Dear Kingsmead Community,
Jacaranda Joy
I trust that the half-term break was a good time for our families, teachers, and students. It was a time to take a short rest, take one last deep breath, and get ready to dive into the final few weeks of the third term. We have many things to achieve together before the year closes, and we are looking forward to each and every one of them.
We see Jacarandas everywhere, and they are draping our city with magnificent joy. The Jacaranda tree is a symbol of beauty, resilience, and renewal. Its vibrant flowers are often associated with good fortune and prosperity. In Johannesburg, the blooming of Jacarandas is a sign that the end of the school year is near and that the festive season is soon upon us, thus making them a symbol of hope and new beginnings.
While delighting in the events of Term 3 so far, and starting to reflect on 2024’s successes of our school and students, we feel such – JOY and happiness.
This left me questioning – What is joy? What is happiness? And what is the difference between joy and happiness?
The difference between joy and happiness lives in the mind and heart.
- Joy is a little word. Happiness is a bigger word.
- Joy is in the heart. Happiness is on the face.
- Joy is of the soul. Happiness is of the moment.
- Joy transcends. Happiness reacts.
- Joy runs deep and overflows, while happiness hugs hello.
- Joy is a practice and a behaviour. It’s deliberate and intentional.
- Happiness comes and goes along its way.
- Joy is an inner feeling. Happiness is an outward expression.
Thank you to each of your daughters and the teachers who allow us to practice joy, know joy, live joy, and feel happiness in the various moments of our school year.
Yours in Joy and Happiness,
Mrs. Tarryn McLaren
Junior School Head
Parent Insert
I spent half term reading Raising Human Beings by Dr. Ross Greene. He is a Renowned child psychologist and New York Times bestselling author. He explains how to cultivate a better parent-child relationship while nurturing empathy, honesty, resilience, and independence.
Parents have an important task: figure out who their child is—his or her skills, preferences, beliefs, values, personality traits, goals, and direction—get comfortable with it, and then help them pursue and live a life according to it. Yet parents also want their kids to be independent, but not if they will make bad choices. They want to avoid being too overbearing, but not if an apathetic kid is what they have to show for it. They want to have a good relationship with their kids, but not if that means being a pushover. They don’t want to scream, but they do want to be heard. Good parenting is about striking the balance between a child’s characteristics and a parent’s desire to have influence.
His work reminded me to request your partnership with us as professionals within a school environment. We are here to work with you. To collaborate, and raise your human being(s) – aka daughter with you. Please can I request at this point, that you engage with our teachers in the upcoming Parent Evenings, Student Led Conferences and with your daughters school report.
Remember, your daughter’s LEAD/Class teacher is your first port of call when needing to communicate, followed by the Grade Coordinator, Deputy Head, and last but not least, myself as the head of school.
We are raising her together. There is power of we and the power of US.
Thank you
Staffing 2025
We are in the final stages of confirming our staffing for 2025, and I will share the Junior School Staffing structure in our next newsletter, which will be sent out on Tuesday, November 12.
Arts & Music
🎶The Ridge Combined Choirs Festival
Our Grade 4-7 Choir and Grade 7 Marimba Band recently participated in the annual Ridge Combined Choirs Festival at the Linder Auditorium. The event featured performances from four schools, and it was an unforgettable evening of musical camaraderie.
A memorable moment was when maestro Richard Cock invited the audience to become the fifth choir, joining in for one of the mass items. This showcased the unifying power of music, transcending age, culture, and language.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Este Meerkotter for her exceptional musical arrangements and expert conducting, which truly elevate our choir. Our students made the Kingsmead community proud with their confident and joyful performances.
We are also grateful to the management team, parents, and guardians for their continued support and partnership in fostering the Arts at our school. Your commitment ensures that our students can thrive and shine through music.
Click the link below to watch a reel capturing the magic of this special evening.
🥳 Congratulations
Over the past few weeks, our musicians have been hard at work participating in the Jan Celliers Eisteddfod. Kingsmead College submitted over 120 entries, with students showcasing their skills across a variety of instruments, including strings, woodwinds, and piano. We are incredibly proud of their remarkable achievements.
Congratulations to the following students for their dedication and excellent results:
Charlotte Pruett, Emma Wong, Isabella Pruett, Liyana Angamia, Chloë Mwanza, Harper Hunt, Alunamda Babana, Mia Pretorius, Olivia Rowley, Rylie Jarvis, Sarah Motala, Sophie Vickers, Zoë Mwanza, Alisha Lala, Joline Lai, Lina Hutchinson, Zara Mosupa, Boleng Leepile, Ella van Dyk, Raevyn Cullinan, Tamishka Pather, Sophie Duggan, Kayla Wong, Mishka Duncan-Chundra, Saanvi Naicker, Sanchia Naicker, Reese Grimley, Zanengcebo Dlamini, Reya Lakhan, Vidhya Morar, Ratanang Leepile, Ariel Harris, Walika Ngahu, Ava Miltiadou, Mackenzie Wilson, Frances Keus, Morgan Chen-Heyneke, Emma Lai, Mieke Pretorius, Minana Bweribofa, Simphiwe Ncemane, Zalisidinga Pepeta, Vera Collocott, Grace Beukes, Nina Fourie, Lisakhanya Kula, Catriona Burgoyne, Alexis Rossouw, Jaime Kinnear, Khanyisile Mabuza, Sophia Roos, Kganya Rakumakoe, Nondumiso Mabuza, Raphaela D’Amico, Lwandile Mashinini, Nalayethu Mkhize, Iliana D’Amico, Akwandokuhle Mahlake, Bowden Jennings, Michaela Stephano, Nondumiso Mabuza, Ava Booth, and Lungisile Mchunu, Iliana D’Amico, Akwandokuhle Mahlake, Bowden Jennings, Michaela Stephano, Nondumiso Mabuza, Ava Booth, Lungisile Mchunu, Lisakhanya Kula, Catriona Burgoyne, Alexis Rossouw, Jaime Kinnear, Khanyisile Mabuza, Sophia Roos, Kganya Rakumakoe, Raphaela D’Amico, Lwandile Mashinini, Nalayethu Mkhize, and Bella Lizamore.
We are delighted that a few of our students were selected to perform at the prestigious Eisteddfod Prize Winners Concert:
- Chloë Mwanza – Most Promising Beginner Pianist
- Joline Lai – Most Promising Junior Pianist
- Saanvi & Sanchia Naicker – Best Junior Performance of a Piano Duet
- Nina Fourie – Most Promising Senior Woodwind Player
We congratulate all our students for their effort, perseverance, and passion for music.
We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of two of our musicians who recently completed their ABRSM practical examinations with excellent results:
- Mpho Chakane – Merit for Grade 1 Saxophone, Merit for Grade 3 Violin
- Nondumiso Mabuza – Distinction for Grade 1 Flute
Your hard work and dedication make us incredibly proud. Congratulations on these outstanding achievements.
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
As we take a look at the latest updates and highlights from the sports front, I’d like to take a moment to share this insightful piece by Casey Huff (who is a proud sporting father) that reflects on what truly matters in youth sports:
“In twenty years, it won’t matter if they were the best on the team, if they were the fastest on the field, or if they had the most impressive stats.
It won’t matter if they were recognized for their accomplishments or if they ever received the title of “MVP”.
It won’t matter if their travel team was the best in the league, or if other coaches ever pointed them out and said, “Keep an eye on that kid.”
It won’t matter if they started every game or scored the game-winning goal.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m my kids’ biggest fan.
I LOVE watching them in all of their activities. I’m proud and honoured to get to do so. And yes, we’re a family who likes to win (and I think that’s okay!)
But sometimes, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that so much of this sports-parent season is temporary. We get caught up in the competitiveness of wanting our kid to be the best when really it’s kind of insignificant in the bigger picture of their lives.
In twenty years, the things that WILL matter are the other skills our kids are learning during their time playing youth sports.
The skills they’ll only learn if we put our parent egos aside and have fewer conversations about stats and more conversations about things like—
Kindness.
Humility.
Hard work.
Being a team player.
Supporting their peers.
Being a good sport even when things don’t go their way.
Right now, sports are such a big part of our world.
From the outside it seems like our kids are working on things like proper technique and fundamentals of the game—and that’s part of it, sure.
But really, this is an even bigger chance for them to learn lessons about life.
And when they’ve hung up their sporting gear for the very last time, I hope to walk into the next season of life knowing we haven’t just raised accomplished athletes, we’ve raised incredible humans.”
Athletics
Kingsmead Athletics Season Closes on a High Note!
We are thrilled to share that our athletics season came to a close with an outstanding performance at the Inter-School Athletics event hosted by St. Teresa’s at St Stithians. Competing against ten other schools, our athletes gave it their all, and we proudly finished in 6th place with a total of 284 points. Our team of top athletes showed remarkable courage and tenacity, embodying the spirit of Kingsmead and making us incredibly proud.
The team comprised the top four athletes per age group in the short sprints, the top two in longer sprints, two in hurdles, two in the long jump, and three for the 800m events. The girls’ dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship proudly upheld our school’s name.
A special acknowledgement goes to the following athletes who placed in the top three in their events:
- Grade 7 High Jump: Kylie Dugmore secured 3rd place, while Scarlett Haslam took 2nd place, equalling the existing record at an impressive 1.50m.
- Long Jump: Grade 3 – Angela Ball placed 3rd; Grade 5 – Milisithunado Mabusela took 1st place (fantastic!); Grade 7 – Kylie Dugmore secured 2nd place.
- Hurdles (Grade 6): Thoriso Moshegoa earned 2nd place in the B race, and Keoderilang Maqubela also placed 2nd in the A race.
- 80m Sprints (Grade 4): Zariya Tayob finished 2nd in the C race, Sophia Roos placed 3rd in the B race, and Isabella Brand came in 3rd in the A race.
- 100m and 200m Events: Grade 6 – Saara Hassim placed 3rd in the 100m C race, and Thoriso Motshegoa took 3rd in the 200m B race.
Congratulations to these girls and all our athletes who participated with dedication and spirit. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the parents and coaches for their unwavering support and to each athlete for attending training sessions and supporting their teammates. Your commitment and hard work have been truly inspiring—thank you for making this season memorable!
Diving
Gauteng Trials
On Saturday, October 19th, seven of our Junior School divers had the wonderful opportunity to compete in the Diving Gauteng Trials at Roedean. It was a beautiful day, and our divers showed great skill and enthusiasm. We are thrilled to share that Georgia Matthews secured 2nd place, while Olona Mbele and Kylie Dugmore each earned impressive 3rd-place finishes in their respective age groups. As a result, Georgia, Olona, and Kylie have qualified for the 2024 Gauteng Schools Diving Team. Congratulations, divers!
Water Polo
St Stithian’s Water Polo Tournament
Kingsmead U/12/U13 water polo players recently participated in the St Stithians Water Polo Invitational Tournament, where they played exceptionally well. The team demonstrated true Kingsmead courage and passion in every match. Special congratulations to Georgie Dalling, Lucy Berry, and Milan Williams for being recognized as Players of the Match. We look forward to the upcoming Durban Girls Water Polo Tournament at the end of November!
Soccer
Recently, a soccer clinic was held to prepare for the upcoming season, providing players with valuable skills and techniques. The clinic emphasized teamwork, ball control & game strategy, helping players build confidence on the field.
A reminder to all parents & students: attendance at both training sessions is essential for eligibility in team selection. While soccer fixtures will continue during the Grade 6 and 7 exam period, students in these grades will be excused from training but are still welcome to participate in the fixtures. If your daughter will not be playing in the fixtures during exams, please email Ms. Mokone at smokone@kingsmead.co.za.
Upcoming Events
31 October: Grade 3 – 7 Diving Fixture @ St Mary’s
2 November: Grade 4 – 7 Soccer Clinic Fixture vs St Teresa’s/Roedean
Grade 4 & 5 – Kingsmead, Grade 6 & 7 – Roedean
Please note that there will be no bus for this fixture. All students are to please meet at the venues by 07:30.
5 November: Grade 1 – 3 Fun Gala @ Kingsmead
Parents are welcome to come and support.
5 November: Grade 4 – 7 Water Polo Fixture vs St Mary’s @ Kingsmead
7 November: Grade 3 Soccer Fixture vs St Peter’s Prep @ St Peter’s Prep.
All students will travel to St Peter’s by bus. Students may be collected at the end of the fixture from St Peter’s.
Address: 105 Witkoppen Road, Paulshof, Sandton.
8 November: Grade 4 – 7 Soccer Fixture vs St Peter’s Prep.
Grade 4 & 5 – Kingsmead, Grade 6 & 7 – St Peter’s Prep.
All students will travel to St Peter’s by bus. Students may be collected from St Peter’s at the end of the fixture.
Address: 105 Witkoppen Road, Paulshof, Sandton.
9 November: Grade 3 – 7 Inter-Schools Diving Fixture @ St Andrews
Please note that there will be no bus for this fixture. Selected divers must please meet at St Andrew’s.
A few reminders for parents & guardians:
- Please send any sports achievements (school & non-school) to Mrs Hanekom.
- A reminder to please download the Kingsmead app as this will be the direct method of communication to parents on sports fixture days.
- 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
Family Time – Time to THUNK in Term 3
A Thunk is a simple question about everyday things designed to stop you in your tracks and to help you to look at the world in a completely different way. Thunks help individuals to develop philosophical thinking, confidence in their own opinions and the ability to listen to others, through open-ended questions where there are no right or wrong answers.
This week’s THUNK: What colour is Joy?
Give a reason for your answer.