Soneike High School in Highbury, Kuils River, has shown a steady and quite remarkable increase in the matric pass rate and Bachelor’s passes over the past three years.
The school’s class of 2025 had a 96,4% pass rate (68,5% Bachelor’s passes) compared to 90,3% (51%) in 2024, and 78,3% (39,5%) in 2023.
Principal Ronel Baker said the learners exceeded the previous pass rate throughout the year. Baker noted that the school has a strong focus on “gateway subjects” such as mathematics, physical science, accounting, economics and agricultural science.
“We’ve done very well. We are celebrating the increase in our pass rate and our Bachelor’s passes are almost at 70%—compared to last year it’s an amazing increase, a beautiful jump.”
The school had a 100% pass rate for geography. “The pass rate for all subjects is 95 to 100%,” Baker said.
Top achievers
The school’s top three matriculants for 2025 are all girls and all three achieved five subject distinctions. “They all have done really well,” Baker said.
Top learner Mikaela Titus passed with an 84,5% average. She will be studying law at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
To the matrics of 2026, Mikaela said: “Believe in yourself, your abilities and your own potential. Never let self-doubt hold you captive. You are worthy of all that you dream of and you are destined for greatness. All of the best class of 2026, also remember to always remain humble.”
Mikaela added that she would like to thank all her teachers and the rest of Soneike High’s staff “for all of the hard work they put into their daily lessons, extra classes, weekend classes and so much more.
“They made school feel like a second home and without their support and motivation I wouldn’t have made it this far. They’ve really worked hard and deserve all the recognition in the world.”
Not forgetting her roots, Mikaela also wanted to acknowledge Silversands Primary School. “I’ll always be grateful for the love and care that I received from my primary school teachers,” she said.
Words of wisdom
Following on Mikaela’s heels were Denusha Samuels and Nakhane Ntame.
Denusha has been accepted to study for a BCom Financial Accounting degree at UWC and Nakhane will be studying law (LLB) at the University of Cape Town.
Nakhane, who is currently in the Netherlands on an exchange programme, was elated when Baker informed her of her good results.
She shared some advice to this year’s matrics in a video clip: “You have to study every day,” she said. “I feel it’s more effective to start with the subjects that you struggle with and spend more time on that and then you can study the ones you are comfortable with.”
Nakhane said she also did not watch TV. “I deleted my social media as it is a big distraction.”
She added that prayer is important. “Be proud of yourself with how far you’ve come. Do not be too hard on yourself; and the most important thing: practise past exam papers,” she concluded.
You must be logged in to post a comment.