Ten distinctions for Matthewson
St Dunstan's College matriculant William Matthewson's achievements in the 2013 Independant Examinations Board (IEB) examinations are testament to the result of hard work.
Matthewson raked in a whopping ten distinctions at an average of 89,2 per cent – the top achiever of his school.
He obtained distinctions in Afrikaans first additional language, English home language, history, life orientation (top one per cent), life sciences, mathematics (top one per cent), mathematics paper three, advanced programme mathematics, physical sciences and Trinity College London (TCL) practical (Grade Eight, top one per cent).
Despite Matthewson’s sterling achievement, he felt he could have done better in some of his subjects.
“I was hoping for 10 distinctions, but also better marks in some of the subjects, especially history and advanced programme maths, but I am happy with the results,” said Matthewson.
“English was the biggest surprise, I didn’t think I would get a distinction.”
The youngster admitted that it was the hardest he has ever studied, having to continually push himself to keep going over the five to six weeks that he was writing exams.
Matthewson, who plays the piano and violin, and is a violinist in the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra, composed and played music during his study breaks, which kept him going throughout the exam period.
He will study astrophysics at the University of the Witwatersrand this year – a career path on which he set his sights in Grade Nine.
He hopes to study for his post-graduate degree in the UK.
