The city was abuzz with excitement as the long wait for the 2017 matric results finally came to an end, on Friday.
Learners flocked to their respective high schools to receive their certificates, and for the most part Germiston was full of smiles, as the youngsters compared results and chatted with teachers and shared their plans for the future.
One of the top performing schools in the city was Hoërskool Goudrif, which celebrated a 97.5 per cent pass rate.
Principal Marius Mills told the GCN that the school was incredibly thankful for the good results.
“A big thank you goes out to the learners, parents and educators for their hard work, and we wish them all of the best for the future.” said Mills.
From 118 matric learners who wrote exams the school received 28 distinctions, 58.3 per cent of the learners obtained university exemptions and 41.7 per cent diploma passes.
Mills spoke highly of the school’s top achievers, Chene Grobler, who led with seven distinctions in Afrikaans, English, mathematics, life orientation, accounting, physical sciences and life sciences, and Tracey-Lee Booyens with four distinctions in dramatic arts, music, practical music and life orientation.
Among the learners was Christiaan van Staden who proved that determination really does payoff.
Christiaan’s mother Frannie van Staden and principal Mills shared with GCN the hardships Christiaan endured during his final exams.
“He was walking outside the school with his earphones in when he was attacked by two men.
“They stole his phone and left him with head injuries.
“One of the school’s employees saw the incident taking place and rushed him to Tambo Memorial Hospital, where he was treated.
“Despite all this he still came to school the following day ready to write his exam.
“I think this is just amazing, and we are very proud of him,” said principal Mills.
Frannie added that Christiaan has also suffered a tragic loss this year, “On top of this his father passed away in July. After everything he has been through he still passed.
“I am very proud of him,” said his mother.
Coming in a close second was Afrikaanse Hoërskool Germiston, with a 97 per cent pass rate, a one per cent increase from 2016, 50 per cent of the learners passing with degree passes and 45 per cent with diploma passes.
“We’re very pleased with our pass rate, our learners performed much better than I expected,” said the school’s principal, Retha du Toit.
“We are sad for those who didn’t pass but pleased with our results.”
There were 95 matriculants and the school recorded 24 distinctions in total, with Victoria Martiano as the top achieving learner.
Martiano obtained three distinctions in English, life orientation and computer application technology (CAT).
Hoërskool Primrose High School and Hoërskool Vryburger High School both celebrated a 95 per cent pass rate in 2017.
Andre Grobler, principal of Hoërskool Primrose High School, was elated to share the news.
Primrose achieved 33 distinctions from 183 learners who wrote exams, with 54 earning university exemptions and 119 achieving diploma passes.
The school had two top achievers, both with three distinctions: Brendan Ncube with three distinctions in engineering graphics and design, life orientation and civil technology, and Keith Mabasa with three distinctions in mathematics, physical sciences and life sciences.
“We are very proud of our Grade 12 learners. It was a tough year for us. However, we did well and we’re satisfied.
“I know usually a lot of people and newspapers focus on the students, but I would like to thank our wonderful educators.
“Ultimately the credit goes to our educators, who took time from their holidays, weekends and stayed after school to assist our students.” said Grobler.
At Hoërskool Vryburger High School, though some learners walked away disappointed with their final examination results, the school was thrilled with the improvement in this year’s pass rate.
The pass rate climbed from 86.3 per cent in 2016 to 95 per cent in 2017, and principal Ian Olivier couldn’t be happier.
“We are very happy with the results, especially the almost nine per cent increase in our pass rate,” he said.
The school had 184 learners writing their final exams, earning 16 distinctions between them.
Forty-eight of the students passed with university exemption while 93 received diploma passes.
“The students and teachers really worked hard this year and I am very proud of them all,” said Olivier.
The school’s top achievers were Cassey Monthato, who received distinctions in Afrikaans and life orientation, Mtomyama Ngandi, who received distinctions in mathematics and life orientation, and Kgomotso Tau, who received a distinction in business studies.
Dawnview High School also celebrated an increase from their 2016 pass rate.
Moeketsie Kolokoto, principal of Dawnview High School, was thrilled to announce that the school achieved a 90 per cent pass rate for 2017, a four per cent increase.
A total of 76 matrics sat their final examinations at the school, earning 10 distinctions between them.
Twenty-nine of the learners passed their exams with university exemptions and 23 with diploma passes.
“I attribute these pleasing results to our wonderful teachers and thank them for sacrificing their time to teach and help our students to the best of their abilities,” said Kolokoto.
The school’s top three achievers were Shaun Ndlovu, Kamogelo Mohladane and Thatelo Mabaso.
Talking to the GCN after receiving his marks, Ndlovu, who received a distinction in accounting, said he was thrilled to finally be finished with school but was a little disappointed with his final marks.
“Despite my disappointment I know I will reach the goals I set for myself through hard work and dedication,” he said.
Heading into the new year Kolokoto encouraged parents to support their children throughout the year.
“Help them identify weak areas and address them,” Kolokoto said.
Other results included:
• Dinwiddie High School recorded an 86 per cent pass rate.
• Germiston High School recorded a 95.7 per cent pass rate.
• Hoërskool Elsburg recorded an 88.6 per cent pass rate.
• Hoërskool Elspark recorded an 85.5 per cent pass rate.
• Institute Status Acres Combined School celebrated a 100 per cent pass rate.
• Katlehong Secondary School recorded a 62.7 per cent pass rate.
• Katlehong Technical Senior School recorded a 66.4 per cent pass rate.
• Palm Ridge Secondary School recorded an 89.6 per cent pass rate.
• Rondebult Secondary School recorded an 88.3 per cent pass rate.
• School of Achievement recorded a 98 per cent pass rate.
The GCN endeavoured to contact all the schools but not all were available for results and comment.
ALSO READ:
Seven distinctions for Brendon Meintjes
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.zaor Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za.
Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:
Or add the GCN on WhatsApp 079 406 1181 or BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137) today, to get all the latest news.
Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers Bedfordview Edenvale News, Alberton Record and Kempton Express.
