Two Stirling High School pupils excelled at the 2023 South African Agency for Science & Technology Advancement [SAASTA Science Olympiad] after the recent release of their results.
Michael Dowie was the top national achiever in grades 7 to 9 and Matthew Wiseman was the top provincial achiever in grades 10 and 11 and third in the country in the senior category.
They credited their success to both teachers and parents.
This exciting opportunity allows pupils to compete in science with fellow scholars from all provinces, as well as SADC countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The competition comprises an annual examination in science.
Grade 10 pupil Michael said what drove him was a need to prove something to himself.
“To show myself that I am able to succeed to some degree and to, in the end, secure my future in life,” he said.
“The majority of the competition is a blur, but what I distinctly remember is the doubt of whether I would be able to achieve it or not.
“Despite that, I still did my best to excel and thankfully achieved highly.”
He said that for the competition they were required to complete an exam at the school which was handed in.
“I sat down, wrote the paper and handed it in. The content was based upon work from grades 7 to 9, so I did have the necessary knowledge to answer the questions.”
As he continues with his academic year, Michael says he plans to venture into the health science field.
“I plan on specialising in medicine, though the speciality itself is yet to reveal itself,” he said.
“This is firstly due to my love for the sciences, as well as my admiration for my mother and father, who both went into medicine themselves.”
Michael said his support system could be found in the staff of Stirling High School, who had helped him to expand his horizons.
“And also my parents, who have supported and encouraged him completely through his journey.”
Grade 11 pupil Matthew said: “For me, the feeling of success after receiving great results on my exams and tests, along with the determination it requires to stay focused throughout my studying, motivates me to do well in my academics.
“I also have a passion for learning and a drive for personal growth, which I achieve through my academics.”
He described the competition as both exhilarating and stressful.
“Knowing that I was partaking in a senior Olympiad for both grade 10s and 11s added to the stress,” he said.
“I am passionate about biology, so luckily I knew most of the answers.”
He had entered a mathematics Olympiad previously and reached the third round. However, this was his first biology Olympiad.
Passionate about health, Matthew looks forward to entering the medical field.
“Medicine has always been fascinating to me, and the thought of being able to help someone is amazing,” he said.
“After school, I aim to apply to study medicine and then specialise in surgery further.”
Matthew said for this year, he would be participating once more to fly the school’s excellence flag high.
“I have already entered and I am looking forward to trying to better my results of last year.
“Preparing, I am revising my grade 10 and 11 work that I have summarised to ensure that I am as prepared as far as possible.”
He credits his success to the heads of biology at Stirling, John Marais and Illse Kemp, who supported him through the tests and encouraged him to do his best.
“Secondly, my parents, my mom and dad have always given me every opportunity to grow,” Matthew said.
“They have sent me to an amazing school and have been great role models growing up.”
Stirling head of academics Maryke Reed said: “We are very pleased with the impressive success of these two young scientists.
“We try to offer as many academic opportunities beyond the classroom as possible to our students to broaden their understanding and to assess themselves against their peers around the country.”
DispatchLIVE
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