Matric results are akin to golf. Those of us who tramp the fairways and flail regularly through the semi-rough, seldom report being totally satisfied at the end of a round of golf. We could always have hit one straighter, putted another one a little firmer, chosen a club better.
When I have been asked about Wynberg's matric results over the years, I invariably give the same response as I do at the conclusion of a golf round. Whatever the score, there are always regrets. Always a feeling of 'if only....' We can always do better. We can always improve.
My opinion of the 2012 results? If only the two boys, who eventually failed, had attended the two matric evenings with their parents and heard (and absorbed) the outstanding address by Mr Eddy when he emphasised that every academic period missed would inevitably cost a percentage of their final mark. If only these boys had not missed so many classes. …. Jonathan Jansen, Rector of Free State University, in a recent newspaper article stated: ‘The requirement for passing is so low in South Africa that pupils really have to put in a special effort to fail’. It is a pity that they did not take advantage of the advice and expertise of their teachers who, after all, are like golf professionals – they only want what is best for their charges.
One of the matrics, who did well, remarked to me in the foyer on Thursday: 'Now I know what is expected, I would like to have another crack at those exams.' While that is not possible, or desirable, it is worthwhile remembering what Jacques Kallis once said: 'You can't buy experience from the supermarket shelf' and now that the 2011 matrics have acquired (some) experience, it is beholden on them to take it with them on their upcoming journeys through tertiary institutions.
As with golf, there are the memorable shots which ensure that we come back to the fairways again and again. I am particularly pleased that Wynberg was invited to Leeuwenhof on Tuesday 10 January to receive an award from the Premier, Helen Zille and the MEC for Education, Donald Grant. This award was to acknowledge the fact that the school was adjudged 13th in the Western Cape. While this is down from the 6th position of 2010, it is still a hugely satisfying achievement.
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| KCR and Adi Wiegman |
There were many other ‘memorable shots’ in our 2011 results. Adi Wiegman's outstanding set of eight distinctions (including a 97% for Physical Science) tells the tale of someone who set high goals for himself. His English is an interesting one as he was only achieving in the 60's in Grade 10. His teacher, Sharmila Gordon, tells the story of him asking frequently during the year if she would re-mark his work once he had redone it. She was impressed that he was prepared to re-write his work over and over again - until he was satisfied that it was up to his standards. The legacy he leaves is a similar one to David Maasch and Craig Little (Top Ten in the Grade) in that they all achieved outstanding academic results while also playing first team sport - and at the same time proving to be quality prefects. There is a lesson here for all Wynberg boys.
It is interesting to note how many of the Top Ten were also fully committed in other areas of the school. Carl Bodenstein rose to second place in the grade for the first time in his Wynberg career and like Michael Bradley (3rd place), he played first team water polo right through the 4th term and the matric exams. There is no doubt that boys need the exercise and healthy distractions during a stressful exam period. It is all about prioritising - and these skills have been well learnt by many of our boys.
Some Matrics showed that the penny finally dropped and they returned impressive rise in aggregate from their September exams. Leading the way for the Matric who improved the most since the September exams was Adrian Padua (12.3%). Keenan Fourie (11.7%) and Josh Fransman (11.6%) must also be commended on their aggregate improvements. I was impressed with Cameron Bing, Kyle Maurer, Reuben Gready and Anthony Rookledge all who improved their Wynberg positions considerably since September. Would it be churlish to wonder how all these boys would have achieved if they had put in this sort of effort during earlier years?
Other results which caught my eye were Duncan Bell who returned a distinction in History even though he only picked up the subject in his matric year. Dean Swanich must be commended on an outstanding 99% in Accounting. However if I was to give a Supera Moras Award for Never Giving Up, it must go to Michael Moffett who failed Maths in Grade 9 and fought hard to be allowed to carry the subject into Grade 10. How proud we are of the 76% he subsequently achieved in Maths!
There are undoubtedly many other worthy achievements which various matrics and their parents will view with real pride – which I haven’t (yet) picked up. As I said to the rest of the school in the final assembly last year: Don't compare yourself to others – your results are successful if you achieved better results than you did before.
Since 2007, we have ranged from 77% Bachelor Passes (or Matric Endorsements) to 88%. Our 2011 result of 81% is a solid result showing that this school is on fine academic footing. We will continue to stress the importance of a 'Wynberg Pass' - and wait for it - it won't be too long before a grade at Wynberg beats that 90% barrier for Bachelor Passes in Matric.
Three subjects achieved an average of over 70% - Art, Maths Lit and EGD. Well done Mrs Colman, Mr Sopam and Mr Rudd! EGD was top of the WBHS pops with regard to subject distinctions with 17 boys achieving this level and it is pleasing to see that History came in second with 13.
Every year in the first staff meeting of the year, Mr Eddy, as Director of Academics, hands out the ‘Golden Samoosa’ Award for the Subject Department which achieved the best results. It is fitting that the 2011 Award goes to Mr Rudd and the EGD Department.
148 of our boys wrote matric and of those 111 opted to do Maths – of whom 73 (i.e. 66%) achieved a Wynberg Pass of 50% or higher. Because of the efforts of our Maths Department, the number of boys taking Maths has increased year by year and in doing so, they are ensuring that they are tackling a subject which demands thought AND ongoing effort. Our results in Maths send out a clear message that academics at Wynberg is healthy.
‘Mathematics’ says Professor Jansen in the same article ‘is the gold standard for assessing the real meaning of the Senior Certificate results’.
On the exam desk of every Matric pupil, I put a quote from the poem Invictus. It was used by President Mandela as an inspiration to the World Cup Winning Springboks of 1995:
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul.
Now as captains of their own ships, the Matrics of 2011 must navigate through interesting and challenging waters ahead.
This round of exams is now over and, like golf, our boys must take these experiences into their tertiary institutions and learn from them. One caveat, though, is that they must not judge themselves by these marks. Marks are not proof of character or ability - they are merely indicators of work ethic and commitment at this stage of their lives.
Hopefully the Wynberg Brand has laid the foundations for future success in any field of endeavour. I hope that school has shown our matrics how little they do know and that we have succeeded in shaking and disturbing their world view. As 148 Wynberg matrics go onto the world stage, may they take with them an unquenchable curiosity and a determination to challenge and to question.
Only that way will they become contributing citizens.
KCR
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