Top IEB and NSC learners announced

15 March 2021

A unique school year concluded in a virtual celebration, as Curro Holdings’ Class of 2020 logged in online today for the annual Matric Awards ceremony. Traditionally, Curro’s top achievers were celebrated at a prestigious gala event in January each year. While this year’s event required a format change, there was certainly no less reason to celebrate as the Class of 2020 truly excelled under immense pressure.

The Matric Awards honoured learners from Curro schools who have completed the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and National Senior Certificate (NSC).

All three Top IEB achievers in top 1% nationally

Writing the IEB exams, learners from Curro Schools and Curro Select Schools achieved an exceptional 99.5% pass rate. A total of 85.6% of these learners qualified for university studies (Bachelor’s Degree Pass).

However, it was a delighted Rachel Neleah van Zyl, from Woodhill College in Tshwane, who managed to secure the top spot as the group’s top IEB academic achiever. She scored an overall average of 94.71%, achieving 90% or more in six of her subjects, including 99% for Mathematics. Furthermore, Van Zyl is in the top 1% of IEB candidates nationally for Accounting, Afrikaans First Additional Language (FAL), Business Studies, Mathematics and Physical Sciences. This year, she is set to study at the University of Pretoria, with the aim of becoming a Civil Engineer.

 

It was a fellow learner of Van Zyl who came in a close second. Cathrine de Klerk, also of Woodhill College, attained an overall average of 94.57%. She achieved 90% and more in six of her subjects, including 99% for Afrikaans FAL. De Klerk is also in the top 1% of IEB candidates nationally for Accounting, Afrikaans FAL, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Physical Sciences. With an interest in medicine, she will be studying at the University of Pretoria.

Cathrine de Klerk from Woodhill College

 

Securing third place with an overall average of 94.29% was Curro Aurora’s Nicole Elizabeth Krause. With 99% for Accounting and Mathematics, Krause is in the top 1% of IEB candidates nationally for Accounting, Afrikaans FAL, English Home Language, Life Sciences and Mathematics. She will be studying towards a BSC Medical Science degree at the University of Pretoria.

 

Top IEB School

Each year, Curro honours the Top Achieving Academic IEB school in the group and for 2020, Grantleigh in Zululand walked away with this title. The school did not only manage a 100% pass rate for an incredible 18^th consecutive year, but Grantleigh’s matrics achieved a school average of 71.96%. Furthermore, 22.09% of its learners finished with an A average, with an incredible 2.36 distinctions per learner.

NSC Awards

The Curro family truly takes its hat off to its Academy and Meridian schools who achieved an outstanding NSC pass rate of 95% with all learners qualifying for a form of tertiary studies.

It was three learners from Northern Academy in Limpopo who squared off as Curro’s Top 3 NSC achievers. Greeshma George is the group’s top NSC achiever, with a magnificent overall average of 92.14%. George achieved seven A’s, managing 90% or more in five of her subjects, including 97% for Accounting.

George says she still cannot believe that she received the top spot. “This year has been one of the greatest challenges I’ve faced. Achieving first place is the best reward. I was proud to see that I remained consistent during the year”. She is set to study Actuarial Sciences at the University of Pretoria.

 

With an 89.43% average, Mmetja Tshegofatso Mashiane secured second place. With five A’s she achieved 90% or more in four of her subjects, including 91% for English. Mashiane has plans of becoming a journalist and will be studying at the University of the Witwatersrand.

A third place for Pula Hendrick Mashapa clenched the trifecta for Northern Academy. With an overall average of 87.57%, Mashapa achieved six A’s, including 96% for Mathematics. This maths genius is heading for great things and will be starting his Medicine studies at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal this year.

 

Top NSC School

Despite Northern Academy’s strong individual academic achievements, it was Meridian Cosmo City that was crowned as the Top Achieving Academic NSC school of 2020. The school did so with an excellent overall pass rate of 98.8%, a Bachelor’s Degree pass rate of 73%, with 47.62% learners achieving an average of more than 60%.

Andries Greyling, Curro Holdings CEO, believes the Class of 2020 has left their mark in history. “Having to face up to the challenges of a global pandemic while not only trying to complete matric but excelling in the process, shows the tenacity of our learners. Our top academic achievers have pointed towards a greatness which they can forever be proud of. Curro will remember this group for years to come,” Greyling states.