Dear Parents and Girls
We have moved past the winter solstice and should, in theory, be noticing longer days and shorter nights. I am not convinced that has happened yet. Many of our girls and staff are sick and I think that the half term has come at a very good time indeed.
This has been a very busy half term thus far and I must commend the girls and staff on their participation in the various areas of the school. The Hockey results have shown a great improvement all round on last year’s results and the Netball teams ended in the top of their league pool. The Choir and Glee continue to impress with their dynamic performances and they are a pleasure to watch. The various ensembles and orchestra continue to make music of the highest standard. I have been most pleased with the girls’ commitment to Service this term too. They have run with various initiatives and have supported many organisations – often giving of many hours of their time to make a sustainable difference.
The academic staff has continued to innovate and has produced work of the highest standard this term with the girls. I have been watching the Project Days with interest as the girls are taught various skills that will stand them in excellent stead in the years to come. We ran our first flipped classroom day in May this term and will be using the feedback from the girls and staff to inform our next flipped classroom day.
Please see the detailed reports within this newsletter for more information on the various areas of the school.
The new building will be opened after the inter-house athletics on Friday 29 July and you and your daughters are most welcome to join us for lunch outside the building on that day. The new collaborative space is going be benefit our girls greatly and the state-of-the-art technology and mobile furniture will be well-used by our girls and staff.
I wish you well for the half term and if you are travelling, please do so safely! I wish all our girls well for the examinations when they return from half term. Please remember you may write in full school tracksuits with “proper” takkies or in your correct school uniform.
Fondest regards
Lisa Kaplan
Headmistress: Kingsmead College
Arts
MUSIC
Congratulations to our Musicians!
Our head girl, Amy Stessl, played the UNISA Grade 8 Flute Examination in June and achieved an extraordinary 95% for the examination! She was subsequently invited to participate in the 2016 UNISA Scholarship Competition where she will compete with the best musicians in the country, for a range of wonderful scholarships. We wish Amy every success in October.
Jocasta Durr, in Grade 11, recently participated in the Young Divas Singing Competition in Cape Town. She went all the way to the finals where only the top 10 participants competed. As part of the top 10, Jocasta will perform at the final event, Divas Unite 2016 at The Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino on Women’s Day, August 9. The diva line-up for this year includes, amongst others, Rouchelle Liedemann, Adelia Douw, Magdalene Minnaar, Lynelle Kenned, and all-women ensemble Blackbyrd. Well done, Jocasta.
MUSIC EVENTS
Well done to all our musicians who participated in the recent Music evenings with St John’s and St David’s. Our Choir, Glee Group, Orchestra, and Marimba, Flute and String Ensembles did us proud with enthusiastic and confident performances at these events. Thank you to the Music parents for their continued support and encouragement.
St David’s evening
St John’s Evening
DRAMATIC ARTS
Film Projects
As an extension project, the Grade 10 Drama class has entered the iSchool Press Team’s STOP RACISM video campaign competition. The brief is to create a 2-minute video that shares the youth’s vision for a racism free South Africa, posing questions about fighting racism and why is affects every South African. With the deadline at the end of June, the girls have been working hard on creating a unique product, but making sure to be thorough by creating a storyline that flows, and incorporating sound storyboards. We wish them all the best as they submit their final work to the competition.
The Ubuntu Youth Film Festival uses film as an instrument for social change, to build bridges between different social layers, pairing learners from different backgrounds for training, as an agent for transformation, training and skills development. This year, Kingsmead entered a Grade 10 team who produced a short film ‘Whose opinion really matters‘. The team included: Chantel Maina, Cayley Lovatt, Jade Borman, Rachel Maruatona, Kreanne Reddy, Shivani Vishwakarma, Aleksandra Maresch, and Lesego Mnguni, with the help of Mrs Frances Wilmot and Mrs Gillian Gouws. The film was awarded the ‘Best Wardrobe’ trophy. Well done to all of the girls involved.
Theatre Outings
The Grade 10 & 11 Drama girls recently went to see Paul Slabolepszy’s new play Suddenly the Storm at the Market Theatre in Newtown. While there, the theatre was hosting a Youth Day celebration – the theatre opened in 1976. The girls were lucky enough to get a snap with South African icon Dr John Kani, who the main theatre has recently been renamed after.
Workshops
The Grade 10 Drama girls were very fortunate to attend a workshop with actor and novelist Ameera Patel. Their course on Elizabethan Theatre ends off with the performance of a Shakespearean monologue for their practical examinations. Ameera came in to run a workshop with the girls on iambic pentameter and how to perform a monologue written by William Shakespeare. A very informative and insightful workshop for our future young dramatists.
Elsabé Fourie
Director of Arts & Music
efourie@kingsmead.co.za
Sports News
We’ve enjoyed a great season for hockey and netball, both in the Senior and Junior Schools this term. We’ve been extremely competitive across the board and the number of Kingsmead College Girls who’ve represented us at District and Provincial Levels has been fantastic!
We would like to congratulate our Under 14 and Under 15 Netball Teams, who made it through to Playoffs and our first Team, who narrowly missed by one goal!
In Hockey, the Under 14A and the first Team have won 50% of their matches. Five Kingsmead Girls were represented at the Under 16 and Under 18 Provincial Level. There were numerous Girls who were selected for District teams.
We’re looking forward to the Pullen/Howell Hockey Trophy from Saturday 23 to Saturday 30 July. Kingsmead College, St Mary’s, St Andrew’s and St Stithians, will be co-hosting the event. Each school will enter two teams, one Under 16, one Under 18.
We would also like to congratulate our Equestrian Teams on their outstanding season, with eight Senior School Kingsmead Girls selected for the Gauteng Regional Team.
Our Kingsmead Waterpolo Squad have participated in a winter league at Wahoo Aquatics in preparation for the summer Waterpolo season. This shows great commitment and we are very proud of them for their dedication to this sport.
Meanwhile Old Kingmeadians Julia Vincent, Tshina Mdau and Jessica Dignon have made headlines! Julia has been selected to represent diving for South Africa in the Olympics, Tshina has been selected for the Protea Netball Squad and Jessica has been selected to represent South Africa at the World Triathlete competition. All three Old Girls held leadership positions for Sport when they were in Grade 12.
OPPORTUNITY TO BRAND THE KINGSMEAD SWIMMING STARTING BLOCKS
Kingsmead has decided to replace our swimming starting blocks. We have decided to sell off the blocks to parents who will be able to have their family or company names branded on the blocks. We still have a few available for sale.
The cost of a starting block is R7000.00 once off or R3500.00 for half a block. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr Pullen on rpullen@kingsmead.co.za for further details.
HOCKEY
The Kingsmead hockey team has enjoyed a good season.
The 1st and u14 teams both won 3 out of their 6 matches leaving them 4th on the table out of 7 schools.
We are waiting for the final results to see where Kingsmead will finish overall.
Mohini Rayment (u18A), Margarete Amoes (u16A), Husnaa Bux (u16B), Jaimee Clogg (u16C), Naledi Modiselle (u16C ) are to be congratulated on being selected for the Southern Gauteng teams.
Robert Pullen
Director of Sport
NETBALL
Special congratulations to the under 14 A team who came first in their league, and under 15 A who placed second in the league and made it through to District Playoffs.
Netball results 2016
Opponents
1sts
2nds
16A
16B
15A
15B
14A
U14B
Brescia- Replaced Heronbridge
33-23
14-15
11-14
10-14
16-20
8-15
16-14
11-6
Assumption
21-21
15-35
16-17
9-12
25-19
15-3
16-9
26-2
St Dominics
34-22
5-15
9-18
12-12
33-15
16-12
15-5
3-9
Rodean
34-12
17-14
10-6
4-7
21-25
9-10
18-12
5-9
Holy Rosary
24-13
22-14
14-10
12-9
19-17
23-14
21-21
11-5
Redhill
17-19
33-10
8-16
3-11
21-13
9-13
8-6
8-15
Dainfern
36-22
11-22
20-15
16-12
25-5
15-12
22-2
16-7
31 Wins
22 Losses
2 Draws
Kingsmead was very proud to be chosen to host the annual District Playoffs on Wed 22 June.
The under 14 A and 15 A teams both narrowly lost by 2 goals and the teams that they lost to were placed 2nd overall- we are exceptionally proud of our young netball players for playing such competitive netball and would like to congratulate them of their excellent seasons that they had. Well done to all the netball players for playing good competitive netball throughout the season.
EQUESTRIAN
Kingsmead Senior School is coming 1st in their League and 6th overall out of 30 schools. Their points are 16 580.
Individual results are as follows:
Ashley Pretorius
Qualifier 3
Prelim Dressage Level 1(a) 11th
Performance Riding Level 3 10th
Qualifier 4
Prelim Dressage Level 1(a) 5th
Performance Riding Level 3 5th
Equitation Level 2 9th
Show Jumping Level 1 4th
Annabel Dennison
Qualifier 3
Prelim Dressage Level 1(a) 1st
Prelim Dressage Level 1(b) 2nd
Qualifier 4
Prelim Dressage Level 1(a) 10th
Prelim Dressage Level 1(b) 3rd
Equitation Level 2 2nd
Show jumping Level 2 22nd
Show jumping Level 2 13th
Leighanne Herselman
Qualifier 3
Prelim Dressage Level1(a) 17th
Prelim Dressage Level 1(b) 19th
Qualifier 4
Prelim Dressage Level 1(a) 14th
Prelim Dressage Level 1(b) 13th
Victoria Butcher
Qualifier 3
Elementary Dressage Level 3 7th
Performance Riding Level 7 2nd
Working Riding Level 7 6th
Working Hunter Level 7 1st
In Hand Utility 2nd
Qualifier 4
Elementary Dressage Level 3 6th
Performance Riding Level 7 7th
Working Riding Level 7 4th
Equitation Level 7 2nd
Show jumping Level 5 1st
Show jumping Level 5 5th
Working Hunter Level 7 3rd
In hand utility 2nd
Prix Caprilli Level 5 4th
Lauren Courtney
Qualifier 3
Prelim Dressage Level1(a) 15th
Prelim Dressage Level 1(b) 20th
Working riding Level 3 5th
Qualifier 4
Prix Caprilli Level 1 8th
Christina Wides
Qualifier 4
Show jumping Level 3 2nd
Show jumping Level 3 1st
Luka Copperthwaite
Qualifier 4
Show jumping Level 5 2nd
Show jumping Level 5 9th
Equitation Level 6 6th
Mia Oliver
Qualifier 4
Show jumping Level 1 12th
Show jumping Level 1 7th
Paula Duggan
Qualifier 3
Novice Dressage Level 2(a) 5th
Novice Dressage Level 2(b) 5th
Qualifier 4
Novice Dressage Level 2(a) 11th
Novice Dressage Level 2(b) 18th
Julia Courtney
Qualifier 3
Working Riding Level 1 3rd
Qualifier 4
Working Riding Level 1 1st
Show jumping Level 2 17th
Show jumping level 2 10th
Prix Caprilli Level 1 6th
Angelique Alexander
Equitation Level 3 23rd
Show jumping Level 2 19th
Show jumping Level 2 29th
Tracey Minnie
Director of Senior Sport
Academic News
SCIENCE
Grade 12 trip to Origins Museum
On the 9th of June, the Grade 12 Life Sciences group was privileged enough to spend a few hours in the Origins Museum and Research center. The only thought passing through our minds at the time was that we were so fortunate to be witnessing history in the making. It is something none of us have ever dreamed of, and makes us all the more grateful for the opportunity. We bustled through the museum learning about our ancestors and how they lived, all the while in awe of human evolution. The tools, skulls and videos we saw entrenched in us a true excitement for the topic of Human Evolution that we are currently studying. We were able to see the examples in our notes come to life and inspire us to find out more about our journey as humans. We were then lead into the research center at Wits University where we heard a spectacular talk from Mr. Ashley Kruger, a researcher who was, and is, immensely involved in the discovering, excavating and researching of Homo naledi. He took us through the entire process of uncovering the secrets of Homo naledi and answered our many questions on the interesting topic. Lastly we were given the one in a million chance to enter the storage vault and see the original fossils, of not only Homo naledi, but Homo habilis and other human ancestors. During this time we were truly speechless and it is an experience all of us will never forget. We left Wits thinking about pursuing a career in paleoanthropology and excited to return to our evolution classes. Thank you to our teachers, Ashley Kruger, and the museum for making this possible.
Emmanuela Sarrimanolis
Grade 12 Student
Grade 8 Biggest Bubble Investigation
The grade eights were given the challenge to construct a bubble wand and make a homemade bubble soap in order to create the largest bubble possible. After lots of brainstorming and trying out a whole lot of different methods, it was finally the day to make the bubble. Even though there was soap on our stockings, and corn starch on our blazers, the experience was a lot of fun and we learnt a lot about teamwork. This challenge was a great activity to help us understand the scientific method and helped us think of new innovative ways to improve our wand and the size of our bubble.
Georgina Beart, Jemma Bennett and Sarah Minnie
Grade 8 Students
Science Expo
We are extremely excited to announce the results of the Science Expo. Our top 5 girls will participate in the Regional Eskom Science Expo which will be held at WITS on 30th July. This concludes 3 months of hard work and effort on the Scientific Method. Our girls have exceeded our expectations and have produced exemplary projects. We challenged them at the beginning of the year to come up with their own projects; we advised them whether it was feasible. They continued on their own( with mentoring from Science Staff) to research, set up and investigate their topics.
We challenged them at the beginning to find basic problems that we face on a daily basis in South Africa( and the world) and investigate and come up with alternative solutions. This inspires them to be entrepreneurs and build models so that we can resolve crises like energy, sustainability, pollution etc.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Sciences Staff for all their hard work and mentoring. I thank the parents for their invaluable effort and I must thank the girls for their arduous labour and for persevering!
Please see the list of the top recipients.
Certificate of excellence and book Prizes
1. Sarah Minnie: aquaponics (Plant sciences including Marine Plants and Plant ecology)
2. Georgina Beart: growth of plants in vermiculite and soil (Plant sciences including Marine Plants and Plant ecology)
3. Emily Van Der Want: The effect of sulphur on plant growth (agricultural sciences)
Certificate of Merit:
4. Abigail Behr: Can energy from sunlight be used to create hot water- Solar energy (Energy efficiency and energy conservation (efficient use of energy and ways of using less energy)
5. Chloe Buchel: does multi tasking affect efficiency rates of an individual (Social and Psychological Sciences)
The top 5 above will go forward to the Eskom Regional Science expo which will be held at WITS on 30 July.
6. Jemma Eckstein: comparison of energy in junk foods and healthy foods (Food sciences: Food Technology and Healthy eating: Diet)
7. Katelyn Wijtenburg: effect of wind speed on lift (Engineering: Mechanics/ Aeronautical and Industrial)
8.Taliesin Leach: How does multitasking affect brain efficiency? (Social and Psychological Sciences)
9. Alexa Lipchin: how effective are different handsanitisers -killing bacteria (Microbiology and Biochemistry)
10. Joanna Ciolkosz: What type of powerbank has the most effective charging rate on cell phones (Energy efficiency and energy conservation (efficient use of energy and ways of using less energy)
Most Innovative Project based on Novel approach
Kaela Marsh: which is the most effective way to cool a car down
Marina Georgiou: Weather conditions as reflected by thermal water layers
Well done to all the girls and especially congratulations to our top girls.
Winner of Science Expo – Sarah Minnie
Top 5 places (from left to right) – Emily van der Want, Chloe Buchel, Sarah Minnie, Georgina Beart, Abigail Behr
Most innovative projects: Kaela Marsh
Most innovative projects: Marina Georgiou
Sharekha Banwa
HOD Science
The President’s Award
Wild Heart Conservation was established to assist in the monitoring and protection of private wilderness reserves in South Africa. They strive to help private reserve owners find sustainable solutions for ecological conservation. The base camp has prioritised its focus to provide a much-needed presence around priority threatened species in an area where organised poaching is continually a high risk. With the assistance of volunteer students, they build on the current knowledge of these properties, helping to increase the protection of flora and fauna, while educating students about the real life challenges facing wildlife conservation.
On 23 March, Frances Butcher, Lucy Stewart and Anya Shah embarked on a seven-hour trip to Wild Heart Conversation to volunteer at the Mutogomeli base camp. During the five-day residential project, mornings and evenings were spent tracking and locating the three rhinos in the area and ensuring they were healthy and out of poaching danger zones. The girls worked with VHF Radio Telemetry and assisted with camp duties and meal preparations with volunteers from all over the world.
“The Wild Heart Conservation project is an organisation that will remain close to our hearts. Not only did we learn so much about tracking and the protection of rhinos, but we also became so much more aware of the importance of projects like this one, and made so many new friends from all over the world.” – Frances Butcher
Residential Project at Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre
By Stephanie Swan
On 19 April, a group of Gold participants headed to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre for their Residential Project. They developed a deep respect for the immense effort from the curators, vets and support staff to keep the variety of endangered animals alive, safe and fed.
Cleaning an elephant enclosure for 15 elephants and 4 dams for wild dogs was a very strenuous task, but the experience of being so close to wild animals was something no girls will easily forget. In the early hours of the morning, 200 bowls of meat for cheetahs were prepared and then feeding these magnificent creatures was a once in a life time opportunity. The students were taught an appreciation for nature, learning to care for animals who are under threat and what truly matters when protecting these creatures who are defenseless against cruelty and greed.
Upcoming Dates:
Magoebaskloof trail at the start of the August holiday
Hoeriekwagga trail (Cape Town) 29 August – 2 September
World Challenge Expedition to India in August 2017:
A World Challenge expedition includes an adventurous journey and residential project component of The President’s Award. If you would like to receive more information on this expedition or to apply to be part of the team, please contact Mrs Jenny Venter at jventer@kingsmead.co.za
Jenny Venter
The President’s Award Leader
Service
CEO SCHOOL SLEEPOUT
Liberty is partnering with Kingsmead College to jointly support the 2016 SCHOOL SleepOut TM. Kingsmead invited schools to join us for a SleepOut on the Garth and to raise much-needed supplies for a beneficiary orginisation of their choice. The aim is to develop empathy for the many homeless South Africans who are compelled to sleep on our streets.
Our joint SCHOOL SleepOut TM will take place on Thursday 28 July 2016 from 18h00 until 06h00 the following morning. That night, CEOs from around South Africa will also be sleeping out on The Nelson Mandela Bridge. The theme of this year’s overall Sun International CEO SleepOutTM is Enabling Communities Through Education.
Congratulations to Victoria Arthur for being elected as a SCHOOL SleepOut™ ambassador. These student ambassadors are driving a new league of philanthropy and will be driving positive social impact and raise funds/goods for the beneficiaries of the SCHOOL SleepOut.
Kingsmead’s beneficiary of choice for the SCHOOL SleepOut is Fight with Insight. We will have a civvies day on Friday 1 July and ask for a donation of any warm clothing, beanies, scarves, blankets, etc.
67 BLANKETS FOR NELSON MANDELA DAY
After donating nearly 50 blankets to 67 Blankets for Mandela Day, our request to consider our service staff as beneficiary was granted and every member of our service staff received a blanket. Thank you for knitting and crocheting and making somebody’s winter a bit warmer!
Please keep on submitting all squares to Mrs Venter. Wool available from Mrs Venter for R20 a ball.
SANDWICHES FOR SERVICE
The Grade 9s are taking the lead in the Sandwich initiative and even gave up lunch times to make sandwiches for Fight With Insight, Dlala Nje and the Rosebank Soup Kitchen.
FIGHT WITH INSIGHT YOUTH DAY TOURNAMENT
Luke Lamprecht from Fight With Insight visited the Senior School and addressed the girls during assembly. The MDC handed over a R10000 cheque to Fight with Insight, contribution to their reading room.
The Senior School girls donated 137 snack packs in 3 days to support the boys from Fight with Insight at their Youth Day boxing tournament.
SERVICE EXCURSION TO PRINCESS ALICE ADOPTION HOME
The Senior School girls assisted the Princess Alice Adoption Home staff with the feeding of babies and enjoyed spending time with the children.
Thank you to all the girls for your continued contribution and care towards the charities we support. In a recent Community Hours SA Facebook post, Kingsmead College was mentioned as one of the schools that log the most community service hours weekly. Our girls exemplify our Service motto Give Without Expecting Reward!
Jenny Venter
Head of Service
PTA News
Dear Parents
Kia Picanto Car Raffle:
As part of the PTA’s ongoing efforts to raise funds for the benefit of our school and pupils, it has been decided that, instead of a Golf Day this year, we will raffle a car.
The raffle tickets are being sold at R 250.00 each and the winner will become the proud owner of a brand new Titanium Silver Kia Picanto 1.0 LS Man, featuring an MP3 radio, safety film, central locking and an electric sun-roof which retails for just over R 158 000.00. The proceeds of this raffle will go towards financing the purchase of a large school bus, costing in the region of R1 500 000.00. Ticket sales commenced at the Kingsmead Book Fair on 21 May where the Kia was on display. Entries close on 08 October and the draw will take place at the Kingsmead College Goodwill Day.
We are grateful for the initial support received and hope to sell many more tickets! Please support this initiative and purchase your tickets. Tickets are being sold every Friday morning before school in the Junior School carpark as well as at various school functions. Payment can be made via EFT, cash and by signing to your school account. The car is currently on display at the school and will be displayed at various events on the school’s calendar. Parents who do not agree with gambling are encouraged to make a donation.
Kind regards
Kingsmead College PTA
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