Celebrating the Class of 2020
Thank you to Mrs Shelly Matthews, the HODs, and the Academic Staff for the contribution they make daily, which is vital to our College's success. I recognize the unique role that they play in promoting and advocating quality education. St Peter’s College benefits every day from the dedicated energies and time devoted by our academic staff members. St Peter’s College is successful because of the standard of teaching and all the extra opportunities offered to the students, and the hard work behind the scenes.
St Peter’s College had endured many challenges since its foundation twenty-three years ago; however, never to the extent to those we experienced in 2020. I am proud to say that we were not found to be wanting. What defined us is the courage, creativity, and resilience with which you, our Matric Class of 2020, responded to the challenge rather than the intrinsic nature of these challenges themselves.
Whilst I do not want to dwell too much upon the unprecedented challenges of recent months, I want to share my admiration for the courage and resilience you demonstrated last year. As we now begin to emerge from the other side of this crisis, we do so with the sure knowledge that those bonds which have been forged in adversity have only served to enrich and intensify our relationships with one another. We have inspired each other to live with hope and face the future with the sure knowledge that we have emerged from this in a stronger position than ever before. We have not simply survived; we have grown together and thrived together during these most testing times.
I am grateful for this opportunity to congratulate the Matric Class of 2020 on your outstanding Matric Results. Many of you strove to do your best, and I believe that represents St Peter’s College's true spirit. Although we all know that taking part is a key element in academics, cultural and sports, school events, and life in general, recognition of achievement can be what makes us push ourselves and reach our full potential. These Matric Results are a true representation of everything we stand for at St Peter’s College. These hard-working, articulate students are a credit to the College and an inspiration to many among their peers. Through achievements such as these, we see the skill, high expectation, and commitment of our staff and students, and these results are great examples of what we hope for from our youth.
When I look at the Matric Class of 2020; when I see their hard work; when I share in the celebrations of successes; when I am witness to their kindness and support for each other; when I hear of their exemplary conduct in school activities, I have every confidence that the young men and women who receive their results today, will leave St Peter’s College and be precisely the kind of young people who will make a positive difference to the world.
Today is our opportunity to celebrate students' individual successes, recognise consistent and sustained effort for excellence in Grade 12 academics, and the recognition of our future leaders, the Class of 2020. Whatever your results today, be assured that the College, your teachers and your parents are very proud of you.
I remember listening to a recent interview with one of the world's top football managers after he was knocked out of the Champions League. Media frenzy raged, and yet his press conference statement was straightforward and wise: ‘Nobody died here. We lost a football match.’ Never forget that the greatest prize of all is when you can look yourself in the eye and say, ‘I tried my absolute best.
I also want you to remember that this humdrum, ordinary, take-it-for-granted thing of going to school and learning – in a school which values you; in a school which is ambitious for you – would be seen from the perspective of millions worldwide as the most priceless gift on earth. From that perspective, each of you has won a prize beyond value.
The privilege of the education you received at St Peter’s College is something that you should never feel obliged to apologise for. But if we have genuinely educated you, you will know that with this privilege comes the responsibility of turning your excellence in all that you do to the advantage of others. Let that spirit inform all that you do, all your academic successes, and all the steps that you take on the way to becoming the change-makers of the future.
I want to congratulate the Matric Class of 2020 on obtaining the following OUTSTANDING results:
100% Matric Pass
95% Bachelor’s Degree Pass – University Entrance (BD Pass = 109; D Pass = 7)
262 A Symbols
212 B Symbols
Furthermore, I want to congratulate the following students on their “Outstanding” results:
9 Distinctions – Gathuku Matheri and Syjil Ramjuthan.
8 Distinctions – Carl Vemer.
7 Distinctions – Jessica Goulding, Natalie Molenaar and Kerryn Hayter.
6 Distinctions – Jessica Dunstan, Aiden Enslin, Kayleigh Koekemoer, Laura Lyle and Ezra Vergotine.
We are extremely proud of Gathuku Matheri, our Dux Scholar, who, besides having achieved a remarkable 9 Distinctions, attained 99% for Core Maths and 97% for AP Maths.
The following students placed in the Top 1% in the IEB in the following subjects:
Gathuku Matheri – Business Studies, Information Technology, Life Orientation, Mathematics, AP Mathematics and Physical Science.
Syjil Ramjuthan – Business Studies, English, History, Life Orientation.
Jonathan Webb – Life Orientation.
Carmen Crane – Mathematical Literacy
Anastasia Strouthos – Mathematical Literacy
In conclusion, I leave you with this quote from our former president Nelson Mandela, “Young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well in future as leaders.”
Congratulations again to all our Matriculants, but more importantly, thank you to all members of this community who together make St Peter’s College such a special place.
Thank You!!!
Mr Rui Morais
Headmaster