As part of National Reconciliation Week, seven ambitious Aboriginal students will tonight be awarded with scholarships to support their SACE achievement at an awards celebration at Government House.
Two Aboriginal graduates will also be recognised at the event for their high attainment in Year 12 last year.
The Dame Roma Mitchell Scholarships assist Aboriginal students in Year 11 and 12 to prepare for their pursuit of their career goals following school.
Scholarship recipients receive a $1,000 scholarship in both Year 11 and 12.
All of this year’s scholarship recipients aspire to go into careers with purpose that positively influence and support their own communities, including teaching, nursing, law and the police.
Kadina Memorial School 2018 graduate Nathan Jones and Adelaide High School 2018 graduate Tyran Hill will be receiving the CE’s Reconciliation Award, presented to the two Aboriginal students with the highest Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) in the state.
“This fine young group of students are an outstanding example of what Aboriginal students in South Australia can achieve and I applaud them for the academic drive they have displayed both within and outside of their schooling,” said Minister Gardner.
“All nine recipients are promising academics whose career aspirations stem from their ambition to be leaders in their own community, influence positive change and cultural diversity.
“2018 saw the highest retention rate of Aboriginal students and Aboriginal SACE completers in government schools for over 5 years.
“The Marshall Liberal Government’s new Aboriginal Education Strategy sets high expectations for how our system will support the academic and personal achievement of Aboriginal students, recognising the central role that strong identity and culture plays in improving educational outcomes.
“I can congratulate these outstanding students on their achievement.”
Dame Roma Mitchell Scholarship recipients
Ebony Austin – Eudunda Area School
Kiara Sims – Kaurna Plains School
Shakaya Aitken-Glass – Glossop High School
Angie Couzner – Nuriootpa High School
Wes Frankel – Glossop High School
Malisha Charters – Blackwood High School
Akaysha Hill – Adelaide High School
CE’s Reconciliation Award recipients
Nathan Jones – Kadina Memorial School
Tyran Hill – Adelaide High School
