Dear Kingsmead Community
We have raced to the end of the term and I cannot believe that we are nearing the end of 2018. The Matric exams have run smoothly and it is obvious that the girls have put tremendous effort into their preparations for the exams and they have been superbly prepared by the Kingsmead staff for their Final Examinations. I am looking forward to celebrating our Class of 2018 when the results are released.
If I reflect on the year, there has been an increased focus on educational neuroscience. As teachers learn more about the functioning of the brain and mind linked to education, they can better understand every student in their class. This certainly leads to better pedagogy and our girls can only benefit from this insight.
I had the pleasure of listening to Dr Kathie Nunley when she visited Kingsmead in September and I also listened to a talk by Professor Lara Ragpot at the SAHISA Conference, where she spoke on “Mind, brain and education – are we educating children for the 4th industrial revolution?”
The significant changes that we have made to the Grade 8 and 9 curriculum, in particular, and to the way in which we are teaching at Kingsmead in general is in line with all the latest brain research. This certainly validates what an outstanding job our teachers are doing.
This has been a most successful year for the school and I thank all who have contributed to making it so. At this time of the year, I would like to acknowledge the service staff, the admin staff and the academic staff for the role that they have played in the life of Kingsmead.
Staff News
The end of a term brings with it farewells and well wishes. We would like to say a huge thank you to Ms Avril Cummins, Mr Rob Rhodes-Houghton and Mr Nic Smit who have stepped in to assist us this term in the Dramatic Arts and Mathematics departments respectively. Ms Cummins has been an asset to the team this term and we hope that we will still see her around campus in the near future. Mr Rhodes-Houghton joined us at a very difficult time this year, after we lost Sharonne Isack, and assisted our Matrics, in particular, with the final preparations for their exams. Mr Smit has also been a member of the Mathematics Department this term and we thank him for his time and dedication to teaching our girls.
Mrs Toi Lawrenson is retiring at the end of 2018. Mrs Lawrenson has been a dedicated, enthusiastic and dignified member of our Afrikaans Department, with exceptional management and classroom skills. She has always made herself available to assist with additional project such as the school magazine and matric dances. Her dedication and support for the girls that she has taught has been unwavering. We wish Mrs Lawrenson well in her retirement and we are sure she will fill the time with her many passions.
Mr Piers Cruickshanks has taken up the position as Deputy Headmaster at Penryn College in Nelspruit from January 2019. Mr Cruickshanks has been part of the Kingsmead family for the last 13 years and has spearheaded a number of initiatives that have and will move the academics of Kingsmead ahead, this includes the development of the Growth Curriculum which will be implemented in 2019 for the Grade 8 and 9 students. He has brought a calm, measured and alternative viewpoint to important discussions that have taken place in the school, this along with his dry sense of humour has been so appreciated and will be sorely missed. We thank him for all he has done at Kingsmead.
We wish Piers, Shelley and their children every happiness in the Lowveld. We know that this new way of life will be a good move for the family.
We have come to the end of an incredibly productive and happy year at Kingsmead. We have seen a few new and exciting changes as we forge ahead with new projects and initiatives such as the Growth Curriculum and the development of the TDI Charter in our Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion journey.
Thank you to all the families in our community for your continued support to both the girls and the school during 2018, we look forward to an incredible and exciting 2019.
We wish you all a very happy and blessed festive season. For those that are travelling, we wish you a safe and relaxing holiday making memories with your families.
I wish everyone well for the end of the term.
Fond regards
Lisa Kaplan
Head: Kingsmead College
Arts News
The Junior School Orchestra, Choir and Glee and some soloists, recently performed to great delight at Parkcare Centre.
Well done to all our Junior School musicians who performed at the various Junior School Music Concerts.
An enormous THANK YOU to all our parents who supported the Music Department this term and year. We have certainly had a memorable year filled with many exciting events. We appreciate your enthusiastic attendance at our events, support, encouragement and positive feedback.
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
Sports News
ASTRO
We have been very fortunate to get a sponsor (ANCHOR CAPITAL) on board to assist with the cost of the new 5s hockey field. It is going to allow for the hockey players to learn more skills and add to the excitement of the game.
TENNIS
Our A/B team have won their league this term and we look forward to their promotion for 2019.
SWIMMIMG/OUTREACH
Our Waterpolo 1st team participated in the Old Mutual Cup at Roedean. In order for this to happen, each school had to partner with an Outreach school for Learn to Swim. Kingsmead have been with Parkhurst Primary for 5 years who get coached twice a week so that they can compete at a gala in February. This initiative was started by Old Mutual.
Robert Pullen
Director of Sport
Service News
9th WHEELCHAIR DONATION
The 9th wheelchair was delivered to Mphephu Shiburi, mother of Mojaji Shibori and goggo to Tiniko Shibori, both service staff at KMC. Mphephu is cared for by Manyunu Shivuri, Mojadji’s youngest sister. The wheelchair was presented to Mphephu by Joseph Nzwobi, Mojadj and Tiniko on the 9th of October 2018.
Monica Loubser
Kingsmead Medical Centre Sister
KINGSMEAD SERVICE IN THE NEWS
Kingsmead College has been invited to participate in a competition, hosted by Rosebank Killarney Gazette, in association with SPAR, to collect running shoes that will be donated to a school in the greater Johannesburg North region. The aim was to provide many underprivileged children with the opportunity and motivation to remain fit with the right shoes.
Kingsmead donated the most shoes of all participating schools and was featured on the front-page of the Rosebank Killarney Gazette.
Read the full article here https://rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za/241613/kingsmead-challenge-inner-city-perceptions/
SERVICE EXCURSIONS
Senior School girls actively participated in the Service Excursions this term. We visited Impilo and Dlala Nje. Books from the book drive were donated and sorted at the Dlala Nje community centre’s library. Senior School girls also donated cupcakes for the concert hosted by Kingsmead at Park Care.
The last week of school will include Service Excursions to Animals in Distress, Fight with Insight, Botshabelo Babies’ Home as well as some exciting activities on campus.
Jenny Venter
Director of Service