So much has happened since the start of the second term, and the campus is already so busy. The winter sports are in full swing, and I do want to commend students for their involvement in PreDA and FEDA.
The term began with a career evening coordinated by Lara Bugarin (Kingsmead’s Advancement officer and our very own Alumni) and it was a special evening capturing the many routes that our Alumnae have followed to get to their happy successful place; it taught our Gr 9s and 11s that a career path is not linear and that there may be trials and tribulations on the way, but that you will eventually get to a fulfilling career.
The Tech Day, the next day, highlighted the many career paths in the digital and tech field, and with these two evenings, students certainly were left feeling more informed about their subject choices and careers.
I do hope that you were able to meet the teachers either virtually or in person at the parent-teacher-student (SLC) meetings. I encourage you to reach out to staff during the term if you require any feedback before the July Examinations.
One of the highlights on our calendar is our Book Fair, and it was astounding to see the school abuzz with authors and literary critics and gurus in all their splendour. There was certainly something for everyone, and I believe that my personal takeaway, amongst others, was that we have brilliant minds and we need to develop our nation and encourage venture capital to promote entrepreneurship and from a governance perspective, we must focus on improving skills in our country.
The grade 11 Leadership camp was a great bonding experience for our Grade 11s who will soon take over the reins of leadership next term.
Whilst students had an academic catch-up day before Book Fair, staff had their very own professional development with Mind Joy, followed by a whole school staff collaborative activity of fun. We are stronger together!
Seeing as Child Protection Month is from 11 May – 11 June, and we prioritise child safety at all times, please may I remind you that the student bathrooms are out of bounds to parents at all times.
I wish you well over the winter months ahead.
Courage Always.
Sharekha Banwa
Acting Senior School Head
Academics
Commerce
Grade 12 Geography Rosebank Urban Tour
Seven Matric Geography students took to the streets on Thursday, 16 May, to see their studies on urban renewal come to life. We started by leaving Kingsmead by the Tyrwhitt Avenue gate at 11:30 am, which is very comfortable in winter, accompanied by Frans Mamogobo from Kingsmead Security.
We made our way along the front of Rosebank Mall and stopped at our first point of interest, the Monarch Hotel. Here we spoke about the gentrification of the building. Originally constructed in 1924, the building served as the Rosebank Telephone Exchange. It was then expanded in the 1930s and modified into the Saxonworld Post Office. After being a Post Office, the building was unoccupied until the mid-2000s when it was resuscitated and converted into the attractive hotel it is today.
After the interesting history of the Monarch Hotel, we made our way round to the front of the Standard Bank building to learn about the eco-friendly nature of the building. This, we learned, was achieved using the expansive glass windows which cover most of the building, optimising both light and warmth using the sun’s rays for temperature management.
After completing our review of the Standard Bank building, we wandered down Baker Street, where we stopped to speak with a waiter from Soul Souvlaki, who shared with us that their building had previously been used as a government safe house. This was a further example to us of urban renewal and rezoning.
The highlight of our trip came next as we made our way across the street to the Rosebank Fire Station. At first, there was very little activity, and we disappointingly moved on. A few minutes later, however, we turned to see a big, rosy, red fire truck coming down the street. The off-duty fire truck and firefighters were willing to take a moment for a few pictures with us outside the station.
This experience ticked a bucket list item for many of us in the class.
Although the outing was as simple as a day out in the surrounding streets of Rosebank, it provided a valuable and very enjoyable way to fully experience what we had learned from our Geography notes.
Amy Falcon
Grade 12 Geography student
Senior South African National Geography Olympiad
On Tuesday, 13 May, a small group of 8 Geography students participated in the first round of the online Geography Olympiad.
The Olympiad consists of 40 multiple-choice questions set to sources on a range of current global geographical topics that place their senior phase curriculum in a global context. For the Grade 10’s it was the first time participating in the Olympiad, and it proved to be a positive experience for them.
I found the Geography Olympiad fun and interesting. It furthered my knowledge on many topics I have only briefly touched on. Especially geopolitics, it furthered my understanding of how Geography and Politics are linked.
Amelia Barnes, Grade 10
I learnt a lot about geopolitics.
Jana Mostert, Grade 12
I found the different topics of Geography covered interesting.
Amy Falcon, Grade 12
Ms B Rademacher
Geography Department
Accounting and Business Studies Olympiad
There were 167 Grade 10, 11 and 12 Accounting and Business Studies students who wrote the Proverto National High School Olympiad, in partnership with The University of Johannesburg, Department of Finance and Investment Management, on 9 May 2025.
The Proverto Olympiad provides an avenue for them to delve deeper into their interests. Participation in the Olympiad requires the students to have satisfactory knowledge of all the Accounting and Business Studies topics, and it provides an opportunity to apply this knowledge to real-life business scenarios.
Our students found that the multiple-choice questions challenged them and allowed them to practise their problem-solving abilities. They enjoyed the process of learning and exploring beyond the regular school curriculum.
The final round of the Business Studies Proverto Olympiad will be held on 30 July 2025.
Mrs K Lay, Ms R Phogole, Ms A Osman and Mrs L van Lith.
Accounting and Business Studies Departments
Sciences
Sheep Brain Dissection
After learning about the nervous system in class, we did a brain dissection, which nothing could have prepared us for. We were presented with a sheep’s head, with a foul smell coming from some rotting chewed-up food in the sheep’s mouth. Then the actual cutting began, which was met with many “oohs”, “ahhs”, and “ewws” from the class. Upon closer inspection, we were able to see all of the different layers and sections we had learnt about. From cerebrum to cerebellum, it was incredibly detailed. This experience is one that will be remembered, even though some would prefer to forget it.
Anna Hawes
Grade 11
Career Day
Inspiring Futures: Highlights from the First Kingsmead Career Day
The Garth was bustling with excitement at the start of Term 2, where Kingsmead hosted their very own Career Day. This exciting and enriching event was designed to ignite curiosity, inspire ambition, and help students shape their future paths.
The afternoon began with an impressive university exhibition where a variety of tertiary institutions set up stands to showcase their academic offerings. From local universities to international options, students had the chance to explore different study opportunities, collect information, and engage with university representatives about their plans.
Following this, we were honoured to welcome back six exceptional Kingsmead alumnae who shared their life journeys and professional experiences with our Grade 11 and Grade 9 students. These strong, independent women spoke with passion and honesty, offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs they encountered on their way to building meaningful careers. Their stories, ranging across diverse fields, left students feeling inspired and empowered to dream big.
To end the evening, students gathered informally on the Garth for one-on-one conversations with our visiting alumnae. This relaxed setting provided a valuable opportunity for students to ask thoughtful questions about career choices, university courses, and real-world advice for navigating the world beyond school. The atmosphere buzzed with curiosity and connection as students explored a wide variety of professions—from law and medicine to marketing, engineering, and creative industries.
Our first Career Day was a resounding success, and we are grateful to our alumnae and university partners for their contributions. A special thanks to Lara Bargain for the key role she played in organising this event; without her, the event would not have been a success.
Events like these help nurture a sense of purpose and possibility in our students, encouraging them to explore, to question, and most importantly, to believe in the power of their own journeys.
We look forward to many more events like this in the years to come!
Bianca Meyer
Senior School Life Orientation Teacher
Grade 12 Co-ordinator
Grade 11 Camp
Spirit of Adventure
We were told scary stories. Told it would be freezing. Told to pack light. But most importantly, we were told to enjoy it all, the last camp of high school. I must say, you have never met people who overpack more than the class of 2026. We came up with every possible scenario and excuse to pack more clothes. Our mentality was, “Rather be safe than sorry.”
The bus was full of excitement and, to be honest, hunger, both the kind for food and the kind for whatever this leadership camp had to offer. When we arrived, we were welcomed with the warmest smiles from facilitators who were ready to share their wisdom and experiences with us. Before we could even say hello to our beds, we had to say hello to our new “families”, people we did not usually sit with or talk to. This camp was about getting to know the peers we often overlook. The kind of camp where you walk away thinking, “I never would have known we had so much in common.”
My group ended the trip filled with pride, joy from our facilitator, and most importantly, a group of new friends. But it did not start like that.
On the first day, we were thrown straight into activities that needed trust and teamwork. We were stuck on our very first challenge for at least fifteen minutes. That was when we realised we needed to actually listen to one another, take everyone’s ideas, and come up with a proper plan. We decided to trust each other, rely on one another, and work together.
That was when everything changed. One activity had us using crates and planks to get across a line. That is when we called ourselves “The Crazy Crates” because those crates really tested our patience. The next activity involved getting a cup of water from the top of a very long pole. It required so much trust. We used the planks to create a balance, put everyone on one side to act as a weight, and then helped one person walk the plank and reach the cup. It was such a brave thing to do. After that, we renamed ourselves “The Crazy Courageous Crates” because that name truly captured our journey from frustration to success, and from individual voices to a united team.
Every group had a turning point like that. That was ours.
The second day was my absolute favourite. We explored the grounds and rolled in mud, and I do not think I have ever laughed that much. The obstacle course was so well planned, and every challenge brought out the lessons we had learned about leadership and trust.
When our facilitator shouted, “One, two, three, go!” We knew it was time.
The first obstacle went smoothly.
The second one gave us no trouble either.
The third one slowed us down. We were out of breath, but we were still cheering each other on.
“Come on, you have got this!” someone shouted.
Then came the fourth obstacle. Every person had to touch a pole, but it was too high to reach on their own. That is when I really understood what it means to need people. You need others to lift you. You need to trust them, and in return, you need to be the one lifting others when they are depending on you. We managed to complete the whole course in sixteen minutes, which ended up being the fastest time of the day. Not because everything went perfectly, but because we decided to trust, adapt, encourage, and celebrate one another.
Later that day, the competitive energy really came through during dodgeball. Each group played against another, and we all cheered from the sidelines. It felt like we were one big community, like one big family.
The final day was more relaxed. We worked through riddles that still brought out our competitive spirit, but they also allowed us to have fun, be creative, and work as a team one last time.
We left camp feeling overjoyed, closer than ever, a little cold, and more than ready to go home. Those three days were unforgettable, and they will live on in our memories and our group chats for a long time.
Melokuhle Zungu
Grade 11
Beyond the Classroom
Arts & Music
Atheneum Debating Competition
The Kingsmead junior team participated in the Atheneum debating competition. At the end of the preliminary rounds, the team was ranked 4th in overall competition and progressed to the break rounds of the competition, which were held on 25 May at St Andrews.
In the quarter finals, the team went up against St Andrews and unanimously won their quarter, progressing to the semi-final against The Ridge, which they also won. They then qualified for the junior grand final against St John’s College.
We are anxiously awaiting the results of the final, which we will find out at Best of Atheneum this coming weekend.
Participating students: Josephine Less, Chloe Pon, Amaanah Ebrahim and Sophie Wolstenholme
SACEE Championship
The Kingsmead juniors qualified for the SACEE Championship rounds by ranking fourth in their SACEE Central Division, with Adiva Tickoo, Valentina Whitcutt and Kristen Benjamin ranking in the top 20 best speakers.
This resulted in an invitation to participate in the championship rounds, in which the best teams from each division come together to crown a winner. This past weekend was the prelim rounds of the championship division, in which Kingsmead Gold won 3 of their 6 debates, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the out-rounds.
All in all, both Kingsmead teams represent our school brilliantly across both competitions, and we are exceptionally proud of all the students who participated.
Participating students: Adiva Tickoo, Valentina Whitcutt, Kristen Benjamin and Zivanka Chetty
PrEDA
Our second year of PrEDA was once again a roaring success.
In addition to Kingsmead College, we welcomed Radford House, Crawford International Ruimsig and our esteemed adjudicator, Sharon Spiegel-Wagner, on the 8th and 9th of May to our beautiful Mkwanazi Theatre.
Audiences were impressed by the quality of the work of the students and the variety of stories on show. Sharon was full of praise for the work put on stage and provided insightful and valuable feedback to all 5 plays, who will now implement it as they prepare to perform at the Festival of Excellence in Dramatic Arts.
We would like to thank our Dramatic Arts Department for the countless hours that go in to producing this event.
Dear Evan Hansen
“Dear Evan Hansen, this is gonna be a good day and here’s why”
On Tuesday, 1 April, the Kingsmead College Arts Department went to watch Dear Evan Hansen at Montecasino’s Teatro, the stage transformed into a swirling, electrifying portrait of teenage anxiety, social media chaos, and the desperate human need to connect, all thanks to Dear Evan Hansen.
From the moment the lights dimmed and that now-iconic opening guitar strum filled the room, the audience was hooked. The production managed to capture the raw emotional intensity of the Tony Award-winning musical while giving it a fresh, vibrant energy that felt both intimate and electric.
Stuart Brown played Evan with a heartbreaking mix of awkwardness, sincerity, and desperation. You could practically feel the collective audience clutching their programs every time he stumbled over a lie or poured his soul into a letter. His rendition of “Waving Through a Window” was not just a song — it was a moment — powerful, vulnerable, and gut-wrenchingly real.
The supporting cast delivered equally powerful performances. Keely Crocker as Zoe Murphy was a standout, delivering “Requiem” with the kind of layered, bruised strength that had half the audience dabbing their eyes. And let’s not forget Justin Swartz as Jared, who cracked up the entire room with perfectly-timed sarcasm, offering some much-needed comic relief without ever pulling the show away from its emotional core. Sharon Spiegel Wagner’s portrayal of Cynthia Murphy was a masterclass in emotional storytelling, she delivered one of the most deeply moving performances of the night. Her portrayal of a grieving mother, trying desperately to hold her family together while navigating her own heartbreak, was nothing short of breathtaking. Every line, every glance, carried the weight of a thousand unspoken emotions.
Visually, Niall Griffin’s staging was unbelievable. Screens floated, projecting text messages, emails, and viral videos, creating a dizzying, all-too-familiar digital landscape. It was the perfect backdrop for a story where a single social media post can change everything, for better or worse.
By the time the final curtain fell, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Greg Karvellas’s version of Dear Evan Hansen was exceptional.
Thank you to Kingsmead College and the Arts department for taking us to watch this amazing musical.
Sophia Pearse
Grade 11
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za
Sports
Netball
Our 1st Team Netball players represented us with pride at the St Andrew’s Netball Festival in April. Despite challenging weather conditions, our team showed immense strength, resilience, and unity, securing 11th place out of 32 schools. Special congratulations to Coach Tracey Minnie and Team Manager Bianca Meyer for their leadership and dedication.
We also extend our gratitude to the supporters who braved the cold and crowded indoor spaces to cheer our team on – your presence made a difference.
Our U15 netball team participated in the St Mary’s festival, again, the weather forced them to move indoors. It was a great opportunity to play a different type of netball, and the team continues to grow.
Our U17 netball team participated in the Brescia U17 netball festival, where they found some stiff opposition. Well done to the team for their continuous growth throughout the festival.
Hockey
The 1st Hockey Team took part in the St Mary’s Festival in April. It was a demanding competition, and the team finished in 31st place. We are proud of their efforts and look forward to their participation in the Courage Festival in 2026.
Courage Festival
The Courage Festival, proudly hosted at Kingsmead in April, was a tremendous success! Our campus buzzed with excitement as we welcomed 10 netball and 16 hockey teams. While the weather proved challenging, the athletes’ passion prevailed—netball games continued indoors while hockey matches carried on as planned.
A heartfelt thank you goes to all staff members who contributed to the event’s success, especially Ms Church, Ms Chiman, and Mr Zondani for their tireless effort to make the campus ready for such a big event.
This newly established festival offers schools a stepping stone into the prestigious St Mary’s and St Andrew’s 1st team festivals held at the same time. We’re excited to welcome even more schools next year.
Aquatics
Diving
Congratulations to Maya Rono, who competed at the SA Nationals over the holidays and claimed 1st place in both the 1m and 3m dive events.
Artistic Swimming
Well done to Sienna Fry for winning 1st place in her solo routine at the SA Nationals Level 3 Artistic Swimming competition. We wish her every success as she prepares to compete in Abu Dhabi.
Water Polo
A very special congratulations goes to Lucy Davis, who has been selected to represent South Africa at the World Aquatic Championships in Singapore. This is an outstanding achievement, and we are incredibly proud of her. We wish Lucy every success as she prepares to compete at the highest level.
Congratulations to the following players who have been selected for the Gauteng Schools Winter Training Squad. This is a fantastic achievement, and we wish you all the best as you continue to develop your skills and represent us with pride.
U14
Lucy Berry
Madison Botha
Jemma Cederwall
Lucy Ellens
Alexandra Hodgson-Jervis
Keely McEvoy
U16
Uma Banchetti
Chloe Chapman
U15
Kristin Billet
Erin Boyd
Emma Clowes
Leila Connoway-Chang
Scarlett Grundlingh
Kyla Hall
Maryam Hassan
Kiara Jansen
Olivia Piccolo
Milan Williams
U19
Lucy Davis
Charlee Davis
Clea Ellens
Swimming
Congratulations to Saheli Kalpagé for her performances at level 2 championships. She achieved a gold medal in backstroke, silver medal in buttefly, 4th place in 100m and 200m and 5th place in freestyle.
Well done to Kristin Billett who attended SSA level 3 Nationals and achieved Gold medals in 100m Freetsyle and 200 Individual medley. She also achieved Silver medals for 50m and 200m freestyle and 100m backstroke.
Running
We are incredibly proud of Kaitlyn Brown for completing the prestigious Two Oceans Marathon. This is a remarkable achievement, and we commend her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.
Equestrian
Our team have been busy with their school qualifying competitions.
We would like to congratulate the following riders for all achieveing top 4 finshes in various diciplines. We wish them well for their next competition.
Isobel Stewart
Mila Hozack
Cayla Brink
Lucy Berry
Emma Berry
Onthatile Malakalaka
Bokang Mofokeng
Lily Yorke-Smith
Allegra Manchia
Pippa Pascoe
Hannah Cooke
Squash
Well done to Amy Falcon who placed 4th in the Standard Bank Closed junior squash tournament. Amy will representing Gauteng at the Annual inter-Provincial tournament next month.
Rob Pullen
Director of Sports
rpullen@kingsmead.co.za
Service
A month of Service, Storytelling, and Solidarity
We hit the ground running this term with our annual Book Drive, a wonderful lead-up to Book Fair. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated such beautiful books. These will be shared with the Charlotte Maxeke Neuro Paediatric Ward, The Donald Gordon Paediatric Oncology Unit, Park Care Centre, Rainbows and Smiles, and the Rosebank Police Station’s Kid’s Corner, spreading joy to children across our city.
On Saturday, 17 March, Kingsmead hosted Inter-School Volunteering, welcoming 140 enthusiastic volunteers from Roedean, Macaulay House, St David’s Marist Inanda, Holy Family, De La Salle Holy Cross, and Kingsmead itself. The focus of the day was neurodiversity and inclusion, and students participated in hands-on activities to support this important cause.
Volunteers created sensory tools for the Sensory Space at the Children’s Memorial Institute and explored how each brain experiences the world differently through the interactive “Your Brain is a Garden” exhibition. As Nyasha Musimwa from De La Salle Holy Cross said, “It was a beautiful demonstration of what can be achieved when young people come together in service of their communities.”
At the Book Fair last weekend, we were thrilled to welcome children from Rays of Hope. With the help of our student volunteers, the children enjoyed a day full of activities—from the play area to face painting, storytelling, delicious treats, party packs, and choosing their very own books from the donations. A special thank you to Raeesa Kaka and Claire Rowan for going above and beyond to make the day truly memorable.
Our students also played a vital role in Service to School, volunteering at various stations during the Book Fair, including the information booths, Your Brain is a Garden, and storytelling sessions. Their enthusiasm and leadership were noticed and praised by many. Well done and thank you to all who gave their time so generously!
Child Protection Week
Child Protection Week (25 May – 1 June 2025) carries the powerful theme: “Working Together to End Violence Against Children.” In line with this, Kingsmead Service is partnering with Visual Arts, the Rosebank Management District, and SAPS Rosebank to transform the Kids’ Corner and Victim Support Room into more welcoming and comforting spaces.
The transformation will begin on 31 May and is expected to be completed by the end of the month. This initiative is not a one-time effort—sustainability is at the heart of our work. We will continue to visit the police station regularly, restocking books and contributing toiletry packs, stationery kits, and activity packs through our Service at School program.
As always, collaboration is the cornerstone of our success.
In the words of Helen Keller:
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
Thank you to the entire Kingsmead community for your continued generosity, compassion, and commitment to making a lasting difference.
Karen Landi
Director of Service
klandi@kingsmead.co.za
Alumnae
Kingsmead College Alumnae Bridge Drive & High Tea
12 July 2025
We warmly invite you to join us for a delightful afternoon of friendly competition, delicious refreshments, and wonderful company, all in support of a meaningful cause. Proceeds from the event will go towards the KCA Bursary Fund, helping us provide financial support to deserving students.
We would be truly grateful for any volunteers who would like to get involved in making the day a success. Alternatively, why not gather a group of friends and join us for a memorable afternoon? This event is open to anyone to enjoy.
We are also appealing for prize donations, sponsorships, or contributions of any kind. If you or someone you know who is able to assist, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference and brings us closer to our goal.
We look forward to sharing this special day with you and celebrating the strength of our alumnae community.
General Ticket: R350pp
Pensioner Ticket: R300pp
(Tickets include Bridge and High Tea – Cash Bar Available)
Kindly click the link below to reserve your tables.
Lara Bugarin
Advancement Officer
lbugarin@kingsmead.co.za
