Rachelle-Anne Felix was home-schooled from Grade 2 and attributes her three matric distinctions to living a balanced life.
The 17-year-old, from Crawford, is now studying a BA at UCT, hoping to major in law and classics.
Rebecca Felix, 53, says she wanted her daughter to have a more personalised education, which is why she opted for home-schooling with the Cambridge curriculum.
Ms Felix says this gave Rachelle-Anne more freedom to discover what she enjoys, including playing the piano, saxophone and violin. Rachelle-Anne has been to several jazz events across Cape Town.
In 2020, Rachelle-Anne started her own business, The Muffin Project, where she baked and delivered muffins every Thursday to various clients.
“Being home-schooled allowed me flexibility. It was nice that I could do all this while still learning. I then started a podcast called the Amateur Hour in 2021, where we read books and came together to discuss the books we read. I took a year off for my matric year,” says Rachelle-Anne.
In 2022, Rachelle-Anne started the Adventist Youth Good Times group. She says the social group, which has both online and in-person meetings where young people talk about their problems, was a response to the feelings of isolation and awkwardness many youth felt in the wake of the pandemic lockdowns.
“It was important to start this because it gives youth a platform which was given by older people previously. Now there is something by the youth for the youth. We ask the youth for ideas that we will use for the year, and they find it easier to relate to us.
“It’s difficult to get out there and find like-minded people our age to speak to. This safe space forms a community. It also helps youth with their development.”
Rachelle-Anne says that while many seem to think you have to isolate yourself and focus solely on your studies for your matric year, for her, it was important to find balance.
“If you do not have discipline, home-schooling can be very difficult. It is self-reliant and you must have a balance. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your goals. So many kids are under pressure to not have a life in their matric year but you must find a balance.”