GEORGE NEWS - Several schools across George were recently recognised for academic excellence at the National Senior Certificate 2025 Awards ceremony held at the railway museum on Saturday 14 February.
Hosted by the Eden and Central Karoo Education District, George's overall Class of 2025 was hailed as the top-performing matric group in the district. The event was addressed by guest speaker Moses Williams, better known as 'Ouma Sarie'.
Pacaltsdorp Secondary received recognition as the school with the most improved pass rate between 2023 and 2025.
Outeniqua High emerged as the leading academic school in the district, collecting an impressive 11 awards. It achieved a 100% pass rate, recorded growth in candidate numbers, produced the highest number of subject distinctions, and was named the top-performing school with more than 80 matric candidates.
The school was also recognised for excellence in physical sciences. Ten learners received subject awards, while Marnu van Sandwyk and Mialida van Leeuwen placed in the district's top 10 overall averages.
Strong performances were also recorded by York High and George Royal Academy, both of which achieved 100% pass rates, while Parkdene Secondary, George Secondary, Jonga Secondary and Legacy House recorded pass rates of 80% and above.
Parkdene's headmaster, Philip Rothman, also walked away with the principal's award, which is nominated by other principals.
Subject excellence celebrated
Individual excellence was recognised through Grade Six and Grade 12 subject awards.
Barry Robertson of Blanco Primary received the award for Afrikaans home language, while Isabella Haldane of Holy Cross Primary was honoured for English home language. Aimee Lee Mentoor of Outeniqua Primary School excelled in natural science and technology.
At high school level, the top achievers included national top matric learner Abigail Kok (York High), Zoeye Fortuin (Thembalethu Secondary), Mieke Ackerman, Chante Dionne Terblanche and Ankia Paulsen (Outeniqua High), and Sophia Sands Morley (York High).
Creative and technical subjects were equally well represented, with Isabella Beer, Helena Maria Burger and Louw de Bruyn of Outeniqua High excelling in design, dramatic arts and engineering graphics and design, respectively. Hannah Bender of York High achieved top honours in German second additional language.
Special mention was made of Juane Nagel of Outeniqua High, who received the hospitality studies subject award following a challenging academic journey.
Other subject standouts included Cornelius Marinus van Sandwyk (Outeniqua High), Mialida van Leeuwen (Outeniqua High), Zoe Robin Morkel (George Secondary) and Erin Bella Michaelides and Adel van der Walt (York High).
Heather van Ster, the Western Cape's Education Department's chief director of districts, congratulated all the schools and learners on their outstanding results, praising the collective effort that contributed to the district's continued academic success.
Hannah Bender of York High receives her award for German second additional language.
Thembalethu High's Zoeye Fortuin receives her award for Afrikaans second additional language from Moses Williams (Ouma Sarie).
Juane Nagel of Outeniqua High walked away with an award for hospitality studies.Juane Nagel of Outeniqua High walked away with an award for hospitality studies.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
