La Lucia April 2024

April 24, 2024

First Day Back For Term 2

It was wonderful to see all our smiling Pre-Primary, Preparatory and College students as they returned for the start of Term 2.

As a campus, we can’t wait to see what the second term has in store for them!

PRE-PRIMARY

Delivering More Than Your Groceries

In the month of April, our Grade 0 students started their new Transdisciplinary Unit, “People who help us in our community.”

Their provocation was a surprise delivery from a local Checkers Sixty60. A huge thank you to our Sixty60 driver who was gracious and friendly with our Grade 0 students, allowing them the opportunity to learn from this experience. It is important for our students to be aware of the service industry and the crucial role that they play in our communities – this was a great opportunity for them to have an appreciation for those who help in our communities.

PREPARATORY

Archery Champion

Congratulations to Lamees Kolia who took part in the 74th South African National Archery Championship and won the Gold Medal. She was also then placed 1st in the country in the Standard Bow Girls under 13 category shooting at 20m.

Lamees has further received her national colours for the Standard Bow girls under 13 at 20m for the season. As a campus, we are proud of Lamees on a momentous achievement at Preparatory level of her schooling journey.

A poster for the 74th south african national archery championship

A young girl is holding a gold medal in her hand.

Creative Writing Workshop

At the end of Term 1, our Preparatory school hall buzzed with excitement as Grade 6 and 7 students eagerly awaited the arrival of Mrs Tilda Tearle. Mrs Tearle, a distinguished Comrades Marathon winner and ten-time Top Ten finisher, also boasts accolades as a published journalist and author. She graciously shared her expertise on the writing process with our senior students.

Mrs Tearle shared on the meticulous planning and effort required in writing a manuscript, emphasising the dedication and perseverance behind every word on every page. Her debut book, "Tilda Tearle – My Personal Comrades Journey," spanned a decade in the making, as she detailed the journey from conception to publication.

Mrs Tearle's passion for running and the Comrades Marathon resonated throughout her presentation, undoubtedly inspiring aspiring authors in the audience to pursue their dreams. Perhaps some will even heed her example and participate in the Comrades Marathon, with fond memories of her motivating speech in the Dr Siza Majola Hall.

A group of young girls are posing for a picture with a woman in a red dress.

A group of children are posing for a picture with a woman in a red dress.

COLLEGE

Dale Carnegie Graduates

We are pleased to have had thirty Grade 11 students who took up the opportunity to participate in and graduate from the prestigious Dale Carnegie Generation Next Course.

The Dale Carnegie Generation Next course is a programme for young adults that aims to prepare them for the real world. The course helps students develop skills in self-confidence, people skills, communication, and leadership.

The course, which ran for a duration of eight weeks, has equipped our students – future leaders with invaluable life skills and principles which they can incorporate into their everyday lives to attain success and deal with challenges that they may encounter, in a meaningful and productive way.

We congratulate each student on their commitment and progress and hope that they will use these skills effectively in the future.

We further want to congratulate Maxine Lombaard who was the recipient of the Highest Achiever Award at the 2024 graduation ceremony!

A group of people posing for a picture holding certificates

A woman stands in front of a crawford international banner

Family History Oral

Our Grade 8 History students started off Term 2 with an oral presentation that enabled us to get to know one other. Students researched their heritage and chose two pieces of evidence that acted as clues in describing their family’s roots.

They applied their knowledge of evidence and sources to discuss how such information would be useful to a historian researching our families in the future. This exercise not only practices the foundation skills used in History, but also gives each of us a chance to learn about the students around us and their cultures and beliefs.

A boy in a red and black jacket is holding a bottle

A girl in a black jacket is holding a piece of paper that says ' harry potter ' on it

Hockey Festival Fun

Over the Easter weekend, Crawford International La Lucia College held their annual pre-season outdoor hockey festival.

The weekend was filled with thrilling hockey, which was showcased by the talented players who took part on behalf of their different schools from around KZN. Durban Girls High School won the girls division and Ashton College won the boys division.

A special thank you to our sponsors at Aquelle, CMH Umhlanga, Mangwanani, and our partner, Planet Fitness, for their invaluable contributions to the success of the festival. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who took part, including the players, coaches, sports coordinators, parents, and spectators, for spending their Easter weekend with us. We are grateful for your support, and we can’t wait to see you all again next year!

A group of young men are playing field hockey on a field.

A field hockey game is being played in front of a crawford banner

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Teacher Spotlight: Mr Chris Herbst Afrikaans Teacher at Crawford International Sandton

April 25, 2025

A Lifelong Educator Mr Chris Herbst has spent 41 years in the classroom. With a Bachelor of Education from the University of the Witwatersrand, he has taught countless learners over the decades. He joined Crawford International Sandton in 1999 and currently teaches Afrikaans to students from Grade 8 to Grade 12. His role spans across five different year groups, a challenge he embraces. “I have my hands full as I navigate the excitement and challenges of teaching an additional language to five different grades,” he says. Why Teaching Still Matters For Mr Herbst, teaching is not a job. It is something he feels deeply connected to. “Teaching is my great passion and calling. The classroom is where I find my motivation and inspiration,” he shares. “When we have a really good lesson and I see our students leave having learned something new, or figured out a challenging concept, then I am motivated and inspired all over again.” These everyday moments keep him grounded in his purpose. They are the quiet victories that reaffirm his place in the classroom. Freedom to Teach with Meaning Mr Herbst values Crawford’s approach to learning, particularly the way it supports teacher agency and student-centred learning. “I love the fact that the focus is student-centred, and that as teachers we have the freedom and the responsibility to create a teaching and learning environment that works best for every learning need,” he says. He believes this flexibility allows for learning to become more meaningful. “If I identify that a particular topic or poem has piqued the interest of my class, I have the freedom to delve deeper and really explore the subject matter without being bound by rigid syllabus rules and time frames.” Connecting Language to the Real World Teaching Afrikaans in a school where it is often an additional language means finding ways to make it resonate. Mr Herbst understands that for many students, the subject may not come naturally. “For many students, learning another language may initially feel like a requirement rather than a passion,” he explains. To bridge that gap, he brings the language to life through content that students can relate to. “It’s important to integrate engaging, real-world content such as music, movies, and stories that align with the students’ interests.” These tools, he believes, help students see the language in context and build an emotional connection to it. A Teaching Legacy Over the course of his career, Mr Herbst has taught more than one generation in the same family. It is a milestone he reflects on with pride. “I have taught students who are now parents, and I am teaching their children today. It doesn’t get better than that.” But what stands out most for him is being remembered. “By far my biggest kick is when a past student recognises me and comes over to strike up a conversation and talk about their life and work after school.”

10 Reasons Why Early Childhood Development is Important

By ADvTECH Group • April 15, 2025

The 10 reasons why the first six years of a child's life are crucial when it comes to early childhood development, read all about it in this article.

One to one correspondence

By Ashmita Mistry • April 8, 2025

Crawford schools blog article on one-to-one correspondence in early development and the importance of this developmental skill that adults take for granted.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: DYLAN BIZJAK

March 28, 2025

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: DYLAN BIZJAK Crawford International Sandton From the classrooms of Crawford International Sandton to the forefront of aeronautical engineering in the Netherlands, Dylan Bizjak’s journey is one of ambition, resilience and innovation . Pursuing a Passion for Engineering After matriculating in 2019, Dylan initially pursued Aeronautical Engineering at Wits University. However, six months into his studies, a new opportunity emerged, one that would take him beyond South Africa’s borders. He secured a place at Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Delft, Netherlands, where he embraced the challenge of international study, even navigating his first year remotely due to the pandemic. Now a graduate with a BSc in Aeronautical Engineering (2024), Dylan has stepped into the professional world, joining Eve Reverse, a pioneering start-up dedicated to climate-positive innovation. What began as an internship in his final year evolved into a full-time role as a Research and Development Engineer, where he contributes to the creation of sustainable, carbon-negative materials. His proudest achievement? Playing a key role in the development of the Eve Dry Tile, an innovative flax fibre material designed to reduce emissions and waste in manufacturing. Achievements at Crawford International Sandton Gareth Beach Award (2019) – Recognised for bravery, dedication, self-development and outstanding achievement in swimming. Sportsman of the Year (2019) – Acknowledged for excellence in swimming, basketball and boxing. Reflections on Crawford Dylan credits his time at Crawford for preparing him for both academic and personal success on the global stage. “Crawford’s approach equips you for university and beyond, whether in South Africa or internationally. It’s not just about academics but about becoming a well-rounded critical thinker and team player. Exposure to diverse cultures, teamwork, individuality and taking responsibility for my outcomes were invaluable lessons I carried with me.” Words of Wisdom To his younger self, Dylan would say: “Step out of your comfort zone sooner. Growth happens when you challenge yourself. Leaving home was tough, but the personal and professional growth was worth every stumble along the way.” Dylan’s story is a testament to courage, hard work and the power of embracing the unknown. From South Africa to the Netherlands, he is proving that the sky isn’t the limit, it is just the beginning.