SA’s country SACE, ATAR duxes: The top Year 12 students at regional and Hills schools
From across South Australia, Year 12 students have excelled at this year’s SACE. See the duxes of 2024 from our country and regional schools.
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From the Barossa to the Adelaide Hills, Riverland, Fleurieu and down to the South-East, we look at the top students of SA’s country and regional high schools.
Amelia Frick – Naracoorte High School
Growing up on a farm, Amelia Frick has been dreaming of a career as a vet.
“I’ve been surrounded by animals all my life,” the 17-year-old said. “I’d like to be a livestock vet, stay in the ag industry.”
The Naracoorte High student this week came a step closer to her goal after achieving an ATAR of 95.90 – the highest score in her school.
She spent the year juggling her studies with a weekend job as a waitress at a cellar door and classifying grain at agriculture company Viterra during the holidays.
Amelia studied agriculture, general maths, chemistry and biology and said she was thrilled with her score.
“(The exams) were pretty tough but they weren’t as bad as I thought,” she said.
“I’m pretty relieved now. The stress of worrying about my scores has all gone away now.”
She is now hoping to study animal science or vet science at university next year.
Rochelle Crawford – Penola High School
Rochelle Crawford has achieved the top ATAR score at Penola High School.
The school congratulated Rochelle, adding that she has gained early acceptance into a Bachelor of Nursing course.
“Rochelle said that she was proud of what she had achieved over the year and is taking time to carefully plan her future,” the school said.
“While Rochelle intends to study further, she is still exploring her career options and wants to ensure her path aligns with her long-term goals.”
Jack Leishman – Grant High School
Jack Leishman achieved an ATAR of 97.45.
Maddie Smulders – Mount Gambier High School
Mount Gambier High student Maddie Smulders has achieved the highest score at her school with an ATAR of 93.35.
Senior School head Samantha Brown commended the achievements of year 12 students, adding that “while the most noticeable results today are the ATARs, it is important to recognise and celebrate the numerous individual success stories of personal bests and growth that underpin these outcomes”.
“Today is a celebration of student leadership, perseverance in achieving goals, and the commitment to seizing opportunities,” she said.
Emily Fraser – St Martins Lutheran College
DUX of the College, Emily Fraser, achieved an outstanding ATAR of 98.25.
“Her dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and she is to be congratulated on this remarkable achievement,” the school said.
Max Patzel – Tenison Woods College Mt Gambier
Tenison Woods College student Max Patzel was named the dux of his school with an ATAR of 98.70
Max will travel abroad next year for his gap year and work at Camp America before returning to Australia in 2026 to attend university.
He plans to go to Flinders University or Melbourne University to study veterinary technology.
Max studied spiritualities, religion and meaning, ancient Studies, general mathematics, English as well as activating identities and futures, scoring As across the board.
He also received a distinction for his two Flinders University extension studies subjects, the school said.
Charlotte Fewster- Millicent High School
Charlotte Fewster who was awarded with the highest ATAR at Millicent High School for 2024. Her adjusted score was 97.75.
Jorja Mules – Kingston Community School
Jorja Mules was named dux of Kingston Community School with an ATAR of 96.65
“I am very excited because now I am going to be a lawyer after studying at Flinders,” she said.
“I will be going straight to university with no gap year.”
Eva S – Berri Regional Secondary College
95.5 ATAR
Cooper Bowry – Mount Barker High School
97.65 ATAR
Dennis Yang and Emma Lienert - Murray Bridge High
97.35 and 92.70 ATAR
Milo Lloyd – Cardijn College
98.15 ATAR
Andrew Radaza – Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School
91.25 ATAR
Lily Baxter – Encounter Lutheran College
93.85 ATAR
Arabella – Hills Christian Community School
96.80 ATAR
Evan Mewett – King’s Baptist Grammar School, Wynn Vale
99.90 ATAR
Henry G – Oakbank School
96.9 ATAR
Penny Belehris – Renmark High School
99.8 ATAR
Penny Belehris achieved a 99.8 ATAR at Renmark High School and received two merits in, after studying Psychology and in English. She studied Chemistry, Biology, English and Psychology, receiving an A+ for each of her subject areas.
“We are incredibly proud of Penny’s achievements throughout her time at Renmark High School and look forward to hearing about her future as she moves to Adelaide to pursue her dream career in Medicine,” Renmark High School said.
Patrick Brinkworth – Reynella East College
93.95 ATAR
Emma S – Seaview High School
99.25 ATAR
Kanisha Serfontein – Southern Vales Christian College
98.25 ATAR
Gabriel Cregan – St Francis de Sales College
94.40 ATAR
Anabel Griffiths – Tatachilla Lutheran College
98.85 ATAR
Chelsea White – Tyndale Christian School, Salisbury East
96.65 ATAR
Shana – Tyndale Christian School, Strathalbyn
ATAR above 95
Poppy Sweetman – Victor Harbor High School
93.95
Charlee K – Willunga High School
97.05 ATAR
Latia Loffler – Waikerie High School
99.5 ATAR
Meera Thomas – Woodcroft College
98.05 ATAR
Jaia Fretwell – Yankalilla Area School
92.20
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