Matrics excel despite Covid

Bergvliet High’s class of 2020 will never be forgotten - they bore the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic in their matric year, yet still achieved the school’s highest ever percentage of university-entrance passes, the school’s principal Stephen Price said on Tuesday.

He said 86% of the class of 2020, up from 78.8% in 2019, could go to university and 99% could attend tertiary education.

For the first time since 2010, the Western Cape scored a pass rate of less than 80%, coming in third with the pass rate of 79.9%, behind Free State with 85.1%, and Gauteng with an 83.8% pass rate.

When she announced the results on Monday February 22, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said the national National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate was 76.2%, which was down 5.1% from the record pass of 81.3% achieved by the class of 2019.

Mr Price said Charis Bedderson topped the charts with a 90.9% average and seven distinctions, followed closely by Maghjabeen Allie with 90.3% and also seven distinctions. Justine Williams achieved 86.6% with six distinctions, while Tara Dunn, Erin Twigg, Marques Woldu, Nicole Zeeman, Mogammad Galant, Danielle D’Alton and Chloe Daniels all achieved five distinctions. Bergvliet matriculants achieved over 160 subject distinctions as a grade.

“One cannot underplay the incredible resilience of the entire class in achieving such an amazing result as a collective. Where the overall results of the country have gone down, Bergvliet High has maintained its standards, and even improved. This is testament to a monumental team effort by parents, learners, staff, administration and support staff,” said Mr Price.

Head of Western Cape Education Department Brian Schreuder said the 2.4% drop in the province’s pass rate was the lowest decline in the country. “Our candidates also achieved the highest Bachelor pass rate (allowing university entrance) ever,” he said.

Norman Henshilwood also did better than the previous year, with 97.6% pass rate and 87.4% Bachelor passes against 94.4% and 69.2% in 2019.

“The depth of our results is excellent. We’re extremely proud and wish them all the best,” said principal Jawaad Holland, as the matric-results celebration was streamed live on social media.

South Peninsula also achieved better results, with 98.1% pass rate and 81.7% Bachelor passes, against 95.2% and 70.1% in 2019.

Zwaanswyk’s top matriculant was Jamie Benjamin who received 83% for English, 83% for Afrikaans, 88% for life orientation, and 88% for business studies.

Zwaanswyk’s deputy head girl for 2020, Namhla Gwayana received a 82% distinction for life orientation and narrowly missed a distinction for maths literacy.

The head of Springfield Convent School, Penny Mullan, congratulated the school’s matrics who achieved a 100% pass with 94% Bachelor passes and 249 distinctions, with an average of three distinctions per pupil.

“I am so grateful to the Springfield community of parents, teachers and pupils for standing in support of our matriculants to allow them to achieve excellence in a truly extraordinary year. Our pupils' resilience and determined spirit shone through, and I am proud of each girl for having achieved her very best,” said Ms Mullan.

Oakley House in Diep River also scored 100% matric pass, according to Jeanette Correia, the school’s head of further education and training.

“With so much stacked against them, including the fact that all of them experience one or more learning barriers, the school is very proud of the results of the five matrics - three Bachelor's passes and two diploma passes,” said Ms Correia.

“This truly proves that with hard work and determination to succeed, doing well in the NSC examinations is a reality for anyone who experiences barriers to learning. The school is particularly proud of its teachers who work tirelessly to ensure that all our learners are given the chance to succeed. Well done, matrics of 2020. Your dedication to hard work despite your circumstances is inspirational to all.

The pass rates of Constantiaberg Bulletin schools are: Plumstead 92.5%, Bergvliet 99%, Cape Academy 81%, Wynberg Girls’ 98.8%, Zwaanswyk 90.1%, Norman Henshilwood 97.6%, South Peninsula 98.1%, Wynberg Boys’ 98.1% and Springfield 100%, Oakley House 100%.