It requires some careful consideration when writing one’s first newsletter article as a newbie Head of School. It is somewhat tempting to wax lyrical, in the written sense, of the Season of Spring, new beginnings and the hope and promise that comes with the inevitability of change.
I realise, however, that I have already alluded to butterflies and how they symbolise the importance of transformation and growth. I am thankful, therefore, to avoid clichés and instead to reflect on the thoughts and writings of Kingsmead’s founder. Ms D. V. Thompson writes vividly about the picturesque nature of Spring. In 1950, she said that
“…Spring brings hope of new beauties, new life, young strength. Spring is a time of looking forward…”
It resonates.
Ms Thompson continues by saying that
“… it is well that we should all remember that big things start with the little things. The bud must come before the blossom; the seed must precede the plant, the acorn the oak. Start with the little things…”
In a world that seems, at times, to present as confusing and fragmented in the present day, Ms Thompson’s words carry such relevance. Much like adults, our girls are challenged these days by living lives of interruption and disconnection – emotionally, socially and sometimes spiritually. The consequences of ignoring this reality will materialise at our peril. I believe that independent schools of substance ought to operate with a very clear degree of intentionality in addressing such threats.
Dr Trevor Lee, an educational consultant based in the UK, echoes this notion when he states that “… the best independent schools provide not just achievement, but anchorage. Not just opportunity, but orientation…”
In an age of noise, let us strive to offer more chances and more time to listen. To grow. To belong.
My own hope is that the pleasure and grace of real connection finds itself through the interactions at this special place, Kingsmead.
The fundamental importance of nurturing a healthy partnership between parents and the school is critically relevant. I look forward to working together with parents, teachers and girls alike. In doing so, let’s reaffirm our mutual respect and place our trust in the unique educational journey that the girls of Kingsmead Junior School undertake. The teaching profession requires this of parents. Our courage, as fearful as it may seem at times, needs to be guided by compassion before conviction.
The importance of connecting is undeniably important, whether it be near a classroom, next to a stage, on the playing fields, around the swimming pool, or simply, in the shade of the beautiful gardens with the illuminating Johannesburg sky as our backdrop, where we can simply exchange a moment of authentic connection and doing as Ms Thompson once described so well
“…that we may look upwards into the branches of the towering oak and know
that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well.”
By intention and action, I may live by the words – here at Kingsmead – by those of 17th Century French Missionary, Etiene de Grellet.
“I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
Warm regards,
Brendan Quinn
Head of Junior School
Beyond the Classroom
At Kingsmead, we strive to prepare our students in the best way possible for the constantly changing world they are entering. Beyond the Classroom includes all non-academic activities at our school, including Arts, Service, and Sports. It is a space where students learn about themselves, including their interests and passions, their strengths and areas for growth, stepping out of their comfort zones, learning to handle both winning and losing, managing their time effectively, and balancing all the activities they choose to participate in.
We are in an exciting phase of reimagining what this part of school life looks like, formulating our vision and strategies, and developing action plans. We look forward to sharing all of this with you soon.
Acknowledgement of Achievements
We enjoy hearing about our students’ accomplishments outside of school and recognise them during assemblies and on our social media platforms.
o To streamline the process, instead of reaching out to the marketing department, class teachers, grade coordinators or TICs, parents or guardians should fill out this form: Student Achievements for Acknowledgement.
o Only achievements submitted through this form will be acknowledged.
o Achievements will be acknowledged in appropriate assemblies, newsletters, and social media.
o We will no longer hand out medals/trophies or certificates from outside organisations; instead, students will be called to the stage for a handshake and applause.
o For all social media posts and newsletters, official school photos will be used, so parents/ guardians do not need to share images with us any longer.
Thank you for your understanding and support in this regard.
Arts & Music
The Arts & Music department has an exciting term ahead. Please mark your calendars for our upcoming events in the next few weeks.
Tuesday, 16 September
Jan Celliers ‘Jan Sing’ Choir Eisteddfod at Jan Celliers
Friday, 19 September
Jan Marimba Eisteddfod at Jan Celliers
Wednesday, 8 October
The Sound of Children Choir Festival (Grade 3 Choir)
18h00 at the Linder Auditorium
Tuesday, 14 October
St Mary’s Junior Schools Ensemble Evening
18h00 at St Mary’s School
Wednesday, 15 October
The Ridge Combined Choir Festival (Grade 4-7 Choir)
18h00 at the Linder Auditorium
All information regarding events will be posted on the relevant WhatsApp groups as well as the live calendar.
Individual Music Lessons at Kingsmead
Learning to play an instrument is the most wonderful gift and a lifelong, enriching experience. Kingsmead is fortunate to have a team of exceptional, expert music teachers offering a wide variety of instruments. Apply for lessons by completing the application form in the Arts & Music folder on the school app.
Please contact me at efourie@kingsmead.co.za if you need more information.
Elsabé Fourie
Deputy Head: Beyond the Classroom
Sports
We are excited to be back after the break and kicked off our season in the last week of the holidays with pre-season training. Huge thanks to all the students who attended these sessions. This term, our focus is on Soccer, Tennis, Diving and Water Polo. While athletics fixtures will only begin in Term 3B, we encourage students to attend the pre-season sessions as we prepare for the upcoming season. Trials will be held before the half-term and we want all students to be fully prepared.
If your daughter has a scheduling conflict with practice sessions, please notify the coach responsible for the sport. They will help accommodate her participation so she can stay involved in her chosen sports and remain eligible for team selection. Please note that this arrangement will only be considered if there is a conflict with other ongoing school sports.
Additionally, please remember to notify the teacher if your daughter cannot attend a training session before it starts, as a minimum of two sessions per week are required for weekly team selection.
We are looking forward to a successful term ahead.
Inter-House Athletics
On Friday, 5 September, our school gathered at Wanderers for a day crammed with energy, team spirit and unforgettable moments at our annual Inter-House Athletics event. From the very first Grade 3 race to the highly anticipated parents’ race and the exciting Grade 7 relay against the teachers, the atmosphere was filled with determination and boundless enthusiasm.
The athletes gave their absolute best on the track, running with courage and a wonderful spirit of sportsmanship. It was inspiring to see every participant give their best while encouraging and supporting each other.
Heartfelt thanks to our parents for their incredible support throughout the day, both from the stands and on the track. Your energy and encouragement truly contributed to the spirit of the event.
At the end of an exciting day, Barons emerged as the overall winners with an impressive 318 points, followed by Thanes with 281 points and Knights with 238 points. Thanes also proudly claimed the Spirit Cup for their energy and unwavering house pride. Congratulations to all three houses for making the day a true celebration of teamwork, perseverance, and excitement.
Annie Koekemoer
TIC: Athletics
Soccer Season Kicks Off with Energy and Spirit
Our girls have launched into the soccer season, showing not only skill but also wonderful team spirit.
The Grade 3s played their first matches against St Andrews and Holy Rosary. For many, it was their debut in competitive soccer, and what a great start it was. They scored some fantastic goals, celebrated their wins with excitement, and most importantly, had a wonderful time on the field. Their enthusiasm and energy set the tone for what looks to be a wonderful season ahead.
From Grades 4 to 7, the momentum has been equally inspiring. Our soccer players have already participated in two sets of fixtures: against St Andrews School for Girls and St Peter’s. The strong start is due to their hard work during preseason training, as the teams played with confidence, determination and a great sense of camaraderie.
Across all age groups, the atmosphere has been filled with vibrant energy. The girls have demonstrated resilience, teamwork and a genuine love for the game. Wins have been celebrated, challenges faced with courage, and lessons learned, all helping to build stronger players and teams. We are proud of how the season has started and look forward to many more exciting matches ahead. With such positivity and passion, this soccer season promises to be a memorable one.
Khuselwa Somlayi
TIC: Soccer
Water Polo
We are proud to announce that the following girls have been selected for the final Gauteng Water Polo Winter Squad.
U12
Charlotte Cederwall
Leah Renshaw
U13
Vera Collocott
Grace Burman
Georgie Kennedy
Olivia Talbot
Alexia Marvin
Ava Booth
Keodirelang Maqubela
Bronwyn Cahill
TIC: Water Polo
Upcoming Events
18 September: Grade 4 – 7 Tennis Matches vs St Katharine‘s (Venue: A/B/C/D Kingsmead)
18 September: Grade 3 Soccer Fixture (Venue: Kingsmead)
19 September: Grade 4 – 7 Soccer Fixture (Venues: Grade 4 & 5: APPS, Grade 6 & 7: Roedean)
20 September: Grade 6 & 7 A/B Soccer Festivals (Venues: Grade 6: Kingsmead, Grade 7: St Stithians)
25 September: Grade 4 – 7 Tennis Matches vs St Mary’s (Venue: A/B: St Mary’s, C/D: Kingsmead)
25 September: Grade 3 Soccer Fixture (Venue: Roedean)
27 September: Grade 4 – 7 Soccer Fixture (Venue: Grade 4 & 5: Kingsmead, Grade 6 & 7: St Dominic’s)
Important Reminders
o Please join the various Sports WhatsApp groups, as this ensures quick and easy communication on fixture days.
o All team lists will be published on the app no later than Tuesday for a Thursday fixture and the Wednesday before the Friday/Saturday fixture.
o Please inform the coaches in advance if your daughter is unable to attend a fixture.
Shavaun Hanekom
Head of Junior School Sport
Library
AAAAAAARRRRRRR, ye BOOKaneers…!
This term, the students are embarking on a pirate adventure, sailing off to discover the latest treasures in our wonderful library!
Our Junior Primary students are diving into all things pirate! They’re expanding their pirate-themed vocabulary, discovering fun facts, and listening to a variety of swashbuckling stories. As they read, they’re making rich connections by thinking about what the tales remind them of, similar books or magazines they’ve enjoyed, and even shows or movies they’ve seen before.
The Senior Primary readers continue to enthusiastically check out books, earning a gold coin for their grade’s “treasure box” – some boxes are already overflowing!
Graphic novels are especially popular and frequently requested. Once dismissed as simple “comic books”, these engaging stories actually build strong reading skills.
Graphic novels combine words and pictures to help students decode complex plots, infer meaning from facial expressions and body language, and grow their vocabulary. They’re also an excellent bridge for reluctant readers, easing the move from picture books to longer novels. Many students who find traditional chapter books intimidating are happily hooked by graphic novels, developing a lifelong love of reading.
Using cartoons and graphic novels, we’re also exploring the figure of speech, onomatopoeia, spotting “sound words” like “bang” and “swish” as we read.
Author Visit & Competition
We are eagerly awaiting the visit from Katie Kirby, the author of the extremely popular Lottie Brooks series. She will be visiting us on Monday, 15 September and has exciting activities planned for the Grade 4–7 students.
Congratulations to Jessica Legg, winner of the recent Lottie Brooks competition. Her special hamper has been delivered and well received!
Thank you for your continued support.
Mrs Glenda Cressy and Ms Rosie Matlakala
Junior School Library
Junior School Heritage Day Celebration
Heritage Day is one of the biggest public holidays we celebrate in the Kingsmead College Community. The day is officially celebrated on 24 September, which currently falls on a Wednesday. This year, we will celebrate this special day on Friday, 19 September, with a special assembly and then again on Tuesday, 23 September, which is set aside for our staff and girls to come dressed in their cultural attire.
We will hold a special assembly to celebrate and showcase the importance of Heritage Day. The planning and running of the assembly will be undertaken by our Gr 7 Belonging Committee, in collaboration with the staff members who serve as TDI representatives in the Junior School.
It is a day to celebrate the rich diversity of our country. We invite every member of our community to come dressed in a way that celebrates this diversity on Tuesday, 23 September. It is a day to learn from one another and appreciate our differences.
We look forward to your support in celebrating Heritage Day. Let us make this one extra special as we teach our young people what it means to be Proudly South African.
We appreciate your support and look forward to a successful Heritage Day.
Gugu Mahlangu and Roxy Harman-Leak
Grade 1 Teacher and Grade 6 Co-ordinator
Sustainability at Kingsmead
Solar Plant Operational
Over the past year, the school has been installing 482 photovoltaic panels to support the school’s electricity needs.
The project has run exceptionally well, and on Monday, 24 March, the City of Johannesburg provided its sign-off, and the system went live. We entered into a Power Purchase Agreement, and as a result, the school will experience substantial savings on its electricity costs moving forward.
However, the most significant outcome of this project is that we will harness energy from the sun.
The solar plant is a grid-tied solution; therefore, we have not used batteries in the plant, as most of the school’s electricity needs are met during daylight hours. Any additional solar electricity will, in future, hopefully, be supplied back to the grid. Our generator is still part of the school’s electricity solution.
Positioning of the panels took into account all our established trees. All roofs with solar panels were initially repaired, upgraded and painted to ensure a stable base for the panels. Lightning protection has also been installed on all buildings with PVs. We have three inverters on campus to manage the solar energy.
The school’s main municipal distribution board has been replaced, the generator rewired and new controllers installed.
Borehole Water Project
There are two boreholes on the campus, with one in the main car park producing potable water. Both boreholes are now operational and there is a project to treat and distribute this water to all basins, toilets and showers.
Phase 1 of the project will supply water to the Junior School, including Mornington and then a second feed will move water to Music, De Villiers (including the Grade 8 and 9 locker room and Grade 12 studies), and then onto the school kitchen and tuckshop. Treated borehole water will be used in all these bathrooms, including showers, basins, and toilets. This phase of water sustainability has been completed, and between 18 July and 15 September (just over 8 weeks), the school used 808 kl of treated borehole water.
The Finance Committee has since approved a further phase to supply the same treated borehole water to the Senior School and Sports. This project is now completed and the Senior School is receiving treated borehole water from the Tottenham Gate borehole.
A third phase is being considered. There is a second borehole situated at the astro, and the water from this source will be treated and utilised at the gym and workshop. Additionally, borehole water will be used for the school pools and astro field. The second borehole requires metals to be removed from the water, hence a bigger plant is also required. All campus irrigation is also connected to the borehole supplies.
We also have a fire line from the City of Joburg, and all fire hydrants are connected to this dedicated and pressurised water supply.
All water will be treated to ensure the best quality for our students, staff and parents. Should quantity or quality not meet the required standards, the school will be able to switch back to municipal water.
These two projects will ensure the sustainability of the whole campus for many years to come.
The solar plant is part of a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement and should save the school around 50% of its municipal electricity costs. The water project is expected to save the school in excess of R1 million annually.
The primary driving factor is to ensure a continuous supply of water and electricity, thereby reducing Kingsmead’s reliance on the City for these services.