St Dunstan’s learner bags nine distinctions

When St Dunstan’s learner Jae Eun Park moved to South Africa at the age of six, she did not know this move would contribute to her being in the IEB top five per cent in the country for her matric year.

Park received her results on February 19 and walked out of her 2020 matric year holding nine distinctions in Afrikaans, English, geography, history, life orientation, life sciences, mathematics, advanced programme mathematics and physical sciences.

She also received a certificate for outstanding achievement for being in the top five per cent of learners in six or more subjects in the country.

The distinction in English is well deserved.

“One of my challenges, when I moved to South Africa, was that my mom and grandfather were not fluent in English, so I relied heavily on Google and the help of my teachers to understand the subject and language,” she explained.

The teen is also talented in playing several musical instruments.

“I play the piano, violin, guitar and clarinet,” she said.

“I played at St Dunstan’s College for our informal music evenings, music galas, matric valedictory event and every Friday’s service in the chapel.”

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Rector of the college Michael McConnachie said: “When she played, she would always wow the audience.”

While the former Tom Newby School learner enjoys being musically inclined, she is going to study to be a doctor at the University of Cape Town.

“When I was younger and my grandparents got sick, doctors’ fees were always too expensive, so I was not happy when they would just stay home in bed because of the fees,” she explained.

“I would like to join Doctors Without Borders to help those who are underprivileged and require medical attention.”

The Rynfield resident resides with her mother, Hee Jin Chung, grandfather Ki Young and her 15-year-old sister, Jeong Eun Park.

“We actually came to South Africa to visit my grandfather and I loved this place so much that I wanted to stay, so my mother agreed and we moved here,” she explained.

While it was challenging to complete her matric year during Covid-19, the 18-year-old said she used the method of learning the lesson and then reviewing everything she learnt.

“My mom also encouraged me by telling me stories of the learners she teaches, and she would motivate me to keep trying,” she said.

She advised the younger generations to not look at school as a phase, but instead as a learning centre to further equip their minds.

“It is important to do well in school to study further, but you must go to school to learn and carry that into your future,” she explained.

“Projects and assignments are not just tasks to complete; it is part of the learning process.”

She concluded by saying that despite doing as well as she did, she wished she did better.

“Lockdown contributed to a change in routine,” she said.

“Usually, we would go to school and do our homework, but being at home meant we had to maintain self-discipline and self-management.”

Overall, she is satisfied with her achievements.