Lonehill Jan 2024

February 26, 2024

PRE-PRIMARY

Friendship Day

Friendship Day is a celebration of sharing and caring. Students dress up in red, pink, and white, and receive special letters in their lunchboxes from parents, fostering feelings of warmth and connection. This year, we were excited to welcome Minnie and Mickey Mouse, who awaited us in the school foyer. Additionally, the school organised a collection of gently used soft toys for children who may be feeling sad or unwell. Through these acts of kindness, we demonstrate that sharing truly embodies the spirit of caring.

A group of children are standing around a mickey mouse mascot.

A group of children are posing for a picture with mickey mouse and minnie mouse mascots.

Grandparents Day

One of the highlights in Term 1 is Grandparents Day at school. This event celebrates the important role that grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren. It is a special occasion that promotes family togetherness, intergenerational connections, emotional well-being, educational enrichment, and appreciation for the special people in our children’s lives. The day started with a short concert for our grandparents followed by a picnic and playtime with them, which created some special and cherished memories for our families.

An elderly woman and a young girl are having a picnic on a red blanket.

A man and a child are posing for a picture on grandparents day

PREPARTORY

Inter-house Gala

We proudly announce our Junior and Senior Victor and Victrix Ludorum students from the Inter-house Gala: Holly Niven and Ethan Kretzmar for the senior events, and Maya Phasha, Kgosi Mocoenyane, and Finley Niven for the Juniors. These talented swimmers have consistently amazed the audience.

Excitement reached its peak at the finish line, where every race was fiercely contested. Dedicated timekeepers stood poised with stopwatches while house supporters, teams, and parents cheered enthusiastically. Mr Johnson was delighted with the smooth running of the event, devoid of any false starts or disqualifications.

All four individual swimming strokes were showcased, generating immense excitement and noise. Every position and point was crucial towards the overall scores.

In the end, Cameron House emerged as the swimming champions for 2024, narrowly beating Barrett House in a thrilling finish. Despite fierce competition, each House displayed heroic effort throughout the races.

Holly Niven finds inspiration in South African swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker, refining her skills since Grade 5. Ethan favours the butterfly stroke, finding it natural and enjoyable. Finley enjoys swimming in both pools and the sea, embracing the waves as he bodysurfs. Maya thrives on the excitement of galas, especially with classmates cheering her on, favouring the Freestyle stroke. Kgosi cherished receiving the trophy and the support of his friends during his achievement.

The Gala certainly made waves, leaving a lasting impression on all participants and spectators alike.

A man is standing next to two young boys holding a trophy.

A man is getting ready to jump into a swimming pool.

Friendship Day

This started with a morning bursting with gifts, heartfelt messages, infectious smiles, and warm hugs. A wonderful surprise for the juniors was meeting Sonic the Hedgehog and Chase from Paw Patrol at arrival in the car park. The seniors said they wanted to relive their youth and walked along to meet these fun characters!

The Grade7’s hosted a vibrant Friendship Tea for all the staff. This was a beautiful ambience of food, music, and excited chatter. The hosts were engaging and proudly attentive. Foods ranged from mouth-watering pastries to sweet and savoury dishes. The Alita Dolcia Pancakes, cream, and strawberries along with a collection of cheeses served on a platter and accompanied by a selection of meats, breads, spreads jams, nuts, fruit, could have been flown up from the Mount Nelson!

A boy is standing next to a sonic the hedgehog mascot

Two children are posing for a picture with a paw patrol mascot

COLLEGE

Class of 2028 Begins Their College Journey

At the heart of our school lies a relatively new tradition that promotes unity, camaraderie, and a shared sense of belonging among students. During our recent annual Bell Ringing Ceremony, Grade 8 students were warmly welcomed into the school by the matric students. This event signifies the start of a new chapter in the lives of the incoming students and establishes the tone for their future journey. The bell symbolises the commencement of their college experience, and the class of 2028 will have the honour of ringing it once again at the end of their matric year.

A group of people in suits and ties are giving each other a high five.

Inter-house Gala

Despite a busy start to the academic year at Crawford International Lonehill College, our Inter-house swimming gala served as a perfect kick-off to the celebrations of our 25th year at Crawford International Lonehill. It is activities such as this that epitomizes the spirit and pride that our students and staff hold so dearly. Congratulations to all our swimmers and to the winning house of 2024 SENTINELS.

A group of cheerleaders are dancing in front of a crowd

A group of people are getting ready to swim in a pool

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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.”

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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.