Tenacity and hard work left the southern suburbs matric class of 2016 victorious as their National Senior Certificate (NSC) results were released last week.
Seven schools in the Metro Central school district achieved an unchanged 100 percent matric pass rate for the fourth consecutive year.
Among them were Cannons Creek School; Herzlia High School, Bishops Diocesan College, Herschel, Rondebosch Boys’ High School, Rustenburg Girls’ High School and Westerford High School.
A total of 43 725 Western Cape candidates passed matric in 2016, an improvement of 1.3 percent on 2015’s pass rate of 84.7 percent.
Rustenburg Girls’ High School had 149 pupils sit for the exam and achieved a 100 percent pass rate along with a 99.3 percent Bachelor’s pass rate.
Another feather in their cap is the outstanding results from pupil Hannah Clayton, who was not only the school’s top performer but also came third in the country and third in mathematics with a 100 percent aggregate.
Deputy principal Susan Schnetler said Hannah has always been an exceptional pupil who consistently achieved an aggregate of 95 percent or more throughout her high school career.
“She is also a grounded, modest and a delightful young woman and we are extremely proud of her,” said Ms Schnetler.
On hearing the news of her achievements and receiving congratulations from Ms Schnetler, Hannah messaged: “Thank you, Ms Schnetler. So much of what I have achieved is thanks to Rustenburg.”
Principal Michael Gates said: “As staff and parents we are thrilled with the outstanding results that the class of 2016 has achieved. Well done on your hard work and commitment.”
At Westerford High School, principal Rob le Roux was ecstatic at the release of their 2016 matric examinations results on Thursday January 5. For the last three years, the school has achieved 100% pass rate and a 99.5% Bachelor’s pass.
Mr Le Roux told the Tatler that Cayla Tarr was the top pupil at the school, closely followed by the school’s head girl, Katherine Hartzenberg. They each achieved eight distinctions.
Claremont High School achieved a 99% pass rate; one percent lower than the previous year.
Principal Murray Gibbon was elated when the results were released, praising the 74 pupils who sat for the exam for their hard work and dedication.
“Last year 83% of our pupils received a Bachelor’s pass compared to this year’s 88%. I am very proud of our matrics and their achievements are a credit to all,” he said.
The top achieving pupil at the school was Abdurahmaan Abrahams, 18, of Woodstock, who clinched seven distinctions. He told the Tatler he plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
“My parents are very proud of my achievements. I worked really hard throughout the year and I attribute my success to continuous revision.”
Acting principal at Sans Souci’s Girls High School, Shirley Humphreys, said 63 pupils sat for the exam and they achieved a 100% pass rate with an 88.88% Bachelor’s pass.
“It has often been said that you don’t know what you are made of until you have been tested by strong ‘winds’. These ‘winds’ took many forms for the matric class of 2016. They had to face the ‘winds’ of distraction, emotional upheaval, learning to stand up for what they believe in (and all the ‘baggage’ that goes along with that). They had to learn to focus in the midst of an environment of discontentment and even violence around them,” Ms Humphreys said.
She said achieving a 100% pass rate was no easy feat. “It is a culmination of many years of hard work, dedication and extra lessons, even during the holidays. The teamwork that came from the teachers, the parents and the pupils themselves resulted in this outstanding achievement. So ‘hearty congratulations’ can be shouted out to all who were part of the process to make 2016 a year of academic success for Sans Souci Girls’ High School. We wish all of our 2016 Sans Soucians the very best as they embark on the next leg of their journey towards fulfilling their dreams,” Ms Humphreys said.
Abbotts College in Claremont obtained a 97.46% pass rate and 70.25% Bachelor’s passes.
Principal Saleem Jackson said their achievements include 158 candidates earning 177 subject distinctions. The top three pupils are Daniel Bodenstein with an average of 89.4 percent; Kirstin Brookes with an average of 88.1 percent and Matthew Scheiss with an average of 86.1 percent.
“Our students did not disappoint. Congratulations to the class of 2016. You have done us proud and we salute you,” he said.
Despite almost being closed down four years ago by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) for under-performing, Zonnebloem Nest Senior School obtained an 85% matric pass rate compared to 91 percent the previous year.
Principal Jonty Damsell said 49 pupils sat for the exam and the top achievers were Micaela April with a 66.7 percent aggregate followed by Sibabalwe Ncedo with a 66.4 percent.
Mr Damsell credits the school’s success to committed staff that endeavour to keep the Grade 12 pupils focused and accountable throughout the year. Livingstone High School garnered a 99.4 percent pass rate; 182 pupils sat for the exam and they obtained 82.58 percent Bachelor’s passes. The top three pupils at the school are Shaakira Ismail with 93.5 percent; Isma-eel Kamish with 91.5 percent, followed by Ashwin Ramages with 89.8 percent aggregate.
Another notable achievement was that of Walmer Estate resident Bronson Rudner of South African College Schools (SACS) who attended the Midrand ministerial matric results event recently and was awarded the top achiever award in mathematics and physical science – with 100 percent for each.
He also received eight distinctions as well as three Cambridge A-Levels – two with distinction. The school obtained a 98.6 percent pass rate, unchanged from the previous year after 139 pupils sat for the exam.
Education MEC Debbie Schafer expressed her satisfaction in the reduction of under-performing schools. “We have managed to reduce the number of under-performing schools from 27 in 2015 to 19 in 2016.”
Rhodes High School achieved a 77.5 percent pass rate, with 182 pupils writing the exams and 141 passing.
At St George’s Grammar School, the 32 matriculants achieved an exemplary 100 percent pass rate.
Other pass rates at a glance
(BLOB) Salt River High School – 61.8 percent pass rate, down slightly from 61.9 percent in 2015.
(BLOB) Thandokulu Secondary School – 92.6 percent, up from 88.6 percent (BLOB) Groote Schuur High School – 98.5 percent, up from 95.9 percent
(BLOB) Queens Park High School – 89.7 percent, up from 87.9 percent
(BLOB) Oude Molen – 95.5 percent, down from 96.4 percent
(BLOB) Pinelands High School – 100 percent, up from 99.5 percent
(BLOB) Rosebank Progress College – 98.2 percent, down from 98.6 percent (BLOB) Stonefountain College in Kenilworth – 74.3 percent, up from 73.1 percent
