inclusion. It was a day of learning, unlearning and relearning. A day of fun, laughter and dancing. But most of all, a day of kindness and respect. Our Grade 9s and 10s truly embodied the values of Kingsmead – possibility, courage, happiness, responsibility, purpose and service.
Professor Claudine Storbeck, Director of The Centre for Deaf Studies at WITS and World Federation of the Deaf, appointed world specialist on Deafness, had the students completely captivated with understanding our 12th official language – South African Sign Language. Claudine explained the importance of facial expressions, the use of eyebrows, demonstrated tone and the development of new signs, including Mandela and democracy. Claudine shared her own story on how she shattered the glass ceiling and pioneered teaching Deaf Studies to teachers. This despite the number of times she faced no. She encouraged the students to never accept no, to believe in themselves and to follow their purpose, never letting any obstacles stand in their way.
San Salvador, a part of the Kingsmead Family, created this very special video celebrating our partnership.
Please CLICK HERE to view the video.
Naomi Schauer is an advocate and activist for inclusion, diversity, and the empowerment of people with disabilities. Naomi is the Manager of Sally’s Workshop, a protective workshop for people with disabilities. Naomi’s presentation was perfectly summed up by the poem “Just Because”.
Please CLICK HERE to view the poem.
At 10h00, our very special guests from Sally’s Workshop / San Salvador arrived. They were warmly welcomed by our students as we all gathered on the Garth. To John Lennon’s song – Imagine, the Sally’s Workshop Team started the Dance Party. This was followed by their favourite number (and now ours), That Power by Justin Bieber.
Working together, we created sensory toys, created by Dr Dee Blackie and it was a joy to see the interaction between our students and our guests.
To end our San Salvador visit, we enjoyed a picnic on the Garth. Thank you to Mrs Church and her team for packing the delicious picnic lunches, which were thoroughly enjoyed.
Our final guest speaker for the day was Robyn le Roux. Robyn is a passionate community advocate and social entrepreneur who has dedicated her life to empowering women and the youth across South Africa. Robyn is the founder and CEO of Fleur – our Service partner in The School Shop. Robyn spoke with raw emotion about dealing with the recent death of her teenage son and, despite his three-year battle with cancer, how he continued to live a life of Service. She spoke candidly about drug abuse and when asked the question, “How do we protect ourselves as teenage girls?” she spoke candidly. After the students were excused, a group asked if she would stay so that they could engage with her more. Robyn spent another 45 minutes with the students, and literally hung on every word.
I just wanted to thank you and Ms Rees-Gibbs for organising such incredible and inspirational talks yesterday. You and your team’s hard work does not go unnoticed. I just wanted to share that I was really inspired by Professor Storbeck’s talk.
My faith is one of the most important aspects of my identity and the way she discussed using her faith to reaffirm her purpose and push her to keep going truly touched me and many others in the room. She reminded me of what Morgan Bands, Head of Sport, shared in one of her assemblies saying that a challenge is a “setback not a step back”. She has such a contagious personality and I hope you invite her and Mrs Le Roux again because I believe that what they are doing is going to create individuals who are led by service, focus on servant leadership and promote kindness.
Live a life of Service always,
Thandeka Nzimakwe