York’s Abigail tops in SA

GEORGE NEWS - “Our role was simple - to support her. She is a remarkable child. She is very driven, yet remains humble.” This is how Abigail Kok’s parents describe her.

With an outstanding average of 98.4%, this York High School alumnus was named South Africa’s top matric candidate for 2025 and also achieved the country’s top result in physical sciences, scoring 99%. She was York High’s dux learner and head girl for 2025, as well.

In an interview with George Herald, Kok said she was initially accepted to study for an B Actuarial degree at Stellenbosch University, but has since decided that she would prefer to pursue data science, as the field focuses more on people than on money.

She is hopeful that she will be able to change her course of study.

Kok has secured a place in the Sonop residence and will be heading to Stellenbosch in two weeks’ time.

She is also expected to make her mark on the squash courts, having played first team squash for her school.

York head girl 2025 Abigail Kok, deputy head girl Daniella Barbosa, George Mayor Browen Johnson and Peter Jaftha of HeartBeat FM. A studio recording of an interview with Jaftha will be aired today, 15 January. Photo: Supplied

York High principal Francois Moll said Kok’s kind and gentle character is shared by many of the matrics in her school year. “They are an amazing group of learners,” he said. “Abigail was not only involved in sport and culture, she was also highly involved in service. These learners - our matrics of 2025 - are truly an outstanding group who carried York’s ethos throughout the year.”

York’s academic head, Rob Callaghan, said the school is immensely proud of its 100% pass rate, which it managed to achieve after missing the target for two years. York High recorded 29 A aggregates out of 194 matric learners.

Kok’s achievements in her other subjects are as follows: accounting - 100%, life orientation - 100%, mathematics - 99%, Afrikaans first additional language - 98%, life sciences - 97% and English home language - 96%.

Abigail Kok and York High principal Francois Moll. Photo: York High Facebook