Shrieks, smiles and screams for matrics

There were smiles, shrieks and screams at high schools around the North Coast as giddy matriculants took the final step of their 12 year journey.
The results of the 2013 National Senior Certificate Examination (NSCE) were released on Monday afternoon.
Scores of matrics and their parents waited at petrol stations and corner shops for the release of their individual results, which were available from the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The class of 2013 achieved a respectable national pass rate of 78,2%, 4,3 percentage points higher than last year’s 73,9%, making them the best performing pupils in almost two decades.
KwaZulu-Natal increased their pass rate from 73,1% in 2012 to 77,4%.
Locally schools performed well, with Crawford College North Coast retaining their 100% pass rate.
Top pupil Akshay Soni raked in nine distinctions.
Close behind him was Mohammad Imran Khan with 10 and Sahil Ram with nine.
Principal André Loots said the class of 2013 exceeded all expectations to achieve excellent results. “Long hours of dedicated efforts and positive attitudes were contributors for their end results. Well done, we are so proud of your achievements.”
Ashton International College Ballito class of 2013, the only Dolphin Coast school to write Independent Examinations Board (IEB) senior certificate exams, also achieved a 100% pass rate (see the story on page 4).
Stanger Manor Secondary School, which has consistently produced some of the Ilembe district’s top pupils, recorded a 81,26% overall pass rate – down from 84,86% in 2012. Of the 351 examination candidates, 58,15% received bachelor’s degree passes, 26,95% diplomas and 14,89% higher certificates. Top performing pupils included Avreyna Kistensamy with eight As, Kirthi Randhanee with seven and Akshi Singh with eight.
Principal Mervin Gounden said their top achievers had brought honour to the school.
“We are pleased with our overall pass rate, however there is room for improvement. The quality of the pass as indicated by the number of bachelor’s passes is most pleasing. Thank you to the parents, teachers and governing body.”
Stanger Secondary School, which produced last year’s top pupil in the district, attained a 89,8% overall pass rate. With 206 registered candidates 88 received bachelor’s passes, 68 diplomas and 29 higher certificate.
Top achievers included Alvina Rajamoney, Robin Pillay and Nirvana Sewchuran with six As and Tevin Valloo with five.
Scoring an 85% overall pass rate, Groutville High School is very proud of their top pupil Brilliant Dube with seven As.
Seatides Secondary School in Tongaat just missed out on their 100%, with pupils achieving a 98,4%  pass rate.
Tilicia Patrice top scored with a 92% aggregate, Junaid Seedat second with 89% and Pooja Maharaj with 84%.
Nkosibomvu High School in Tongaat scored a 88% pass rate, with top pupil Sandiswa Lombo achieving seven As, including 100% in mathematics. Tongaat High School’s pass rate was 90% and top pupil Praggie Govender is ecstatic with his eight As.
At Fairbreeze Secondary School it was a 98%, with Arjun Kumar coming out tops with seven As.