Meet the star year 12 students from the Upper Spencer Gulf and Port Lincoln of the 2023 SACE
They worked tirelessly to achieve their year 12 goals – now meet the top SACE stars of the Upper Spencer Gulf and Port Lincoln.
Upper Spencer Gulf
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The results of a year’s hard work are in, and year 12 graduates have received their SACE results on Monday morning.
Graduates from across the Upper Spencer Gulf and Port Lincoln have reaped the fruit of their labour and their incredible results speak for their work. Meet the 2023 duxes.
Aslin Spolding, St Mark’s College
Aslin Spolding heard her mum crying on the phone before she was told the exciting news she was the Dux of St Mark’s College with an ATAR of 96.95.
After dedicating herself to her studies since she decided in year 9 she was going to be a midwife, Aslin’s hard work paid off.
Her friends were instrumental to her studies, and their support and friendly competition as she learned the best techniques to study has been one of her favourite things.
Now, with the support of a scholarship from Knights of the Southern Cross, Aslin will attend Adelaide Uni to complete a Bachelor’s degree in midwifery.
“I feel like I need to be working with these mothers and need to be showing empathy and care and consideration and be a part of that beautiful miracle,” Aslin said.
“I just feel it in my heart … I’m so grateful that I’m able to pursue this dream and help women and help children.”
Madeleine Dix, John Pirie Secondary School
Madeleine Dix from John Pirie Secondary School was nervous to find out her results, so a friend offered to check her ATAR score for her – and promptly called with the good news she’d hit a stellar score of 92.1.
Movie-buff Madeleine was not expecting her score, and was speechless when she heard the news.
Now she’s one step closer to her dream of working in film and TV with applications sent to schools across the country, including multiple universities in Sydney.
“I definitely want to work in the entertainment industry … I love the aspect of writing screenplays or getting behind the camera,” Madeleine said.
“Growing up my sisters and I would always make movies on our iPad so I always knew that I wanted to do something with that.”
But Madeleine isn’t putting herself in a box, and is excited to see where life takes her.
“I’m going with the flow, seeing what happens … I like to be really open to opportunities that come my way, I don’t like to be confined to a certain goal,” she said.
Tyson Darley, Port Augusta Secondary School
Tyson Darley aced his subjects and became dux of
Port Augusta Secondary School with an ATAR of 92.2.
Tyson dreams of giving back to regional communities as a future member of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, once he finds his way into his medical studies.
“I’m from the country so I know what these people go through, and how they’re isolated and the challenges they face,” Tyson said.
“I think just being out in the community and giving back and being able to work out there and not in one spot.”
His dux status might help him get into Queensland University – but now he is filling his days with work while he waits to hear back about his applications.
“I’m nervous because it’s so hard to get in … a lot of people said it's the hardest part,” Tyson said.
But the challenge before his hasn’t fazed Tyson, and no matter what path he has to take, he is determined to make it as a doctor.
Lilah Hill, Caritas College
The news Lilah Hill received from Caritas College on Monday morning may have opened up new doors for her future – but being announced Dux with her ATAR of 96.85 hasn’t sunk in yet.
Lilah was at the gym when her mum got the call from the principal and “never pictured” she would get the highest marks.
But now her goals of getting into physiotherapy and teaching are even closer, and Lilah is considering a degree in exercise science.
“I have a passion to be a secondary teacher, and I’ve been really in to sport since I was little,” Lilah said.
“I’d love to study the human anatomy and the muscles, I’m really intrigued by it.
“I’d love to be able to work with a sports club.”
Lilah keeps busy throughout the year with the football, netball and basketball seasons as they rotate through, and would love to work with Essendon in the AFL or the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Stella Cozamanis, Immanuel College
Born and bred in Port Lincoln, 17-year-old Stella Cozamanis had quite the culture shock when she moved to Adelaide four years ago for high school.
With a 94.85 ATAR under her belt and the world at her feet, the move paid off.
“I’ve always been someone who loves the idea of just continuing to study, I just can’t break that mindset – once you’re in it, you’re in it,” Ms Cozamanis told The Advertiser after receiving one of the state’s 40 Governor’s commendations for excelling in her SACE studies.
“I came from a school of maybe 400 people at most, but then I walk into a school with 1100 kids and 180 alone in my grade, that to me was a culture shock.
“The range of people – everyone was so different. You’ve got boarders from the country, around the world, and then overseas, and everyone has a different story about who they are and what they want to do.”
Her family originates from England, Greece and the Ngarrindjeri from the Coorong and lower Murray River.
Stella studied visual arts, maths methods, English literary studies, and food and hospitality, and was named deputy school captain.
She aims to study a Bachelor of Business Management in events, tourism, and hospitality, and afterwards hopes to take a year off in Greece to do more “family heritage-searching”.
She encouraged future year 12s to just “give everything a go”.
“Try your absolute best, but at the end of the day it’s not about your ATAR. This Governor’s Award is not just about your ATAR, but your service to the community, so just be your absolute self and everything will work out.”
Braden Windsor, St Joseph’s School Port Lincoln
Dux for St Joseph’s at Port Lincoln, Braden Windsor achieved an ATAR score of 97.00, saying he felt like he’d been recognised for completing his schooling to the best of his ability – and thanked everyone who had supported him.
“My highlight of the school year was being part of a leadership group that helped to raise awareness and funds for worthy causes, such as the sleepout for the St Vincent de Paul Society,” Braden said.
He plans to stay at Aquinas College while studying engineering at the University of Adelaide, aiming to find meaningful work in engineering that “contributes to a bigger picture”.
Braden said his favourite thing about completing year 12 at St Joseph’s was the opportunity to plan and perform at different events throughout the years, such as St Joseph’s Feast Day, services, assemblies and school musicals.
He advised future year 12 students to find a balance during the school year.
“Don’t sacrifice what’s important to you for year 12,” he said.
Braden is currently holidaying on New Zealand, saying the South Island has been favourite so far.
Bethany Hall, Samaritan College Whyalla
Bethany Hall, Dux of Samaritan College in Whyalla, was already offered a place at Flinders University before she received her ATAR of 97.85.
“I’ve had a conditional offer with Flinders from my year 11 grades, so that definitely took the weight off this year as well,” Bethany said.
“But they’ve just announced that they’re partnering with Rhode Island University over in America to offer nuclear engineering for physics and engineering students so that’s definitely weighed into my mind.”
Bethany discovered a deep passion for science and physics during her schooling, when the school needed to outsource it.
“This year has been a bit crazy because we didn’t have a chemistry or physics teacher actually on campus … So we took it externally with teachers from St. Mark’s College in Port Pirie,” Bethany said.
“They made it super easy and super easygoing, it was pretty cool, but definitely a struggle.”
Now her options are in front of her, and Bethany is looking forward to taking the opportunities that come her way – even those abroad – but is thankful for everyone who supported her throughout her schooling.
“I can’t thank Samaritan enough for producing a school environment that makes it so easy to learn in, and so easy to have access to opportunities.”
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