Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff,
I hope that you enjoyed the half-term break and are ready to tackle the final stages of this long winter term.
The Friday before the half-term week was spent celebrating one of our staff members who has served the school loyally for the past 50 years. It was such a happy celebration and the various speakers on the day led me to think about so many things in the school of which we can be proud.
Gillian Wilkinson has been installed as the “Guardian” of the school, and as such, she reminds us of the teachings of our founder, D V Thompson, and she keeps a firm eye on how the values of Kingsmead play out in our everyday behaviours and on our vision for the school as Ms Thompson saw it.
Gillian has walked beside generations of girls, guiding them with her special grace and she has held space for gentleness in a world that has often forgotten how much that matters. Gillian’s legacy is not only in what she has done for us, but in who she has been to all of us as she makes people feel seen, valued and loved.
So much of what makes Kingsmead unique is embodied in Gillian, from the magnificent assemblies on the day to the legacy celebration in the afternoon, all of this caused me to reflect deeply on what we do so well at the school. We have cultivated a rose, called the Legacy Rose, in honour of Gillian.
I wish to thank everyone who had a part to play in making this such a significant day and one that will be remembered for many years to come.
Fond regards,
Lisa Palmer
Executive Head: Kingsmead College
Beyond the Classroom
Chatterbox
On Thursday, 10 July, the girls from Kingsmead Junior School impressed the audience with their confident and engaging speeches at the termly Chatterbox event.
Grade 4 and 5 students showcased their public speaking skills at St Katharine’s, while the Grade 6 and 7 girls represented Kingsmead at St Teresa’s. Topics ranged from ‘My Secret Talent’ and ‘My Big Dream for the Future’ to ‘The Importance of Kindness in the World’ and ‘Why I’d Love to Be a Time Traveller’, offering a wonderful variety of ideas, perspectives and creativity.
Well done to all the girls who took part. Your poise, preparation and passion made us all proud!
Grade 4: Alwande Madonsela, Lola da Camara and Maryam Mahomedy
Grade 5: Katie Lawlor, Fallon Grundlingh and Sophia Roos
Grade 6: Grace Cornish-Bowden, Saliha Moosa and Olivia Paul
Grade 7: Keodirelang Maqubela, Sarah Jensen and Thakgalo Semenya
Arts & Music
Grade 7 Production 2025: IMAGINE A DRAGON
The Dragon is back in town!
Well… not really. That’s the story a ragtag band of innkeepers makes up, desperate to draw questing heroes to the struggling Dancing Dragon Inn. Soon, the inn is full of unexpected guests, from an army of princesses out to prove their bravery, to a group of overwhelmed heroes trying to hold onto their fame. But what happens if they all discover the innkeepers’ dragon story is made up?
An epic folk-rock score brings magic to this funny, heartfelt, fantasy musical and we can’t wait to share it with you!
15 July: Family Show at 17h30
16 July: Evening Show at 18h30
17 July: Gala Evening at 18h30
Buy your tickets NOW on the Karri app. We hope to see you there!
It’s Concert Season!
Well done to all our Grade 0-3 instrumental musicians who performed courageously and enthusiastically on Saturday, 12 July. Thank you to all the parents, friends and family who came to support our young musicians.
We look forward to our Grade 4-7s performing over the next few weeks:
Grade 4: Tuesday 22 July 18h00-22h00
Grade 5: Thursday 24 July 18h00-22h00
Grade 6: Tuesday 29 July 18h00-19h00
Grade 7: Wednesday 30 July 18h00-19h00
Junior Voice Concert: Tuesday 5 August 18:00-19h00
Please note that performers are expected to stay until the end of the concert. Tea and coffee will be served outside the hall from 17h30 for all concerts.
Well done, Morgan!
Congratulations to Morgan Chen-Heyneke, who was invited to sing in the Johannesburg Children’s Choir in the production of Carmen. We are so excited for Morgan! Sempre Opera, in partnership with Joburg Theatre, is staging Bizet’s timeless masterpiece, Carmen, commemorating its 150th anniversary.
Carmen follows the fiercely independent gypsy whose defiance of convention and pursuit of freedom sparks a tempest of love, jealousy and fate. With its unforgettable score, featuring the iconic Habanera and Toreador Song, Bizet’s opera continues to enthral audiences worldwide. It is performed in French with English subtitles and showcases a dynamic cast of local and international talent.
Get your tickets for Carmen from Webtickets: 20, 23, 25 & 27 July.
Thank you to our community for your continued support of Arts & Music at Kingsmead.
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za
Sports
Inter-House Netball
Despite the cold and windy weather on Thursday, 27 June, our much-anticipated inter-house netball took place with great enthusiasm and determination. The girls braved the elements and played their hearts out, showing incredible resilience, teamwork and house spirit.
The three houses: Knights, Barons and Thanes competed with passion and energy. It was inspiring to see all the girls giving their best on the courts. The Grade 7s played a vital role, helping to organise the younger players and encouraging their teams with vibrant support and leadership.
Laughter, cheer and camaraderie echoed throughout the campus as the games progressed, making it a memorable way to end the term. In the end the Barons claimed victory – well done!
Congratulations to all the players, supporters and staff who made the day a success. It was truly a celebration of school spirit and sportsmanship.
Squash
Our squash season concluded on a high note with the Bell Tournament, hosted by St Stithians on Wednesday, 26 June. Thirteen of our dedicated players took part in this exciting event, marking the end of a successful and rewarding season. Our girls showed great determination, skill, and sportsmanship on the court. Their progress and passion for the sport have been evident throughout the season.
A heartfelt thank you to all the girls for their commitment and hard work, and a special thank you to Coach Clement for his guidance and the positive impact he has had on the team’s development.
Well done to each of our players. We are proud of you!
Hockey
Our girls took to the fields for a series of exciting hockey fixtures against St Stithians. The Grade 4 and 5 teams played on Friday, 20 June, while the Grade 6 and 7 teams played on Saturday, 21 June.
The Grade 4 teams faced strong opposition, with the A, B and C teams going down 2-0, 7-0, and 3-0, respectively. However, the Grade 4Cs showed resilience with a 1-1 draw in their second match against the Saints D team.
Grade 5 had an excellent showing, with the A and B teams both securing narrow 1-0 victories. The C team continued the momentum with a 2-1 win, and the D team played to an entertaining 2-2 draw.
On Saturday, our Grade 6 teams impressed, with the A side winning 2-1 and the B team earning a solid 3-0 win. The C team played a tight match that ended in a 0-0 draw.
The Grade 7s faced tough competition, with the A and B teams both losing 2-0. The C team, however, held their ground for a goalless draw.
Overall, it was a competitive weekend of hockey filled with determination, teamwork, and growth. Well done to all the players and coaches involved!
Outside Sport
Gymnastics
Congratulations to Musawenkosi Khumalo for her outstanding achievement in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Level 1 Gauteng Competition in June 2025. She has earned her Central Gauteng Junior Half Colours for Gymnastics. Well done, Musawenkosi!
Futhermore, congratulations to Lunathi Mkhize on her outstanding achievement in gymnastics! Representing the Wanderers club, Lunathi excelled in her recent grading and was awarded a G badge for her exceptional performance. Well done, Lunathi!
Upcoming Events
17 July: Grade 3 Hockey Fixture @ Kingsmead
18 July: Grade 4 – 7 Hockey Fixture (Grade 4 & 5 – Kingsmead, Grade 6 & 7 – St Mary’s)
23 July: Grade 7 Soccer & Snacks @ Pridwin
24 July: Grade 3 Hockey Night Festival @ St John’s
25 July: Grade 6 & 7 St Anne’s Hockey Tour
25 July: Grade 4 – 7 Hockey Fixture (Grade 4 & 5 – St Andrew’s, Grade 6 & 7 – Kingsmead)
Join Us for a Delicious Snack in Support of the St Anne’s Hockey Tour!
Get ready to support the St Anne’s Hockey Tour Fundraising event! We’ll be serving up mouthwatering Boerewors rolls, Prego rolls and delicious Breakfast buns at the upcoming hockey fixtures.
Don’t miss out on these tasty treats—come hungry and ready to cheer on our teams! Your support makes a difference. See you there!
A few reminders for parents & guardians:
1. A reminder to please join the Sports Community WhatsApp groups, as this will be the direct method of communication to parents on sports fixture days.
2. All team lists will be published on the app by no later than Tuesday for a Thursday fixture and the Wednesday before the Friday/Saturday fixture.
Yours in sport,
Shavaun Hanekom
Head of Junior School Sport
shanekom@kingsmead.co.za
