VPHS
English Olympiad
Back Row: Kirstie Steineveldt, Unathi Funde, Stephanie Paton, Luzuko Jack, Makaziwe Nyingwa, Kaylyn Truter,
Julia Powell, Kristen Perils, Ashleigh Needo
Middle Row: Phumela Matshaya, Liyema Mandlake, Olwethu Mbane, Carmen Thurnher, Lara Potgieter,
Amber Drahota, Aimee Granzier, Athandile Williams, Delmain Mollies, Sarah Morgan, Sikho Gaika
Front Row: Asemahle Xanti, Maxine Roelfse, Chardon Dixen, Taryn Benade, Miss Meyer, Pierre Durandt,
Phumelela Cacela, Bianca Groenewald, Bamanye Saki
4 March 2014 and it is a 3 hour examination. The
theme this year was “Language, Literature and
Laughter” and was based on an anthology entitled
Two Victoria Park High Grade 12 pupils achieved
positions in the Top 15 of the 2014 De Beers English
Olympiad. This is a prestigious competition held
annually and nationally. This year 8000 candidates
from high schools throughout South Africa entered
to write this examination. We were delighted and
immensely proud of Taryn Benade and Pierre Durandt for this outstanding achievement.
This is our best result to date and the fact that we
had two pupils in the Top 15 was just phenomenal.
The English Olympiad, which is often perceived as
being difficult, has grown in popularity at Victoria
Park and this year a record number of Victorians
entered this competition. Needless to say, it proved
quite challenging to prepare pupils adequately for
this examination because they were such a big
group. However, we managed to squeeze in a few
quick sessions during intervals and we attended two
workshops at Alexander Road High School. As a
school we are indebted to Mrs Ricky Woods and Mr
Chris Berndt for inviting as to attend these workshops. These sessions obviously paid off, as was reflected in our overall very good results.
The De Beers English Olympiad was written on
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