TANDO NKUNGWANA
Grade 11 Stirling High school pupil Matthew Wiseman has made his school, East London, and the province at large proud after becoming the top-ranked pupil provincially in the SAASTA Life Sciences Olympiad in March.
Wiseman achieved third place nationally and first in the province with 90%.
“Stirling High is incredibly proud of Matthew’s achievement,” the school’s principal Doug Prior said.
Prior added that the school encouraged their pupils to achieve excellence not just in their academics, but also in the areas of sport and culture.
“Matthew has achieved at the highest level in the area of academia and the school hopes that this will bring about a renewed excitement and increased participation in olympiads in the future.
“We trust that his achievement will motivate his fellow pupils to realise that through commitment, participation and effort, it is possible to achieve at this very impressive level.”
Wiseman’s parents expressed great pride in his achievement.
“Matthew’s achievement in the olympiad is the result of his determination and self-drive to excel in whatever he embarks upon, and this recognition makes us proud parents,” they said.
His parents admitted to allowing Matthew to make choices on how to dedicate his time to everything he is involved in, as this holds him accountable to his results.
“As an achiever, he has had to balance his focus and time to realise his sporting and academic achievements with him aspiring to be at the top in the grade, while playing hockey, water polo at first team level, and tennis at provincial level.
“We do provide guidance but we have left him to make his own choices to allow him to be accountable for the ultimate outcomes achieved,” his parents said.
They believe that this achievement plays a significant role in helping him shape his career goals and aspirations.
“Matthew’s love for life sciences has made the medical field a strong career contender.
“He also has an interest in biomedical engineering, as well as megatronics, with a focus on the medical field.
“So, this achievement is a great step in the right direction.”
Matthew’s peers speak highly of him, emphasising the amount of focus, determination and hard work that goes into all that he does.
“He has proved to be a model pupil,” Prior said, “and he participates in all areas of the school and is the perfect role model for his peers.
“As a deputy head prefect, he has proven his leadership abilities, he has impeccable manners and impressive deportment.”
The Eastern Cape department of education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima, said that the department was immensely proud of Matthew’s achievement in the olympiad.
“We want to congratulate Matthew and encourage him to keep up the excellent work. He has made the whole of Eastern Cape proud.
“We hope that his achievement shows his peers that they too can achieve greatness,” Mtima said.
