Holy Rosary learner achieves full house of distinctions

With the recent release of matric results, it was smiles for Holy Rosary School’s top achiever Kelsey de Witte.

Kelsey achieved an average of 91.3% and a full house of distinctions.

She attained distinctions for English (90%), Afrikaans (94%), life orientation (95%), maths (96%), physical sciences (94%), life sciences (92%), geography (91%), history (86%) and further studies in mathematics standard (82%).

Sleeping only a few hours each night and waking up early, Kelsey’s determination saw her shine.

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She ranks in the top 1% nationally in five subjects namely Afrikaans, geography, physical sciences, life orientation and life sciences.

This year Kelsey hopes to study medicine and has already been accepted by the University of Witwatersrand.
Kelsey hopes to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.

“In Grade 11 we had to do job shadowing for life orientation. I job-shadowed one of my cousin’s relatives who is a trauma surgeon at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

“While I was there I got to watch a heart surgery and that fascinated me.”

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Kelsey said after witnessing the surgery she couldn’t imagine herself doing anything else other than operating on someone’s heart.

Having always known she wanted to pursue a career in the medical Kelsey said it was cemented after doing her job shadowing.

In 2020 Kelsey joined HRS as a Grade Eight learner, after a few weeks at school the country went into lockdown for an extended period.

She managed the challenge and didn’t let it affect her performance and involvement.

In the next three-and-a-half years she notched up several achievements. She was chosen for the Joburg Junior Council and was awarded a service award for her commitment.

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For her dedication to the school, Kelsey was awarded full colours for service for her involvement in the first aid committee, hospitality, public relations, and community service.

She also received full colours for drama, directed and produced school plays, won most promising speaker and best senior speaker in public speaking and completed her grades seven and eight Trinity Drama levels.

In the academic sphere, Kelsey was rewarded academic colours three times, was a member of the winning team at Rhodes University High School Science Quiz, and participated in Maths Olympiads and Geography Olympiads for four and three years. She achieved gold in the top 5% in the Geography Olympiad in Grade 11, and platinum for the top 1% in Grade 12.

Outside of school, Kelsey continued to shine. She was selected for SA’s Highland Dancing interprovincial A team and was a winner in the South African Champs Premier section.

Kelsey achieved the highest marks in matric for Afrikaans, English, geography, life sciences, physical sciences and life orientation.

She achieved 91% in the voluntary IEB Research Methodology Certificate and participated in the Saheti Science Faire.

At her Valedictory Kelsey received many awards for her top marks, including best bilingual speaker and the Dux Scholarum trophy.

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Kelsey was awarded her prestigious white blazer for cultural, academic and service.

“In Grade Eight when I walked into the school and saw the matrics with white blazers, I told myself that I would get that award.”

Kelsey advised others to be aware of the possibility of burnout and to make time for themselves.

She said it is important to find a balance between school and other activities.