The Jan Kriel School's matriculants of 2024 not only achieved an excellent 100% pass rate, but 80.3% of the learners also passed with access to university studies. The class of 68 learners can also boast 15 subject distinctions.
Gerrit Odendaal, principal, said last week during a meeting when the learners came to collect their results that Jan Kriel's matrics have only achieved a 100% pass rate two or three times since he has been at the school in 2016.
"Wow, this shirt of mine makes everyone want to burst with pride," he told the learners. "We are so proud of you, because we know it took hard work."
Odendaal stressed that he was first and foremost proud of the learners because no one else could write the exam for them, but he also thanked the parents and teachers for their support and hard work that contributed to the success. After the June exams last year, there was concern about some of the learners who did not pass or did not perform as expected, Odendaal said.
"Winter schools and summer schools were introduced. The staff put aside their holidays to come and teach extra classes and our matrics attended." Ultimately, all the effort that was put in paid off. "The matrics will remember, I told them: 'This (matric certificate) is a piece of paper that no one can take away from you'."
In addition to the pass rate, the quality of the qualification is also important, Odendaal pointed out. In 2023, 61% of Jan Kriel's matriculants gained university admission. "It was very good because that's most of our learners." Odendaal suspects that the 80.3% of learners who passed with university admission in 2024 may be the most for the Jan Kriel School yet. "It means doors are opening for you; there are possibilities. This is not the end of your path, but the beginning. Sometimes the journey takes a little longer, but it's a wonderful journey full of possibilities," he told the learners.
The class's 15 subject distinctions include one each for tourism, computer applications technology, business studies, agricultural technology and Afrikaans home language, as well as five distinctions for mathematics literacy and five for Afrikaans first additional language. The five learners who performed best were Joshua Meyer, followed by Kian Smith and Nevito Louw (joint second), Marlie Blom and Nasr Esau.
Justin Pretorius, deputy principal, says the learners' achievements and subject distinctions are testament to hard work and determination. "Their dedication serves as an example to all the learners."
Pretorius says the school began several targeted initiatives in 2024 to enable learners to perform at their best. These included: academic intervention programmes focused on need; support in the residence to ensure suitable study spaces; subject workshops focusing on core topics; additional learning opportunities during holidays; weekly meetings for each grade to monitor progress and highlight concerns; online assistance and motivation for learners to keep them on track; and the implementation of support plans for learners that are tailored to each individual's needs.
Pretorius says the fantastic results of the matrics of 2024 endorse the importance of holistic support and the unwavering belief that every learner can achieve success. "Jan Kriel School is a beacon of hope and excellence in special needs education that proves that with the right support, no dream is out of reach."
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