North Coast May 2024

May 22, 2024

PRE-PRIMARY & PREPARATORY

World Bee Day   


Crawford International North Coast Grade 00 students celebrated World Bee Day recently. Students came to school dressed in black and yellow to show their support for this special occasion. Children were thrilled to learn about the importance of bees and the crucial role they play in our daily lives. Through various activities and lessons, they discovered how bees contribute to pollination and the production of honey, highlighting their essential impact on our environment and food supply. It was a fun and educational day that left the students with a deeper appreciation for these incredible insects. 

A little girl in a bee costume is making a heart with her hands.


Keemaya’s Golfing Success at North Coast 


Crawford International North Coast Preparatory student Keemaya Naidu started her golf journey golf through Playgolf at the school. Her passion, dedication to the sport and her talent has meant that Keemaya's golfing trajectory has seen significant growth, thanks also in part to her enrolment at McKenna Academy, where she receives personalised coaching from Ryan Schierhout.   


Keemaya made her debut in SA Kid Golf tournaments in November 2023, marking the beginning of an impressive journey. Despite being relatively new to competitive golfing, she made an immediate impact by securing second place in her inaugural game and taking third place in her subsequent two games. 


However, it is her current winning streak that is making her a player to watch on the junior golfing circuit. With an impressive four-game winning streak under her belt, she has shown a blend of skill, strategy, and determination. Keemaya currently has her sight set on the Junior Africa Championship scheduled for August at San Lameer. The South Coast event will see her competing against top talent from across the continent. 


A young girl is holding a trophy in her hands.
A young girl is playing golf on a golf course.


Arts and Crafts


Crawford International North Coast Pre-Primary hosted a wonderful morning of arts and crafts, fun play, and delicious eats for its moms recently. It goes without saying, that the morning included a lot of hugs, laughter, and a few tears with the beautiful handmade cards, that mom’s treasure so much. 

A woman is holding a little girl in her arms in a classroom.


Mother's Day at North Coast


The College hosted a wonderful sip-and-paint social, the Preparatory hosted a gorgeous picnic and the Pre-Primary hosted a high tea. Each of the events gave moms a chance to relax, unwind and spend a happy morning with their children, as well as other parents and staff. The stunning campus in Westbrook, was picture-perfect for the very special day. 

A woman is sitting at a table painting with a brush.
A woman and a little girl are sitting at a table in a classroom.
A woman and a boy are sitting on the grass in a park.
A woman and a child are sitting on a blanket in a park.


Blood Drive CINC  

 

Crawford International North Coast staff and students rolled up their sleeves to support a recent blood drive held at the College. Local businesses, other schools and organisations have all heeded the call from SANBS to make a difference, in saving the lives of fellow South Africans by donating blood. Less than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors and every unit of blood can save a minimum of three lives.  Pictured is Grade 10 boarding student Micaiah Chipeta, doing his bit for SANBS. SANBS aims to collect 13000 units of blood per day, to ensure a safe and sufficient blood supply in the healthcare system. 

A young boy is sitting in a chair with a needle in his arm


College Honours student Kaitlin Zoe Munian 

 

Crawford International North Coast College Honours student Kaitlin Zoe Munian (right) is just one of the matric student leaders, who are part of a morning ‘meet and greet’ team who welcome younger students through the Preparatory and Pre-Primary school gates at the start of their school day. Lira Masinga Grade 7 (left) has achieved her first level of leadership in the Crawford International North Coast Preparatory Leadership Programme and also been voted-in by her peers as her House Vice-Captain. Lira made the most of the opportunity to chat with an inspiring matric leader, who only five years ago was a Grade 7 leader herself!   

Two girls in school uniforms are posing for a picture
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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.”
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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.
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