Bedfordview March 2024
March 26, 2024
Surf, Sand, and Sunshine: A Sugar Bay Retreat
Crawford International Bedfordview (CIB) students recently returned from an event-filled Bonding Tour at Sugar Bay in Kwa-Zulu Natal. We accompanied Crawford International Pretoria and had a wonderful time forming friendships and learning through exploration. In true Crawford style, students had “voice and choice” in a variety of activities. The camp was jam-packed with activities from waterslides, beach volleyball to kayaking, glass painting, a quiz night, and even rock climbing and foosball.
The staff attending the camp went head-to-head with the students in the general knowledge quiz and came out on top, clearly showing students at CIB are in good hands. The camp afforded students the opportunity to interact socially and learn through experiences how to resolve conflicts, as well as learn more about themselves, through self-reflection. Such activities allow teenagers not only to enhance their cognitive development, including problem-solving and critical thinking skills, but also improve their social and emotional skills, namely, communication, teamwork, and resilience. Learning through games fosters internal motivation and engagement among young teenagers, making their educational experiences enjoyable and meaningful.
We trust all our students had a wonderful time, making treasured memories that will last a lifetime.
A World War II Journey Unveiled at School Exhibit
On Monday, the 18th March, the school hosted a pop-up history exhibit and presentation featuring Hayden Panaino from Hayden’s History. Panaino brought a unique private collection of uniforms and paraphernalia from World War II, showcasing a variety of items from different nations. These included uniforms from the Soviet Union, Germany, and the old South African Commonwealth, representing riflemen, commissars, women radio operators, tank drivers, and more. Complementing these were decommissioned British rifles, backpacks, and other everyday soldier’s gear from the era. The artifacts in this collection either belonged to individuals who served in active duty or were sourced from military surplus stores and sellers. In cases where original items couldn't be found, reproductions had been made.
Given that the Grade 9 students had been studying World War II extensively over the past term, the presentation delved into the numerous challenges faced by men and women during the early war period. Panaino demonstrated how ill-prepared South African volunteers and the British Commonwealth were for the opening days of the war, highlighting the hasty distribution of Boer War-era rifles until more modern equipment could be mass-produced.
However, this initial disadvantage didn't last. The uniform Panaino wore for the presentation was modelled after that of a German infantryman who perished during Germany’s invasion of the former Soviet Union – and he possesses the death certificate to prove it. This early war uniform showcased the higher quality of German uniforms and equipment at the outset, contrasting with the decline in quality over time due to supply line disruptions, the systematic bombing of German cities and factories, and Germany's overall inability to sustain a prolonged conflict. These differences between early and late war German equipment, along with America’s financial support for its allies through programmes like the Lend-Lease to the Soviet Union, were made evident through Panaino's collection.
To bring history to life, students were given the opportunity to handle and examine various pieces of equipment and ask questions. This provided them with insight into the daily life of an ordinary soldier from that era, from experiencing the weight of an infantryman’s backpack and rifle to feeling the scratchiness of cotton overalls. Combined with Panaino's collection of stories, students had the opportunity to grasp the realities and terrors of a battlefield in the 1940s.
Chocolate Marshmallow Egg Collection
The Mini Council of Johannesburg annually collects chocolate marshmallow eggs to distribute to the less fortunate children in the greater Johannesburg area. Mohamed Sherif and Onalenna Nare, along with the assistance of Ms Leh, the Grade 7R teacher, challenged the students to collect a total of 5000 eggs.
Our Crawford International Bedfordview family certainly came to the party and generously donated 7820 eggs to this noble cause.
Charity work forms an important part of the Crawford International Calendar. The parents, staff and students understand the needs of so many challenged children and do not hesitate to participate in charity events.
