Meet the top Limestone Coast students in the SACE 2020

The wait is over for the class of 2020 and the Limestone Coast’s top achievers are among the best in the state.

Chloe Mackenzie, Tenison Woods College 2020 dux. Picture: Tenison Woods College. Pic: Supplied

School is officially out for the class of 2020 with students around the state opening their South Australian Certificate of Education results on Tuesday.

And the Limestone Coast’s highest achieving Year 12 student are among the best.

Chloe Mackenzie, Tenison Woods College

Scoring an ATAR of 99.00 Tenison Woods College’s Chloe Mackenzie has been named dux of the Limestone Coast region for 2020.

Too nervous to eat breakfast, she got a friend to check her results for her.

Chloe Mackenzie, Tenison Woods College 2020 dux with principal David Mezinec. Picture: Tenison Woods College. Picture: Supplied

“Once I had seen my score I couldn’t really process it,” she said.

“I thought I would score well, but not this well. My course required ATAR of 95, so I am happy to get guaranteed entry.”

Chloe plans to study Medical science at Flinders University, potentially medical research or pharmaceuticals.

Born in Columbia, and previously living in Victoria, Chloe spent 2019 juggling Victorian state cricket commitments, part time work and school before a challenging 2020 saw her complete part of her studies online said she was grateful to the teachers who helped her get through it.

“I was travelling to Melbourne every weekend last year during Year 11, while holding down part time work, as well as completing two Year 12 Subjects in Year 11,” she said.

“I have been to a lot of schools during my life, and when we relocated to Mount Gambier for my family’s work commitments, I started attending Tenison Woods College.

“The college have been really flexible, and will accommodate you no matter what you want to do, they will make it work.”

Chloe was among 13 of her classmates to receive a score of 90 or above and also claimed two Merits for psychology and mathematical methods.

Her tip to future Year 12 students, get plenty of sleep and time management is key.

David Zwijnenburg, St Martins Lutheran College

With a score of 98.90 David Zwijnenburg has topped the class of 2020 at St Martins Lutheran College.

After also claiming a Merit in Physics, he now plans to take a gap year.

David Zwijnenburg, St Martins Lutheran College 2020 dux with principal Alan Connah. Picture: St Martins Lutheran College. Picture: Supplied

“I might spend time at bible college, to think about a plan for my future. I might get a job and travel, if that’s possible with COVID-19,” David said.

Rounding out the college’s top five were Kate McGregor, 95.15, Ella Driscoll, 90.90, Abubakir Abduvahobov, 90.85 and Joshua Bonanno, 90.75 while Year 11 student Jemima Puust received a Merit for Stage 2 Tourism.

Rylan Ward, Grant High School

With Merits for physics and specialist maths, Rylan Ward achieved Grant High School’s highest ATAR at 98.80.

Rylan Ward, Grant High School 2020 dux. Picture: Supplied

Rylan previously told The Mount Gambier News he had his eyes set on moving to Melbourne to study engineering at Monash University.

“It will challenge me, I’m interested in maths and science and it’s down that path,” he said.

“It’s one of the top engineering universities in Australia and I have a mate doing engineering there and he said that it was good, so I thought I’d give it a shot.”

Rylan was among six Grant students to award Merits.

Caitlin Carraill, Mount Gambier High School

The 2020 Mount Gambier High School dux is Caitlin Carraill with an ATAR of 95.96.

Caitlin Carraill, Mount Gambier High School 2020 dux. Picture: Mount Gambier High School. Picture: Supplied

Caitlin previously hoped to study veterinary science, but inspired by her research project she now plans to study a double degree in exercise and sport science and food nutritional science.

“I focused my research project on how a plant based diet can affect physical health and I’m really interested in physical health now,” she told The Mount Gambier News.

Caitlin’s twin sister Toneya Carraill scored a 95.35, while Madison Kilsby, 93.80, Jeffrey Judd, 92.55 and Brandi Miller, 92.53 rounded out the school’s top five achievers.

Ebonie Moulton, Penola High School

Achieved an ATAR of 81.25 Ebonie Moulton has been named Penola High School’s 2020 dux.

Supplied Editorial Photo request

“I don’t know how I feel, because I wasn’t expecting to get as high as that after the year we have had, so I am proud of myself,” she said.

After studying stage two across two years, Ebonie is planning to take a gap year before completing further education in animal nutrition or something in the health field.