The Western Cape Province achieved the highest National Senior Certificate pass rate in it’s history with a 86.6%, a 5.1% improvement on the 2023 pass rate revealed the Western Cape Ministry of Education in a statement.

Western Cape matriculants also excelled in mathematics and physical science. Western Cape Minister of Education David Maynier, said: “Our province achieved the top mathematics and top physical science pass rate of 79.4%.

“Our candidates achieved our highest number of subject distinctions to date, with 11 699 candidates achieving a total of 27 948 distinctions for the second highest distinctions rate in the country,” said Minister Maynier.

Other Western Cape matriculant achievements include an increase in the bachelor’s pass rate which showed an increase of more than 5.6% resulting in an overall percentage of 47.8%.

On the local front, schools proudly shared and acknowledged the outstanding achievements of their 2024 matriculants.

Rhenish Girls’ High School, says the school in a statement, kicked off their 165th anniversary year with the excitement and celebrations of the class of 2024’s exceptional NSC results. The class of 2024 achieved a 100% pass rate, a 99.3% Bachelor’s Pass, five 2024 matric candidates achieved an average of 90% or more, 57 Candidates achieved an A average (that is 39% of the class of 2024) and there were 520 Subject Distinctions, an average of 3,54 A’s per candidate.

Tracey Megom, Principal of Rhenish Girls’ High School, said: “These outstanding results showcase not only the quality of our learners but also the quality of staff at Rhenish Girls’ High School and attest to the enormous amount of effort they have put in to help and guide the Class of 2024 to achieve such exceptional results.”

Léa Stanford was in first place leading the top 10 of the 2024 matriculants at Rhenish Girls’ High School’s with her results in the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) reflecting an average of 93,14, with seven A’s.

Other outstanding results the Rhenish matric class of 2024 accomplished includes one pupil bagging eight distinctions, followed by 16 pupils who achieved 7 distinctions each, and 13 pupils who achieved six distinctions each. On the subject front, 10 achieved an average above 80% and a further eight achieved an average above 70%.

Anja Durand was the second best performing matriculant at Rhenish scoring an average of 92,29% in the NSC’s and seven A’s.

“We are proud very of the Class of 2024 and we wish them nothing but the best for their future. May they always know that they will have a home at Rhenish Girls’ High School,” said Ms Megom.

In third place of the matriculant 2024 results obtained among pupils at Rhenish, was Katrien Booysen, with an average of 91,29%and six A’s.

Bloemhof Girls' High School in Stellenbosch once again achieved a 100% pass rate. Of the school’s group of 142 matriculants, an impressive 141 (a total percentage of 99,3%) of the pupils passed with matric exemptions and the class of 2024 has achieved an average of 77,14%, with 79,5% of the pupils achieving a B-symbol or higher, while 63 candidates achieved an A-average and 50 candidates can be proud of their B average. The class of 2024 has also scored 583 subject distinctions, an average of 3,82% per candidate.

It was smiles all around as 2024 matriculants of Bloemhof Girls' High School gathered at the school to obtain their National Senior Certificate results. PICTURE: STEPHAN MEYER

Achieving an exceptional result is top Bloemhof candidate Femke Boegman, passing with eight A’s, achieving distinctions for Afrikaans Home Language, English Home Language, Mathematics, Life Sciences, Physical Science, Enigneering Graphics and Design, Life Orientation and Design Art.

Other top Bloemhof performing candidates were Sophia Botha and Helena du Plessis who each achieved an average of 93,5% placing them both in top place, followed by Sunette Willemse, with an average of 92,17%.

Top achievers from left, are Helena du Plessis, Sophia Botha and Sanette Willemse. PICTURE: STEPHAN MEYER

Parel Vallei High School’s class of 243 matric candidates scored a 94,7% Bachelor’s Pass Rate, 69 A candidates and 547 total A’s achieved in subjects, while 69 of the matriculants achieved an A-average. An overall average of 69,24% was achieved by the 243 candidates. The school’s top 10 matriculants obtained an overall average of 91,23%.

At Strand High School the matriculants were pleased with their performance in the 2024 NSC. With a pass rate of 99.5% and 14 candidates achieving an A-average, the school principal, Danie Malan expressed his joy with the results.

He said: “Strand High School is very proud of the achievements of our Grade 12 pupils of 2024. Thank you to all our teachers for their hard work they’ve put in to get our pupils to this point. We wish to congratulate every pupil who has achieved and reached their goals. May you use these achievements to spread your wings to achieve further success on your life’s paths.”

These Strand High School 2024 matriculants all achieved an A-average in the NSC’s. In the back from left, are Dané Theron, Thurlo Stopforth, Ben Potgieter, Benneline Kruger, Corné Verster, Nathan Nel, Clarissa Groenewald, Caitlin Cornelius, Jada Snyman, Kayla Swarts and Leoné Smith. In the front from left, are Wynand Killian, Donné Oosthuizen and Jané Swart.