Holy Rosary School for Girls [Edenvale] has announced exceptional matric results for the Class of 2024, boasting a 100% pass rate among its 82 matriculants and an impressive 99% achieving Bachelor passes. The school continues its proud tradition of academic excellence, with 197 distinctions achieved by the cohort. This achievement results in a distinction ratio of 2.4 per pupil. The school’s outstanding academic score card is highlighted by two pupils achieving averages above 90%, while 16 pupils secured averages between 80 and 89%.
The school’s academic prowess was further recognised at a national level: one student was named on the IEB Outstanding Achievers list, achieving Level 7 in Life Orientation, plus six other subjects. Two students earned IEB Commendable Achievement recognition for scoring in the top 5% in five subjects and Level 7 in Life Orientation. Additionally, five students ranked in the top 1% nationally in eight IEB subjects. A total of 31 girls achieved a B average (between 70-79%).
Academic excellence prevails
Holy Rosary maintained its strong mathematical tradition with 22 distinctions, matched by an equal number in English. The school exceeded the IEB National averages in 16 subjects, with particularly strong performances in IT and Physical Sciences.
Commenting on the stellar set of results, Head of School, Dr Deon Oerson says, “We are exceptionally proud of our learners. Their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to academic excellence has truly paid off, and these results are a testament to the hard work of our students and the unwavering support of our dedicated teachers and parents.”
While every student at Holy Rosary is a success story there are a few who really shone in their finals and deserve additional accolades.
Kelsey De Witte, the school’s top student, achieved an average of 91.3% and a full house with an incredible nine subject distinctions, including: Eng (90%), Afrik (94%), LO (95%), Maths (96%), Sci (94%), Life Sciences (92%), Geog (91%), Hist (86%), and FSM Standard (82%). This remarkable student ranks in the top 1% nationally within five subjects including Afrikaans, Geography, Physical Sciences, LO, and Life Sciences. With these results, it’s no surprise that she has already been accepted to study medicine at Wits this year. De Witte has a string of accolades to her name and was awarded the coveted White Blazer in her matric year and represented South Africa in Highland Dancing.
Despite the strenuous demands of her leadership role, Head Girl, Boitumelo Maenetja bagged eight distinctions and an overall average of 90,43%. Her distinction subjects include: Afrik (93%), CAT – Computer Applications Technology (94%), Eng (86%), LO (93%), Life Sciences (89%), Maths (91%), Physical Science (87%). Maenetja also placed in the top 1% for CAT. The youngest learner in the grade, Maenetja also plans to study medicine this year.
Two further students achieved results in the top 1% nationally within a subject: Carli Oosthuizen – Consumer Studies (88%) and Rozanne Mangauzani – English (92%). Boitumelo Maenetja and Zoë Stock made the IEB Commendable Achievers list of top 5% in five subjects plus LO on level 7.
In addition:
The top achievers in the matric cohort scored over 90% in these subjects: Accounting, Afrikaans, CAT, English, Geography, IsiZulu, Life Orientation, Life Sciences, Mandarin, Maths Literacy, Maths, Music, Physical Sciences, Visual Arts and Further Studies Mathematics – Standard.
All-rounder Amarachi Obiedelu demonstrated that it’s possible to excel in sport and academics, earning five distinctions, an overall average of 82%, and the prestigious title of Sportswoman of the Year. Her distinction subjects include: Acc (90%), Eng (82%), LO (81%), LS (80%), Maths (91%). In-between her studies, she played in provincial and national teams for both basketball and netball. She also represented South Africa in afrobasket. Obiedelu hopes to study Actuarial Science.
Matric Success Stories
“These results are particularly significant given that this cohort began their high school journey during the COVID-19 pandemic – a time when the world was thrown into uncharted territory,” says Oerson. “Their resilience and determination to excel despite starting their high school careers behind screens, isolated from traditional school experiences, makes these achievements even more remarkable. I hope they continue to forge forward and thrive in every situation. Their unique ways have shown us what it means to live with courage, conviction, and an unwavering sense of purpose.”
Several individual learners overcame personal hardships, showing immense resilience and determination to reach the finish line.
Among them is Nicola Mc Donald, who secured seven distinctions with an overall average of 88.29%. Her achievement is particularly remarkable given that she wrote her English IEB final just a day after her father was critically injured in a hijacking. Despite spending hours at her father’s hospital bedside, she achieved 87% for English. Mc Donald, who served as the school’s rowing captain, also represented South Africa at the Junior Rowing Championships in Canada in August last year.
Jessica Walsh’s four distinctions in Acc (86%), LO (83%), Life Sciences (84%), and Maths (80%) represent a personal triumph over dyslexia. She has emerged as an advocate for dyslexia awareness, using her academic success to inspire others facing similar challenges.
Spirit of sisterhood
The Class of 2024 has been recognised not only for their academic achievements but also for their extraordinary spirit of unity and support for one another. “This group exemplified our 2024 theme of ‘Hearts on Fire’ through their unwavering support of each other, whether in classrooms, on sports fields, or on stage,” notes Dr Oerson.
The school attributes this success to the strong partnership between staff, parents, and students. “Our dedicated staff’s commitment to nurturing each pupil’s God-given talents, combined with our rigorous academic programme, has played a crucial role in these outstanding results,” adds Dr Oerson.
Looking Forward
Many of the graduates have been part of the Holy Rosary community for 13 years. “As these young women step into their futures, they carry with them not just academic achievements, but valuable life lessons in resilience, authenticity, and unity,” says Dr Oerson. “They have proven that no challenge is insurmountable when faced with determination and solidarity. Congratulations to each and every one of our matriculants – you have made us all immensely proud.”
For more information on the school’s results – go to www.holyrosaryschool.co.za or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolyRosaryJHB.