Principals look back on an exceptional class of 2016

OWN CORRESPONDENT

King David High School Linksfield in Johannesburg, had a phenomenal matric class in 2016, achieving outstanding results. Said Lorraine Srage, principal of the school: “What makes these results particularly exceptional is the fact that we are a community school, and we do not have an entrance examination. 

“We believe that every student possesses the ability to realise his/her potential, that consistent motivation, dedication and diligence from our students, together with our highly professional and caring academic staff, and the support of our parents, are the foundation upon which excellence is achieved. 

“What is gratifying is the success achieved by our students in our educational support programme, the majority achieving a university pass. I am truly blessed to be the principal of a school which encourages each and every student to be successful.”

One hundred and fifty three King Davidians sat for the examinations and the school again obtained a 100 per cent pass rate, with 19,6 per cent receiving a full house or more. Four Linksfield students are mentioned in the “outstanding list” and all of them were placed in the top five per cent in all their subjects. Three students were placed on the commendable list; they were in the top five per cent in six of their subjects. Twenty students were positioned in the top one per cent of their individual subjects.

Andrew Baker, headmaster of King David Victory Park also expressed his pride in the class of 2016.

“We are exceptionally proud of… their brilliant overall achievements in the IEB examinations, not only the children who achieved eight, nine and 10 distinctions, but to the entire group for achieving Bachelor’s degree passes.  

“Some of our students have entered our high school from remedial primary schools or with significant barriers to learning and I am especially proud of these children because of what they have achieved.

“We wish our new alumni everything of the best and know that they will continue to make us proud. We trust that KDVP has instilled in you the values needed to succeed in this challenging world.”

Herzlia High School in Cape Town had 93 matric candidates. The school again achieved a 100 per cent pass rate. Says Marc Falconer, the principal: “There were 330 individual distinctions – an average of 3,5 distinctions per candidate.” The matrics achieved “a very massive” 77,4 overall subject aggregate.

“The Herzlia matric results, the culmination of this aspect of academic growth of 12 (or more) years of schooling, have once again been superb. This is testimony to the focused and determined work of pupils and the extraordinary dedication of the whole school community, particularly the teaching staff and members of the educational support team.

“It is also important to recognise parents’ investment in, encouragement of and support given to the school and, of course, towards their own children.

Falconer said the statistics did not, however, “tell the whole story; for many pupils who are part of our inclusive school, their matric results need to be understood in their specific context and we are often more proud of these less difficult to discern triumphs than the more obvious achievements.

“Education is about these results, but also about the values, skills, habits and relationships that our pupils take out into the world after they leave their school.”

A successful matriculant today is far more than merely a good learner, but often also excels in a variety of fields and activities, CrawfordSchools™ said in comment on the matric results.

“The success of a school is measured on how well-equipped its pupils are to reach their potential and achieve their dreams. This approach underpins one of CrawfordSchools’™ philosophies: ‘Every child a masterpiece’.

CrawfordSchools™, known to the Jewish community as a trailblazer in innovative and forward-thinking education, did not disappoint with their recent matric results.

In 2016, 558 Crawford matriculants, from five campuses, achieved a 93,8 per cent BA degree pass and a 100 per cent pass rate, Anwar Karrim, MD of CrawfordSchools™, said. He believed excellence in education depended on a number of factors, including a focus on developing the unique potential of each individual, extending the individual beyond his or her comfort zone and maintaining a sense of comfort and purpose.

“Teamwork was evident throughout the Class of 2016. They were well prepared by their teachers, well supported by their parents and individually they have put in the effort to ensure that they achieved their best.

Denese Bloch, principal of Yeshiva College, said: “Once again, our Yeshiva College learners have given their parents, the school and the Jewish community at large, a great deal of nachas with their matric result.

“While it is obvious that we celebrate and praise those who achieved exceptional results, by achieving multiple distinctions, what is not always so obvious is the huge achievement of some learners who will not have their names up in lights but who have worked incredibly hard to achieve university exemption.

“For me the fact that all of our matrics of 2016 have qualified to apply to a university, is a great source of pride and gratitude because it means that they all have choices in terms of their academic futures. We don’t always realise just how much effort it takes for some learners to achieve this.”

She said it is “our belief at Yeshiva College, that it is our responsibility as a school, to ensure the wellbeing of our students on every level: spiritually, academically culturally and in terms of their sporting ability.

“We believe it is because of this multi-faceted approached, particularly our focus on kodesh, and not in spite of this, that our learners over the last seven years have been able to sustain the very high academic standards that we have seen.”

Rabbi Dovid Hazdan, dean of Torah Academy, also heaped praise on the school’s matric class of 2016.

“We commend our students who have worked hard and our exceptional principals and teachers who have brought out the best of each individual student. These results are even more exceptional, considering the high demanding standards of our Torah studies at Torah Academy.”

Rabbi Yossi Chaikin, principal of Torah Academy Boys’ High School said of the exceptional matric results: “Each one has given of his best to achieve these superb results. They accomplished this over and above a daily kodesh regimen. And the real distinction is that all of them will be spending 2017 in a yeshiva in Israel.

“There they will continue to grow in their learning and in their exemplary midos tovos. They will complement their secular studies with intensive Torah studies to fully equip them for life. Hatzlacha to you all and may you continue to grow from strength to strength.”

Rebecca Sarchi, principal of Torah Academy Girls’ High School said: “We are proud of their results and for fulfilling their academic potential. The endless hours of studying have most certainly paid off.

“My fervent wish is that our students will take the numerous lessons that Torah Academy Girls’ High School has instilled in their hearts and carry these lessons with them wherever they go.” 

Rabbi Steven Krawitz, principal of Hirsch Lyons Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools, also lauded the schools’ “exceptional results”. Eighteen students achieved 67 distinctions, on average 3,7 distinctions per student; 51 per cent of all results were “A” symbols and 83 per cent of all results were “A” and “B” symbols. For the fourth year in a row Hirsch Lyons achieved a 100 per cent university exemption pass rate. 

“As a school we are proud of our students and would like to celebrate each individual and showcase them in the Jewish press. The Girls High matriculating class requested to not appear in the media and for their results to be private. We have honoured this request, even though their achievements place them in the upper reaches of IEB matric results, which any school would be proud to publicise.

“Our students’ ‘middos’, their commitment to Torah ideals and their humility are their greater achievements. We wish our students, their parents and teachers mazeltov and look forward to witnessing the powerful and positive impact they will make in the future on our community, our country and on the world.”