Dia Singh of St Dominics Newcastle emerged triumphant in the academic arena during January 2024, clinching the title of top learner for Curro in South Africa in the IEB Matrix examinations.
With an exceptional average of 95% across all 10 of her subjects, including an impressive 10 distinctions, Dia Singh has undoubtedly set a high standard for academic excellence.
However, her outstanding achievement has not gone unnoticed, as on Thursday, 15 February 2024 Newcastle Municipality Mayor, Cllr Xolani Dube, recognised her remarkable performance by awarding her a voucher and covering her tertiary education registration fees.
According to the Newcastle Municipality, her dedication and hard work have not only placed Newcastle on the educational map but have also paved the way for her future aspirations. Dia’s pursuit of a Degree in BSc Actuarial and Financial Mathematics at the University of Pretoria reflects her determination to excel beyond high school.
Mayor Dube commended her for exemplifying the power of perseverance and dedication, stating, “We are so proud of you. You have shown us several times that nothing is impossible when you’re determined, from you, the young girls from all walks of life will learn that nothing can stop them. As parents and local government, we have an obligation to grow the next generation, in order to do that we must invest in their education and having said that we’re fully behind every young passionate person and rooting for them to succeed in reaching their goals.”
Dia’s journey to success extends beyond the classroom. Her participation in the 2023 Taiwan International Science Fair showcased her scientific ingenuity, particularly her research project on using plastics incinerated by plastic (P.I.P) to strengthen roads, a concept that garnered attention and praise.
To read more about Dia’s research project, click here.
Following her being named as the top learner for Curro in the IEB 2023 Matric Examinations, the Newcastle Municipality noted that her exceptional performance in subjects ranging from Core Mathematics to Accounting has solidified her reputation as a standout scholar. Dia’s achievements have not only earned her recognition but have also inspired a generation of young learners to strive for academic excellence.
As Dia embarks on her academic journey with the support of Newcastle Municipality, she remains grateful for the opportunities that have shaped her educational path. Reflecting on her accomplishments of being announced as the top Curro learner in South Africa for the 2023 Matric examinations, Dia shared, “I was so shocked when I was announced as the top student because it was never actually my goal.”
However, Dia’s journey to academic excellence began long before high school, rooted in her mother’s advice to set and strive towards academic goals. With unwavering determination, Dia has steadily worked towards realising her full potential.
As Dia prepares to pursue Actuarial Science at the University of Pretoria, her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and determination. The Newcastle Municipality’s support underscores its commitment to nurturing future leaders and fostering academic excellence within the community.
As we celebrate Dia’s achievements, let us reflect on the importance of investing in education and empowering the next generation of leaders.
Share your thoughts on Dia’s journey and her future endeavours in the comments below.
