NSC Matric (2020) - Bloemfontein Schools
Eunice High School for Girls
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Congratulations to Hsuan-Yi Grace Ho for achieving 8 subject distinctions, in English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Accounting, Information Technology, Life Orientation, Life Sciences and Physical Science, at an average of 91.38% in the 2020 NSC final matric examinations and been named among the 2020 Board medallists for her school’s highest award.
The Grade 11 learner placed third in the Motheo District, finished within the top 10 during the Provincial round of the Free State Department of Education’s Mathematics Competition and competed in the 2019 ASSA (Actuarial Society of South Africa) South African Mathematics Team Competition by representing the Free State Northern Cape Nautilus Maths Team.
Based upon Grace's achievements in various Mathematics olympiads, competitions and enrichment programmes in 2018, the University of the Free State awarded her a bronze medal as the third top Grade 10 learner during their annual prize-giving ceremony.
Her advice to future matriculants is to keep pushing, no matter how difficult it gets.
“You will get there. And remember, hard work is rewarded. Just do your best.”
Good luck studying Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town!
St Michael's School for Girls
Photo credit: Courtesy of 'AWSUM News - Free State' (Tuesday, 20th March 2021) magazine
Vice head girl Jessica Chuang is applauded for earning 6 A’s and 2 B’s, receiving the gold Laurette Award (the highest honour bestowed on a learner) and delivering the key note address during the prestigious Achiever’s Assembly.
During 2019, the Grade 11 learner was awarded the Principal's Special Award honours badge for academics, her personalised laboratory coat as the top Physical Science learner, silver and bronze certificates in the national De Beers English and Computer Programming Olympiads respectively. She also served as Head editor of The SeMeSter school newspaper in 2018 and 2019.
Ever since Jessica began debating during Grade 8, she has been regularly named ‘Best speaker’. As chairlady, she led the school senior debating team to Motheo District and provincial titles and helped Free State finish amongst the top in the national SACEE (South African Council for English Education) Debating League, All Girls, model United Nations, Kovsie Moot Court and SAASTA (South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement) Debates Competitions over the past five years.
"Debating is an important part of my life and it has contributed extensively towards my character development and knowledge. I have gained the ability to analyse topics, think rationally, and understand world matters and people better. My perspective on life and the world has broadened. I am now able to understand and analyse myself better than ever before."
Jessica was awarded her honours badge for debating and Protea blazer by representing our 2018 South African National Junior Debating squad as senator at the Prague Spring Debating Championships held in the Czech Republic.
Article credit: Courtesy of 'AWSUM News - Free State' (Thursday, 15th November 2018) magazine
Handpicked by the producer from diverse learners across South Africa who tell their own stories of how passion overcame challenges, her love of debate was featured in the inspiring SABC 2 youth documentary series, Behind the Rainbow.
Promotional video credit: Courtesy of 'Facebook / Behind the Rainbow' (Friday, 26th March 2021)
She was also selected as a member of the Free State Northern Cape Nautilus Maths Team to compete at the 2018 ASSA South African Mathematics Team Competition. The Grade 9 learner was awarded a bronze medal in 2017 by ranking third at the University of the Free State’s annual Mathematics prize-giving.
The musician passed her Grade 5 Music Theory and Grade 6 Piano examinations with Merit in 2019 and was a finalist in the 2016 Fichardt Park Music Competition junior piano section.
She also represented her school in Courteney Pace Chess Tournaments and the Bloemfontein Chess League.
Jessica has expressed her desire to remain part of the debating community after school, preferably as a coach or mentor but possibly even as a debater. If she isn’t debating, reading extensively to keep up with relevant and current news or mastering the piano, you will find her baking.
Wishing you the very best in the next leg of your life journey!
