There were hugs, tears, smiles, squeals of delight and many selfies as matrics received their exam results last week.
Constantia valley schools have triumphed over another school year dogged by the pandemic, according to the latest National Senior Certificate (NSC) results.
The results, released on Thursday January 20 by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, placed the Western Cape third in the country with 81.2% behind the Free State with 85.7% and Gauteng with 82.8%.
Education MEC Debbie Schäfer said the result was “even more remarkable” following two years of a global pandemic.
“The 2021 matrics have had a tough two years. Their Grade 11 year in 2020 was marred by school closures, with their grade going back to class later than many others. However, their matric year has been very stable, with more time in class than in other matric years,” said Ms Schäfer.
Bergvliet High scored a 99.5% pass rate, according to principal Stephen Price.
“The Class of 2021 has done us proud,” he said, “not only because they bore the brunt of the Covid pandemic for two straight years but also because they kept the Bergvliet academic standard flying high.”
Benjamin Gubb was the top achiever with 87% aggregate followed by Meshay Singh with 85.7% and Erin Jacobs with 84.1%.
Plumstead High School achieved 97.4%, up from 92.5% in 2020. The school did not respond to emails asking for results.
Springfield Convent School maintained its 100% pass rate, and the school’s head, Penny Mullan, said the Class of 2021 had been subjected to “challenges beyond comprehension” in their final two years of high school.
“But their resilience and determined spirit shone through and we are proud of each member of the group for having done their very best. It is this spirit that creates excellence and most importantly, determined, and powerful young women.”
Top achiever Cara Ronan achieved a 96% aggregate. Anna Janisch and Hyeongyeong Son both achieved eight distinctions.
Cape Academy of Maths, Science and Technology’s pass rate increased from 81% in 2020 to 88.1% in 2021 with 61% Bachelor’s passes. Jared Petersen achieved 84%, Naomi Petersen 84%, Amy Bower 83%, Mohamed Saeed Solomon 83% and Keegan Lawrence 83%.
“We can only move upwards from here and are happy with the improvements,” said principal Angie Naidu.
Wynberg High School achieved similar results to the previous year with 98.9% at the girls’ school and 98.7% at the boys’ – a slight increase over 98.1% at both schools last year. Both schools achieved 100% in 2019 and 2018.
Neither school responded to our emails for details of the results.
Three schools saw their results take a knock from the previous year.
Zwaanzwyk High School dropped from 90.1% in 2020 to 87.1%. The school did not respond to emails for details of the results.
Norman Henshilwood High School scored 97.1% compared to 97.6% last year.
Top achievers are Mia Jacobs, Lisa van der Merwe and Sarah Khan. The school did not supply their results.
South Peninsula High School achieved 97.4% compared to 98.1% last year. Principal Zeid Baker said 166 students (87%) had Bachelor’s passes.
The top pupil, Tasneem Ismail, had an aggregate of 89.2%. Her advice to the class of 2022 is to remain focused on their goals and to persevere.
Mogamat Qaasim Solomon came second with 87% and will be studying engineering at UCT. Imaan Abrahams came third with 86% and will study pharmacy at UWC.
