Sandton

Karabo Molokomme • December 7, 2023

Celebration of Diwali

In the spirit of the IB program, Diwali aligns seamlessly with our commitment to fostering intercultural understanding and respect. The festival's rich culture provides a perfect opportunity for our young learners to explore diversity, develop a global mindset, and appreciate the significance of various traditions.

Just as the lamps illuminate the darkness during Diwali, our collective efforts within the IB framework aim to illuminate young minds with knowledge, curiosity, and a sense of interconnectedness. This Diwali sparked a love for learning and cultural understanding in our students, paving the way for a bright future of exploration and discovery.

A group of children are posing for a picture together.

Success for Our 'Around the World' Concert

Congratulations to our students for a stellar performance in the 'Around the World' concert. Thanks to our dedicated teachers for their hard work and coordination. The event celebrated the diverse talents within our school community. A big thank you to everyone involved for contributing to its success. Here's to the power of music, diversity, and the spirit of our Crawford International Sandton Pre-Primary family.

Crawford Cares

We are so grateful to our amazing Crawford Pre-Primary community for their overwhelming generosity. Together, we collected a remarkable 108 shoeboxes filled with love and essentials for the Santa's Shoebox Project.

These beautifully wrapped boxes are not just gifts; they are symbols of compassion, kindness, and the true spirit of giving. We are immensely proud of our community for coming together to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

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

Farewell to Mrs Meintjes

Mrs Meintjes' career in education has many chapters and most of those chapters are Crawford chapters. 25 years ago, she started at Crawford Lonehill where she was a teacher and later a Deputy Principal. She then became Principal at Crawford Bedfordview before moving to Crawford Village. In 2020, she made her way to Crawford Sandton where she continued to bring her incredible touch to so many areas and will leave lasting footprints in the years to come.

From the moment Jill started at Sandton, her approach was simple. It was always about the people. Children first, adults second. Her kind and generous heart, and willingness to roll up her sleeves and get involved, won her Foundation Phase Teachers over quickly and together they have managed one of the toughest eras in education together.

While Jill's Crawford chapters may be closing, we know that Jill will still be around to help and support a school and a brand that she so dearly loves. Jill, words are too simple to express how grateful we are for everything you have done for us - for the students, for the staff, for the parents, for the leadership team, and for our school.

A woman with gray hair is smiling in front of a white brick wall.

Young Author Spotlight: Taylor Mae Ankiah

Join us in celebrating the literary triumph of Grade 4, Taylor Mae Ankiah. At just 8 years old, Taylor wowed us with her debut, "Animal Adventures." Now, a mere year later, she unveils her second masterpiece, "Monster Magic"!

Taylor Mae Ankiah continues to inspire with her creativity and passion for storytelling. Congratulations on this incredible achievement. We can't wait to see what captivating tales the future holds for this young literary star.

A little girl in a floral dress is holding a picture of herself.

Colour Festival

The Grade 11 students at Sandton College hosted a successful colour festival as a last blast to end off a fantastic term. Students from all grades were fully engaged in throwing coloured powder into the air almost in sync with the sound of music permeating through the air.

The College field was transformed into a colour extravaganza, as students ran around having the time of their lives. The henna artists and food stalls were great attractions too. We hope that this well-loved event will transition into being an annual event at our school.

A group of people are standing in a field with their faces covered in colored powder.

A group of young girls are sitting at a table with paint on their faces.

A group of young women are posing for a picture in a field.

A man is carrying a woman in his arms at a holi festival.

Chess at Sandton College

Chess is in full swing at Sandton College. We participated in the 4th term League Match-ups, which comprised more than 120 players. There were six players per team and the opponents seemed rather threatening. We had a star-player, Sanjana Ramlall (Grade 8) who joined as the under 14 RSA champion indeed became an inspirational encouragement for this burdensome challenge.

The rest of the enthusiastic Grade 8s team members are continuing to hone their skills and develop their strategies for the game. Chisomo Boshoma (Grade 11) led the Crawford Sandton team. In the final count, the junior team missed Gold by a whisker and ended in a celebrating 2nd place where they were crowned with silver medals. Sanjana was ultimately honoured with the prestigious Gold-Medal for being the best player in the league, with a flawless 100 % winning-streak.

Chess is known as a game of war between two commanding generals. It is a competition on manipulating tactics, strategies and a contest of brainpower and intellect. Our junior chess team was not perturbed by being constantly reminded that they had just entered high school.

Our chess players find inspiration in Malala Yousafzai's inspirational words: “Let us make our future now and let us make our dreams tomorrow’s reality”. Congratulations to the Chess team and reserves! Thank you to all the spectators who joined us for the matches and supported our team.

A group of young people are posing for a picture with medals around their necks.

A group of young people wearing medals are standing next to each other in a room.

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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.