Today, more than ever, a school must have a forward thinking approach to education, offering children all the tools they need to transform them into capable adults who can handle the rich cultural landscape of South Africa and the world at large.
Kingsmead College was founded in 1934 by DV Thompson, a woman who was extraordinary in her foresight and very much ahead of her time. The principles of embracing change, diversity and forward thinking that she upheld and promoted are embedded into the very stones of the school and continue to inspire generations of successful and determined young women.
“Kingsmead has a reputation for being a superb all-round school. We excel in sport, academics, music, drama and more. We are extremely proud of this,” says Lisa Kaplan, headmistress of Kingsmead College. “We believe in supporting each individual and there is a magic in the fact that we are a smaller school because this gives us the freedom to open up dialogue with the girls to enrich their lives and give them guidance and support.”
The school has a strong academic prospectus and the staff work together to create an environment in which young minds can thrive. Pupils are taught the 16 Habits of Mind that train them to be persistent, focused and passionate in all that they do, and are encouraged to approach their learning with critical thought, an open mind and keen eye.
“We want to help forge strong South African women who go out and have big careers and successful lives,” says Kaplan. “Many of our past pupils are stand-out citizens who’ve followed their dreams and have become specialists to editors to heads of leading organisations.”
For the staff at Kingsmead College it is essential that the young women at the school are given a voice so they can actively engage with their communities and stand for something that’s higher than themselves.
“We believe in working with our community and doing our best to make a difference where we can,” says Kaplan. “Our girls are empowered to participate in outreach programmes and we lead by example. There is no rule that tells them they must do a set number of hours per year — they step up and create opportunities to help others out of their own initiative.”
The school is also committed to bringing new experiences to pupils and parents through events and activities that are designed to support the curriculum and expand their educational horizons. One notable example is the Kingsmead College Book Fair that took place on May 24 2014 and featured impressive names in South African literature. Now recognised as a national cultural event, this year had Pieter Dirk Uys, Deon Meyer, Prince Mashele, Tony Leon, Sihle Khumalo and Pearl Boshomane, among others, offering insight and excitement.
“We are always looking for ways to innovate and enrich our curriculum,” says Kaplan. “A great example is how, in grades 8 and 9, we dedicate a term to research and critical thinking, which are essential life skills that few children are given the opportunity to learn.”
“Kingsmead College is a vital and dynamic educational institution that believes in enriching the lives of its students and ensuring that they move into their futures with open minds, an all-round education and the skills to follow their dreams.”
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