Excellence Celebrated: Core Education's 2026 Awards Ceremony Honors Outstanding Achievement
Excellence Celebrated: Core Education's 2026 Awards Ceremony Honors Outstanding Achievement
By Tasmia Hattingh, Eduvance Group
Published: January 29, 2026
There are moments in education that remind us why this work matters. Saturday, January 24th, 2026, was one of those moments.
Over 200 people gathered at The Garden Venue: Apple Blossom Spa in Pretoria, not for speeches or formalities, but to celebrate something far more meaningful: the extraordinary achievements of learners and educators who refused to settle for ordinary.
The Core Education Group, a network of affordable, high-quality independent schools including Royal Schools, Amberfield College, Acudeo Colleges, Etham College, and Canaan College, hosted its Annual Awards Ceremony. This wasn't just another event on the calendar. It was a powerful statement about what's possible when schools genuinely commit to excellence, when teachers believe in every child's potential, and when learners rise to meet high expectations.
Core Education CEO Dr Bennie Fourie addressing attendees at the 2026 Awards Ceremony
The Numbers That Tell a Story
Let's start with the facts: Core Education achieved a **94% overall pass rate** in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations. That alone is impressive. But dig deeper, and the story becomes even more remarkable.
**670 distinctions.** Think about that for a moment. That's 670 instances where learners didn't just pass—they excelled. They mastered their subjects. They proved that with the right support and determination, exceptional results aren't reserved for the privileged few.
A **94% tertiary admissions rate** speaks volumes about the quality of education and preparation these learners received.
When a School Makes History
Among the many achievements celebrated, one stands out as truly extraordinary: Etham College achieved **30 distinctions in isiZulu out of 33 learners**.
Read that again. 30 out of 33.
This isn't just impressive—it's a masterclass in what quality teaching and cultural pride can accomplish. It demonstrates that excellence isn't limited to traditionally "academic" subjects, and that when schools honor and invest in all areas of learning, remarkable things happen.
Learners were also recognized for outstanding achievements in Drama and Setswana First Additional Language, proving that Core Education's commitment to holistic development isn't just rhetoric—it's reflected in real results.
The Star of the Day
If there was a single moment that captured the essence of what Core Education represents, it was watching Kamogelo Tshabalala receive eight awards, including recognition for an exceptional 99% in Mathematics.
Eight awards. Not one. Not two. **Eight**.
Kamogelo didn't just succeed, he dominated. His achievement as the top Mathematics learner in Gauteng and the top achiever from an independent school in South Africa isn't just a personal triumph. It's proof of what's possible when talent meets opportunity, when natural ability is nurtured by excellent teaching, and when a school refuses to put limits on what learners can achieve.
IPT recognized this exceptional achievement by donating a laptop to Kamogelo, a tool that will serve him well as he pursues Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town. But more than the laptop, more than the awards, Kamogelo's success sends a message to every learner in every Core Education school: excellence is within your reach.
Top achieving learners celebrated with Core Education CEO Dr Bennie Fourie
It Wasn't Just About the Top Achievers
Here's what sets this ceremony apart from so many others: Core Education didn't just celebrate the students who finished first. They recognized the learners who improved the most, those who struggled, persevered, and grew.
Most Improved Learner awards went to students whose Grade 12 journey wasn't about starting strong, but about finishing stronger. These are the learners who proved that dedication and resilience matter just as much as natural ability. These are the success stories that don't always make headlines but deserve just as much celebration.
Because here's the truth: not every child starts at the same place. But every child deserves recognition when they push themselves to grow.
Recognizing the Backbone: Teachers and Leaders
While learners took center stage, the ceremony also honored the educators and leaders who make these achievements possible.
Best Principal awards. Strategic Leadership Awards. Recognition for schools achieving 100% pass rates. Awards for Best Campuses and Most Improved Schools.
These aren't just titles. They represent countless hours of lesson planning at kitchen tables. Late-night conversations with struggling learners. The teacher who stayed after school to explain a concept one more time. The principal who made tough decisions to maintain standards. The support staff who created environments where learning could flourish.
Education doesn't happen in isolation. Behind every distinction, every pass, every improved grade, there's a teacher who believed first.
Educators and leaders recognized for their outstanding contributions to learner success
The Power of Partnership
Core Education also took time to recognize the sponsors who invested in these learners' futures:
These partnerships matter. They show that businesses understand education isn't just a social responsibility, it's an investment in South Africa's future. Every voucher, every donated device, every contribution sends a message to learners: your community believes in you.
What "Every Child Matters" Actually Means
Core Education's guiding principle is "Every Child Matters." On Saturday, that principle wasn't just a slogan on a website. It was visible in every category, every award, every moment of recognition.
It was there when the most improved learners received standing ovations equal to those given to top achievers.
It was there in the diversity of awards, from Mathematics to isiZulu, from Drama to Setswana, from academic excellence to leadership and character.
It was there in the faces of parents who never thought university would be possible for their children, now watching them receive tertiary admission confirmation.
"Every Child Matters" means recognizing that excellence takes many forms. It means celebrating the learner who achieved 99% and the learner who improved from 40% to 55%. It means honoring the naturally gifted and those who had to fight for every mark.
The Bigger Picture
With over 30 years of experience, more than 11,000 learners, and 13 campuses nationwide across Royal Schools, Amberfield College, Acudeo Colleges, Etham College, and Canaan College, Core Education has proven that affordable, high-quality independent education isn't just possible—it's scalable.
The 2026 Awards Ceremony wasn't about one school or one learner. It was about a model that works. A vision that's sustainable. A commitment that's genuine.
In a country where quality education remains out of reach for too many, Core Education is proving that excellence doesn't have to come with an exclusionary price tag. That high standards and accessibility can coexist. That "Every Child Matters" can be more than a motto—it can be reality.
What This Means for South African Education
Events like this matter beyond the walls of Core Education schools. They set a standard. They prove what's possible. They challenge other institutions to raise their own expectations.
When a network of affordable independent schools achieves a 94% pass rate and 670 distinctions, it raises an important question for the entire sector: If they can do it, why can't we?
When 30 out of 33 learners achieve distinctions in isiZulu, it demonstrates that cultural subjects deserve the same investment and recognition as any other.
When most improved learners receive equal celebration to top achievers, it models a healthier, more inclusive approach to education, one that recognizes growth, not just starting points.
Looking Forward
As the Class of 2025 graduates move forward into universities, colleges, and careers, they carry with them more than certificates and distinctions. They carry proof that they belong in any room, any institution, any opportunity they choose to pursue.
And for the learners still at Core Education schools, Saturday's ceremony sent a clear message: this could be you next year. Excellence isn't reserved for others. Standards aren't impossibly high. With dedication, support, and the right environment, you can achieve things you never thought possible.
The 2026 Core Education Awards Ceremony celebrated the past year's achievements. But more importantly, it laid the foundation for future success, showing current learners what's possible and reminding educators why this work matters.
The Bottom Line
In a world full of educational institutions making promises, Core Education is delivering results.
In a sector where "excellence" has become a marketing term, Core Education is defining it with numbers, achievements, and transformed lives.
In an industry where "Every Child Matters" is often just a catchy slogan, Core Education is proving it, one award, one distinction, one improved grade at a time.
That's worth celebrating. And that's worth replicating across South African education.
Congratulations to all award recipients, educators, and the entire Core Education community. Your excellence isn't just changing individual lives, it's raising the bar for what South African education can be.
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About Core Education Group
Core Education is a South African network of affordable, high-quality independent schools, including Royal Schools, Amberfield College, Acudeo Colleges, Etham College, and Canaan College. With more than 30 years of experience, over 11,000 learners, and 13 campuses nationwide, the group remains committed to its guiding principle: "Every Child Matters."
About EduMag
EduMag is a digital publication by Eduvance Group, dedicated to sharing inspiring stories, insights, and innovations from the South African education sector.