Meet the star students from the Adelaide Hills in the 2023 SACE

One achieved a near-perfect score in their ATAR – meet the year 12 stars of the Adelaide Hills and see who was crowned the Dux of their school here.

After a year of hard work and a nervous wait, 2023 school leavers have finally received their year 12 SACE results.

Students rushed to their laptops on Monday to finally view the highly anticipated results.

Graduates in the Adelaide Hills have recorded impressive results which reflect the hard work they put into every assignment they handed up. Meet the 2023 duxes of the Adelaide Hills.

Keeley Smith, St Francis de Sales College

Keeley Smith from St Francis de Sales College exceeded in her year 12 studies and recorded an ATAR of 96.55.

Keeley said she was “very surprised” when she opened her laptop this morning and saw her score.

“I went on a bit early and saw all my grades … it was quite funny,” she said. “I was really shocked, I wasn’t expecting it.”

The 18-year-old said she had previously looked into doing speech pathology next year but her high ATAR had her rethinking.

“(My ATAR) has opened more doors now so I’ll have to have a think about it,” she said.

Kelley studied general English, general math, biology and dance in year 12 – with math ending up being her favourite.

“We had a very good teacher, the whole year was smooth.”

The dedicated student said she’ll be spending the day celebrating with her family down at the river.

Keeley Smith is St Francis de Sales' DUX for 2023. Picture Supplied

Stephanie Dumuid is Hills Christian Community School's DUX for 2023. Picture Supplied.

Stephanie Dumuid, Hills Christian Community School

Stephanie Dumuid from Hills Christian Community School aced her year 12 studies and recorded an ATAR of 93.95.

Stephanie said she was extremely excited to learn of her score as she was reaching for 83.

“I was just hoping to get that (83),” she said. “I didn’t think I’d get in the 90s.”

The dedicated student said she studied psychology, outdoor education, English and general math.

The 18-year-old, who studied a variety of subjects, said psychology was her favourite and inspired her to enrol to study an honours course of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Adelaide next year.

“I really enjoyed psychology … I plan to go straight to university next year,” she said.

Stephanie said Hills Christian Community School allowed her to flourish and study at her own pace.

“I really enjoyed the environment of the school and the flexibility. All the teachers were very supportive.”

Gabrielle Burke is Heathfield High School's DUX for 2023. Picture Supplied

Gabrielle Burke, Heathfield High School

Gabrielle Burke from Heathfield High School excelled in her year 12 studies and achieved an ATAR of 96.4.

Gabrielle said her impressive score will allow her to embrace her gap year next year before commencing studies.

“I felt relieved,” she said. “I was expecting around 95 but I was pretty happy with the 97.8% (with bonus points). “My parents were quite proud I think.”

The graduate has hopes of studying a Bachelor of Psychology at either Flinders University or the University of Adelaide.

Gabrielle said she studied psychology at school as well as literary studies, general math and psychology in her extension studies at Flinders University.

Despite finding it challenging to maintain high school subjects as well as university studies, Gabrielle said it was a rewarding experience.

“I’m pretty proud of myself and happy,” she said.

Kye McDonald, Mount Barker High School

Country recipient Kye McDonald during the Governor of SA Commendations at the SAHMRI building Monday, December, 18,2023. Picture: Mark Brake

Kye McDonald from Mount Barker High School thrived in year 12 scoring an ATAR of 99.4.

Kye said he was “pretty happy” to learn he had achieved such a high score.

“I was pretty happy with that after a big year,” he said. “It’s great to see it all come together in a result.”

The dedicated student said he was a self-motivated studier who enjoyed studying.

Kye said the year was rewarding but there were still some challenges along the way including the “general pressure” of year 12.

“I had a close family member pass midway through this year … it threw a bit of a spanner in the works … I know they’d be happy with what I’ve done today,” he said.

“I know that she’d be happy.”