SOUTH Durban beat the trend of low pass rates in KZN, with some high scores and happy principals.
Bluff Christian Academy’s pass rate was 100%, New Forest High School got 97%, Grosvenor Girls High School was next with 96%, Mowat Park got 90%, Durban Academy 86.7% and Grosvenor Boys High School achieved a pass rate of 82.47%.
Smiles and happy tears were shared at Montclair schools, Mowat Park with a total of 184 subject As and New Forest High, which was the top performing school in the ward, with 177 As.
New Forest Dux and future accountant, Emile Kannieappan said the main reason for his success was support; something that all matrics should have.
“It is all thanks to the support of all my ‘mousies and mousa’ who have stood by me through this long year. It is always wise to stay with family who can help you stay motivated and grounded,” said Kannieappan.
Grosvenor Girls High School achieved a pass rate of 96%, with six girls failing. The school had a 76% bachelor pass rate.
Principal, Linda Jorgenson said she is very proud.
“Our girls have done well and I am happy with the results they achieved.
Aspiring doctor and Mowat Park Dux, Yolanda Mngcongela who received 5As said it was a bittersweet moment for her. Not only is she taking the next step in her education but she is also leaving behind great memories and friendships that have flourished in her five years in high school.
“I have made many friends among my fellow classmates and teachers who have dedicated their time to help my education grow. But it’s time to move on to bigger things,” she said.
Another Mowat girl who was runner-up for Dux, Danielle Peter, accumulated 4As. She is upset because she will miss her friends and teachers but is excited for university. Peter will study towards a bachelor’s degree in commerce. She advises the class of 2016 to stay focused throughout the year and quotes Charles Dickens, who said, ‘procrastination is the thief of time, collar him’.
“Do not procrastinate, stay dedicated to your work and ask the teachers questions,” said Peter to the next group of matrics.
Mowat Park principal, Nkosinathi Tsaulwayo thanks his staff, student governing body and parents for all their support. He congratulated the class of 2015 and is proud of the pupils who passed but believes there is more room for improvement.
“The class of 2016 needs to realise that in order to be successful they have to start now – do what is simple and don’t allow the work to accumulate. Attend extra classes that are provided and have a positive attitude towards your work,” he said.
Grosvenor Boys High School principal, Carel De Jager is pleased with the results of his 2015 matrics. The school achieved a pass rate of 82.47%, which is up from 73% the previous year. Of that, 37.5% got a bachelor pass.
First placed pupil at the boy’s school was David Le Grice with six distinctions, tied in second place were Kallyn Bonhomme and Wasim Shaik Ismael with five, and Xandré van Jaarsveld came third with four.
“I am happy with the results, because of where we came from. Our bottom line took a dip in 2013/4 but we managed to get the boys through support programmes and instil in them the idea that they can achieve success if they put in the effort.
I compliment the teachers on all the hard work that led to this improvement,” said De Jager.
For the language subjects, Grosvenor Boys High School had five As in English, two for Afrikaans and 14 for Zulu. Maths scored two As, while physics got three, life sciences one and geography nine. Tourism, engine graphics and life orientation scored one, four and eight respectively and business studies had three As. Electric tech, visual arts and accounting each garnered two As.
