St Benedict’s learners earn 256 distinctions

The tradition of excellence continued when St Benedict’s celebrated the exceptional matric results of 110 learners who attained 256 distinctions.

This figure surpasses last year’s total by six, translating into a distinction ratio of 2.33 per matriculant.

Nine boys attained seven or more distinctions, and 11 made the IEB’s top 1% nationally list in a subject.

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Additionally, the Class of 2024 attained an overall average of 71.5% (B), highlighting their and the staff’s dedication and hard work.

“Our college continues to uphold its tradition of excellence, as is evident in these incredible performances in the IEB National Senior Certificate examinations,” said college head David Jeffrey.

“Our theme for 2024 was ‘Live with Purpose’, and these results demonstrate how our boys have embraced this mindset – approaching their studies with clear goals, unwavering dedication and a deep understanding of why their academic journey matters. Their achievements reflect their hard work and a purposeful commitment to excellence.”

The college was ranked as the third-best boys’ school in SA in 2023 and has a tradition of producing well-rounded high-achievers.

Of the 109 boys who passed the NSC exams, 99.1% qualified for tertiary studies, with 94.6% awarded university entrance (Bachelor’s) passes.

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As a Catholic school that prides itself on academic excellence, St Benedict’s ranks high amongst the IEB schools, with 13 subjects exceeding the IEB national subject averages (including further studies subjects).

St Benedict’s top achiever, Dylan Topham, led the Class of 2024 with an average of 92.3% and eight distinctions.

His enviable report includes straight As in English (89%), Afrikaans (88%), life orientation (94%), maths (96%), science (90%), history (93%), IT (96%), further studies maths stats (79%) and further studies maths calc (86%).
Shaldon Moodley followed closely, with an overall average of 91.3% and seven distinctions.

Two other learners attained eight distinctions – Raahil Ranchod (89% average) and Matthew Joubert (86.1% average).

The boys in the top 1% nationally in a subject include Joubert in maths; Parth Patel and Alessandro Pupillo in business studies; Marciano Teixeira, Shaldon Moodley, Nathan Gebremichael and Tapuwanashe Muganyi in English home language; Marciano Teixeira and Dylan Topham in history; Marciano Teixeira in life orientation and Moodley in life sciences.

Top achievers: Topham, 92.3% average (eight distinctions); Moodley – 91.3% average (seven); Teixeira – 90% average (seven); Ranchod – 89% average (eight); Gebremichael – 87.4% average (seven); Jamie Goncalves-Maluleka – 87.3% average (seven); Keagan Bates – 86.7% average (seven); Joubert – 86.1% average (eight) and Mihir Mangali – 85.6% average (seven).

Topham also featured on the national IEB’s outstanding achievers list (top 5% nationally in six subjects and a distinction in life orientation), and Moodley and Teixeira made the commendable achievers’ list (top 5% nationally in five subjects and a distinction in life orientation).

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Among the outstanding achievers is Patel, who balanced national cricket commitments with academic excellence, attaining an 82.3% average and five distinctions. As the first St Benedict’s learner to represent Cricket South Africa, Patel was named the school’s cricketer of the year for 2024.

Similarly impressive were Byron Sikiotis, with an 88% average and six distinctions, and Giacomo Riccardi, with a 78.3% average and three distinctions while representing SA in rowing internationally.

“We are immensely proud of the achievements of our students, and this year’s results give us every reason to celebrate. They reflect the culmination of 13 years of hard work, determination and commitment by our boys.

“We are incredibly proud of how they have persevered, and we acknowledge with gratitude their parents and teachers for helping them cross the finish line,” added Jeffrey.