Woodlands boasts student distinctions
Gauteng Class of 2018 matriculation results were released last Thursday by the Independent Examination Board (IEB), the body that administers private school assessments.
The reported 98.92 per cent pass rate demonstrates a strong showing by private school learners and represents a respectable increase on last year’s already impressive pass rate statistic (98.76 per cent).
Presently, two different standards apply, with learners in public and private schools sitting different assessments, despite the Gauteng MEC motivating for one standardised national assessment.
Around 12 000 matriculants wrote the IEB assessment while approximately 800 000 sat the Department of Basic Education’s examination, with the latter’s results having being published last Friday.
Woodlands International College is once again delighted to announce an illustrious performance by its matriculants – with a 100 per cent pass rate garnered in respect of the 2018 academic year the college continues to boast this exceptional statistic for each of its 16 years since inception in 2002.
More impressive yet, however, is the Class of 2018’s 100 per cent university exemption (compared with an overall IEB level of 90.65 per cent). Over the past three years Woodlands has enjoyed an average university exemption rate of 98.66 per cent, with 100 per cent in 2016 and now also in 2018, placing it well ahead of the already formidable IEB national average. “Whilst a high tally of distinctions is naturally gratifying” says founding director Ronnie Matthews, “for us the more important result is being able to open up the doors of a tertiary education to every single one of our matriculants.”
Fifty-one of the college’s matriculants shared a coveted haul of 60 distinctions, with top honours going to the following students who each earned at least four distinctions: Heather Hughes, Sadiyah Ismail, Bridget Marques, and Tyla Theophilus. Shae-Lee Kelly ranked among the top one per cent in Mathematical Literacy under the IEB assessment – a remarkable accolade for this brilliant student, and for the college.
Woodlands has produced graduates in such diverse disciplines as Actuarial Science, Aviation, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Optometry, and Veterinary Science.
Ever mindful of the shrinking globe, the college strives to prepare its students to take up tertiary studies abroad, should they aspire to do so, and its alumni have progressed to, amongst others, such distinguished institutions as Oxford.
“Our track record speaks volumes about our success in this strategic global approach to education and underscores Woodlands’ ‘International’ appellation,” says director Audrey Matthews.
The directors of Woodlands, together with outgoing senior college principal Hilary Robinson, extend their hearty congratulations to each and every matriculant, as well as to the academic and support staff of the Class of 2018: “I am delighted with my wonderful retirement gift of not only a 100 per cent pass rate but also a 100 per cent Bachelor Degree pass”, says Robinson. “It really made for my leaving on a high note!” Incoming senior college principal Chris van Niekerk echoes these sentiments and adds: “I will work diligently with all members of my team to maintain this wonderful benchmark – to the Class of 2019 I set the challenge to meet and exceed the legacy of your predecessors.”
