Hat-trick for Rotary honours Uitenhage pupils Riebeek College
RIEBEEK College Girls High School made it a hat-trick of successes after three of their matriculants received the prestigious Vice-Chancellors Scholarship, making them the first Uitenhage-based school to do so.
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) spokeswoman Zandile Mbabela confirmed Riebeek College was the first Uitenhage -based school who have produced three matrics in the same year rewarded for their hard work through the scholarship.
The three former matrics, Loren Campbell, Jessica Schoeman and Chiara Rossi Falcon were among 22 other recipients who received the scholarship last week at an intimate function at the north campus conference centre.
The 25 students, who are following course of studies in the university’s seven faculties, were awarded the R96 000-a-year scholarship – up 8% on last year’s R89 000 in line with the annual fee increase – based on their excellent academic achievements at their respective high schools.
The scholarship, introduced in 2009, is renewable for each year of the ex-Riebeek pupils’ undergraduate studies, provided they maintain the levels of high academic achievement.
Falcon, who passed matric with an A-aggregate and four distinctions, said had it not been for the passionate teachers at her school she would not have fared so well in matric.
She will study towards a national diploma in information technology and software development.
“Use your textbooks and work daily. Anyone can do well if they adopt Riebeek’s well-known bee mascot's work ethic and work everyday, just like a busy bee,” she said.
Schoeman, who also passed with an A-aggregate and seven distinctions, said self-belief was the key to her success. She will also be studying towards a national diploma in information technology and software development.
“My approach to matric was to have a positive attitude, to believe in myself and to do my best as far as possible. If you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything,” she said.
Campbell who will be studying a BSc in physics and mathematics had an A-aggregate pass with six distinctions.
“Upon viewing my results, I found out that I had done better than expected. Of course, there are some subjects in which I wish I had done better, but I still felt immense joy and excitement.
Riebeek College principal Kieran Stear said: “This is the end of your shared school road, and now the road is solely yours. You, young ladies, all have choices to make now and dreams to follow.
“Be humble and realise that nothing is your birth right. Work extra hard for what you desire, give all you can, be it your time, your wisdom or financially, and above all always give more than you can take.
“You are the future and have a lot to do out there for us.”
In 2015, Pearson High School produced five pupils who received the scholarship, the most recipients from any school in one year. THE Rotary Club of Uitenhage South rewarded excellence at its annual Youth Merit Awards ceremony for pupils’ outstanding achievements.
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip also took time out of his schedule to applaud the achievements of the Garden Town’s youth and motivate the talented teenagers to continue on their upward trajectory.
Trollip stressed just how tough it was out there for the youth of Nelson Mandela Bay.
He emphasised the importance for pupils to strive to be the best they could be in their field.
Those in the winners’ circle all received certificates in acknowledgement of their respective achievements.
The recipients included Riebeek College’s Heather Wilkinson for her outstanding achievements in the English Olympiad Examination, where she achieved gold on two occasions.
Strelitzia High School’s Oyintando Bob, Marco Pedro and Mzamo Mtshali were rewarded for their selection in to the South African schools’ soccer team, which ended fourth in the Copa Jordi Soccer Tournament held in Barcelona, Spain.
Brandwag High School’s Anja de Beer was also rewarded for her achievements in tennis and being selected for the South African U16 tennis team which competed in England last year.
Keanu Langford from Muir College was acknowledged for being ranked second in South Africa and being selected in the SA U18 squash team competing in the Men’s World Squash Federation Junior Championships held in Tauranga, New Zealand.
Muir College’s Lelitha Hempe received an award for being selected for the SA Federation Chess Team which took part in the 2017 Commonwealth Chess Championship held in New Delhi, India.
Club president Daylan Naidoo said he was happy that the Rotary Club was enthusiastic about supporting the youth of Uitenhage.
The club supports and encourages seven Interact clubs in the town, which equals the largest number for a single Rotary Club in Southern Africa.
Interact is the junior version of Rotary and there is a complement of 12 300 clubs, from 133 countries worldwide.