IOL’s Top Achievers 2022

ACHIEVERS

Page 3

TOP table of contents

Paul Roos gymnasium

Page 4 univeRsity of stellenbosch

Page 5 tiPs to helP ease youR tRansition fRom high school to univeRsity

Pages 6 and 7 eduvos

Pages 8 and 9 PaRklands college

Pages 10 and 11 sacaP (the south afRican college of aPPlied Psychology)

Page 12 Pnet

Page 13 the PRos and cons of taking a gaP yeaR

Pages 14 and 15 college of caPe town

Page 16 and 17 ashton college ballito

Pages 18 and 19 geRman inteRnational school caPe town (dsk)

Pages 20 and 21 eden schools

Pages 22 and 23 danville PaRk giRls’ high school

Pages 24 and 25

PieteRmaRitzbuRg giRls’ high school

Page 26 sPRingfield college

Page 27 the challenges of stePPing into adulthood

Pages 28 and 29

RustenbuRg giRls’ high school

Page 30 essential soft skills

Page 31 life afteR matRic – what now?

editoR: linda zakas linda.zakas@inl.co.za

lead cooRdination and design: stuaRt senaR

tips to help ease your transition from high school to university

MARYANNE ISAAC

whether you hail from a small community-based high school where everyone knows each other or from a popular and large high school, the transition to university can be quite daunting at first. but it’s something all first-year students have to go through – it’s part life for a “fresher”. change is inevitable and integrating yourself fully into a university environment from high school will also help shape your career.

“once at university, students should make the most of what’s on offer for first-year students. Join clubs, get a peer buddy who has already successfully navigated first-year at university, attend all lectures, attend life-skills workshops, familiarise yourself with the physical environment as well as virtual facilities, get to know the important places and people, make friends and don’t be afraid to ask for help,” said angeline stephens, psychologist and manager at the college of humanities, ukzn

south africa has more than 20 public universities and many private colleges that have numerous facilities and extra-curricular activities, which allow you to invest in your career development and explore social interests.

stephens also suggests that you give yourself time and plan, and don’t leave registration to the last minute. there are different registration dates applicable for different institutions and for different degree choices.

according to experts at career wise, universities want to see you succeed, and every student is important, but they do not offer the same support structures as your high school.

“it will be up to you to take charge of your university experience and motivate yourself to think and work independently. you should

see this as an exciting opportunity to further your academic aspirations and invest in your career, while also learning and growing as an individual.”

Here are nine tips when integrating into a tertiary environment.

1. check your application status within your chosen education institute and note down important dates for registration and first-day orientation. google calendar is an easy and reliable tool for important reminders.

2. university correspondence will clearly indicate the dates you are expected to register on and what documents are needed for registration. make sure that you have a registration flip file or an a4 envelop to store all needed documents.

3. Read through all university correspondence and familiarise yourself with the guidelines and faculty handbook, so you know which subjects you will be able to choose. the more you know, the more

informed your subject choice will be.

4. if you’re studying away from your home town or city, make your travel arrangements well in advance and ensure your application for student residence has been confirmed.

5. if you have secured a bursary, liaise with your sponsor company or person to ensure payment is on time for registration and find out about the pay allowances.

6. get to know your lecturers and form support structures with your peers.

7. effectively manage your time and challenge yourself intellectually. apart from your lectures, do independent research in your chosen field to stay one step ahead.

8. select a career that you will enjoy and that you will find stimulating. match your career choices to your personality, interests and aptitude.

9. Read up on the local and national skills “gaps” and challenges within the employment sector. how do these relate to your own interests?

eduvos – making quality, private higher education accessible to all

eduvos, one of south africa’s largest private higher education providers, sets itself apart from competitors with its “campus of the future” model, where students – or “vossies” – are placed at the centre of the learning model.

the learning spaces, spread over 12 campuses across the country, are transformed into collaborative think-tanks where learning takes place both in and outside the classroom environment. students can choose from more than 27 internationally recognised, fully accredited qualifications in four faculties: applied science, commerce and law, humanities, and information technology.

eduvos aspires to make quality, private higher education accessible to all. its mission is to shape potential – student by student –towards africa’s prosperity. in this way, the institution has several funding partners who can assist students with financing their studies to ensure they have a bright and successful future.

“at eduvos, we believe that every student is unique, and we aim to give all our students the best possible knowledge, skill and grounding to flourish in the dynamic working world,” says eduvos ceo, siegie brownlee.

eduvos understands that higher education is only the first step in a student’s career journey – and its graduates are often sought-after by industry. the qualifications, lecture spaces and modes of learning are constantly being revised to keep abreast with the ever-changing needs of the workplace. eduvos academic staff members – with

more than 20 doctorates to their names – are specialists in their respective fields, and know what it takes to succeed. eduvos has four intake opportunities throughout the year. learn more at eduvos.com

* eduvos is registered with the department of higher education and training (dhet) as a private higher education institution (certificate number: 2001/he07/008). eduvos programmes are accredited by the council on higher education (che) and are listed on the national Qualifications framework (nQf) by saQa

featuring 12 campuses spread across the country, eduvos sets itself apart with its “campus of the future” model, where learning spaces are transformed into collaborative think-tanks.

eduvos believes that every student is unique, and aims to give all its students the best possible knowledge, skill and grounding to flourish in the rapidly evolving world of work.

Parklands college – Growing Minds and building futures through learning innovation

Parklands college is a top independent school and a progressive place of learning and teaching, where a holistic approach is infused with innovation and the integration of technology. the school’s shared vision is to foster a sense of purpose and ignite a passion for life-long learning within its Parklands family. learners are encouraged to effectively communicate ideas, work collaboratively, identify and solve challenges using creative and critical thinking – all while taking action to positively impact our global community.

“this is our ‘growing minds’ philosophy – the heartbeat to our expression of education,” says Paul mayers, associate Principal of innovation. “we provide a space which inspires our learners to explore their imaginations and live their creativity and passions through action and service.

“our mission statement – ‘Reaching outwards, growing minds, building futures’ – concisely describes the core of our purpose; our ‘what’, ‘how’ and ‘why’.

“we have been recognised by apple as an apple distinguished school (ads) since 2016, for our continued innovation, leadership and excellence in education. our recognition is specifically for providing an authentic, technology infused learning environment, where through a multitude of opportunities, we inspire our learners to explore their imaginations and creativity, find their purpose, and build their own futures.”

coding and Robotics was integrated into the school’s curriculum in 2014. this programme fosters an interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, and offers diverse problem solving and creative opportunities linked to the united nations sustainable development goals.

Parklands college’s Robotics teams have represented south africa in the various global competitions every year since 2015. the school’s best result so far was placing sixth in the world in the world Robot olympiad’s future innovators category in 2022.

invention and rapid prototyping are encouraged through the use of

tinkercad, autocad and 3d printers in art, design, fashion design, drawing technology, and engineering graphics and design. in the school’s secondary faculty, film, animation, sound engineering and app development extension courses are on offer in the media studios and coding incubator. “we are very proud of our young entrepreneurs who have released four digital albums on itunes, as well as of the 11 learner-developed applications on the apple app store. all of our apps, which include ‘simple learning time’, ‘safer web’, ‘simple learning afrikaans’ and ‘safer britannica’, have had about 100 000 downloads in total to date.”

the “holodeck” houses the school’s immersive learning facility where learners can experience virtual reality simulations. learners are able to participate in exploring a multitude of multisensory experiences such as travelling through a body as a blood cell.

Parklands college’s internationally recognised offerings include comptia certifications, autocad, adobe Photoshop visual communication certification (aca), arduino and the icdl these give learners career focussed, industry and workplace recognised skills and certifications. esports help develop better hand-eye co-ordination, quick thinking and decision making, strategy, and communication skills.

Parklands college is currently the south african high school counterstrike go champion, and it has many other esport opportunities on offer in its gaming studio. as humanity focuses on taking humans into space on commercial flights and possibly in the not-too-distant future to living on mars, we need to educate a generation of space engineers. for this reason, the school has partnered with maxiQ.space to launch a space science programme at the college.

Parklands college continues to explore new and emerging technologies in order to keep abreast of world trends in education and give its learners every opportunity to build their own bright futures.

How to cope with matric results that miss expectations

the release of matric results is a high stakes time for many students and parents who have invested in the idea that a successful future is dependent on excellent matric results. getting these final school marks in black and white can spiral some young south africans into despair and crisis – especially if their matric results fall short of what they had hoped for.

according to dr lauren martin, deputy dean of learning and teaching at sacaP (the south african college of applied Psychology) and counselling psychologist, this may be a time for parents to support their teen in broadening their career perspectives and understanding the multiple opportunities available to move forward. “it’s important to know that your results do not define your future,” she explains. “if the outcomes of your matric exams do not meet your expectations, this should not be viewed as a defeat, but as an opportunity to unpack the choices and multiple pathways forward.” those who want to pursue tertiary studies but require multiple study pathways based on their matric results could consider some of these routes:

• Learners who failed a maximum of two subjects in the 2022 matric exams can apply to sit the supplementary examinations; and

• Learners who did not get the results they needed in specific subjects may consider the matric upgrade process.

• Accredited Higher Certificate education programmes are popular

with learners who did not achieve a bachelor degree pass. these are typically one-year courses that can improve a student’s readiness for tertiary education, make up for a matric without a bachelor’s pass, and enhance critical skills for success – not only in their upcoming studies, but in their future work lives.

sacaP offers a one-year, nine-module higher certificate in counselling and communication skills which is available online or on-campus. the programme offers practical, work-related skills training, set in an applied Psychology framework that is relevant to students anticipating careers across all people-centred sectors including business, education, technology, health sciences as well as government and non-government fields.

for those who have their sights set on careers in business, sacaP also offers higher certificates in business management and human Resources management. these are accredited, one-year programmes that include industry-oriented content and applications so that graduates are fit to enter the workplace.

“what is important to realise is that needing to adjust your plans or take a somewhat different path is not a failing. Rather, it’s a valuable opportunity to demonstrate your flexibility and agility as you work towards creating a fulfilling future,” dr martin concludes. to apply at sacaP, visit www.sacap.edu.za

The release of matric results may be a time for parents to support their teen in broadening their career perspectives and exploring the multiple opportunities available to move forward.

FRAME YOUR FUTURE AT SACAP

SACAP is an accredited private college that specialises in training students to practically apply Psychology within people-centred occupations such as Counselling & Communication, Psychology, HRM and Business Management.

We also have a 25-year track record, offer small class sizes, and deliver an academically rigorous curriculum with an emphasis on applying knowledge so that our graduates can bring about positive change at scale.

WHAT YOU CAN STUDY AFTER MATRIC

• Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills

• Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management

• Higher Certificate in Business Management

• Diploma in Counselling and Communication Skills

• Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Counselling)

• Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Human Resource Management)

• Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Business Management)

• Bachelor of Psychology

• Bachelor of Social Work

three tips to remember when applying for Mzansi jobs

Pnet is a leading online recruitment platform that uses smart-matching technology to help job seekers search and apply for new roles.

here are three tips to help you slay during the online application process.

1. Complete all required fields and include your CV upload although it may feel as annoying as a babalaas after a big night out, you do need to upload your cv and type in your work history manually too. this “duplication” is necessary because the info you type in your profile is more visible than the cv, which recruiters have to click to view.

don’t be shy to express your personality when describing your skills and experience, however also ensure that you use the correct formats and don’t make any grammar or spelling mistakes. bottom line: if your profile is sloppy or not completed in full, you won’t be considered for the role.

2. Remember that recruiters are interested in your soft skills too hard skills are technical knowledge you’ve learned or training you’ve done, such as budgeting, project management and other specific skills like coding, a third language and the like.

soft skills are personal habits and traits that make you – you. they represent your personal brand, and give recruiters an idea of how you work and what is important to you. soft skills are essentially “people skills” such as critical thinking, time management, communication and stress management – and candidates with strong soft skills tend to be in high demand for a wide range of jobs. make sure you share detailed information about your hard skills and soft skills, as well as the level of proficiency (basic, medium, good, expert) you have for each skill.

3. Don’t underestimate the importance of the cover letter a cover letter allows you to align your skills and experience with the criteria for the advertised position. this is where you can let your personal brand shine and show that you’ve done your research by speaking directly to your potential employer’s company values.

although the system doesn’t search keywords in the cover letter (as it does in the cv), recruiters scanning hundreds of cover letters will notice important words that match their job specification –improving your chances of standing out and being added to the “shortlist” pile.

visit Pnet today to search thousands of available jobs, or download the Pnet app for android or ios.

considering a gap year after matric? Here are the pros and cons before you leap

MARYANNE ISAAC

while studying for your matric finals and going into exam-mode are nerve-wrecking to say the least, so is planning what to do with your life after matric – especially when all eyes are on you.

a gap year is time taken off from academia or work to pursue personal growth and self-reflection through life experiences. these experiences could be travelling abroad, holiday jobs or volunteering at an organisation.

you may have heard it in conversation with your friends or seen experiences of former school mates documented on instagaram –taking a gap year may seem like a fun way to let loose and discover your interests, but have you weighed the pros and cons yet? gap years are becoming increasingly popular with the youth, but before you jump on the bandwagon, let’s talk pros and cons.

THE pRoS of TAkINg A gAp YEAR

1. gain insightful work experience in your chosen career field taking time off to understand and get firsthand experience in your chosen career gives you the opportunity to get a broader sense of the expectations and skills needed. it will also help you determine if the career path you are considering will be a good fit or not.

2. a recharge and reset before studies or work we all know how exhausting and demanding your matric year can be, and a recharge does feel great. you just spent 12 years in school and before committing to another four (or more) years of studies, a break can be good for you to recharge mentally, as well as physically.

3. build new life skills with new life experiences, come new life skills and growth. as you become an adult

and discover the world out there, you are going to meet new people and gain new life skills through new experiences. with these essential new life skills, you will find the university experience or work-life far less overwhelming.

4. earn money and travel you can work holiday jobs to earn extra money for university expenses without having the demands of study timetables. some even use this time as a way to travel and discover their strengths and interests.

THE CoNS of TAkINg A gAp YEAR

1. you could find the learning transition difficult while a gap year is a great option to take a break from a stressful academic year, for some this can potentially hinder them from getting back into the swing of things. your study habits and discipline may wear off.

2. travelling can be expensive if you have not planned the gap year experience well enough and made this decision on a whim, you may find this experience expensive. before you commit to a gap year, make sure to use it wisely and that it does not rip a hole in your

pocket. Remember, preparing to travel abroad requires prior planning and utmost commitment.

3. studies and job will pause for a year while your peers immediately settle in at university or a job, you have one more year of climbing up the ladder to do. it is important that you plan your life before you take the gap year or you could risk falling further behind and having to play catch up. keep yourself mentally sharp until you resume studies again.

4. if you don’t set goals, you risk losing a lot if you don’t set goals and don’t achieve the kind of experience you planned, you risk losing time and opportunity. you need to be intentional with what you do with your time, and set realistic and achievable goals.

the pros and cons of taking a gap add to the opportunities to grow and evolve into the person you are meant to be. while a gap year introduces you to a new life experience with new skills and opportunities within a short time, it can also drastically change your career path and disrupt your studies unless you have a strong will. whichever choice you make, remember to think it out carefully.

2023 Welcome Message from Dr MM Muswaba (fcIs)

PRINCIPAL OF THE COLLEGE OF CAPE TOWN FOR TVET

welcome to the “college we want” in 2023 - i trust that you had a good break with your family and loved ones. i wish you all success and joy, and may you and your families have a new year filled with opportunities and possibilities.

our focus for this year as an institution is to dedicate all our efforts once again towards this year’s slogan, which is “the college we want”.

last year we floated this slogan, but did not get to a point where we lived the practice of the college we want. this year we need to strive towards making this slogan real and alive in our daily practices of being the best we can be and of building the ethos of “the college we want”.

to the staff, welcome back to the college we want, where we live the values of the college of cape town, where we all are at a highfunctioning successful college and a place that we are all proud of. this would be the essence and ethos of the college we want; a college that supports each other and encourages growth and self-development. a college which embraces each other’s diversity and encourages innovation for the improvement of the college and the students it serves. i wish to salute all our staff for their tireless commitment to the african child and to ensuring that each one who leaves the college will be able to make a success of their lives. to our students, this is a new year where you can redefine who you are - i trust that you will use the year and work harder to strive towards a better result. Reflect on your practices of last year and improve on what you could have done better. make the change you want to be - only you can be that change you want to see. to those who are joining this august college for the first time, thank you for choosing this college to be your education and training partner. you are at one of the best colleges in the country and we trust that your stay with us will be as fruitful as the effort you put into your attendance, your submission of assignments and tasks, and your preparation for your tests and examinations. the economy requires a young cohort of employees or entrepreneurs who can lead this country into a brighter future; who can change the direction of our future and bring it on track to a journey of success.

you are among that cohort of college graduates who will be the change our country, continent and world so desperately need. the country needs a new set of leaders who can move us towards our 2030 national Plan targets - and you are that graduate. your presence will shape the college we want, so we are relying on your hopes and dreams to drive our future. you are at the centre of the college we want in closing, and on behalf of the college council and the executive management team of the college of cape town, i wish you

well and all of the best for this year, and ask all of us to recommit ourselves to strive towards and improve this institution into the college we want it should be our collective drive and action each day to achieve the college we want and ensure that it becomes the best college in the country. welcome and best wishes for 2023.

for more information, visit the college of cape town website at www.cct.edu.za follow the college on facebook: college of cape town - inspiring minds twitter: cct official linkedin: college of cape town instagram: collegeofcapetown_official.

dr mm muswaba (fcis), Principal of the college of cape town for tvet

“excellence belongs to the zealous” is the motto of ashton’s badge. in one week, ashton international college ballito celebrated phenomenal results in the cambridge a level and as level examinations, the cambridge igcse examinations, as well as a 100% bachelor degree pass in the challenging ieb examinations – giving the college a hat trick of 100% passes.

the cambridge class of 2022 returned an average of 5.7 distinctions per candidate, while the ieb students notched up distinctions equating to an average of 2.2 distinctions per candidate.

“ashton is extremely proud of six students achieving in the top 1% nationally in five subjects. three of these students achieved in business studies, namely fang-Ping wu (97%), nonjabula mbonambi (95%), and max oliver (93%). in the top 1% nationally was matthew sieling with 95% for accounting, kyra Rencken for life sciences (91%), fang-Ping wu for consumer studies (88%), and Rentia burger for afrikaans (95%). on the cambridge a level curriculum, top achiever danielle boshoff impressed with 11 distinctions and an average of 94.3%. top as level student was Pia govender with six distinctions and an average of 87.3%. the top achiever in igcse recorded an average of 92.1%, with five subjects above 90%. seven students achieved a distinction in every subject they wrote, while 56% of the students who wrote the igcse examinations achieved an average of 80% and above.

“we are very proud of all the results, as we have carried through our 100% pass rate on both the cambridge and ieb curriculum,” said andre buys.

“i believe that every student was well supported emotionally and academically by our specialised staff on both curricula, and i congratulate the staff on these results. students need encouragement, support and prayers – and we thank our ashton families for nurturing these students through these very challenging examinations,” said caryn brinkley, senior college head.

‘Uniquely different’ ashton International college ballito achieves 100% pass rate in three external examinations

the cambridge class of 2022 returned an average of 5.7 distinctions per candidate.

ashton is extremely proud of six students achieving in the top 1% nationally in 5 subjects.

the igcse students achieved an average of 3.4 distinctions per candidate.

open Day at the German International school cape town – secure your place online

are you non-german-speaking? Join the german international school cape town (dsk) on campus for its middle and high school open day (grades 5 to 12), when you will receive more information on the school’s english stream, starting in grade 5. the open day will be held on friday, february 24, 2023 at 9am. as there is limited space available, you are requested to book online at https://dsk.co.za/opendays/

the open day will consist of an information session, followed by a guided school tour and a “meet and greet” with school management, teachers and dsk parents, who will be happy to answer all questions. the dsk’s internationally recognised school leaving certificate, together with the german language diploma, qualifies its graduates to study in south africa as well as at numerous universities abroad –opening doors to an international career.

“Your child’s international education starts with us.”

Congratulations to the class of 2022!

Top 5 Learners in the German Abitur

Our 62 Matriculants graduated with a total of 126 subject distinctions between them. Well done to everyone! A special mention goes to Jacques Amsel with 9 distinctions and Zanele Mbulali nishing in the top 1% nationally in IsiXhosa.

Top 5 Learners in the IEB/NSC

2023 Open Days

Primary School

Gr. 1 - 4

Friday, 10 February 2023

Tygerberg Campus

12h30 - 14h00

Primary School

Gr. 1 - 4

Friday, 17 February 2023

Tamboerskloof Campus

09h00 - 11h00

The German Abitur boasts another BEST Abitur average with Dimitrios Skokos achieving the highest possible score of 1.0.

The German International School Cape Town is extremely proud of their matriculants and we wish the class of 2022 the very best with their future endeavours!

Register online limited space : https://dsk.co.za/opendays/

Middle/High School

Gr. 5 -12

Friday, 24 February 2023

Tamboerskloof Campus

09h00 - 11h00

The German International School Cape Town is a place for academic, spor ting and ar tistic achievements, it is a community, where we welcome learners and families from more than 25 nationalities of di erent social and cultural backgrounds.

Join the German International School and become part of the family! As a bilingual school we follow the German and South African (IEB) curriculum. Graduating from the DSK will equip your child with a South African and European university entrance quali cation.

Visit our Open Days and take the rst step to your child’s international education.

Dimitrios Skokos Reichard Holm Kea Stelljes Janina Schellert Isabella Maia Hartwig

Jacques Amsel Onah Lowet Siyamthanda Qali Katya Smith Zanele Mbulali

eDen scHools DURban Quality co-educational private schooling with holistic education at its heart

eden schools durban offers premier quality co-educational private schooling – from sunshine group (grade 0000) to matric. eden durban has the highest academic standards, expert teaching and a caring supportive environment that extends beyond the classroom. leaner’s horizons are broadened and they are challenged to become more involved, thus developing their social, leadership and communication skills.

MATRIC RESulTS

eden’s matric results each year are outstanding. the school has ranked as one of the top five in south africa for its nsc matric results for the past five years.

in 2022 eden was ranked in the top 10 in south africa with 3.53 as per candidate. the school has had 100% bachelor passes since its inception in 2007, and its number of as per candidate regularly exceeds 3.5.

‘SECRET To ouR SuCCESS’

the secret to eden’s success is, firstly, its small classes and the warm, friendly, family atmosphere it cultivates. secondly, it’s the school’s experienced, caring teachers, who are prepared to go the extra mile, giving extra lessons when needed.

the children at eden are happy to come to school. eden strives to provide a unique and vibrant educational experience for its students. the school celebrates the diversity of cultures in a cosmopolitan south africa, and respects religious practices and holidays of various faiths.

EDEN’S HolISTIC EDuCATIoN pHIloSopHY

e den s chools is committed to providing a balanced, holistic education to produce well-rounded, accomplished, selfdisciplined and confident individuals. i n addition to offering a wide range of learning areas, the school encourages its students to participate in various sports and extra-mural activities such as soccer, cricket, swimming, basketball, volleyball, netball, sailing, dance, chess, debating, public speaking, eco projects and community outreach programmes. i t has a strong programme of arts and culture that affords music, dance, drama and art students the opportunity to perform in festivals, productions, shows and exhibitions. e den learners also take part in many online events such as the gmmdc a rt c ompetition, speech festivals and online talent competitions.

ExTENSIoN AT EDEN

eden extends its learners by encouraging out-the-box thinking and the development of problem solving skills. eden children excel at various olympiads such as the south african mathematics olympiad, conquesta, the computer and Physics olympiad, and the english olympiad.

as a centre of excellence, eden college durban’s vision is to be a leading institution in educating boys and girls to enable them to become responsible young men and women who will make significant, positive contributions to the situations faced in south africa and the world.

Danville Park Girls’ High school achieves 100% matric pass for 29th consecutive year

the principal, school governing body and staff of danville Park girls’ high school congratulate the matric class of 2022 for achieving a 100% pass rate for the 29th consecutive year. despite a challenging grade 10 and 11 year, these learners worked diligently to produce results they can be exceptionally proud of. in 2022, 154 danville diamonds embarked on the final journey of their school career - writing their nsc exams. of these 154 learners, 20.8% achieved a aggregates and 31.2% achieved b aggregates. the

class of 2022 achieved a 94.8% bachelor pass – a testimony to the hard work of both learners and educators, supported by parents.

“i am incredibly proud of what the danville team has achieved, especially because it is our 29th year with a 100% pass rate.

“our 2022 matrics have done us proud under challenging circumstances. we wish them all of the best, and are excited to watch their journey in the future,” said principal, mrs la scholtz.

“we wish our danville diamonds well as they start their next chapter.”

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2022

100% PASS RATE for 29th CONSECUTIVE YEAR

94.8% BACHELORS PASS

TOP 10

Cayla Naidu

Regan Powers

Yashodaa Govender

Bhavya Kassie

Sonora Smither

Darina Moodley

Diya Premchand

Driya Govender

Nadarea Govender

Kendall Chelius

7 A SYMBOLS 8 A SYMBOLS

Kendall Chelius

Driya Govender

Nadarea Govender

Yashodaa Govender

Bhavya Kassie

Darina Moodley

Schae Naidoo

Regan Powers

Zeenal Santhilal

CAYLA NAIDU

The Principal, School Governing Body and staff of Danville Park Girls’ High School congratulate the Class of 2022 on their excellent results in the NSC examinations. DANVILLE PARK GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

fRoM tHe PRIncIPal’s DesK

Congratulatory message from Mr Andrew Graaf –Principal of Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School

dear class of ’22, all of us here at ghs are so proud of your amazing results in the 2022 nsc exams. congratulations! you have done us proud. we couldn’t be more delighted and excited, and hope you are too. all that hard work and your efforts paid off. the fruits of your labour are now here for you to celebrate and bask in the glory. no one can take these results away from you. you carry your matric certificate for the rest of your life. you will be able to present it proudly when you apply for scholarships, jobs and all the other occasions when you have to prove you “passed” matric.

we are mindful of the fact that as grade 12s in 2022, you were probably the worst affected group to suffer through the covid pandemic – with your grade 10 and 11 years hugely disrupted. you showed great resilience surviving rotational time tabling and online teaching. this demanded a special kind of motivation and dedication never experienced by a previous cohort of matriculants. we are just so proud that you persevered, and that despite the setbacks, you produced such outstanding results.

we got a 100% pass rate, which is an exceptional achievement. in all, 234 of you wrote, and every single one of you passed. we are delighted that our 2022 dux, shantay-leah merrington has been placed in the top five in the district. two-hundred-and-twenty-two of you earned bachelor degree passes, which equates to a 95% bachelor pass rate. this speaks to the quality of our passes. there were 513 as among the 234 of you, with four of you getting seven as – setting the trend for the rest of the grade.

of course, you did not achieve these results on your own, and we pay tribute to your teachers and parents who supported you through these past three years, but especially last year. we trust that you are grateful for everything these adults did for you in a really difficult time.

finally, remember that with your achievement must come the gratitude that you were privileged to attend a fine school with motivated, qualified teachers and superb facilities. spare a thought for and admire those learners from disadvantaged schools who do not have science labs, computer labs, wi-fi and a superb library. your responsibility is to remain humble and take the products of your privilege, these amazing results, and go out and make a difference in the world.

mr andrew graaf, Principal of Pietermaritzburg girls’ high school.

100% PASS RATE

95% BACHELOR PASS RATE

222 BACHELOR PASSES

513 SUBJECT DISTINCTIONS

4 PUPILS ACHIEVED 7 As

Ariya Beekrum, Shantay-Leah Merrington, Athaliah Pillay, Simran Sheik

6 PUPILS ACHIEVED 6 As

Tarika Harryparsad, Bupe Kamushi, Aaliya Mahomed, Sanele Mdlozini, Skahle Nkosi, Bhavna Ramdhin

18 PUPILS ACHIEVED 5 As

Rachel Carpenter, Cebo-Elihle Dube, Maseeha

Essa, Temira Ganesh, Jocelyn Grobler, Savannah Houghting, Mieke Koekemoer, McKenzie Mornet, Given Ndlamlenze, Zoë

Ngwane, Akhona Nkwanyana, Lolwethu Qulu, Cara Rawlins, Andiswa Shange, Cashmia

Singh, Kriya Thulsie, Danielle van Zyl, Shrinam

Vrajlall

22 PUPILS ACHIEVED 4 As

Akira Arjoon, Oluhle Dimba, Sibahle Dlamini, Elriké du Preez, Lihl’ithemba Gama, Ntandoyethu Gcaba, Suarya Gengan, Taelin

Haylett, Karla Jooste, Jade Lanzoni, Pia

Manickum, Akhona Mlotshwa, Lerato Mokoatle, Senobia Naicker, Brogen Naidoo, Amahle Nkwanyana, Londeka Sibeko, Aphelele Sibisi, Adibene Skweyiya, Lehakwe Spirit, Hannah Trott, Khanya Zwane

sPRInGfIelD conVent scHool

Preparing girls to become women who rise to the highest levels of leadership

girls’ schools are places where girls take centre stage. they occupy every seat in student government, every spot on the maths and sports teams, and every position in the robotics club and at cultural events. in fact, every aspect of a girls’ school – from the classroom and the academic programme to the athletics field – is designed for girls. springfield convent school provides a foundation of trust that encourages confidence and independence, allowing students to enter the wider community with the ability to think, listen, care and achieve. today, springfield convent’s matric pupils are nurtured by an ethos that resonates with the principles and values of academic excellence, spiritual awareness, physical well-being and social generosity. this integrated approach is underpinned by the school motto: veritas – truth.

the school’s approach to education is inspired by christian values and instilled with catholic character and tradition. students of all faiths are welcome since the school teaches respect, tolerance and understanding for the beliefs of others. the values of compassion, integrity, respect, service and responsibility allow students to grow as individuals and support one another in an embracing manner.

through an extensive academic and extramural curriculum, an environment is created that embraces education of students in the 21st century, allowing them to be:

• Global citizens;

• Entrepreneurs and innovators;

• Social activists;

• Political leaders;

• Artists, creators and performers;

• Environmental champions;

• Scientists;

• Inclusive allies; and

• Happy, healthy individuals.

a striking feature of the springfield campus is its beautiful grounds, which include extensive gardens, sports facilities, an art centre and a music centre.

the springfield convent matric class of 2022 achieved a 100% pass rate with accolades for all students in their various areas of excellence. as “sisters forever connected”, the school is proud of each individual who achieved their personal best.

“Sisters forever Connected” – Springfield Convent students pictured in the school’s beautiful grounds.

The values of compassion, integrity, respect, service and responsibility allow students to grow as individuals and support one another.

the challenges of stepping into adulthood

gugulETHu SHINgA

finishing high school is a great feeling – and it may feel like you have made it to the finish line. however, as you are about to step into the world of adulthood, it’s important to bear in mind that you are bound to face several transition difficulties. certain questions will arise: have i picked the right major, should i stay at home or move away while studying? who am i? will i fit in? all these questions are perfectly normal; the plan is to be prepared in advance.

different emotions will rise as you are now going to be exposed to new roles and responsibilities. while another student may be excited about this new phase, some students will feel anxious, scared or even get angry out of the blue. students moving away from home may feel abandoned, others will feel homesick as they’ll be in a new environment surrounded by unfamiliar faces – the change may be overwhelming. students who are going to college or university will also face some academic difficulties – tertiary life is nothing like high school. you will have to get with the programme and learn how things work in tertiary. some students may feel intimidated by large classes in huge auditoriums. here you are on your own, lecturers don’t chase after students, and this is where time management comes into play. even if you were an “a” student back in high school, you may start getting low marks in tertiary –some courses are very demanding. you will also meet people from different backgrounds with different beliefs; some students have tattoos and body piercings; others may drink and even use drugs. this is the part where you must remember to stay true to yourself and not follow the crowd. not every student can afford to pay their

tertiary fees and most students will get their funds through bursaries, financial aid, or by taking out loans. Remember that some financial aids don’t always pay on time, so it’s important that you make a budget and stick to it. calculate how much money you will need each month for essentials like rent, utilities and groceries, and budget accordingly. many students make the mistake of not using the money for what it is intended – best believe you will be sorry should you run out of essentials in the middle of the month and you don’t have a plan b most parents don’t like the idea of their kids leaving home. some worry that you’re not old enough to be independent, while some parents may still see you as their little baby who needs protection – regardless of your age. it is without doubt that both you and your parents will feel a sense of loss when you move away. the family structure will change, and things will never be the same. it is hard but not the end of the world – you will learn to adjust to the new surroundings and develop new friendships. call your parents and siblings every now and then, and go home when you get a chance – keep the bond alive. Parents should also allow their children to spread their wings. let them learn to be independent while supporting them from a distance. change is not easy, but everything gets better with time. leaving your boyfriend or girlfriend and school friends behind is challenging – and the anxiety of this may give you cause to doubt your decision to study away from home. the thought of meeting new people and making new friends may be daunting. some students are introverts and may have a hard time getting along with their new roommate. there will be feelings of acceptance as well as rejection, however, keep your eyes on the prize and remember what your end goal is. if you are heading straight out of high school to go work, you should bear in mind that finding a job that pays well with little to no experience is extremely difficult. should you

manage to secure a job, the hours may be long and draining. getting to know your new colleagues and learning to do your new job while trying to fit in the corporate world may prove to be stressful to some. take it one day at a time; there usually is at least one colleague who will gel with and who will help make work a little easier. every decision you make moving forward will affect the rest of your life. think about what you want to achieve, do your research, weigh the pros and cons, plan and then execute your plan. finally, be mentally prepared for every challenge you might face – but be even readier to tackle that challenge and come out on top.

Rustenburg Girls’ High school celebrates top overall achiever

Congratulations to the Rustenburg Girls’ High School matric class of 2022, who achieved outstanding results in the 2022 NSC examinations.

Rustenburg girls’ high school has a long tradition of success in the national senior certificate exams. the school regularly receives awards from the western cape education department in recognition of its consistently excellent results over the years – and 2022 was no exception for the school.

Rustenburg girls’ high school is extremely proud of its nsc candidate, kelly Prowse, who was awarded joint overall top achiever as well as top learner in mathematics for 2022. when asked about the three school highlights that stood out most, Prowse replied:

“Most moments at school were very special.

“My most favourite school moment would have to be getting the opportunity to go to the Makhanda Jazz Festival with my jazz band from school. This school trip allowed my love of jazz and appreciation for jazz musicians to skyrocket. It was such an honour to have been surrounded by myriad incredibly talented, hardworking musicians who were beyond inspirational.

“My second school highlight, which is quite a broad one, would have to be participating in different sports teams and music groups.

“Spending time with my peers on a daily basis, and sharing these passions and loves with so many students is something I am definitely going to miss when leaving school.”

her message to the grade 12 learners of 2023 is:

“My first piece of advice would be to not see school as a chore. Challenge yourself, challenge your teachers and always find ways to extend your knowledge. The more you make the work interesting for yourself by reading up extra material, the more motivated you will feel and the better you will do.

“My second piece of advice would be to pace yourself. Matric is a long year with many sets of exams and tests – so don’t go all out at the beginning because you will face burn out by the end. If you stay consistent, keep up with the workload and do a little bit of work every day, I am sure you will achieve some great results.”

for more information about Rustenburg girls’ high school and the upcoming open days, please visit www.rghs.org.za

Congratulations to our Grade 12 learners who achieved outstanding results in the

2022 NSC EXAMINATIONS

165 candidates and a 100% pass rate

162 (98.2%) achieved a Bachelors Pass

647 subject distinctions (80%+)

93 learners achieved four or more subject distinctions

12 learners achieved an aggregate of 90%+

e for the grade: 77.29%

Top Learner: Kelly Prowse Joint Top NSC Achiever

Top learner in Mathematics

2022 TOP ACHIEVERS

These learners achieved an aggregate of 90%+ (Listed alphabetically)

Vivienne Banks 7 distinctions

Amy Basson 7 distinctions

Jenna Caldwell 7 distinctions

Anna Gray 7 distinctions

Stephanie Kulikovskaya-Russo 7 distinctions

Hannah Lavery 7 distinctions Shelby le Roux 7 distinctions

Timiah October 7 distinctions

Sarah Pengilly 7 distinctions

Aimee Jansen 7 distinctions

Kelly Prowse TOP NSC ACHIEVER

Nina von der Heyden 8 distinctions

essentIal soft sKIlls Your journey into the workplace starts as a student

MICHEllE loRBER

today’s students need to be gearing themselves to ultimately enter the marketplace. automation and the advent of ai are having an effect on the way people work – and graduates need to be adaptable. the future of Jobs Report from the world economic forum mentions critical thinking and problem solving as important skills. o ther skills considered to be essential in the future include emotional and social intelligence, an innovative and creative mindset, judgement and decision making, cognitive flexibility (flexible thinking in reaction to new challenges and situations) and computational thinking

and digital literacy. other useful skills include active learning, effective communication (both verbal and written), the ability to negotiate, and resilience. a love of learning, willingness to grow and a curious mind are also advantageous.

Partner at pwc, amanda mcintryre, considers that skills that technology cannot yet provide, such as creativity, persuasion and the ability to teach others, will become more appreciated.

other skills in the same category are people management (motivating staff and maximising productivity), co-ordinating with others (being able to work with different personalities) and service orientation (helping consumers and citizens, and anticipating their needs in the future). global citizenship has become increasingly important as employees now deal with people on a worldwide basis. with this comes a need

for an appreciation and comprehension of the culture of others. additional languages are helpful in this respect.

diversity is also critical – employees need to be sensitive to the need to respect differences in language, culture, race, sexual orientation, age, gender as well as political or religious beliefs, among others. the qualities of entrepreneurship and progressive thinking are also assets. companies want visionary thinkers who are prepared to take the initiative. while being well-rounded is desirable, having the skills to retrieve information needed is vital. further to this, the sifting and judging of the information is critical in order for the data to be analysed. making decisions and assessments will also be a valuable tool. data can gather information and offer insights, but a human will ultimately have to determine how to act on it.

life after matric – what now?

gugulETHu SHINgA

so you’ve passed matric with good results – what now? life after high school can be pretty boring or stress inducing if you don’t have a definitive plan. are you going to take a gap year or further your studies, or will you be getting a job? listed below are tips on how you can survive life after matric:

ASk foR HElp

if you’re not sure about what step to take next, you should probably ask for help. experts say our elders know best – so talking to your parents, teachers, and career counsellors can help answer some of these questions.

fIND YouR pASSIoN

before committing to any decision, it’s important that you find your passion. what do you love doing and what comes naturally to you? don’t know what your passion is – look for patterns in what you’ve done. Perhaps a hobby you’ve been doing can be turned into a career? Remember the saying: “do what you love so you will never have to work a day in your life.”

START SAVINg

w hether you are going to college, taking a gap year, or you’ll be working, saving is an important element. i f you’ll be working, you should open a savings account and deposit a percentage of your salary every month. i f you’re going to college, you should draw up a budget to track your expenses. c alculate your essentials, but don’t forget the hidden expenses. i f you’re taking a gap year, then you should cut down on unnecessary

spending and find ways to make more money. s avings come in handy during rainy days.

HAVE SoME fuN

by “have some fun” i mean innocent fun. you’re still young and should enjoy every moment of your life. this is a chance for you to make new friendships and do activities that you enjoy. start experimenting by exploring different jobs; maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly; travel if you’ve always wanted to travel.

puT YouR plAN INTo ACTIoN

once you have an idea of which route to take, you should start putting your plan into action. things may not always go according to plan, and this is okay – work with what you have in order to get what you want. don’t wait too long to put your plan into action – the longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to start.