Our Connection: Issue 17 2023

As the leader of our Junior School, I am in awe of Siya Kolisi’s captaincy and would like to reiterate his leadership principles and role as outlined in his Autobiography ‘RISE’, using the acronym SPRINGBOK:

S – Self
P – Positivity
R – Resilience
I – Inclusivity
N – Natural
G – Genuine
B – Bravery
O – Objective
K – Knowledge

At the start of 2023, our intentional focus was to begin the year with a positive approach to ‘Cultivating Courage’. Our framework for conversations, curriculum and onboarding was captured by our Grade 7s – as a time to be courageous, as outlined in their mission statement:
Together we stand

Courageous, hand in hand
Be brave, take flight
And then we’ll do what’s right
Enter the bright sky
And spread your wings and try
If we fly high together
Our life is much better
We’ll do our best
And strive for success
By taking flight
We WILL unite.

We focused on being courageous with optimism; raising girls to be courageous in all situations; courage as the key to new opportunities and a way to find certainty and stability.
Teaching our students to cultivate courage, does not mean that we teach them to get more; to gain more recognition or to achieve more accolades and applause. It means that we teach them that who they are matters more than what they do or achieve. It is a focus on developing our values and authentic human nature that we teach in order for our children, and even ourselves, to learn how to fly. Let us start by focusing on our values here at Kingsmead. Let us serve one another as a community by living the values in our playgrounds, on the sports fields, the classroom and in your homes. Let us remember that we are raising children who will one day raise our grandchildren. The values of responsibility, service, possibility, happiness, purpose and courage are core as we learn to ‘fly’. It is easier to measure a persons’ worth by what they have; join us as we start to focus our attention on wrapping up 2023 as a community with all the festivities and celebrations, and let’s be measured by that.

I wish our Grade 6 and 7 students all the best for their final examinations this week. These students are learning the value of commitment, time-management and responsibility and we are proud of their efforts.

We have four weeks left of the 2023 academic year. Please look out for all the communication coming your way. There is so much to celebrate and prepare for 2024.

Cultivating Courage, Always
Tarryn McLaren
Head: Junior School

Resources of Parents – Connecting with your Daughter
We trust that you have enjoyed our bi-weekly parent slot… This week, I’d like to share an author and resource for the development of girls. Lisa Damour is an American clinical psychologist and author specializing in the development of teenage girls and young women.

This week I had the privileged of attending the launch of her new book. However, I would like to share the following book with you this week: Untangled. This book is a guide for teenage girls through the seven transitions into adulthood. She pulls back the curtain on teenage years and shows why your daughters erratic and confusing behaviour is actually healthy, necessary, and natural. Untangled explains what is going on, prepares parents for what’s to come, and lets them know when it’s time to worry. Enjoy this podcast. Listen Here.

Staff News
We will be saying farewell to Cheryl Hall (Grade 000 Teacher) at the end of 2023. Cheryl has made the decision to assess her last few years of teaching and, as has been one of her passions, her one goal is to give back her expertise in education to other communities. We thank Cheryl for her many years of dedication to the Kingsmead family, she has left her mark on many a student who has moved through her class, we wish her well for her next chapter

Arts & Music

🎻It is Concert time!
It’s that time of the year and we cannot wait to see our young performers in action. Please note the following regarding the upcoming concerts:

• Students must wear their school uniform and arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the concert.
• Although we hope to include everyone, not all music students will necessarily perform in the concerts. Individual music teachers will use their discretion to establish whether a student is ready to perform.
• The concert programme will be posted on the app on the morning of the concert.
• Students who don’t take lessons at Kingsmead and who would like to participate must contact mloock@kingsmead.co.za at least one week before the concert to be added to the programme.

🎶 The thing about concerts…
The Music department is filled with excitement in anticipation of our upcoming concerts. As a performing art, music allows us to showcase the work we have diligently prepared. The applause of a receptive audience is unparalleled, giving young performers the validation for their efforts and inspiring them to continue.

Forcing a performer into the spotlight before they are fully prepared can have lasting negative consequences. Our teachers prioritise the well-being of their students and don’t enter them in concerts when they believe they are not yet ready. Please trust our judgment. There are numerous opportunities throughout a year to perform, and if a student isn’t prepared the time of a concert, there will always be another chance in the future.

🎉Congratulations
Awande Kumalo recently participated in the South African Dance School Championship. She received a high silver for the group Hip Hop and a silver for the duo Hip Hop. Well done, Awande, we are proud of you!

🎭Acknowledgments in the Performing and Visual Arts: Arts & Music: Dance, Music & Drama
Please inform us if your daughter is involved in performing arts (dance, drama, or music) or visual arts activities either within or outside of Kingsmead. We would be delighted to recognize her achievements in an assembly, the school newsletter, and/or on Facebook. Please send us an email with comprehensive details and include some photos. Send to: mloock@kingsmead.co.za and efourie@kingsmead.co.za.

🎄Carol Service
The much-awaited moment is almost here – our annual Carol Service! This cherished tradition brings our community together in a delightful evening featuring our choirs and orchestras. Please note that attendance is compulsory for all students from Grades 1-11. Don’t miss out on this special evening, and let’s celebrate the spirit of Christmas as a united community.

Thank you for your continued support of the Arts & Music department at Kingsmead.

Sports

Soccer
The soccer season is officially here, and Kingsmead College has started it off with a big bang! Our students played their first highly anticipated soccer fixture against Brescia House, and they showed what courage looks like. The incredible sportsmanship and dedication throughout the game truly demonstrated the players’ commitment to their team and their love for the sport. We are proud of the players.
Results:
Grade 4
Team 1: 2 – 0 win
Team 2: 2 – 0 win
Grade 5
Team 1: 3 – 0 win
Team 2: 00 draw
Grade 6
Team 1: 6 – 2 win
Grade 7
Team 1: 3 – 0 win

Diving
In the recent diving competition hosted at Kingsmead against St Stithians, our talented divers took to the boards with remarkable skill and determination, making us incredibly proud of their outstanding performances.
Wishing the divers all the best as they compete in the Inter-schools diving competition this Saturday. May their skills shine and their efforts be rewarded!

Water Polo
On November 1st, our junior school water polo players competed against St. Dominic’s. Our Kingsley team, consisting of grade 6 and 7 students, demonstrated their skills in the pool and emerged victorious with a score of 6-3. Additionally, the Inyoni team, composed of grade 4-6 students, made their debut in the pool with an unfortunate loss with a score of 4-2. These players had a great time and gained valuable experience from playing their first match. We look forward to the upcoming fixtures.

Outside Sport
Archery
Congratulations to Morgan Chen-Heyneke for competing at the 2023 Indoor / Outdoor South African National Archery Championships on the 14th and 15th of October 2023. Morgan received a silver medal in the Girls U13 Barebow division. We are very proud of you, Morgan!

Upcoming Events
8 November – Grade 1 – 3 Fun Gala (10:30 – 12:30)
The programme will be uploaded on the live calendar closer to the event.
8 November – Grade 4 – 7 Water Polo Fixture at St Mary’s.
There will be a bus travelling to St Mary’s and back to Kingsmead after the fixtures. All players are required to travel on the bus. Parents may collect students from St Mary’s once all matches are finished.
9 November – Grade 3 Soccer fixtures vs St Peter’s at Kingsmead
All players are to please stay and support until the end of all fixtures.
10 November – Grade 4 – 7 Soccer Fixtures (Grade 4 & 5 – Kingsmead, Grade 6 & 7 – St Peter’s)
There will be a bus travelling to St Peter’s and back to Kingsmead after the fixtures. All players are required to travel on the bus. Parents may collect students from St Peter’s at the end of the fixture.
11 November – Grade 3-7 Inter-Schools Diving Competition at St Dominic’s
All divers are to please stay and support until the end of the competition. Please note that there will be no bus for this fixture. Divers are to please meet at St Dominic’s. Selected divers will receive further details regarding the competition via email as the event draws nearer.
16 November – Grade 3 Soccer fixtures vs Roedean at Kingsmead
All players are to please stay and support until the end of all fixtures.
17 November – U12 District Hockey Trials at St Andrew’s
The bus will depart at 13:00.
18 November – Grade 4 – 7 Soccer Fixtures (Grade 4 & 5 – St Stithians, Grade 6 & 7 – Kingsmead)
Please note that there will be no bus for this fixture. Grade 4 & 5 Players are to please meet at St Stithians. Parents may collect students at the end of the fixture.

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.

Service

Adopting and caring for a rhino has been an extremely heart-warming project this year. Our Grade 7 girls have been exceptional at heading up this campaign. The grade 7s started our fundraising this term on a sweet note, with an “R” themed cake and candy sale. Not only did they sell delicious goodies, rhino teddies and keyring. They also showcased our custom Kingsmead rhino socks. Soctober was a huge success when the Junior school girls rocked their crazy socks to support our rhino.

As our 90th year come to an end so do our service events. Our sandwiches for service campaign has come to an end for 2023. Each week a different grade in the Junior school prepared sandwiches for our local soup kitchen. We are proud of girls for making these sandwiches with such great care.

We look forward to our final visit with our service partners in the upcoming weeks.

Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion

What a fortunate time to be part of the Kingsmead College community. Goodwill Day and the 90th Birthday celebration within a couple of weeks of each other. Both were successful days when the spirit of the school was on full display. It was great to see people happy in each other’s company and reminding one another of the importance of standing together.

It is great to know that in the TDI space, I am never alone. In the senior school, I have the formal support of three dedicated teachers: Wisani Nkosi, Rangoato Phogole and Camille Koukoutsis. In the junior school, I am fortunate to be supported by: Celiwe Magubane, Roxy Harman-Leak and Nonhlanhla Latha.

In addition, in both schools, there are student representatives and parent representatives, all working together to support TDI initiatives. Perhaps what has been most encouraging is having students and staff come and ask how they may join and support. TDI is all our work. It is about being in service for others. This is the language of our community.

Conversation Starter