South Australia’s most prominent and successful people reveal their year 12 results
Can your high school results hold up against some of SA’s highest flyers? We asked some of our post-high school top achievers to share their scores here.
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Thousands of year 12 students woke to news of their final results on Monday morning after a year of studying.
The results showed the student’s ATAR – a score, with a maximum of 99.95 – which ranks them against their cohort, as well as final individual subject grades.
Premier Peter Malinauskas anticipated the excitement and dread of many students writing on social media: “If you don’t get the marks you wanted, remember there’s more than one road to the same destination”.
With that in mind The Advertiser has rounded up a list of prominent and successful South Australians who spilt their results.
Reilly O’Brien
ATAR: 99.65
School: St Kevin’s College in Melbourne, Victoria
Adelaide Crows ruckman graduated from the Toorak school with an ATAR of 99.65 and was accepted into medicine at Melbourne University. Ultimately he opted to study a Bachelor of Biomedicine instead to keep his dream of playing AFL alive.
While playing AFL the now Adelaide has completed his Bachelor of Medical Science at Flinders University, a Master of Neuroscience at King’s College London and is now studying a Masters of Business Administration and Master of Public Health at Torrens University.
“It’s a good reflection of all the hard work in year 12, but it doesn’t count for too much after that! It definitely doesn’t help me get a kick on the football field (sadly),” he told The Advertiser.
Olivia Molly Rogers
ATAR/TER: 96.75
School: Seymour College, 2009
Former Miss Universe Australia, Adelaide-born Olivia Molly Rogers was a self-proclaimed “nerd” during year 12 studying extremely hard at Seymour College to achieve acceptance into a speech pathology degree at university.
Another motivating factor was wanting to beat her older sister (which she did by .2 points).
“In hindsight I wish I didn’t put as much pressure on myself … it doesn’t mean everything,” she told The Advertiser.
While Rogers isn’t a practising speech pathologist anymore, focusing her time on podcasting, modelling and influencing, she said she would be keen to return to the profession at some point.
Helen Marshall OAM
ATAR/Results: 5 A’s including a merit
School: Norwood High, 1980
Medical researcher Helen Marshall AM delivered the largest meningococcal B vaccine herd immunity study in the world.
Graduating from Norwood High in 1980 she said her mum drove her down to the post office on results day so she could receive her final results early.
“My teachers had so much impact on my career,” Prof Marshall said.
“From the school counsellor who said ‘always aim for the top in whatever you decide to do, don’t aim for middle ground’ and my English and biology teachers who taught me to ‘question everything – everything you read and what you observe around you’.”
Blair Boyer
Uni entrance score: 95.95
School: Portland Secondary College, 1999
State Education Minister Blair Boyer’s year 12 result of 95.95 got him into Law and Arts studies at Monash University, where he met his wife Catherine in 2000.
After graduating in 2005, he practised law briefly before starting work for a country Labor MP.
In 2011, the couple moved to Adelaide, where Mr Boyer worked as chief of staff to the-then Education Minister Jennifer Rankine and then as deputy chief of staff to the-then premier Jay Weatherill.
“I still remember very clearly at the time, thinking my entire life was going to be defined by that result and – although I think it is still really important and enabled me to do the course I wanted – time has shown me that there are other paths to get where you want to go as well,” he said.
“But I don’t in any way want to think that our students shouldn’t take it seriously and shouldn’t aim for the absolute best score they can because it gives them options in life.”
Matt Cowdrey OAM
Uni entrance score: 95
School: Endeavour College, 2005
A member of Parliament’s lower house since 2018 Matt Cowdrey has always been a high achiever.
Achieving an ATAR of 95 after graduating Endevaour College in 2005 Cowdrey has gone on to study law, win 13 Paralympic gold medals in swimming and become a member of parliament.
“Don’t let it (your results) define you,” he told The Advertiser.
“It doesn’t limit your future, it’s the start of the next journey.”
Olivia Savvas
ATAR: 94.45
School: St Ignatius College, 2013
At the latest state election, Olivia Savvas, became the youngest member of the lower house in South Australian history after she snagged the seat for Newland.
Nine years before that, the MP missed out on her dream degree by only half a point after she graduated high school with a 94.45 ATAR.
“I was devastated,” she told The Advertiser.
“It forced me to take a sideways step at uni, studying languages until I could transfer into law.
“I try and tell local year 12s how glad I was for the opportunity to take a sideways step and find a whole new passion that I’ll have for life.”
John Gardner
Results: 54.5/70
School: Pulteney Grammar, 1995
Deputy Opposition Leader and Liberal education spokesman John Gardner was education minister in the Marshall government from 2018 to 2022. He grew up at Rostrevor and now lives in Athelstone.
Mr Gardner studied a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Adelaide from 1996 to 2000. While completing his secondary and tertiary education, he worked in the family water treatment manufacturing business started by his English migrant father.
“University entry scores in Year 12 can put you on the fast track to where you want to go,” he said.
“But by no means does it define where you’re going.
“I didn’t get into my first choice for university but the great thing about our state is if you apply yourself to where you want to go you can definitely get there, no matter what your year 12 results were.”
Peter Malinauskas
Uni entrance score: 89.85
School: Mercedes College
The Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas, who graduated from Mercedes College with a score of 89.95 has offered words of wisdom for the graduating year.
“I think we all can remember when we get our year 12 results and it feels as though the future direction of your life is entirely dependant upon that outcomes, when in actual fact it isn’t necessarily,” he said.
“These are important results. I hope that, for every student, it reflects all of their hard work they’ve put in throughout the course of the year.
“Rest assured, regardless of what their result is, there is plenty of opportunity in our state for you.”
Mr Malinauskas graduated from the University of Adelaide with the a Bachelor of Commerce which in 2023 has a guaranteed entry score of 85 but has accepted students with 72.4.
Laura Curran
ATAR: 89.45 (IB score of 30)
School: American International School Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2014
Laura Curran is the youngest member of the legislative council in South Australian parliament but prior to her admission to parliament Ms Curran lived in Saudi Arabia where she graduated high school with an ATAR equivalent to almost 90.
“Your results only get you so far,” she told The Advertiser.
“In my experience, it can provide a foot in the door to your next chapter in life, but it is often so much more that will determine whether you succeed in that next chapter.
“The next chapter will often need a lot of hard work, determination, perseverance and resilience.”
Marie Shaw KC
Results: Matriculation: 1 A, 2 B’s, 2 C’s
School: Loreto College, 1969
Pioneering lawyer Marie Shaw KC has defied odds and gone on to excel in her competitive career path, forging the way for women in the legal industry.
“I don’t think you could say I had outstanding year 12 results but I was fortunate enough to do well enough to achieve a scholarship to university that allowed me to be accepted into law,” she told The Advertiser.
“I worked hard because I knew I wasn’t the brightest and had to.”
Ms Shaw said in year 11 she had an outstanding economics teacher who convinced her she could top the state in economics and she did.
“That taught my two things – first, if you work hard enough you can achieve at the highest level. Second, one person believing in your can change the direction of your life.”
Ashton Hurn
Uni entrance score: Mid-80s
School: Nuriootpa High School, 2008
Shadow Health Minister Ashton Hurn remembers feeling relieved with her year 12 result which ended up in the mid-80s – she does not remember exactly.
“At the end of the day, whatever your result, it really doesn’t limit the possibility of what you can achieve if you’re willing to put in the work,” she told The Advertiser.
“Looking back, at the time you feel it’s critically important, but it’s really the start of the next chapter in life which is entirely in your hands to write.”
Cassandra Mamone
Uni entrance score: Low-mid 80s
School: St Michael’s College, 2003
Cassandra Mamone has become one of Australia’s most sought after jewellers after graduating from St Michael’s College in 2003.
“A good education is great but there are other determining factors that will contribute to your success including drive, passion and a desire to succeed in your chosen field,” the former Bachelor contestant told The Advertiser.
“Having a passion for what you do paves the way for your success not the English score you received in year 12 (although correct grammar and spelling definitely helps).”
Frances Adamson AC
Results: Unknown
School: Walford Anglican School for Girls
Her Excellency Frances Adamson, who has gone on to become the governor of South Australia, does not remember her exact year 12 results after graduating from Walford.
“I remember they were strong enough to pursue my first choice at university,” she said.
“Year 12 results are important, but over time I have realised they must also be viewed with perspective: they are a starting point for our adult lives and potential careers.
“Saying yes to opportunities along the way, along with qualities like resilience and belief in what you do, are also very important.”
Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello
Results: Failed
School: Kadina Memorial High School
Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello received the lowest score in South Australia for the year 12 maths exam raking in a 4 and a half out of a possible 109 points.
He failed year 12 and did not achieve an university entrance score before going on to “just pass” when he completed year 13 at the same high school.
“If you work really hard on what you’re good at or what you love, then really you’ll find yourself in a career or job that will have you getting straight A’s for the rest of your life,” Cosi said.
The media personality said a teacher told him that there were three things that would hold him back in life: “one, he’s more interested in entertaining the class … two, he’s the class clown … three, all he’s interested in is being funny”.
“But that’s kind of the three key things that created me in my career really,” he said.
Cosi said he really struggled at school.
“The school system revolves a lot around your ability to remember, retain information and then write it down in an exam or test format,” he said.
“If, like me, your weren’t good at that, then you’ll seem … stupid.”
The Kadina Memorial High School graduate said he hires staff basis on drive and passion rather than academic achievements.
Claudia Bonifazio
ATAR: N/A
School: Marryatville High School, 2017
Love Island Australia winner, Adelaide-born Claudia Bonifazio left high school halfway through year 12.
“I had an English teacher named Mr Stremple who, when I told him I was quitting school to pursue acting, was genuinely so excited and happy for me,” she said.
“(He) really pushed for me to do what I love to do, I think without him pushing me I wouldn’t have done it.”
Bonifazio would get grade ranging from A’s to C’s until in year 11 she began to pursue acting seriously.
“My report card started looking like straight C’s,” she said.
“Looking back I do wish I focused more but I am also grateful I didn’t because maybe I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“There’s always another way to continue learning after school which I am very interested in now.”
Now Bonifazio is continuing to act and is working as a full-time content creator.
Stephen Mullighan
Results: Does not remember
School: Pulteney Grammar School
The state’s treasurer Stephen Mullighan did not remember his score – but said it was not quite what his parents were hoping for.
“It was pleasing against my expectations, somewhat lower than my parents’ expectations,” he said.
Asked whether his ATAR – formerly TER – was in the nineties, he said “it was a more modest outcome”.
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