Congratulations to the eleven Catholic school students who were among 29 to receive commendations in 2021.
The Governor of South Australia Commendation recognises excellence in Year 12 SACE subjects, and in the qualities young people need for community life, citizenship, and work.
“This year’s student cohort can be very proud of their achievements. They have been faced with COVID-19 restrictions and other challenges, yet they have faced them head-on and not allowed them to be a barrier to success,” said Dr Neil McGoran, Director of Catholic Education SA.
Congratulations to:
The commendation recipients are truly impressive students.
Kyle Baker from Blackfriars Priory School has received the Excellence in Modified SACE Award.
As well as completing his SACE, Kyle is a performer, acrobat and instructor with the Circobats Community Circus and has performed in many of their shows, including the Fringe Festival.
Keeley Menadue from Xavier College is passionate about horses and competes in equestrian competitions. In her Research Project she posed the question of how equine asthma can be best managed in high performance horses
Lillian Orsillo from Sacred Heart College is studying an Extension Studies program in Italian at university. She works closely with the Hutt Street Centre and has raised money for the Walk A Mile and Vinnies Winter Sleepout initiatives. She is hoping to pursue a career in the fashion industry, and it is her goal to promote body-positivity for all women.
Loreto College student Lily Farrell was awarded the title of Young Historian of the Year in 2019 and 2020 and was only the second student from South Australia to win three major history competitions.
Manish Augustine from Rostrevor College is a keen cricketer who participates in a multicultural T20 cricket competition where he has forged relationships with recently arrived migrants. Manish works with reception students, and advocates for children who have experienced trauma.
Thomas Frew from Nazareth Catholic College is the winner of the ADFs Future Innovators Award for 2021. He has designed and built a digital application called ‘SACEOLOGY’ to help students and teachers to understand and teach the SACE. In his Research Project Thomas investigated possible life forms on the terrestrial planets of the stellar system. His findings are being published by the Australian Centre for Astrobiology, and the Astronomical Society of SA have asked him to present at their next meeting.
SACE Board Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell acknowledged the outstanding efforts of SACE students while contending with the disruption of COVID-19.
“The Class of 2021 has had more to contend with than any other cohort over the years, and yet they have risen to the challenge,” said Professor Westwell.
“Students have demonstrated that they have developed their personal capabilities and have adapted, drawn upon their resilience and continued to find solutions and thrive.”
Results across all Catholic schools were outstanding with 99.3% SACE completion and 327 merit certificates. Read more: 'Catholic school students celebrate SACE results'.
Catholic Education South Australia congratulates the “Class of 2021” on their outstanding SACE results. 3,403 Catholic school graduates from across 33 Catholic Schools have obtained their SACE, with a completion rate of 99.3%.
