Awarding academic achievement at ISWB prize-giving
Thunderous applause reverberated through the walls, and a palpable sense of pride radiated from every corner within the International School of Walvis Bay school hall, as the annual prize-giving ceremony took centre stage on Thursday, 8 February. This event aimed to celebrate the extraordinary results achieved by learners throughout the 2023 academic year.Following are the top two learners in academic achievements for each year.
Year 7
Best performance: Panashe Mutumbu - 84.67%
Runner-up: Linda Ipumbu - 84.33%
Year 8
Best performance: Asnath Kandanga - 82%
Runner-up: Amyr Ryklief - 80.54%
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Year 1
Best performance: Dawid Bisset - 89.14%
Runner-up: Yaro Kakonda - 85.14%
IGCSE Year 2 (external examinations)
Best performance: Marcela Riobo - 88.5%
Runner-up: Chloe Gugat - 79.4%
AS Level (external examinations)
Best performance: Alison Jalon - 79.25%
Runner-up: Luca Young - 78%
A Level (external examinations)
Best performance: Laura Damster - 73.3%
Runner-up: Ines Martins Pao Alvo - 72.6%
Prestigious results
In recognition of their academic excellence, best-achieving learners were awarded with specific prestigious awards for their respective achievements. Platinum Award were awarded to learners with the best average percentage at the end of each key stage:
Asnath Kandanga, with an average of 83.2% received the achievement for best average marks in key stage 3 (year 7 and 8). Key stage 4 (IGCSE year 1 and 2) was awarded to Marcela Riobo for maintaining an average of 91.5% and the AS and A-level award for academic achievement was handed to Laura Damster for achieving a 76.9% average over those two years.
Learners who excelled in specific subjects within their year groups were also individually recognised, with some attaining remarkable averages as high as 98% and 99% in certain subjects.
The 2023 Dux scholar was won by Alison Jalon, awarded for securing the top average percentage in AS Level.
Music awards
Andrelize Bock, Hayley Bouman, Kaylishia de Wee and Febe Wessels received half colours for music achievement while Melissa Deyzel achieved full colours.
Reflecting on the accolade, best-performing music learner in the high school, Melissa Deyzel, stated, "Winning the arts award was an honour and I am grateful that music has touched my life in this way. I hope it can do the same for others."
LRC inauguration
A new era of learner leadership surged forth as the incoming LRC members were introduced, their ties marking their commitment. The newly-inaugurated president, Ndafalenga Nangolo, and vice-president, Teniell Sowden, had their badges proudly pinned on by their parents on stage as well.
“It was a fantastic event that ran very smoothly without a single hiccup. Every person in that room was worthy of their achievements and it was inspiring to hear of their achievements that they most definitely put so much time and effort into,” concluded vice-president, Teniell Sowden. “I'm sure the recognition of these learners worked as motivation to inspire everyone to keep working hard and to improve further,” she continued.