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When recently-matriculated learner, Luke Clotz, stood on the stage at East London’s ICC to accept his Premier’s Award for Top Learner for the Special Schools Cluster B category, this former Cape Recife High School learner could not help but be proud of all his hard work coming to fruition.
With the language barrier his biggest challenge, Clotz knew he had to put in extra effort to achieve his goal of doing well in his final year of high school. So, in preparation for his final exams, the determined young man asked his mother, Beth Clotz, as well as his teachers and principal, if he could move into the school’s hostel in order to foster more self-discipline through a routine.
“When I was still in Grade 8 my teacher and mentor, Tyron Greyling, told me and a few friends that we should start preparing for matric early, so we did,” said Clotz.
“Luke has always been a focused boy. He’s well behaved and really is passionate about learning, this is one of the things that has earned him this prestigious award,” said school principal, Erica Maritz.
Clotz’s mother was unable to hide her pride in her son, and said in Luke’s case she took the lead from him, and she is glad she did.
“Luke is very self-aware; he knew what works for him and ran with it until the end. I had my own timetable of his and his younger sister’s school itinerary, but honestly, he was always on top of it,” she said.
So, what was Clotz’s secret to achieving four A’s, including a subject that was one of his biggest challenges?
“Consistency!” he said. “From the beginning, I knew that if I did a little bit of work every day, and not bulk studying under pressure, I would crack the code. I found that listening in class and asking the teacher questions where you don’t understand, also helped, because that information never leaves and you remember the most basic conversations with the teacher in that exam room, which equates to marks for you,” he giggled shyly.
Coming in first place in the whole country, in his category, is an achievement of note, “especially the laptop, tablet, cellphone, bursary and other really cool things that we all received,” but more than that, if 2023 taught him anything, it was to believe in himself, and not let any stereotype or naysaying sway him.
Teacher and an alumnus of the school, André van der Merwe, expressed his deep gratitude and pride in Luke.
“You know, he has reminded all of us, especially the learners coming after him, that anything is possible, and that these things often called learning barriers are, in fact, not. Our curriculum is exactly the same as every other school in the country,” he said.
“Yup, no special treatment,” Maritz chimed in.
“And because of this, I think we should all be so proud of these learners, who despite so many challenges, make it and become such powerful members of society,” said Van der Merwe.
Because all work and no play is never a good idea, when he was not studying or going over his notes, you would typically find Luke cycling, running, doing cross country, or in athletic training with his younger sister, Carla, who is doing her Grade 10 studies at the same school.
“She is much better at athletics than I am, and a lot smarter too,” the proud older brother said.
“Find your ‘why’ and let that drive you. Then surround yourself with a group of motivated people who have similar goals and aspirations, because they will motivate, encourage and hold you accountable,” said Clotz for younger learners, such as his little sister, who will be in matric soon.
Next for Gqeberha’s bright young star is a Diploma in Nature Conservation at Nelson Mandela University, “and learning to type fast for note-taking and assignments”.
For Beth, Clotz was her first experience of being a mother to a matriculant, and she said while her son’s motivation and determination made the journey easy for her, she found that listening to him also helped a great deal.
“Parents need to learn to trust their children, hear them out, know their unique studying style, no child is the same,” said the doting mother. “What you will find rewarding and your child will too, is creating an environment that fosters learning, trust, open communication, and vulnerability, so that your child has no inhibitions, just tons of motivation to do their best – for themselves. And of course, stock up on those snacks, they will need a lot!” she concluded.
For the first time in four years, Cape Recife High School also scooped the Premier’s Top Achiever Award for the Best Performing Special School in Cluster B.
“The venue was filled with students from all backgrounds; others were deaf, so they wiggle their fingers when applauding. Seeing all those little fingers attached to smiling little faces really made me emotional,” said Maritz, tearing up before bracing herself to pose for pictures.
