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St. Benedict's celebrates their 45th consecutive year of a 100% pass rate

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St Benedict’s Boys
St Benedict’s Boys

The 2019 National Senior Certificate results are out and St Benedict’s College is celebrating an impressive set of marks from the class of 2019 with a distinction ratio of almost two per student.

This year marks the 45th consecutive year the college has achieved a 100% pass rate.

While some exceptional marks were recorded, three St Benedict’s boys achieved averages over 90% and five boys are among the country’s highest achievers.

Headmaster Dave Jeffrey says, "The class of 2019 has performed admirably in the National Senior Certificate exams. While we acknowledge the excellent results of our top achievers, I believe that our greatest success is the 100% pass rate and the high proportion of boys who achieved a Bachelor Degree pass which is 96.85%."

Winning strategy

Jeffrey reveals their winning strategy is investing many hours of extra tuition with each and every student to help them realise their full potential, and the net result is all of their pupils have qualified for tertiary studies.

"This approach has paid off and we are delighted at how our passionate and dedicated teachers not only educated, but inspired our boys to go beyond the ordinary so as to achieve the very best they were each capable of. Of course, we cannot take away from the hard work and the commitment of our young men in excelling in these final exams and the support they received from their parents,” Jeffrey says.

Top students

Students who really excelled in their finals and both achieved an incredible nine distinctions each include Yashin Govender, who achieved an average of 91.6% and Julio Martins who finished just behind him on 90.1%.

Also read: What are my child's career options if they don't finish high school?

Yashin Govender

Yashin Govender achieved an average of 91.6%

Govender is passionate about IT and will study Actuarial Sciences at WITS this year. He recommends students keep setting ambitious goals, because that's what's going to push you to succeed.

"I learnt a lot of problem solving skills during my time at St Benedict's, but perhaps the most significant contributor to my success is that I learnt the value of perseverance, dedication and hard work. I've built up a great work ethic over the last 10 years at St Benedict's and that will serve me well in my future."

Julio Martins
Julio Martins achieved an average of 90.1%

St Benedict’s top Gr 12 student, Karl Etsebeth, scooped up eight distinctions and an enviable average of 92.6% and is ranked on the IEB’s Commendable Achievers List.

Positive about his future and ready to take on the challenge of a Computer Engineering degree at TUKS, Etsebeth says, "Because I was passionate about everything I did, I excelled but it was determination, which I learnt from rowing at Bennies, that taught me to push and work harder towards the achievement of my goals. If I wasn't determined I wouldn't have been able to do it."      

Also see: Math challenges? A school psychologist could help

Future success 

“There are many other old boys who have gone through the gates of St Benedict’s who are making a difference in the world around them," Headmaster Jeffrey says.

Some top names include:

  • Shannon Leibuch, 94.7FM Radio DJ, Class of 2013
  • David O’ Sullivan, Kaya FM Radio DJ, Class of 1979
  • Paul Carstensen, High Court Judge, Class of 197
  • Hugh Baiocchi, Renowed Golfer, Class of 1963
  • Douglas Smart, MD of KFC in SA, Class of 1983

"It’s true to say that the success we observe in these old boys could very likely be the success that our Class of 2019 will experience, and this is our wish for them," he adds.

"History says that we have stood the test of time and the evidence of our success as a school is embodied in our old boys. We believe that past success is a predictor of future success and we feel really positive about the future of the Class of 2019,” he continues.

"Our matriculants are on the cusp of the next chapter of their lives. It’s an exciting new journey and we believe they have been well equipped to move forward with confidence as they become the trailblazers of South Africa’s future success. We wish them all well as they move ahead, knowing they will create their own bright futures."

Compiled for Parent24 by Anneline Hlangani

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