JORDAN MOSHE
“They taught us that today’s generation is not as materialistic as those of the past.”
Marc Falconer, the Principal of Herzlia High School agrees, describing the class of 2018 as one aware of the importance of creating and owning a narrative.
According to the principals of South Africa’s Jewish high schools, last year’s matric cohort set a new precedent in the classroom and on the sports field that future students will find tough to beat.
In spite of persistent pressure and stress, students from across the spectrum of the Jewish schools proved their mettle repeatedly throughout the past year – and they should know.
“Being a principal of a school is a huge privilege,” says Rebecca Sarchi, the Principal of Torah Academy Girls High School. “It teaches you the art of acceptance, diversity, and how to remain non-judgemental in all situations.”
Every year, matric groups are defined by particular attributes or energies. The common trait amongst this cohort seems to have been its sense of unity.
Says Falconer, “The group started off as a little passive and disengaged, but by the end of high school, it had coalesced beautifully, and had established far more of a self-starter mentality.
The same was true of other schools, including King David Victory Park, whose matrics Principal Andrew Baker describes as a cohesive group that bonded well, and looked out for one another.
Equally unique was the students’ movement towards taking ownership of the present, and actively shaping the future.
Given the dire pass rate and university admission statistics in South Africa, this determination is, perhaps, more important than ever.
Nic Spaull, Senior Researcher in the Economics Department at Stellenbosch University, says only 4% of any school starting cohort will end up with a university degree. There is today fiercer competition to get into the faculty of choice at university, and principals are certainly aware that their students need to remain focused and work consistently.
However, they seem confident in the abilities of their matriculants, whose academic achievements clearly speak for themselves.
In the words of Morag Rees, the Managing Director of Crawford Schools, this cohort is a group of accomplished young people, who are ready to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive world.
For instance, more than 14% of students at King David Linksfield achieved a full house of seven distinctions or more, with results for mathematics, physical science, and English all higher than in previous years, says the school’s Principal, Lorraine Srage.
The same is true, says Principal Rabbi Yossi Chaikin, of students at Torah Academy Boys High School. Despite being lesser in number than most groups, all passed with a university entrance, each achieving at least one A symbol, with most scoring multiple marks in the 80s and 90s.
Alongside their academic prowess, the students clearly remembered to play hard. From squash to public speaking, outreach projects to student-leadership initiatives, the matric students proved that they were more than bright scholars, equally talented in spaces outside the classroom.
“From the winner of the Gauteng Individual Speaking Competition to the winners of the Gauteng Accounting Team prize, to the netball players and squash players, they pulled together, driving each other to work harder, perform better, and be better people,” says Long.
The principals all point out, however, that achievements and statistics do not tell the whole matric story. Behind the scenes, innumerable less-discernible triumphs defined the year, be they personal successes or the ability to challenge the odds.
Says Baker, “In spite of challenges and barriers along the way, these students have been able to succeed by taking every opportunity that was given to them and using it to the maximum – not only the top achievers, but everyone in the group.”
Although they are already gearing up to see the class of 2019 through with as little stress and as much laughter as possible, the principals all express the wish for future success for the 2018 cohort, and confidence that they will do their school proud.
Says Long, “We salute the class of 2018, and wish them every success as they move into an exciting future with, no doubt, a little trepidation, but with a lot of their characteristic determination and confidence.”
