North Coast Jan 2024

February 26, 2024

PRE-PRIMARY

Benefits of Messy Play

Messy play holds significant value in early childhood development and our beautiful KZN North Coast climate allows ample opportunity for combining messy play with fresh air. Crawford International North Coast Pre-Primary student Ntokozo Mthethwa enjoyed every moment of foam with her friends and teachers at the school recently. This kind of play provides children with opportunities to explore, experiment, and express themselves freely in a tactile and sensory-rich environment. Engaging in messy play fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and enhances cognitive development as children manipulate materials which leads to exciting discoveries. Messy play promotes social skills as children collaborate, share, and communicate with peers, building important foundations for future learning and development.

A little girl in a red shirt is covered in white foam

Forest Research Grade 0

Recently our Grade 0 students embarked on an exceptionally thrilling investigation. They delved into the fascinating realm of 'mini beasts' residing in our enchanting school forest. Outdoor education remains a cherished highlight for our young pupils every day.

A boy and a girl are looking at a plant with a magnifying glass.

PREPARATORY

The Joy of Exploring Nature

Crawford International North Coast Grade 3's launched their "Sharing the Planet" Unit of Inquiry, by exploring the forest area on the school’s beautiful North Coast campus. As students will be looking at biomes and how biodiversity relies on maintaining balance within these systems, the students had to identify living organisms found in this habitat. They also had to find examples of how this habitat can be destroyed - e.g.: by litter, the recent floods, etc. and how this will affect the balance within this biome. The Grade 3's were intrepid explorers who demonstrated an interest and curiosity about our natural world and a love of nature - they are eco-warriors in the making!

Grade 7 Induction Day

Crawford International North Coast held its prestigious Grade 7 Induction ceremony recently, where Grade 7 students were inducted as councillors. Each pupil took delight in signing the Councillor’s Pledge, witnessed by proud parents, the Campus Head, the Pre, Prep and College Principals, staff and fellow students. The highlight of the event was the lighting of candles, which symbolised the passing down of authority from the Preparatory Principal to the Deputies, to the Grade 7 teachers and then to the students.

A woman in a black jacket is smiling while standing at a table.

Feeling the Love this Month of Love

Our Grade 7 students embarked on a special mission this February. With Valentine's Day approaching, the Grade 7s decided to spread love and joy to the residents of Westbrook Retirement Village by bringing along sweet treats and heartfelt sentiments. The joy on the faces of the elders was palpable and their spirits lifted by the genuine kindness of their young visitors. Our students engaged in heartfelt conversations with the residents, listening attentively to their stories and experiences, and learning valuable lessons about empathy, resilience, and the importance of cherishing every moment. The Grade 7 students' visit to Westbrook Retirement Village was more than just a charitable act. It was a testament to the power of love, compassion, and community. Through this outreach programme and leadership initiative, our young leaders demonstrated the importance of empathy, kindness, and making a difference in the lives of others.

A young girl is standing next to an older woman in front of a brick building.

COLLEGE

North Coast Track Star Qualifies for SA Nationals

Crawford International North Coast Grade 11 student Noa Reinstein has been at the school since Grade 000, and her love of running goes right back to her Preparatory days. The school shared in her delight recently when she reached the qualifying times for SA nationals. The 400m athlete is also currently placed first in KZN for both the 200m and the 400m in her age group. At the same time as preparing for events in Pretoria, Noa will be representing both Crawford and Ilembe at the District Championships in mid-February at Kings Park and competing in the KZN Championships in Pietermaritzburg at the end of March.

Noa’s love of running began with cross country in her primary years on the school’s beautiful Westbrook campus and by Grade 5 she commenced with track training. The North Coast star trains at Kings Park Athletic Stadium five times a week and says she is inspired by Sydney McLaughlin, the 400m US hurdler, whose inspirational social media content helps motivates her.

Numbers are her favourite topic - both on and off the track! Mathematics is a much-loved subject at school, and when she is on the track, she keeps her eye on beating her personal best time of 58.22 seconds for the 400m and 25.93 for the 200m. Her top-tip to any aspiring runner is to build a cardio base and then train with a coach.

Noa’s short-term goal is to be placed in the Top 3 in SA, as well as obtaining a scholarship to study in the US or Netherlands where she can continue to train throughout university. Her proud mom Dorine Reinstein says ‘I am so proud of Noa, she works so hard. So much time and dedication go into shaving a few milliseconds off your time when you are a sprinter. I think we spend more time at the track than at home!”

A woman is running on a track with a stadium in the background.

Top National Award for Crawford International North Coast Student

Top academic students were recently honoured at the ADvTECH Top Achiever Awards at a glittering ceremony in Johannesburg. Crawford International North Coast student Daisy Pybus was placed second amongst 1800 students from the ADvTECH group. She richly deserves the award after achieving an impressive overall aggregate of 94.62%, Top 1% in the country (English, Afrikaans, Life Orientation, Life Sciences and Marine Sciences) and earned a place in the IEB Top 5% Outstanding Achievement category. Well done Daisy!

Two women standing next to each other in front of a banner that says rawford

Thando Mthembu Gets DSTV Interview

17-year-old Crawford International North Coast student Thando Mthembu was thrilled to be invited to take part in an interview for DSTV’s The Get Real Show hosted by Denver Naicker recently. The current Grade 12 A aggregate student, who won a 2023 Dale Carnegie High Achiever Award is a boarding student at the school. She loved the experience in front of the camera. She says ‘I was a little nervous the night before but, on the day, I felt calm and really enjoyed the experience! It was great to talk about preparing for the matric year ahead and how much I love the boarding experience.’ Her favourite subject is Life Sciences, and she is preparing for 8 subjects to write in her IEB matric examination in November. 

A young woman in a white shirt and tie is sitting on a bench.

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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.