Ashton’s Vijay tops CIE exams with 11 distinctions
His distinctions include an A+ plus in chemistry and mathematics, as well as an A-level accounting and AS-level accounting.
When Goedeburg resident Raghav Vijay attended his first lesson as a matric learner at Ashton International College at the beginning of last year, his hard work the previous year had already set him up for the challenges ahead.
While some learners had their work cut out, Vijay knew Form Four prepared him to deal with whatever pressures he would face.
“The actual work happened in Form Four. There would be certain days when I worked for 16 hours, but it got easier. I could grasp new topics with ease,” he said.
Although it was no walk in the park, the 17-year-old topped the Cambridge International Education (CIE) exams with 11 distinctions, including an A+ plus in chemistry and mathematics, an A-level accounting and AS-level accounting, at an average of 87.28%.
Raghav’s hard slog in Form Four helped cultivate a good work ethic and the countless hours spent on his books paved the way for his exceptional matric achievements.
“It certainly helped me build a good work ethic. I spent Form Four developing an understanding of my subjects and in Form Five, I put all I learnt into practice.”
Teacher
He also credited his success to his Friday tutoring sessions with Grade 10 learners at the John Wesley Centre in Etwatwa, saying it helped him to understand his own subjects.
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“I used to teach maths and physics at an orphanage in Etwatwa. That helped me a lot because as a teacher you have to understand the basics of a subject. In trying to teach someone else, I essentially improved my understanding of my own subjects,” Vijay said.
Raghav moved to South Africa from India in the middle of the Form Two academic year in 2021 and among the challenges he faced was studying subjects foreign to him. However, his commitment and willingness to challenge himself carried him through.
“I did not do accounting in India. I did not know what assets, liabilities and capital were. My mom, who is an accountant, helped me. I challenged myself and ended up being top of my class.”
Last year, he received the achievement award for maintaining an average of 100% in AS mathematics and 98% in A-level mathematics throughout his final year. He became the fourth learner to receive this award in the school’s 26-year history.
Raghav encouraged the class of 2025 to have enough faith to know there is something better waiting beyond the horizon and have enough courage to take a leap of faith.
He warned them not to allow their successes or failures to define them.
“I chased achievements, trophies and being the top student. At some point, I started basing my worth on them. I would become the top student and then look at the next goal. My standards kept getting higher.
“Every time I achieved something, I would not feel happy about it and when I failed, I would feel terrible. Don’t make that mistake. Your successes and failures do not define who you are. Who you are is the person you choose to be every day.”
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