Crestway High celebrates record matric results with a pass rate increase of 18.4%

Crestway High School in Retreat has achieved its highest matric results in a decade, recording a significant improvement from 66.1% to 84.5%.

Academic performance highlights include the top achiever, Claudia Topp, who obtained an overall pass rate of 72.9% with two distinctions. Several subjects achieved a 100% pass rate, while Mathematics showed marked improvement, rising to a 66% pass rate, according to principal Cheryl Jacobs.

The matric class of 2025 has much to be proud of, with the Western Cape recording its highest provincial pass rate since the introduction of the National Senior Certificate - 88.2%, up from 86.6% in 2024.

The results, released on Monday, January 12, by the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, showcase significant performances and milestones across several local schools.

The Western Cape finished in fifth with its 88.2% pass, which is an improvement from 86.6% last year. The top three performing provinces are KwaZulu-Natal with 90.6%, Free State with 89.33%, and Gauteng with 89.06%.

Lotus High School, in Ottery, has continued to demonstrate consistent academic progress and institutional growth over the past two years despite the slight drop. In 2025, the school achieved a matric pass rate of 81.3%, following the 83.3% pass rate recorded in 2024. 

In 2024, acting principal Stephen Price, former Bergvliet High principal, stepped into Lotus High and set a new foundation for the worst-performing school in the province, with a 32% pass rate in June 2023. The matric class of 2024 has now scored an 83.3% pass rate ("Lotus High blossoms under former Bergvliet head,” Southern Mail, January 2025).

Top pupils at Lotus High included Yonela Ndamane with 69.1%, and Jesse Chadwick with 69%, who achieved a code 7 (88%) in Tourism.

Grassdale High, in Grassy Park, achieved an impressive 96.5% pass rate, up from 91.7% in 2024, with 61% of pupils earning bachelor’s passes and a 100% pass rate in seven subjects. Principal Dawood Tregonning praised the pupils’ dedication and set an ambitious goal of achieving a 100% overall pass rate in 2026. Top pupils included Kaamillah Cato (70.42%), Erin Collins (68.28%), and Amy Lee Coakley and Emily Daniels (67.14%).

Fairmount High achieved a matric pass rate of 88.2%, marking an increase of 6.2% from 2024. Top achievers included Ameer Rayned with 71%, Nazreen Tango with 70%, and Amy Philander with 70%.

Junaid Anthony, acting principal, said: “This year, the theme is ‘Proudly Fairmount'. Our vision for 2026 is to build a school that is an inclusive centre of excellence, empowering every learner to reach their full potential.”

South Peninsula High School’s top performing pupils are Lisa Michels and Vanessa Chitera with 85.29%, who finished as the top joint pupils, followed by Gadijah Ebrahim with 84.29%.

Principal Faadiyah Myburgh said their goal was to have a 100% pass rate with 90% bachelor’s passes, though they came close with their 98.2% and 88% bachelor’s passes.