The Power of Good Learning Habits
Success in school is not just about talent or intelligence; it is about cultivating strong learning habits that set students up for consistent progress and growth. At Kingsmead Junior School, we encourage our students to take ownership of their learning by developing skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom:
Experiential Learning: Learning in the classroom is intentional, even when it doesn’t appear so. Active engagement in lessons plays a significant role in academic success. Asking questions, participating in discussions, and making connections between topics deepen understanding and make learning more meaningful. Engaging students in hands-on, real-world experiences enhances understanding and retention. It encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving while promoting active participation. By applying knowledge practically, students develop discipline, resilience, and a deeper connection to their learning, making connections between skills and concepts that make learning effective and meaningful.
SELF lesson: Embedded within the school timetable for Grades 5 – 7 is the SELF lesson. This affords students agency in their own learning. Students can use this time to complete school work or study independently. But at the same time, all academic teachers are available to provide additional support or extension through reteaching concepts or skills, doing revision or assisting in catching up work.
SEL: The SEL curriculum prioritises exposure, development, and enhancement of study skills and learning strategies. Its age-appropriate focus is on identifying one’s learning style, different learning methods, and learning strategies to help with studying. This also includes developing strategies for coping with anxiety and stress before a test or examination.
Study Skills Workshops: Every year, the Grade 5 and 6 students attend a workshop to support and develop their study skills in preparation for feedback assessments. This oversees strategies on summarising, annotating, thinking tools and strategies, using Thinking Maps effectively, setting up a study timetable, the importance of establishing realistic and smart goals, and education on good lifestyle habits that help us learn more effectively. On 25 February, a SMART Study Skills parent workshop was also facilitated to guide in supporting your daughter with the above. Amongst several valuable strategies and tools offered at the Grade 5 and 6 Study Skills Workshops this term, the below key takeaways are crucial for establishing good learning habits:
- One of the most effective habits students can establish is creating a homework or study schedule. A well-structured timetable helps balance schoolwork, homework, projects, extra-curricular activities, and downtime, ensuring that learning remains steady rather than last-minute and overwhelming. Setting aside dedicated time for different subjects allows students to reinforce their understanding and avoid the stress of cramming before assessments.
- Revision of work taught in class is another essential habit. Revisiting material daily – whether through summarising notes, practicing mathematical problems, daily reading, making flashcards, revisiting newly taught vocabulary, or discussing concepts at home – helps to consolidate knowledge and improve long-term retention. Small, consistent efforts over time are far more effective than a single night of intense preparation and studying.
- Have a designated space for learning that supports the routine above and fosters focus, consistency, independence and effective learning study habits in children. Having a specific area free from distractions helps create a routine, signalling to the brain that it’s time to concentrate. It also promotes organisation, ensuring that materials are readily available and reduces wasted time. This encourages responsibility and independence while minimising stress and frustration.
By establishing these habits early, students build confidence, independence, and a proactive approach to their education. With guidance and encouragement, we continue to nurture a culture of discipline and excellence, ensuring that our students develop the skills needed for lifelong learning.
Learning and innovating together,
Sjaneen Pretorius
Deputy Head: Head of Senior Primary and Academics
Beyond the Classroom
Art & Music
MAJOR PRODUCTION 2025: NOISES OFF
Called “the funniest farce ever written,” Noises Off by Michael Frayn presents a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called ‘Nothing’s On’. Doors slamming, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play. The play opens with a touring company dress-rehearsing ‘Nothing On’, a conventional farce. Mixing mockery and homage, Frayn heaps into this play-within-a-play a hilarious melée of stock characters and situations.
Don’t miss out on this outstanding production!
Sunday 9 March Family Show 15h00-17h30
Monday 10 March Evening Show 18h30-21h00
Tuesday 11 March Evening Show 18h30-21h00
Wednesday 12 March Gala Evening 18h30-21h00
Refreshments are available before each show.
Book here:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/302103-noises-off-by-michael-frayn/
KINGSMEAD MASICULE SONKE JUNIOR PRIMARY CHOIR FESTIVAL: WEDNESDAY, 19 MARCH 2025
Kingsmead will host our annual Masicule Sonke Junior Primary Choir Festival on Wednesday, 19 March, at Rosebank Union Church, St Andrews Road, Hurlingham. All our Grade 2s & 3s will be performing. Grade 2s and 3s must be at the venue no later than 16h30. The concert is from 18h00 – 19h00. The coffee shop will be open before the concert, and each participant will receive a packet of chips and a box of juice. Performers should wear their summer school uniforms. Entrance is free, and we would love to see you there to support our girls.
GRADE 4-7 CHOIR
- All choir members must attend both weekly rehearsals: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 14h15 to 15h00. Please do not schedule other appointments, activities, or extra lessons during rehearsal times. If your daughter is ill or has an emergency that prevents her from attending a rehearsal, please email Este Meerkotter to excuse her: emeerkotter@kingsmead.co.za
- If you have not yet joined the Choir Parents WhatsApp group, please do so by clicking THIS LINK
- Our first performance is at the annual Singing Sistas Girls’ Schools Choir Festival at St Mary’s, Waverley, on Monday, 17 March. All choir members will leave for St Mary’s by bus at 16h00. The concert is from 18h00 and 19h00, and one bus will return to school afterwards. Students who do not plan to return on the bus must inform Este Meerkotter by the Friday before the event. Admission is free, and we would love your support. Choir members must wear their summer school uniform and a blazer.
SAVE THE DATES OF OUR UPCOMING MUSIC CONCERTS
Monday 24 March 17h45-19h15 Grade 4 & 5 Music Concert
Thursday 27 March 18h00-19h00 Grade 6 & 7 Music Concert
Saturday 29 March 9h00-10h00 Grade 1 & 2 Music Concert
Saturday 29 March 10h30-11h30 Grade 3 Music Concert
The Music Department offers a range of concerts during the year for all students who take individual music lessons. These concerts cannot include every music student in our school. It provides a performance opportunity for those students who have a piece ready to perform at the time of the concert.
If your daughter does not have a piece that is performance-ready at the time of the concert, she has not missed her chance, as we have other events during the year. Your daughter’s instrumental/voice teacher will let you know if she is ready to perform in the concert.
If your daughter takes lessons outside of Kingsmead and wants to participate in any of these concerts, please reach out to Elsabé Fourie at efourie@kingsmead.co.za.
Students must wear their summer school uniform for these concerts and arrive at Joel Hall at least 15 minutes before the concert starts, or earlier if requested by the teacher. We expect students to remain until the concert ends.
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za
Sport
Swimming
As we wrap up another successful swimming season, we would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of the swimmers for your unwavering commitment. Your hard work and enthusiasm have truly made this season exceptional, and we are incredibly proud of each and every swimmer.
Inter-Schools Gala Results
We are thrilled to share the results from the Inter-Schools Gala, where our swimmers showcased their talent and determination. The performance of our teams was nothing short of inspiring:
A team – 7th 0ut 0f 10 schools
B team – 3rd out of 5 schools
C team – 3rd out of 5 schools (top B team)
Well done to all of our swimmers.
Hockey
Well done to the following players for participating in the JHL hockey tournament and placing 2nd overall:
Sophia Roos
Catriona Burgoyne
Zanengcebo Dlamini
Mackenzie Wilson
Nina Mills
Sofia-Lucia Allan
Reese Grimley
Squash
Congratulations to Stella Eagar for placing second in the 2025 Joburg Junior Squash Graded Tournament this past weekend. We are super proud of you, Stella!
Upcoming Events
7 March: Grade 4 – 7 Netball Clinic
8 March: U12 & U13 District Netball Trials
14 March: Grade 4 – 7 Netball Fixture (Grade 4 & 5 – St Teresa’s & Grade 6 & 7 – Kingsmead)
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/Saturday fixture.
Shavaun Hanekom
Head of Junior School Sport
shanekom@kingsmead.co.za
To enter, please click on the following link:
https://jgf.org.za/event/kingsmead-young-writers-competition-2025/