The top achieving schools and matric candidates of the province were recognised and celebrated for their outstanding results in the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations during the annual Western Cape NSC Awards.
The ceremony was held at Leeuwenhof, the premier’s official residence, on Tuesday (30 January). Local schools and candidates were among those honoured.
The country and province’s top Grade 12 learner, Melissa Müller from Rhenish Girls’ High School, was awarded two subject awards (highest mark in the province) for mathematics and life sciences. She also received an award for being the Western Cape’s top candidate.
Another Rhenish learner, Lilly Hobbs, was named joint fourth in the province, while Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof’s top candidate, Mila van Wyk, was among the top 20 candidates.
Furthermore, Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof (fifth), Rhenish (sixth) and Paul Roos Gymnasium (11th) were named in the top 20 schools with 80 or more candidates. Bloemhof also received an award its consistent pass rate of 95% or more over the past five years, and was named the province’s top school in Afrikaans Home Language.
Provincial education minister David Maynier applauded the achievements of all the schools and candidates. “Despite [challenges], the Western Cape class of 2023 increased the matric pass rate for the third year running, to 81,54%,” he said.
A total of 26 182 candidates also qualified with a bachelors pass to attend university – the province’s highest number of bachelors passes to date.
