Dear Kingsmead Community,
One of the most significant and special things about school is the opportunity to celebrate at the end of each year through certain rites of passage and also to prepare for a new beginning at the start of each new year.
As we grapple and plan for 2024, we remain committed to the goal to continue to grow our community. It is a privilege to spend time together.
During these final weeks of 2023 at Kingsmead, we have welcomed our new families at the various orientation events, assigning them to classes and buddies. It has been heart-warming to see how welcoming our students and community have been when meeting their new ‘sisters’.
We also now prepare to say farewell to our Grade 7 class of 2023. I have been so incredibly proud of this group of children who have left their legacy for the younger girls to follow. We celebrate with a final assembly and a special dinner planned by our Grade 6 parent body at the close of term. We are so grateful for this.
Our Grade 3 girls will also have the opportunity to receive closure on their Foundation Phase schooling as they prepare to enter the next phase of their learning in the Senior Primary.
All of these events add significant value to the Kingsmead experience. As our daughters achieve certain milestones in life, so do they develop their identity and purpose within our community.
Please refer to the live calendar for the following important events coming up as we prepare to conclude our year:
Senior Primary Student-Led Conferences
Junior Primary Parent Connects
Music Concerts
PTA Christmas Market
Junior Primary Celebration Assembly
Grade 4-6 Celebration Assembly
Grade 7 Celebration Assembly
Grade 7 Leavers Dinner
Carol Service
I look forward to meeting with you and celebrating all that we have achieved together in 2023 during these pockets of joy.
Carpark Safety
I would like to bring to your attention the increasing number of incidents reported in our school carparks. It is critical that our school is always a place of safety for all our children, staff and parents.
Once you enter the school premises, please be aware of the number of children crossing the road as well as the entering and exiting of cars from parking bays. There have been reports of parents who are driving too fast; driving while texting; driving into one way entrances as well as cutting in front of cars trying to move through the carparks.
Please be reminded that this is a school and the adults are the role models. Please drive carefully and with respect for each other at all times. It is important to be alert at all pedestrian crossings.
At Kingsmead we expect that all members of our community treat one another with respect and kindness. We are a considerate and compassionate community who seek to provide a safe school for our students, staff and parents.
We request your support in this matter.
Cultivating Courage, Always
Tarryn McLaren
Junior School Head
Parent Resource – Helping your daughter find Authentic Success
In today’s achievement culture, many girls seem to be doing remarkably well, but beneath the surface, girls are stressed and exhausted from striving to be “perfect.” Their efforts to juggle schoolwork and extra-curriculars, family and social obligations, as well as relationships online and in the real world, can make many girls lose sight of their own unique abilities. With honesty, empathy, and a fresh perspective, The Myth of the Perfect Girl , by Ana Homayoun presents advice to empower both parents and girls themselves to discover what true success and happiness means to them. This book offers practical, thoughtful solutions to promote the healthy social, emotional, physical and spiritual wellness of today’s young girls and women.
Arts & Music
🎉Congratulations
Our musicians have been hard at work over the past few months preparing for their practical and Music Theory examinations. We are thrilled to congratulate the following students on achieving excellent results!
Ava Miltiadou, Walika Ngahu, Mackenzie Wilson, Ariel Harris, Reese Grimley, Viola-Grace Asherson, Simphiwe Ncemane, Minana Bwerinofa, Lexi Dugmore, Zalisidinga Pepeta, Mieke Pretorius, Rafeea Dakri, Taylor Simpson, Chloe Pon, Isabel Munro, Emily Lawlor and Rorisang Mamathuba.
🎄Festive Carol Service Monday 4 December 2023
We look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate our annual Festive Carol Service on Monday, 4 December at Rosebank Union Church. This is always a wonderful event and a special way to end our year together. Please note that it is compulsory for all Grade 1-11 students to attend this evening. Should your daughter not be able to attend, you need to excuse her directly with Mrs McLaren.
All our Grade 1s, Grade 2, 3, 4-7 and Senior School Choirs, as well as Junior and Senior Orchestras are involved in this event. Family and friends are also welcome! The auditorium seats just more than 1000 people and there is ample safe parking available. All students must wear summer school uniform for this event.
The arrangements are as follow:
16h00: Junior and Senior Orchestra members meet on stage
16h30: Grade 4-7 and Senior School Choirs meet on stage
17h00: All Grade 1, 2 and 3 students to meet on stage
Students must please be prompt for the meeting times above as we need to do sound checks and placement on stage.
18h00-19h00: Carol Service
☕️ Tea, coffee, and 🥧 mince pies will be served in the foyer after the event.
Rehearsals for choirs and orchestras have been posted on the various WhatsApp groups and on the App
Thank you for your continued support of the Arts & Music department at Kingsmead.
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za
Mia Loock
Head of Junior School Music
mloock@kingsmead.co.za
Sports
Swimming
Congratulations to our phenomenal Grade 1-3 swimmers who showcased their incredible talent at the APPS Gala! We couldn’t be prouder of their dedication and hard work. Each of them left a lasting impression with their incredible performances! Keep up the amazing work, young swimmers – the future of our team looks extremely bright!
Soccer
Grade 3
The Grade 3 soccer matches between Kingsmead and Roedean on Thursday, 16 November were fantastic. The Kingsmead players showcased their skills and were thrilled to have the opportunity to play matches. Despite Roedean having only one team, Kingsmead players had the opportunity to play internal matches, which added to the excitement. We are proud of the Kingsmead students for their dedication and commitment throughout the season.
Grade 4 – 7
The final Grade 4-7 soccer fixtures for 2023 saw our students giving it their all against St Stithians, St Dominic’s and St Teresa’s. Our players played their hearts out and showcased their skills on the field. Congratulations to all players and coaches on a successful soccer season.
Results:
Grade 4
A WON 2-0 vs St Stithians 2
A DREW 0-0 vs St Stithians 1
B WON 1-0 vs St Stithians 5
B WON 2-0 vs St Stithians 6
C LOST 0-1 vs St Stithians 7
C LOST 0-1 vs St Teresa’s
GRADE 5
A DREW 0-0 vs St Stithians 2
A WON 2-1 vs St Stithians 1
B WON 2-0 vs St Stithians 5
B WON 1-0 vs St Sthithians 6
C LOST 2-1 vs St Stithians 3
C DREW 1-1 vs St Teresa’s
Grade 6
A drew 0-0 vs St Stithians A
A drew 1-1 vs St Teresa’s A
B drew 0-0 vs St Teresa’s B
B drew 0-0 vs St Dominic’s A
Grade 7
A Lost 1-0 vs St Teresa’s
A won 1-0 vs St Dominic’s
B drew 0-0 vs St Stithians B
B won 1-0 vs St Dominic’s B
Diving
Inter-Schools Diving
We would like to express our heartfelt congratulations to all the divers who took part in the inter-schools diving competition hosted by St. Dominic’s on Saturday, 11 November. Our divers’ outstanding performance on the day filled us with immense pride.
A Competition
Grade 7
Nishka Makan 11th
Maya Rono 1st
Grade 6
Kylie Dugmore 4th
Olona Mbele 12th
Grade 5
Sarah Jensen 4th
Thoriso Motshegoa 3rd
Grade 4
Georgia Matthews 5th
Stella Eagar 13th
Grade 3
Ishvara Skosana 7th
Jaime Kinnear 10th
Overall Team Position: 4th
B Bompetition
Grade 5
Madison Crozier 5th
Kitty Jewel 10th
Grade 4
Nondumiso Mabuza 7th
Teagan Sutton-Pryce 10th
Grade 3
Fallon Grundlingh 11th
Reese Grimley 9th
Thank you to all of our divers and coaches for committing to the season. We look forward to the next season.
Water Polo
On 18 October 2023, Kingsmead College’s Kingsley team, comprised of Grade 6 and 7 players, dominated the pool with a score of 10-1 over St Mary’s. On the same day, the newly formed Inyoni team, comprised of Grade 4 and 5 players, faced a challenging Grade 6 and 7 St Mary’s team, ending with a loss of 8-0. These matches showcased the spirit of competition and determination of all the water polo players for the season.
Hockey
In the spirit of hockey, a selected group of players were chosen to attend the first round of U12 and U13 D9 hockey trials on 3 and 17 November 2023. The intensity of the trials displayed exceptional skills and results, with the following players earning a well-deserved spot in the next round. The next round is scheduled for early next year. Congratulations to these aspiring hockey players for their outstanding performance, and best of luck in the upcoming stages of the trials:
U12:
Vuyo Mkwanazi
Sinekazimulo Mthembu
Thakgalo Semenya
U13:
Lamiah Bux
Lucy Berry
Yusairah Hoosen
Malaika Sibanda
Olona Mbele
Outside Sport
Karate
Congratulations to Advika Lunawat for her outstanding performance at her recent Karate championships. Advika took part in the Dorfman Karate Children Championship on 5 November, and received the following awards in her division:
- Bronze medal for Kata
- Gold medal for Kihon ippon kumite
Well done, Advika!
Further, congratulations go to Lamiah Bux for receiving her black belt in karate. What a phenomenal achievement. Well done, Lamiah!
Cycling
Congratulations to Mia Eagar for participating in the 94.7 Mountain Bike Race on Saturday, 11 November. Mia received a medal for her outstanding efforts. Well done, Mia.
Swimming
Well done to Sophie Cornish-Bowden for placing 3rd in the 25m Breaststroke and Backstroke at the Mandeville Junior League gala held at St Andrews this past weekend. It was a very competitive event with multiple heats and some very strong swimming on show. Sophie was a few splits off 1st in both races that she placed and was close to the medals in butterfly as well.
Upcoming Events
23 November to 25 November – Water Polo Tour (Durban Girls College)
There will be a bus taking the students to the airport on Thursday. Parents are kindly requested to collect their children from the airport on Saturday. Further details will be shared on the WhatsApp group.
23 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.
24 November – Last day of extra-curricular sport.
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 practice sessions 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 practice.
Yours in sport
Shavaun Hanekom
Head of Junior School Sport
Transformation, Diversity and Transformation
It was an honour and a privilege to witness the members of the Junior School management team flex their wings during the Grade 0 (2024 and 2025) and Grade 1 to 7 new parent (2024) orientations. Watching them speak competently about what they do best was a reminder of that old saying: ‘if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life.’ It was encouraging to see some of our current students standing up as ambassadors of the school and showing the new students around the campus. When everyone at every level of the school can welcome a visitor and tell them what we are about, you know you are doing something right.
These past few weeks have also been about planning for 2024 and finalising the school calendar. I am grateful for all the staff that have been part of this process for many years as they make it seem so seamless and effortless, yet at the same time, everyone involved shows passion for not only their own department but the entire school as well. As we reach the end of the year, and we wonder how things are so busy, we forget it is us that put effort into the planning by creating a calendar that holds everything together. Every department is like a star in a galaxy, part of a tapestry that holds together a shining legacy.
How we welcome newcomers into our community plays an important role in their sense of belonging. We may sometimes forget just how busy our calendar is and how it may not be easy for newcomers to adapt. Let’s keep this in mind as we finalise this year and look forward to a much-deserved break.
Onke Mazibuko
Director, TDI.
Johannesburg Mini Council
Congratulations to Leah Schoeman and Lamiah Bux in Grade 6 who have been selected to represent Kingsmead Junior School on the Johannesburg Mini Council for the rest of this year and throughout their Grade 7 year. This organisation performs charitable services through leadership developmental programmes with the youth of Johannesburg. Leah and Lamiah will be heavily committed in giving back to the community and will be spearheading various fundraising projects. We look forward to hearing about their initiatives and wish them the best of luck.
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.
