Walford’s Class of 2025

At Walford, excellence is personal. It is not a single definition or a single destination, but an evolving story shaped by each girl’s strengths, aspirations and chosen pathway. The recent SACE Awards ceremonies at Government House offered a welcome moment to celebrate the Class of 2025, and to reflect on what strong results can represent when they are underpinned by purpose, wellbeing and rigorous learning and teaching. 

In a landscape where the ATAR can feel like the headline, it is worth remembering that it is one measure used for entry into some university programs. It can be an important tool, but it is not a full account of a young person’s potential, character, or capacity to contribute. The most meaningful results sit alongside the habits that produced them: sustained effort over time, intellectual curiosity, and the courage to persist through challenge.  

Depth and breadth of results 

The Class of 2025 achieved exceptional outcomes across the SACE, consistently exceeding state benchmarks and demonstrating strength across a wide range of subjects and interests:

• 12% achieved an ATAR of 99 or above (top 1% nationally); 

• 32% achieved an ATAR of 95 or above (top 5% nationally); and 

• 51% attained an ATAR above 90 (top 10% nationally). 

76% of students achieved an A grade in at least one subject, and across 28 Stage 2 subjects, 75% of all grades were in the A band. Students earned SACE Merits across an impressive spread of disciplines, including Biology, Chemistry, English, French, General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Modern Greek (Continuers), Modern History, Physics, Research Project, and Spanish (Beginners). Walford students also received Governor’s Civics Awards for their Research Projects. 

Walford’s results also highlight consistent performance across a number of learning areas. In Chinese (Continuers), English Literary Studies, French, Integrated Learning, and Music Solo Performance, 100% of grades were in the A band. Particularly notable were results in Physics (with 91% A band including 58% A+) and English (with 90% A band). These outcomes reflect not only talent and consistent effort of students, but the dedication of their teachers and support of their families. 

Celebrating our top achievers 

Our Dux of 2025, Presha, who achieved an ATAR of 99.8 (top 0.20% nationally) and received Merits in Chemistry and English, recently spoke at the Academic and Endeavour Awards Assembly. She spoke of gratitude for her teachers and the importance of honouring yourself.  

“Don’t let the pressure of a four-digit number rob you of what will genuinely be the best year of your schooling. Year 12 is intense, yes, but it’s also the year you’ll get to go across the road for lunch, get special jumpers and have a common room. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to laugh a bit louder in the hallways and to realise that the journey matters just as much as the destination.”  

Walford’s Proxime Accessit, Penny, achieved an ATAR of 99.75 (top 0.25% nationally), a Merit in Physics, a Distinction in University of Adelaide Mathematics IA, and a High Distinction in University of Adelaide Mathematics IB, as well as a High Distinction in the Senior Paper in the MASA Hamann School Mathematics Competition. Penny also spoke at Assembly and encouraged students to approach their schooling with courage and a focus on growth rather than perfection.  

A range of pathways   

A defining feature of the Walford Class of 2025 is how widely they extended themselves beyond their formal SACE program:

• 22% undertook early university studies across the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University, studying subjects as varied as Forensic Sciences, Marketing, Human Bioscience, Mathematics, Psychology, French, Nutrition, and Gender Studies. Across these university courses, students achieved 48% High Distinctions, 44% Distinctions, and 8% Credits. 

• Over 33% engaged in VET Certificate III qualifications across multiple pathways, including Business, Nursing, Public Safety, Animal Care, and Fitness. 

This is senior schooling at its best: rigorous, future-focused, and responsive to the diverse ways young people now move from school into study, training and work. 

Now, in 2026, the Walford Class of 2025 are entering courses across a range of arenas: 

• 25% of the cohort are entering medical and health sciences; 

• 16% business and economics; 

• 15% law and criminology; 

• 14% arts and humanities; 

• 12% engineering; and 

• A range of other courses in architecture, education, mathematics, sciences and cyber security. 

More than a number  

Walford also recognises what these extraordinary results do not capture. An ATAR cannot quantify the leadership shown in a team, the discipline required to balance competing commitments, or the resilience built through setbacks.  

Individual achievements that speak to character, initiative and service included students who were awarded the King’s Scout Award, the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, and South Australian Youth Sailor of the Year, among many other contributions.  

The Class of 2025 has shown our community what it looks like to work with determination, lead with humility, and contribute with generosity. They leave Walford as enduring members of this community and proud old scholars equipped to continue their learning and to shape the world through principled and positive action.