Yorkies have reason to celebrate

GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - With a matric pass rate of 97,7% - of which 83% passed with matric exemption - York High headmaster Francois Moll has reason to celebrate the school's success.

"We've experienced a 5% increase since 2018 in the number of learners who passed with exemption. This is 5% more who will be able to attend tertiary educational institutions," said Moll.

The school's top three learners, Christoff Pienaar, Silke Schmidt and Kayleigh Allers, have something else in common - Mossel Bay as home base. Pienaar couldn't make it to school to collect his certificate in person, but a friend of his mom stepped in to help.

Pienaar told the George Herald telephonically that he would like to do a BCom actuarial science degree, but hasn't yet decided where. He has advice for learners: "It is important to have a good support system and to be individualistic, to discover your own interests." He was awarded for his perseverance at the school last year.

Kuhle Quta, who inspired the school's motto for 2020. "Integrity has no need of rules", passed despite living with mild autism. Moll said since Quta enrolled in grade 8 at York five years ago, he only missed one day of school. "This youngster made it against all odds. We are so proud of him," he said.

In York High, 173 learners wrote matric, of which 21 passed with an A-average. The matrics' average percentage is 65,2%.

Watch a video below.

Abi van Tonder and Robyn Hellstrom peer over their matric results at York High.

Kuhle Quta (middle), an inspiring learner with mild autism, next to his own photo in the school's reception area. With him are headmaster Francois Moll and his mom, Bulelwa Quta. Photos: Michelle Pienaar