'Do your best... it is enough'

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Union high's class of 2022 achieved a 96.6% pass rate, with 57 out of 59 learners passing the NSC examination.

The top candidate, Matthew Basson achieved six distinctions and an average of 85%. Congratulations also go to Grace Merifield (five subject distinctions and an average of 83,14%), Kendall Krige (five distinctions and an average of 82,57%), Marli Brummer (3 distinctions and an average of 79,86%), Amber Binney (4 distinctions and an average of 79,25), Tamsin James (4 distinctions and an average of 78,29%), Matthew McNaughton (1 distinction and an average of 73,71%), Kathryn Odendaal (2 distinctions and an average of 73,14%), Michelle Doyle (2 distinctions and an average of 72,82%) and Cloe Shires (1 distinction and an average of 71,86%).

Thirty-nine (66%) of the learners qualified for Bachelor Studies, while eighteen (31%) qualified for Diploma studies. A total of 54 distinctions were obtained.

Top performer

Boasting six distinctions, the inspiring 2022 head boy of Union High, Matthew Basson, started his school career at Union Preparatory in 2008 at age four.

Matthew has been one of the top three academic achievers since Grade 5 in 2015, and right on top for the last three - in Grades 10, 11 and 12.

He received the Dux student award and was awarded full academic colours in Grade 11 (based on grade 10) and then re-awarded that same accolade in Grade 12 for his excellent performance in Grade 11.

At the final prize giving of 2022 he raked in the awards ranging from top student of the year and the highest achievement in physical sciences, mathematics, Afrikaans, English and history, to the general knowledge prize and the prize as the Grade 11/12 learner living out his Christian faith by showing goodwill and tolerance to all.

Matthew represented his school at cricket and was in the swimming team sharing the male captaincy throughout the year.

Other achievements

Apart from being head boy, Matthew was actively involved in starting the very successful mentorship programme, as well as bi-weekly prayer meetings, at school.

He achieved full school colours for leadership and culture, as well as a merit award for choir.

Future plans

Matthew is off to the University of Cape Town to study a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology and Sociology and will then go where the Lord guides him.

School years

Mathew says he was fortunate to find himself in a school such as Union High. "If a problem arises, there is always someone willing to help. My challenges were mostly personal and circumstantial.

I often struggled with finding a balance between being nose-deep in the books and still developing myself socially and intrinsically. Time was also a major struggling point, but that is the story of every high school student.

"I was super busy with academics, cultural activities, sport, serving at church in many areas and recently, being head boy. When I felt overwhelmed, I reminded myself, 'God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind', as written in 2 Timothy 1:7," says Matthew.