Pecanwood’s pride and prestige – the class of 2020
March 11, 2021
Pecanwood College is immensely proud of the Matrics of 2020 for the success they collectively made of a most difficult year.
Our school once again achieved a 100 % pass rate – in the midst of vastly changed circumstances like online teaching, virtual classrooms and the challenges of remote learning. We also secured a Bachelor’s Degree pass rate of 88 %.
Our head girl, Jordan Engelbrecht, excelled under trying conditions to attain seven distinctions (for English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Business Studies and Life Orientation). Jordan is also to be congratulated on her outstanding mark for Mathematics – 94 %.
She was followed by our deputy head girl, Leanne Meyer, whose five distinctions were for Mathematics, English, Life Sciences, Business Studies and Life Orientation.
We are especially proud of the fact that another of our Matrics, Georgia Gunning, ended in the top 1 % for English nationwide with a remarkable result of 90 % for that subject. Georgia also attained distinctions for Afrikaans, Business Studies, Geography and Life Orientation.
Our other top achievers are Jessica-Claire Leigh, who obtained distinctions for Visual Art, Mathematical Literacy, Business Studies and Life Orientation, along with Daniela Palla Appert (who attained A symbols for Afrikaans, Mathematical Literacy, Business Studies and Life Orientation).
Our distinctions translate to a ratio of 1,67 per pupil.
In terms of core subjects, our learners achieved an average of 70 % for English - substantially above the national IEB average of 66.21 %.
Our average for Mathematics was a respectable 63 %. Three other subjects were above the national average: Mathematical Literacy (81 %); Business Studies (68 %) and Visual Art (81 %).
Seven of our learners attained a distinction for Afrikaans, five for English and two for Mathematics.
We wish the Matrics of 2020 good health, prosperity and success for the future and thank them whole-heartedly for their contribution to our school.
They did us proud – against the odds.
I take my hat off to Pecanwood College class of 2020!
They are a group who demonstrated courage and determination as they saw their school career to its close.
The learned a great deal more than academic content and subjects, they learnt life lessons that equipped them to deal with challenges that lie before them.
#Preparedforlife
Twenty years of trusted education meets expanded opportunities, greater accessibility and future-ready learning from January 2027. Families across Hartbeespoort can look forward to an even stronger independent school offering as Pecanwood College becomes Pinnacle College Pecanwood from January 2027. The transition brings together two decades of local educational excellence with the academic strength, innovation and opportunities offered by the expanding Pinnacle Colleges network. Current and prospective families stand to benefit from a school that retains everything the community values while opening the door to even greater opportunities. Pinnacle College Pecanwood will preserve the school's caring culture, close relationships, boarding facilities, IEB curriculum, sporting tradition and vibrant co-curricular programme, while providing students access to a broader network recognised for academic excellence, future-focused learning and preparation for life beyond school. Pecanwood College has proudly served the Hartbeespoort community for 20 years, offering education from the early years through to Grade 12, including boarding. Dedicated teachers, a nurturing environment, strong IEB academic results and diverse sporting and cultural opportunities have established the school as a respected educational institution in the region. That solid foundation will now be enhanced through the wider Pinnacle Colleges network. Students and teachers will benefit from shared academic expertise, established operational excellence and opportunities to participate in broader academic, cultural and sporting initiatives across multiple campuses. Pinnacle Colleges equips students for tertiary education and successful careers through a balanced approach that combines academic excellence with innovation, career guidance, coding and robotics, technology-enabled learning and holistic personal development. Respect, responsibility and a strong sense of community remain central to every campus experience. Academic success already defines Pecanwood College. The Class of 2025 achieved an impressive 98.59% matric pass rate, a 94.36% Bachelor's Degree pass rate and an average of 1.9 distinctions per student. Pinnacle College Pecanwood will build on these achievements through strengthened academic systems, shared expertise and continued commitment to outstanding IEB education. The name Pinnacle College Pecanwood honours both the school's proud heritage and its exciting future. Twenty years of commitment by students, teachers, families and the wider community remain firmly embedded in the school's identity, while its new name reflects membership of one of South Africa's fastest-growing independent school groups dedicated to innovation, accessibility and student success. Hartbeespoort families can now enjoy the best of both worlds: a close-knit community lifestyle paired with access to a high-quality independent education close to home. Pinnacle College Pecanwood is well positioned to become the school of choice for families seeking exceptional academic opportunities, future-ready skills and an environment where every student can thrive.
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