KARIEGA – Riebeek College Girls’ High School achieved a 100% matric pass rate, leading Kariega’s schools in the 2025 academic results, with Hoërskool Brandwag following at 96.6%. Both schools showed improvement from their 2024 performance.
Riebeek College Girls’ High School:
The Head of Academics, Le-Anne Stroebel, said the school wants quality passes, not just 100%. The learners delivered exactly that: mostly Bachelor passes, few diploma passes, and zero higher certificate passes. “This was a good 100%; they didn’t just scrape by.”
The top achiever, Riddhi Mistry achieved an A-aggregate along with six distinctions in Accounting, Afrikaans First Additional Language, Life Orientation, Business Studies, English Home Language and Life Science.
Deputy Principal Bianca Viljoen explained: “The secret begins in Grade 11. We identify learners that could possibly be at risk and create a three-way partnership between parents, teachers and learners.”
This approach transforms potential failure into shared success through signed agreements outlining each party’s responsibilities.
“Fostering a love for your subject is one of the things we have seen to make a difference in results,” said Logan Henman, CAT teacher. Their winter school programme is a two-week initiative during June holidays. Henman described its effect: “We identified at-risk learners and focused on the basics. Someone getting 45% – we want to get them to that pass mark.”
Riebeek College challenges academic pressure conventions. “There’s a misconception that you must leave all sport to focus on schoolwork,” said the school Principal, Leis’l Jordaan. “Here we are – 100% pass rate with matric learners playing sport and involved in societies.”
A critical factor is addressing the modern reading crisis. “They know the content, but the question trips them up,” explained English teacher Robyn Wentley-Stride. “Explaining how to answer questions is as important as knowing content.”
Riebeek College’s 2025 head girl, Yolisa Cuba, shared her approach to academic stress: “The final year can feel overwhelming, but it’s in those moments of challenge that we discover our greatest strengths. Don’t let the workload consume you; break it down and make it manageable.”
Hoërskool Brandwag:
When asked about their top achiever, Lourens Preller’s results, Principal Riana Mostert said: “We are extremely proud of Lourens’s achievement. He consistently achieved an average of 94.6% throughout the year.”
Mostert believes in “establishing a solid foundation during the early high school years through dedicated teachers, strong work ethic, parental involvement, early academic intervention and stimulation of top-performing learners.”
The expectations for the Class of 2025 were high. “Although they didn’t achieve 100% pass rate, the quality of results is something to be proud of. The number of learners who can further their studies at tertiary institutions has increased.”
Mostert emphasised the importance of balanced education: “Sport supports physical health, mental well-being, discipline, resilience and time management. When academics and sport are balanced, learners are more motivated and perform consistently.”
Her advice to other schools: “Set high but realistic goals. Teachers need to monitor progress and intervene early. Schools must involve parents. The message must be clear: buckle down and study.”
Lourens Preller’s formula for success
Speaking to UD Express, Lourens Preller shared his approach to Grade 12 with increased discipline and responsibility: “I knew I had to establish healthy daily habits to make a success in matric. Early in 2025 I established the habit of working hard every day.”
Preller maintained balance whilst prioritising academics: “I believe you need balance to be successful, but I definitely put bigger emphasis on academics in 2025. My family relationships, girlfriend, friends and sport [cricket] really helped me unwind and ground myself.”
His strategy included working daily on academics and focusing on challenging subjects: “I started focusing on subjects and parts I did not enjoy and identified as marks I could improve. I used electronic resources online and reached out to teachers for help.”
Preller noted that reducing screen time during exams helped him “focus better and memorise information more quickly and more efficiently.”
He emphasised the school environment’s role: “All my teachers made an effort to support my academic goals. During third term, some teachers set up mock exams for me to refine my exam writing process.”
Preller’s advice to the Class of 2026: “Create positive daily habits. Put in the work in 2026 and you will reap the rewards. Find ways to make the journey fun – if you’re finding joy in the journey, it will be significantly easier.”
Both schools demonstrate that academic excellence comes from holistic approaches combining early intervention, balanced pressure, student empowerment, and strong school-parent partnerships.
Preller will study Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch, whilst Cuba will study Chemical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand.
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