North Coast February 2025

March 4, 2025

Crawford Culture Show

Julia van Heerden captivated the audience with her graceful ballet performance at the recent Crawford Culture Show. With poise and precision, Julia showcased the beauty and discipline of ballet, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. Her performance was a stunning display of artistry and dedication, embodying the spirit of creativity and talent that defines the culture of Crawford.

Benefits of Outdoor Play

Xitsundzuxo Mashau enjoys the benefits of outdoor play, which is essential for children's growth. Engaging in outdoor activities supports their physical, social, and emotional development, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and independence. These activities enhance both fine and gross motor skills, while also providing opportunities for children to build friendships and strengthen teamwork. Outdoor play is a key component of a well-rounded early childhood education, helping to lay the foundation for a successful future.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day at Crawford North Coast was nothing short of epic. The school was buzzing with energy, laughter, and pure fun as we celebrated a day filled with love, friendship, and unforgettable memories. From sweet treats to music pumping through the corridors, the vibe was electric. But the highlight? Our dancers!

Traffic came to a standstill as they took over, showing off their insane moves and getting everyone hyped. The crowd went wild, and for a moment, it felt like the whole world stopped to watch Crawford North Coast do what we do best, and that’s to bring the energy.

New friendships were made, old ones grew even stronger, and the memories? Unforgettable. If this is just the start of the year.

Spreading the love at Westbrook retirement Village

On Thursday, 13 February, our Grade 7 students embraced the spirit of kindness, compassion, and community by visiting Westbrook Retirement Village for a special Valentine’s Day outreach. As part of their leadership and community service, our Grade 7 students prepared treat boxes for the residents, as well as for our support staff and security team, to show appreciation for their dedication and hard work.

The Valentine’s cards, created with love by our students, added a personal and thoughtful touch to the gifts. A special thank you to our Pre-Primary and Preparatory students for their generous contributions of chocolates and biscuits, and to our wonderful parents for their support in making this initiative a success.

Grade 3 Unit of Inquiry

The Grade 3 students are inquiring into Building a Better World under their Transdisciplinary theme of Sharing the Planet. They have looked into kindness and fairness.

The Power of Kindness

Kindness strengthens our connections with others. Students explored ways to show kindness at home, school and in the community. They then created a "Kindness Chain," each link symbolising an act of kindness, to see how small gestures make a big impact.

The Fairness Tree

The students explored fairness in their communities, recognised their responsibilities, and contributed to making a Fairness Tree with symbols and messages. This collaborative project promotes empathy, respect, and the power of working together for a more inclusive and fair community.

Crawford Sport

We are nearly halfway through Term 1, and our athletes continue to make us proud. Our cricket players have been showcasing their talent on the field, delivering impressive performances in recent matches. Meanwhile, our swimmers made a splash at the Championship Gala with outstanding results.

A special congratulations to Mikaeel Sadack and Ziphozenkosi Ngwane on their selection for the North Coast Cricket Team, we are proud of them.

Well-done to Taynera Padayachee, who has been selected to represent eThekwini in the Inter-District Tournament on March 1st and 2nd. We wish her the best of luck in this exciting opportunity! Taynera also recently took part in the KZN Mini 1 Tournament where she played extremely well coming away with a third in the girls U12 division.

A special mention goes to Keemaya Naidu, Mr Arkell and Hayden Jenkinson who recently competed in the Midmar Mile and performed exceptionally well. Their dedication and perseverance were truly evident.

Dristhi Ramsumer Honours Blazer

Dristhi Ramsumer, a Grade 12 student, has achieved full colours for Academics, Service and Culture, leading to her being awarded the prestigious Honours Blazer. As part of our series of interviews, we are delighted to showcase Dristhi’s journey.

Her journey at Crawford International North Coast began in Grade 7, where she quickly established herself academically. By Grade 8, Dristhi had set her sights on this coveted honour, determined to balance her academic pursuits with her involvement in service and cultural activities. Throughout her school career, Dristhi has excelled academically, placing first with an average of approximately 96% each year. She has further participated in Maths, English and Afrikaans Olympiads. She recently participated in round 3 of the SAMO Maths Olympiad and placed top 20 provincially.

Outside of school, Dristhi has pursued her passion for music with the violin since the age of 8. Dristhi has been a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra (KZNYO) and has completed her Grade 6 Trinity College violin exam and her Grade 5 Theory examinations. She is currently at a Grade 7 level of violin which she says she owes to her music teacher, Pat Naude. She has further earned a gold certificate for her violin performance at the eThekwini Music Eisteddfod. Dristhi has not only excelled in Music but also in both Dance and Drama, showcasing her skills in Crawford’s Got Talents, spotlight dances and drama evenings. Her active participation in the National Eisteddfod and Talent Africa for dance, drama and music have earned her Provincial colours for the Performing Arts.

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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.