Three Helderberg schools were among the cream of the crop recognised at the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) 2024 provincial National Senior Certificate Awards.
The awards ceremony, which celebrates outstanding achievement by schools and candidates in the matric examinations, was held on Thursday 30 January. The much-anticipated morning event was hosted by Premier Alan Winde and Minister David Maynier at the prestigious Leeuwenhof estate.
The basin’s Gordon High and Strand Secondary School are enjoying bragging rights after being named among the most improved public schools in the province. The two educational institutions were honoured among the top 10 public schools, with 30 or more candidates who have shown the greatest improvement in the pass rate over the period 2022-’24. The criteria included consistency in the number of Grade 12 candidates over the three-year period.
Gordon High principal Lizette Visser expressed feeling incredibly proud the matric class of 2024. “Our pass percentage of 86,9% is a testament to the hard work of the learners and teachers.
“Gordon’s efforts were recognised at the awards ceremony, where we received a certificate for the 7th most improved school in the Western Cape. As a teaching staff we are determined to provide our learners with an excellent education. The teachers and matriculants of 2024 were dedicated and determined, spending many extra hours on extra classes and revision.
“As principal I am blessed to work with teaching staff who want the best possible results for every Gordon learner. They are already working hard to ensure the success of the class of 2025. ”
Liezl Terhoeven, newly appointed principal of Strand Secondary, expressed their collective elation after securing eighth place in the category. “I can attest that this achievement was not easily attained. It was made possible through the hard work of our learners and the dedication of our staff, who sacrificed family and personal time to invest in our vision of fostering a purpose-driven culture of teaching and learning.
“Our learners and teachers embrace the school’s yearly themes and take ownership of them. Last year’s theme was ‘Bloom where you are planted’ and this year’s themes are ‘My School, My Pride’ and ‘My Work, My Pride’. We made the themes more personal this year, and we hope to achieve even greater results with more quality passes.”
Terhoeven further expressed feeling proud of the school and its ability turn the ship around, change course and steer it to new heights.
“In 2020, Strand Secondary was one of the 10 lowest-performing schools, with a 22% pass rate. The community had lost faith in the school, making its turnaround difficult, though ultimately possible. Over the past three years, learners, teachers, and staff members have played a significant role in improving the pass rate. Our pass rate over the last five years reflects our determination to bring hope to our community and learners. The school’s pass rate has increased from 22% in 2020 to 36,3% in 2021, 54,2% in 2022, 68,3% in 2023, and now 77,2%. I also want to acknowledge the school management team and leadership for their guidance and management, comprising Fabian Filander, Gresham van Wyk and Chantel Bosman. Special recognition goes to Van Wyk, coordinator of the class of 2024.”
Parel Vallei High School (PV) placed 10th among the province’s schools, with the greatest increase in the percentage of bachelor’s passes. It also clinched 10th place among the Western Cape’s top 20 schools that obtained an NSC enrolment of 80 or more candidates. Furthermore, PV’s James Nicholas Bate received an award for the best performance in Life Sciences and was ranked among the top 40 candidates in the province. He also earned an average of 95% and seven subject distinctions.
PV was also named one of the country’s top schools at the Solidariteit Skoleondersteuningsentrum (SOS) awards in Pretoria, ranking 14th overall for distinctions (547) and eighth among Afrikaans schools. Its results included top marks in EGD (Engineering Graphics and Design) and Life Sciences.
