Kingsmead College’s executive head, Lisa Kaplan discussed her reflections on the 2018 school year with the Rosebank Killarney Gazette, adding in her plans for 2019.
Kaplan said the school started the year with smiles as they announced the exceptional matric results of the Class of 2017. The matrics received a 100 per cent pass rate and university entrance with 232 distinctions.
Some other highlights included the school’s 85th birthday celebrations in October, the Kingsmead Book Fair in May and a number of community service activities throughout the year. The Junior School also received its advanced accreditation as a thinking school from Exeter University in 2018 – the only one of its kind in South Africa.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by the school this year, Kaplan said, “We have been lucky not to have been faced by too many debilitating challenges in the last year. The challenges faced have provided a great opportunity for learning and growth as we seek out the solutions. We have grappled with new curriculum initiatives which are the outcome of 12 years of research and planning and will be initiated in our senior school in 2019.”
She said that the school’s Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion journey has also been an important focus at the school this year which they will continue in 2019. “We are in the process of developing a Transformation Charter which has been an exciting debate and ongoing discussion with the community and the girls themselves,” said Kaplan.
Looking ahead to 2019, Kingsmead is excited to implement its new Growth Curriculum in grades 8 and 9. “It is a wonderful time to be part of education and we are thrilled to be able to lead the way in educational innovation and change,” she said.
“Kingsmead needs to ensure that we are inspiring young women to take on this world. We produce young ladies who are confident and articulate and who have the skills, values and attitudes to shape the future, to be able to contribute meaningfully to the community and take on a world that is changing at an unprecedented rate. We are delighted to continue this growth journey with our students in 2019,” explained Kaplan.
“We wish our entire Kingsmead community and neighbouring schools a safe, blessed and happy festive season and an exciting and prosperous 2019.”
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