Having attended Penryn since pre-school, Anna Phillips matriculated in 2024 with eight distinctions, an Independent Examinations Board (IEB) commendable achievement and the title of top IEB learner in Mpumalanga.

Anna was born in Durban, but thereafter grew up a true Lowvelder, spending every one of her school years at Penryn. She has been a dedicated and driven learner throughout it all, a fact which is evident in the results she achieved during her 2024 IEB matric exam results.

The subjects which Anna studied in matric were English home language, mathematics, Afrikaans first additional language, life orientation, physical sciences, IT and history. She also took IEB’s further studies mathematics (formerly alpha mathematics), which falls outside the school’s ordinary academic offerings, but can be pursued through the IEB.

Anna obtained a distinction in every subject, emerging with seven distinctions. Her outstanding work meant she also received an IEB outstanding achievement for being inside the top 5% of learners in the country for six or more subjects, as well as a rating level of seven in life orientation.

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Anna received an A grade in IEB further studies for calculus and algebra, as well as a B grade in finance. This all added up to Anna being honoured with the title of being the top IEB learner in the entire province.

Although she excelled in all of her subjects, Anna enjoyed one in particular. “I would say English was my favourite subject last year. I had an incredibly inspiring teacher who made the lessons very interesting. As well as this, I really enjoy writing and engaging critically with literature, which we did a lot of this year.”

Anna excelled not only in the classroom though. She was a member of Penryn’s first hockey team, tookpart in athletics and was also a member of the first debate team, but she couldn’t pick a favourite. “My teammates and coaches were all incredible and I really enjoyed all of the races, matches and debates,” she recalled.

If you were wondering how she managed to take part in extracurricular activities and achieve her outstanding marks, Anna attributes this to not going it alone. “I had some amazing support structures, which helped a lot. Our teachers at school, my family and friends, and above all God, brought me through this year. It was certainly not easy, but every day I just aimed to do as much as I could, and nothing more.”

Anna’s post-matric plans are to study in Germany. Why Germany? “I have some family there, which makes it much easier. Education is free at the university I’m hoping to study at, which is amazing!” Anna can speak German too, albeit not fluently just yet. But, fortunately, her course is in English.

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“I am looking to study at the Technical University of Ingolstadt. It is located in Ingolstadt just north of Munich.”
She will miss home though. “I think I will miss my community here the most. I have an amazing church community, friends and family here, who will be difficult to leave behind. And I will definitely miss South African food. Nevertheless, I am excited to experience a new culture and meet new people!”

Anna left for Germany on February 1. “I am so fortunate to have this opportunity and I am really looking forward to this new adventure!”