SACE bragging rights: Almost 100 SA schools applaud their top pupils

It’s been a tough – and sometimes bizarre year – but schools across the state are finally celebrating their students’ incredible year 12 feats. Search the list to see your local standouts.

Mercedes College year 12 students Ethan Miles and Olenka Smolicz. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

South Australian schools are sharing the stories of their students’ success in SACE, the triumphs and achievements of the class of 2021.

From the final dux at Eynesbury Senior College to an extraordinary three students at Kangaroo Island Community Education achieving the maximum 99.95 Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, school pride was beaming around the state on Tuesday.

The final dux at Eynesbury Senior College was Isabella Mennillo, who achieved an ATAR of 99.6 and three merits.

Eynesbury was forced into closure from 2022 because its business model relied on international students making up about 40 per cent of its enrolments.

Covid-19 travel restrictions had made the school unviable.

Among Eynesbury’s last international students was Mia Hong, who returned to Vietnam at the end of 2020 and did her year 12 entirely online, despite daily lessons starting at 5:30am local time. She scored all B or B+ grades and at ATAR of 74.45.

Note: Information is provided by schools. This table will be updated as more add their achievements to the list.

On Kangaroo Island, Chloe Pitman was dux with her maximum ATAR after studying biology, chemistry, English, general mathematics and nutrition.

Kayla Rowley and Orlando Kennedy also recorded a 99.95 ATAR.

“These results should be acknowledged and celebrated,” the school said.

“They also reflect the important working relationship the school has with parents and community.”

At Mercedes College, Olenka Smolicz and Ethan Miles were among the top achievers.

Ms Smolicz, 18, said finally being able to relax after the pressure of assignments and exams was a huge relief.

“It’s still surreal. I had tears of joy when I got my results,” she said of her 99 ATAR result and merits in English and design.

Mr Miles, also 18, said he felt like a little kid again after the intensity of putting in extra study hours.

“I feel free. The pressure I put myself under to succeed has paid off and made my mum and dad proud,” he said.

Mr Miles, who registered an ATAR of 95.25 and scored a merit for English, said he intended becoming an aviator.

Adelaide High School on West Terrace in Adelaide. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Salisbury High School at Salisbury. Picture: Colin James

“I’ve worked hard to realise my passion and capture my dream and prove to myself that I can achieve anything I put my mind to,” he said.

Ms Smolicz said she loved sciences, especially chemistry and biology, and would build a career in that direction.

“I don’t know what pathway I will take to get there but I know I would like to pursue those fields,” she said.

At Rostrevor College, Essendon Football Club draftee Alastair Lord showed he was no slouch with the school books, recording a 98.95 ATAR, not far behind Rostrevor dux Jordan Zorzi on 99.85.

Meanwhile, at Craigmore High School, Bailey Hooper received an 82 ATAR after becoming a mother during the year.

Several schools have yet to finalise the dux of 2021 because some students have yet to receive results from International Baccalaureate courses, early university subjects or other adjustments to raw SACE scores that would affect their ATAR.