Dear Kingsmead Community,
I was looking back on my newsletter from this time a year ago and was reminded that we were just getting ready to return to school in a staggered way after our initial hard lockdown. The numbers of cases are again climbing, particularly in Gauteng and I urge all our families to take care at this time as we would like the school to remain open. Please adhere to the school protocols and, importantly, please keep to the national protocols when the students are at home and over the weekends. As I write to you, we currently have two Grade 11s and two Grade 8s who have tested positive for Covid-19 and they are at home. The close contacts of these students have been notified and they will also quarantine for the requisite 10 days.
Africa Day is celebrated on 25 May and this year it was celebrated under the theme: “The year of Arts, Culture and Heritage: in the year of Charlotte Maxeke”. Charlotte Maxeke (née Manye) was a leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, a social and political activist and the first black South African woman to graduate with a university degree: a BSc from Wilberforce University, Ohio, USA in 1901. She gave hope to the dejected and her life was an inspiration to all. She was a wife, mother, educationist, religious leader, social welfare worker, political activist and benefactor of humanity. She is often honoured as the ‘Mother of Black Freedom in South Africa’.
Source: National Museum Publications:
https://nationalmuseumpublications.co.za/charlotte-maxeke-1872-1939-mother-of-black-freedom-in-south-africa/
My Chapel message to the Grade 10-12s this term has been on how to create an abundance mentality, instead of a scarcity mentality. It is only by having an abundance mentality that we are able to lift others.
I reminded the students of Carol Dweck’s “Growth Mindset” and Stephen Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” – which both promote the fact that we can use techniques to shift from a scarcity mentality to a growth mindset, by doing daily things like focusing on what skills we have; surrounding ourselves with others who have a similar mindset; incorporating gratitude into daily life and training our minds to see possibilities.
Let us have the following as our mantra for the term: “We rise by lifting others” – Robert Ingersoll.
Staff news:
Welcome to Robyn Hillowitz who joins the English Department on 1 June and to Marcelle Hunt who joins the Mathematics Department when Bianca Barnett goes on maternity leave. We wish these staff members a very happy stay at Kingsmead.
I wish you all a wonderful term ahead and urge you to keep healthy.
Fond regards,
Lisa Palmer
Head: Kingsmead College
Covid-19 Protocols
Covid-19 Adjusted Level 2 Lockdown
As per the announcement from the President on Sunday evening, we have now entered an adjusted level 2 lockdown. Please take note of the following additional adjustments and precautions:
- All assemblies will be online.
- All Staff meetings to revert to online
- Extra vigilance during break and use of shared facilities
- Locker rooms closed and locked.
Contact Tracing- Secondary contacts
We are getting many queries regarding the isolation of siblings or secondary contacts.
As far as our protocols stand, a secondary contact (the family member or friend who has contact with a close contact of a Covid positive person) would not need to isolate. It is, however, really important to be extra cautious at home and also to be aware of any symptoms. If you are unable to reasonably distance yourselves from the close contact or if any family members display any symptoms, it would be wise to keep the secondary contact at home too. Each case is handled on an individual basis. If you would like to discuss this further, it would be best to be in contact with Sister Monica at our Medical Centre.
Recording of Cases
We are now expected to share specific details as well as proof of the Covid positive test result (PCR) of any student or staff member with the Department of Education. Sister Monica will be in contact with each family to request this information as well as the list of close contacts.
Arts News
MAJOR PRODUCTION FILM
Our major production film ‘Between Two Worlds’ written by alumnae Isabella Martinez, is in the filming phase! The cast and crew were lucky enough to have two workshops with specialists in their fields. Karl Reith, a professional video editor, motion graphics designer and videographer, ran a filming workshop with the crew.
A specialist make-up workshop was presented by Jules Ruby, 4 times nominee and 2 times winner of the South African Film and television awards (SAFTA) for best hair and make-up. She has vast experience in feature films, tv commercials and in the editorial field and gave our students a glimpse into the exciting world of special effects make-up.
Covid has thrown us some curve balls so we are adapting and adjusting as we go. Final screening dates and details will be communicated as soon as possible.
DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING
Debating and Public Speaking Club have been meeting ‘in person’ this term and have enjoyed delving into political and social issues. It has been wonderful to see inexperienced speakers grow in confidence. Critical thinking and the ability to consider opinions from various perspectives are essential skills which we hope to develop in our speakers and debaters. Although we have not been able to compete in events up to date, we look forward to some inter-house and ‘friendly’ events with neighbouring schools in the second half of the term.
PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
The Photography Club started meeting again this term and there has been overwhelming interest across the college. We are planning workshops with professional photographers, compiling an online stock image library, shooting a short promotional video for the school, as well as taking stills and videos at school events once they resume.
DANCE
Traditional dance has seen wonderful growth this year with the partnership of Jozi Dance Company. Students are developing their dance experience and techniques through the expertise of a professionally trained dance instructor, Sabelo Maphumulo.
Sabelo Maphumulo
MUSIC
Congratulations to Anna Eyles who passed the Grade 2 Rockschool Music Performance Examination with an impressive 95%! Well done Anna!
Well done to Nazrana Jhavary who was selected to participate in the 17th National Eisteddfod Academy Young Performer Awards Competition semi-final.
Anna Eyles Nazrana Jhavary
Congratulations to our musicians who recently performed in the Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge Eisteddfod and achieved outstanding results: Katharine Jones, Samantha Greyling and Safiya Vally. Well done!
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
Sport News
EQUESTRIAN
South African National Equestrian Schools Association (SANESA):
Qualifier 2 – 22nd and 23rd May
The High School Equestrian team competed at the second Qualifier at Kyalami Park this past weekend.
Congratulations to the following riders for being placed in the top of their classes:
Amy Falcon
2nd in Level 3 Working Hunter
Helena van der Merwe
1st in Level 2 Show Jumping
1st in Level 5 Handy Hunter
Rania Motara
1st in Level 3 Working Riding
2nd in Level 1 Dressage A
3rd in Level 1 Dressage B
3rd in Level 1 Equitation
3rd in Level 3 Performance Riding
3rd in Level 3 In Hand Utility
Sarah Florence
1st in Level 3 Prix Caprilli
Sarah Warren
1st in Level 3 Working Hunter
HOCKEY
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for District Hockey teams to attend Provincial trials.
U14
Nozipho Magondo
U16
Lesedi Magondo Mia Speirs Sinead Erasmus
Nicola Keulder Nina Evans
U18
Noma Magwegwe Kate Galloway
POLO
Kennedy Davis competed in the SA National polo tournament and her team achieved 1st place.
Kennedy can be seen holding the Trophy.
SQUASH
Rachel and Emma Shannon participated in the Balwin Properties SA Schools Closed Squash Championship held at Parkview Squash Centre. Emma was seeded number 8 and finished 7th in the U16 Girls section and Rachel was seeded 6 and finished 5th in the Girls U19 section. This tournament, along with the Bloemfontein Open they played in earlier this year are both SA Schools ranking tournaments, Emma is ranked number 7 and Rachel number 5 in the country in their respective age groups.
Rachel Shannon Emma Shannon
After competing in the Central Gauteng grading tournament, Amy came Second in the U14 age group and was selected for the Inter Provincial Tournament team in July (10-14th). Leah came First in U16B and was also selected for the Inter Provincial Tournament team in July (18-22nd).
Leah Falcon Amy Falcon
NETBALL
The following players attended the D13 netball district trials which took place on 30 April for U14, U15 and U16 at Sandton Action arena; U17 and U18 at St Stithians on 1 April.
U14
Nobuntu Mkwanazi Emma Simmonds Isabella Weir-Smith Haala Hassim
U15
Emma Keast Daniella Hewartson Emma Spronk
U16
Mbali Ndlela Gabriela Potgieter Helen Cockeran Fatima-Tuz-Zahra Peer
U17
Caitlin Stott Caroline Spronk Khanya Mokonyane
U18
Nina Stockenstrom Christy-Anne Peers
Congratulations to Daniella Hewartson, Khanya Mokonyane and Christy-Anne Peers who have progressed to the final round of provincial netball trials.
GOLF
Congratulations to Jessica Bennett who won the Killarney Golf Champs.
Robert Pullen
Director of Sport
Academic News
GROWTH CURRICULUM
Children’s Theatre Module
The Children’s Theatre module incorporated the skills of Dramatic Arts, Music and Visual Art. The module focused on the re-imagining of different Chinese folktales for a filmed performance using the medium of Shadow Puppetry. Through various activities such as writing their own scripts, creating original music and crafting puppets, the students developed essential subject-specific skills. Their hard work culminated in exceptional and creative original performances.
Once all the filmed performances had been marked, the grade had a viewing of all of their hard work in the Lange Hall. Once the screenings were done, the grade voted for various awards, and the module finished with an awards ceremony. The awards presented were as follows:
• BEST PRODUCTION
o The Talking Fish produced by Kgalalelo Motaung & Iia-Leigh Shih
• BEST SOUNDTRACK
o Janice Goes to China Town produced by Emma Eckoldt & Anna Eyles
• BEST SCENERY/BACKDROP
o The Talking Fish produced by Kgalalelo Motaung & Iia-Leigh Shih
• BEST STORYTELLING
o Bamboo and the Turtle produced by Kira King & Dihana Punjabi
• BEST PUPPET
o Princess Kwan-Yin produced by Ra’eesah Moosa & Pia Rowji
• BEST VOICED CHARACTER (shared award)
o The Nodding Tiger produced by Amber-Lee Mchunu & Cara Nicholson
o The Nodding Tiger produced by Faith Aguiar, Sumayya Forssman, Michaela Jennings & Thuli Martin
• BEST FILMING & EDITING
o Janice Goes to China Town produced by Aimee Motani & Lucia Sabbioni
• BEST STORY INTERPRETATIONS
o Janice Goes to China Town – Emma Eckoldt & Anna Eyles
o The Mad Goose & the Tiger Forest – Daniella Hewartson, Ena Opperman & Lulama Shibambu
o The Talking Fish – Kgalalelo Motaung & Iia-Leigh Shih
o The Strange Tale of Doctor Dog – Elizabeth Hakizimana & Thuthukile Sithebe
o The Golden Nugget – Zuhayra Ebrahim & Meera Luksmidas
o Bamboo and the Turtle – Kira King & Dihana Punjabi
o How Molo stole the lovely Rose-Red – Maryam Khan & Emily Stoutjesdyk
o The Nodding Tiger – Faith Aguiar, Sumayya Forssman, Michaela Jennings & Thuli Martin
o Princess Kwan-Yin – Kirsten Botha & Mieke Costa
This was the first year where to students didn’t perform for a live audience, and the medium of film allowed for a new mode of storytelling for the Grade 9s to explore. Some really beautiful work was created by the students and we are proud of the way that they took on this challenge.
Frances Wilmot
Dramatic Arts
FRENCH
International School Exchange with France : Frenchies/Sudafs
The benefits of international school exchanges are many; students are introduced to a completely new way of life that allows them to experience different cultures and perspectives. It also gives them the opportunity to learn a new language and to make life-long friendships. But how do you go on exchange in the middle of a pandemic? …C’est facile, you just go virtual!
Saomé, Bérénice, Romane, Ayah, Sophie, Lucie, Annouk and Margot are some of the students from Lycée la Perverie in the vibrant city of Nantes who meet our Grade 10s once a week on Zoom to chat in French and English, to play games and get to know each other.
Les cocottes en papier
Our Grade 8 students had a relaxing Friday afternoon and created beautiful cocottes en papier to practice their French pronunciation and to revise colors, numbers and animals.
Déjeuner du Matin de Jacques Prévert
Although our planned outing to Paul Patisserie had to be cancelled at the last minute, we still managed to have a delicious breakfast – croissants and chocolat chaud – followed by a French movie, thanks to Ms Church and her wonderful staff. A huge merci also goes out to Ms Palmer for making this possible.
Joëlle Harding
Senior School French Teacher
Service News
MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY
Menstrual Hygiene Day is an annual awareness day on 28 May to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management at a global level. The Grade 7-12 students celebrated Menstrual Hygiene Day during assembly.
All the students made menstrual tracking bracelets facilitated by Dignity Dreams. The Dignity Dreams Menstrual Bracelet is an activity bracelet, it contains 28 beads representing each day of the menstrual cycle.
It is a physical way to track where you are in your cycle. Students had the opportunity to donate a menstrual bracelet to a student at Isipho Primary School.
Jenny Venter
Director of Service
The President’s Award: HerVenture
Fifty Grade 10s participated in HerVenture Lite. This expedition was completely student driven, with the students having to navigate while hiking, plan meals around a box of provided ingredients, set up camp and prepare meals themselves. The expedition was facilitated by Townsend Adventure Lifestyles in the Haenertsburg area in Magoebaskloof, Limpopo. Activities included hiking and kayaking on the beautiful Ebenezer Dam.
The 10-day expedition would have included a project phase where students would have been involved in community service. Unfortunately, due to Covid regulations, we could not have safe community engagement. However, with funds raised by the current Grade 10s at the Dance Marathon last year, they donated 76 Dignity Dreams packs to two rural schools in the Haenertsburg area.
Please follow this link to watch the video https://youtu.be/9v9DXZ4AREc
Jenny Venter
The President’s Award Leader
Bread Tags and Bottle Tops for Wheelchairs
Our Bread tags and bottle tops collection have taken a slump due to the new normal. This rewarding project stared in 2014, and the enthusiastic participation from the Kingsmead community resulted in 11 wheelchair donations. Bottle tops and bread tags for wheelchair number 12 are slowly but surely accumulating in the courtyard at the back of Grail House.
Thank you for your effort and caring and keep collecting!
Monica Loubser
Professional Nurse