Thinking and Learning Orientation
On Saturday morning, 1 February, Kingsmead Junior School proudly hosted our annual Thinking and Learning Orientation Workshop, welcoming almost 100 new parents and staff members into the heart of our philosophy of thinking and learning. Led by Sjaneen Pretorius (Deputy Head: SP and Academics) and Saadia Ebrahim (Deputy Head: JP and Academics), the morning provided invaluable insight into Kingsmead’s Advanced Thinking School accreditation, bespoke curriculum and offering, Growth Mindset philosophy and unique approach to teaching and learning.
The interactive session introduced parents and staff to the core thinking frameworks that underpin learning at Kingsmead Junior school, including:
🌳 A Growth Mindset
🌳 The power of play
🌳 Harvard Visible Thinking Routines
🌳 Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy
🌳 Thinking Maps
🌳 TASC (Thinking Actively in a Social Context)
🌳 The 16 Habits of Mind
Through hands-on activities and examples, parents and staff experienced first-hand how these tools cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in our Kingsmead students. The session also explored inquiry-based and experiential learning, reinforcing Kingsmead’s commitment to developing independent and curious students who are agents of their own learning.
One of the key messages of the morning was the importance of a Growth Mindset and the power of the word “yet”, encouraging students to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and persist in their thinking. Parents left empowered with practical strategies to support their daughters on their learning journeys at home, ensuring a strong partnership between school and home.
Some feedback on learning at Kingsmead Junior School shared post the workshop from parents:
🌳 Learning is about building knowledge, courage and skills in a well-designed
environment
🌳 Learning is a journey!
🌳 A thinking-based approach not only develops the academic outcomes for the girl child, but also grows every aspect of her being in a way that impacts her whole future.
🌳 Learning is a dynamic, overlapping experience.
🌳 Learning is an attitude!
🌳 Kingsmead is an all-rounder! My child is going to be a global citizen.
We extend our gratitude to all who attended, and we look forward to continuing this collaborative journey of thinking and learning together. We were so proud to provide our new members of the school community with insight into our bespoke curriculum, founded on best practice and the evidence of proven pedagogies from around the world that align with our mission and vision for our students. Together, we are building a strong foundation for lifelong learning for our students.
Learning and Innovating together,
Sjaneen Pretorius
Deputy Head: Senior Primary and Academics
Beyond the Classroom
Arts & Music
CHESS
The Gauteng Interregional Chess tournament took place on 7 and 8 December last year. Well done to the Kingsmead Junior School students who qualified for this prestigious event:
Amahle Mbele
Bokang Phiri
Aliyah Dada
Joline Lai
Kayla Wong
Tamishka Pather
Tamsyn Sinclair
Unfortunately, due to the holiday, not all our students could participate.
Tamsyn Sinclair competed in the u8 group and helped her region finish 3rd, receiving a bronze medal.
Kayla Wong and Joline Lai also participated in the u8 group, and their team placed 4th.
Aliyah Dada participated in the u12 group and her team placed 4th.
DANCE
In November last year, a large number of our students represented JOZIDANCE at the Global Dance Open Competition at the Joburg Theatre. Well done to our dancers for their dedication and commitment to their discipline. We are proud of your achievements.
The students involved include:
Lyrical Duets & Soloists: Olive Griffiths, Emma Sloley, Anaya Musi, Lesedi Thabethe, Laura Van Zuydam, Giulia Allan, Sienna Ackermann, Jagger Jo Welsted, Fallon Grundlingh, Ella Cornfield, Sophie Von Helden, Lerato Lengana, Juliet Ackerman, Nala Modiselle, Zoe Mia Schloss, Scarlet Larsen, Aimee-Lee Schloss, Taylor Simpson, Lwandile Mashishini
Jazz Duets and Soloists: Zoe Chimhandamba, Fallon Grundlingh and Owethu Sibisi
Ballet Soloists: Amy Page, Ava Wild, Arabella Armstrong, Ziyan Salie, Bokang Phiri, Fallon Grundlingh, Amy Lee Schloss, Meera Luksmidas
Hip-hop Soloist: Chengeto Munyaradzi
Contemporary Soloists: Ndalo Ndlovu, Iysla Rose Perera, Lerato Lengana, Teyana Fynn, Taylor Simpson
Acro Soloists: Fallon Grundlingh, Iysla Rose Perera, Owethu Sibisi, Sophie Duggan, Vuyolewthu Mabindisa, Zanengcebo Dlamini
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za
Sports
Swimming
Summer Splash
At the recent St Mary’s Summer Splash, our teams achieved the following results.
The swimming and diving teams were combined Junior and Senior school events.
Swimming – 6th overall
Diving – 4th overall
Water Polo – 3rd overall (u15 team playing in an u16 event)
Well done to all of our students. we are exceptionally proud of you.
Gala – 1 February
Our swimmers truly made us proud at the recent Grade 3-7 galas. The A, B, and C teams each achieved 2nd place in their respective events. We’re excited for a thrilling swimming season ahead!
Equestrian
A huge shoutout to both the Junior and Senior School Equestrian teams for their outstanding results at this weekend’s SANESA qualifier! The Junior School results were as follows:
Stella Watkins
4th place – 40cm Showjumping
5th place – Equitation
Gemma Amoils
4th place – Prix Caprilli
Jasmine Berridge
Showjumping – 1st place
Anvita Nunna
Equitation – 1st place
We are extremely proud of our riders for their hard work, dedication, and passion.
Hockey
Congratulations to Milisuthando Mabusela & Sarah Jensen for being selected as part of the D9 Hockey Squads for their respective age groups. They will now attend training sessions where the final teams will be selected.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday 5 February – U/13 District Netball Trials
All Grade 7 students who wish to be considered for selection in the upcoming district trials are welcome to attend. A total of 7 players will be selected to attend the first round of trials.
Thursday 6 February – Grade 4 – 7 Tennis vs St Andrew’s
– A/B play at Kingsmead, C/D play at St Andrew’s
There will be a bus departing at 14h00. All players are to please travel to the fixture on the bus. Parents may collect students at the venue after the fixture.
Friday 7 February – Grade 3 – 7 A/B/C Galas
– (A) Brescia, (B) Holy Rosary, (C) St Stithians.
Buses will depart at 13h00. All swimmers are to please travel to the fixture on the bus. Parents may collect students at the venue after the gala.
Saturday 8 February
Please be aware that there will be no sports at Kingsmead on Saturday, 8 February, due to preparations for the Matric Dance that evening.
Thursday 13 February – Grade 4 – 7 Tennis vs St Peter’s Prep
– A/B play at St Peter’s Prep, C/D play at Kingsmead
There will be a bus departing at 14h00. All players are to please travel to the fixture on the bus. Parents may collect students at the venue after the fixture.
Friday 14 February – Grade 3 – 7 Swimming Galas
A Team – St Stithians (night gala), B Team – APPS, C Team – Kingsmead College
A Team Gala – Swimmers are to meet at St Stithians. Please collect your daughter from the venue at the end of the gala.
B Team Gala – The bus will depart at 13h00. All swimmers are to please travel to the fixture on the bus. Parents may collect students at the venue after the gala.
Saturday 15 February – Grade 4 – 7 Tennis Festivals:
Grade 4 – St Peter’s Prep
Grade 5 – St Stithians
Grade 6 – Brescia
Grade 7 – St Andrew’s
Please be advised that there will be no transportation provided for this fixture. Players should meet at their designated venues. For meeting times, please check the live calendar.
SANESA Equestrian Qualifier 1 – Kyalami Equestrian Park
(Teams are to be confirmed on the App by a Tuesday for Thursday fixtures, and by a Wednesday for Friday/Saturday fixtures.)
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 sport 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 fixture.
Yours in sport
Shavaun Hanekom
Head of Junior School Sport
Library News
RAIN or SHINE, make time to READ!
With the implementation of REAL (Reading Education and Literacy) lessons for Grade 000 to Grade 7, the library has been abuzz with activity.
Every student in the Junior School has time to access our magnificent collection of books each week. Various reading skills and activities will be completed during these lessons.
Due to popular demand, Adopt-a-Shelf will continue and is already booked until April. Students apply to take over a shelf in the library and display a topic, genre, author or their favourite books. Parents are also invited to participate!
The Read More Challenge encourages students to endeavor to read 20 books and Ms Matlakala will supervise this. Bookmarks are available in the library during break, REAL lessons and after school.
There are some exciting new reads on the shelves, and I would like to thank the MANY parents who have donated books to our library. We really appreciate them!
Wednesday, 5 February, is World Read Aloud Day. Grade 4-7 English teachers will be participating in various forms. If you would like to take part in some virtual read-alouds, please click the link below:
https://www.litworld.org/virtualreadalouds
There are also some lovely activities to do as a family.
Keep reading…
Glenda Cressy
