SACE high flyers listed, along with students who made their own history

Students who achieved success against the odds, and a record number of students, made the 2021 SACE cohort special. See the full list of Governor’s commendations.

School records tumbled this year for groups of students who have historically struggled to complete their year 12 education.

As well as the highest overall number of South Australian Certificates of Education awarded in one year, at 15,644 students, records were achieved for Aboriginal students and those with an intellectual disability.

The SACE results, announced on Monday, revealed only one student reached the “perfect” result of scoring an A+ and a merit for exceptional achievement for at least four stage 2 (year 12) subjects and the research project.

Lucas Scroop, 18, of Belair, comfortably reached the honour, scoring merits in six subjects as well as his research project.

The St John’s Grammar School student said the result was “a surprise”.

He hadn’t stopped to see it for himself when results were published at 8:30am because he’d been rushing to work at KFC.

Chloe Henderson, 18, of Salisbury High School, achieved two Governor’s commendations for her year 12 activities and SACE results.

Lucas Scroop, who attained six merits. Picture: Matt Loxton

Chloe Henderson, earnt two Governor’s commendations. Picture: MATT LOXTON

Education Minister John Gardner said rather than being a disappointment, the fact only one student achieved the perfect result “speaks to the very high level of rigour” in assessments by the SACE Board.

“More than 1200 merits were given out, but they’re not given out easily and nor should they be,” he said.

SACE Board chief executive Martin Westwell said students who get an A+ with merit across a range of subjects were “pretty rare”.

“Normally we might have three or four of those students, but this year it is just one student who has achieved at that level,” Professor Westwell said.

2021 SACE students in receipt of a Governor’s commendation. Front Row L-R Emma Hislop, Grace Gregurev, Georgia Kehagias, Kyle Baker, Thomas Frew, Joel Ransom, Katelin Gunn. Second row L-R Chloe Henderson, Lily Farrell, Nikita Page, Keely Menadue, Lily Di Cola, Muhammad Ali, Zane Lindblom, Lucas Scroop, Manish Augustine, Gyum Park. Back Row L-R Sebastian Alfred, Daisy Jury, Tess Wight, Madeline Moss, Cheri Wong, Caitlin Anchor, Holly Schutz, Evelyn Vincin Walker. Picture: Matt Loxton

“We hold tight to the standard, even though this year has been difficult for students with some disruptions – and for these students last year was also difficult.”

Professor Westwell said the SACE website had successfully handled high levels of traffic as students logged in to check their results and he gave an assurance there were no reports of errors even if some students didn’t do as well as they hoped.

Mr Gardner said every student who graduated with a SACE should be proud of what they had done.

“They’ve demonstrated resilience as well as hard work and achievement,” Mr Gardner said.

“To achieve SACE in the face of all the disruptions of the pandemic … speaks to their resilience.”

He was particularly pleased by the record 428 Aboriginal students and 353 with an intellectual disability completing their SACE.

Addressing students who were awarded a commendation from the Governor for their academic results combined with their contribution to their school and community, Mr Gardner said he hoped most would find challenging and rewarding careers in SA.

When he completed school in 1995, the high achievers “weren’t thinking about Adelaide as an option – it was Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Hong Kong”.

“But now, Adelaide is the logical place for anyone in Australia considering a hi-tech career with exciting opportunities,” he said.

“This is the place to do it.”

Mr Gardner also highlighted the increasing numbers of students – 45.3 per cent – who included a vocational education component in their workload. This included 3512 students who reached a VET Certificate III level.

Prof Westwell urged students to think of their SACE as the beginning of the next step in their journey of learning.

STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED A COMMENDATION FROM THE STATE GOVERNOR

Anna Champion, 17, Pulteney Grammar School
– volunteer for environmental action.
Caitlin Anchor, 18, Kildare College
– committed to awareness of social issues such as domestic violence
Cheri Wong, 18, St Peter’s Collegiate Girls’ School
– accomplished violinist.
Chloe Henderson, 18, Salisbury High School 
– researcher in Aboriginal culture.
Cooper Whitbread, 18, Modbury High School
– a leader in football, cricket, pedal prix, music and team work.
Daisy Jury, 17, Westminster School
– musician and advocate for students on autism spectrum.
Emma Hislop, 18, Eynesbury Senior College
– writer and social justice advocate.
Emily Lindner, 18, Seymour College
– debater, sportswoman and musician.
Evelyn Vincin Walker, 18, St Ignatius College
– award-winning debater.
Georgia Kehagias, 18, Immanuel College
– active in beach management, assisted students cope with Covid-19 concerns.
Grace Gregurev, 18, Endeavour College
– talented athlete and humanitarian.
Gyum Park, 18, Pembroke School
– fluent linguist, sportsman and community volunteer.
Holly Schutz, 18 Pedare Christian College
– led fundraising for the Royal Flying Doctors’ Service.
Joel Ransom, 17, St John’s Grammar School
– fundraiser for the Cancer Council and health advocate.
Katelin Gunn, 18, Scotch College
– basketballer and role model.
Keeley Menadue, 17, Xavier College
– equestrian competitor.
Kyle Baker, 18, Blackfriars Priory School
– performer, acrobat and instructor with Circobats.
Lillian Orsillo, 18, Sacred Heart College
– fundraiser for the Hutt Street Centre and Vinnies.
Lily Farrell, 18, Loreto College
– historian and innovative thinker.
Lily Di Cola, 18, Cabra Dominican College
– elite level soccer player.
Lucas Scroop, 18, St John’s Grammar School
– top academic achievement.
Madeleine Moss, 18, Walford Anglican School for Girls
– debater and Smith Family volunteer.
Manish Augustine, 18, Rostrevor College
– cricketer and mentor for new migrants.
Muhammad Ali, 24, Thebarton Senior School
– adult student who completed SACE while supporting his family.
Nikita Page, 18, Wilderness School
– leader in science and debating.
Sebastian Alfred, 18, Christian Brothers College
– tutors younger students in maths and science.
Tayla Roberts, 18, Streaky Bay Area School
– Rural Youth Ambassador.
Tess Wight, 17, Tenison Woods College
– elite level cyclist.
Thomas Frew, 17, Nazareth Catholic College
– investigator in science of space.
Zane Lindblom, 18, Westminster College
– promoter of equity for First Nations’ people.