18 January 2024
(Feature photo: David van Rooyen and Clifton Executive Headmaster, Clyde MacDonald)
Clifton College‘s class of 2023 produced exceptional Independent Examinations Board (IEB) results, led by last year’s Head Boy, David van Rooyen, who earned nine distinctions and placed on the IEB List of Outstanding Achievers countrywide, which recognises the top five percent of candidates in six subjects, who also scored more than 80 percent for Life Orientation.
Van Rooyen was also a key member of the Clifton water polo team which, not unusually, was one of South Africa’s elite teams in 2023. Towards the end of year, when the matric exams were drawing near, Clifton was in action at three major events, up against the best teams in the country – the Clifton Water Polo Tournament, the Hussar Grill SACS Water Polo Tournament and the KZN Top 10 – and the pressure was on.
David explained how he managed to balance that immense workload, along with leading the school: “When you’re that busy you don’t have a lot of time to waste, so it helps you to kick into action with the work that you have to do. I think if I wasn’t as busy as I was, I, maybe, wouldn’t have done so well.”
On Thursday, he said, apart from seeing his results revealed, there was something that he particularly wanted to do: “What I was most looking forward to, when I came to school today, was to see my teachers. I have had such a long journey with all of them. That’s why I love this school so much, because my teachers have been the biggest inspiration for me.”
Tertiary studies
David will be heading to the University of Cape Town where he will be studying actuarial science. He explained his choice: “I spoke to a couple of people, including George Tattari, who was the Head Boy here two years ago, also the Dux, and he also went to UCT to do actuarial science. He said he is really enjoying it.”
He added that focussing on mathematics, a key component of actuarial science, in his matric year, inspired him to make that decision, too: “It has become a favourite of mine this year. It’s grown on me a lot,” David said. “I didn’t put as much time into it throughout high school until I got into matric, which is when I started to put a lot of work into it. I do really enjoy it.”
As for water polo, he said he plans to play socially. He added, however, about the possibility of playing competitively: “I might get roped in at some point.”
IEB List of Commendable Achievers
Another three boys – Justin Gatonby, Rhys Jackson and Luke Lawlor – appeared on the IEB List of Commendable Achievers countrywide, which features the top 5 percent of candidates in five subjects, who also scored 80 percent or more for Life Orientation.
The school achieved a 100 percent pass rate, with 98.11 percent of the boys receiving Bachelor Degree passes.
Clifton had 11 students among the top one percent of IEB candidates for individual subjects. David van Rooyen featured in that high strata for Business Studies, English and History, while Michael Langston, who received seven distinctions, made the list for Business Studies and English.
Others to receive recognition for being among the top one percent for individual subjects included Justin Gatonby (Business Studies), Muhammed Essack (Business Studies), Kyle Thomas (Engineering Graphics and Design), Charlie Good (Engineering Graphics and Design), Zachariah Howell (Engineering Graphics and Design), Rhys Jackson (English), Luke Lawlor (History), Ben Ribbink (Mathematical Literacy), and Samuel Pearse (Visual Arts).
Muhammed Essack, Charlie Good, Ahmed Kharwa and Luke Lawlor achieved six distinctions, Muhammed Jamal and Joseph Rey were awarded five each, while Levi Anastasis-Lan, Damien Butt, Travis Gould, Christopher Kruger, Tremayne Moodley, Josh Northend, Samuel Pearse, Jedd Poovan and Ben van der Merwe all scored four distinctions.
Clifton’s Executive Headmaster, Clyde MacDonald, who looked very pleased with his charges’ achievements, praised the performance of the boys: “I am extremely proud of you,” he said. “Thank you for your years of dedication to the school and for leaving your indelible mark. I wish you everything of the best for the future.”
All-round excellence
A number of the top academic achievers were also leading achievers in sport. Luke Lawlor received the Coach’s Award for chess. Kyle Thomas, who made the SA Schools B team, was named the Hockey Player of the Year, while Michael Langston received the Coach’s Award for rugby, and was also named the Sevens Rugby Player of the Year.
Zachariah Howell received the Sportsmanship Award for soccer, Ben Ribbink received the Surfer of the Year and Surfing Coach’s Award, and he also shared the Coach’s Award for Water Polo with David van Rooyen.
Kyle Thomas received the Bresler Trophy for All-Round Senior Sportsman of the Year and shared the Rowe Trophy for Senior Sportsman of the Year with Connor McKenzie who, like Thomas, made the SA Schools B hockey side.
Stellenbosch University is a favoured destination for Clifton’s 106 matriculants, with 30 of them heading there, while 30 will be studying at Varsity College, 18 at the University of Cape Town, five abroad, and three at the University of the Witwatersrand.
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