DURBAN Girls’ College (DGC) and Maris Stella are celebrating their contribution to KwaZulu-Natal earning a national top position with a pass rate of 99.98% in the 2025 Independent Examination Board (IEB) National Senior Certificate results.

The schools’ clean sheets contributed massively to the average with the DGC Class of 2025 achieving a 100% pass rate and 100% bachelor’s degree access.

The school presented 78 candidates for the 2025 examinations, all of whom passed. Collectively, the cohort achieved an impressive 314 subject A symbols, with 54% of all subjects awarded at distinction level. Pupils averaged 4.03 distinctions per candidate, while 90% of the class achieved overall A or B aggregates. Nearly half of the candidates attained averages above 80%.

Deputy Head of High School: Academics, Jennifer Harrison, said the results reflected consistent academic excellence across the curriculum. “Across all our subjects, DGC was on average 10.53% above the IEB national average,” she said.

“We are especially proud of our top achievers: Alaya Singh, our Dux, who achieved eight distinctions with a 94% average and was named an IEB Outstanding Achiever; Kate Steinhobel, Proxime Accessit to the Dux, who achieved eight distinctions with a 92% average and was also an IEB Outstanding Achiever.

“Rachel Deppe, who achieved an exceptional nine distinctions with a 90% average and was recognised as an IEB Commendable Achiever. Two pupils, Alaya Singh and Abigail Latter, were in the top 1% in the country in three subjects,” said Harrison.

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Singh, who collected her results at school with her parents and friends, said she was surprised by her achievements. “I feel very happy and excited about my results. I did not expect it, but I am happy that it turned out well,” she said. Singh will  study Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town.

The bar-raising DGC Class of 2025 results were applauded by the executive head of the college, Heidi Rea. “Mark my words, from this school we will have the first South African female president,” said a delighted Rea. “All our subjects are above 80%, I don’t think that there is a matric pupil that does not work hard. They have had phenomenal support from their teachers and parents.”

While addressing her learners, Rea said these are the best results she has seen as the head of high school at DGC. “Remember the only person that you are competing with is yourself, I hope that for you, you did your best and are happy with your results no matter what anyone else got, because your best is what matters the most. We are proud of you and know that when you go out there, you are going to change the world.”

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Meanwhile, at neighbouring Maris Stella School the Class of 2025 also achieved a 100% pass rate. A total of 54 pupils wrote the examinations, completing 17 full-time subjects, including Life Orientation. Several candidates also undertook the rigorous Further Studies Mathematics and Further Studies English courses.

Maris Stella’s 100% pass rate compares favourably with the national IEB pass rate of 98.31%. The school management said of the school’s candidates, 51 pupils (94.44%) met the minimum requirements for Bachelor’s degree studies, significantly higher than the national figure of 89.12%. One pupil (1.85%) qualified for Diploma studies, while two pupils (3.70%) achieved Higher Certificate passes.

The school also outperformed the national average academically, recording an average aggregate of 70.09%, compared to the IEB national average of 69.09% for the subjects offered at Maris Stella. “Collectively, pupils achieved an impressive total of 96 subject distinctions,” said management.

A standout performance came from Clara Millard, who placed in the top 1% of IEB candidates nationally for Business Studies with a mark of 95%.

Several pupils achieved exceptional distinction counts. Clara Millard led the cohort with seven distinctions, followed by Megan King, Samiksha Nunan and Caitlin Wylie with six distinctions each. Five distinctions were achieved by Mira Doorgapershad, while four distinctions were earned by Jessica Groom, Mzuzu Mhlongo, Sphokuhle Mjiyako, Shreya Ramouthar and Hannah Swale.

In addition, two pupils achieved three distinctions, 13 pupils earned two distinctions, and 17 learners achieved one distinction.

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