Jeppe High School for Boys celebrate historic results

Jeppe High School for Boys Class of 2021 has produced the best set of matric results in the history of the school.

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All the matrics passed the exams and 87% of them achieved bachelor’s degree passes, allowing them entrance into university.

The group of 192 also produced a combined 238 distinctions.

Collette Rattray, deputy principal and head of academics, told the NEWS the boys had worked hard for their achievement.

“In the 31 years that I’ve been at the school, this is the best result I’ve seen.”
Rattray added she was more excited about the 87% bachelor’s degree passes, as it was more than last year’s 76%.

“Every year the boys have done better than those who matriculated the year before them. Seven of the distinction for this year were in advanced programme mathematics, which falls under the IEB examinations and not the GDE exams,” Rattray said.

She said the Class of 2021 showed what they could do.

“The boys put in the work and the results speak for themselves.”

She added that the work put in by the teachers and parents was incredible.

“We are very proud of everyone today.”

Arendt Theunissen was named the school’s top achiever with 10 distinctions.

“I’m grateful for the incredible support I received throughout the year from the school, the parents, my teachers and my friends,” he said.

He also thanked the Theo Jackson Scholarship Fund for the support. Theunissen encouraged the Class of 2022 to make full use of the recourses available to them in their matric year.

2021 head boy Tristan Czekmany raked in eight distinctions, including one in advanced programme mathematics. Leading the school from the front, Tristan not only excelled academically throughout 2021, he also featured prominently in rugby and water polo.

“I knew I had to set an example, so I pushed hard throughout the year,” he said.
Czekmany advised the Class of 2022 to work hard.

“I was never really the top learner and knew I had to put in the extra work to get the results.”

He will go on to study mechanical and aeronautical engineering at Tuks this year.

James Kamerman, also achieved eight distinctions.

With seven distinctions, Nathan Walton attributed his 2021 success to the teachers and staff.

“They pushed us all to reach our absolute full potential.”

He advised those heading into their final year at school to find a balance. “After every exam, move on to make sure you don’t burn out.”

Walton will be studying medicine at Wits University this year.

Luke Goddard joined Walton in celebrating seven A-symbols.

Nnete Teka, who received six distinctions, said he thought someone was pranking him when he received news that he was placed in the top 1% of IEB learners in advanced programme mathematics.

“I wasn’t expecting this, it was a complete surprise,” he told the NEWS.

Teka said the school had been supportive throughout the year. He will study electrical engineering and computer engineering this year. Teka, whose journey through high school had not been an easy one, advised those that

follow to make use of everything is available to them.

“Do the best you can with what you have.”

Headmaster Dale Jackson said the school was proud of the boys who overcame significant hurdles to achieve a matric pass.

“Their efforts and dedication ensured a historic 100% overall pass rate,” he said.

The results, according to Jackson, are tangible evidence of the school’s stated ambition and strategy to place academic performance at the forefront of all that happens at Jeppe High and are a reflection of the positive academic direction the school has been heading in for a number of years now.

“To have achieved the best results in the school’s history, particularly after two Covid-disrupted years, speaks volumes for the dedication of the educators, the grit and resilience of the boys and is just rewarding for the significant technological investment over the past few years that allowed teaching and learning to evolve and thrive during the past two years.”

The improvement in the bachelor’s degree pass rate, which he sees as a far better indicator of the quality of results, is particularly pleasing to Jackson.

“Our educators have gone the extra mile and they determined to get every learner through that has led to the 100% pass rate.

“Most of our educators are involved in our extensive extramural programme and understand the educational value of extramural activities within the context of keeping with our policy of prioritising academics at all times.”
Jackson highlighted that Theunissen’s achievements were remarkable.

“He lost his father under tragic circumstances when he was 15 and his family’s financial circumstances were dire.

The school took him in, he lived in the hostel and was supported by the staff and the other boys.

“Tristan Czekmany was the 2021 head boy and a provincial rugby and water polo player. These results have proven that Jeppe boys can compete with the best in the country,” Jackson said.

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