Natalie Parisi

College Dux | Merit in English Literary Studies

The 2025 College Dux, Natalie Parisi, has accepted an offer to study a Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology, Honours) at Flinders University. An exceptional ATAR of 97.95 opens many doors, but for Natalie, the choice was clear.

“Ever since I was little, I’ve been amazed by the beauty of marine life and environments,” she says.

“Marine biology is the perfect way for me to explore this passion, while contributing to the betterment of the planet and humanity.”

Her move to the Fleurieu Peninsula in Year 10, completion of Investigator College’s Certificate in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, and work experience with the National Parks Service all helped confirm her career direction.

Natalie will soon move to Adelaide to begin her studies, with a particular interest in Southern Australia’s lesser-known Great Barrier Reef.

For her PhD and Masters, she plans to move to James Cook University in Queensland to study the Great Barrier Reef, before pursuing a career in research, education or activism.

Although she has an exciting future ahead, Natalie says she will always look back fondly on her time at school.

“I think the memories I made and the people I shared them with is what I will remember the most about Year 12,” she says.

“I will take those friendships with me long after I graduate.”

Emily McPherson

Runner-up Dux | Merit in General Mathematics

With her ATAR of 97.15, Runner-up Dux Emily McPherson has been accepted into a Bachelor of Law (Honours) and a Bachelor of International Relations at Flinders University.

This double degree allows her the freedom to explore her many interests, including worldwide conflict and the relationships between countries.

Asked what she wants to do in 10 years, she says: “I have no idea yet – and that’s what excites me!

“Sometimes I imagine myself working in corporate big law, other times I picture living overseas and advocating for communities less fortunate, and another option consists of me becoming a diplomat.”

Emily prefers to focus her energy on applying herself rather than worrying – an approach that helped her feel calm and grounded on results day. She plans to take the same mindset into university, allowing time and experience to guide her.

In the meantime, she has spent the summer holidaying in Queensland and living in the Riverland with her family, harvesting the family vineyard.

Soon, she’ll follow in the footsteps of her sister Chloe and move to St Ann’s Residential College to study.

William Marshall

SACE Merit in Agriculture

William Marshall received a SACE Merit in Agricultural Systems, achieving the highest result in the state.

By the time this was announced, William had already commenced his three-year apprenticeship in Kingston SE with Pinkerton Butchery.

His studies in Agricultural Systems, hands-on infrastructure projects in the College’s Agricultural Centre, and life on a hobby farm all played a role in shaping his career choice.

“Having the knowledge to see an animal in a paddock and know how it gets from there to the plate – and being able to undertake that whole process – I was drawn to that skill, and felt I’d value it in myself,” he says.

Pinkerton Butchery raises its own beef and lamb, allowing William to learn every step of the process. Renting a room locally, he is enjoying his growing independence and the life skills that come with it, including budgeting.

He regularly returns to Back Valley to visit family and friends, and many – including Encounter Bay Football Club – will be pleased to hear he may return to the Fleurieu after qualifying as a butcher in November 2028.

“Once I have the butchering and slaughtering skills, I’ll probably look at doing a few jobs, helping friends or building contacts,” he says.

“I might even try some other things, try another job. I’ll see what I enjoy and where life takes me.”

Maryam Rashid Zaheer

It was when a family member’s phone was hacked and all their data lost that Maryam knew she wanted to study cybersecurity.

“Seeing how vulnerable personal information can be and how damaging a single breach is really impacted me,” she says.

“It made me want to understand how these attacks actually happen.

“Cybersecurity appeals to me because it’s like ethical hacking with a purpose. I enjoy the challenge of thinking like an attacker in order to find weaknesses before real hackers do.”

Maryam’s ambition to make an impact in our digital age is taking shape; she’s been accepted into her first choice of university degree, a Bachelor of Cyber Security at Adelaide University.

Her achievement is particularly significant given she relocated from Dubai to the Fleurieu Peninsula for her final year of schooling.

The change from fast-paced, busy Dubai to relaxed, close-knit Victor Harbor was “definitely challenging,” for Maryam, who speaks fluent Urdu and English – but made easier by the strong student-teacher bonds and focus on balance and wellbeing.

“[Moving] meant adapting to a new system, new teachers, and new expectations during a very important year,” she says.

“However, it also helped me become more resilient and independent, and I’m proud of how I managed to adjust and succeed.”

Ella McFarland

Ella McFarland has decided to study a Bachelor of Science (Biodiversity and Conservation), inspired in part by the hands-on opportunities she experienced while completing her Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management through the Currency Creek EcoCentre.

“My dream job is working outdoors, with plants and animals,” she says.

“In 10 years, I hope to have experience as a Park Ranger, have worked on revegetation projects through coastal environments or mines, and travelled throughout Australia, working with the native flora and fauna.

“After gaining this experience, I can see myself moving back down to the south coast to live on farmland.”

Ella spent her summer travelling through New Zealand, Western Australia, and South Australia’s south-east coast. Reflecting on Year 12, she says she would encourage students to savour the experience.

“It doesn’t fully set in that it is the last year of school until you’re done, so it’s nice to cherish it a little bit more,” she says.

“To have left school feels surreal but also extremely exciting. There are so many new opportunities and chapters from this point on, and I can’t wait to see where life takes me.”