HILTON MATRICS SAVOUR SUCCESS
Matriculants at private schools in Hilton achieved 100% pass rates in the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exams, with many pupils finishing in the top one percent around the country in some of their chosen subjects.
At Hilton College 98% of boys were awarded university-entry passes - an improvement on the school’s results in 2020, when 96% of matriculants met the requirements to study for a bachelor’s degree.
Headmaster George Harris said: “Each year, our matrics set out to do themselves proud in their final exams. The class of 2021 is no different.
“Despite the interruptions of the Covid19 pandemic, our boys did themselves proud through their determination to catch up on time lost and to apply themselves to the task at hand.”
With nine As each, Richard Karlson was named Hilton College’s scholar of the year, and Jonathan le Roux as Proxime Accessit. Both were included on the IEB’s outstanding achievement list.
Almost a third of Hilton College boys achieved three or more distinctions, while 80% of all symbols achieved were As, Bs and Cs. Several boys were among the top 1% of achievers in accounting, economics, history, information technology, mathematics and physical sciences.
Eleven girls at St Anne’s achieved seven distinctions: Gabrielle Benkenstein, Jennifer Connolly, Erin Douglas, Abby Gauntlett, Megan Guimaraens, Rebecca Lonsdale, Kefilwe-Karabo Mabelane, Lilitha Nkuhlu, Megan Parker, Ella Thorburn and Esmé Thornhill-Davis.
“We applaud the sterling effort and commitment of our teachers in preparing our girls for the final examinations,” the school said. “Thank you, parents, for your ongoing support you give to the school and your daughters. Thank you, class of 2021, for your dedication and inspiration. We wish you well in your future endeavours.”
Hilton-based Grace College said it was extremely proud of the class of 2021’s achievements. Pupils achieved 64 A grades in total.
Mary-Beth Wilson, Larissa van Wyk and Isha Ghoorah all attained seven As, with Cole Baker and Isaac Nichols getting six each.
Isaac and Mary-Beth were also placed in the top 1% nationally in the IEB examinations for their mathematical literacy results.
Mary-Beth Wilson, a pupil at Grace College, achieved seven distinctions and came in the top 1% nationally for maths literacy, achieving 100% for the subject.
She said she was both shocked and relieved on hearing her results.
Reflecting on the uncertainty and chaos that reigned over her final two years of school, Mary-Beth said it was challenging living in a state of uncertainty and anxiety, but she got through it by just taking one day at a time.
“Online learning was not easy, but the fact that I had access to all these online resources such as wifi and a quality education despite it all made me not want to take it for granted.
I wanted to do the best I could with all the resources I was privileged to have,” she added.
She attributed her results to “consistent hard work” and a willingness to sacrifice her time. Mary-Beth will be studying psychology and law at Wits University this year.
Fellow pupil Larissa Van Wyk was very happy with the seven distinctions she obtained in her final matric examinations.
“I was aiming for distinctions, but after finals, I didn’t think I would get all of them. I’m glad the hard work paid off,” she said.
Larissa is thankful for her strong and supportive friend group, who all studied together and achieved high results.
“I’m very grateful for my teachers’ support and the support from my school. My friends and parents’ support also got me through,” she said. Larissa plans to study law at the University of Pretoria this year.
Hard work paid off for Isha Ghoorah who obtained distinctions in all seven subjects. She said her family played a huge role in keeping her motivated throughout the year.
“Receiving my academic honours last year also motivated me to keep aiming high and pushing forward,” she added.
Isha is also extremely grateful to Grace College and all her teachers who worked so hard to get the matrics ready. “I’m so grateful I went to the school that I did. My teachers were such a strong support system for us,” she said.
Attributing her success to her support systems, hard work, discipline and maintaining balance, Isha achieved her work life balance by keeping up with the extra mural activities, including classical Indian dancing, karate classes, and attending Hindi school. Isha intends studying biomedical science at Wits University. She has applied to universities in Canada as well and is hoping for a scholarship.