Local matric learner with big heart boasting with big achievements
While achieving his 10 distinctions in his matric year, this exceptional young man orchestrated a successful charity project that collected 1.35 tons of food and clothes for the needy.
An exceptionally talented young man from Cornwall Hill College has achieved phenomenal results on his IEB exams. With a whopping 10 distinctions, Matthew Andrews hopes to make a difference in the lives of others.
Matthew has an impressive background. Not only was he 2020 head boy at Cornwall Hill College, but he achieved 98% for information technology and 97% for mathematics, 97% for life orientation, 93% for Afrikaans, 91% for English, 88% for physical sciences and 80% for history.
He achieved fourth spot nationally for AdMaths with 96.4% and sixth place nationally in Alpha maths with 98%.
Alpha maths is an additional advanced programme in mathematical subjects that he self-studied online.
On an academic level, Matthew is exceptionally gifted. In 2020, he achieved the following awards:
– Awarded Cornwall Hill College Renaissance blazer for honours in academics, culture and service. Matthew was the only matric student awarded the Renaissance Award in 2020.
– Achieved Springbok scout (national colours, the highest award a scout can achieve in South Africa).
– He placed in the top 50 nationally in the final round of the South African maths Olympiad.
Matthew was also recognised as follows at the Cornwall Hill College valediction in 2020:
– Awarded by peers – the Excalibur Leadership Award, for the person who best represented the qualities of leadership in a manner which is both exemplary and beyond reproach.
– Awarded the Magdel Lotz Good Citizenship Award for the learner who understands the need for respect and dignity, who has the courage of their convictions and who does not focus on themselves, but shows awareness of those around them. The award is awarded to a learner who has integrity and loyalty and has demonstrated the maturity and insight of one who is able to set an example to their peer group by being humble, honest, friendly, and courteous.
– Awarded the Directors Award, for outstanding leadership provided to the learner body of Cornwall Hill College, for character and best all-round contribution to leadership, academics, culture and sport. This award was shared with Patricia Chaminuka, the Cornwall Hill College head girl of 2020.
“Matthew is not solely academically focused, but also has many interests and accolades outside of academia, like charity,” his proud mother Anneke told Rekord.
In 2020, Matthew took it upon himself to initiate a charitable project for the Ditshego orphanage and place of safety for children, not far from his school.
“As Cornwall’s matric class, we knew the lockdown had added extra pressure on vulnerable communities such as the one at Ditshego and we felt we had to do something to help.
“So, we went about creating a map with drop-off points at people’s houses where they could donate food and clothing and with the help of our awesome teachers, we gathered 1.35 tons of supplies for them,” Matthew told Rekord.
When he isn’t in front of his books, he likes to partake in an array of different hobbies like researching, and hiking as well as playing flute and bagpipes. He also enjoys tennis, karate and hockey.
In 2021, he will be studying and taking the financial world by the horns one day.
“I’ve been accepted to study BSc Actuarial Science at the University of Pretoria and hope to one day start my own business.”
As someone who has been recognised by his peers as a wonderful and inspiring leader, Matthew hopes to motivate those who come after him with the following advice:
“I would say try to form clear goals for yourself and align everything you do towards achieving those goals. Don’t try and view small tasks in isolation but rather as necessary stepping stones towards achieving these goals.
“Beyond that, I would recommend cutting out distractions in your life and give every opportunity everything you’ve got. Do what you enjoy, it’s easy to be motivated and focused doing what you love or are genuinely interested in,” he concluded.
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