We would like to congratulate our class of 2021 on a overall pass rate of            81.9 %, our breakdown of results are as follows:

Bachelors 62

Diploma 28

Certificates 24

total number of learners that wrote was 138, total of 114 passed. Let the class of 2022 make everyone proud and aim towards a 100% pass rate.

School opening : 19th of January 2021

A day full of excitement, nerves, being anxious and truly happy, the first day of school. It is where we as a school premises have new pupils who’ll be joining our school or the family as we usually say. We’re here to show the good and the bad days of high school. Even how we as a school premises play with books, how we cooperate and also how we truly are welcoming.

At the assembly, the most precious place where we pray and announce the most important things for the school. On the first day of school, the principal does the welcoming speech, most importantly welcoming the new ones which are the ones doing grade 8 telling them the pros and cons of high school.

A message from the Newsletter writer Natasha Mpondo to the new school pupils and the entire school : We are basically a school that finds ends to the beginning. Why? Let’s be specific : When we say we find our ends to the beginning, we say the success of this school never ends, we’re always hungry for success and being the well known. We are meant to be a historic school because we strive and always leave a mark. As a new person to the family have the characteristics of a St Matthew’s learner. We welcome you to this wonderful school premises. There’s still a lot to come.

Going to the pupils who have been here for years, let’s teach them how it is done. As I said we find our ends to the beginning, success never ends here. We’re meant to be like this, we are SAINTS. Kids you’ll see how it is done. If you have the VOICE to speak, the body to play, the intellect join one of the school clubs that will be presented to you in each class. Remember to find your end to the beginning, the success will never end. I’m saying it repeatedly because I know how we as a school strive. It’s time to play with the books, Saints. Welcome to St Matthew’s.

Wishing everyone all the best in academics.

St Matthew’s first day of school.

Authores : Mpondo Natasha

The post Welcome 2022 appeared first on St Matthews High School.

29 November 2021

Sifunda Kunye Literacy project hosts annual writing camps for our partner schools but due to COVID we were unable to host our annual writing camp.

However, Sifunda Kunye launched an writing competition for our partner schools, together with our newsletter clubs and English faculty members at our schools our competition was successfully run.

Competition details was to write a short story themed “Where there is a will there is a way”

Top achievers from our partner schools were from St Matthews High School and Hendrik Kanise combined school.

Our 2021 writing competition winner was Natasha from St Matthews High School in Keiskammahoek.

Congratulations to all learners that wrote in to our competition, keep on exploring your creative side.

History of Sifunda Kunye Writing Camp:

Innovative Writing Camp Empowers Learners

Eighty learners from four area schools explored creativity, learning, and self-expression in an intense writing camp over the weekend.  The camp was sponsored and hosted by the Sifunda Kunye Educational Project, a local public benefit organization that has been active in the King Williams Town district since 2008.

Sifunda Kunye invites 10 to 15 learners from each of its partner schools in the King William’s Town District and Grahamstown district participate in these camps.  This past weekend, learners from St. Matthew’s, Xolani, Richard Varha, Toise and Hendrik Kanise combined Schools spent an intense 3 days (Friday-Sunday) focusing on a specific theme, completing personal works, and submitting them for peer critique.  This session’s theme was “Dreams are made of…” and learners were encouraged to express what dreams and ambitions  means to them in essays, poems, and group discussions and drama. Participants received guidance from a talented group of volunteer facilitators, student leaders, and the Sifunda Kunye staff.  .” Participants submit their work for inclusion into a published student journal at the end of the camp.  The journal is a unique opportunity for many to see their work in print.

Learners and teachers are continually impressed with the writing camps.  Participants relish the opportunity to engage in an in-depth weekend of imaginative learning.  They enjoy improving their language and writing skills in a fun and creative venue outside of the classroom.  Teacher’s enjoy witnessing the progress these young writers make over the course of a weekend.

The Sifunda Kunye Literacy Project’s writing camps have been successfully running since they first launched in August 2014.  Sifunda Kunye is a non-profit that relies on donations and grants to support its literacy and technology programs in Eastern Cape schools. 

The post Sifunda Kunye writing competition 2021 appeared first on St Matthews High School.

13 November 2021

We celebrated the completion of our annual facilitators program with a prize giving and a BBQ. The learners and faculty had loads of fun.

Sifunda Kunye is proud of all our hardworking facilitators that dedicated their time every Saturday at our literacy center.

Sifunda Kunye wants to thank Mr Kirben Rajopaul and Mr Dustin Hoffman from  Premier FMCG/Star bakery for recognizing our learners hard work.

Thank you for making the facilitators feel extra special by donating; lunch boxes, stationary, buffs, bread, caps and bags to all our facilitators. Sifunda Kunye, St Matthews High School and all our facilitators appreciate the donation received.

The mission of Sifunda Kunye Education Project is to have a positive impact on education and the individual lives of learners of all ages through the implementation of technology programs, literacy programs, and capital projects at deserving schools across South Africa.

We would like to thank our 2021 facilitators for positively impacting the lives of all ages through dedication and commitment to your role you play at our literacy center every weekend.

We wish all our facilitators, faculty, staff, donors and learners a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2022.

The post Sifunda Kunye Literacy center prize giving/end year function 2021 appeared first on St Matthews High School.

Likho Ngemtu said ” My main focus about this school are three Rs which are reach, respect and relationship. Going to relationship, it is literally one of my first priorities will be to create opportunities for everyone to display their skills and talents. Secondly I would like to create an atmosphere of respect in classrooms. Thirdly let us strive to reach our full potential. ” Now from my knowledge quoting and listening attentively to what the school president was addressing to the pupils I believe that he is trying to brief us about the key aspects, actually the important things or the basics of what makes a school perfect and recognizable which is : discipline. Such powerful words by our president.

Sipumeze Mkuli , the Vice President of the school. She basically gave us the definition of her name and she ought to believe that her name carries leadership, indicates aspects of destiny and luck, evokes cheerfulness and shrewdness, also willing to reap and to soar. Such a scarce thing to do while presenting a speech was when she used a couple of Xhosa words which is good but also unique and  rare. She said this, I quote, ” Ukuze siphumelele, simele sikulungele ukuncama izinto ezithile ukuze siphumeze izigqibo zethu. ” Her main focus for the school was characteristics and qualities of being a student / candidate, she illustrated this by means of using a pencil as an example. Which a the five qualities of a pencil, she said. In those qualities she involved God, also a pencil always leaves a mark, a pencil that is not a wooden exterior but the graphic insight so meaning being humble and respecting the learners and teachers is what matters lastly she involved mistakes that a pencil can be erased meaning you can learn from your mistakes. It was indeed a powerful speech because she involved characteristics, challenges and life lessons which is what we face each and everyday.

Last but not least , Lisakhanya Gadu the Vice President who will be in charge when it comes to the school hostel, hostel dwellers and so on. Basically everything that has to do with the school hostel. Ms Gadu talked mainly about creating history in our school not just the school but making history in our country in the next years as black children. I quote, ” My main focus is to change St Matthew’s High school into the best vision of itself which education, sports and discipline, actually changing many narratives. Firstly the narrative of thinking that we as black children are inadequate. Secondly thinking that our success is limited and knowing change is indeed a difficult transition. As an individual I believe we can push and actualize what we want to achieve as pupils and also as a school premises by never giving up. At the end of the day it’s all about believing and making decisions now in that, that is what I believe as Vice President ” By observing and listening to her speech I take a very tenacious and fearless young lady. That was unique and enticing speech.

The post LRC Representatives 2021 appeared first on St Matthews High School.

We would like to thank Sanga from Sifunda Kunye and Sifunda Kunye drama learners for making this event spectacular.

The post Annual prize giving 2021 appeared first on St Matthews High School.

Introducing Likho Mbuka, all the way from St. Matthew’s High School (Keiskammahoek, SA) in the Eastern Cape.

Wits – University of the Witwatersrand you have another Siyandisa Foundation 2021 Scholarship Recipient on the horizon. This enthusiastic 17 year old scholar has his sights set on becoming an Economist and is looking to pursue a B.Com degree in Economics in 2022.

“I believe that one’s future success should not be determined by background’ says Likho, whose dream is to set a high standard for young people in his community. Likho also shares that his mother and grandmother are his greatest source of support and making them proud is what he aims for.

We couldn’t agree more with your quote Likho and we will have you know that we are proud of you. Well done and keep up the good work, it will pay off!

#Siyandisascholarships #classof2021 #wecelebrateyou

The post Siyandisa Scholarship 2021 appeared first on St Matthews High School.

Adventurous Journey

8-10 March 2019

Participants from Sifunda Kunye partner schools, Toise SSS, St Matthews High School, and  Hendrik Kanise Combined School took part in a 48 km hike during this weekend.

Participants were qualifying for their silver in The Presidents Awards level.

During our arrival at camp it was raining but we were determined to complete our camp and required km to qualify for our silver.

We hiked for 4km during the night walk, the following morning we hiked along the beach for 40 km and on the 3 day we hiked for 6 km.

This was a challenging hike, it rained the entire 3 days and 2 nights, all together it rained 124 mm during our camp, we were wet, tired but determined. We had to work together in teams to survive  the weekend. It took a lot of determination, teamwork, motivation and courage but we concurred and completed what we aimed to achieve.

The post Adventurous Journey 8-10 March 2019. appeared first on St Matthews High School.

We interviewed all three achievers first on our list was Chwayita Xhatana, she told us she felt inspired and has more power to do more than she did last year. She would also like other students to follow in her foot-steps and possibly do more than her. The key to her success is sticking to her books and being a hard worker.

Next on the list we have Siphumeze Mkuli, when we asked how she feels about being our second best academic achiever, she told us that she feels really blessed and honoured, and thankful to God that she achieved so much last year. It was something she didn’t expect. She would also like to inspire our next generation to go for what they want and aim high no matter how hard it may seem because in the end you will achieve something. She also said not to wait to do something but do it now while you’re thinking about it because we don’t know what tomorrow brings.

Last but not least we then spoke to our number one spot holder Siphelele Ulana.   When asked how he felt about being the Top Academic Achiever in 2018 he told us it was a shock to hear his name called during the assembly as the top achiever, it was also a proud moment that he hopes to achieve again.

Written by Maliti Ayakha and Asemahle Plaatjie

The post Top Achievers appeared first on St Matthews High School.

The post Sifunda Kunye Community Reading Club Facilitators End Year Function and Prizegiving appeared first on St Matthews High School.

The post Residential Project 2018 appeared first on St Matthews High School.