Nova Pioneer Ormonde Students Celebrate Cambridge Examination Success
Students reflect on a year of dedication and achievement as they comple their Cambridge exams.
Nova Pioneer Schools, a pan-African independent school group, offering the internationally accredited Cambridge curriculum, builds and operates world-class, accessible schools, offering students grades from preschool through to senior school, with established campuses in South Africa and Kenya, celebrates noteworthy individual successes and a superb overall performance, reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence and student growth.
Nova Pioneer’s students have demonstrated resilience and commitment to excellence as they prepare for their future academic and career pursuits both locally and internationally.
Student Spotlight
Celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of Nova Pioneer students, collectively earning an impressive total of 43 “A” and “B” symbols across various subjects at AS and A-levels. Our students have set a high standard for their peers and have made Nova Pioneer incredibly proud.
Sumia Mahmood, a top-performing AS Level student, is set to pursue a B.Sc in Chemistry with a Chemical Engineering option at the University of Witwatersrand. She exemplifies the outstanding caliber of students at Nova Pioneer. “Even with t stress and pressure of being a 5-subject warrior, I am delighted that my hard work, coupled with the support from my teachers, family, and closest friends, has paid off.”
Samukelisiwe Nkwanyana, a top achiever exemplifying Nova Pioneer’s exceptional student caliber reflects “My journey at Nova Pioneer has been a rollercoaste
presenting challenges that have shaped my resilience”. Nkwanyana credits her success to her supportive circle and the school’s ethos. “I’m immensely grateful to my coach and friends for keeping me grounded, and to my teachers for expanding my mind and pushing my limits beyond what I once thought possible, revealing my potential.”
Fellow AS Level student, Naseeha Majam, aspires to study Computer Science at the University of Witwatersrand. “The most valuable lesson from Nova Pioneer was independence,” she notes. “Hard work and consistency were vital to my success this year. I truly appreciate the support from my friends and family.”
Nova Pioneer’s commitment to excellence is further reflected in t accomplishments of its IGCSE students. Students have surpassed expectations, achieving an impressive total of 27 A grades, 70 B’s, and 71 C’s. This success brought them a sense of relief and excitement, as they eagerly prepare to tackle the new year with confidence and determinatio
“I was very anxious before seeing my results, but when I finally saw them, I w incredibly excited. I felt proud knowing that all the hard work had paid off, and I am grateful for the support I received from my teachers, family, and peers,” shares top IGCSE achiever Lindiwe Mashabane, who celebrates 3 A*’s and 3 A’s.
“The journey was challenging, but once I realised that it was possible, I felt more at ease and motivated to keep pushing forward,” says Mashabane.
Fellow top achiever, Sehar Mahmood shares, “The weeks leading up to my IGCSE results felt like an eternity! Each day was a mixture of nervous excitement and frantic last-minute revision. Honestly, there were some ups and downs along the way but I still paved through, thanks to my mom. Finally, the day arrived, and clicking open that email felt like a lifetime condensed into a single, heart-stopping moment.”
“A big thanks to my mom, teachers and friends for their unwavering support,” ends Mahmood.
Theuns Opperman, the School Leader for Nova Pioneer Ormonde Senior, states, “Our students have once again achieved exceptional results, and we are immensely proud of each learner and their individual accomplishments!
“As new data from Cambridge International becomes available in the coming weeks, we will compare our students’ performance with global standards. We are confide that our students will continue Nova Pioneer’s tradition of exceeding global benchmarks,” Opperman continues.
“It is incredibly rewarding to witness our students’ successes and their vibrant enthusiasm for their future pursuits. Hearing their stories firsthand, it’s evident th Nova Pioneer has laid a robust foundation for their aspirations. These outcomes reflect not only the students’ persistent efforts and determination but also t unwavering support and encouragement from their educators,” said Opperman.
“Innovation in education remains central to Nova Pioneer’s curriculum, equipping students with vital knowledge and key cultural principles for leadership and lifelong learning. As we celebrate these young achievers, Nova Pioneer continues to forge a path of academic and personal development, propelling our students towards becoming the leaders and innovators the world needs,” Opperman added.
Cultivating a Foundation for Student Achievement
Cambridge is a flexible curriculum that offers students a number of pathways f exit. At a senior school level, there are three main exit examinations: IGCSE which is Cambridge’s version of a General Academic Literacy band, followed by AS and then A-levels. A-Levels are a recommended 13th year at a high school level and provides students a world-recognised and very highly regarded exit qualification to widen t scope of their university studies both locally and internationally. Depending on how students perform in their IGCSE and AS levels, A-levels improves their exit results and gives students the opportunity to improve their options of getting into their preferred course.
Nova Pioneer works closely with each student and their families, often as early as Grade 8, to create an individual pathway. Families are consulted throughout their time at Nova Pioneer Ormonde to ensure clarity and understanding of the recommended exit pathway.
As a school network, Nova Pioneer also does extensive predictive work and is happy to report that their AS and A-level students have yet again performed in line with or better than expected, whilst their students writing IGCSE outperformed all expectations. Many of their AS students have opted to stay with the school for A-levels to ensure an even more competitive set of results.
Ready to Excel Beyond the Classroom
As students at Nova Pioneer South Africa Schools conclude their A-Levels and embark on the next phase of their academic journey, they do so with a robust sense of purpose and confidence in their future aspirations. Rahel Wondwossen, Chi Operations Officer, attributes this assurance to the comprehensive support provid by our Post School Success (PSS) Team and the Psycho-Social Support Team.
“We established the PSS Team with the objective of equipping our students with the practical tools and insights necessary for making informed choices about their future beyond school,” Wondwossen explains. “The team aids students in understanding their options, along with the advantages and challenges each pathway might present.”
Working hand-in-hand with the Psycho-Social Support Team, the PSS Team offers personalized career guidance and assessments that align with each student’s strengths and ambitions. This holistic strategy reinforces Nova Pioneer’s commitment to fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership, ensuring that our students are thoroughly prepared to meet the demands of higher education and the professional world.
Rahel Wondwossen elaborates, “By focusing on each student’s unique strengths and interests, we cultivate a community of visionary leaders. Nurturing these talents is central to our mission of shaping Africa’s future, where there is a need for creative, adaptable leaders to spearhead change and innovation.”
Beyond academic success, Nova Pioneer is dedicated to maintaining strong connections with its alumni, emphasising the importance of a supportive network for long-term success. Rahel Wondwossen notes, “The resilience and adaptability we instill in our students are qualities we hope will persist in their future endeavors, allowing them to become the leaders of tomorrow.”
As Nova Pioneer celebrates its students’ achievements, the school’s steadfast commitment to inspiring and empowering them to forge a bright future for Africa remains unwavering.
