Twelve outstanding South Australian students have been recognised for academic achievement ahead of this year’s National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June).

The Department for Education presented students with Dame Roma Mitchell Scholarships and the Chief Executive’s Reconciliation Awards at Government House today.

Among them were 2025 graduates Lacey Faulkner and Arden Kranz, who achieved the highest Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATAR) among the state’s Aboriginal students and have received Chief Executive’s Reconciliation Awards.

Ten students in Year 11 have been awarded the Dame Roma Mitchell Scholarship to help them complete their South Australian Certificate of Education. Since 1993, 151 Aboriginal students have received this scholarship, which also helps them pursue their educational and professional goals after they leave school. Today’s awards will bring the total number of Dame Roma Mitchell Scholarship awardees to 161.

2026 Chief Executive’s Reconciliation Week Award recipients:
Lacey Faulkner - Kadina Memorial School (ATAR 95.85)
Arden Kranz - Wirreanda Secondary School (ATAR 95.60)

2026 Dame Roma Mitchell Scholarship recipients:
Acacia Chirgwin - Kangaroo Island Community Education
Ahnikah Dedman - Mount Compass Area School
Hunter Vandenbergh - Henley High School
Jack Christodoulous - Eastern Fleurieu R-12 school
Joseph Cruse - Seaview High School
Liam Harrison - Australian Science and Mathematics School
Maggie Ann Bell - Penola High School
Cooper Rees - Naracoorte High School
Patrick Mews - Birdwood High School
Victoria Gonzales-Whitham - Reynella East College

The awards complement the department’s Aboriginal Education Strategy, which is designed to support Aboriginal students throughout their educational journey, from early childhood to beyond school, with the aim of improving educational outcomes and fostering pride and confidence among Aboriginal learners.

Applications for next year’s awards will open on 12 October 2026.