Sandton March 2024

March 27, 2024

PRE-PRIMARY

Celebrating World Book Day and Extreme Reading Success!

What a magical World Book Day it was, our Sandton Pre-Primary children transported us into the enchanting world of literature through their vibrant and imaginative costumes! From caped superheroes to beloved storybook characters, our little readers embraced the spirit of the day with infectious enthusiasm, reminding us of all the boundless joy that stories bring to our lives.

Our Pre-Primary students participated in the Extreme Reading Challenge, showcasing creativity and enthusiasm. Selecting winners from the impressive entries proved to be a challenging task. However, after much deliberation we announce our 4 winners:

· Grade 0000: Enzo Thuo

· Grade 000: Finn Oliver

· Grade 00: Ilia Naidoo

· Grade 0: Payton Bailey

A group of children dressed in costumes are standing next to each other.

Three little girls dressed in costumes are posing for a picture.

A group of children dressed in costumes are posing for a picture.

A little girl is reading a book next to a stuffed unicorn

A little girl is sitting in a bathroom sink.

A young boy is sticking his head out of a washing machine while reading a book.

A little girl is sitting on the roof of a car

PREPARATORY

The Inter-Crawford Summer Festival

The Inter-Crawford Summer Festival was hosted at Sandton Preparatory this last weekend. Seven Crawford Preps took part in this festival and each of the Swimming and Tennis teams enjoyed many races and matches. Each school has its own colour and Sandton's yellow could always be seen smashing a ball on court or gliding down a lane. It is so unique to have almost 300 competitors love a sporting weekend without there being a trophy in sight.

A group of children wearing yellow shirts are posing for a picture

A group of children wearing yellow shirts and hats are standing under a canopy.

Two boys are holding hands in a swimming pool.

A group of people are sitting on the grass in a circle.

A girl is swimming in a pool with people watching.

Staff Take a Moment...

As we near the end of the term, staff took a moment to breathe and let the creative juices flow. While our pieces of art may not reflect what we had in our minds, we enjoyed the quiet time together.

A person is holding a rock with a painting of a tree on it.

A black rock with googly eyes and a colorful hat

Family Movie Night: Rain or Shine, Community Spirit Prevails!

Our Sandton Pre-Primary families braved the weather to join us for a magical Family Movie Night under the stars. Although the evening was cut short due to unexpected weather conditions, the warmth of our community shone through, making the event a resounding success. Their presence and enthusiasm transformed a potentially damp situation into a memorable night filled with laughter, camaraderie, and shared joy.

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

A little boy in a red shirt is holding a balloon and soap bubbles.

A little girl wearing bunny ears is sitting on a picnic blanket.

COLLEGE

A Great Splash at the Inter-High Gala

Last week our swimmers participated in the Inter-High Gala at Delville. We are proud of our swimmers who participated as many of our swimmers placed in their races. Swimmers who placed first and second at Inter-High were invited to the Prestige gala, hosted at St Stithians College.

We congratulate the following swimmers who represented Crawford at the Prestige Gala on Tuesday 5 March 2024:

Kapa Xaba
Zahra Cosby
Elan Shapiro
Jack Diedloff
Katia Jacob
Bjorn Mhlanga

Throughout the year, our emphasis has been on nurturing team spirit and fostering a sense of teamwork among our swimmers. The positive outcomes of this focus were evident in both swimming galas, where a fantastic atmosphere prevailed.

Our swimming season concluded with our traditional Annual Swimming Dinner which was held on 1^st of March.

A large group of people are posing for a picture in front of a swimming pool.

Grade 12s Shine at Pre-Primary Fundraiser with Tutus, Fun, and a Splash of Rain!

The Grade 12 students were delighted at the fundraising opportunity that presented itself at our Pre-Primary school’s movie night on the 2^nd of March. A group of our students, dressed up in tutus, together with Mr Pather, represented the grade at a bubble tea and thirst quencher stand. Although the event was rained out halfway through the movie, the evening was a delightful one with the little Crawfordians and parents alike enjoying the festive atmosphere and great food and beverages on sale. The matric students had a blast, admittedly more fun than some of the junior students.

A group of women are posing for a picture in front of a tent.

Career Insight Series Continues in Grade 9

We are pleased to share the latest instalment in our ongoing Career Insight Series, where our Grade 9 students had the honour of engaging with two more distinguished professionals – a Corporate Lawyer and a Corporate Finance Partner. Following the success of the previous session, this initiative is proving to be a valuable resource for our Grade 9 students as they embark on their academic and career exploration journey.

Last week’s workshop was a dynamic exploration of the worlds of Corporate Law and Finance, offering Grade 9 students a firsthand look at the daily lives, challenges, and triumphs of professionals in these fields. Our guest speakers generously shared their career trajectories, the subjects they pursued in their academic journeys, and the pivotal role their subject choices played in shaping their careers.

The enthusiasm and engagement from the students were palpable as they actively participated in Q & A sessions, seeking advice and guidance for their future academic decisions. The opportunity to interact with professionals from diverse fields has sparked curiosity and broadened the horizons of our Grade 9s.

This ongoing initiative has proven to be a success, providing Grade 9 students with invaluable exposure to a wide range of careers and the corresponding academic pathways. As we move forward, we are committed to expanding the Career Insight Series, ensuring that our students are well-informed and inspired to make informed decisions about their academic futures.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Ms Thabile Molokomme and Ms Jennifer Chetty-Feinberg for generously sharing their time and expertise. Their contributions are instrumental in shaping the aspirations and goals of the next generation.

A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a crowd.

CSI Initiative

On Tuesday, 6 February and 12 March 2024, the Humanities Board hosted a sandwich-making drive for AAJs. 30 volunteers spread joy by making jam and peanut butter sandwiches. With effort and enthusiasm, we marked a successful event. Stay tuned for more compassionate initiatives throughout the year.

Thank you to everyone who attended and who helped to make this a memorable event.

A group of children are sitting at tables in a classroom.

Peer-to-Peer Teaching at Fidelitas

On Saturday, 2 March 2024, our Grade 10, 11, and 12 students had an opportunity to go to Fidelitas Comprehensive School in Soweto. Accompanied by Mr Musada and Mr Seloma, our students engaged in Mathematics tutoring sessions for Grade 8 students of Fidelitas.

Additionally, a few neighbouring schools in Soweto sent their Grade 8 students for this opportunity to improve their Mathematics skills. Our tutors made a profound impact by sharing their knowledge with those who lack access to valuable educational resources.

Witnessing our students assist these young minds was truly inspiring. At Crawford Sandton, our students are dedicated to giving back to the community by sharing their academic expertise.

A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a building.

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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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