Southern students to watch in 2023 including Cardijn College, Westminster School
From talented sporting stars to academic high achievers and those making a name for themselves in the arts, find out the students in Adelaide’s south to watch in 2023.
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Home to some of South Australia’s most famous alumni, our southern suburbs students are shining brighter than ever.
With aspirations to represent Australia in various sports or to establish themselves as world-renowned playwrights, filmmakers and musicians, these impressive young people know what they want and how to achieve it.
We’ve searched the region for the senior school students whose names you should remember because they’re sure to do big things in 2023 and beyond.
See the full list here.
Stella Byrne
Westminster
Year 12 student Stella Byrne has expressed a love for performing on stage – dance, drama and music since preschool
Throughout her school years, she has excelled in the performing arts and been a regular in the local theatre scene, including the renowned Pelican Productions summer camps.
Last year, Stella shone in Adelaide Youth Theatre’s 2022 production of ‘Into the Woods’.
Stella has also won a professionally-casted position with Windmill Theatre’s Adelaide Festival production of ‘Hans and Gret’, on top of a lead role in Westminster School’s musical, ‘Mamma Mia’.
At school, Stella carefully balances her academics with her talents in the performing arts.
This year, there’s six music ensembles to showcase at least five instruments, including voice. In her musical journey, Stella proudly won a high-profiled place as a percussionist in the national Generations in Jazz Div 2 Superband.
Stella has the talent, charisma and commitment to make a real name for herself in this demanding industry.
Katie Natt
Westminster
Katie Natt is a sensation in the world of national Surf Lifesaving.
A member of the Seacliff Surf Lifesaving Club since she was five, Katie has gone from strength to strength to be the best she can be in this physically and mentally competitive field. In last year’s premier surf lifesaving endurance event, Coolangatta Gold, Katie competed in the short course race as the youngest competitor.
She won silver in the U19s and placed fifth in the Open Division, as well as winning a silver with the Open Female Team in the Long Course race.
In any given week, Katie will dedicate around 21 hours to maintaining her form and fitness, over and above her academic program. But coming up soon are the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (the Aussies) in Western Australia, followed by the Australian Age and Open Swimming Championships in Queensland.
Along with being a Marine Biologist, Katie’s dream is to make the international Iron series and there’s always hope that Surf Life Saving might feature at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Sid Draper
Cardijn College
Year 11 student Sid Draper, the younger brother of Arlo Draper who was drafted to Collingwood in the 2021 AFL Draft, has a bright future ahead of him in football and is another of Cardijn’s AFL draft hopefuls for next year.
Sid was the Captain of the State U16 team in 2022 who took out the national championship. He has been dominant in the state and South Adelaide Football Club programs over a number of years and has caught the attention of selectors.
Renton Baverstock
Cardijn College
Renton Baverstock has been a part of the Army Cadets for three years, and began at the 430 Army Cadet Unit (ACU) at Cardijn College.
He started as a young recruit and his journey has now lead him to hold the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) and the role of Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM).
As a part of his role he works hard behind the scenes, with staff to plan out and execute camps (bivouacs), and also holds the responsibility of visiting other units and giving advice and ensuring drill, dress, bearing and discipline meets army standards.
As a part of his newly appointed role, Renton now carries the pace stick, which is a symbol of his appointment. Renton is currently in Year 12, is a Student Leader and throughout his time at Marcellin Campus has completed a Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation.
This year he is planning on completing his SACE and gaining entry into the Royal Australian Navy as a Graduate Marine Engineer Officer.
Lachlan Nash
Woodcroft College
In Lachlan Nash’s final year at Woodcroft College, he has a leadership role as music captain.
He appreciates the opportunity to mentor and support students across the school’s extensive Music program.
Lachlan is involved in the school’s concert band, vocal ensemble and is auditioning for a lead role in the annual musical.
He has been involved in the school’s musicals for seven years, with lead roles in four productions.
Outside of school, Lachlan’s singing talent sees him as the youngest member of an acapella vocal ensemble with hopes of a Fringe Show when he finishes school.
While he has a busy music schedule, Lachlan is focused on achieving good grades to give him the best options for university.
Lachlan’s plans for the future will hopefully see him accepted into a musical theatre degree in
Adelaide or he is willing to make the move interstate to fulfil his dreams.
Ayanna Burgan-Minniecon
Woodcroft College
A performer since the age of two, Ayanna Burgan-Minniecon, is what they call a ‘triple threat’ with her talents in
singing, dancing and acting.
She has achieved many accolades in her early career, including winning National and State titles and also attaining a high distinction for both her dance and vocal exams.
Training 20 hours a week over six days, Ayanna gained a spot in the High Performance Athletes Program at school to help her manage her studies around her intense training schedule.
Ayanna was also awarded a Woodcroft College Music Scholarship, studying in vocals.
The Year 11 student has great ambitions and dreams of one day performing on a world stage. She also plans on going to university to study sports psychology.
Savannah Rayner
Woodcroft College
Savannah Rayner is a talented sports person playing Australian rules football and cricket. Currently listed with the South Adelaide SANFLW squad, she is looking forward to making her debut with the club.
Savannah made her senior club debut at 15 years of age at Christies Beach Football Club. Her goal is to play for the State Under 18’s team next year and ultimately to get drafted into the AFLW.
Savannah has been playing district cricket for four seasons with the aim of representing SA in the Under 18’s National Indoor Cricket championships this year. Making the State team will set up the potential to be selected for international competition.
Focusing on her studies is equally important as Savannah has a goal of achieving the ATAR required for the highly competitive study of Paramedicine. She is a member of the High Performance Athletes Program at school to help her balance her academic and sporting goals.
Holly Ifould
Woodcroft College
Holly Ifould is a top academic student who is on track to achieve an ATAR in the 90s to support her future goal of studying Veterinary Medicine.
She volunteers for the RSPCA to further bolster her potential for acceptance into this degree.
Not only achieving academically, Holly’s interest in AFL has seen her earn a spot in the team for South Adelaide’s Senior women’s league.
She is currently trialling for the State Under 18s team this year.
While juggling her goal of achieving acceptance into Veterinary Medicine and maintaining high academics, her aspirations for football include getting selected and playing in the state team national carnival, while playing well at South Adelaide to make herself a potential draftee for 2024.
*The Messenger contacted a number of southern schools but received no reply by the time of publication.
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