Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff & Pupils

Welcome to the first term of 2021.

Even though we were hoping to welcome you all back onsite, we are very excited and grateful that we can still continue with our academic year online for the interim.

We were blessed to be able to facilitate remote learning professionally last year, and we promise to deliver the same product this year.

We want our pupils to return to our campus on 15 February even more excited about the rest of the academic year than they are at this current moment. We hope that the online learning programme will help to propel them forward once they arrive back where they belong: at Kingswood College.

We know that the 2020 year and the beginning of this year has not been easy for many families. We also know that we are still very much in the midst of battling the covid-19 pandemic. We would like to acknowledge those of you who have lost loved ones, and we grieve with you.

As it currently stands, the following statement was delivered by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Mhaule, last Friday:

'Given the pressure experienced by the health system in the past few weeks, occasioned by increased COVID - 19 infections which has led to the second wave, the Council of Education Ministers in conjunction with the National Coronavirus Command Council and Cabinet, has taken the decision to delay the reopening of both public and private schools. Learners will return on Monday 15 February 2021. This includes private schools that have reopened already. They will need to postpone their reopening to a later date. This is done to provide relief to the health system which is already struggling to cope with the current demands'.

Under the current difficult circumstances, ISASA is supportive of government’s request that all independent schools, even those that follow a different calendar to public schools, only re-open their campuses for in-person instruction from Monday, 15 February 2021.

We wish to act within the law and will therefore be opening for onsite learning on 15 February.

I would like to reiterate that this is not a choice, or a decision on our part. We have received a government directive, supported fully by the Independent Schools Association of South Africa and we are following that directive with our pupils and staff’s best interests at heart.

For now, this means that we will return to remote learning. Our pupils excelled at online education during 2020 and successfully completed the curriculum, despite the disruptions and challenges occasioned by the pandemic.

We are confident that we will be able to maintain a high quality of remote instruction, despite its innate limitations, in the current academic year, as and when the pandemic makes such necessary.

We were pleased to announce that the Department of Social Development, which does not fall under Basic Education, have agreed that Early Childhood Development Centres can remain open at the discretion of the individual operator, provided they comply with all required COVID-19 regulations. Our Pre-primary will therefore, resume onsite learning from Wednesday 20 January.

We do note that other Independent Schools have decided to open early, and may still, at this time be open.

In discussion with the Heads of other Independent Schools they stated that they are awaiting the announcement by the Minister to be promulgated and once gazetted they will act within the law.

We have no need to wait for this, as once a Minister has made an announcement, the next step is to promulgate the announcement and we are following our legal obligation to comply.

If we do open and we have a covid-19 outbreak – we will not only be held liable but we will also be held accountable. This is a medical crisis, and we are in the midst of a pandemic: we cannot play with lives.

Even though we know that our covid-19 protocols are water tight and the health and safety of our pupils remain our top priority, we cannot operate outside of the law.

We, as educators appreciate the lesson this will also teach our children, that sometimes we may feel conflicted by a decision made by someone in authority but we have to trust that the decision that has been made is in the best interest of the individuals involved and therefore adhering to a directive is not a choice, it shows respect for the greater good.

Our pupils will be back at school on Monday 15 February, so travel day will occur the 13th or 14 of February 2021.

The week ahead

Unfortunately our New Pupils Day did not take place yesterday but we are grateful that our staff are still able to make contact with our pupils via various platforms.

The following arrangements will unfold during the course of this week:

• A Chapel video clip will be sent out via class groups in the Junior School.
• Classes will then begin for Junior pupils via Engage and Google Classroom.
• Junior school staff will have google meets with the parents on Wednesday to explain the academic journey and the arrangements per class. This information will be sent via e-mail.
• On Thursday, Junior School teachers will have a google meet with their respective classes. Details will be sent via e-mail.
• Junior school house meetings will take place early next week.
• To our Pre-Primary Parents: We are so fortunate to be able to provide onsite teaching for our pre-primary pupils and look forward to welcoming our pupils back tomorrow. Please remember that all covid-19 protocols still apply.

We will continue to endeavour to ensure that every pupil is assisted as much as we can during their academic journey. We will continue to utilize Engage, Google Meet, Google Classroom and WhatsApp groups in this regard.

New pupils

We would like to take this opportunity to offer a warm welcome to all our new Kingswood families, and are delighted that we are welcoming over 100 new pupils to our family.

We know that this is certainly a most uncertain time for you as well, as you are unable to come to grips with the inner workings of our school as you would have should you have been onsite. However, we wish to reassure you that we will walk this road alongside you. So many happy memories, friendships and learning opportunities are awaiting you.

I trust that you will feel at home from the moment you have contact with our staff.

Please remember in the Junior School your first point of contact is your Class Teacher. They will be in touch with you during the course of this week.

Staffing matters

We welcome the following new staff:

Ms Bea Klopper (Grade R teacher); Ms Heidi Manuel (Foundation phase teacher); Mr Unathi Mafuna (Commerce teacher); Ms Anne Lemahieu (Geography locum); Ms Jess Gornall (Maths locum), Mr Temba Bungane (Teacher Assistant: Senior School). Mr Etherington Prince (Part-time IT support), Mr Mvume Mdidimba (English locum) and Ms Sherelize Jewell takes over as the PA to the College Head from 1 February.

Covid-19 and other stressors

We are as a global community facing three crisis situations: a health crisis; increased financial pressure and a decline in mental health. The priority during these times remains the health and safety of our pupils. Please see the covid-19 protocol for further information: Kingswood College Covid-19 Protocol

We can move through this pandemic together if we follow the regulations put in place and if we remain respectful of every individual in our community.

Looking after the emotional and psychological health of our pupils is also our priority.

Below are healthy ways to cope with stress:

• Remain informed about Covid-19: Know where and how to get treatment. Pupils are encouraged to access our SAN or to make an appointment with Ms Teresa Yell at t.yell@kingswoodvollege.com, our school psychologist, or any private counsellor
• Taking care of your emotional health will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself
• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media
• Take care of your body
• Take deep breaths, stretch, or have quiet moments
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals
• Exercise regularly
• Get plenty of sleep
• Avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling
• Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations. While social distancing measures are in place, consider connecting online, or by phone or mail or talk to our Rev Tim Marshall
• The above was adapted from the CDC website - click link to find out more about Covid-19 - CDC.Gov Website

Finances

We know that the financial pressures brought on as a result of the pandemic is very real for many families. Please do assist us in paying your school fees timeously. Contact Ms Lauren Drennan l.drennan@kingswoodcollege.com to arrange payment plans if necessary. We will be giving a rebate on boarding fees according to on-site learning.

Discipline matters

Council has ratified our new disciplinary code that clearly states that we will not tolerate racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia or any form of bigotry. This policy will be discussed with pupils and staff during the course of the term.

Academic matters

Our core business at Kingswood is to ensure that we bring out the best in your child: academically, culturally and in the sporting sphere and that this is also supported by one of our core aims which is to develop their leadership skills. We wish to build their character, while allowing them to unfold as unique individuals with their God given talents.

Pupil matters

Our Head Prefects for 2021 are Wanda, Azola, Sibu and Darius and they have shared their vision for 2021. Our pupil leaders will for the first time be able to sit on Council sub-committees and this exciting new development will bring a richer and deeper understanding for our stakeholders, as we build our Kingswood community and learn from each other.

Council has given me, as College Head, the directive of ensuring the Kingswood Foundation gets my full attention this year in an attempt to raise funds which we hope will help to alleviate financial pressure on the school and increase our financial standing. I will spend three days up at the Foundation Office and two days at my College Head Office. Please ensure all operational matters are referred to the relevant staff members.

In conclusion

I head into 2021 with an attitude of gratitude. ‘

"When you start your year with gratitude you will be open to opportunities not obstacles. You will be drawn to creativity, not complaint. You will find a fresh way to grow, rather than succumbing to negative thoughts that only shrink your options’" -Jay Shetty.

We rose to the challenge in 2020, we grew our grit, our resilience, our ability to adapt to change and we learnt how to be flexible. This year we wish to remain compassionate, as we navigate the waters one day at a time.

Kingswood News & Resources:

We are constantly updating our various social media platforms so please do click through on the links below to see what our Kingswoodians have been up to:

SCHOOL NEWS | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | CHAPEL KC | EVENTS

Covid-19 Information & Resources

We would really like to assure you that we have taken the necessary measures to ensure the safety of our staff and pupils. We have created a website to this end where all information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic can be accessed and perused. To view the site please click the through to the link: Protocol for the Control of Covid-19 at Kingswood College