Oakhill shines again

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KNYSNA NEWS - Oakhill's matrics of 2019 have done themselves and the school incredibly proud in their final Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exams, says academic director, Sharon Brown.

The Class of 2019 has achieved some wonderful results, both individually and collectively.

An impressive total of 95 distinctions was achieved by Oakhill's 48 matriculants with an average of 1.98 distinctions per candidate. In addition to the record of a 100% pass rate for 27 years, a total of 47 of the 48 candidates achieved a Bachelor's Degree pass (university exemption allowing minimum entrance requirements).

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Two matrics, Hanro Hay and Gabriela Kilzer, have achieved an IEB Commendable Achievement recognition certificate, having performed within the top 5% of candidates nationally in five subjects, and in addition, earned an A in Life Orientation.

Daniel van Zyl (2019 Dux scholar) earned eight distinctions, while Hanro Hay (joint 2019 Dux scholar), Gabriela Kilzer and Jessica van Strijp each achieved a full set of seven distinctions. Six distinctions each were awarded to Neve Canny, Angelina Faria, Kristina Steward and Mathew Zwarts. Famke Beukes achieved five distinctions while Morgan Brymer and Christopher Lamprecht each earned four distinctions. Shantè Strydom and David van Heerden earned three distinctions. Several other learners made up the balance of the distinctions.

Of the total of 95 subject distinctions achieved, 19 of these were marks above 90%. Special mention must be made of Hanro Hay who achieved seven distinctions (five over 90%) earning an aggregate of 93,5% and Daniel van Zyl who achieved eight distinctions and an overall aggregate of 89%.

Five of Oakhill's pupils also placed in the top 1% of candidates in individual subjects nationally and deserve wholehearted congratulations. Hanro Hay performed in the top 1% of candidates in Afrikaans First Additional Language, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences. Famke Beukes managed the same in Afrikaans First Additional Language while Daniel van Zyl achieved this in Geography, Jessica van Strijp in Life Sciences and Angelina Faria in Visual Arts.

Nine matriculants achieved overall averages of 80% - a noteworthy achievement for Neve Canny, Angelina Faria, Hanro Hay, Gabriela Kilzer, Christopher Lamprecht, Kristina Steward, Jessica van Strijp, Daniel van Zyl and Mathew Zwarts. The students that impressed the Drama practical examiner were Trevor Gebhard and David van Heerden. Gabriela Kilzer earned top honours for her Visual Arts Practical.

Head of the school, Jannie de Villiers, congratulated the Class of 2019 on doing Oakhill, their parents and themselves proud."They have stepped up to the plate with yet another 100% pass rate and 98% Bachelor Degree pass and various other exceptional group and individual achievements. We are proud of such a strong finish to this group's Oakhill journey and grateful for every educator who has contributed to their success," says De Villiers.

Some of the top learners share their plans for the future, as well as some valuable advice for younger learners:

Hanro Hay excelled in both academics and sports throughout his school career, winning numerous academic awards as well an award for first team hockey player of the year. Having grown up in Johannesburg, Hanro moved to Sedgefield in 2015 and joined Oakhill in Grade 8. Around this time he started surfing, which he reflects became a very important part of his life. As he says "I love being active and spending time in the ocean, enjoying sports (hockey, rugby and athletics) and travelling". Having enjoyed working with numbers, Hanro says his favourite subjects were Maths and Physics. He has been accepted to study BCom Actuarial Science, however has elected to live in New Zealand for the duration of 2020, where he will be working at a school, assisting with sports coaching, tutoring and hostel duties. He plans to come back to South Africa to study thereafter.

Daniel van Zyl grew up in Knysna and has been an Oakhillian since Grade R. During his time at Oakhill he says he made it his mission to achieve his goals and to leave a lasting memory. As a top student in Drama, English and Information Technology, Daniel shared the Dux scholar award with Hanro Hay and earned awards for mathematical lateral thinking and computer programming, as well as for music and drama. He says that Drama and Information Technology will always hold the top spots as his favourite subjects. Looking back on his school career he says he enjoyed hanging out with friends, as most students do, and that he will always remember Oakhill for the teachers, claiming "I don't think that there are many schools out there that allow you to form such personal bonds between students and teachers". Daniel will be studying BSc Computer Science at Stellenbosch and is determined to solve problems and leave a legacy behind.

Morgan Brymer, Bianca Mairs, Jessica van Strijp, Hannah Micklewood, Kuhle Mbomvana, Jenna Hankins and Famke Beukes.