Lonehill April 2024

April 25, 2024

PRE-PRIMARY

Earth Day

Integrating Earth Day into our 'Where we are in place and time' unit of inquiry, Grade 0 students engaged in activities focused on palaeontology and archaeology. Through discussions and hands-on exploration in sensory trays and the sandpit, they uncovered fossils and artifacts, fostering an appreciation for Earth's history. Reflective discussions also emphasised environmental stewardship, empowering students to care for the planet and envision a sustainable future.

A group of children are playing in a sandbox.

Retro Rewind Countdown: 25 Years of Crawford Lonehill

Crawford International Lonehill turns 25! Here's to a quarter-century of learning, growth, and community.

From the humble beginnings in January 1999 of 17 Matrics, 58 staff and 460 students across all three phases to becoming a cornerstone in our community.

We look forward to parents, staff and alumni joining us at our birthday celebrations on the 4^th May 2024 on the College field. We have an exciting line up of a Mardi Gras atmosphere, while families enjoy a picnic and hot air balloon rides, while our talented musical students entertain our families and staff on stage. Happy birthday Crawford Lonehill.

A poster for a retro rewind on saturday may 04

PREPARTORY

At Crawford International Lonehill Preparatory, Grades 4 to 7 students eagerly participate in dynamic Robotics lessons, a recent addition to the school's academic curriculum since the start of the 2023 academic year. These engaging sessions immerse students in hands-on learning experiences, utilising a range of cutting-edge equipment including Spheros, Lego Spike Education sets, Tello Drones, and 3D printing technology.

Under the guidance of dedicated educators, students collaborate to tackle progressively challenging tasks, honing their coding skills while addressing real-world problems. Through activities like coding, debugging, and experimenting with different robotics technologies, students not only witness their creations come to life but also develop essential power skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and organisation.

Despite initial reservations some students may have about programming, the transformative nature of these lessons is evident in the moments of realisation and achievement experienced by students. As Robotics and Ed-Tech Teacher, Mr Khoza highlights, “The most rewarding moments for me are when students have had me explain a task and they apply themselves with little confidence in their ability and then they have that lightbulb moment when everything makes sense and even they are surprised that they managed to succeed and it’s how I know I’ve done my job - when they leave my classroom knowing more than when they got there.”

Two young boys are playing with a toy car on a table.

A group of children are sitting around a table in a classroom.

National Eisteddfod’s Young Performer Awards competition

Five students of Crawford International Lonehill Preparatory were selected to participate in the quarter-final round of the National Eisteddfod’s Young Performer Awards competition. To be invited to participate in this competition, students first must obtain the Eisteddfod’s highest award, a diploma, at the previous year’s festival. They then participate in the first round, from which only the top learners were selected for the quarterfinals. This is an amazing achievement, considering that this is a national competition, with several thousands of entries received each year.

This year Crawford’s students excelled. They represented the school in Classical/Crossover Music, Contemporary Music, Public Speaking and isiZulu Poetry.

Aliya Sewpersad, a talented young pianist, qualified with a Contemporary Music item, Phakama Dube and Victor Zeelie for Classical piano, Robert Hurly for Crossover Music- Voice, and Gcinakwande Khumalo for isiZulu Poetry. Victor also qualified with his English Public Speaking entry. Robert was a semifinalist in both 2022 and 2023, and Victor a semifinalist in 2023, and a finalist in 2022 for piano.

Congratulations on this huge achievement!

A group of children are standing in front of a piano.

A boy and a girl are posing for a picture while holding a certificate.

COLLEGE

Sports Bulletin at Lonehill

Our U14 netball team recently participated the Roedean Autumn Sport Festival and played a total of 19 matches over the course of the long weekend. They did incredibly well and won 11 of their matches, against schools such as St Stithians, Roedean, St Mary’s DSG and Pretoria Girls High.

The U16s performed phenomenally at the St Andrews festival this at the end of the term. They won 7 of their 10 matches and were exceptionally proud of their win against St Anne’s, St Mary’s Waverley, St Peter’s College and Beaulieu. We applaud our students!

The U17A netball side took part in the Kingsmead festival. It was a tough, yet valuable few days and the team is building well and going from strength to strength.

Our ladies showed phenomenal team spirit, excellence on the court and dedication to the team.

A group of young girls are posing for a picture on a basketball court.

A group of young women are posing for a picture while holding a volleyball.

Kayden Eckert Achieves Springbok Scout Badge

Kayden Eckert was recently awarded with the prestigious Springbok Scout badge, the highest level of achievement for a youth member of the Scout Movement. This achievement is recognised not only as National Colours in Scouting but holds the equivalent status to its international counterparts such as the King Scout Award from England and the Eagle Scout Award from America.

Springbok Scouts are an elite group of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional perseverance, determination, and commitment to the Scouting Movement. Scouting challenges its members to experience fun, friendship and everyday adventure in an outdoor setting, helping them reach their full leadership potential all while having a positive impact on society.

On his journey to accomplish this Award, Kayden had to persevere and complete a number of tasks and challenges as well as planning, organising and leading a team of Scouts in completing a number of special projects. The three major projects included, firstly a 40-hour community service project. This community service project was focused on uplifting a local Bird Sanctuary where he constructed and installed some basic infrastructure such as tables and chairs as well as removing alien invasive species.

Secondly, he had to plan and complete a 3-day expedition of at least 30km together with a hike party of at least 3 other scouts in the Magoebaskloof and this challenge centred around navigation, endurance and perseverance.

Lastly, his Major Project focused on one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – Zero Hunger as well as teaching the skills of sustainable food gardening. The produce generated by this project was all donated to a local soup kitchen which helps to bridge the gap of poverty in our community.

Even though there was a lot of hard work involved, his Springbok journey has taught him an array of new life skills. This award not only signifies the completion of the requirements, but also a commitment to embodying the values of Scouting in one’s daily life.

We are proud of Kayden and his Scouts journey.

A boy scout wearing glasses and a tie is smiling for the camera

Crawford Cares

Crawford International Lonehill is proud to support the Daily Bread Organisation, a non-profit charity dedicated to providing essential aid to children and adults in need. We extend our gratitude to the generous community, to our parents and students for their support. Together, we are collectively making a difference!

A group of children are sitting on the floor holding bags of fruit.

A group of children are sitting on the floor holding up bottles of orange juice.

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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.

Career guidance for grade 9: Student resting against a whiteboard with books

Career guidance for Grade 9: What subjects should you choose?

By ADvTECH Group • March 19, 2025

Let’s try and make sense of career guidance by giving you some information on how to choose your Grade 10 to 12 subjects. Read on to find some helpful pointers.

A young boy in a plaid shirt is giving a thumbs up.

Determining Your Childs' Personality Type

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Empower yourself as a parent by learning how to determine your child's personality type. Read more at Crawford International.

Understanding the Kinesthetic Learning Style

By Neo Moshoeu • February 27, 2025

Explore how hands-on activities and physical engagement benefit kinesthetic learners, and discover teaching strategies that harness movement to boost comprehension and retention.

The Power of Warm Demanders in Education and Their Impact on Student Outcomes

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The Role of Digital Literacy in Education

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A Guide for First-Time School Parents

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A Guide To Parent Teacher Meetings

January 31, 2025

A Guide To Parent Teacher Meetings The new academic term has just started a few weeks ago, and families with school-going children are settling into their routines. However, as students transition back to the classroom, another important aspect of the school calendar looms, parent teacher meetings. While these meetings are integral to nurturing strong collaboration between families and schools, they can also bring a mix of emotions, from curiosity to unease, for parents. In South Africa, where over 12 million students attend public and private schools (Department of Basic Education, 2023), the importance of such interactions cannot be overstated. These sessions offer invaluable insights into a child’s academic progress, social development, and overall well-being. What Are Parent Teacher Meetings? Parent teacher meetings are structured conversations between parents and their child’s teachers, aimed at discussing the student’s academic performance, behaviour, and overall development. These meetings create an opportunity for open communication, ensuring that both parties can collaborate effectively to support the student’s educational journey. They are not just a platform for addressing concerns but also for celebrating achievements and setting shared goals. What Do They Entail at Crawford? At Crawford International, parent teacher meetings are designed to be more than just routine check-ins. They reflect our commitment to fostering strong partnerships with families. During these sessions, parents meet with teachers to gain a holistic view of their student’s progress, not only academically but also socially and emotionally. Teachers share personalised feedback, highlight areas of growth, and discuss strategies to address challenges. These meetings are tailored to align with our ethos of developing well-rounded students, emphasising collaboration to ensure every child reaches their potential. How Often Are They? Parent teacher meetings at Crawford typically occur once per term, although additional sessions may be scheduled based on specific needs or requests. Regularity ensures that parents stay informed about their child’s journey throughout the academic year. These consistent touchpoints help to build trust and maintain a steady flow of communication between parents and teachers. How Best Should Parents Prepare for Them? Preparation is key to making the most of parent teacher meetings. Here are a few practical tips: Review Reports and Notes – before the meeting, review any recent academic reports, test results, or communication from the school. This provides a foundation for meaningful discussions. Prepare Questions – jot down specific questions or concerns you want to address. For example, ask about areas where your child excels or struggles and how you can support them at home. Engage with Your Child – have a conversation with your child about their experiences at school. Understanding their perspective can provide valuable context for the meeting. Be Open-Minded – approach the meeting with a collaborative mindset. Remember, the goal is to work together with the teachers to support your child’s growth. Take Notes – during the meeting, take notes on key points discussed, including recommendations from teachers. This ensures you can follow through on agreed actions. Parent teacher meetings are more than a requirement; they are an investment in a child’s future. By approaching these sessions with preparation and a collaborative spirit, parents can play an active role in shaping their child’s educational journey. As families across South Africa embrace this vital part of the school experience, let’s work together to make each interaction meaningful and impactful.