Class of 2025 TOP ACHIEVERS

Grant Weich and Matthew Walker topped the 2025 Bishops matriculants’ NSC and Cambridge A Level results, respectively. We chatted to them about their final year at school, why they chose their curricula in particular, and what lies ahead in general.

(An edited version of these interviews appears in Issue 12 of The Old Diocesan.)

TOP ACHIEVER

Grant Weich (2025B)

Describe your matric year in one sentence.

While 2025 was stress-inducing in many ways, it was also a year in which I overcame emotional and personal challenges that had plagued me through previous grades – an extremely worthwhile process.

Were there any particular challenges in your final year?

I’ve often been told that my life lacks a sense of balance between studying and socialising – “solving” this stood as one of my main priorities throughout the year. Tremendous pressure was applied to both these aspects, in the form of the looming NSC papers and being thrust into house leadership roles in regard to the 2025 Eisteddfod. I have since learnt that adaptability and creating habitual positive-feedback loops through minor daily behaviours contributed more to maintaining this balance than adjusting how much time I spent on either trait throughout the year would have done.

Did you ever consider switching to the Cambridge curriculum?

Most definitely. The Cambridge curriculum is known to offer a deeper, more intricate content pool than that of CAPS – something that appeals to the more scientifically minded who prefer to actively “discover” knowledge through their own curiosity and trial-and-error rather than just study to meet the stringent exam requirements set by the NSC. This research-orientated approach to learning is abundant in the university environment in which I now find myself, and knowing that I would find it here, I did not think participating in the Cambridge curriculum was necessary.

Why did you choose to write the traditional NSC exams?

Writing the final NSC exams was a final affirmation of the tenacity I developed throughout school. The greater variety of content knowledge – for instance, the diverse subject matter between Visual Arts, Mathematics, English, Afrikaans, and Physical Sciences – is something I value within the CAPS curriculum. Despite not exploring these fields in the detail that would serve them true justice, I have consistently implemented skills associated with each of these subjects in my life since arriving at university. I certainly do not regret having made this choice.

Your favourite subject (and why).

Physical Sciences – a subject in which your intuition of the world, your willingness to engage with the world, and your personal resilience are extensively questioned. Despite its tendency to induce occasional frustration, I find the process of toiling away at seemingly insurmountable problems only to arrive at that split-second “lightbulb moment” to be deeply gratifying.

A highlight of your time at Bishops.

In Grade 11, I became enormously conflicted as to what my life after school would entail – would I pursue the path of the artist or scientist? That year, by participating in the Across the Alps Science Tour to Italy, Switzerland and France, co-ordinated by the Science Department, I was able to see the pinnacles of achievement within both fields. After actually seeing the grandeur of Vatican City and the modern marvels currently unfolding at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), I feel my prospects had been widened to the greatest possible degree… And I would go on to choose the path of the scientist.

Who was your most influential teacher (and why)?

Some educators not only have the ability to personify the subjects they teach, but can single-handedly define the ways in which their students see the world. Ms Lizelle Swanepoel was this teacher in my life. Perceiving passion in somebody’s teachings is an active, lived, intensive experience undergone in the classroom. I attribute my curiosity – and often, stubbornness – solely to her tutelage over the past five years.

What are you doing this year?

I’ve begun working towards a BSc in physics (at Stellenbosch University) within the focal area of laser physics, which also includes studies in mathematics, chemistry and statistics. Through a more creative lens, I want to establish myself as an independent oil painter by participating in local art exhibitions throughout the year and becoming involved in the ODU’s visual arts sphere.

What are your plans and hopes for the future?

The career path of a physicist is a decade-spanning process, so I can’t be certain what my distant future holds. While I can fantasise about working at illustrious academic or commercial overseas institutions such as CERN, I hope that by the time my tertiary education is complete, South African science will have become a notable global competitor through, for example, the completion of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project in the Karoo. I want to contribute to showcasing the country’s potential in STEM-related fields.

TOP ACHIEVER

Matthew Walker (2025B)

Describe your matric year in one sentence.

Simply put, it was eventful.

Were there any particular challenges in your final year?

Trying to find a balance between rigorous academics and actually enjoying matric. The year had a lot to offer in terms of fun, entertainment and leadership opportunities (not to mention becoming an adult). But wishing to do as well as I could meant that a compromise had to be made between studying and enjoyment… This proved difficult – I either wished I was out having fun, or felt I needed to work harder!

Why did you choose to write the Cambridge exams rather than traditional matric exams?

Cambridge offers a far more in-depth course on the subjects I was passionate about. While doing NSC, I felt that the biggest challenge was splitting my time between subjects I was not particularly interested in. A Levels allowed me to pursue my passion for academics in a way NSC simply could not. I was able to spend hours at a time understanding differential equations or behavioural economics, which would have not been possible in NSC. Furthermore, my study schedule became less about meeting the next deadline for a random project, and more about engaging critically with what I was studying – and the added autonomy in my schedule gave me a degree of freedom in how I approached my learning.

Do you think more Bishops boys will switch in future?

Honestly, I’m unsure. My hope is that more boys do switch to A Levels; it is a learning experience where your passion for academics can be thoroughly explored. Beyond learning more about the subjects you love, the level of knowledge, creativity and time-management skills needed to succeed in A Levels closely replicates that of university. It also taught me that a bad test mark (such as my first physics test!) is not the end of the world.

Your favourite subject (and why).

As much as I love economics, mathematics is far and away my favourite subject. It is difficult to explain what makes maths so special. The elegance of using your knowledge from different branches of maths to derive a solution to an integral is something I find satisfying.

A highlight of your time at Bishops.

Unsurprisingly, the matric dances I attended were the highlights of the year. From seeing everyone dressed up, to the walk-ins, letting loose and dancing and the afterparties, I will never forget them. The Bishops matric dance stood out in particular. Part of the fun was spending time together as a whole grade, and celebrating the past five years. The decorations were amazing, and almost as mind-blowing as Mr Nzuza’s dance moves. The absolute highlight of the dance, however, was spending quality time with my friends and girlfriend, who made the past few years so special.

Who was your most influential teacher (and why)?

There were a few, but if I had to choose one, it would be Mr Campbell Smith. He was a fantastic teacher, making the lessons engaging and interesting, and he made me fall in love with economics. But what set him apart was the personality he brought to the classroom. I didn’t just learn about economics; I learnt about marathon running, hockey, and being a coeliac sufferer. Our classes were full of jokes and light-hearted moments, and the final gesture of baking us a farewell cake encapsulates the sort of teacher he is.

What are you doing this year? Do you have a specific university you’d like to attend – or are attending?

I’m studying a BSc in mathematics at Stellenbosch University. I’ve also applied to universities in the US, but I’ll only hear back in late March.

What are your plans and hopes for the future?

The goal for now is to do well at university and complete a postgraduate degree in mathematics. I can see myself pursuing a PhD in mathematics, though I’m very open to wherever life takes me.