Dear Kingsmead Community,
I hope that you enjoyed your half-term break and that you and your families were able to have some downtime after a very busy start to the winter term. I wish all our students a successful second semester, as Friday, 28 June marked the end of our first academic semester.
I was fortunate to represent Kingsmead College at the International Coalition of Girls School conference in the United States of America in June. The conference focused on the advancement of girl’s education globally. This dynamic experience coupled with world-renowned professionals within education, reminded us, that girls’ schools provide unique benefits that catalyse important progress, and there is incredible strength that can be derived from our connections with one another, and with others who are aligned with our efforts. It was an absolute honour to join this global framework, in the transformational work they are achieving. I will throughout the next few weeks be sharing these findings, with various stakeholders at Kingsmead, from admissions structures, marketing, leadership, curriculum, and school values to name a few.
I left my trip overseas, feeling more inspired and more convinced than ever before that education has such a vital role to play in transformational thinking and that it needs to start with the Heads of schools, who filter this down. We are continually striving to create this type of environment at Kingsmead where our students are able, not just to survive in the future, but also to go on and thrive in their futures.
The first point, I want to stress here – is that I was ‘struck’ by a sincere and rich culture of kindness on this trip. We owe it to our students, and you to your daughters to teach them kindness. Teachers, school leaders and parents are beacons of guidance for their girls. Demonstrating kindness through actions, such as genuine greetings, acts of generosity, and expressions of gratitude, sets a precedent for how we deserve to treat others. By embodying the values of Kingsmead, teachers create an environment where compassion is not just taught but lived.
What I know for sure at Kingsmead – Boundless Horizons Await, your daughter.
With gratitude, love and kindness
Tarryn McLaren
Junior School Head
Staffing
This is not a paragraph I enjoy writing about as a head of school, however, I respect my staff’s individual and family responsibility bestowed upon them.
It is with regret that I announce the resignation of Mia Loock. She will continue to serve her notice for the remainder of the year. Mia and her family have been investigating the opportunity to move abroad for a few years now. Sadly, for Kingsmead, she has decided to take up an opportunity abroad with her family. We have benefitted from her care and expertise during her many years with us within the Kingsmead Performing Arts department. We wish Mrs. Loock support as she follows this new path in her educational career and as a family. We are in the process of recruiting a suitable candidate for this position to start in January 2025.
In addition to this, it is with further regret and sadness, that I announce the resignation of Paige Dott. She will continue to serve her notice for the remainder of the year. Mrs. Dott, an alumna of Kingsmead has decided to take up an opportunity to semi grate to the Cape, with her husband and his new business opportunity. We have benefitted from her care and expertise during her years within various departments at Kingsmead. We wish Mrs. Dott’s support and her family well with their new chapter. We are in the process of recruiting a suitable candidate for this position to start in January 2025.
I realize how this news might leave you feeling as parents. As heads globally, we are facing a teacher shortage. Teacher migration refers to the emigration of trained and qualified teachers from one country to another in pursuit of better career opportunities, higher salaries, improved living conditions, personal development etc. South Africa continues to witness a significant outflow of teachers seeking these opportunities abroad.
Parent Insert
During the next few weeks, I will be sharing many resources with you as parents post-conference. The first lady – is Catie Chase. Over the last five years, she has created the Modern Toolbox for Success(accessible on her website as a free printable PDF) as a former school learning specialist to illustrate a courageous conversation supporting the student journey.
Catie by request: “ I am sharing the definition of success as many of you asked for precisely during my INSPIRE Session at the conference: “Success is doing what you said you were going to do, consistently, with clarity, focus, ease, and grace” – Dr. Maria Nemeth—the power to observe and shift your brain with clarity, focus, ease, and grace is the key to success on your authentic path.
Catie hopes to bring inner-focusing tools for students to reframe, reset, and review as modern life skills for navigating life’s adventures, challenges, and uncertainties on the student journey with grit and grace. catie@catiechase.com
Arts & Music
🎭Grade 7 PRODUCTION 2024!
The Grade 7s are super excited to present the annual Grade 7 musical next week! Musicville is a family-friendly, fun musical that promises to have you in stitches with laughter and singing and dancing along. Don’t miss out on this delightful experience.
Tuesday 15 July: Family Show @15h00
Wednesday 16 & Thursday 17 July: Evening Shows @18h00
🎟️Adults: R110 Children: R70
The PTA will sell food, snacks, and drinks from 45 min before each show starts as well as during the interval.
🎻Upcoming Music Concerts:
The Music department offers a range of music concerts during the year for all students who take individual music lessons. These concerts cannot include every music student in our school but provide a performance opportunity for those students who have a piece ready to perform at the time of the concert.
If your daughter does not have a piece that is performance-ready at the time of the concert, she has not missed her chance. We also have class concerts, assembly performances and many more concerts during the year. Your daughter’s instrumental/voice teacher will let you know if your daughter is ready to perform in the concert.
Should your daughter take lessons privately, outside of Kingsmead, and would like to participate in any of these concerts, please contact Mia Loock via email: mloock@kingsmead.co.za
Students must wear their winter school uniform for these concerts and be at Joel Hall at least 15 minutes before the start of the concert, or earlier, as requested by the teacher. We expect participants to stay until the end of the concert.
WELL DONE!
Enormous congratulations to Scarlett Haslam who was part of the Joburg Ballet Company’s recent production of Sleeping Beauty. What an incredible accolade and thrill to dance alongside professional dancers as one of only six student dancers in this magnificent production. We are super proud of Scarlett and excited to see her development as a dancer!
Amari Africa recently competed in the ADA Nationals in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. She performed exceptionally well, earning a Gold Award for her Contemporary dance (93%), another Gold for her Acro item (94%), and an Ultimate Gold for her Jazz routine (98%). Additionally, Amari received an All-Star Award, an honour given to only a few participants for outstanding performances. In the Senior Group Dance Category, she achieved an Ultimate Gold and a Special Award, the group qualifying for the dance-off at the Gala dinner. Congratulations, Amari!
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za
Mia Loock
Head of Junior School Music
mloock@kingsmead.co.za
Sports
Hockey
Hockey vs St Stithians – 21 June 2024
The Kingsmead Grade 4-7 hockey players played their first league fixture on 21 June against St Stithians. They played so well, showcasing incredible skill and teamwork. We look forward to the rest of the season with great excitement and anticipation.
Hockey Camp
Camp Discovery is a highly anticipated event for the Grade 5-7 hockey players from Kingsmead College. Every year, the camp offers an incredible opportunity to develop hockey skills and drills, play games against other schools, and participate in social events that foster camaraderie and friendship. The players receive top-notch training from NWU students, who also provide coaching assistance during matches.
This year, we competed against Volkskool LS, Dagbreek LS, Wierdapark LS, Woodhill College, Fochville LS, Secunda LS, Risiville, and Rynfield LS, performing exceptionally well in all our matches. A special shoutout goes to our U11 team for their outstanding effort, including taking on the Wierdapark LS boys’ team. Camp Discovery not only hones our players’ skills but also strengthens team bonds and creates lasting memories.
Outside Sport
Gymnastics
Congratulations to Atheerah Navlakhi and Amari Africa for their recent outstanding achievements in gymnastics.
Atheerah has been working hard, competing in several key events. She completed her level 2 in gymnastics, showcasing her dedication and skill at the Gauteng District, Gauteng Festival, and Zone competition.
Amari Africa also had an impressive performance, competing at the Zone Championship on June 14th and earning a gold medal. Amari will be moving up to the high-performance class zero for the upcoming competition season, culminating in the Nationals in Cape Town later this year.
Kingsmead is proud of Atheerah and Amari’s accomplishments and wishes them all the best in their future competitions. Their hard work has truly paid off, and we look forward to seeing their continued success in the gymnastics world.
Swimming
Congratulations to Madison Botha on her recent achievements in the Winter galas. Madison placed 6th overall in the 200m Backstroke with a level 3 qualifying time. She also placed 7th in the 50m Breaststroke. Well done, Madison!
Upcoming Events
11 July: Grade 3 Hockey Fixture vs St Stithians and St Mary’s. All teams are playing at Kingsmead.
Students are to meet the coaches on the Astro straight after school.
11 July: Grade 4 – 7 Squash Fixture vs St Mary’s. A and B teams are playing at Kingsmead.
Students are to please meet in the gym straight after school.
12 July: Grade 4 – 7 Hockey Matches vs St Peter’s (Grade 4 & 5 – St Peter’s, Grade 6 & 7 – Kingsmead)
All students are required to travel on the bus to the venue. There will be a bus returning to Kingsmead after the fixture. Students may also be collected at the end of the fixture from the venue. All players are expected to stay and support until the end of the last match.
18 July: Grade 3 Hockey Fixture vs St Teresa’s, Holy Rosary and APPS. Venue to be confirmed.
18 July: Grade 4 – 7 Squash Fixture vs Roedean. A and B teams are playing at Roedean.
All students are required to travel on the bus to the venue. There will be a bus returning to Kingsmead after the fixture. Students may also be collected at the end of the fixture from the venue. All players are expected to stay and support until the end of the last match.
19 July: Grade 4 – 7 Hockey Matches vs St Andrew’s (Grade 4 & 5 – St Andrew’s, Grade 6 & 7 – Kingsmead)
All students are required to travel on the bus to the venue. There will be a bus returning to Kingsmead after the fixture. Students may also be collected at the end of the fixture from the venue. All players are expected to stay and support until the end of the last match.
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/Saturday fixture. Please ensure that you let the coaches know if your daughter is not able to attend a fixture.
Yours in sport
Shavaun Hanekom
Head of Junior School Sport
Conversation Starter
We hope you enjoyed the last conversation starter…as we know, one of the signs of a healthy family is open and meaningful conversation/communication. But often finding the time or the points to speak to, don’t always come easily. We thought we would share some prompts to facilitate this process, which are ideal to share around the table, on a trip – anytime, anywhere.
