Well done, matrics

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - It was a happy day for most Mossel Bay matrics on Tuesday, 23 February, when their results were handed out.

Overall, the marks exceeded expectations.

Point High School achieved a pass rate of 98.5%. A bachelor's pass (matric exemption for studying at university) was achieved by 93.87% of the matrics. This is 7% more than the year before.

There were 27 overall A-aggregates.

Seven matrics achieved seven distinctions, eight achieved six distinctions, four had five distinctions and 12, four distinctions.

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'Vision, perseverance'
Point headmaster Adolf Gouws said: "Our 2020 matrics exemplified vision and perseverance." He commended teachers and parents for supporting the learners.

Sao Bras Secondary School Grade 12 head Lionel April said: "Considering the dire circumstance of the pandemic, we are happy with the results."

April said that some children's not being able to afford the cost of cellphone data had been an obstacle to learning. He also said some matrics had suffered the death of family members.

The pass rate of the 2020 matrics was 79.5%, compared with 77.8% for 2019.

Megan Roberts is the Sao Bras dux matric, with 91.6% and seven distinctions.

Heartwarming
One of the heartwarming stories from the results is that all the Sao Bras hostel matrics passed. This is the first time this is known to have happened. The school is extremely proud of this. Some of these children come from challenging circumstances.

Hostel head Stephen Titus said: "They didn't only pass, they passed well. They sacrificed a lot. They were up at 05:00, studying. Then I would make them coffee. One of them was the first in their family to achieve a matric. Now they will be role models in their communities. Some come as far as the Northern Cape."

When it is suggested the 12 matrics in the hostel are Titus' "disciples", he nods his head proudly and says: "Yes, yes."

Before their exams he took them for a smart supper at a hotel in town, to motivate them and make them feel special.

Manny Williams, the chief invigilator at Sao Bras, said: "I wish for the class of 2020 to go from strength to strength. Nothing is too difficult."

Hillcrest
For Hillcrest Secondary School the matric pass rate was 93.1% compared with 83% the previous year. Of the 144 who wrote the National Senior Certificate examination, 47 achieved a bachelor's pass.

Hillcrest headmaster Ivan Kroneberg said: "Learners were anxious about coming to school because of Covid-19."

Kroneberg has ramped up matric marks at the school. In the three years he has been headmaster the pass rate has gone from 68% to the 2020 result of 93.1% percent. The secret to this has been "early detection", Kroneberg said. "If learners are struggling with a certain subject in Grade 10, they are encouraged to change to another subject, so they can pass it and increase their aggregate."

Another joyful matric results story is that of Mossel Bay crime-fighting stalwart Edgar Ntebe. He is chair of the KwaNonqaba Community Policing Forum, acting chair of the Da Gamaskop Cluster CPF and owner of Young Stars Soccer Club. He works as a court interpreter.

Ntebe's daughter, Hloma Williams, is the 2020 Hillcrest matric dux and his son, Ntsikelelo Ntebe, came seventh among the Hillcrest matrics.

Edgar Ntebe was overcome with pride and joy at Hillcrest this week, when he was with his children as they received their results. He chairs the Hillcrest school governing body as well.

Matrics contracted Covid-19
Desmond Speelman, Great Brak Secondary School principal, said: "I am totally satisfied with our results. We fared better than expected. Our pass rate was 88.6%. Last year it was 85.7%.

"I'm extremely grateful to the teachers for their hard work. Four of them had permission to work at home because they had comorbidities, but instead they chose to go to school, showing great dedication.

"Three of our matrics tested positive for Covid-19. They wrote exams in isolation. All three achieved bachelor passes."

Great Brak Secondary School