Dear Parents, Staff and Students,
We had the privilege of listening to Michael Charton give his talk “Strike the Rock” to the Senior School students and staff on Wednesday morning.
Michael is a master storyteller who brings history to life in the most inspiring way. I first heard his talk when I attended the South African Girls’ Schools Conference (SAGSA) in Bloemfontein and I knew that I wanted the Kingsmead students to hear this particular message.
The talk is of great relevance this week as it tells the powerful stories of Sophia de Bruyn, Rahima Moosa, Lilian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph who led the march to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, exactly 70 years ago.
Although these four women came from very different backgrounds and cultures and were of different generations, they came together as a united force in taking action against the state. There is a very strong message in this for our students.
End of term activities:
It was once again most disappointing to note how many students have been absent or have requested to leave early in the last few days of this term. This week has been specifically designed to accommodate the Inter-house Arts, where every student plays a role in her house’s production – whether it be set design and painting; dancing; chorus; main parts; band or invitations.
Please may I appeal to you to respect the last week of school as we have a specific programme that is planned every term. This often involves speakers and workshops that we are unable to fit into the course of the term, but we do feel that these are important for the students’ wellbeing, growth and development.
I thank you for your co-operation in this regard.
I wish you all a restful August break and look forward to welcoming you back to school at a warmer time and when the campus is looking beautiful in Spring.
Fond regards,
Lisa Palmer
Executive Head: Kingsmead College
Congratulations to Ms Reneé Viviers
We are delighted to congratulate Ms Reneé Viviers on her appointment as Deputy Head: Academics in the Senior School, effective 1 October 2026.
Reneé is well known and deeply valued within the Kingsmead community. She joined Kingsmead as a Mathematics teacher in 2016 and was appointed Head of the Mathematics Department in 2021. Since then, she has played an important role on the Academic Committee, contributing her expertise, insight and commitment to academic excellence.
A passionate lifelong learner, Reneé brings innovation and purpose to her teaching and leadership. She encourages students to embrace challenges and build their confidence, believing that meaningful progress is always possible through effort, reflection and perseverance.
Reneé is equally committed to the holistic development of our students and recognises the importance of balancing academic achievement with participation Beyond the Classroom. Over the years, she has coached netball and played an instrumental role in leading the Grade 10 OutVenture programme.
We have every confidence that Reneé will make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the Senior School Leadership Team and to the continued growth of Kingsmead.
Please join us in warmly congratulating Reneé on this well-deserved appointment.
We wish her every success and happiness as she steps into her new role.
Academics
Senior Geography Olympiad
Following our participation in the Senior South African National Geography Olympiad (SANGO), we are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of two of our students.
Special congratulations go to Fatima Zahraa Adam, who received a Gold Award, placing her among the top 5% of participants nationally. This exceptional accomplishment reflects her dedication, geographic knowledge and ability to apply critical thinking skills to complex real-world issues.
We also congratulate Amelia Cadman, who earned a Bronze Award, placing her within the top 15% of participants nationally. Her achievement is a testament to her hard work, perseverance and strong understanding of Geography.
These excellent results are a source of great pride for our school and highlight the talent and commitment of our Geography students. Competing in SANGO requires students to engage with both curriculum content and current global events, encouraging them to think critically about the world around them and develop valuable analytical skills.
Looking ahead, our younger Geographers will have the opportunity to participate in the SANGO Junior Olympiad on 15 September. We encourage all eligible students to embrace this exciting challenge, test their knowledge and follow in the footsteps of our senior participants. We hope many will seize the opportunity to broaden their horizons and discover the rewards of academic competition.
Well done once again to Fatima and Amelia on their remarkable achievements. We look forward to seeing even more Geography success in the future.
Bianca Rademacher
Geography Teacher
Grade 8 Students Explore Places of Worship
On 29 July, our Grade 8 students embarked on a meaningful educational excursion, visiting four places of worship in and around the Kingsmead community as part of their Culture Clash module.
The group was warmly welcomed by Houghton Masjid, The Great Park Synagogue, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Mayfair West, and Rosebank Catholic Church. At each venue, students had the opportunity to engage with religious leaders who generously shared insights into their faith, traditions, places of worship and beliefs.
Experiencing these faith communities first-hand brought classroom learning to life, allowing students to develop a deeper understanding of the rich cultural and religious diversity that exists within South Africa. The visit encouraged thoughtful questions, respectful dialogue and a greater appreciation for the values and practices that shape different communities.
Beyond expanding their knowledge, the excursion reinforced the importance of empathy, open-mindedness and respect for others. By engaging directly with different faith traditions, our students gained valuable perspectives that will continue to enrich their learning and understanding of the world around them.
The second half of the term has been a busy one for our musicians as they balanced the demands of the examination period alongside their musical commitments. We are proud of the dedication and perseverance shown by our students, many of whom continued preparing for Eisteddfods, music examinations and attending weekly instrumental and vocal lessons. Their commitment to developing their musical skills and maintaining steady progress throughout the term has been commendable.
We look forward to an exciting third term filled with performances, concerts and opportunities to perform for the wider school community. Thank you to our students, parents and music staff for your continued support, commitment and enthusiasm for Music at Kingsmead.
Sports
Senior School Hockey
Our 1st Team and mixed U14/U15 hockey teams competed in the Pullen and Howell hockey tournament. Our 1st team finished in 7th place against some tough competition in the Pullen B section and our U14 and U15 mixed team finished 3rd in the Howell B section. The performances were exceptional and this really does bode well for the 2027 season.
Mujahid Padayachy
HOD: Hockey and Tennis
Service
Service News: Small Acts, Big Impact
As we close another busy and rewarding term, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to every student, parent, staff member and service partner who have supported our service initiatives. Together, we continue to demonstrate that the Kingsmead Community has a remarkable ability to turn compassion into action.
Clothes to Good: 235 Bags and Counting!
A huge thank you to all the parents and students who supported our Clothes to Good collection drive. Congratulations, too, on successfully clearing out those closets, wardrobes and storerooms!
Thanks to your generosity, we have collected more than 235 bags of clothing and fabric, with donations still being counted. These contributions will support Clothes to Good’s work of creating employment opportunities, supporting micro-businesses and promoting sustainability through textile recycling.
We look forward to sharing the final impact report with you. For those who donated, your vouchers will be distributed at the start of the new term.
Wednesday Sandwiches for Service
Every Wednesday, a group of dedicated students gives up part of their break time to make sandwiches for those in need.
These sandwiches have been warmly welcomed by the Rosebank Soup Kitchen, who distribute them to members of the local community. Thank you to every student who has taken the time to spread a little kindness, one sandwich at a time. It is a simple act that continues to make a meaningful difference.
Mandela Day: Creating a Haven for Children
On 17 July, students participated in our Mandela Day initiative in partnership with The Sensory Space and Kids Haven. Together, we worked towards creating a calming and sensory-rich environment for children who need it most. The project focused on helping create the Kids Haven Calming Sea Garden, a dedicated mindfulness and sensory space for children at Kids Haven Children’s Home.
Thank you to everyone who donated materials, volunteered their time and participated so enthusiastically. This project is our small contribution towards creating a place of comfort, creativity and refuge for children facing significant challenges.
Grace Factory: Giving Dignity to Mothers and Babies
Our Grace Factory Mandela Day Service event on 18 July was another wonderful success. We came together to pack essential items and sort donations. A special thank you goes to everyone who donated blankets and gave up part of their Saturday to serve. Through these contributions, we were able to help provide dignity, care and support to mothers and newborn babies during a particularly important stage of their lives.
Grade 9 Service, Marketing and Inclusion Day
On 29 July, our Grade 9 students participated in a vibrant and impactful Service, Marketing and Inclusion Day.
We were privileged to welcome Lisa Hartdegen and Claire Duvel, CEO of Kindness Like Confetti, who shared their inspiring work and challenged students to think about how they and their families can make a meaningful difference in their communities.
We also welcomed Naomi Schauer from San Salvador Home, who gave students valuable insight into the organisation’s work and, most importantly, introduced them to the incredible people they support.
Naomi’s presentation encouraged students to critically examine concepts such as difference, ableism and inclusion. Students were challenged to reconsider common assumptions about disability and to understand that, in many cases, disability itself is not the burden; inaccessible environments, attitudes and systems are what create barriers.
Through honest conversation and storytelling, students were encouraged to move beyond sympathy and towards genuine understanding, respect and advocacy.
The day also included:
• Learning basic sign language
• Interactive games and activities
• A lively performance by San Salvador residents
• A market showcasing products created by beneficiaries, allowing students to support income-generating initiatives
• Reflection sessions where students considered what they had learnt through the speakers and their interactions throughout the day.
The laughter, dancing, learning and meaningful conversations reminded us that inclusion is not about focusing on what makes us different but rather recognising our shared humanity and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate, belong and thrive.
Several students commented afterwards that the experience had fundamentally changed the way they think about disability, inclusion and the role they can play in creating a more accessible and welcoming society.
“The spirit of Kingsmead has never been found in its buildings, but in the people who have been willing to serve something greater than themselves.”
D.V. Thompson,
Kingsmead Goodwill Day 2026
Nene Golele
Service and Marketing Coordinator
SCA
Our Visit to Kingsmead Fellowship Church
The Kingsmead Chapel is one of the school’s most treasured spaces; a place steeped in history, reflection and quiet peace. Each term, the Student Christian Association (SCA) hosts a youth gathering that encourages students to grow in their faith and build meaningful connections. This term, our Head of SCA, Cameron Haskins, and I had the privilege of attending a service at Kingsmead Fellowship Church, located within the heart of our campus.
The service was led by Reverend James Wetton, whose heartfelt message centred on the theme, “Created with a Purpose.” Although the church community is currently small, it is a warm, welcoming congregation that hopes to continue growing and sharing God’s love with the wider Kingsmead family.
Reverend Wetton’s sermon beautifully echoed one of Kingsmead’s core values: “The Individual Matters.” In a world where young people often face immense pressure to fit in, define their identity, and navigate social and academic expectations, this message served as a timely reminder that every individual has inherent worth. Adolescence can be a season of uncertainty and self-discovery, but our faith reminds us that our identity is not determined by the opinions of others. Rather, it is found in the unwavering love of our Creator.
Drawing from Psalm 139:13–16, Reverend Wetton reflected on the comforting truth that each of us has been intentionally created by God:
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
This powerful passage reminds us that we are neither accidents nor afterthoughts. Each life has been lovingly crafted with intention, purpose and value. Our strengths, talents, challenges and even our weaknesses all form part of the unique story God is writing for each one of us. Long before we took our first breath, He knew us, loved us and prepared a purpose for our lives.
For teenagers navigating the complexities of growing up, this message offers hope, reassurance and a profound sense of belonging. It encourages us to embrace who we are, trust God’s plan and remember that we are wonderfully made.
It was a privilege to experience such an uplifting and thought-provoking service in a place that feels so close to home. The Kingsmead Fellowship Church is a wonderful reminder that spiritual encouragement and community are available right here on our own campus.
The Kingsmead Fellowship Church warmly welcomes anyone seeking a Bible-based church community or simply looking for a place of reflection and spiritual encouragement. Services are held every Sunday at 09h30 in the Kingsmead Chapel, all are welcome.
Samentha Fisher
Student Christian Association
