Dear Kingsmead Community
Thriving with Possibility
Term 3’s joy and excitement are well underway, and as we celebrate and attend all our events and celebrations where our students showcase their hard work, I am overcome with all the possibilities that are afforded to them at Kingsmead College.
Our staff strive to develop the value of possibility, with multiple opportunities for the students to perform, which affirms the fundamental elements that have steered Kingsmead successfully throughout its history and that alumnae have identified as integral to their experience at the School, as such with Julia Vincent who spoke at our Speech Evening on Thursday, 26 September. Julia is the first-ever South African diver to compete at three Olympic Games and reach finals at the Paris Olympics. What an inspiration.
Her Instagram quote from the recent Olympics: “Sport isn’t just a game, it isn’t just winning and losing, it isn’t just performing. It’s a community, it’s unity, it’s friendship, it’s hope in a sometimes hopeless world, it’s one of the greatest teachers we’re given in life, and it has shown time and time again that it can change the world. It changed my world personally and gave me so much of that hope over the years, too.”
With this in mind, we as a school have continued to identify how we will continue to innovate and evolve. We understand the significance of belonging, recognizing opportunity in change, and embracing the responsibilities of a school in educating thoughtful and engaged citizens. The concept of striving for one’s ‘best self’ is also a central tenet of the plan, emphasizing the importance of continuous development by embracing the values of Kingsmead.
With just more than eight weeks left of our school year, I am so grateful for all we have to celebrate! On behalf of the Junior School, we wish our matrics many blessings as they prepare for their final examinations. As they soon close the chapter of their Kingsmead journey, we also wish the 2025 newly elected leaders all the very best for their time to serve ahead. May you leave a legacy of compassion, courage and community building for the generations to follow!
#ThrivingwithPOSSIBILITY
Mrs. Tarryn McLaren
Junior School Head
Staffing
It gives us great pleasure to welcome Maretha Rantseuoa to Kingsmead College, Junior School within our Sesotho Department. She has been part of pioneering Sesotho curriculum for the last 6 years at her previous school, as well as developing Sesotho tutoring resources, which education sector is seeking.
Parent Insert
Listen to an Excerpt
Thrivers – By Michele Borba, Ed. D.
The bestselling author of UnSelfie offers 7 teachable traits that will safeguard our daughters for the future. We think we have to push our kids to do more, achieve more, and BE more. But we’re modelling the wrong traits—like rule-following and caution—and research shows it’s NOT working. This kind of “Striver” mindset isn’t just making children unhappier, says Dr. Michele Borba…it’s actually the opposite of what it takes to thrive in the uncertain world ahead.
Thrivers are different: they flourish in our fast-paced, digital-driven, often uncertain world. Why? Through her in-depth research, Dr. Borba discovered that the difference comes down not to grades or test scores but to seven character traits that set Thrivers apart—confidence, empathy, self-control, integrity, curiosity, perseverance, and optimism. The even better news is that these traits can be taught to children at any age…in fact, parents and schools must do so.
In her book Thrivers, Dr. Borba offers practical, actionable ways to develop these traits in children from preschool through high school, showing how to teach kids how to cope today so they can thrive tomorrow.
Academics
Supporting Your Daughter Through End-of-Year Examinations
As we approach the final stretch of the school year, the upcoming end-of-year examinations are naturally at the forefront of many minds. For our Grade 6 and 7 students, these assessments provide an opportunity to reflect on their learning and progress. While examinations are important, they are just one of many ways we assess and celebrate the growth of each student. At Kingsmead Junior School, we recognise that every girl’s academic journey is unique, and these exams are a single step along that path.
Understanding Girls and Exam Anxiety
Research shows that girls in particular often experience higher levels of anxiety around examinations and tests, due to their tendency to internalise pressure and set high expectations for themselves. This is a normal response, and a small amount of nervousness can actually be beneficial- when channeled correctly, it can sharpen focus and drive success. However, left unchecked, it can leave any one feeling overwhelmed.
Understanding this dynamic is key to providing the right support. The goal is for teachers and parents to help students manage any feelings of stress in a way that motivates her, rather than hinders her.
Tips to Support
Here are a few strategies to guide your daughter through this period, ensuring she remains calm, confident, and well-prepared:
1. Normalise Nervousness: Explaining that feeling nervous before an exam is completely natural and can be used as positive energy. Encourage her to view it as her body’s way of getting ready to perform at her best. A word that I have come to like is “nerve-citement”. It acknowledges the butterfly sensation of nervousness one feels before taking on something unknown but filters it through the lenses of potential.
2. Focus on Preparation, Not Perfection: Reinforce that effort is more important than perfection. Encourage her to focus on her preparation, breaking it down into manageable study sessions, and celebrate the process rather than the result.
3. Create a Calm Study Environment: Help her to set up a quiet, organised space where she can study effectively. A peaceful environment can reduce anxiety and improve focus. Offer to assist with structuring a study timetable that allows for breaks and relaxation, ensuring she doesn’t burn out.
4. Promote Healthy Habits: Reminders on the importance of rest, nutrition, and exercise are underrated. A well-rested and nourished brain performs far better under pressure. Encourage her to take breaks, go outside for fresh air, or engage in light physical activity to clear their mind.
5. Balance Encouragement with Reassurance: While it’s natural to want to motivate her to do her best, it’s equally important to reassure her that her worth is not defined by her examination results. Remind her that these exams are just one part of a larger learning journey, and her progress throughout the year is what truly matters.
6. Model Positive Attitudes Toward Challenges: Girls often look to the adults in their lives for cues on how to react to stressful situations. Show her that challenges can be faced with optimism, and that setbacks, if they occur, are simply opportunities to learn and grow.
A Time for Growth, Not Just Assessment
Examinations are a snapshot of a student’s learning at a particular moment in time. While they play a role in academic assessment and exam/test writing is a skill to be developed, they do not define someone’s overall progress, abilities, or potential. With the right support, we can turn the examination period into a positive and empowering experience for all our girls.
Let’s work together to ensure that our girls approach these examinations with confidence, resilience, and the understanding that they are supported, no matter the outcome.
Learning and Innovating together,
Sjaneen Pretorius
Arts & Music
🎭 JP Showcases
Our Grade 1s, 2s, and 3s have been preparing for their annual showcases for months. After committing hundreds of words, notes, places and moves to memory, they finally got to wow the audience last Friday. Each grade’s story was unique in setting, plot, characters, and music, conveying a message that was true to the heart of Kingsmead. In the words of the Grade 2s: “What makes a girl worthy of praise and renown? Is it a title, a dress and a crown? No, a person who’s truly royal at heart has service and courage down to an art.” Each student had to dig deep to find the hero within to show up on stage the way they did with discipline and heart. Every girl rose to meet this enormous challenge enthusiastically, proving their courage to friends, teachers and parents alike. We could not be prouder.
🎶Jan Celliers Choir Eisteddfod
A few weeks ago, our Grade 4-7 Choir had the privilege of participating in the Jan Celliers Choir Eisteddfod. Under the adjudication of Renette Bouwer, a highly respected choir conductor with numerous accolades, our students delivered an exceptional performance that earned them an A++. Ms Bouwer was particularly impressed by the choir’s passion and execution. Heartfelt thanks to Esté Meerkotter, our exceptional conductor, for her passion, expertise, and creativity in guiding our choir to new heights.
🎶 Kingsmead & Grey Junior School Combined Ensemble Evening
Last week, Kingsmead had the pleasure of hosting members from the Grey Junior School Jazz band, and the evening was nothing short of spectacular. Our young performers captivated the audience with an unforgettable demonstration of their skills and passion. Both the Junior School Orchestra and Wind Band delivered beautiful performances, showcasing a wide range of musical genres. The Grey Junior Jazz Band then took to the stage with a vibrant set that paid tribute to iconic artists such as Stevie Wonder, Mango Groove, and Michael Jackson and concluded with an electrifying finale of a number by Maroon 5. The night culminated in a mass item, with the students from both schools performing together, embodying the true magic of music through collaboration. Sincere thanks to the parents, staff, and management for their support, and a special shout out to the PTA for providing delicious food and refreshments, making the evening even more memorable.
Kingsmead Music Department
Elsabé Fourie & Mia Loock
Director of Arts & Music/ Head of Junior School Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za /mloock@kingsmead.co.za
Sports
What an unforgettable day we had on Friday, September 27! We were honoured to welcome South African Olympian Julia Vincent, who inspired our Grade 4-7 students with her incredible journey and the invaluable life lessons she has learned along the way.
Julia candidly shared the ups and downs of her diving career, illustrating that success is often accompanied by challenges and setbacks. She reminded our students that the path to finding one’s passion can take many turns and that it’s perfectly okay to discover that calling later in life. Julia herself found her enthusiasm for diving only in Grade 9 at Kingsmead College, a testament to the fact that our passions can unfold in unexpected ways.
Her powerful message resonated deeply, encouraging our students to embrace perseverance and courage, even in the face of adversity. Julia exemplifies resilience and determination, showing us all that the pursuit of our dreams—no matter how daunting—holds immeasurable value.
We are profoundly grateful for Julia’s visit and the inspiration she ignited in our students. Her stories will undoubtedly encourage them to chase their dreams, be it in sports, academics, or any other area they hold dear.
Diving Clinic
We are excited to share the highlights from the diving clinic led by Olympian Julia Vincent, along with two exceptional South African divers. The clinic was designed for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced divers, offering customized sessions that emphasized technique and diving board skills.
Participants not only refined their diving abilities but also received invaluable insights from Julia and her team. Each session was packed with learning experiences and unforgettable moments, nurturing a lifelong passion for the sport.
A heartfelt thank you to Julia Vincent, Kate Shepherd, and Micaela Bouter for dedicating their time to coach our students. We also appreciate our diving coach, Nicole Gillis, and former pupil Sarah Benning for their contributions in making this clinic a resounding success. Thank you to everyone who participated in this amazing experience! We look forward to more exciting events in the future.
Athletics
The recent Grade 3-7 athletics meeting at St. Peter’s was a resounding success, showcasing the enthusiasm and talent of our young athletes. Students competed in a variety of events, including sprints, hurdles, relays, long jump, and high jump, demonstrating their hard work and dedication in training. The highlight of the day was the camaraderie displayed among students, who encouraged one another throughout the events. Overall, the meeting emphasised athletic excellence and fostered teamwork and sportsmanship, making it a memorable day for all involved.
Tennis
In a tough tennis matchup against St. Peter’s, our students showed exceptional skill and teamwork. The players delivered outstanding performances on the double’s courts, with standout moments including nail-biting tiebreakers. Our tennis teams executed growth and determination throughout their matches and true Kingsmead Courage was displayed when our grade 4’s took on grade 7 players. Well done to our players.
Equestrian
Congratulations to our talented riders for their exceptional performance at the SANESA Nationals. We are extremely proud of your accomplishments.
Isabel Munro
Dressage (A team) – Individual Position: 3rd place, Tema Position: 1st place
Lucy Berry
Show Jumping (A team) – Individual position: 7th place, Team position: 3rd position
Equitation (A team) – Team position: 1st place
Outside Sport
Dancing
Congratulations to Taylor Palmer and Georgie Kennedy on participating in the Gauteng Dance Festival! Taylor and Georgie achieved first place for their Modern Group – Novice dance. Great job!!
Karate
Congratulations to Ishvara Skosana on her recent accomplishments in Karate! Ishvara participated in the WSKF SA National Shotokan Championship in Bloemfontein. Competing in the mixed fixtures (boys and girls) as a brown belt, she did so due to a lack of girls with brown belts in her age group.
Her competition results include:
– Mixed 10-11-year-old red/brown belt kata: 2nd place, earning a silver medal
– Mixed 10-11-year-old red/brown belt kumite: 3rd place, earning a bronze medal
– Girls 10-13 open fighting: did not place
We are incredibly proud of her dedication to this sport, which she began at the age of 5. She also demonstrated excellent sportsmanship at the tournament, embodying the values of Kingsmead.
Gymnastics
Amari recently competed in Cape Town and achieved remarkable success! She secured a silver medal on the beam, showcasing her incredible talent and dedication. Notably, Amari now holds the second-highest beam score in the country for her age group!
Her hard work and determination continue to inspire us all. Congratulations, Amari, on this outstanding achievement!
We also congratulate Nala Moletsane and Keodirelang Maqubela for their participation in the recent Gymnastics Nationals. Nala secured 18th place, while Keodirelang finished 22nd among over 60 competitors.
Upcoming Events
3 October: Grade 4 – 7 Tennis Matches vs St Mary’s (Venue: A/B – Internal matches at KM, C/D – Kingsmead)
3 October: Grade 3 – 7 Diving Fixture @ 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.
4 October: Grade 3 – 7 Athletics Fixture (Venue: St Peter’s Prep)
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 athletes are expected to stay and support until the end when scores are announced. (Register will be taken at the end)
9 October: Grade 6/7 Water Polo Fixture vs Steyn City @ Steyn City
All students are required to travel on the bus to the venue. The bus will depart at 14:20. 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.
10 October: Grade 4 – 7 Internal Tennis Matches
11 October: Grade 3, 5, 6 & 7 Athletics Fixture (Venue: St Stithians)
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.
12 October: Grade 3 – 7 Diving Fixture @ St Dominic’s
Please note that there will be no bus for this fixture. Selected divers must please meet at St Dominic’s.
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 make sure to inform the coaches in advance if your daughter is unable to attend a fixture.
Yours in sport
Shavaun Hanekom
Head of Junior School Sport
