Dyslexic matric beats odds with distinction
A CANNONS Creek Independent School Grade 12 learner, who excelled in spite of severe dyslexia, hopes students battling with dyslexia receive the necessary support and don’t fall through the cracks.
Kian Frassek, 18, from Plumstead received six distinctions for maths (91%), physical sciences (87%), geography (89%), life sciences (83%), IT (95%) and life orientation (91%).
He has applied to UCT for both mechatronics and physiotherapy and been naccepted for both.
“I’m very grateful to all the people who have helped, acknowledged and supported me. It’s great to get these absolutely delightful marks but I did work for them and it’s been great just seeing all the work come through.”
Frassek’s mother, Tania, said: “We are getting an amazing amount of acknowledgement from far afield. This is an overwhelming and incredible feeling for us. We hope that other learners with similar difficulties receive hope and inspiration from his story.”
His father, Andre, agreed. “I feel it is so important that people with dyslexia are given maximum support at the early stage of learning because I think that many very intelligent children with dyslexia may give up at that point if not correctly supported.”
Midway through Grade 1, an educator informed his parents of academic concerns, and after tests, Frassek was confirmed with dyslexia.
This was picked up when he wrote his entrance test for admission to Cannons Creek in 2015. He had struggled for hours and later explained to staff that he battled to read and write due to dyslexia.
Principal Mike Van Haght said: “From the moment Kian started as a Grade 8 pupil at Cannons, he showed a level of determination seldom seen.
“While we were able to provide him with a scribe in exam situations, he had to take responsibility for everything else – classwork, homework, studying, tests and projects. When others worked hard, Kian had to work twice as hard.
“He never gave up.”