TuksSport High School ‘Class of 2020’ has achieved a 98.2% matric pass rate. It is the first time the school reaches an 89% bachelor pass rate. In total, the learners achieved 73 distinctions. 

Christopher Xides, with six distinctions and an 85.5% average, is the school's top achiever. Kaitlyn Albertyn averaged 82.3% (five distinctions), Danii Nolte 81.83% (four distinctions) and the former head girl, Shakira O' Malley averaged 81.67% with five distinctions.

TuksSport High School Principal, Hettie de Villiers, forever emphasises that any sports career can last only a few years no matter how good the athlete is.

"Then what?  That is why any athlete needs to have a good academic qualification to fall back on," De Villiers explained.

Xides resonates with de Villiers's sentiments. 

"'My parents emphasised that I had to do well at school to have a 'platform' to fall back on even though I have no immediate plans to study," said Xides, who is hoping to make a career as a professional football player.

Xides praised his teachers for their guidance during the last year’s pandemic and hard lockdown in the country.

"They were incredible throughout the pandemic, continually making sure we had everything we needed." 

He plans to go to Portugal in March or April for trials. 

"I am a fan of Portugal's football. Their style of play is different. Less physical. It is more about tactical savviness. They also tend to be more focussed on the mental side of the game." 

O'Malley is grateful to have been part of the SAFA Girls Soccer Academy based at the hpc.  It is considered to be a "one-stop-shop" in the lives of young players. Players are made to realise that it is never only about being a hero on the field. Education is as important if not more so. 

"My time at the Academy and TuksSport High School made me realise that nothing is impossible if you are prepared to put your mind to it and do the hard work."

O'Malley chose to go to Northwestern University in the US because she considers herself to be a forever student of the game. She will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration while sharpening her football skills to be good enough to play for Banyana Banyana.

"I am learning a different style of play which is a good way to expand my knowledge of the game," said the former South African under-17 player. She has also played two games for the national under-20 team.

Nolte, who was sponsored by the Athletics Foundation Trust, plans to study Plant and Soil Science from next year either in Europe or the USA. 

"Our world is changing every day mainly due to a population increase. It means the agriculture sector is under pressure to improve its food production. I want to make a difference. Help the world."

She has, however, not given up on her dream to also excel in athletics. At the start of last year, she improved her personal best distance in the long jump to 6.05 metres and in the triple jump 12.26 metres. She is a former gold medallist at the South African School Champs and won silver at the South African Youth Champs.