Discipline pays off for Sunward Park High’s top student
Sunward Park High School celebrated exceptional academic excellence after five matriculants each achieved eight distinctions in the 2025 examinations.
While many matriculants speak of surviving the academic year, Sunward Park High School top matric achiever Katlego Makgolane mastered it.
Through discipline, determination and careful time management, she emerged as one of the school’s standout performers, achieving an impressive eight distinctions.
Makgolane said the year was academically demanding and required her to rethink how she approached her studies.
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“It was quite challenging for me. I had to learn how to manage my time in order to prioritise studying, and it was very difficult,” she said.
She attributed her success to a structured study timetable, consistent revision and extensive practice using past examination papers.
“After every topic, I would go over it to make sure that I understood it and remembered everything. Past papers really helped me to know how to answer the questions and the type of questions to expect,” Makgolane said.
Looking ahead, Makgolane hopes to pursue medicine and said she is excited about the path ahead.
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Reflecting on her achievements, she said she was proud of her results and encouraged the matric class of 2026 to remain focused, disciplined and resilient.
“My advice is to start early. It’s never too late to start and never give up, even if you feel hopeless. Manage your time- it’s a very important skill to have. I think that’s the key to getting really good results,” she said.
Principal Nadia Walljee praised the class of 2025 for improving the school’s overall pass rate from 97.5% to 98.4%, despite having the largest matric cohort in the area, with 428 Grade 12 learners.
“The higher the number of learners, the greater the risk, but our results have improved and we are very proud,” Walljee said.
The school produced five learners with eight distinctions and five learners with seven distinctions.
Walljee acknowledged that the journey was not without challenges, but said both learners and teachers rose to the occasion.
“Our learners have done us proud, and our teachers have done us proud. We wish all our learners the very best in their future,” Walljee said.
