Dear Parents
It is that time of the year again, when we start allocating our girls to new classes for 2019. This is a comprehensive process that takes careful planning and consideration. Our teaching teams take into account fair academic, social and demographic distribution across the classes. Decisions are made in the best interest of each student in our care. A reminder that we do not take into account parent requests as this complicates the process even further. Classlists and LEAD groups will be communicated to all parents on Friday 30th November.
The opportunity to be a part of various social groups is essential for our girls’ development and often a very positive experience. Please support us in encouraging your girls if they have concerns regarding 2019. It is sometimes a good idea to arrange ‘playdates’ now and during the December holiday to allow girls to build relationships before school starts. Remember that girls spend some of their academic day with their class, but also so much time with their friends during breaks, extracurricular activities and during integrated lessons.
Please take the time to visit the Art Exhibition this week. The display of creative talent is remarkable. I am confident that you will find the experience interactive and inspiring.
“Art is not what you see but what you make others see” E. Degas
We look forward to the remaining few weeks of the year, sharing and celebrating with your girls.
Kind regards
Kim Lowman – Head of Junior School
WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday 30 October
- JS Art exhibition
- Trinity practical exams
- 15:00 Gr 8 Orientation
Wednesday 31 October
- 06:30 Grade 4 camp depart
- JS Art exhibiton
- Trinity practical exams
- 08:00 Grade 1 – 3 Gala
- 18:00 TDI meeting – Mckenzie
Thursday 1 November
- 07:30 Grade 1 2019 Coffee morning (Library)
- JS Diving competition
- Tennis vs Holy Rosary @ KM
- Grade 3 Teannis Fesitival at Rodean
Friday 2 November
- Grade 4 camp returns
- JS Inter schools Prestige Athletics
VISIT TO THE FARMYARD
The Grade 0s visited Wag ‘n Bietjie Farmyard in Olifantsfontein last Thursday. There was much excitement as they boarded our magnificent Kingsmead bus as this was their first outing off campus and for many of them, the first time on a big bus. The girls were able to feed and interact with the farm animals and were delighted to see that the Shetland pony had a foal. The donkeys were very pleased with the quantity of apples and other treats that the girls offered to them and Mrs O’Donovan attempted to milk a cow, realising that it is not as easy as it looks! It was a hot and dusty morning so we welcomed the delicious ice lollies to quench our thirst before we headed back to Kingsmead. Well done, Grade 0s, we are very proud of you!
ARTS AND MUSIC NEWS
Well done to our fabulous Orchestra and wonderful teachers, Morné van Heerden and Ashlea Martin, who performed absolutely brilliantly at the St Mary’s Ensemble Evening!
Elsabé Fourie – Director of Arts & Music
SPORTS NEWS
The importance of exercise during examinations
Examinations are a stressful time for both parents and child. As a parent you may feel like your daughter should be spending every waking hour revising for their exams. However; in order for them to achieve great results and fulfill their potential from both a health and an academic perspective, they need to do more than sit behind a desk all day.
Movement triggers the release of hormones that have an important effect on the brain’s function. Below are a list of these hormones and their effects:
- Serotonin – boosts one’s mood and sleeping patterns
- Dopamine – aids learning and increases attention span
- Nor-epinephrine – increases motivation and mental stimulation.
When we exercise, the increased blood flow to the brain combined with the cocktail of these hormones improves the cognitive function and the ability to focus for longer periods of time. Research has also shown that regular exercise increases the size of the hippo-campus (memory retention).
So as a parent how can you assist your daughter to fit exercise into their busy schedule:
- Be flexible and find what works for them
- Early morning session – increases their focus for the rest of the day
- Lunch time workout – helps to break monotony of studying
- Evening workout – helps to distress before bed time
- Short and intense workouts are more beneficial than long drawn out sessions
- Keep exercises simple – walk around the block; skipping; stretches in the garden or good old house hold chores.
Finally; that their mental performance is also determined by what they eat. Aim for plenty of nutrient dense fruits and veggies and don’t forget the omega-3 rich nuts and seeds.
Athletics
On Friday 26th October, we competed at St Andrew’s. This was the last friendly athletics meeting before the Inter – Primary Meeting on the 2nd November.
The following athletes ended in the first 3 positions:
Grade 3:
- 60m: B-race: Joy Cilliers 1st
- Isabella Abbate 2nd
- 100m: B-race: Joy Cilliers 1st
Grade 4:
- 80m: A-race: Jade Anderson 2nd
- B-race: Priyanka Geness 2nd
- Hannah Schwegmann 3rd
- C-race: Lara Boltt 3rd
- D-race: Emma Cruickshanks 2nd
- 150m: A-race: Jade Anderson 1st
- Kaitlyn Brown 2nd
- B-race: Priyanka Geness 3rd
- Lara Boltt 2nd
Grade 5:
- 80m: A-race: Carys Glyn-Jones 2nd
- Morgan Easter 3rd
- B-race: Zahra Khan 2nd
- Lucy Davis 1st
- C-race: Zintle Papiyana 2nd
- Francesca Druce 1st
- D-race: Unathi Phala 2nd
- Nobuntu Mkwanazi 3rd
- 150m: A-race: Morgan Easter 3rd
- Lucy Davis 2nd
- B-race: Carys Glyn-Jones 1st
- Francesca Druce 2nd
Grade 6:
- Hurdles: A-race:Tessa Gutierrez-Garcia 1st
- B-race: Zintle Papiyana 1st
- C-race: Zahra Khan 1st
- D-race: Erin Hill 1st
- 100m:A-race: Tessa Gutierrez-Garcia 1st
- Neo Shibambo 2nd
- B-race: Jessica Black 3rd
- D-race: Gabriella Dodd 1st
- 200m: A-race: Tessa Gutierrez-Garcia 1st
- B-race: Neo Shibambo 1st
Grade 7:
- Hurdles:A-race: Paula Prinsloo 1st
- B-race: Natalie Morris 1st
- C-race: Gabriela Potgieter 3rd
- D-race: Jessica Stevens 2nd
- 100m: A-race: Natalie Morris 2nd
- B-race: Tasmiyya Bham 2nd
- 200m: A-race: Natalie Morris 1st
- Paula Prinsloo 2nd
- B-race: Gabriela Potgieter 3rd
Kingsmead won this meeting, with St Andrew’s in the second place, Holy Rosary 3rd and Assumption in the 4th place. Well done to all the athletes! You did Kingsmead proud!
Our next meeting will be the Inter-Primary Athletics Meeting to be held at St Stithians on Friday 2nd November. The team will be announced on Tuesday.
Please KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!! Remember: What you put in at practices, is what you are going to get out! ONLY the INTER-Primary Athletics Team must attend the practices this coming week.
Grade 6 and 7 Examinations
There will be no extra murals for the grade 6 and 7 students during the exam week. Please do encourage the girls to still participate in some physical activity during this time as it is so beneficial for them and will assist in their raising their alertness and concentration when studying.
Grade 1-3 Fun Gala
“Grade 1-3 Fun Gala (31 October 2018) will start 8am and be finished by 10am. Parents are welcome to come and support. Students to arrive to school in Games Kit. NO HOUSE SHIRTS. Please bring hat, water and plenty of sun cream due to limited shade. Swimmers to bring swimming caps and goggles.”
Special Achievements
Congratulations to Zintle Papiyana and Emma Simmonds who has been selected to represent Central Gauteng Action Netball (C.G.A.N.) in the Under 12A team at the 2019 little league inter-provincial tournament (IPT) to be held in Brackenfell, Western Cape from the 21st to 26th March 2019.