Star Phys-Math Polokwane awards excellence

Applause and cheers filed the auditorium of Edupark Polokwane as the Top 100 learners from different schools in Polokwane were being presented with awards and certificates for their successful participation in the Horizon Mathematics Competition. The event, organised by Horizon Educational Trust and Star Phys-Math Tuition Centre, has bloomed from a mere 700 entries to 82 270 entries nationally in 2019.
The suspense in the auditorium was tangible among the representatives of the different schools who awaited the announcement of the winners’ names and handing out of medals and certificates by different delegates.
Mrs Chokoe, Capricorn District Curriculum Manager who was also present at the event, remarked that the initiative needed to reach other platforms too and expressed the wish to see it expanding even more in the following year. She took great pride in announcing the trophy winners: Pula Madibogo Primary School for Best Participating School, Nirvana Primary School for Best Improving School and Pietersburg Comprehensive School (PCS) for Best Performing School.
Just before the top 10 was announced, Mr Ilhami Demirtas the Director of Education at Horizon Educational Trust, ascended the stage and delivered words of encouragement to the achievers who filled the auditorium, Much like Mrs Chokoe, Mr Demirtas thanked the educators present for helping the students and being tenacious in the art of Mathematics that many fear to pursue.
The prizes awarded to the top 10 included an iPad, bicycles, camera, smartphone, tablet and wrist watch.
The top 10 achievers, in no particular order, are: Tabolane Marape (Mankopane Primary), Azra Ismail (Northern Muslim School), Hope Moeti (PCS), Sadaf Patel, (Northern Muslim School), Mariem Patel (Northern Muslim School), Amzad Patel (Northern Muslim School), Lethabo Tjale (PCS), Pearl Rivele (PCS), Lewayden Oerson (Laerskool Pietersburg Noord-Primary).
Molewa Masethe from Mautswi Primary School in Botlokwa jumped with tearful excitement when she was announced as the top performer and walked away with an iPad. Molewa was granted the opportunity to be in the presence of Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga on the 19th of July during the national award ceremony of Horizon Mathematics Competition Top 100 Achievers held at Wits’ Linder Auditorium.
At the national awards Motshekga was quoted to have said she appreciated the Horizon Trust’s contribution, not only to the schools they are running, but also to the education system and to the country. “I want to thank Horizon for putting Maths, Science and Technology at the forefront.”
She reportedly said her department had a historical mandate to improve Maths and Science education in public school.
She further stated that the collaboration between the government, the private sector and private schools played a vital role in motivating and supporting children to participate in Maths and Science.
Molewa thanked the organisers of the competition for giving the learners a platform to show their Maths skills. “It was a rare opportunity for us and we made use of it. There were more than 3 000 learners from the province who took part in the competition and that on its own shows the interest from fellow learners and the need for such platforms. I want to encourage other learners to participate in such competitions as they sharpen one’s mind and Mathematics acumen.”
The STAR PHYS-MATH TUITION CENTRE offers extra lessons to learners from various high school grades from as far back as 2010. The centre offers all children, irrespective of race, religion of background, a quality education particularly in Mathematics, Physical Science and Accounting. The Horizon Educational Trust and Star Phys-Math wishes to thank all learners and communities that were involved in the competition.