Dedication paid off - top matric in South Africa

[Chris]

After having the best pass rate, the news just gets better for people from the WC... 'we' also have South Africa's top matriculant ;)


South Africa's top matriculant said it was a surprise to learn that he had performed so well.

Ashraf Moola from Rondebosch Boys High managed eight distinctions with 100 percent passes for mathematics, science and accounting.

The country's number one matriculant said it was not easy, but it was a rewarding year.

“It was hard work and lots of dedication. There are no short cuts to success. It took lots of hours and I was very lucky because I had many people who were supporting me,” he said.

The 18-year-old said he wants to study Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town in 2012.

He added that the support of his family has been the secret to his success.

“My parents were really supportive whenever things were getting tough; they always gave me a little extra push. My brothers were also supportive.”

http://www.ewn.co.za/Story.aspx?Id=80208

[The_Librarian]

Excellent, good to hear.

[Chris]

Excellent, good to hear.

Exactly. At least he was honest that he had to put in the time to obtain these excellent results. Some top students, when interviewed, seem to claim that they just breezed through without putting in the hours. People must learn there is no short-cut in life if you want to do well.

[YingYang]

Virgin!

[Quey_Quick]

Eight? I thought the kids only did 6 subjects or am I showing my age.

[abzo]

Virgin!

He'll be getting more pu$$y than he can imagine once he's qualified with a sports car and beachfront villa :p

[pboy]

thats true!
an old friend used to say:
if you live your life chasing pu$$y, you'll always be short on money.
but if you live your life chasing money, you'll never be short of pu$$y!

Well done dude!

[Cloudster]

Eight? I thought the kids only did 6 subjects or am I showing my age.

The really dedicated ones take on and extra subject or two.

Back to OT, yeesh well he's gonna be earning a great starting salary because of his dedication... also wont have to worry about paying for his studies going forward.

[VernD]

I'm confused that they're calling this boy the top matriculant; heard a story on 5FM this morning of a boy who passed with 12 distinctions, and 2 of the subjects he did were international subjects.

[Surv0]

my old school :) gratz Ashraf

[Praeses]

Umm back on the old system my cousin got 11 distinctions. What's the big deal with 8 distinctions on this useless system?

[VJB 449]

10 distinctions and off to US (http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/10-distinctions-and-off-to-us-1.1207538)


THERE’S the cream of the crop – and then there’s Meghan Boroughs. The De La Salle Holy Cross College pupil, who’s been top of her class for as long as she remembers, yesterday became the top matriculant in the class of 2011, scoring 10 distinctions in the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exams.

[Saajid]

Well done Ashraf. You've got a bright future ahead of you. This is the century of the nerds.

He is the top student because of his 100% passes in Maths, Science and Accounting (which are also the 3 toughest subjects). Having 8 distinctions at 80% for each subject, and having 8 distinctions with 80% for 5 subjects and 100% for 3 subjects is clearly not the same. His overall aggregate is probably the highest in the country.

[Ninja'd]

He must've had countless nights where his parents denied him dinner until he finished his homework.

http://memearchive.net/memerial.net/3634/find-x-or-find-new-father.jpg

[wrathex]

Eight? I thought the kids only did 6 subjects or am I showing my age.

Many students I know of, who are academically capable, take more than 6 subjects.

Structure of the National Senior Certificate

Subjects

Learners study at least 6 subjects - 3 compulsory and at least 3 electives.

All subjects are written on one grade only and are no longer written on Higher or Standard Grade.

Not all schools offer the full range of Elective subjects listed here.

Each school may offer subjects specific to its academic orientation. For example, Agriculture Schools offer the agriculture-orientated subjects whereas technical Schools offer the practical and mechanical-orientated subjects.

Group A: Fundamentals (Compulsory)
Two official languages:
Home Language
First Additional Language
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
Life Orientation (not examined externally)

Group B: Electives
At least 3 subjects from the following:
Accounting
Agricultural Management Practices
Agricultural Sciences
Agricultural Technology
Business Studies
Civil Technology
Computer Applications Technology (previously Computer Studies Standard Grade - Literacy)
Consumer Studies
Dance Studies
Design
Dramatic Arts
Economics
Electrical Technology
Engineering Graphics & Design
Geography
History
Hospitality Studies (previously Home Economics)
Information Technology (previously Computer Studies Higher Grade - Programming)
Life Sciences (previously Biology)
Mathematics: "Paper 3" (geometry, probability); "Additional Mathematics" (calculus, further algebra, and one of: matrices, statistics, mathematical modelling)
Mechanical Technology
Music
Physical Science
Religion Studies
Second Additional Language
Third Additional Language
Tourism
Visual Arts

Pass Mark
The following levels must be met as a minimum requirement to proceed to the next grade.

Home Language: Level 3 (minimum 40%)
First Additional Language: Level 2 (minimum 30%)
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy: Level 2 (minimum 30%)
Life Orientation: Level 3 (minimum 40%)
2 Subjects (Electives): Level 3 (minimum 40%)
Remaining Subject (Elective): Level 2 (minimum 30%)

Life Orientation as Learning Area
Life Orientation (LO) has been introduced into the senior high school phase for the first time as an examination subject. LO is a broad-learning subject that covers non-academic skills needed in life.LO is examined, marked and moderated internally and comprises the following sections: World of Work, helping learners find guidance in their choice of career and prepare them for the working world

Health Education, this sections includes sex education, HIV/Aids talks, pregnancy, etc.

Physical Education, involves physical exercise and training, it is done on a separate basis but eventually forms part of LO mark

Religious Education, each South African school decides which religion to adhere to (as according to the South African schools act), learners may be exempted from these classes. In practice this means that learners may be exempted from, example, the Bible Studies class, but are compelled to attend the Religious Studies class (which deals with all religions as a study).

Citizenship and Responsibility, this section teaches learners about their rights and their duties as citizens.

Assessment: There are three types of subjects:

General Subjects
An end-of-year examination: 75% of the total mark
Portfolio (Continuous Assessment): 25% of the total mark
Practical Subjects
An end-of-year examination: 50% of the total mark
Portfolio (Continuous Assessment): 25% of the total mark
Practical component: 25% of the total mark
Language Subjects
An end-of-year examination: 50% of the total mark
Portfolio (Continuous Assessment): 25% of the total mark
Oral Examination: 25% of the total mark

Continuous Assessment (CASS) includes all the tests, examinations, tasks, activities, orals and projects done throughout the year. Matric results are usually out of 400 marks.

Level system (1 to 7)
Level 7: 80 - 100% (Outstanding achievement)
Level 6: 70 - 79% (Meritorious achievement)
Level 5: 60 - 69% (Substantial achievement)
Level 4: 50 - 59% (Moderate achievement)
Level 3: 40 - 49% (Adequate achievement)
Level 2: 30 - 39% (Elementary achievement)
Level 1: 0 - 29% (Not achieved - Fail)

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Senior_Certificate

[scotty777]

10 distinctions and off to US (http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/10-distinctions-and-off-to-us-1.1207538)

That chick was in my sisters grade... Her sister also did really really well, smart family I guess?

It's like Catherine, the 11 distinction girl... She's owning the crap out of engineering :(. I feel so inadequate being in the same class as her :(.

Either way, all these people need a good congratulations!

[Mila]

wow!! Well done!

[blunomore]

I think it's more important to be an "all-rounder", i.e. someone who gets along with others, does some sport, some cultural activities and does reasonably well at academics. That just seems to me to be a healthier state of affairs than spending 99% of your time behind your books.

[^^vampire^^]

I think it's more important to be an "all-rounder", i.e. someone who gets along with others, does some sport, some cultural activities and does reasonably well at academics. That just seems to me to be a healthier state of affairs than spending 99% of your time behind your books.

Agreed. You will also find that many of these people that study to such an extent can become to a degree socially awkward [not saying all the time]. I've also seen first hand that these people may produce stellar results when faced with straight problem solving/curriculum questions but have absolutely zero ability to apply what they have learned in school or written in tests to everyday situations.

This can maybe seen/called "street smart", where some people understand a situation and can react in the correct/best manner because they have been there or done that before or have had a similar situation so they know how to react or approach. Sometimes these people that immerse themselves to produce results like this are their own undoing unfortunately.

[Mike Hoxbig]

Not saying that this will apply to him, but I've seen lots of cases where people come from having multiple distinctions thinking that they're going to pwn university, only to be shown their ass. Congrats to him, hope he doesn't start slacking off now because thise is when the real hard work begins.

[dlk001]

I think it's more important to be an "all-rounder", i.e. someone who gets along with others, does some sport, some cultural activities and does reasonably well at academics. That just seems to me to be a healthier state of affairs than spending 99% of your time behind your books.

True...The engineers who balanced academics with social activities during varsity do better in the work environment in my observation.

[ToxicBunny]

Not saying that this will apply to him, but I've seen lots of cases where people come from having multiple distinctions thinking that they're going to pwn university, only to be shown their ass. Congrats to him, hope he doesn't start slacking off now because thise is when the real hard work begins.

Completely agree with this..

I've known one or 2 guys who were Dux at their school, got over 100% in matric.... and barely coped through varisty

[wrathex]

The truth in South Africa is, that many of us are good all-rounders, most of us are mediocre and a very small minority are academic.

Those that are specialists in the hard sciences, simply often don't have Time to develop social graces, as they are up-to-their necks in raw data and research.


When my son was five he said he wanted to be a doctor.
When my son was ten he still wanted to be a doctor.
My son is eighteen, and he is a first year medical student.

My son is mostly definately not a nerd,
but he is the son of two :D

[Greylor]

Go Bosch!

[Nerfherder]

Completely agree with this..

I've known one or 2 guys who were Dux at their school, got over 100% in matric.... and barely coped through varisty

By not coped you mean they didn't adapt well to studying at university.

[abzo]

Not saying that this will apply to him, but I've seen lots of cases where people come from having multiple distinctions thinking that they're going to pwn university, only to be shown their ass. Congrats to him, hope he doesn't start slacking off now because thise is when the real hard work begins.

Happened to me, I just slacked off, didn't give a s#it anymore. Graduated anyway ofcourse.

[Icarium]

What I'd love to see is some of each years better matriculants write papers from 5, 10, 15 years ago and see how they do (In subjects where the basic curriculum is still the same). Would somoeone who picked up multiple distinctions this year have achieved the same back when we still had higher/standard/lower grade splits 15 years ago?

[Elite Override]

Not saying that this will apply to him, but I've seen lots of cases where people come from having multiple distinctions thinking that they're going to pwn university, only to be shown their ass. Congrats to him, hope he doesn't start slacking off now because thise is when the real hard work begins.

Just saw this first hand this year. Revenge is sweet :p

[Nicodeamus]

True...The engineers who balanced academics with social activities during varsity do better in the work environment in my observation.

and they have a personality, some of these okes can't put 2 words together in front of women.

[Ninja'd]

Just saw this first hand this year. Revenge is sweet :p

Revenge because he/she did better than you in high school :wtf: That's so petty.

[bubbatentoe]

I'm feeling a little brain-dead after reading this.
:-0

[Elite Override]

Revenge because he/she did better than you in high school :wtf: That's so petty.

Don't have a problem with people doing better than I do.

I do however have a problem when they constantly remind everyone of their achievements.

[BLIXEMPIE]

I recall the matriculant in 2006 that passed with 12 distinctions.