Our SACE stars: SA’s inspirational school-leavers share their stories, tips for success
These inspiring school-leavers smashed their SACE - no matter what life threw at them. Search our interactive for every student or subject merit winner.
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The cohort of 2022 is made of tough stuff: they’ve navigated their entire senior years during a global pandemic and achieved some remarkable results.
While each and every student is worthy of recognition, today we celebrate some of the standout results – as well as inspiring stories of love, courage and determination in the face of personal or family adversity.
They hail from the bush to the heart of the CBD, private and public high schools – and are just some of the year 12 graduates we can all be proud of.
JACINDA TSAKALOS, PEMBROKE SCHOOL
Most year 12s study in their bedrooms. Jacinda Tsakalos did her homework by the hospital bedside of her father Lukas, 62.
The Tsakalos’ family of five were celebrating his birthday interstate in July, 2021, when he sustained a serious and permanent spinal injury in a car crash.
Mr Tsakalos is no longer in hospital but the journey home was not a short one.
“He spent 128 days in the ICU, 68 days in the spinal unit, followed by rehab,” Jacinda said. “It was quite scary; we didn’t know what was going on.”
Jacinda’s mother Carolyn Tsakalos, 53, said Jacinda shared a tight bond with her father and she really missed him being around.
“She would drive to rehab and study with him there … sometimes I had to tell her no and she needed to focus … it was what he wanted too,” she said.
Jacinda was determined, and her efforts paid off when she saw the numbers 98.35 when ATAR scores were released in December – earning herself a SACE Governor of SA Commendation – Excellence Award. She studied mathematics methods, English literary studies and biology at Pembroke School in 2022, having previously completed a Certificate III in Fitness, Stage 2 dance and her SACE research project.
During her year 12 studies she also initiated a fundraiser for the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of South Australia.
“I was also able to speak to the quite a large group of individuals and tell them my family’s story and what the organisation does for the community,” Jacinda said.
“I raised just over $5000.”
She has accepted place in the Bachelor of Music Theatre course at Adelaide University, a significant step in pursuing her passion for the arts.
“I’m in love with dance and performing … I’ve trained in jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, all of it,” she said.
Mid-pandemic, she shared her first TikTok video. Jacinda now regularly shares content with her 36,000 followers and is sometimes joined by a special guest.
Jacinda said her dad asked her to film him. “He would start singing a song and spinning around in his chair … one time he said ‘are you already? Are you filming me?’”
At her graduation ceremony, Jacinda looked into the crowd to see her dad’s gleaming smile and a tear roll down his cheek – a moment she’s sure to remember forever.
ATAR, 98.35: Dance, Mathematical methods, Biology, English literary studies, Certificate III Fitness, Research project. Governor of South Australia Commendation – Excellence Award (Category 2).
– reporter, Lauren Thomas-Nehmy
WILLIAM SAMPSON, WUDINNA AREA SCHOOL
It’s tradition in the country that boys play footy and girls play netty.
But as more girls want to play Aussie Rules, why shouldn’t boys play netball?
For Wudinna Area School graduate William Sampson, the trigger for switching was breaking his arm two years ago.
Unable to play footy, he started to umpire netball games, fell in love with it, and now plays competitively at a high level.
“The reception I got was pretty good (but) there were definitely a lot of questions as to why I wasn’t playing football anymore,” he said.
“It was definitely difficult for me to make the decision that I was going to change sports like that because of where I’m from.
“I like the complexity of the rules (in netball).”
Towards the end of last year William began to travel 600km to Adelaide to compete in men’s netball matches.
And his passion for the sport resulted in him being selected for the South Australian men’s U23 state team to compete in Perth this year.
“I hope to continue balancing developing netball with university studies,” he said.
He certainly did a good job balancing netball commitments with his year 12.
He achieved an impressive ATAR of 99.15, a merit for general maths, and will receive a Governor of South Australia Commendation – Excellence Award.
William was also kept busy in 2022 in his roles as his school’s student representative council president and as a representative for rural youth at the National Rural Youth Ambassador Forum.
“This was a continuation of my involvement as a South Australian Rural Youth Ambassador in year 11 where we presented issues and potential solutions pertaining to rural education,” he said.
Photography is another of William’s passions.
After getting his first camera at age 12, he started to take photos of two of the things he loves most – his family farm and the beach.
He is looking forward to his next adventure, a move to Adelaide where he hopes to study agricultural science at Adelaide University.
“A big part of university is about experiencing something different,” he said.
Later he also hopes to study high school teaching and business management.
ATAR, 99.15:Biology, Chemistry, General mathematics (merit), Research project. Governor of South Australia Commendation – Excellence Award (Category 2).
– reporter, Eva Blandis
ILLYA AIDMAN, IMMANUEL COLLEGE
When Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February last year, Adelaide year 12 student Ilya Aidman couldn’t sit idly by.
A first-generation Australian born to eastern European parents, the now 17-year-old was beginning his final year of high school at Immanuel College.
Ilya stood up in front of a sea of blue and yellow at Adelaide’s first rally in support of Ukraine, alongside former premier Steven Marshall and then opposition leader Peter Malinauskas.
Less than two months later, he helped put on a charity concert at Adelaide Town Hall which raised around $40,000 for Ukrainian refugees.
He also took part in a fundraising campaign for the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations.
But he wasn’t done yet.
Six months later, he played a big role in the production of a second concert at Her Majesty’s Theatre – that one raising about $150,000 in cash and equipment.
The funds went to the federation and to the Ukrainian Crisis Appeal.
“Those helmets are on the heads of soldiers now, which I’m very happy about,” he said.
Ilya’s passion for music began during his primary school years at the piano.
He later picked up the trombone and won a music scholarship to Immanuel. He said the musical opportunities at the college gave him the skills needed to pull off his greatest triumphs.
“I managed to surround myself with people in the music industry … I helped significantly in putting on some of the biggest shows at the school, including at the Entertainment Centre,” he said.
Ilya studied physics, mathematical methods, legal studies, material solutions, music studies, music ensemble and research project as part of his stage 2 studies.
Set to pursue a career in law, the teen is looking forward to having some more free time to nurture interests outside of his education.
While plans for a third charity concert are not yet in the works, Ilya has not ruled out the idea.
“A lot of people have asked, a lot of people are wondering … I said, ‘give me a few months break!’,” he joked.
ATAR, 99.40: Music studies, Legal studies, Mathematical methods, Material solutions (merit), Music ensemble, Physics, Research project. Governor of South Australia Commendation – Excellence Award (Category 2).
– Lauren Thomas-Nehmy
THI TRA MY (JAMIE) VU, THEBARTON COLLEGE
AS a child growing up in Vietnam, Thi Tra My Vu could never have imagined the opportunities that would open up for her later in life when she moved with her family to South Australia.
Known to her Australian friends as Jamie, the 20-year-old is one of six students to be awarded the SA Governor’s highest accolade for academic excellence in 2022.
Several weeks on, enjoying the sunshine, sea and sand at Henley Beach, she is still pinching herself.
“(This is) totally unexpected … I didn’t expect it at all,” she said.
Her achievement is all the more remarkable given she has been in Australia just three years, spending her first year at Thebarton Senior College – a public senior secondary school – learning English.
Jamie, who achieved a near-perfect ATAR of 99.90, has also been offered a coveted Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship, to study science at Melbourne University.
According to the university’s own website the scholarship is “one of the university’s most prestigious awards for school leavers”, awarded for academic merit.
“This scholarship is awarded to talented undergraduate students in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement during their Australian year 12,” it reads.
Jamie wants to complete a Bachelor of Science, before pursuing a career in academia where she wants to specialise in physics and physics research.
“(Getting this scholarship) is really great, it means I won’t have to worry about the financial side of things … I am very lucky,” Jamie said.
She says she is grateful for the world that has opened up to her, since arriving in SA.
“I like the school system here in Australia … the teachers are really nice and at Thebarton there are so many students from different countries, so it is really welcoming,” she said.
“Coming to Australia has given me lots of opportunities I wouldn’t have got in Vietnam … my dad, and my family, are very proud.”
Beyond the school-based opportunities she has been given, Jamie says she has embraced the Australian way of life, especially the beaches.
“I love going to the beach and swimming … I especially love Henley Beach,” she said.
ATAR: 99.90; Stage 2 SACE subjects: Maths methods (merit), Specialist maths (merit), Physics (merit), Chemistry (merit), English as an additional language (merit) and Research project (merit). Governor of South Australia Commendation – Excellence Award (Category 1).
– reporter, Rebecca Whitfield-Baker
CAMERON TUNNO, ROSTREVOR COLLEGE
When Cameron Tunno realised he had achieved a perfect ATAR, he knew his outstanding success was a product of a previous failure.
The confident 18-year-old Rostrevor College Student has achieved the highest possible ATAR of 99.5, making him the dux of his 2022 class.
But it wouldn’t have happened without a devastating “fork in the road” moment just 12 months earlier.
He described it as the moment he “burnt out” trying to complete year 11 while studying rigorously for a pair of stage 2 subjects, only to fail the final specialist maths exam.
“I was getting As and A-pluses the whole year, but in the lead-up to the exam, I didn’t pick up a book for a month,” he said.
“I just couldn’t stand the thought of sitting down to study. It was incredibly disappointing.”
Cameron knew it was a turning point toward a life that involved more balance.
“I knew the next year I was going to have to find my mojo,” he said.
He immersed himself in extra-curricular activities, such as charity events through the school that raised money for men’s mental health and the Leukaemia foundation.
A new-found passion for the gym and playing soccer became a feature of Cameron’s final year.
“Having that experience in 2021, it became a highlight because I started to realise I could achieve what I needed to achieve with minimal to no sacrifice. Engaging in other things actually maximised my study.”
It all culminated in a special moment with his family on the day ATAR results were released.
“My mum was in tears straight away then I called my dad and I don’t think I’d ever really heard him cry before,” he said.
Cameron achieved merits in chemistry, general English and musical exploration.
He now has aspirations to study medicine in Queensland, with the goal of one day becoming a leader in the medical technology field.
“I’m interested to see where medical technology can take the healthcare domain,” he said.
“I’ll probably be moving to Queensland around February.
“I considered taking some time off but I thought it was best to not lose that momentum.”
ATAR, 99.95: Chemistry (merit), General English (merit), Musical exploration, Maths methods, Specialist maths, Integrated learning (merit), Psychology, Research project. Governor of SA Commendation – Excellence Award (Category, 2).
– reporter, Todd Lewis
RUNE CHI ZHAO, ST PETER’S GIRLS’ SCHOOL
Busking may seem an unusual way to shake off the exam nerves but for the 18-year-old who goes by the name Chi Chi it worked a treat.
The quietly-spoken, broadly smiling St Peter’s Girls’ School student and accomplished vocalist achieved the highest ATAR possible – 99.95 – with eight merits on the side; earning her a Governor of SA Commendation’s Excellence Award.
“I really love singing … and I like to go busking sometimes as well; singing and busking has been a good way to balance out schoolwork,” the 18-year-old, who busks with a friend, said.
“I have also done a lot of choir singing while at school … I am definitely a choir kid.”
Those who know Chi Chi well say there isn’t much she isn’t good at – or won’t have a try at, from skateboarding to footy.
Chi Chi, an only child whose parents migrated to Australia from China before she was born, says she is grateful for the many opportunities she has been afforded.
“My dad has been a stay-at-home dad and when I was younger would always help me out with my homework and teach me new things,” she said.
“As a family we have always been a team and done everything together … my parents have made a lot of sacrifices for my education.
“I am also really grateful for the support I have had from my teachers and school … knowing how much everyone has supported me has motivated me as I didn’t want to put any of that to waste. I wanted to try to make the most of it and do the best I could.”
“My advice (to other students) is to always keep asking questions and seeking support from your teachers … once a passion is ignited, you will want to learn more and (school) won’t feel like a chore.”
While not yet decided on a career path, Chi Chi is hoping to combine her interest for science and medicine.
“Medicine is such a big field. I am thinking I would like to have a go at everything I can and see what I like … perhaps ending up as a medical researcher,” she said.
ATAR, 99.95: Chemistry, Physics, Specialist maths, Legal studies, Modern history, Maths methods, Biology, Research project. Governor of SA Commendation – Excellence Award (Category, 1).
– reporter, Rebecca Whitfield-Baker
GEORGINA TENNY, LORETO COLLEGE, MARRYATVILLE
Not only did Loreto College’s 2022 school captain make it her priority to succeed in year 12, she also made it her mission to appeal against tough government-mandated Covid isolation rules for boarding students.
After being in close contact with a fellow Covid-positive boarder, Georgina Tenny was forced to isolate in her room as per SA Health’s instructions at the time.
“Even if we tested negative we still had to isolate,” she said.
The 18-year-old from Hindmarsh Island said the restrictions made it hard for boarders to maintain a healthy balance between studying and social events.
“We wouldn’t even be able to go to a day girl’s house and have sleepovers … they thought that we’d catch it from them or bring it back to the boarding house,” she said.
“We pushed to get a change and it got better.
“We talked with the boarding staff and we were like ‘we don’t think it’s fair that we have to suffer’.”
As school captain, Georgina would bring the issue up at regular school meetings. She was among a chorus of students, parents and staff from many boarding schools lobbying for change, which eventually saw rules relaxed, including for cross-border movements.
“We still weren’t allowed to go into each other’s rooms and stuff like that but they took the masks away and we were allowed to go out anywhere we wanted to – we just had to make sure we RAT-tested before we came back in,” she said.
As well as advocating for change, Georgina achieved an impressive ATAR of 94.95 and was extensively involved in extra-curricular activities including debating, rowing, football, netball and water polo.
“It was just really good because it wasn’t just like all academics all the time,” she said.
“I liked the go, go, go of it all.”
She was hugely excited when she viewed her scores.
“The biggest thing I was shocked about was that I (achieved a Merit) in spiritualities, religion and meaning,” she said. “When I got that (score) I was just really excited because I knew I could go to Bond University.”
Georgina will move to Queensland to study law and international relations at the private university.
ATAR, 94.95: Mathematical methods, Chemistry, Physics, Spiritualities, religion & meaning (merit), Biology, English, Research project. Governor of SA Commendation – Excellence Award (Category, 2).
– reporter, Eva Blandis
BEAU HOPE, SACRED HEART COLLEGE
Beau Hope had to juggle more than just school assignments in his final year.
The Sacred Heart College graduate scored an impressive 97.5 ATAR while caring for his grandparents, David and Shirley Bailey, 80 and 78, who have been a constant loving presence throughout his life.
But a serious downturn in their health meant a change in Beau’s already stressful final year of schooling.
“Towards the start of the year we found out that Grandma had a pretty bad foot infection,” Beau said.
“She was struggling with blood circulation to her foot and that was impacting her walking.”
With Shirley out of action, Beau was required to take on extra responsibility in taking care of his grandparents.
“She’s the main carer of my Grandpa so her visiting the doctor a lot made the rest of the family, myself included, step up to take care of her and Grandpa,” Beau said.
“They have a pet (dog called Robbie) so I was looking after him and maintaining their house.”
Shirley’s condition only worsened and her right leg had to be amputated.
She was in intensive care for more than a month.
“Her being out with the amputation left Grandpa at home and he didn’t really have anyone else to care for him so we were all chipping in with that,” Beau said.
“We had to schedule his meds.”
David then had a nasty fall which resulted in broken ribs.
“It was at a point where both grandparents were in pretty bad condition,” Beau said.
It meant he had family front of mind throughout his final year of schooling when most teens can focus squarely on their studies.
But Beau’s parents helped him manage the added stress during an already packed year 12 schedule.
“Talking to my parents helped and they were also just around, which was the biggest thing,” he said.
Beau’s biggest role model has been his father Ryan Bailey.
“Dad had done a heap for the family and I was just trying to follow in his footsteps,” Beau said.
“He’s someone who would drop everything for you.”
The family still care for David, who continues to suffer health issues.
But thankfully Shirley’s condition has improved.
Beau celebrated finishing school by building a computer with his friends.
“I had ordered the parts during SWOTVAC and they all came on the day of my last exam,” he said.
He plans to study electrical engineering and computer science at Adelaide University.
ATAR, 97.5: Religion, English, Specialist maths, Mathematical methods, Physics, Research Project (merit). Governor of SA Commendation – Excellence Award (Category, 2).
– reporter, Shashi Baltutis
MADELYN LONG, RENMARK HIGH SCHOOL
Renmark High School graduate Madelyn Long was busy establishing her own graphic design business and smashing school swimming records while studying hard towards an admirable ATAR.
Madelyn spent a lot of time working on her business, Made with Mads.
“I’ve just been setting up all the back work like my website, accounting, my logos and all the documents I need,” she said. “I’m just working up to release the website. I’ve (already) worked with a few clients.”
The 17-year-old’s love of design is leading her to Melbourne in May where she plans to do a design course at Shillington College of Graphic Design for three months.
On completing the course, Madelyn plans to return to study a Bachelor of Creative Industries at UniSA.
Madelyn is not only creative and entrepreneurial, but also athletic, having broken eight of her high school’s swimming and athletics records.
“(In year 12) I got three records – 450m backstroke, (breaking) my own butterfly one that I set back in year 8 and I also broke the freestyle one,” she said. “That was pretty cool.”
Madelyn was also elected as school leader which involved running student representative council meetings and reporting ideas to the governing council. “If we had guests coming to the school I’d go and take them on tours,” she said.
Balancing several commitments was challenging, but Madelyn’s ATAR score of 97.55 proved her ability to succeed under pressure.
“I saw mine and was like ‘oh my God, I can’t believe I actually just got that’ and I was kind of just in shock,’ she said.
“I did a lot better than I was expecting.”
Madelyn said the year was fulfilling as she was able to see her hard work pay off. “As I got on with the year, being able to get those grades and see where I could improve in certain subjects … was really rewarding for me,” she said.
ATAR, 97.55: Media studies, Creative arts, Visual arts and design, English, Mathematical methods, research project. Governor of SA Commendation – Excellence Award (Category, 2).
– reporter, Eva Blandis
NED STARR, MERCEDES COLLEGE
Keeping a healthy balance of friends, family – and football – while focusing on study has helped set up this 2022 school leaver for a bright future.
Mercedes College SACE Dux and aspiring astrophysicist Ned Starr achieved an ATAR of 99.05.
“I knew I was tracking well … but no way did I imagine it would be this high,” the down-to-earth 18-year-old student said.
Sociable and sports-loving, the First XVIII football player says his approach to year 12 was to “knuckle down” during the school week.
“I found it beneficial to really focus on studying from Monday to Thursday – and Friday, when necessary – but to mostly switch off at the weekend and just hang out with my mates … I found it nice knowing I would have a couple days completely off,” he said, adding he would remove things from his view that might distract him, such as his mobile phone, while working.
“At school I would try to sit where I knew I would concentrate on my work rather than socialising.
“I just knew I had to balance it.
“(But) I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support (I got) from family and friends, in particular Mum and Dad.”
Ned, who says he has long been fascinated by space, has selected astrophysics as his first preference at university but is unsure if he’ll take a gap year – or perhaps even study something else first, such as business or engineering.
“I have had a fixation with space for many years … a few years ago I invested in a decent telescope,” he said.
“Astrophysics is where my passion lies. Space (technology) is a growing area which is exciting, as I am sure there will be a lot of jobs in the future and we are lucky in Adelaide to have Lot Fourteen.”
For his compulsory research project, completed in year 11, Ned investigated the “limits of colonising Mars”.
ATAR, 99.05; Specialist maths, Maths methods, Physics, English, Religion studies (life and faith), Research project (merit).
– reporter, Rebecca Whitfield-Baker
JESS TRESIDDER, TENISON WOODS COLLEGE
Three casual jobs, her own social enterprise and a volunteering role – it’s hard to fathom how Jess Tresidder had any time to study at all, let alone achieve her impressive results.
But the Tenison Woods College graduate was as intent on giving back to the Mount Gambier community as on achieving top marks.
Jess, 18, has been in foster care in recent years, firstly in Geelong and then in the South-East.
So it was natural she chose to volunteer for ac.care, which provides support for both foster carers and the homeless.
She also turned the small business she started a few years ago, Wild Hazel Designs, which produces keyrings, into a social enterprise.
“(Initially) I didn’t think it would take off but I put it on Etsy and within a few nights it became a bestseller,” she said.
Demand was so high that she took on another person to keep up with it.
But instead of concentrating on making a profit, she turned it into a venture making gifts for children in need.
“What I started doing was creating keyrings for (children in) child protection and the foster care system which also helped me relate to my past and connect to that in a way that was unique to me,” she said.
The keyrings were donated via ac.care, where her regular volunteering gave her a fresh view on how lucky she was to have the opportunity to study.
“It flipped my perspective from ‘I have to study’ to ‘I get to study’,” she said.
“I think that perspective actually helped me achieve the ATAR I got.”
Jess achieved a raw ATAR score of 97.85 which rose to 99.2 with bonus points.
“When I opened it I was a bit shocked to be honest,” she said.
“I really did not base my self worth on it but rather (viewed it) as a way to see personal development.”
During the year Jess also took part in UniSA’s accelerate program where she studied marketing principles and consumer behaviour.
She said she intended to continue her studies at the university this year with a double degree of cognitive neuropsychology and business marketing.
ATAR, 99.2 (with bonus points); General mathematics, English, Psychology, Integrated learning, Research project. Governor of SA Commendation – Excellence Award (Category, 2).
– reporter, Eva Blandis
BROOKE JOPPICH, PEDARE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
BROOKE Joppich was homeschooled with her three younger siblings for a decade before turning up for her first day at Golden Grove’s Pedare Christian College, which has about 900 students.
But as she proudly said, her mum prepared her well, which her SACE results attest to.
“Mum taught me all through my primary and middle school years … I loved the experience and learnt to work independently,” she said.
“It allowed me to find and follow my passion for music and the Spanish language.
“(Starting at Pedare) did take me a little while to adjust but the teachers were really supportive, so it was a fairly smooth transition.
“I think Mum set me up pretty well.”
Brooke, who has cerebral palsy, says while her condition limits her in some ways, she has learnt to adjust life accordingly, to minimise its impact on her.
“(Cerebral palsy) definitely affects everyday life … my fine motor skills, ability to do two-handed activities … my balance, walking and that sort of thing but I just find ways to adapt,” she said.
“I struggle to do sports-related activities, so I needed to find things that would be good for me to participate in and music is one of those.
“I play trombone and have sung in the Australian Girls Choir. I’ve found ways to work around it.”
For the compulsory research project component of SACE, Brooke investigated the benefit of music therapy for dementia patients and discovered personalised iPods could be “really effective in regaining memory”.
“Of course I love music and I was intrigued to know the impact of music on people with dementia,” she said.
“My grandpa had dementia and I had seen stories of ways in which music had affected people with that particular condition … (the research project) was really interesting.”
Brooke, a Governor’s excellence award recipient for her SACE achievement, is planning to study speech pathology but will first take a gap year, travelling through South America or Spain where she can put her Spanish into practice.
ATAR, 93.85:Maths methods, English, Spanish, Music – solo, Music – ensemble, Religion studies, Research project. Governor of SA Commendation – Excellence Award (Category, 2).
– reporter, Rebecca Whitfield-Baker
CHLOE MURNANE, NAZARETH CATHOLIC COLLEGE
LIFE for 18-year-old Chloe Murnane is more challenging than for most but that hasn’t stopped her from setting her sights high – nor smashing those goals.
The Nazareth Catholic College school-leaver, born with cerebral palsy and verbal dyspraxia, is celebrating a Governor of SA Commendation for excellence in modified SACE.
“Extremely proud” mum and carer Paula described her daughter’s accolade as “pretty mind-blowing”.
“Chloe is very motivated and very good at having a go … she generally doesn’t see the difficulty (of her situation) and will try to figure out how to make it work for her,” Ms Murnane said.
Chloe has only limited verbal communication, primarily using “PODD” (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display) technology, attached to her iPad, to communicate.
“(It) is basically picture communication … she finds what she wants to say, taps on the picture and it speaks the word,” Ms Murnane said.
With support, Chloe joined mainstream classes for each of her electives while her core subjects of English, maths and science were taught in a specialist “inclusive education environment.”
Ms Murnane said it had been incredibly important to her that her only child attend a mainstream school, moving to Adelaide from Port Lincoln for Chloe’s secondary education.
“We wanted to find a mainstream school that had the resources to do inclusive education … ‘Naz’ just had that really inclusive feel to it – it had a really nice vibe,” she said. “From the start it felt like a safe environment, a place that it was very nurturing.
“The school community has been really embracing and very supportive … Chloe has always gone on school camps and excursions. Her school peers have also been wonderful.”
A keen surfer, Chloe is focusing on local, national and overseas competitions.
“She is heavily involved in adaptive surfing and currently trains twice a week at Middleton … in 2022 we went to Hawaii where she came third in her division … she’ll go back this year and is also looking at heading to the nationals towards the end of the year,” Ms Murnane said.
“(Beyond surfing) she will likely look to work with support workers on other goals, perhaps working with animals or starting up a little micro enterprise business.”
Subjects studied: Society and culture, Child studies, Fitness, Nutrition, Health and wellbeing, Research project. Governor of SA Commendation (Excellence in Modified SACE Award)
– reporter, Rebecca Whitfield-Baker
KIARA PATERSON, NORTHERN ADELAIDE SENIOR COLLEGE (NASC)
FOR Kiara Paterson, achieving her SACE was about proving to herself she is capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to.
And her daughter Amilea, who turns two this month, was all the inspiration she needed.
The young mum gave birth to her little girl a week before she started year 11 at Northern Adelaide Senior College.
By her own admission she wasn’t a good student early in her high school years.
“I’d been to a series of high schools and cut school out for a bit,” she said. “I had given up on school quite a few years ago but I came back and I stuck to it.
“I am pretty proud of myself for having stuck to it … not only for myself but to prove to my child that if you stick your mind to it, you can achieve anything.”
Having completed her SACE in 2022 she is now enrolled at TAFE, where she plans to study for a Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology this year.
“My goal is to be a mechanic whether it is heavy diesel, working on the big mining trucks, or just general cars … I have been pretty much working on cars since I was 11,” she said.
Kiara said she was grateful for the support of staff at the Elizabeth school, which offers a special young mum’s program and provides students with access to an onsite crèche.
“I knew (Amilea) was safe and I could go see her if she needed me,” she said.
College principal Anne Sim described the 300-strong year 11 to 13 school as a “calm, accepting and adult environment”.
“We are a very diverse site,” she said.
“We run specific programs for ATSI (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) students, the ESL (English as a Second Language) community and students with a range of learning difficulties.
“We also have a significant number of students who enrol with us to improve their ATAR results – one of whom was our Dux for 2022 with a score of 99.65.
Subjects studied: Food and hospitality, Aboriginal studies, Research project
– reporter, Rebecca Whitfield-Baker
SULAXCHHYA MAGAR, TRINITY COLLEGE
Sulaxchhya Magar arrived in Australia as a 10-year-old, having spent her life in a Nepalese refugee camp.
“My parents were originally from Bhutan and I was born in a refugee camp – one of two they lived in,” the now 18-year-old said.
“The UN gave my family (I also have a younger brother) the option of several countries and my parents chose Australia … we arrived here with no money of our own.
“The things that struck me most when we first got here were the ‘fancy’ buildings, clean roads and the fact people had access to new technology … I had never used a laptop or computer before I arrived here.
“At first, it was challenging as we needed to learn the language and the culture.”
However, a young Sulaxchhya thrived in the new environment, especially during her high school years at Trinity College in Adelaide’s north.
Sulaxchhya described as a “privilege” access to a good education, saying had her family remained in the refugee camp, year 10 would have been the highest level available to her – if at all.
“It is very, very hard to get an education when you live in a refugee camp,” she said.
Today she has dreams of becoming an obstetrician, hopeful she’ll one day be able to help other women and girls.
“It is a big dream but one I don’t want to give up on,” she said.
While her ATAR of 95.6 is obviously impressive, Sulaxchhya believed she would need to do more to get a spot in medicine. “I will get some advice; I might have to do something to get my grades up but I am willing to work hard to do so,” she said.
The teenager said hermum (a support worker) and dad (who works in a chicken factory) were incredibly proud of their only daughter.
“No-one in my family has ever gone to university, or even thought about it as being possible, so they are very happy and very proud,” she said – joking her little brother was determined to beat her ATAR when his turn comes.
ATAR, 95.6:Chemistry, Biology, English, Maths methods, Research project.
– reporter, Rebecca Whitfield – Baker
JOHN JOSEPH EVANNS III, HENLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Speedcubing fanatic John Joseph Evans III, aka “JJ”, can solve a Rubik’s Cube almost as quickly as the world’s fastest athletes run the 100m.
His determination to solve the famous 3D puzzle at breakneck speed provides some insight into how the science-loving mind of the aspiring young physicist works.
“About four years ago I was given a Rubik’s cube as a fun thing to play around with … I watched a video on it and for some reason challenged myself to see if I could do it in under a minute,” he said.
“It was a lot harder than I thought it would be; it took me about a month of watching videos and finding strategies to (achieve that goal).
“I upgraded to a cube built for speedcubing and within six months got my time down to 30 seconds.
“After a year of practising, on and off, I got to my current time of 10.46 seconds.”
JJ was hoping for a high ATAR but his result exceeded his own expectations.
“I was thinking possibly 97 would be good … I did not expect anything in the 99 range,” he said.
JJ, who moved with his family from Alexandria, Virginia, in the US, to Adelaide five years ago, is hoping to study physics at Adelaide University, where he completed a physics course in year 12 as part of the university’s Headstart program.
“(Our family) is currently in the process of applying for a permanent residency visa … I would very much like to go to the University of Adelaide because it is very good for physics, has lots of good professors and I would be close to my family,” he said.
“I am hoping to do a degree in physics and move into physics research in the future.”
Before moving to South Australia because of his dad’s work as a submarine engineer, JJ and his three younger siblings were homeschooled.
Henley High School was his first exposure to mainstream schooling.
ATAR, 99.65: English literature, Chemistry, Japanese, Specialist maths, Maths methods, Physics, Research project (merit), Adelaide University physics course (in the uni’s Headstart program).
– reporter, Rebecca Whitfield-Baker
BLAKE HEADING, SALISBURY HIGH SCHOOL
SALISBURY High School graduate Blake Heading’s grandfather’s health battle inspired his passion for science.
“In year 9, my grandpa had to have a stent put in his heart,” he said.
“At the time, we were learning about the heart in science and I felt like I could really relate to what was happening with my grandfather at the time.”
His passion was solidified when he learnt about “radioactive decay”.
“In high school, you feel kind of small in the world and for the first time, it felt like I was learning something big, like some really important stuff,” he said.
“That’s when I was like ‘I really want to do this’ because I found it really interesting.”
Blake, one of two recipients of the Governor of South Australia Commendation – Aboriginal Student Excellence Award, said he sometimes felt a bit isolated in year 12.
That was because he was the only one among his group of friends to tackle science and specialist maths subjects.
But thinking about “what could happen at the end of all this” gave him the push he needed to succeed.
He scored an ATAR of 93 and wants to study medical radiation science.
ATAR, 93: Physics, Chemistry, Scientific studies, Specialist maths, Maths methods, Research project. Governor of SA Commendation – Aboriginal Student SACE Excellence Award.
– reporter, Evangeline Polymeneas
ANESHA RAHMAN, WILDERNESS SCHOOL
Anesha Rahman is also a recipient of the Aboriginal Student SACE Excellence Award.
Anesha, who achieved an ATAR of 98.6, hopes to study medicine at university; her passion for science growing from a desire to tackle medical inequality in remote Indigenous communities.
In between her year 12 study sessions, the Wilderness School graduate learned from her grandfather the Badimia language of the mid west region of Western Australia.
“It’s really important to listen to my elders and gain an understanding and empathy from them and to learn first-hand the culture,” she said.
Throughout year 12, Anesha worked to revive language through various Indigneous programs and groups, and also volunteered with children with disabilities.
“Receiving that award showed me that I’m really capable of achieving incredible things,” she said.
ATAR, 98.6: Biology, Chemistry, General English, Society and culture, Philosophy, Research Project, Certificate III in Medical Business Administration. Governor of SA Commendation – Aboriginal Student SACE Excellence Award.
– reporter, Evangeline Polymeneas
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