Q&A with Victoria

Three months ago, our 2024 Form 6 graduates set the best-ever record in the history of national exam performance at St Jude's. All but one of our 200 graduates got Division 1s and 2s—enabling us to achieve a 100% pass rate with 99.5% of our students scoring within the two highest band scores in the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE). And the top performer of the lot? A female student, Victoria, got straight A's in all her core subjects!

The final two years of secondary school education in Tanzania are known as Advanced Level (A Level) Forms 5 and 6. At the end of the final year of secondary school, students sit for a series of standardised examinations organised by the government through the National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA). 

Today, Victoria is a Community Service Year volunteer teaching geography at a local government school through the Beyond St Jude's Scholarship Program (BSJSP). She shares about her life at school, rising to the top of her class, and her experience as a Community Service volunteer so far. 

How long have you been at St Jude's? 

I have been at St Jude's for 14 years! That's all the way from primary to secondary school. So, many of my friends and core life memories are from St Jude's. 

What did you like most while at school? 

I loved Mathematics! I pursued it all the way to my A Level studies. When I wasn't busy studying, I spent time with friends and played netball in the evenings. I was also part of the Interact Club and regularly volunteered to teach government school students in remedial classes.

How did you rise to the top of your class? 

I wasn't always the top performer. It wasn't until three years ago that I started getting A's in my exams, and it wasn't something I achieved overnight. It was built upon years of support from teachers, fellow students, other extracurricular programs at the school, and, of course, hard work. 

What are some handy tips that helped you improve your scores?

It was not a tip but a piece of advice from my sponsor that I took to heart. My sponsor sent me a letter encouraging me to dream big and believe I could achieve anything I set my mind on. This advice inspired me to dream big, believe in myself, and work hard. 

How do you find your Community Service Year (CSY) experience so far?

This is the best decision I have ever made! I love teaching others, so the experience of giving back is truly fulfilling. I teach about 93 students, and the best part of my day is interacting with them. They often ask me to extend lessons and even help bring my materials from the office before class.