ST DUNSTAN’S COLLEGE
The matrics returned to school mid-April but had been assisted by their teachers during their time off through Google Classroom, so getting back to school was just a matter of settling in again.
The Grade Eight and Nine learners were moved to the preparatory school due to space constraints.
Corbin Greenslade (head boy): It felt like two years because I started Grade 12 in January then in April I came back and it felt like the first day of school again.
I wanted to engage with the Grade Eight and Nine learners more but Covid-19 stopped that. Finals are soon approaching and prelims gave us a taste of what to expect for the final exams.
Gugu Madlala (head girl): I planned to engage in more school activities, as a leader should, but I could not due to Covid-19.
When we started writing our prelims, it was the shock and reminder of reality that we are approaching the final stage of our academic year, but we were fortunate enough to have been taught online while we could not attend school.
Advice from the teens: Draw up a timetable, it is important to plan so that you give yourself time to study all of your material.
Relax your mind to a stage where you can study without having a ‘scrambled’ mindset. Remind yourself that this is the final push, so give it your all.
Invest in group study; this should not be a social, but rather sharing different coping and study methods. Teach each other and learn together.
BENONI HIGH SCHOOL
Upon their return to school, the matrics felt plenty of stress going into their prelims, and now they have to prepare for finals.
Gomolemo Bila: When studying for my finals I read notes and work from past papers.
The lockdown has taken so much from us: our experiences, class time, and really added a lot of stress. I have been dealing with it all by keeping the drive I have to succeed and giving this year everything I have.
Jordan Cooke: I have been struggling to study during this time, but I have been using past papers and just trying to give it everything I can.
Dealing with all the protocols, not being able to greet your friends as normal and the general experience of being a matric has really been hard this year.
I play first team hockey and this was supposed to be our year, and then the pandemic. I don’t think I have really overcome this pandemic yet, I still battle with stress but I am getting there.
Michaila Pitt: I have started reading my notes every day for my finals, then about two days before I will study all that I have read.
The pandemic put a lot of stress on me, coming back to school with new routines and protocols was not at all easy.
I look at everything I have to do and prioritise, regardless of all the negative energy coming my way. I just put my head down and did what I needed to do.
Advice from the teens: To the matrics next year – don’t listen to those who say it is just revision work.
Matric is tough and hard from the get-go, so give it everything you have got.
Study as hard as you can, take your studies seriously. Reading past papers just before your exam won’t be enough.
Finals come a lot quicker than you expect, so always study.
HOËRSKOOL HANS MOORE
The matrics at Hans Moore are feeling the nerves as they reach their finals, but feel ready for what is to come thanks to all the support they have received.
Chanté Strydom: During lockdown, I had plenty of help.
I used Wolkskool and Beeldskool, which are lectures and videos online, as well as Google Classroom.
Not having things like other matrics and friends to study with has been hard, 40 days was very few and different compared to other years even though we still had a great time.
It is sad as well that we might not have our matric farewell.
Although all of this has put a damper on our spirits, I have had nothing but undying support from our teachers, Zoom meetings with my friends and even the Grade Eight learners filmed a video message to cheer us on, giving us the boost we needed.
Rhulani Mngomezulu: Now that I have written my prelims, I know I need to work extra hard for the finals.
I am going to work on stressing less and just keep to my study timetable as much as I can. Being in the lockdown was a break, yes, but it was the most exhausting break I could have ever imagined.
My family was home during the day watching television or doing something fun, and I knew I had to be in my room studying.
Even though we sort of know what is happening or going on in the next few months of our matric year, we still live in the fear of the unknown.
I have had plenty of support from my friends as well as stepping closer to God, spending a lot of time praying and working on my self-discipline. During lockdown, I have learnt a lot about myself.
Advice from the teens: To next year’s matrics, enjoy every moment. Don’t take anything for granted and study hard. Work on your self-discipline because there is always time for everything. Live in the moment and without regret.
ST FRANCIS COLLEGE
Tokelo Mabilu: I started studying for prelims a week before the paper by preparing study notes and days before the exam I would focus on past exam papers. I will do the same for finals.
Siphokazi Ndlovu: The best thing for matric learners to do during these important exams is to surround yourself with positive people.
Advice from the teens: Do not study three days before the test, and do not forget to pray.
Gary Elliott, principal of St Francis: The College was fortunate enough to go straight into remote learning since the announcement of lockdown.
We did not lose any contact time with the children as we completed the syllabus well in advance.
The only challenge the learners may have is the time-frame of each exam as the prelims and finals are right after each other
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