KNYSNA NEWS - The Dux Scholar for 2024 at Knysna High School received 100% for university-level Further Studies Mathematics in the matric finals last year, a feat achieved by only six other learners in the country, out of the approximately 2 144 learners who took the subject.
Jaydon Engelbrecht's full marks for the subject gives him the distinction of being in a small group of learners across all schools nationwide who make up the top achievers in maths.
Further Studies Mathematics, a subject in the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) curriculum, helps learners prepare for first-year university maths courses, and is offered at many private schools.
Head boy
Jaydon, who was the head boy at KHS last year, was one of an estimated few hundred learners at public schools who studied the subject through online platforms, some of which have centres where learners can receive in-person instruction.
Studied on his own
What makes Jaydon's accomplishment even more noteworthy is that he studied the subject, his eighth one, on his own, at home, without receiving tuition.
"Well, I couldn't believe it at first - I was just astounded," Jaydon said of being told by the principal of the online platform AdMaths, Jean de Villiers, that he had received 100%.
'Good heart'
De Villiers told Jaydon's maths teacher at Knysna High School, Daleen Steyn, of Jaydon's achievement the day after telling him about it, and when Steyn "broke" the news to the learner, she was surprised to discover he had kept his result to himself.
From the left are KHS top achievers Dylan Bartie, Kristen Leonard and Jaydon Engelbrecht
"He is such a humble young man with such a good heart," Steyn said.
Jaydon's average mark for Grade 12 National Senior Certificate maths had been 99% prior to the release of Grade 12 results at KHS on Tuesday 14 January.
'Bit tricky'
Ahead of receiving that maths mark, Jaydon said: "Well, I always hope for 100% in maths, but there were a number of questions in the finals that were a bit tricky, so I'm not sure if I'll get 100%."
Average of 91.29%
On Tuesday he received an average mark of 91.29% for seven subjects - excluding his mark for his eighth, off-school subject, Further Studies Mathematics - the highest mark at KHS. He earned seven distinctions, receiving 99% for maths.
Actuarial science
Jaydon, who attended Knysna Primary School, plans to study actuarial science at Stellenbosch University this year.
From the left are KHS principal Mark Mosdell, Jaydon's mother Marieta Engelbrecht, Jaydon Engelbrecht and Jody Engelbrecht, Jaydon's twin sister, who also matriculated from KHS on Tuesday 14 January.
"I wanted to become a doctor but when I figured out that you don't do any maths as a doctor, I decided on actuarial science," he said.
His father, Johan, and his mother, Marieta, of Hornlee, Knysna, are extremely proud of him. "What can I say? We're just very, very proud of him.
'Loves what he does'
"He's a hard-working boy, he's passionate about what he does, he loves what he does, and that's why he excels.
"He will achieve great things; he does algorithms in his head at home, it's a fun thing - he'll use his skills for the greater good," Marieta said.
Second-highest
Kristen Leonard achieved the second-highest average mark at KHS, 87.57%, earning six distinctions.
"I'm going to work and save money, and then hopefully next year I'll study actuarial science at Stellenbosch," she said.
Dylan Bartie's average mark, 82%, was the third-highest at KHS.
He earned four distinctions. "I'm already doing a real estate course - I've a passion for real estate - but I'm looking to study business management or property law in 2026," he said.
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