iStore Education Celebrates Innovation at 2025 Excellence Awards

For 17 years, iStore Education has been at the forefront of transforming learning in South Africa. The organization has pioneered the use of technology to make classrooms more creative, engaging, and future-ready. Long before the iPhone, iPad, or YouTube became part of daily life, iStore Education imagined a world where technology would empower both teachers and learners to explore, create, and innovate.

Today, that vision has come to life. From driverless cars to AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, both the world and classrooms have changed dramatically. Through Apple technology, iStore Education has partnered with over 200 schools nationwide. These partnerships have turned traditional classrooms into interactive, tech-driven spaces that inspire curiosity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Michelle Lissoos, Director of iStore Education, explained that their mission is to help teachers and learners “prepare for the world around them” by embedding tools such as coding, robotics, and computational thinking into daily learning. “Technology is no longer a separate subject or silo,” she said. “It’s woven into every lesson, across every subject, for every learner.”

The Power of Magical Curiosity

At the heart of iStore Education’s philosophy is a concept inspired by Steve Jobs: active learning. Jobs described it as engaging learners through creativity, critical thinking, and what Lissoos calls magical curiosity. This curiosity motivates students to explore, experiment, and create. However, experts note that fewer than 10% of learners today experience this kind of deeply engaged learning.

The Excellence in Education Awards challenge schools to change that. They recognize teachers and leaders who use Apple technology to spark curiosity, innovation, and collaboration in the classroom. “When students connect curiosity with technology, the results are extraordinary,” Lissoos said.

A Celebration of Innovation and Inclusion

The 2025 awards, held on Wednesday, 5 November, brought together educators, students, and school leaders from across South Africa. From 225 entries submitted by 32 schools, 62 standout projects were shortlisted. They were evaluated by an international panel of Apple Education Specialists.

Finalist projects ranged from stop-motion storytelling and digital science experiments to accessibility-focused innovations. Judges praised the high standard of work, calling the entries globally competitive and deeply inspiring. UK-based judge Jacob Woolcock described the experience as “absolutely incredible.” Bronwyn Desjardins from Mauritius added, “The projects were creative, thoughtful, and often profoundly moving.”

A highlight of the evening was Dorothea Special School’s recognition for its inclusive digital learning approach. It showed that with the right tools and vision, every learner can thrive regardless of ability or background.

Over the years, iStore Education has partnered with schools nationwide, providing technology, teacher training, and mentorship. As Lissoos reflected, “These awards are about more than recognition. They remind us that when creativity meets curiosity, learning becomes limitless.”

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