Crawford International: A Memorable Celebration of Unforgettable Moments with the Class of 2023
The Class of 2023 at Crawford International Pretoria celebrated exceptional moments and remarkable achievements despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Thersia Rossouw, Academic Development Coordinator for Crawford International, highlights the excellent results achieved by students, including distinctions achieved by several students across campuses.
Among the outstanding achievements of this cohort were five students from the La Lucia and Sandton campuses who achieved 100% in mathematics, while two students from Pretoria and Sandton achieved 10 distinctions each. Additionally, eleven students achieved nine distinctions, twenty-one received eight distinctions, and thirty-four achieved seven distinctions.
The Crawford International Pretoria class of 2023 also demonstrated the school’s academic excellence, with fifteen students from the La Lucia campus ranking in the top 1% nationally, and a further twenty-nine students achieving six distinctions. These results are all the more remarkable given the disruption to learning caused by the pandemic. “Our students excelled in the 2023 exams, particularly while learning remotely during the lockdown period,” says Rossouw.
The success of these students is attributed to their hard work and resilient spirit, supported by Crawford International’s innovative and personalized teaching methods and commitment to holistic learner development. “The institution is recognized for its forward-thinking approach to learning, offering an internationally aligned education where students and teachers thrive in a flexible learning environment, immersing themselves in subjects and cultivating ‘lifelong learning. Our academic philosophy is ‘Think, Understand, Apply’, promoting the deepening of knowledge, self-realization and, above all, giving our students the opportunity to discover their own learning journey “, she adds.
The four pillars of learning prepared for the future
These principles have enabled Crawford International’s Class of 2023 to not only excel in their final exams, but also develop future-ready skills as they prepare to leave the school system.
At the heart of Crawford International’s offering are four academic pillars: local and global relevance, future-focused skills, student autonomy and a personalized learning journey. “This promotes a holistic and balanced approach, especially when combined with our many extracurricular activities,” says Rossouw.
According to her, the innovative teaching methods used by Crawford International contribute greatly to the success of its students. “Teachers actively engage with students using a variety of teaching strategies, including Harvard Visible Thinking Routines, experiential learning, demonstrations, and guided learning,” she says. “Our focus on local and global relevance instills in our teachers qualities such as performance-driven collaboration, resilience and innovation, fostering a creative and adaptable solutions-focused approach to supporting future-focused ideas “.
Student choice, voice and autonomy
She adds that these strategies allow students to develop their natural curiosity, self-confidence and ability to apply research skills such as fieldwork, data collection and analysis.
Students are encouraged to get involved in finding solutions to the problems that concern them and to take ownership of the learning spaces in which they are the main actors. “All of this is underpinned by our third academic pillar, Student Autonomy, which gives students the power to express themselves and make their own choices, while empowering them to take charge of their education and journey learning, while encouraging the development of their personal interests.”
This approach encourages curiosity, self-confidence and strong research skills in students. “This is part of our core belief that ‘every child is a masterpiece,’” she says. “Our students are encouraged to reflect on their own learning, set personal goals in collaboration with their teachers, and express their opinions.”
Providing and supporting students to express themselves authentically also means they can show themselves as they are.