Matric Results 2017

We celebrate and give thanks for the outstanding achievements in the IEB examinations of our 2017 Matric students in the Boys’ College of St Stithians.  At this major moment in the annual school calendar, we have opportunity to reflect on, and appreciate, the joint successes of our students, teachers and parents. Together, our Matric classes have lived out the intent of St Stithians to inspire excellence and make a world of difference.

At the core of the St Stithians philosophy of educational excellence is a multi-faceted experience of education in which each student takes responsibility to ‘own’ his personal learning. There are many outcomes of this journey of education, with the Matric assessments being the ultimate academic indicator. We have encouraged our students to define and set their own personal benchmarks, in the context of our intent to enrol and educate a diverse academic intake. Our teachers create an enabling and stretching environment in which each student can optimise personalised learning, a platform for living life to the full.

The IEB Matric assessments are a significant external benchmark, both nationally and internationally recognised. The St Stithians Matric achievements are the collective indicator of academic excellence, the intersection of personal goals and the standards of the IEB. We are proud of our cohort of top academic achievers, who shine among the best in the country and whose results are documented individually at this time. We salute, too, each one of our students who has excelled against personal benchmarks – a less public achievement, but one that is highly valued and appreciated.

Matric is the destination of a long journey of learning. We acknowledge the contributions of the teachers at the Preparatory Schools of St Stithians College, as well as those of other Primary Schools which educated this year’s Matric cohort. We pay tribute to the impact of Kamoka Bush School, the outdoor education facility of St Stithians, on the lives of our boys.

We affirm our commitment as St Stithians to the education of young people of character, who make an impact as leaders and citizens, shaped by a Methodist Church ethos.

Below is a summary of the Boys’ College 2017 Matric results:

• Candidates:  155
• Pass rate:  100%
• Qualified for Bachelor Degree Studies (BD): 150 candidates (97%)
• Qualified for Diploma Studies or Higher Certificate: 5 candidates (3%)
• Distinctions (Level 7 or 80% and more): 340 (average of 2.19 per candidate)
• 41 boys achieved 4 or more distinctions
• 3 boys achieved the school's Academic Honours Summa Cum Laude award which is an average of 90% or more
• 70% of our boys achieved 1 or more distinctions

Message from the Head of School

To the Boys’ College Matric Class of 2017 - A Message from Mr Knowles 

Dear Matrics 

In a year of lasts for all of you, and for me, it is my pleasure to write to you all for the last time, and congratulate you all on these very pleasing results. 

Before I do that, however, there are two other matters. One is to honour the memory of Caleb Reddy, Matric 2014, who died tragically in a car accident on the 27th. Caleb was in Matric when you were in grade 9. Those of you who were in Henning House in particular will remember him, including his mentee. We hold his parents and his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time of celebration. 

Secondly, to our three cricketers (all Matrics of 2017 i.e. your peers) who have made the SA Schools side, very well done. To Wandile Makwetu, Joshua Richards and Curtis Campher - congratulations!  In addition, Wandile has been appointed as the Captain of the side, and follows on four other Saints boys who have captained the SA Schools cricket team, including Wiaan Mulder last year.

To your Matric results, in a nutshell: 

• 100% pass rate 
• 97% Bachelor Degree pass rate
• One of our boys was placed on the IEB list for Outstanding Achievement (i.e. top 5% of all IEB candidates in 6 or more subjects and 80% or more for Life Orientation), while two were placed on the IEB list for Commendable Achievement (i.e. top 5% of all IEB candidates in 5 subjects and 80% or more for Life Orientation)
• A total of 10 candidates achieved within the top 1% of all IEB candidates in a specific subject, creating a cumulative total of 19 subject marks.
• Three candidates achieved Academic Honours Summa Cum Laude (an average of 90% or above), and join a long list of 23 top academics who have achieved the school's highest award since we introduced this in 2007.
• There were 333 distinctions from 155 candidates, at an average of 2.15 per student.
• 70% of you (108 students), scored at least one distinction or more. I remind you what Mrs Frankiskos said to you about this at the "Road Ahead" meeting.

As you are aware, I had some concerns about your academic discipline as a group (along with some of your teachers and some of your parents!). However, I am also conscious that most of you reflected on your Prelims, reset your goals and worked harder, and for this I commend you. For example, there were no marks at level 1, and only 12 marks at level 2. As a group, therefore, you have achieved an excellent set of results. Statistics and press releases often highlight the top end achievers, but I trust that most of you will have achieved your own personal goals, and added another trophy to your "trophy cabinet". As such, you will have worked hard, and I hope therefore that you have attained the marks you deserve. If you have achieved that mark for which you aimed, and perhaps which you have not achieved before, then I really do want to say to you, "well done". 

At this time of celebration, it is also important to thank all those who have supported you through your Matric year and through your exams. Firstly to your parents and family - you will remember at "Road Ahead" that I said that families go through Matric together. As such, if you have not done so already, please thank your parents now. 

And to your teachers, many of whom are as stressed about your results as you are! I am sure that you have thanked them already, but if you have achieved something extra, perhaps it would be appropriate to thank them again now. If need be, thank them by email or SMS. I would also urge you to remember all those who have mentored you, coached you and advised you, especially, but not only in your Matric year. Your good work ethic and positive attitude are important ingredients but none of us stand alone when we have achieved something, and the input of others are also part of the recipe for your success. 

On your behalf I also thank the Independent Examination Board, who dealt with queries and issues timeously and efficiently, and ran an examination system of the highest standard. 

The last time we met was at the unveiling of the Matric Gift (and I thank again those families who donated to this project), and the next time you meet together will be at your First Reunion in January, at the One and All clubhouse. This would be a good time to reflect on your Matric year, and on your positive contributions and achievements. These Matric results will be one of those achievements. At the same time, I trust that you will remember the lessons and values you have learnt at the Boys’ College, and that these will stand you in good stead as you go forward with your lives. 

I wish you all the very best for each of your futures, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. 

Warm regards,

Mr Dave Knowles

The national achievements of our top candidates

The following student was placed on the IEB’s list for Outstanding Achievement (i.e. achieved within the top 5% of learners in 6 or more subjects and 80% or more for Life Orientation):

The following students were placed on the IEB’s list for Commendable Achievement (i.e. achieved within the top 5% of learners in 5 subjects and 80% or more for Life Orientation): 

Top 1% of IEB candidates in their subject

The following students have achieved a result in the top 1% of IEB candidates in their subject:

Reece Biehler (Life Orientation)

Christopher Du Plessis  (Information Technology, Mathematics, Physical Sciences)

Matthew Erasmus (Life Orientation)

Dylan Kynoch (Life Orientation)

Craig Meier (Accounting, Mathematics)

Nicholas Meyer (Advanced Programme Mathematics, Life Orientation, Mathematics, Physical Science)

James North (Life Orientation)

Michael Nothnagel (Information Technology, Life Orientation)

Subashen Perumal (Life Orientation)

Ntokozo Zwane (Dramatic Arts, English Home Language, IsiZulu First Additional Language)

The following students qualified for the school's Academic Honours Summa Cum Laude award (i.e. 90% average for their top seven subjects):

Christopher Du Plessis

Nicholas Meyer

Michael Nothnagel

Distinction candidates (in order of number of distinctions)

The top candidates, listed in order of the number of distinctions obtained, are as follows:

10 Distinctions (subjects at Level 7): 1 boy

8 Distinctions (subjects at level 7): 2 boys

7 Distinctions (subjects at Level 7): 7 boys

6 Distinctions (subjects at Level 7):  9 boys

5 Distinctions (subjects at Level 7): 14 boys

4 Distinctions (subjects at Level 7): 9 boys

3 Distinctions (subjects at Level 7): 11 boys

Reece Biehler, Ross Booyse, Shaun Butler, James Jenkins- Ferrett, Kyle Klintworth, Mangaliso Mafata, Shivaan Moodley, Aedan Murray, Simangaliso Nawa, Wandile Nzuza, Nathan Olivier

2 Distinctions (subjects at Level 7): 18 boys

Matthew Barnard, Murray Blamey, Cameron Botha, Sebastian Carr, Nicola Francescutti, Hayden Hackney, Luke Hill, Jock Kleynhans, Wandile Makwetu, Luyanda Mazibuko, Mvuyelwa Nomvalo, Tyrell Palmer, Luke Parlabean, Damon Robberts, Thomas Roberg, Jason Smith, Matthew Strickett, Cameron Wilter

1 Distinction (subjects at Level 7): 39 boys

Matthew Aarts Savadier, Brandon Booysen, Reabetswe Botlholo, Curtis Campher, Donovan Chisulo, Jarred Clegg, Christopher Cooper, Etienne Faasen, Nicholas Gaddin, Ethan Gillion, James Glashoff, Nicholas Godden, Tayne Goetsch, James Gordon, Stefan Griesel, Ryan Jarvis, Daniel Klein, Jason Knibbs, Connor Knight, Liam Lecuona, Kamohelo Matlala, Thabo Mthombeni, Tawanda Mutuma, Lebone Ngwepe, Kade Pascoe, Kiyaan Pather, Subashen Perumal, Jimmy Qiu, Josh Richards, Adrian Schober, Joshua Scrivener, Ethan Shahim, Jayce Spitholt, Luke Stanek, Calvin Steinhobel, Callum Sutherland, Michael van den Heever, Jason Vogel, Adriaan Vorster

Well done to all our Matriculants!

We wish all our matriculants a fulfilling new phase of their lives and we encourage them, One and All, to stay connected with St Stithians into the future.

We look forward to staying in touch with our new alumni.