Dear Kingsmead Community,
Spring is in the air – it is time to grow seeds of success
Our third term has started with such JOY! The warmer weather helps of course, but the true essence of happiness is captured in the hearts of our children and staff. We are so incredibly excited to join our students again on their path to discovery and learning. May this Spring Term bring with it every opportunity to grow and bloom. Soon the rains will clear the dust and continue to invite the green sprouting of new growth; may this also be an opportunity for us as a community to pour our hearts and minds into building our beautiful school.
It was good to start the term with the Grade 3-7 inter-house athletics on Friday, 8 September. Well done to all our athletes.
I would like to welcome Sister Yolanda Mpilo our new Kingsmead Medical Nurse, as Sister Megan Cluff will be leaving us at the end of September to move aboard.
We have so much to celebrate this term, our annual Rhino Day, Art Exhibition, Goodwill Day, our 90th birthday, just to name a few. Take a walk with us and enjoy every moment. Capture joy and happy, significant moments and celebrate these with us! We started the year with the intentional drive to Cultivate Courage. I want to thank each and every person who continues to do just that. Thank you for focusing on the positive, your individual courageous actions and choices during 2023.
“Above all seek Courage, Courage, first to deal with yourself, your failures and weaknesses, Courage to stand for right as you see it, cost what it may.” DV Thompson, 1950
Wishing you all a happy term ahead.
Tarryn McLaren
Head: Kingsmead Junior School
Resources of Parents – Connecting with your Daughter
Something I would like to add to our newsletters are resources for parents. As educators and heads we receive a wealth of information that is so relevant to parents too.
The most challenging aspect of learning, is often how parents can support their daughters through the struggle. It is important to encourage and praise success. As parents you cannot do the work for your girls, you cannot fight their battles or rescue them during their toughest times. You can authentically praise them when growth is evident, you can listen. It is important to empower your daughters from a young age to problem-solve, to fail and then try again… all with our support. It is vital that we work together to develop a sense of self-efficacy in our girls. By doing this, they in turn develop an internal locus of control and a healthy self-esteem.
I have provided a link here to the latest blog from ‘Knowing Girls’ which assists us as parents and teachers in grappling with this journey: Building Self-esteem That Won’t Crack Under Pressure.
Arts & Music
It is with great excitement and anticipation that we look forward to a fun-filled term of music concerts, and many other opportunities for our musicians to showcase their hard work and commitment. Our dedicated team of teachers and passionate students are preparing to make this term a truly special one.
Congratulations
Gia and Ava Najjar are commended for their wonderful accomplishments in the second term. They completed the Royal Academy of Dance examinations with excellent results. Gia achieved a merit for the Grade 3 examination and Ava a distinction for the Grade 5 examination.
On 12 May, three of our Junior School Kingsmead dancers competed in the International Dance Open competition at the Joburg Theatre on the Mandela Stage where they achieved outstanding results. Our youngest dancer Amari Africa won 3 gold and 1 silver medal, placed in 1st place for her ballet solo, lyrical duet and contemporary group, and 2nd place for her contemporary solo.
Jagger Jo Wellsted and Fallon Grundlingh were placed 2nd for their lyrical duet, and Fallon was placed 4th for her lyrical solo.
Many of our dancers qualified for The World Lyrical Dance Federation Dancer of The Year Competition. Riley Vance was awarded Gold in her age category. Amari Africa, Taylor Simpson, Scarlett Madeleine Larson, Jagger Jo Wellsted and Fallon Grundlingh also qualified for this prestigious event.
Amari Africa competed in the EuroDance International qualifiers to represent South Africa in Serbia. She qualified with Gold Medals for her Lyrical Solo.
Amari was also selected for the cast as lead roles in this year’s Jozi Youth Dance Company’s Production “10” hand-picked by award winning, internationally renowned choreographers including Phume Sikhakhane, Kingsley Beukes and Jayd Swart.
Congratulations to our exceptional Kingsmead dancers, you make us proud!
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za
Mia Loock
Head of Junior School Music
mloock@kingsmead.co.za
Sport
Inter-House Athletics
The annual Inter-House Athletics meeting at Wanderers Athletics Stadium kicked off Term 3 sport with great excitement among the participants, fans, and staff. Our participants ran with excellent enthusiasm and showed true grit and passion for the sport and their teams. Knights came out tops by winning the Spirit Trophy after notable planning and excellent war cries. Thanes won the day’s event and presented an outstanding representation of what it means to give your best. Well done to each and every athlete for participating. We are incredibly proud of all of our athletes, and we look forward to the rest of the athletics season.
Soccer
In July, the Grade 6/7 soccer team was lucky enough to be invited to the Penryn Soccer Tournament in Mbombela. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to witness and participate in a competition with many schools from throughout the country. The event was not only competitive but also a learning experience for our team. The team’s confidence rose with each game, and we look forward to the soccer season when our students will be ready to show off what they have learned. Well done to all players.
Tennis
The Junior School A team tennis competed in the Sun City Tournament during the holidays. Our players did extremely well and showed courage throughout the competition. Our players also participated in team-building activities such as a maze and ten-pin bowling, which drew the players closer together as a team and created many memories. Well done players, we are very proud of you!
Water Polo
Congratulations to the following Junior School students for being selected for the 2023 Gauteng Water Polo Squads:
U12
Georgie Dalling
Lucy Berry
U13
Erin Boyd
Emma Clowes
Zoe Kennedy
Alexandra Miller
Olivia Piccolo
Gymnastics
Congratulations to Milisuthando Mabusela on her recent achievements in gymnastics. Milisuthando placed 1st in the Level 4 Gymnastics District Competition and in turn earned her full Gauteng Colours. On her path to victory, she recorded the highest score on the bar and the second highest on the vault. Milisuthando’s training continues as she has been selected to compete in the SA Gym Games to be held on 4 October 2023 in Pretoria. We wish her all the best for the SA Gym Games.
We also congratulate Isolam Sithebe on her recent achievements in gymnastics. Isolam was selected to represent Wanderers Gymnastics Club in the Level 1-3 Johannesburg District Championships hosted by Central Gauteng Gymnastics Association (CGGA) at the Matsport Centre, Eldoraigne on 12 August 2023. Isolam was awarded a Silver Medal for her fine performance. Isolam has also qualified to compete at the Junior Central Zone Festival in September 2023. We wish Isolam the very best in her next competition.
Go Karting
Congratulations to Georgia Lenaerts for placing 4th at the final National Go Karting event which was at held Zwartkops raceway. Georgia achieved 5th overall and will now continue with Regionals. Well done, Georgia. We wish her all the best for her upcoming races.
Upcoming Events
15 September – Grade 3 – 7 Athletics Meeting at St Stithians 14h00 – 17h00
There will be a bus travelling to St Stithians and back to Kingsmead. All athletes are required to travel on the bus to St Stithians. Parents may collect students from St Stithians at the end of the meeting.
21 September – Grade 4-7 Team Tennis Training 14h15 – 16h00
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. Students are required to attend both practise sessions in order to be eligible for team selection.
4. 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 or a practise.
Yours in sport
Shavaun Hanekom
Head of Junior School Sport
Service
Grade 4
The Grade 4s had the opportunity to visit our long-term partners, Fight with Insight. This is a wonderful Non-Profit Organisation (NGO) which provides a safe haven for young children, where they have the opportunity to learn to box, have access to a library and an after-school study centre where meals are provided to them. The Kingsmead students had the opportunity to learn how to box and make sandwiches for the children.
Grade 5
The Grade 5s had a wonderful experience at The Sunshine Association, a Non-Profit Organisation which offers therapy and programmes to children who are differently abled. The Kingsmead students enjoyed playing games and making fun projects with the children.
Grade 6
The Grade 6s always enjoy making hot chocolate for the girls and our sales were a huge success, raising an incredible R50 401.79! All the proceeds are donated to ForAfrika, an organisation providing a feeding scheme across Africa. The Kingsmead girls are looking forward to visiting their branch this term.
Grade 7
The Grade 7s have had an exciting term fund raising to adopt a baby rhino. The girls participated in the selling of crocheted rhinos and rhino keyrings, made by small business owners. We also had the privilege of listening to an interesting talk by Roslynne Toreien, author of The Rumbling Rhino.
Sandwiches for Service
Each Wednesday, the students have the opportunity to make sandwiches, which are donated to various organisations. This is a great experience for the students to learn the value of giving of their time and how a small act can impact a life.
Grade 0
The Grade 0s had an exciting visit from the Bunny Hop Haven. Each girl had the opportunity to cuddle and snuggle with a furry friend. The excitement of the girls could not be contained as they got to feed the bunnies an assortment of vegetables.
Grade 1
The Grade 1s had the opportunity to meet puppy guide dogs in training with their puppy trainers. They learnt how to care for a puppy in training as well as how long it takes to fully groom a guide dog. The girls loved spending time with the puppies and treating them when they followed a command.
Grade 2
The Grade 2s ventured off to the Siyakhana Gardens. Here they spent the day tending to the community garden. The girls learnt to how to weed, plant and water seedlings. They also harvested vegetables. Despite the cold, it was an incredible day.
Grade 3
The Grade 3s had the privilege of hosting learners from the Rays of Hope Foundation. They spent the day doing arts and crafts together. The girls enjoyed getting to know their buddy. The highlight of the day was spending time on the jungle gyms and having a picnic.
Rhino Day
Raeesa Kaka
Service Co-ordinator
Paige Finch
Service Co-ordinator
Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion
Stepping into a new place is never easy. There’s excitement and anxiety in equal measure and the best you can hope for is that you can just be yourself. The temptation to try too hard is always there. The need to be told you’re doing okay is strong. No matter how old you get, being the new person in a place always feels like the first day of school. Someone wishing me well on my first day on the job reminded me not to try prove anything to anybody; the people, and the place, had already chosen me.
That’s an important lesson. Wherever you are in your life, you are supposed to be there and no other place. Take a moment to figure out if it feels comfortable there. If it doesn’t, don’t be in a rush to assume the answer lies in trying to move away from that discomfort. Sometimes settling into discomfort, uncertainty and anxiety might be just what we need. We live in uncertain times. Building resilience through accepting you’re doing your best with what you have is critical.
I am fortunate to step into a space where an emphasis is placed on belonging. I have felt that from the first day. In a way, I felt even when I was still a guest invited to this community for a short period. I am grateful that those who came before me laid down such a foundation that I can humbly take up the mantel and contribute in a way that feels natural to me. Every day I have been here I have appreciated how people make me feel like I belong just by being myself.
Thank you Kingsmead College.
Onke Mazibuko
Director of TDI
Conversation Starter
We hope that 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.