Australia’s Top 100 Private Schools: Meet the student leaders from SA’s best-ranking colleges
These bright sparks, who lead some of the SA private schools ranked in the nation’s top 100, have big aspirations for the future. Meet the school captains from the class of 2025.
They’re aspiring entrepreneurs, aerospace engineers and police officers.
This year, they are leaders of South Australia’s top private schools, who hope to leave a lasting legacy at their colleges as they prepare for uni and the adult world.
SCOTCH COLLEGE
Patrick Keenan
Responsibilities: There are many responsibilities of being college captain including being an example and leader for other students, being an approachable person for students, meeting new and current parents, attending events on behalf of the school, collaborating with the other student leaders to create change around the school, being a voice of the students and many more.
Reason for taking up the role: The reason I went for school captain is because I wanted to give back to the school and help all students have the same positive experience that I have at Scotch.
After-school goals: I would like to get a university degree after school. I would like to pursue a career in aerospace engineering.
Amy Wallace
How being school captain feels: I feel honoured, proud and motivated to be college captain. It is a significant responsibility that fills me with a sense of purpose.
Impact of the role: As school captain, I will strive to continue to create an inclusive and supportive environment where every student feels valued. I work to engage students in school activities, promote wellbeing, and ensure their voices are heard. By participating in community service, advocating for important causes, and demonstrating social responsibility, we can inspire others and help build a more just and compassionate world.
After-school goals: I plan to study at university. I am interested in pursuing a degree that allows me to explore my passions and open up diverse opportunities. I hope to incorporate travel into my university years, either through study abroad programs or an exchange semester.
ST PETER’S COLLEGE
Aadi Mittal
Responsibilities: As school captains, we are dedicating a year of service to the school. Our responsibilities range from engaging with the student body to ensure they feel a sense of belonging and connection to our community, to organising school events, connecting with old scholars and setting a positive example through our actions and behaviour.
Growth opportunities: The role of school captain provides me the opportunity to interact with a diverse range of people, from peers to old scholars. These interactions will allow me to further understand a variety of different career paths and perspectives.
After-school goals: I’m planning to complete a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. While my current focus is studying physiotherapy, I’m still exploring possibilities in law and psychology. My main objective is to work in a field where I can positively impact the lives of others through engaging in meaningful problem solving.
Huaqin (Tiger) Liu
How being school captain feels: I feel excited and curious, but it’s also a little surreal.
Impact of the role: I hope my role helps others feel valued and supported at school, knowing there are people who genuinely care about their wellbeing, are willing to listen, and want the best for them.
After-school goals: I’m interested in pursuing a university degree, particularly in biology or foreign aid.
PULTENEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Charlotte Jarmer
Responsibilities: The responsibilities of being captain go far beyond holding a title. It’s the quiet art of making others believe in their own greatness. When I think about leadership, I don’t picture someone commanding attention from the front but rather someone who listens, guides, and inspires from within.
Reason for taking up the role: I’ve always admired the way Pulteney captains have led with
humility and impact. Over the years, I’ve become passionate about supporting others, fostering a positive culture, and most importantly, leading with kindness. I want to be a leader who not only represents my peers but helps others feel seen, heard, and valued.
After-school goals: I aspire to pursue a career in the medical industry. I’ve always been passionate about science and drawn to the challenges and opportunities within healthcare, but more than that, I want to help people.
Jack Oates
Reason for taking up the role: Since my early years of middle school, I had always wanted to be a prefect or captain. This was largely due to witnessing the contribution of those captains and seeing what they did for the school.
After-school goals: Next year, I am hoping to join the South Australian Police. I feel that Pulteney has guided me down this path, as the school has allowed me to find a love for leadership, and I feel that a policing career would be the best to allow me to exercise this passion.
Skills developed: Being school captain has already and will continue to teach me social skills and leadership skills that will no doubt be helpful in a policing environment. I have also felt a new confidence in front of crowds since having to speak regularly at all our school events.
PRINCE ALFRED COLLEGE
Petey Flower
Responsibilities: My main responsibility is to represent and serve our community by working with the prefects, the Year 12 cohort and the staff to make a better school environment. During the week, I interact with students, attend meetings with the headmaster, address parents at functions and collaborate with staff on ways to improve the college.
How being school captain feels: My appointment as college captain makes me nervous, but it also excites me for what is ahead.
Impact of the role: I have to be a strong role model and ambassador for school culture. I hope to have a lasting impact through inspiring others and making a meaningful contribution to Prince Alfred College’s legacy. Ultimately, I hope to make the school a welcoming place with a culture that encourages strong character around our values of respect, excellence, belonging and endeavour.
After-school goals: I am unsure of my career path after school, but the role of college captain will provide me with invaluable skills and experiences that I will carry for the rest of my life.
SEYMOUR COLLEGE
Sithuki Seelaman
Responsibilities: As head girl, my primary duty is to serve the college and be the “go-between” between the staff and students. I aim to be an inspiring role model and community-minded ambassador for the college and students. In terms of physical responsibilities, the majority are shared with the student leadership team, but mostly with the deputy head girl, Amber Russell. As a collective, we are tasked with leading weekly assemblies, organising our Black Watch Formal, designing our Year 12 jumpers, forming connections with girls in the college across all campuses, planning various social events with other schools, and starting new initiatives, just to name a few.
Reason for taking up the role: Representation has always been such an important thing to me, and there are very few people, especially girls, who look like me in leadership positions. That lack of representation is so disheartening to see, and it was definitely a challenge for me growing up as I found it hard to determine where and if I belonged. I don’t want anyone to feel like that ever, so that’s why I applied for leadership. I hope to be a figure of hope and belonging to not just those who look like me, but to empower all Seymour students.
How being school captain feels: If I told my 10-year-old self on her first day at Seymour that she would one day be head girl, she would think I was joking. I have grown and learned so much about myself throughout my time at Seymour and have come to love the unique traditions that the college provides, so having the ability to be a leader in such a wonderful environment is incredible.
After school goals: I haven’t fully decided yet but I’m considering something in law, finance and/or music.
SAINT IGNATIUS’ COLLEGE
Tumbika Kalua
Responsibilities: As a school captain we act as primary representatives of the entire student body, as well as lead certain school events and initiatives. Above all we look to be role models to our peers, displaying servant leadership through leading within a community.
How being school captain feels: Initially, there was a certain nervousness and uncertainty. Nonetheless I am currently looking forward to the experience that comes forth from it.
After-school goals: I am interested in studying health sciences (such as nutritional science) or physiology and biomechanics through something such as physiotherapy. I am also looking to pursue professional sports through the upcoming years.
Gabrielle Elias
Reason for taking up the role: The role of college captain represented to me a unique opportunity to give back to a school that has profoundly shaped the person that I am today. I was drawn to this role by my love for motivating and nurturing others, and my eagerness to fulfil my passion for social justice and supporting an authentic student voice.
How being school captain feels: I am filled with gratitude and excitement to be able to serve my school community, it is an absolute privilege.
After-school goals: After school I am excited to continue my educational journey at university and I am hoping to complete a semester abroad, maybe in France.
WALFORD ANGLICAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
Zara Hutchinson
Responsibilities: My duties include a range of leadership, representation and organisational tasks aimed at promoting a positive school culture. My main responsibility is to act as a role model for other students and to uphold and promote Walford’s values and culture. I provide mentoring and peer support, organise activities and events to foster school spirit and build community and act as an ambassador for the school at external events.
How being school captain feels: I feel a mix of pride, responsibility, excitement, and gratitude. I am honoured to have been chosen to represent my peers and the school in this capacity and hope that my leadership will have a positive and lasting impact on our school community.
After-school goals: I would like to become a behavioural psychologist.
Eliza Rayner
Reason for taking up the role: Previous school captains have been an inspiration to me in the way they dedicate themselves to the school, specifically how they have demonstrated the school’s values of courage, commitment, community and growth. I put my hand up to be captain because I was interested in learning how to further demonstrate these values to contribute to my school community.
Skills to develop: I am learning to manage my time more efficiently and become more organised. I am also learning how to be more flexible.
After-school goals: I am interested in pursuing a career in the health sector.
ST JOHN’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Brodie Ralph
Responsibilities: Leading school events such as assemblies and valedictory, as well as working with our Student Leadership Committee (SLC) to collaborate and support each other to improve various areas of the school. However, our main responsibility is to give voice to the students and ensure that all ideas big and small are being heard and pushed forward to the right people.
How being school captain feels: I feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. It feels that I am part of something that is important and that I can actively help people feel that they are at the right school.
Skills to develop: My confidence and public speaking skills have massively improved since stepping into the role, as I am having to speak to large crowds of people weekly. My critical thinking has also improved as I have had to brainstorm solutions and ideas for problems and challenges that have arisen, in an attempt to better the school.
After-school goals: I would like to complete a double degree of Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science and a Bachelor of Nutrition and Food Sciences at uni.
Scarlett Emmerson
Reason for taking up the role: As I have been on my journey through school, I’ve always found myself looking up to school leaders who make a difference in the school, who lead by example authentically with a sense of fun and a true love of their school. I wanted to inspire other students throughout the school and encourage them to pursue leadership in the future too.
The impact of the role: I have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by building a sense of community, inclusion, and leadership across the school. When students feel part of a welcoming and inclusive community, they’re more likely to engage fully and express themselves confidently. I feel as though this is a big part of school life and such an important part of feeling at home within the school community.
After-school goals: I hope to complete a double degree in business and psychology. The ultimate dream would be running my own psychology business where I could combine my passion for helping others and leadership skills to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
WESTMINSTER SCHOOL
Eliza Maloney
Responsibilities: A school captain at Westminster School is a positive role model who promotes a supportive and inclusive culture. They lead service projects, mentor younger students and help organise school events. Additionally, they bridge communication between students, staff and the broader community, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
Reason for taking up the role: I have a genuine love for Westminster School and think that it provides a great education for not only local students, but our boarding students too from mainly rural, regional and remote interstate locations. I have always admired the personal qualities of previous school captains, who have taught me so much about kindness, gratitude, humility and bravery. I was inspired to add my own touch to the legacy they have left behind.
Impact of the role: I want to be remembered for my involvement and commitment. To really make the most of this education, you need to be adventurous, step out of your comfort zone and try new things without fearing failure. This is something our school principal has encouraged me to embrace and I hope to inspire others to do the same.
After-school goals: After school, I plan to go to university in 2026. Whether I end up studying interstate or staying in Adelaide, I am for now keeping my options open. With the subjects I’m currently studying, I’m seriously considering pursuing a degree in law.
James Young
How being school captain feels: As one of Westminster’s school captains, I continue to feel no higher than any of my fellow students.
Impact of the role: Another excellent former school captain stated: “at the end of it all, people don’t remember exactly what you did, but how you made them feel”. I believe this represents what my captaincy will be about. What I want to leave with the school community is an impact not to be forgotten.
After-school goals: During college I aim to study business studies and pursue life as an entrepreneur of my own business.
LORETO COLLEGE MARRYATVILLE
Giuliana Blefari
Responsibilities: The role of school captain, known as head girl, encompasses a range of leadership and representational responsibilities. Head girl serves as a role model, leads the student body to uphold the school values of justice, felicity, freedom, sincerity and verity.
How being head girl feels: I feel incredibly honoured and proud to serve as head girl of Loreto College. It’s a role that fills me with both excitement and a deep sense of purpose. Being head girl gives me the privilege of leading and representing my peers, and I’m committed to continuing the sisterhood that makes Loreto so special.
Growth opportunities: Being head girl will provide me with invaluable skills that directly align with any field. I’m developing empathy, public speaking and strong communication skills. I am also learning to lean on the strengths of my peers.
After-school goals: I wish to attend university and further my education. I am hoping to stay in Adelaide, but certain pathways may take me interstate which I have also considered. I would like to pursue a career that helps individuals improve their life.
Antigone Gambranis
Reason for taking up the role: I am a proud Loreto girl. My teachers nurtured a passion for social justice and leadership which has allowed me to take up multiple leadership positions in my life, leading me to putting my hand up for this one.
Impact of the role: As far as my position goes, it is not solely me who has an impact. True to the saying, “it takes a village”, I am surrounded by a powerhouse of creativity, commitment and talent in the student executive team. It is comprised of 14 girls, with different roles ranging from social justice, diversity, and boarding and house captains, and each girl brings a unique set of skills to the table. It is with this that we are able to create impactful change within the college.
Skills to develop: In my role as a deputy head girl, I am able to build the skills of leadership, mediation, compromise, innovation, communication, public speaking and problem solving. I must manage my time to ensure that I am a good leader, student and athlete.
After-school goals: To study a double degree of law and journalism is my goal. While at university I would also like to continue my soccer journey, playing for the Adelaide City Football Club.
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Originally published as Australia’s Top 100 Private Schools: Meet the student leaders from SA’s best-ranking colleges
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