Brescia House School applauds the grade 12s of 2021. The school attained 100% pass rate as well as 100% University Entrance. In addition to this, their 58 matric pupils achieved a remarkable total of 223 distinctions, an average of 3.8 distinctions per candidate.

Matric pupil, Sarah Wimberley, achieved an outstanding 10 distinctions (including 100% for Mathematics). Fellow grade 12 students, Asanté Gantsho, Minana Mudoni, Mutsa Mutevedzi, and Kirsten Veitch all attained 8 distinctions each.

Visitors to the school regularly remark on the purposeful working atmosphere in which all are encouraged to do their best. The school upholds high standards of academic attainment and behaviour. The idea is that there is no ceiling on achievement and that in each individual there is the potential to succeed. This success cannot be measured only by their academic accomplishments, but also by the development of their social and interpersonal skills and contribution to school life. The Class of 2021 not only excelled academically, but outside the classroom their all-embracing contributions resulted in many notable achievements in sporting and cultural activities. It is this balance, and mastery of time management, that allowed the pupils to truly reach their full potential.

Brescia House School has been recognised as a Microsoft Showcase school since 2013 and most of the Brescia House School teachers are currently recognised as Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts.

All of these years of training and innovation laid the foundation for the unexpected, when schools across the country had to suddenly come to grips with remote learning during a nationwide lockdown at the end of March in 2020.  During this time, teachers and pupils alike, developed their skills using Microsoft applications.  When the lockdown was announced, it took less than 3 days to move from integrating technology into the classroom, to teaching and learning completely online.

The pupils adapted to this way of schooling quite seamlessly and were comfortable both online and using Teams at school.

‘Adopting the Microsoft 21^st Century Learning Design skills of collaboration, skilled communication, knowledge construction, self-regulation, real-world problem-solving and innovation and the use of ICT for learning in our curriculum has prepared our pupils for their future studies and careers.’

‘We are immensely proud of all out grade 12s of 2021,’ said Loredana Borello, head of the High School. ‘Their resilience and self-discipline stood them in good stead, and we congratulate them all on achieving personal triumphs. They are commended on choosing to remain positive and flexible as they had to adapt to the many changes they faced during this pandemic year.’

‘Thanks must go to the pupils for their enduring and consistent efforts, to their parents for their unwavering support, and to their teachers – both Primary and High School – for preparing them so capably.’

Sarah Wimberley 10 Distinctions:

• Accounting
• Advanced Programme  Mathematics
• Afrikaans FAL
• English
• Information Technology
• Life Orientation
• Mathematics
• Music
• Physical Sciences
• TCL Music

Sarah Wimberley

Sarah is vivacious and outgoing with a delightful sense of humour, modest about her remarkable achievements, and is always willing to help others.

Diligent and determined,  Sarah is intelligent and insightful,  with excellent critical  thinking  skills and logical ability.   In 2021,  Sarah was awarded the subject prizes for Accounting, Advanced Programme Mathematics, Information Technology, Mathematics, Music and Physical Sciences, and was named  Dux  Scholar.  As the Dux Scholar,  she was awarded the  Board  of Governors scholarship in 2020, and academic colours in grade 11 and 12.

Sarah is a dedicated music student, excelling in both flute and piano.  She gained full colours for Music in 2020 and 2021 and was awarded a double gold certificate in 2021 for her practical work.   Sarah has been a valued member of the high  school choir,  Bel Canto choir and school orchestra,  and is  to be commended for her work on the Cultural Committee.  Sarah has also excelled at orienteering, gaining full colours for the sport, has participated in hockey at first team level and is a dedicated long-distance athlete.  Sarah was awarded the Kinsley Trophy for all-round excellence in 2021.

8 Distinctions:

Asant­é Gantsho  8 Distinctions

• Accounting
• Afrikaans FAL
• English
• French SAL
• Information Technology
• Life Orientation
• Mathematics
• Physical Sciences

Asanté Gantsho                                                                  

Asanté is poised, insightful, diligent and empathetic, with an exceptional academic ability. She was awarded full academic colours in 2020 and 2021, and at the annual prizegiving ceremony in 2021 received the subject prize for French, as well as the Bilingual Trophy for best overall results in first and second languages. Asanté is an eloquent communicator and has achieved full colours in both debating and oratory skills. Furthermore, Asanté has  represented the school  as part of the athletics team in the areas of high jump and sprinting.  Asanté was a member of the swimming team until grade 10.

Asanté was also part of the GIBS Spirit of Youth leadership programme in 2020, which involved improving her self-awareness and her influence in building  a more  promising  South Africa.  Asanté was the  head of  the Liturgy Committee and took responsibility for daily themed devotional messages and prayers, which continued throughout the various periods of online  learning,  Asanté’s  kindness  and  empathy  was  evident in  her volunteer  work with  traumatised  children at  a rescue  centre, and at KidsHaven.

Minana Mudoni  8 Distinctions

• Advanced Programme English
• Afrikaans FAL
• Business Studies
• History
• English
• Life Orientation
• Mathematics
• Physical Sciences

Minana Mudoni                                                                                    

Minana is a quietly capable student, kind and caring, with the courage of her convictions.  Minana works with determination to achieve her high goals; she achieved academic colours in 2020 and 2021.  Minana was awarded the subject prize for Business Studies and the Creative Writing trophy in 2021.  Minana is a confident and persuasive speaker: she has participated in SACEE and GDL championships, and in Model UN debating, leading to a full colours award.  Minana has been selected for the guild public speaking every year, never achieving less than an A symbol.  In 2021, Minana was awarded half colours for public speaking.

The Pupil Forum Committee provides a platform for communication and open discussion between students, staff and administration. As head of the committee, Minana demonstrated her leadership and organisational skills.  Major successes in 2021 included the drafting of a policy that deals with discrimination, and reviewing the uniform and hair policy in the pupil code of conduct.

Mutsa Mutevedzi  8 Distinctions

• Accounting
• Advanced Programme Mathematics
• Afrikaans FAL
• English
• History
• Life Orientation
• Mathematics
• Physical Sciences

Mutsa Mutevedzi

Mutsa is considerate and loyal, valued and respected for her integrity, sense of humour and positive outlook.

Intelligent, creative and insightful, Mutsa is a student with a strong drive to succeed, the epitome of determination and tenacity.  Her self-motivation is enhanced by her enquiring mind and a determined approach to concepts that challenge her.  She has achieved outstanding results throughout high school, leading to full academic colours in grade 11 and 12.  At the final prizegiving ceremony in 2021,  Mutsa was awarded the subject prizes for Accounting, English and History.

Mutsa’s leadership ability was recognised when she was elected as deputy head girl for 2021.  Mutsa believes that the biggest success in her leadership role was the message from the leadership trio to the school, saying, “You are enough”.

Mutsa was a member of the guild trophy public speaking team, participated in SACEE debating  championships and  played significant  roles in major productions; Mutsa was awarded the Cultural Trophy in 2021.  Having gained full colours in four disciplines, namely, academics, debating, drama and public speaking, Mutsa was awarded the coveted honours blazer in 2021.

Kirsten Veitch  8 Distinctions

• Afrikaans FAL
• English
• History
• Information Technology
• Life  Orientation
• Life Sciences
• Mathematics
• Physical Sciences

Kirsten Veitch

Kirsten is an accomplished and dependable pupil, highly regarded by her peers  and  teachers.  In her  role  as head  girl,  Kirsten led  the  pupil leadership team with dedication and enthusiasm in a challenging year, not only supporting the team but leading by example to encourage school spirit and support the community through charity initiatives.  In recognition of her mature and balanced contribution and dedication, Kirsten received the Serviam Award.

Kirsten is a diligent pupil, engaged and dedicated, capable of critical and insightful thinking. Recognised for academic excellence throughout high school, Kirsten was awarded academic colours in 2020 and 2021.  At the final prizegiving ceremony, she was awarded the subject prizes for both Afrikaans and Life Orientation.

Kirsten has excelled in oratory skills, obtaining full colours in 2021,  She has participated in drama performances and achieved her Trinity grade 6 examination with distinction. Kirsten is a keen sportswoman who has played tennis and been dedicated to netball since grade 8.  Kirsten was awarded  half colours  in netball in recognition of her dedication and commitment to the sport.