Dear Kingsmead Community,
Our school year has started off with a delightful ‘bang’ and is in full swing. Welcome to our new staff and new families who have joined us this year. Thank you for attending the information evenings last week. These evenings are packed with useful information within the context of our school community. I’d like to reiterate a few points I shared during my address for you and to use this as an opportunity to share with any families who were not able to attend.
A new year – we get to ‘Begin Again’… providing us with hope … There is so much negative emotion in the world right now, but if there was more love and more hope … then I feel we will create a story that will bind us together more powerfully.
I am certain one that further builds on and encourages those already written, strong in their foundations of hope and inclusion. And creating these new stories, new systems that will work for everyone, is an enormous undertaking … but we believe that education has a massive role to play in the way new stories will unfold … as we try repair and remake the world, education is one of the many systems that can drive inordinate solution-focused change. As you may have heard before, knowing facts doesn’t prove intelligence, it just proves good memory … what you and I may recall as rote learning. True intelligence is curiosity and imagination, and these are two skills people, in particular your daughters, have in abundance. This is POSSIBILITY …
Thus, one of our many goals is to champion curiosity and imagination alongside empathy and joy.
Our curriculum is multi-faceted and it is centered around:
- Relationships and the disruptors that exists: AI, Tech, Social media …
- Community engagements
- Collaboration
- Inquiry
- Solution focused
- Metacognition
- Regulation
- Resilience
- Social and emotional learning
Here in the heart of our beautiful school, I hope that you realise we are here because we want to be here to educate your daughter to act, speak, and more importantly think about her role in the unknown future – her story that has yet to be told, a story we start together.
Education is a collaborative process, and your active involvement is a cornerstone of that collaboration. As parents, you are the primary influencers in your child’s life, and your support and engagement in their education is invaluable. We believe that the best outcomes are achieved when parents and the school work hand in hand, sharing a common goal—the well-rounded development of each child.
This partnership extends beyond the classroom. It involves open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to nurturing the potential within every student. We understand that you entrust us with your most precious treasures, and we take that responsibility seriously.
Research consistently shows that when parents are actively involved in their child’s education, students are more likely to achieve academic success, exhibit positive behaviour, and develop a lifelong love for learning. Therefore, we encourage you to take an active interest in your child’s school life—attend parent-teacher conferences, engage in school events, and be a presence in their educational journey.
Our doors are always open, and we value your insights, questions, and feedback. Together, we can create an environment where our students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential. Click Here to access the Communication Channels.
#Thrivinginpossibility
Tarryn McLaren
Junior School Head
Welcoming Ceremony
We welcomed our new Junior School staff and students on Friday, 19 January to celebrate their arrival and place at Kingsmead within the beautiful Isivivane, which sits outside Mrs. McLaren’s office.
Isivivane
Three sanctuaries of Stone, Tower, Becoming
Individually our stones are Known, cherished, celebrated
Our differences make us strong, our hopes make us one
Our heartbeat. Dun Dun
The drum. Dun Dun
Lifting we Rise
Girls of Grit we rise
Woman of courage we rise
Franc ha leal
We look forward to their committed journey in teaching your daughters at Kingsmead, as well as the growth of our students who have joined our community.
Staffing Update
It is with regret that I announce the resignation of Ms. Moira Severin, our Educational Psychologist. She will continue to serve her notice for the remainder of the term. Moira’s wealth of knowledge and experience will serve her well in her future endeavours. We have benefitted from her care and expertise during her time with us, for which we are most grateful. We wish Ms. Severin support as she follows this new chapter in her career. We are in the process of recruiting a suitable candidate for her position.
We realize that families who are working with Moira and whose daughters see her, may feel concerned, we would like to reassure you that a thorough, handover process will take place with yourself and Moira. Your daughters social, academic, and emotional well-being are most important to us.
Points To Note
Due to safety and security reasons, we ask that any parent needing to drop off items for their daughter during the school day, arrive at our Junior School reception as the first port of call. Please do not go straight to the classrooms. Thank you for your understanding.
We realize that more and more parents need to drop off their daughters at school for extra-curricular activities starting early in the morning, however, not all students being dropped off early are attending these offerings. Our official school hours are from 07h00. If your daughter is dropped off in the early morning, it is important to note that they are not supervised, as teachers are often involved with prep and planning at this time. Mornington only commences at 08h00. Further details regarding our school hours per grade can be found on the App.
A reminder that Club Engage provides aftercare facilities should you not be able to collect your daughter straight after school. This information can be found on the App too.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are thrilled to unveil the theme that will guide us through the upcoming academic year. You might have picked up on our 2024 theme from your daughters within their first week at school, or throughout the Parent Information Evenings: “Possibility”. The context of Possibility has been carefully chosen to encapsulate the essence of what we believe education should be – a journey that opens doors to endless opportunities and encourages our students to dream big, explore their potential, and reach for the stars.
Research in education consistently highlights the pivotal role of fostering a sense of possibility in a person’s early years. According to renowned child psychologists and education experts, the primary school years are critical for developing a sense of self-efficacy and belief in one’s capabilities. When children are exposed to an environment that nurtures possibility, they are more likely to develop a Growth Mindset, resilience, and a tenacity for learning.
Possibility in a primary school setting means more than just academic achievement. It extends to the development of key life skills, creativity, and critical thinking. Our goal with Possibility is to highlight an environment where every child feels supported, encouraged, and empowered to explore their interests, discover their talents, and overcome challenges.
In light of this, we have developed a comprehensive plan for the academic year, integrating innovative teaching methods, extra-curricular activities, and community engagement initiatives. Our teachers are committed to not only imparting knowledge but also inspiring a sense of wonder and curiosity in every child.
Parents, your role is invaluable in nurturing the spirit of possibility at home. We encourage you to engage with your children, celebrate their achievements, and support them through challenges. By working together, we can create a seamless partnership that ensures each child realises their potential and embraces the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.
In closing, I am filled with enthusiasm for the year ahead, confident that with the context of Possibility, we will all be witness to remarkable growth and accomplishments among our students. Let us embark on this journey together, fostering an environment where every child feels the thrill of possibility and the joy of realising their dreams.
Thank you for your unwavering support.
I leave you with the wise words from our founder Ms DV Thompson, which I know is the shared hope for all of our students as they seek out the opportunities before them in 2024:
“And so let us send our roots deep into the soil of life’s enduring values that we may grow towards the stars of our eternal destiny; and if you keep following that, then you can face whatever comes in the days of the future with courage, responsibility and service.”
Learning and Innovating together,
Sjaneen Pretorius
Deputy Head: Head of Academics and Innovation
Arts & Music
🥳 Congratulations!
Well done to the students who completed International Music Examinations at the end of last year. We are proud of these excellent results.
Grade 1 Rockschool Vocal Examination:
Nalayethu Mkhize, Aimee Schloss, Taylor Simpson, Liyabona Mdlophane, Owethu Tyibilika and Riley Vance
Grade 2 Rockschool Vocal Examinations:
Mya Brown and Lisakanya Tsabalala
ABRSM Examinations:
Vera Collocot Grade 1 Flute and Nina Fourie Grade 4 Flute.
Trinity Examinations:
Bella Lizamore Grade 5 Violin.
🎻 Orchestra from Scratch
Well done to Bella Lizamore and Nina Fourie who participated in ‘Orchestra from Scratch’ this weekend. Over a hundred musicians from all over Johannesburg, ranging in age from 8 to 80 made music together under the baton of Sue Cock.
📆 Week ahead
This week all our students from Grade 1-12 were lucky enough to enjoy a professional orchestra performance. The purpose was both to introduce them to the instruments of the orchestra and remind everyone that all of these instruments are offered at Kingsmead. We are so lucky to have access to the top musicians in our country to teach a wide range of instruments at our school. If you have any questions about Music at Kingsmead, consult the app or make contact with me.
🎶Meet your Music Teachers Week: 5 – 9 February & Music Coffee morning🎶
In our experience as music teachers, teachers and parents partnering to support students in their music studies, ensure success. We want to get to get to know our music parents, so please pop in for a coffee on Tuesday 6 February from 07h15 to 08h00 at the Music Lawns to hear about our exciting music offering and meet the music teachers.
Throughout the week of 5-9 February parents are invited to visit their daughter’s individual music lesson or a group rehearsal to see what we do. We are eager to connect with all our Kingsmead music families!🎶
📆 Term ahead
Diarise our main events for the term ahead. More information will follow closer to the time of each event.
If you have any more questions about Arts & Music at Kingsmead, get in touch, we would love to chat.
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za
Mia Loock
Head of Junior School Music
mloock@kingsmead.co.za
Sports
The 2023 sports season has kicked off and we are very happy to be participating and showing our opponents what we are made of. We have had our first fixtures in swimming, tennis, and water polo & our selected hockey players have attended district trials. Our students have been putting in the hours of work and this can be seen in our results.
As we continue with a very action-packed sporting year, I would just like to encourage parents to support the sports department by encouraging your daughter to participate and remain committed to all fixtures. Please make sure to check the live calendar weekly to avoid clashes with fixtures. The live calendar can hopefully ensure that parents do not book weekends away, birthday parties and external activities that may clash with the interschool fixtures.
Physical Education/IC Sport
Our students have been thoroughly enjoying their return to school, participating in the engaging IC sports sessions and Physical Education lessons. This is a friendly reminder for all students to remember to bring their PE kit and swimming costumes for all sessions, in case of inclement weather preventing swimming activities.
Swimming
Gala – 26 January
Our Grade 5 & 6 swimmers were amazing in the pool on Friday at St Peter’s and made us all so proud. Even though we missed our Grade 7s on the day due to camp, we looked spectacular in the water, and I look forward to the season ahead. Congratulations to all of the swimmers. The final standings were as follows:
-
- St Peter’s 252
- Brescia House 219
- Roedean 129
- Kingsmead 128
- Holy Rosary
- St Dominic’s
- St Peter’s D
Summer Splash
Swimming
The Kingsmead swimmers showcased outstanding performances at the annual St Mary’s Summer Splash gala and diving competition. With exceptional skill and determination, our swimmers demonstrated remarkable speed and technique in the pool, earning numerous accolades and setting new personal bests. Their dedication and sportsmanship were truly commendable, making a lasting impression at this prestigious event. The final results were as follows:
1st St Andrew’s 273
2nd St Stithian’s 271
3rd St Mary’s 270
4th Brescia House 215
5th Kingsmead College 169
6th St Dominic’s 166
7th Holy Rosary 153
8th APPS/Parktown 110
9th St Mary’s B 98
10th Pretoria DSG 86
Special mention to the following swimmers for placing in the top 3:
U10 Medley relay
Fallon Grundlingh, Mackenzie Wilson, Isabella Brand, Kairah Rawat
U11 Medley Relay
Grace Cornish-Bowden, Mia Parry, Milisuthando Mabusela, Leah Renshaw
8 x 50m Freestyle Relay
Grace Cornish-Bowden, Vera Collocott, Kylie Dugmore
Diving
Congratulations to our divers on their outstanding performance in the diving section at the St. Mary’s Summer Splash on Saturday! We are thrilled to announce that Kylie Dugmore achieved 4th place, while Olona Mbele secured 5th place. Well done to our talented divers for their impressive results!
Tennis
The tennis season kicked off with challenging matches against St Mary’s. Our players displayed great courage and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship on the court. Congratulations to Francesca Pardini for triumphing in her singles match, and to Kairah Rawat for achieving a draw in her singles match.
Squash
Our pre-season squash training has commenced for the year, and we’re delighted with the excellent attendance at the sessions. Our squash courts are also all set for the upcoming season after undergoing a revamp. Due to the high level of student interest in squash, we have divided the sessions. However, please be aware that swimming season is currently underway, and swimming sessions will take priority over squash until the inter-school gala has concluded. We kindly request that students attend as follows:
Monday: 16h15 to 17h15
- Nina Fourie – 7X
- Bowdie Jennings – 5Y1
- Shannon Crozier – 4Z
- Erin Jennings – 6X
- Kwame Mngomezulu – 5Z2
- Lily Haslam – 6Y1
- Chengeto Munyaradz – 4X
- Milan Williams – 7Y
- Lucy Berry – 7Y
- Clara Scheuermaier – 4X
Wednesday: 06h00 to 07h00
- Isabel Munro – 6Z2
- Madison Crozier – 6Z2
- Vuyo Mkwanazi – 6X
- Georgie Dalling – 7Y
- Stella Eagar – 5Z2
- Aliyah Dada – 4Z
Upcoming Events
Thursday 1 February – Grade 4 – 7 Tennis vs St Peter’s & Roedean
– A/B play at Kingsmead, C/D play at Roedean
There will be a bus departing at 14h00. All players are to please travel to the fixture on the bus. Parents may collect students at the venue after the fixture.
Friday 2 February – Grade 4 – 7 Gala
– A team at Kingsmead, B team at St Mary’s, C team at St Andrew’s
There will be buses departing at 13h00. All players are to please travel to the fixture on the bus. Parents may collect students at the venue after the gala.
Saturday 3 February – Grade 4 – 7 Tennis Festivals
– Grade 4 at St Mary’s, Grade 5 at St Peter’s, Grade 6 at Brescia, Grade 7 at St Andrew’s
Please note that there will be no transport provided for this fixture. Students are to please meet at the venue.
(Teams are to be confirmed on the App by a Tuesday for Thursday fixtures, and by Wednesday for Friday/Saturday fixtures.)
A few reminders for parents & guardians:
1. Please send any sports achievements (school & non-school) to Mrs Hanekom.
2. A reminder to please download the Kingsmead app as this will be the direct method of communication to parents on sports fixture days.
3. All team lists will be published on the app by no later than Tuesday for a Thursday fixture and the Wednesday before the Friday fixture.
Yours in Sports
Shavaun Hanekom
Head of Junior School Sport
Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion
The start of 2024 has been about welcoming new staff and students and reminding everyone in the Kingsmead Community about our heritage. Last year was a celebration of our 90th birthday. Already we can look forward to the hundredth birthday celebration as this is such a significant milestone. With ten years to go, it is critical for each of us to think about our contribution towards this legacy. It is also important to consider how the Kingsmead heritage has enriched our lives.
Onke Mazibuko
Director of TDI
