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FEATURE ARTICLE WALKING the <strong>Crawford</strong> Walk <strong>Crawford</strong> Tracks: <strong>Crawford</strong>Schools Goes Back to the Future By Morag Rees, Managing Director <strong>Crawford</strong>Schools Every day without fail, I take great pride in what <strong>Crawford</strong>Schools stand for and accomplish – not the comes-before-a-fall type of pride that implies arrogance or claims superiority, but rather just a sense of joy and sometimes astonishment, at the many wonderful things that our staff and students commit to and achieve. During my 24 years as a <strong>Crawford</strong>ian, I have become thoroughly convinced that our focus on developing the individual, on each student’s personal potential, is critical not only for those students but also for our nation and our world. When I joined the “group” in 1995, there was only one <strong>Crawford</strong> school, and it was already a topical talking point across Johannesburg. The school promised an education which went well beyond the longstanding norms. The vision was to create a stimulating, innovative and accepting environment that focused on happy, inspired and challenged individuals, rather than the delivery of a prescribed curriculum in a traditional, highly, controlled setting. The school also committed to delivering top academic results, leaders and lifelong learners. The prescribed ‘rules’ at other schools were interrogated, and discarded if they did not add value to building a happy learning community. They were replaced with choices and options which gave students freedom to have a voice within a safe environment. Our theme for 2019 of <strong>Crawford</strong> Freedom – being free to explore, free to dream and free to choose your own path to excellence – continues to confirm our commitment to nurturing individuality in our students. These options and choices are still very apparent when walking onto a <strong>Crawford</strong> campus today. Our adaptable multiform, on-site canteens, inviting classrooms, forums for students to have their own voices; exploratory and unusual activities and wonderful, engaged, interactive and cosmopolitan classes are notably different to other schools. When I walk into a <strong>Crawford</strong>, I expect it to look and sound extraordinary! Walking the talk My initial impression of <strong>Crawford</strong> all those years ago was that the students, environment and teachers looked remarkable; and that hairstyles, the tuck shop, extra-mural offerings, ‘uniform’ and many other things were a refreshing change from the more traditional schools that had been available in my youth. However, with time I realised that the real difference lay not in these largely cosmetic improvements, but in the values that these represented, and in what these changes meant for learning, thinking, relationships and confidence. <strong>Crawford</strong> is committed to an ethos of Mutual Respect. Again, virtually every practice or ritual common in other schools was examined, and either validated or revised so that everyone at <strong>Crawford</strong> – students, staff and parents alike – could embrace and ‘walk the talk’ in respecting one another’s opinions, talents and individuality. Every child a masterpiece | 15
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