Work ethic leads to White Blazer

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Union High head girl, Caitrin Spence, is the proud recipient of the school's prestigious White Blazer. Caitrin donned the blazer at Union's recent academic awards presentation when she received the Honours Award for exceptional academic achievement having maintained an academic average of 95% for two consecutive years.

The Honours Award is the highest accolade presented at Union and only awarded on very rare occasions. Caitrin is only the fifth Unionite to receive this award since its inception in 2004.

Caitrin, a farm girl, started her school career at Union Primary in 2012.

Speaking to Graaff-Reinet Advertiser Caitrin explains that she decided early on to put all her effort into her academics. She says consistency has always been key to her achievements.

"It is so important to stay focused during class and to keep up to date," she says.

"A lot of people underestimate the importance of paying attention, but it really helps a lot. The most valuable piece of advice I ever received is: if you have five minutes in class, use it."

This is particularly important for Caitrin, who takes two extra subjects - Information Technology (IT) and Advanced Programme Mathematics (AP Maths) - leaving her very little free time.

Despite investing so much time and energy into her studies, Caitrin is an all-rounder - she is head girl, participates in various cultural activities, and serves on many committees. She enjoys playing piano and will complete her Grade 7 ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) piano exam this year.

Playing it safe

Caitrin says she was never really interested in sport as she believes academics is a much safer investment into her future.

"Sometimes you must make sacrifices to achieve your goals. Sport takes up too much time. I realised soon enough that I cannot be a dedicated sports player if I want to take extra subjects and still contribute to the life and community of the school."

She explains that taking extra subjects is like a safety net. The results of the extra subject may replace the results of any other subject except English, Afrikaans, Life Orientation and Mathematics. "I am more likely to do well if I write three exams instead of one because it gives me two extra opportunities. If I don't do well in the one, I still have two more. It's all about managing my risks."

This does require some sacrifices. "When my friends are done with exams and want to go out celebrating, I still have to study," she says.

"It really is a balancing act – I want to excel in academics, but I also need a social life."

Challenges

Caitrin also encountered some challenges en route to academic excellence. One of the biggest challenges was when she had to write her two most difficult subjects – IT and AP Maths – on the same day during last year's final exams.

"It can be so demotivating when you've worked so hard and then you have the two most difficult subjects on the same day, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

I was exhausted, but it is true that you never know how far you can push yourself," she says.

"This was also the point when I realized that working every day and making sure that you are up to date really matters."

On a lighter note, Caitrin recalls the time when she almost missed her physical science exam because their vehicle got stuck in mud on the way to school.

She adds that getting to school sometimes is quite a mission with all the farm gates and sheep along the road.

Caitrin has the following advice for her fellow learners: "Be patient with yourself. There are going to be some things that you don't understand and tests in which you don't perform as well as you want to, but the most important thing is to never give up. Be gentle with yourself."

The other four Unionites who have received the Honour Award are Carl Bezuidenhout (Class of 2004), Sulette Damons (Class of 2007), Kelsey Minnaar (Class of 2017) and Lynne Mugglestone (Class of 2007).