Student Success Stories

What are your post-secondary ambitions?

I plan on attending the University of Adelaide, completing a double degree in Advanced Computer Science and Advanced Mathematics. Beyond this, I am not entirely sure, but I hope to work and gain experience potentially in the field of machine learning, cyber security or game development.

What were some academic highlights for you?

The main academic highlight for me, was the decision to take every academic opportunity in the lead up to Year 12. I am so happy that I chose to extend myself, maintaining Specialist Mathematics and being involved in the Headstart university program. Year 12 has felt incredibly rewarding for me because of the decision to push myself.

What advice would you give to the Year 12 cohort for 2025?

I believe that consistency is one of the most important values in Year 12. With consistent meaningful work, Year 12 does not feel overwhelming. The workload is only unmanageable with inconsistent working habits.

What is your favourite memory from your time at the College?

The recent memories made at the Celebration Day and Valedictory events have to be my favourite. The amount of time and effort clearly put into these events is a privilege that I will always be thankful for, as these final events are likely what I will think of when I look back on my time at PAC.

What legacy do you feel your cohort leaves behind?

From my perspective, our cohort have come closer together, especially nearing the end of Year 12. This has been especially helpful nearing examinations, as everyone is highly supportive of each other. I believe our cohort leaves a legacy which demonstrates the importance of collaboration and support in consolidating academic success.

What were the highlights of studying at university while finishing Year 12?

There are so many reasons why university study has been beneficial and enjoyable this year. Not only has it helped confirm what I want to study in the future, but it has been memorable because the two computer science courses I chose vastly differed from any SACE course, providing a very interesting experience. Considering that my two completed courses are ones that I would have otherwise been required to complete next year, the Headstart program has fast-tracked my future study at university.

What are your post-secondary ambitions?

I hope to study Medicine and volunteer around the world.

What were some academic highlights for you?

Both Mr Hill and Mrs McKinnon were amazing teachers this year, helping me fill gaps in my knowledge and build a more holistic understanding of their courses. I am especially grateful for their understanding throughout the year as I balanced other commitments and their respective subjects.

What advice would you give to the Year 12 cohort for 2025?

Plan your time well. For me, stress came from uncertainty, so create a calendar and plan out your tasks so you can predict potential pressure points and plan accordingly.

What is your favourite memory from your time at the College?

I really enjoyed Mock Trials with Mr Ellis, it was such a blast and I have many good memories of it.

What legacy do you feel your cohort leaves behind?

I think that our cohort significantly helped to establish the new House system.

What are your post-secondary ambitions?

I am hoping to study medicine somewhere here in Australia, ideally at the University of Adelaide.

What were some academic highlights for you?

One of my highlights was studying Italian in Year 12. This was a language that I picked up in Year 7 and I was one of the two boys in my year level to stick with it until Year 12. Despite knowing that this subject would likely not count towards my ATAR, it was probably the subject I enjoyed the most and provided me with a contrast to my other subjects. It was a challenge unlike any I had experienced academically. Another one of my highlights was studying Stage 2 Biology in Year 11. This allowed me to really push myself in adjusting to the Year 12 standard in the very first term of Year 11. It was a subject I put a lot of time and effort into and it played an enormous role in adjusting me to the standard of Year 12 – a learning curve that has helped me immensely this year. Finally, being a part of the Headstart program this year was a big highlight for me. This program allowed me to study a university subject in an area I thoroughly enjoyed – Human Anatomy. Not only did I experience a taste of university life, it also really challenged me and helped me to realise the completely different mode of learning at university. I am sure this experience will aid me in the years to come and I am extremely grateful for that opportunity.

What advice would you give to the Year 12 cohort for 2025?

1. Try find balance in your life: Year 12 can get super busy and some weeks can be really difficult however, continuing to engage in the activity/hobby/sport that you enjoy is super important. Whilst it may feel like it takes away time from your study, it gives you the break you thoroughly need and, makes the remaining hours even more productive than they would’ve been otherwise.
   
2. Appreciate your teachers: your Year 12 teachers will put in an indescribable amount of effort in order to see you succeed – don’t take this lightly and actively try to seek feedback, clarification, or extra help from them as they are always happy to support you.
   
3. Don’t do it alone: all your mates and the rest of your cohort are going through Year 12 with you. They will ride all the ups and downs with you so take advantage of this – plan study sessions in busy weeks, use each other as motivation, check in on each other, and don’t take on all the stress of Year 12 alone.

What is your favourite memory from your time at the College?

I have many, but the ones that come to mind are Intercol week, Valedictory week, lunchtime soccer, Wambana in Year 9, and all the performances I was lucky enough to be involved in for band.

What legacy do you feel your cohort leaves behind?

I hope we have contributed to the legacy of the new House system. Also a legacy of supporting each other, a legacy of how important growth is, and hopefully a legacy of excellent Year 12 results.

What were the highlights of studying at university while finishing Year 12?

Being able to go into the cadaver labs at the University of Adelaide is an experience that I will never forget, and was something that further solidified my wish to pursue medicine after school. I also really enjoyed attending lectures and tutorials at what is an extremely impressive campus. Finally, I really enjoyed the challenge it presented me – Headstart really pushed me to adjust quickly to the demands of university study.

What were some academic highlights for you?

A highlight for me would be the sheer talent that Mrs Williams had for teaching Year 10 maths. The amount of work she put into the notes she displayed for us was not taken for granted. She made me feel more comfortable with choosing maths at a higher level and led me going from getting a B in the first test to getting an A+ in the end of year exam. This set me up for the next few years. Another highlight for me would be my improvement in Specialist Mathematics from year 11 to 12. In year 11, I was not feeling too comfortable in this course. Then, in year 12, the help from Mrs Matthews from her want of independent work from her students led to a desirable end of year 12 grade.

What advice would you give to the Year 12 cohort for 2025?

The main piece of advice I have is to try and find the right routine for yourself. If I am honest, I never had a set routine but even if you are the same as me, just try to be consistent with what you do. I was able to maintain playing football at a high level as well as a social life amongst my year 12 work just by using my time efficiently. Even though I tend to procrastinate more than the usual person, I was able to still find quality time to get work done.

What is your favourite memory from your time at the College?

There are many moments that come to mind, but Wambana was a game changer for me. It opened my eyes up to being more of an independent person whilst being surrounded by mates and people I used to not be as close with. Another one would have to be playing in the Intercol and Grand Final for the 1st XVIII as it was my dream since I joined the college in year 6.

What legacy do you feel your cohort leaves behind?

I believe our cohort contributed to the culture of the school in the way we developed into a much more mature group over the years. This was acknowledged by students and teachers throughout the college and can be implemented by cohorts to come.

What were the highlights of studying at university while finishing Year 12?

Being able to work online in my Flinders University courses allowed me to gain an insight into what studying at a university is like. This will be very beneficial for the future years even though I didn’t experience the University physical environment due to my choice in subjects. I’m very thankful for this opportunity.

What are your post-secondary ambitions?

Like many boys I know, I haven't made a firm decision on my future ambitions. I have really enjoyed Science and particularly Biology, so I do have an interest in the health field. I also completed first year Business Law as part of the Accelerate program at the University of South Australia which I found to be an engaging course. At this point I am keeping my options open, but it is likely to be between these two fields.

What were some academic highlights for you?

Whilst I never studied science throughout primary school, my interest in the subject began to grow during Middle School and deepened throughout my Senior years. One of my academic highlights was studying Stage 2 Biology in Year 11, which provided a valuable introduction to the expectations of Stage 2 courses. This was particularly beneficial for Physics in Year 12, which was a highlight of this year, by providing me the confidence and skills needed to excel in the subject. Additionally, participating in the Accelerate Program in Year 12 was another major highlight, introducing me to new ways of learning and providing insight into the structure of university studies.

What advice would you give to the Year 12 cohort for 2025?

My advice to the Year 12 cohort in 2025 would be to ensure that you are putting in your best effort to achieve your best results whilst also maintaining a balanced approach towards the year. One of the best things you can do to achieve this is to stay organised and plan ahead. By putting in a consistent effort to break down your workload into smaller, manageable tasks, you will be able to avoid large build-ups of work and reduce last minute stress. This will allow you to be successful academically whilst also regularly playing a sport, pursuing a hobby, or just hanging out with friends. I would also recommend seeking help early from teachers and even classmates to ensure you are able to stay on top of work.

What is your favourite memory from your time at the College?

I started at Prince Alfred College in Year 1, so I have accumulated a lot of memories over my time at the College. I would say the most impactful of these has been the Wambana camp in Year 9. Initially, the idea of spending five weeks away from my family and the comfort of home was daunting, however after arriving, I quickly adapted to the new setting. One of my favourite parts of Wambana was getting to experience things such as surfing that I would never have contemplated trying. Additionally, I appreciated the sense of independence that came with living in a Wardli. Experiencing Wambana with my friends made it even more enjoyable and helped foster memories that I will keep for the rest of my life.

What legacy do you feel your cohort leaves behind?

I think our cohort leaves behind a legacy of determination, hard work, and a sense of community. We have all faced the usual pressures of Year 12, but also learned to adapt to changes and unexpected challenges that pushed us to grow. Beyond academics, I think we were able to build a culture where people were always supportive and willing to help each other. I hope that future cohorts are able to continue to work hard and build an environment where everyone is willing to help and support each other.

What were the highlights of studying at university while finishing Year 12?

I was privileged to be able to participate in the Accelerate program at the University of SA. Not only did I have to adapt to the University course, but the subject was also different as it was delivered entirely online. This provided a very different learning environment to what I was used to. Whilst the responsibility was put on me to ensure I kept up to date with the course content and assignments, I enjoyed the independence that came with this. It felt good to be able to direct my own learning whilst also having support services available when I needed them. From this experience, I learnt the importance of managing my time efficiently and using planners to meet important deadlines without being consistently reminded by a teacher. Studying a University course in Year 12 was a valuable experience that gave me first-hand experience into University expectations and provided an insight into potential future studies.

What are your post-secondary ambitions?

My goal is to pursue a performing art (acting or music theatre) degree. Performing has always been a major part of my life, as I find the enjoyment, creativity, and confidence it provides to be second to none. Whilst I’m not sure where I will be studying, I’m optimistic that the future will bring exciting challenges and hopefully lead to me having a professional career in the performing arts. Additionally, I’m looking forward to devoting more time to personal hobbies as well.

What were some academic highlights for you?

Whilst all my Year 12 subjects came with their own unique challenges and triumphs, Drama with Ms Hassam undoubtedly stood out. Amidst the hours of rehearsals, iMovie editing, and keepy-uppy playing, the friendships and productions we as a class managed to forge were something special. The lessons were supportive, with the strong relationships forged between classmates overpowering the at-times daunting challenges of Year 12.

What advice would you give to the Year 12 cohort for 2025?

Find ways to enjoy the work. Just because something is a test, assignment, or task doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. Study with friends, research and write about topics you find interesting, and focus on the triumphs, not the shortcomings. Feel free to take breaks without being down on yourself, taking one day off studying isn’t the end of the world. No one can constantly be at 100%, instead find your moments to push yourself that extra bit.

What is your favourite memory from your time of the College?

Being involved in theatrical productions, whether they were extra-curricular, or assignments undoubtedly holds some of my fondest memories. In particular the Year 12 Stage 2 drama production of True West. The jokes, friendships, panic, and improvisation that came from that production were incredible. Being involved in both the formal and Valedictory bands was immensely fun, with the opportunity to represent and share music with my fellow musical Year 12s being a fond memory.

What legacy do you feel your cohort leaves behind?

It is not for me to determine what our legacy is or will become, that can only become clear as time passes. However, I hope we as a cohort inspired and set the tone for future Year 12’s.

What are your post-secondary ambitions?

I want to pursue my interest in the human body and anatomy by studying Medicine at the University of Adelaide or Flinders University. Medicine for me has been an intriguing area that allows for me to make a positive and long-lasting impact on people. I also wish to pursue chess further and to become a titled player.

What were some academic highlights for you?

My Maths Methods Investigation was definitely the highlight of my academic experience. The amount of time I spent to make sure that it was absolutely perfect before I submitted was incredible. When I submitted the investigation, it was one of the biggest reliefs in my academic experience. The various challenges and the overcoming of many obstacles taught me a great deal about persistence and a positive attitude.

This year has allowed me to become closer towards not only my subject teachers, but teachers who I have known. I want to give a special thanks to Mr Russo being my science teacher for three out of the five years, and helping me not only grow academically, but also develop personally.

What advice would you give to the Year 12 cohort for 2025?

The one piece of advice I would give to any student is to build a strong relationship with not just your subject teachers, but with any of the school teachers. Be respectful to your teachers, and they will be happy to help you even if they do not teach you. Teachers are the on-the-ground individuals who are here to not only help you academically but also here for you personally. Year 12 is a stressful year, and it becomes a lot easier if you communicate with your teachers as they can help you with their own valuable insights and life experiences. By communicating your experience, you alleviate the pressure and stress you have.

I also recommend that you use an assessment planner and update it as soon as assignment due dates change. One of the biggest challenges in Year 12 is having to complete multiple assessments within days of each other. By utilising an assessment planner, you can organise yourself and allocate time to study and work according to the assignments due earlier. Then you can organise the time that you are free and can take time for yourself.

What is your favourite memory from your time at the College?

One of my favourite memories is the Chess Intercols throughout the years. I know chess is not the most exciting spectator Intercol, however the turnout for particularly this year’s Intercol was phenomenal. It was really good to have so much support for the Chess Intercol and the team spirit shown by PAC certainly allowed us to win for the 15th year in a row.

What legacy do you feel your cohort leaves behind?

My cohort is the first year that experienced the new House system. The Year 12s were the leaders of the House events, and this sets the precedent for younger year levels and how much more fun it will become.

What are your post-secondary ambitions?

Post Year 12 I would love to study medicine, and continue playing sport and being as active as I have over the past few years. 

What were some academic highlights for you?

I think one subject I found particularly challenging this year was Year 12 Chemistry. It was really satisfying, however, when concepts finally came clear to me after an initial period of struggle, I found these situations a great opportunity to test my resilience, and allowed me to really utilise Mrs McKinnon’s expertise, who was fantastic.   

One significant highlight I had was handing up my final full research paper for my Psychology B course, which I felt was my best opportunity all year to experience  university level academics. I thought this was my most complete and strongest piece of university level work I completed all year. 

What advice would you give to the Year 12 cohort for 2025?

I think Year 12 gets hyped up a lot to you as you enter it. Realistically, I think that many of my friends found it less of a difficulty and time requirement jump than Year 11 was. If you’re a hard worker in Year 11, who has a focus on applying yourself consistently throughout the year, and trying to improve in SACE based assessment tasks, you have a really good chance of succeeding in Year 12. I think people should enter Year 12 with a ‘can do’ attitude, because it is doable. I’m certainly not saying it’s easy, but after finishing Year 12, I believe someone with a strong subject selection and work ethic has every reason to succeed in SACE. On a more specific level, try to gain an understanding from your teachers in Year 11 regarding what exactly SACE markers are looking for in Stage 2 tests and folio tasks. 

What is your favourite memory from your time at the College?

I expect this has been brought up a lot in these responses, but perhaps three or four of my favourite memories from the College all came from wambana. It’s still probably the best and most impactful experience I have had at the College. The 11km run still sticks out to me - as someone who seriously doubted their running ability going into the camp, finishing fastest in our cohort was a real confidence booster for me. That was also the time where I felt some of the greatest camaraderie with my mates and the other boys in my year level, as we ran the run back with the last few boys to finish, which is still something I think about often to this day.  

What legacy do you feel your cohort leaves behind?

I think our cohort can serve as an example to others that a cohort of boys can really mature and pull together in the final years of school. I think the blurring of social lines, and seeing more and more people becoming friendly with one another was something I noticed consistently occurring in our year level in the latter years of high school. 

What were the highlights of studying at university while finishing Year 12?

The content itself was pretty interesting, as I chose an area (Psychology A and Psychology B) that was quite specific to what I want to study post- school. I completed my courses online, and the amount of support I received even while never actually physically going to the university was really surprising (in a good way). What surprised me is that I found the university level of study quite manageable, so I would really encourage any Year 12’s considering Headstart/Accelerate/Extension Studies to go for it!

What are your post-secondary ambitions?

I am currently unsure on what I wish to pursue post Year 12, however I do know that whatever I pick I’ll give it my all with the aim to be the best. 

What were some academic highlights for you?

In my first year at PAC (Year 11) I near failed my first maths test. However through the tireless help of teachers and constant effort I’ve transformed my grade into an A+ in math methods for Year 12. 

What advice would you give to the Year 12 cohort for 2025?

Enjoy and savour your final year but give the year your all. Don’t leave at the end of the year asking, what if ….

What is your favourite memory from your time of the College?

Finishing Year 12 after a successful year knowing I gave the year my all and achieve the best result I could. 

What legacy do you feel your cohort leaves behind?

An odd, mismatched bunch, but supported each other and ourselves with our own ambitions. 

What were the highlights of studying at university while finishing Year 12?

Allowing freedom in a self-guided study period as well as the option to study a wider variety of subject and topics, such as personal finance.

What are your post-secondary ambitions?

I hope to travel interstate to study a degree in commerce, where I will major in accounting and corporate finance. Following the completion of this degree I hope to work at one of the big four accounting firm’s before looking for a job in corporate finance. During this period, I also hope to travel a lot with some of my close mates.

What were some academic highlights for you?

Some of my academic highlights from Year 12 include being fortunate enough to have Mr Simpson as my teacher for two of my Year 12 classes. Mr Simpson’s commitment to teaching and his ability to explain concepts in a way I understood assisted heavily in me achieving higher-grade bands this year. I doubt I would have had the success I did this year in these subjects without his help. Additionally, my ability to jump multiple grade bands in some of my other subjects in my final year are also highlights for me. In physics I have averaged nearly 20% higher in my tests than in Year 11 and in English Literature I have also improved significantly, especially compared to Year 10. I think these improvements are largely due to my teachers during this time including Ms Schofield, Ms Psaromatis and Ms Christie (in Year 11).

What advice would you give to the Year 12 cohort for 2025?

For a Year 11 student who is about to begin their Year 12 journey, my two biggest pieces of advice would be to get ahead early and fully utilise your teachers. I found that starting the first few weeks well put me ahead and really helped in lowering stress, especially in periods where multiple assignments are due. I also advise to get the full use out of your teachers. At PAC we have some of the best teachers in the state who all work exceptionally hard, but they will only end up taking you as far as you are willing to go. So, I encourage you to utilise them, ask questions, stay behind for two minutes after class to get clarification, send emails to them with questions as all of this will only improve your results. Finally, remember to take breaks, have a social life, don’t make school your only priority - just make it one of the main ones.

What is your favourite memory from your time of the College?

My two favourite memories from my time at the College both have occurred during my final year. The Red & White formal as well as the recent Year 12 Valedictory dinner are two memories that will last with me forever. These events are times where our cohort was able to form a much closer bond, and I personally had many interactions with people in my year that I had not previously had too much to do with. These celebrations brought our year much closer together and were incredibly fun in a year that was otherwise stressful.

What legacy do you feel your cohort leaves behind?

I think our cohort will leave a legacy of improvement behind. In recent years a lot of the boys in our cohort stepped up, putting their best foot forward when it came to success at school. This has demonstrated a level of improvement and maturity across the year and has resulted in our cohort being on track to have a really successful group, which I think may have come to a surprised to many of our teachers and parents a few years ago.

What are your post-secondary ambitions?

My post-secondary ambitions include study civil engineering and computer science at Adelaide Uni.

What were some academic highlights for you?

I think the academic highlight I am most proud about was my transition from Year 11 to Year 12. My results from Year 11 inspired me to improve in Year 12, and I think my parents, friends and teachers all played a significant role towards encouraging and guiding me through difficulties I faced with assignments and revision.

What advice would you give to the Year 12 cohort for 2025?

My advice to the Year 12 cohort would be to enjoy your last year at the College as much as possible because it really does fly by.

At first, Year 12 seemed quite daunting, especially after the first few assignments because I realised how much work was ahead. However, what helped me was focusing on upcoming assignments one by one, rather than stressing over the bigger picture.

What is your favourite memory from your time at the College?

My favourite memories from my time at the College include playing drive team tennis throughout my Middle and Senior School years as well as winning several Intercols against Saints.

Catching up with mates and playing soccer during recess and lunch outside the Princes Café is also a schooling memory I value greatly.

What legacy do you feel your cohort leaves behind?

I think our cohort built a strong sense of camaraderie and belonging, particularly in the lead-up to Year 12. I hope this will have a great influence on the younger year levels to strive toward making PAC as inclusive as possible.

What were the highlights of studying at university while finishing Year 12?

Studying at university while finishing Year 12 offered me an insight into the expectations of studying university level courses and the similarities and differences between Year 12 school subjects.

It also gave me an opportunity to study a course that wasn’t available at the College, which was a unique and valuable experience.