SACE Merits 2019: Winners of Governor of South Australia Commendation Awards for SACE
Five Year 12s who achieved “perfect” results have been named along with all 28 of this year’s SACE commendation award winners. See what every student did to claim an award.
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The most significant moment of Jake Bastian’s Year 12 had nothing to do with his studies.
It was when his dad, who had suffered a stroke and fallen off his bicycle coming downhill along Brownhill Creek, first squeezed his hand as he was gradually roused from an induced coma.
“It was such a relief when he showed signs of improvement,” Jake said. “That was a pivotal moment. His recovery’s been great. He’s doing well (now).”
The accident happened quite early in the school year when Jake, a top swimmer, was preparing for national championships (he made two finals).
The Scotch College graduate, 18, would train before and after school up to eight times a week, while also visiting his dad in Flinders Medical Centre as often as possible.
Though he had long aspired to studying medicine at university, the experience of “being exposed to doctors and specialists ... really confirmed my desire to do it next year”.
Among the more than 15,000 SACE completers who received their results on Tuesday, Jake was one of five students who will automatically receive a Governor of SA Commendation for achieving perfect results by the SACE Board’s criteria of at least five subject Merits that must include one for the Research Project. His ATAR was 99.75.
Also in that elite group was Charlotte Zhang who, rather than going out and celebrating on Tuesday night, was going to hit the books again – cramming for her Learner driver’s test on Wednesday.
“I haven’t studied for that at all,” said the Pembroke School graduate, 17, who tackled nine Stage 2 (Year 12-level) subjects over three years, achieving six Merits and the highest possible ATAR of 99.95.
Another of the fab five, Glenunga International High School’s Syme Aftab, 16, took a relaxed approach on Tuesday morning.
“I woke up a bit late, slept in. I thought ‘the results are there, they are not going anywhere, they will be there when I am ready’,” he said.
Only when the SACE Board called to tell him he’d won an award did he log on to find he’d bagged five Merits and an ATAR of 99.85.
The other two were Seymour College’s Lucy Mauviel, 17, who combined her studies with a gruelling training schedule for Oceania athletics championships, and Pulteney Grammar’s Charlotte Moseley, 17, who was school captain and in more music ensembles, choirs, and shows than there are days of the week.
As well as the fab five, 23 students will receive Governor’s awards for combining academic excellence with community work. They include Lachlan Gwynne, 18, from St Michael’s College, who recovered from a serious speedway car racing accident at Mildura to achieve two Merits.
The selection panel for the awards comprised Governor Hieu Van Le and representatives
from the school, vocational education and training, and business sectors.
“The SACE enables students to show the world who they are as individuals and develop the personal capabilities and skills they need to be successful in the 21st century, and these awards are a testament to that,” SACE Board chief executive Martin Westwell said.
GOVERNOR OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA COMMENDATION 2019 RECIPIENTS
Lucy Mauviel, 17, Seymour College
Lucy achieved six Merits in Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematical Methods, Specialist
Mathematics, and the Research Project.
Charlotte Moseley, 17, Pulteney Grammar School
Charlotte achieved six Merits in Chemistry, English Literary Studies, German (continuers), Music Performance – Ensemble, Modern History, and the Research Project.
Charlotte Zhang, 17, Pembroke School
Charlotte achieved six Merits in Biology, Chinese (continuers), Solo Performance, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, and the Research Project.
Syme Aftab, 16, Glenunga International High School
Syme achieved five Merits in Biology, Chemistry, English, Integrated Learning, and the Research Project.
Jake Bastian, 18, Scotch College
Jake achieved five Merits in Biology, Chemistry, English, Nutrition, and the Research Project
Hannah Brown, 18, St Peter’s Girls’ School
Hannah achieved Merits in Biology, Solo Performance, General Mathematics and Psychology.
She was deputy head prefect who interviewed and conducted a question-and-answer session
with former governor general Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove during their visit to the school. She participated in the school’s trip to Cambodia, where she worked with children in orphanages. She also fundraised for the Cancer Council, Legacy, and the Smith
Family. She has been a longstanding volunteer at the Mary Magdalene Centre.
Brodie Eckert, 18, Westminster School
Brodie achieved Merits in Mathematical Methods and Outdoor Education.
He was the school captain who led a range of school events and support programs including peer mentoring. He organised a whole of school event to raise awareness of motor neurone disease and to fundraise for research. He balanced his leadership duties with representing the school in soccer, volleyball and athletics.
Mackenzie Francis-Brown, 18, Walford Anglican School for Girls
Mackenzie has been an outstanding role model throughout her schooling. From 2005 to 2018,
she fundraised annually for Cancer Council SA, raising over $12,000 through its Biggest
Morning Tea program and was made a Cancer Council Youth Ambassador. The school’s vice-captain, she also led a six-week campaign to raise awareness and resources for Kickstart for Kids. This year, she was selected for the South Australian Women’s Pathway Rowing Team.
Chloe Futcher, 18, Tenison Woods College
Chloe achieved Merits in Biology, English and Research Project B.
She mentored younger students as part of the Learning Assistance Program by listening to them read and helping them with their homework. For the past two years, she was an after-school tutor for Year 11 students to help them with their maths and science subjects. She was the school’s wellbeing leader and ran school charity events including Harmony Day, and for raising awareness of motor neurone disease.
Lachlan Gwynne, 18, St Michael’s College
Lachlan achieved Merits in Mathematical Methods and Physics.
He overcame a serious car racing accident in April, when his car rolled during a speedway race in Mildura. The school leader successfully kept up with his school work as he recovered from severe back and ankle injuries. Lachlan was a positive role model to Year 7 students, many who are refugees from Afghanistan and northern Africa.
Ben Heard, 18, King’s Baptist Grammar School
Ben achieved Merits in Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics
He played a lead fundraising role for the Year 12 charity ball in aid of United Way SA, co-ordinating a range of events including a 24 hour ping-pong-athon and a social media campaign that raised $1100. An excellent mathematician, Ben prepared for his Stage 2 exams in Year 11 by collecting more than 100 past exams from WA, NSW, Victoria, and many schools in SA. He also created textbook-like topic summaries that his maths teachers use as
resources to supplement revision programs for current students.
Emily Jamieson, 18, Seymour College
Emily achieved Merits in Biology and English Literary Studies.
She was the head prefect who has been a force for positive empowerment of young women through her addresses both at school and in the community. A keen debator, she has enjoyed success at the highest level of the South Australian Debating Association’s school competition, and also finished fourth in the national RACI Titration Competition in chemistry.
Jack Kelton, 18, Sacred Heart College
Jack was junior captain of the Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club who mentored younger members and gained a host of qualifications. Jack excelled in maths and helped other students at the college. He and two of his friends set up a profitable small business, designing and manufacturing products on his 3D printer. He plays Aussie Rules and also represented South Australia in gridiron. He volunteers with his grandparents at Vinnies.
Huy Le Tran, 18, Salisbury High School
Huy achieved a Merit in Research Project B.
He represented his school at the UniSA Math Experience Program and was part of the school’s winning Math Olympic team. Huy has proactively undertaken work placements to help him with his career goal of becoming a GP. This included work in the biology labs at Adelaide University, and the Playford Trust STEM Internship at the Basil Hetzel Institute.
Dante McDonald, 18, Eynesbury Senior College
Dante achieved Merits in English Literary Studies and Australian and International Politics.
A confident public speaker, he has been a member of the YMCA’s SA Youth Parliament, where he worked with people aged 16-25 to develop a Bill on accessibility in education. He also participated in a high-level debate on a wide range of Bills covering areas such as sex education, national parks and drug safety. He has volunteered for The Line, a primary prevention behaviour change campaign for young people aged 12-20 years that encourages them to develop healthy and equal relationships, and to reject violence.
Riya Menon, 17, Norwood Morialta High School
Riya achieved Merits in Business and Enterprise, English, and Research Project B.
She is an adept public speaker who has taken part in mock trials and addressed school assemblies, governing council meetings, Year 12 induction programs and sports day presentations. She also tutored two Year 8 students who live interstate via an online weekly classroom. The school captain, Riya was an active leader and contributor to the success of sports days, Wear It Purple days, R-U-O-K days, culture days and international assemblies. She is an active member of the Australian Air Force Cadets, and volunteers at the RSPCA.
Sophie Meynell, 18, Cardijn College
Sophie was college captain. She took part in a range of voluntary initiatives, which included being a member of the Young Christian Students Group, which aims to help the poor and needy within her local community. She was the only female member in her F1 in Schools team, which won state and national titles, and is a passionate advocate for STEM. She led the local soup kitchen, as well as supporting Fred’s Van. Outside of school, she is a member of the Moana Surf Life Saving Club and Hackham Scouts.
Victoria Moularadellis, 17, Wilderness School
Victoria achieved Merits in Economics, Legal Studies, and Physical Education.
Victoria is an entrepreneur who has developed two businesses – a handmade jewellery and fashion business in Year 10, and the Mo Sister Wine Label in 2019, which could be exported to 21 states in the USA in 2020. She was the winner of the Australian Olympic Change Maker award, which recognises students who demonstrate the Olympic spirit through leadership and driving positive change in their communities.
Maya Murali, 18, St Aloysius College
Maya achieved Merits in Biology and English.
Maya instigated a sponsorship process across the 2019 Year 12 cohort to sponsor a child’s education at the School of St Jude in Tanzania. She shared information about schooling in Australia and our culture via regular videos of school life as well as sending gifts of Australian goods. She was the school’s student representative council president and led the school’s SHE Leads High program, which encourages female leadership among the SRC. She also had a lead role in this year’s school musical.
Archer Newton, 18, Rostrevor College
Archer achieved Merits in English, Psychology, Physics and Research Project B.
Entrepreneur Archer set up three concurrent online businesses connected with the children’s video game Minecraft, which generated sufficient income to pay for his schooling and buy IT equipment worth $6000. He is a volunteer at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, and works as a young adult mentor at Rotary Morialta. He was the lead guitarist in the school’s senior rock band and senior ensemble, and played at licensed premises from Years 8-12 outside of school.
Elijah Smith, 18, Kapunda High School
Elijah achieved a Merit in Society and Culture.
He won numerous academic awards, including the Minister for Education’s Children’s Week Award for his outstanding contribution across the South Australian community. He balanced his studies with helping to care for his father, who suffered a stroke in Year 9, and working in retail to supplement the family income. He has aspirations to be involved in politics and has been a member of the Youth Parliament, was state co-ordinator at the SA Schools Constitutional Convention, and marshalled at the Global Strike for Climate.
Caitlin Stallan, 18, Westminster School
Caitlin achieved a Merit in Workplace Practices.
She was elected as a school leader by both staff and students, and provided leadership and
mentoring to younger students through Year 9 and 10 camps. She represented the school in
athletics events and has been a member of the Ediken Relay Team. Caitlin was accepted into the Karnkanthi Aboriginal Education Program at Adelaide University and will be a part of the Wilto Yurlo Program when she begins her university studies.
Caitlin Stockman, 17, Burra Community School
Caitlin is a netball umpire and a coach for 5-8 year olds, has volunteered at events such as
the Burra Show, and been a judge and convener of the local photography competition.
Ella Thorne, 18, of Xavier College
Ella achieved Merits in Psychology and Research Project B.
Ella has played netball for the community of Mallala for 10 years, winning best and fairest awards, and has volunteered in scoring, timing, umpiring and fundraising.
Hillary Thursby, 18, St Mary’s College
Hillary achieved Merits in Research Project B and Ancient Studies.
She was the college’s justice captain, creating more than 200 Shoe Boxes of Love after visiting every class in her school and encouraging students to donate essential toiletries and age-appropriate Christmas gifts. She led her school community to action for a co-ordinated winter appeal for Vinnies, organising a soup lunch, Live Below the Line, and 40-Hour
Sacrifice events. She organised a winter sleep-out for her peers and also brought in a guest
speaker from Vinnies to help students understand the complexities and pressures impacting on
homelessness. Today is her 18th birthday.
Georgia Williams, 17, Loreto College
Georgia has fundraised for the Little Heroes Foundation and Still Aware, which raises awareness about stillbirths, through a series of events, including a regular market stall at Stirling, weekly raffle tickets and selling baked goods, and holding a bonfire night. She also hosted a crazy hair day where she had her head shaved in front of a large audience, and donated her hair for making wigs for children with cancer.
Aboriginal Student SACE Excellence Award – Mitchell Odegaard, 18, Salisbury High School
Mitchell achieved a Merit in the Research Project.
He received a standing ovation for his presentation on ‘powerful learning’ at the 2018 Aboriginal Education Conference, where he highlighted that Aboriginal students should be brave and take any opportunity that comes their way. He chose to undertake more challenging SACE subjects to help him achieve his long-term career goal of becoming a civil engineer. He won the overall Year 11 award for the SAASTA AFL academy, and he will be master of ceremonies at the state’s upcoming SAASTA awards.
Excellence in Modified SACE Award – Jennifer Pritchard, 18, Glossop High School
Jennifer has volunteered over the last five years at Riverland Crossfit, assisting coaches to help clients improve physical, mental, and personal health outcomes. She also volunteered at Berri Primary School, working with students in Year 1 with their interactive play, literacy and numeracy tasks. She also gave her time at St Catherine’s Aged Care centre. She represented the school in basketball, swimming and cross country tournaments.
COMING SOON TO ADVERTISER.COM.AU
Full list of SACE merits: Every student, every subject – Friday, January 3
SATAC TAFE offers – Thursday, January 9
SATAC Uni offers – Wednesday, January 15
