Curro Rivonia learners shine in chess and the arts
27 June 2025Two learners from Curro Rivonia are making headlines for their impressive achievements in 2025 – one on the global chess stage and the other in classical music performance.
Kirthan represents South Africa on three international stages
Kirthan, a passionate chess player from Curro Rivonia, has secured his place among South Africa’s rising youth players. After finishing 11th nationally at the South African Junior Closed Chess Championships (SAJCCC) in Cape Town during the first-term holidays, he earned selection for Team South Africa at both the Africa Youth Junior Chess Championship and the Commonwealth Chess Championship.
He also competed in the Moja Chess Extravaganza, the largest chess tournament on the continent, where he moved from 93rd to 55th place in the rankings – a significant climb in a field packed with top players from across Africa.
Kirthan’s latest honour comes with his selection to represent South Africa at the FIDE World Youth Chess Olympiad in Barranquilla, Colombia, from 16 to 23 August 2025. The tournament gathers top youth competitors from around the globe and is one of the most prestigious events in international youth chess.
Taetum Henry earns top music awards at Trinity Eisteddfod
Grade 11 learner Taetum Henry delivered a standout violin performance at the Trinity Eisteddfod on 23 May 2025. Her efforts earned her double gold for two pieces, each scoring over 85%, and a diploma for her third, which exceeded 90%.
Curro Rivonia described her playing as an ‘unforgettable performance’ and praised the high scores she received. The Trinity Eisteddfod provides a formal, adjudicated platform for young musicians to perform solo and ensemble pieces before expert panels. Scoring above 90% reflects a top-tier standard of performance.
Academic excellence meets artistic and competitive skill
Both Kirthan and Taetum show what’s possible when talent, preparation, and opportunity meet. Their achievements reflect the culture of excellence at Curro Rivonia, where learners are encouraged to pursue both academic and personal goals across multiple disciplines.
Learn more about Curro Rivonia and how learners are supported in sport, culture, and academic pursuits.