Read our May 2025 highlights below for a month filled with accomplishments and proud moments at Kingsmead College. From national sports selections and international competitions to exceptional performances in the arts, debating, and academics, our students shone across every arena.
Back to School Staff Edition!
We kicked off the new term with warm smiles, a Hug in a Mug, sweet treats, and a fun photo booth moment for our staff – just a little reminder of how much they’re appreciated. Here’s to a term full of growth, joy, and happiness and hope.
A new term, a fresh start! We welcomed our Kingsmead girls back with hearts full of hope and smiles shining with happiness.
We wish them a term filled with growth, friendship, and joyful moments!
Congratulations to Madison Botha and Isabella McGowan on being part of the U14 Purple Panthers team that won the Hockey for Juniors Inter-City Championship from April 25th to 27th! Huge shoutout to Debbie Friend, our Kingsmead Coach, for her amazing coaching, and special kudos to Madison and Isabella, for their crucial goals in the final and semi-final – your efforts truly helped drive the team to victory whilst flying the Kingsmead flag high.
Afrikaans is 100 years old and this is how we celebrated a language that carries history, culture, and expression. At Kingsmead College, we honour our diverse linguistic heritage.
Making waves! A huge congratulations to our U12 and U13 Water Polo players who’ve been selected for the Gauteng Water Polo training squad.
We’re so proud of your hard work, teamwork, and determination.
We would like to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable Kingsmead moms, dads, grandparents and guardians in our lives who play the role of mother – who have comforted, cared for, cuddled and held, praised and prayed for, loved and encouraged a child.
We hope you had a very happy Mother’s Day
A round of applause for this incredible Grade 2 class! They read the most books in Term 1 and have truly shown that a love for reading starts young.
Well done, bookworms – keep turning those pages.
This International Nurses Day, we celebrated and thanked Sister Yolanda Mpilo for her unwavering dedication and compassionate care. Your service to Kingsmead College is an inspiration to us all – thank you for making a difference every day!
We are thrilled to announce that our talented Grade 7A Netball team placed 4th overall out of 20 schools at the St Andrew’s Netball Tournament.
Your hard work, dedication, and teamwork truly shone through, and we couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of you. Keep reaching for the stars!
Congratulations to Lucy Davis – our 1st Team Water Polo goalkeeper – on her selection to the South African National Women’s Water Polo Team!
Lucy will be representing South Africa at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, and we couldn’t be prouder. This achievement is a testament to the years of hard work she’s poured into the sport since joining the 1st Team in Grade 8.
Earning a spot on a national team is a huge honour – achieving it while still a student is truly remarkable. Well done, Lucy.
Big congratulations to our star student, Nasira Eshak, who was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the Speech and Drama College for her skills as an MC.
We’re incredibly proud of Nasira for representing our school with such brilliance and confidence. Keep shining!
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of Pia Daya – a shining star in the performing arts!
Pia was recently awarded a Distinction in her Trinity College London Grade 5 Performing Arts (Solo) exam, and also took home the Stageworks School of Performing Arts Award for Best Junior Musical Theatre Student.
Pia was also selected from hundreds of young performers to star in Africa’s first production of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical. Performing to sold-out audiences at Theatre on the Square, Pia wowed the crowd and media alike with her exceptional stage presence and musicality!
Pia, we are beyond proud of you and will be cheering you on every step of the way. The future of South African performing arts is bright with stars like you.
Congratulations to Masibonge Namba – our incredible Kingsmead Head Water Polo Coach – on being selected to join the South African National Women’s Water Polo Team!
Masibonge will be representing South Africa at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
We are so proud of you, Coach. Wishing you and the team all the best as you take on the world stage.
On the 7th of May, our senior school students had the opportunity to attend our annual Careers Evening.
They connected with various colleges and universities, heard inspiring stories from our alumnae about their career journeys since leaving Kingsmead, and took part in a valuable networking session with alumnae working in a wide range of industries.
It was a wonderfully enriching evening for our students, made even more meaningful by the strong presence of our alumnae community. A heartfelt thank you to the alumnae for generously giving their time – your involvement makes such a difference in the lives of our girls and continues to strengthen the bond within our Kingsmead community.
The turnout was truly amazing, and we are so grateful to have such a connected and supportive alumnae network.
We were honoured to host the Thinking Schools South Africa (TSSA) International Conference on 13 & 14 May 2025, right here at Kingsmead College. Over the two-day event, we welcomed close to 180 educators and leaders from across South Africa and around the world, united in our mission to cultivate thinking-centred schools.
A heartfelt thank you to all the attending schools, delegates, and every presenter who contributed to this gathering of ideas and inquiry. Your presence made this conference a vibrant space of learning, reflection, and professional growth.
Highlights included:
- Trevor Mackenzie’s keynotes on curiosity-driven education and personalised, inquiry-based learning.
- Jessica Vance on the power of questions and listening in inquiry spaces.
- James Nottingham on building student resilience through challenge and “The Learning Pit”
- Dr Helen Sidiropoulos and others who joined a compelling panel on rethinking education in a world shaped by AI and change.
We were especially proud of our Kingsmead presenters:
- Mrs Sjaneen Pretorius, who explored “Inquiry isn’t just a method – it’s a mindset”.
- Mrs Tessa Stobie and Mrs Yiota Hadjipetros, who inspired with “Art in Bloom: Igniting Creativity in Early Childhood”.
Workshops ranged from AI in education, concept-based learning, and Harvard Visible Thinking Routines, to Maths innovation, P4C, and creating curiosity-rich spaces; each one moving us closer to building schools where thinking truly flourishes.
Thank you again to TSSA and Dr Sonja Vandeleur (CEO of TSSA), and every participant for making this a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and connection.
Congratulations to Amelia Southey on her achievements at the JKA Karate Trials!
Amelia brought home 2 gold medals – one for Kata and one for Kumite – and has been selected to represent Gauteng at the National Championships.
All the best for Nationals, Amelia – we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.
Huge congratulations to Stella Eagar on a fantastic weekend of squash!
She placed 3rd in the Standard Bank Closed Tournament and was named Best Newcomer at Joburg Junior Squash – an amazing achievement. Stella has also been selected to represent Central Gauteng in the U13 Interprovincial Girls Squash Team touring KZN this June.
We are super proud of you, Stella – keep smashing it on and off the court.
On 20 May we celebrated the incredible Gillian Wilkinson, our Guardian of Culture and Ethos at Kingsmead. Your guidance continues to shape the spirit of Kingsmead in the most meaningful ways.
We hope you had a birthday filled with joy, love, and all the happiness you bring to those around you.
World Bee Day – Honouring nature with compassion and responsibility.
“The hum of bees is the voice of the garden.” – Elizabeth Lawrence
On World Bee Day, we recognised the vital role that bees play in sustaining our ecosystems and food supply. Their tireless work reminds us of the beauty of community, collaboration, and resilience, principles we uphold in every aspect of our school life.
Let’s protect the bees, our pollinators, and continue to grow a greener future, together.
We are incredibly proud of:
- Des Golach (U14 Manager & Coach)
- Charlie Dalling (U18A)
- Neo Mkwanazi (U16D)
- Nozipho Magondo (U18C)
- Kylie Dugmore (U14D)
All have been selected for their age‑group provincial hockey teams at June’s Inter‑Provincial Tournaments.
Best of luck to each of you as you represent Central Gauteng. We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!
Our Junior Primary had a morning of reading with a picnic in the classroom that was filled with joy! The parents, grandparents, and daughters came together to celebrate a love of reading.
It is in moments like these that remind us just how powerful stories are and how they bring us closer and create deep and meaningful connections.
Book Week was jam-packed with excitement! From entertainment by Hooked On Books to fun dress-up days like World Bee Day and Book Character Dress-Up, every moment has beautifully tied into our love for reading and the anticipation for the 2025 Book Fair.
Thank you to teacher Carla from St Vincent’s School for the Deaf for coming to speak to the Grade 5s about sign language.
The Junior School had an absolute blast reading with their parents and peers, a true celebration of storytelling, imagination and connection.
What a week of music and magic!
We celebrated two incredible evenings of choral singing at our annual Grade 4–7 Masicule Sonke Choir Festival. Well done to all 8 choirs who participated and shared their voices so beautifully.
The JP Choir Festival hosted by St John’s College on 22 May just as special. Our Grade 3s made us so proud, singing with heart and confidence.
The evening ended on a high note with a mass choir of nearly 300 Grade 1–3 learners filling the stage with energy and joy, an unforgettable celebration of music and togetherness.
Happy Africa Day! On this day we honoured the rich cultures, vibrant heritage, and diverse stories that make Africa so extraordinary. Let’s celebrate unity, embrace diversity, and inspire one another to make a difference in our communities and beyond.
What is your passion? That’s the question our Matrics asked at the Kingsmead Book Fair, and the answers were as inspiring as they were diverse!
This video reminds us that passion fuels our purpose, and when we align the two, we unlock a world of possibility.
Take a moment to reflect: What is your passion, and how does it shape your purpose?
Let’s keep dreaming, growing, and reaching for the stars.
In her recent international competition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sienna Fry competed against athletes from 10 different countries and achieved incredible results.
- Tied 1st place in the free solo routine with a competitor from Singapore
- 2nd place in the duet
- 2nd place in the team routine
What an outstanding achievement, Sienna! We’re so proud of you for representing with such skill, dedication, and passion.
Huge congratulations to our Kingsmead Junior Team – Josephine Less, Chloe Pon, Amaanah Ebrahim, and Sophie Wolstenholme – for their stellar performance at the Atheneum Debating Competition!
After being ranked 4th overall in the preliminary rounds, they went on to win both their quarter-final against St Andrew’s and semi-final against The Ridge, qualifying for the Junior Grand Final against St John’s College.
We’re so proud of this achievement!
We are delighted to share the news of Scarlett Haslam’s outstanding dance achievement after six months of dedicated effort and hard work.
Following her performance at the Debut Dancer showcase this past weekend, Scarlett was awarded the Debut Dancer Bursary by Joburg Ballet at a special ceremony held last night at the Roodepoort Theatre.
Congratulations, Scarlett, your talent, commitment, and passion for dance inspire us all!
Celebrating Neurodiversity Through Service & Unity
On Saturday 17 May, 140 passionate volunteers from Roedean, Macaulay House, St David’s Marist Inanda, Holy Family, De La Salle Holy Cross, and Kingsmead came together for a day of activities in support of neurodiversity and inclusion.
Together, we created sensory items for the Sensory Space at The Children’s Memorial Institute, learning more about the unique ways our brains experience and interact with the world.
As part of the day, students immersed themselves in Your Brain is a Garden – a vibrant, sensory-rich exhibition that celebrates the incredible diversity of how brains grow, connect, and thrive.
The atmosphere was alive with laughter, learning, and community.
“It was a beautiful demonstration of what can be achieved when young people come together in service of their communities.”
Nyasha Musimwa, De La Salle Holy Cross
On 25 April, we welcomed two French exchange students, Louise Poggioli and Anna Spiri-Grant, to the Kingsmead family.
Hosted by the Drake and Sinclaire families, the girls had an unforgettable time exploring South African culture, attending school, and even joining Rachael and Bethany on Leadership Camp.
It was a wonderful exchange of cultures, experiences, and new friendships, and was a true reminder of how some learning happens beyond the classroom!
Ascension Day is a call to hope, an encouragement to lift our eyes above our challenges, knowing that we are part of something greater. It’s a moment to remember that even as Jesus left the disciples, He entrusted them and us with a mission: to love, to serve, and to be a light in the world.
May we step forward with renewed courage, faith, and purpose, trusting that we are never alone on this journey.
Throwback to the incredible energy of our very first Kingsmead Courage Festival, held at the end of term 1!
Despite the weather, 10 netball teams and 16 hockey teams from schools across the country brought their A-game.
A huge shout out to our amazing PR team who captured all the action and highlights of the festival, rain and all!
Here’s to many more Courage Festivals to come!
Huge congratulations to Ishvara Skosana and Amahle Mbele on their incredible performances at the International Zadar Open diving competition in Croatia!
Ishvara made an impressive debut on the international stage, placing 7th in the 1m and 5th in the 3m diving events for her age group, an outstanding achievement among competitors from over 10 countries!
We are just as proud of Amahle’s efforts and composure throughout the event. Both divers represented Kingsmead and South Africa with pride, talent, and true sportsmanship.
You’ve made us proud. Here’s to many more milestones!
A huge congratulations to Amari Africa for her outstanding achievements at the International Dance Open finals in Zagreb! With over 10,000 dancers from 56 countries, Amari stood out as the youngest competitor at this event, and her results were nothing short of astonishing:
- 1st Amari Ethnic Solo (Mini Kids)
- 1st Blanket Me Lyrical Group (Kids)
- 1st Amari MT Solo (Mini Kids)
- 1st Amari Modern Solo (Mini Kids)
- 1st Amari Jazz Solo (Mini Kids)
- 1st Jazz (Me Too) Group (Kids)
- 1st Contemporary (Children @ War) Group (Kids)
- 2nd Amari & Lerato Showdance Duo (Kids)
- 2nd Ferrous Showdance Group (Kids)
- 2nd Amari & Mpume Modern Duo (Kids)
Amari’s remarkable performances have earned her an invitation to dance in the 2025 Gala Event.
Amari, you have made Kingsmead, JOZIDANCE, and South Africa incredibly proud! Your future in dance is as bright as your spirit. This is just the beginning.
A huge congratulations to our Grade 2 stars, Nechemyah Ferreira and Amelie Perera, for their outstanding achievements in gymnastics at the CGSA Johannesburg District Competition held on 23-24 May 2025.
Nechemyah earned a Silver medal and has been awarded her Central Gauteng Junior Colours.
Amelie secured a Bronze medal with an incredible performance.
Both girls have now qualified for the Gauteng Festival, the highest-ranking competition for Level 1 & 2 gymnasts, taking place on 16 June 2025.
We are beyond proud of you, Nechemyah and Amelie! Wishing you all the best as you continue your gymnastics journey, your hard work and determination inspire us all.
