An astute pupil at Clarendon High School for Girls who secured third position nationally in physical sciences in the 2025 matric examinations says she was astonished when she learned she had placed among the top three achievers in SA.
The humble and disciplined Emma Booyens, 18, says she was completely stunned by the news especially considering she only began studying physical sciences in grade 10.
“I couldn’t believe it, as I never expected to achieve this,” Booyens said.
“But I was also very proud of myself.”
Booyens says she has always enjoyed working with numbers and mathematics had long been one of her strengths.
“When I started physical sciences in grade 10 and realised that it also involved numbers and problem-solving, I knew it was a subject I would enjoy and that, if I worked hard, I could do well in it.”
She says being recognised for her hard work was deeply rewarding after having put a lot of effort into her preparation for exams.
“It’s a great feeling to know that all the long hours and effort I put in paid off,” she said.
During her matric year, Booyens, was also involved in sport, which required careful planning.
“I had to structure my study time around sports practices and tournaments.”
She says her daily focus on schoolwork was pivotal, particularly for demanding subjects such as physical sciences.
“Staying up to date with the work we covered in class meant that when exams came, I already had a basic understanding of the concepts and only needed to revise and practise,” she said.
Booyens says repetition played a crucial role in preparing her for the final examinations.
“I went through concepts as many times as possible to understand and remember them.
“Practising past papers was also essential. I did as many as I could to master the work and go into the exams feeling prepared.”
She says maintaining balance was essential for her and she intentionally made time for sport and other activities.
“This helped me relax and take my mind off exams, so that when it was time to study, I could focus properly.”
Booyens also relied on her faith which also played a significant role in helping her manage pressure and stress.
“Spending time with God through prayer and reading the Bible helped me cope during stressful periods,” she said.
She credited her teachers for their dedication and support.
“My teachers went the extra mile to ensure we were well prepared. They were always willing to help and encourage me, and I’m incredibly grateful to them.”
She also expressed deep appreciation for her parents, who provided constant motivation and a calm, supportive home environment.
“I could not have achieved what I did without their support,” Booyens said.
Her younger sister, Kate, 16, also played a key role.
“She helped me relax during stressful times. Some of the higher-order application questions, especially in chemistry, were quite challenging.”
Booyens admitted that there were moments of self-doubt, but she relied on her faith to persevere.
“Praying helped me push through those moments.”
She has since been accepted to medical school at Stellenbosch University.
“I am most proud of being a national top achiever in physical sciences and placing third in the Eastern Cape, as it’s the culmination of years of hard work,” she said.
“But I’m also proud of my ability to balance academics, sport, music and leadership roles throughout my school journey.”
“This achievement has shown me that hard work truly does pay off, and it encourages me to continue giving my best in everything I do.”
