Mrs J Finnie – Deputy Headmaster – Academics
For some boys, term 2, and especially the mid-year exams, was a time of real academic focus and consistent application. Hard-working and self-disciplined boys have been rewarded and we commend them on their efforts as well as their commitment to the task at hand. For others however, their academic performance has not been a priority. The boys were reminded in the first assembly of the new term, that academics is the primary reason that they are at school. Apart from the holistic education that school offers, and the life-skills learnt, the purpose of school is to leave with a matric result that gets you to where you want to be, whether that is a university, some other form of tertiary study, or employment.
The criteria to meet the requirements for promotion in 2nd and 3rd Form are demanding, and special attention must be paid to English and Afrikaans:
In the light of this, parents are encouraged to talk to their boys if they are struggling academically. The two key areas offered by the school to assist these boys are:
- Academic enrichment classes. Has your son attended? This is offered free of charge after school and is given by our experienced teachers. Weekly attendance and commitment from the start of the term is crucial for proper progress to be made.
- Reflective learning. Has your son worked on this programme after school hours for 2 hours per week, in Maths and English? The programme is online, accessible from any device, and is designed specifically to address gaps in learning and knowledge in these two key subject areas. Boys who intend to take Core Maths in Form 4 2025, will be required to complete their Reflective Learning journey, by the end of 2024.
For boys in 3rd Form, their academic performance may well impact on their options for subject choices in 2025.
The pass requirements for 4th, 5th and 6th Form are shown below:
There are 3 types of passes in the senior (FET) phase of schooling, and the quality of your son’s pass is very important:
- Higher Certificate pass
- Diploma Pass
- Bachelors pass
In matric, if your son passes with a Higher Certificate he can generally apply to a tertiary college or certificate course, but not a university or university of technology. Students who pass with a Diploma pass may gain entrance into a university of technology, but not to a university. If your son obtains a Bachelors Pass, he may apply to a university or degree course.
For 5th Form, the November report will open or close the tertiary study doors, as this is the report that is required for applications to tertiary study institutions. For our 6th Form, their consistent efforts as they prepare for Trials will significantly influence their performance in finals.
It is crucial that your sons prioritise academics this term. Their behaviour in class must reflect this, and their preparation for assessments must be to the very best of their ability. They are urged to make the correct decisions and choices, and to make this term, a time of real academic focus, as they prepare for the examinations next term.