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LOCAL learners once again did high schools in the Helderberg proud with excellent results achieved in the 2007 final matric examinations. Although few schools obtained a 100% pass rate this time around, many managed to produce several A-candidates and some schools also improved on their pass rates. At Strand High School 187 candidates wrote the exams, of which 99,5% passed (the same percentage as in 2006).

There were 21 A-candidates and 69,5% of the learners passed with matric exemptions.

The top three candidates were: 1. Estelle Terblanche with 106,6%, who was placed 14th in die Western-Cape (first in the Metropole East), 2. Janke Kleynhans with 102, 47% (fifth in the Metropole East) and 3. Jacques Kritzinger with 100,57% (ninth in the Metropole East).

Estelle achieved the third highest mark for Accounting HG in the Western Cape, while Janke Kleynhans was second in Business Economics HG and Monique Hattingh first in Computyping SG.

Subjects the learners excelled in were: Afrikaans First Language HG 68,08% (187 candidates), English First Language HG 68,83%, Accounting HG 75,93%, Music HG 76,05, Accounting SG 73,42%, Art SG 75,93% and Computyping SG 71,92%.

At Hottentots Holland High School 164 learners were entered for the Senior Certificate exams. One learner failed and one did not complete the exams.

The pass percentage is 99,39% (up from 2006's 98.8%) and ten learners (6,13%) obtained A aggregates, 25 (15,33%) B aggregates and 29 (17,79%) obtained C aggregates, hence 10 passed with distinction and 54 with merit. Some 93 (57,0%) students passed with matric exemption. HHH students achieved 106 subject A symbols.

Adrian Adams was the top student with an aggregate of 103,6 % and six A symbols. He achieved the highest marks in the province for Afrikaans Second Language HG (100%) and the second highest marks for Geography HG (96%). He also achieved the highest marks for Physical Science HG (98%) in the EMDC Metropole East.

Adrian was also placed second on the merit list of the EMDC Metropole East.

Second in the grade was Zynique Schoeman with five A symbols and an average percentage of 97,14%. Danielle Cowie was third with four A symbols and an average percentage of 91,2%. Cheslyn Baatjies, Michelle Merand, Wilton Phillips, Larissa Pringiers and Raynard van Zyl also achieved four A symbols each. Larissa Pringiers achieved the highest marks for French HG (80%) and third highest marks in Mathematics SG (96%) in the EMDC Metropole East.

The Somerset College matrics of 2007 received a 100% pass rate at the end of last year. A total of 106 students sat for the IEB Senior Certificate Examination, and of these 30 received A aggregates and 38 B aggregates.

A deputy head of the Senior School, Zane Godwin, said that he was thrilled with the excellent results, especially seeing that so many candidates finished with either an A or B aggregate.

The College's Dux pupil for 2007, Kate Rosholt, sat for seven subjects and received an A for each of these. This extremely talented student, who played an active role in every facet of her schooling (cultural, music and sport), intends studying law at UCT this year. At the school's Awards Ceremony last year headmaster, Dave Campbell, ascribed the following to Kate, "She is a young woman with commitment, passion, humanity, and humility. She is a natural leader, and leads by example and through service to others. She is an exceptional artist and musician, and a top academic."

Other Somerset College students that deserve a special mention for their outstanding results (also having written seven subjects) are Ben Greenwood, Robyn Lee and Lynette van Wyk, who each obtained six A's. Lindy Frey and Maryke Roberts received five A's, having written six subjects.

Mr Campbell was also very pleased with the results. "The excellent achievements are the result of hard work on the part of both the students and their teachers."

On a national level the 2007 IEB Senior Certificate examination was written by 7 362 full-time candidates from 148 schools across the country with a 98.93% pass rate.

Mr Campbell also lauded the IEB's excellent standards of assessment that are established and maintained by a highly professional set of examining and marking panels that include top educationalists, who keep abreast of best practice locally and internationally. (The IEB is an independent assessment agency apart from State and Provincial examination boards. The IEB does however operate within the constraints of national legislation and provisions of the national quality assurance body.)

Thirteen candidates at False Bay High School completed the exams and achieved a 100% pass rate (the same as in 2006). Seven of these learners obtained exemptions and one a conditional exemption.

There were 10 subject distinctions (three for Afrikaans Second Language HG, one vir English First Language HG, one for Business Economics, one for History, one for Maths SG, two for Art SG and one for Computer Studies SG).

Heini van der Merwe (A candidate) achieved six A's: 94% Afrikaans Second Language HG, 91% English First Language HG, 96% Maths SG, 85% History HG, 92% Business Economics HG and 84% Computer Studies SG. He achieved the third highest Maths SG mark in the WCED?s Metropole East area.

There was 1 one B average, two C averages, eight D average and en one E average.

The school principal, Herman Janse van Rensburg, congratulated the matrics of False Bay High, especially Heinie and his parents. "We are very proud of Heinie and which him only the best for the future. I am indebted to God and our staff for this year's results."

Somerset West Private School maintained its excellent results of the past nine years.

According to principal Morné Coetzer, 94% of the learners passed with matric exemption. Five learners passed with distinction and two of them, Duarte Barata and Ruth Dale Kuys, completed grade 11/12 in one year with averages above 92%. "Our head girl for 2007, Clara Chennels, achieved six 'A' s and an average of 92%," he says.

Douwne Muller, who was paralysed in a car accident in 2005, completed her grade 12 with merit and endorsement.

Twenty-three candidates from Grabouw High School wrote the exams, of which 21 passed. "Even though, for the first time in many years, two candidates failed, we are generally very happy with the results," said department head Alwyn Kriel. The school had one A-candidate, while seven learners passed with endorsement and three with merit. Nicki Wehmeyer, the school's A-candidate, will be studying Mechanical Engineering at Stellenbosch this year. Of the 21 matric candidates at Helderberg High School, only one failed the exams. The head boy for 2007, Paul Möller, had an A-aggregate (91%) and passed with four distinctions.

There were also three distinctions in Computyping.

Zandvliet Secondary School?s principal, Richard Basson, was very pleased with their results for 2007, especially the fact that the school produced an A-candidate and achieved an 83% pass rate - 12% higher than in 2006. A total of 135 candidates completed the exams and Cheslyn Steenkamp came out tops with 84%. He managed three subject distinctions - the highest mark being 98% for Business Economics. "These results can be attributed to the hard work put in by the learners and educators, as well as the parents' support," Mr Basson said.

Another school that showed exceptional improvement was Macassar Senior Secondary, which achieved an 87% pass rate compared to 69,6% in 2006.

Out of the 35 candidates who wrote the exams, four failed and two did not complete it. "The children were much more motivated and I believe it was thanks to the Spring School that was held in September, as well as the extra classes presented on the seven Saturdays preceding the exams," he said.

Although they had no A-candidates, the 10 full-time matric candidates at Natural Learning Academy did very well and achieved a 100% pass rate with an average of 72% for practical subjects. Three of the candidates passed with merit.

At Gordon High School, 144 of the 184 candidates successfully completed the Senior Certificate exams. Nineteen passed with matric exemption, seven of these with merit.

Groenberg Secondary School had a pass rate of 79% and of the 199 candidates who wrote the exam, 11 received endorsements.

High schools in the Helderberg were all given the opportunity to submit their matric results, but unfortunately Parel Vallei High, Rusthof Senior Secondary, Khanyolwethu Secondary and Strand Senior Secondary Schools could not be reached for comment this week.

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