Sandton October 2024

November 1, 2024

Pre-Primary

Heritage Day 2024

The Grade 0000, 000, 00 and 0 children had a positive experience celebrating their heritage and trying out new foods. It was a great morning for them to further their learning and understanding about different cultures and develop an appreciation for diversity.

A little girl is holding a plate of food.

A group of children are posing for a picture under a sign that says emily 's superette

A group of children are posing for a picture in front of a playground.

Two young boys are holding hands in front of a sign that says south africa

Preparatory

Inter-Crawford Cricket Festival

The Inter-Crawford Cricket Festival is always a special tour and tournament, and this year was no different. Our team jumped on a bus, flew to La Lucia, had a bit of beach time, stayed in a hotel, played 5 games of cricket and flew home. And yet there was so much more than that.

We are exceptionally proud of the way they represented our school both on and off the field. Grade 6s learnt so much from the Grade 7s and the Grade 7s supported the Grade 6s. They mixed with other teams, played hard, improved and had fun. Thank you, boys, for a very memorable trip – Mr. Haigh has never had his own war-cry until before!

Thank you to Ms Ringrose and Coach Jed for everything that they did to make this such a successful tour, as well as to all our parents for making this tour happen for the boys.

La Lucia (deservingly) borrows 'our' trophy for now, and we'll bring it home next year!

Three children are kneeling in the grass holding a stuffed penguin.

A man is giving a certificate to a young boy on a field.

A group of people in yellow shirts are posing for a picture with a stuffed penguin.

Three young boys in yellow shirts are sitting on an airplane.

A group of young boys in yellow shirts are posing for a picture in front of the ocean.

College

Chisomo Boshoma takes first place at the Annual IT Showcase

The IT Showcase highlights Grade 12 Information Technology Practical Assessment Task (PAT) projects by South African girls, developed during their matric year. This year's event focused on uplifting women in coding and featured esteemed judges from the University of Witwatersrand, the University of Johannesburg, the University of Pretoria, as well as industry leaders from Entelect and Dariel Solutions, who provided valuable feedback.

The showcase invites lower-grade learners to view projects, engage with exhibitors, and explore IT-related careers, inspiring them to consider IT as a subject. Participants received goodie bags and cash prizes, made possible through generous donations from companies and school community members.

Chisomo impressed the judges with her project “ChiChess,” designed to help users master chess openings while allowing for move variations and coach oversight. A passionate and accomplished chess player, Chisomo showcased her skills in project documentation, graphical user interfaces, advanced coding techniques, and creativity, earning first place among 26 participants.

Since its inception in 2011, the IT Showcase has grown to attract students from various schools in Gauteng and beyond, with a renewed focus on Girls in Coding in 2023. The College IT department encourages all students interested in the field to attend the 2025 IT Showcase for valuable educational and networking opportunities.

Contribution by Ms Marriemuthu (IT Teacher)

A group of people are sitting at a table with computers.

A group of people are standing on a stage in front of a blue curtain.

Whitestone Primary School from Zimbabwe visits Crawford Sandton College

In the final week of the 3rd term, Crawford International Sandton College had the privilege of hosting Whitestone Primary School from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The visit featured two exciting cricket clinics at the College and three T20 matches, hosted by Crawford International Sandton Preparatory.

It was also great to see our 1st XI Captain, Justin Sher, and 1st XI wicketkeeper, Ethan Rowe, take time out of their two breaks to engage with the young players and discuss the growth of cricket here at the College.

A special thanks to our Head of Cricket, Matthew Townshend, and DP World Lions Captain and DHCC owner, Dominic Hendricks, for arranging an unforgettable experience for Whitestone’s players. They also attended a Lions practice game at the Bull Ring and had the unique opportunity to meet some of the game's legends in the change rooms—a truly memorable experience for these young cricketers.

A man is teaching a young boy how to play cricket on a field.

A man and two boys are posing for a picture on a field.

A group of children are posing for a picture in a field.

A group of children are posing for a picture on a cricket field.

Crawford Cares

Support for Fidelitas Matrics

We are pleased to share that the funds raised for the Fidelitas Dance have been used to purchase stationery packs for the Matrics. Our Grade 11 students, along with Mr. Mabunda from Fidelitas, have successfully collected these packs.

On behalf of Crawford International Sandton College, we extend our heartfelt best wishes to the Matrics of Fidelitas as they prepare for their final examinations, which commence on 21 October

A group of people are posing for a picture in a classroom.

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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.