Caption: Foster carer Sue Murphy with Year 12 graduate Kai MacGowan.  Photographer: Sarah Long

Graduating from high school marks years of effort, determination, and persistence.

For young people living in out-of-home care, either with foster and kinship carers or in residential care and those who have recently left care, this milestone also recognises the courage it takes to keep going when the path isn’t always straightforward.

A special awards ceremony celebrating young people in care who studied Year 12 this year was held at Government House on Monday 15 December. Almost 170 students received a certificate to mark the milestone.

Aspiring teacher Kai MacGowan completed his SACE at Riverton and District High School in the State’s Mid-North and attended the ceremony with his foster mum Sue Murphy.

“I was able to finish my SACE ahead of time last year by doing a Certificate III in Information Technology in year 11” Kai, 17, said.

“Earlier this year I moved to Adelaide to complete a course focusing on video game design at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment.

“Due to sickness, I deferred until 2026, but it might not be the right career path for me. Instead, I’m now going through the process to become a School Services Officer (SSO). This will let me dip my toes into teaching and will hopefully lead to further study and becoming a high school teacher one day.

“I’m now back in Riverton working at the local IGA and waiting for my ancillary registration to become an SSO to be approved so I can apply for positions.”

Kai has lived with his foster mum Sue for just over 14 years.

“There’s no way I would have been able to get through school, and complete my SACE, without all her positivity and support,” Kai said.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard 

Year 12 is never easy to navigate, and I wholeheartedly congratulate each student on the perseverance, resilience and creativity they have drawn upon throughout their schooling.

Young people in contact with the child protection and family support system are amongst the strongest and wisest people I have ever met – in the face of adversity, their courage is extraordinary.

I am passionate about providing young people, from a diverse range of starting points, with the educational support they need to achieve their schooling goals, dream big and navigate life beyond the classroom.

It is such a privilege to attend this moving and special ceremony to celebrate these remarkable young people and the kind people who support them.  I wish the 2025 cohort of Year 12s all the very best as they traverse the next, exciting phase of their lives.  I know they will continue to draw on their remarkable strength as they go forward.

Quotes attributable to Department for Child Protection Chief Executive Jackie Bray

I am so incredibly proud of our Year 12 students and hope they look back on their schooling with emotion, reflection, pride, and excitement at what the future holds.

Those completing their schooling this year have overcome difficult circumstances and a challenging start to life.

With support and guidance from the Department for Child Protection, dedicated teachers and education staff and carers, family members and friends, these young people have been able to strive towards their goals.

I wish them all the best as a new chapter, with their education as a firm foundation, starts.

Background

Supporting young people to complete their education and successfully transition into adulthood and independence remains a key focus for the Department for Child Protection.

Initiatives include:

• Distributing more than $1 million in grants since 2018 through the Dame Roma Mitchell Trust to young people with a care experience to achieve personal goals and development opportunities and contribute to their health and wellbeing.
• Partnering with Catholic Education SA and non-government schools to support scholarships (PDF) for children and young people in care.
• Supporting young people after they reach adulthood through the Stability in Family Based Care Program (PDF) and Over 18 Education Initiative, which provides extended payments to foster and kinship carers, allowing young people to have continuity of care as the next phase of their life starts.
• The introduction of Education Champions, who work at DCP offices, residential care homes and non-government organisations supporting their colleagues to access resources and plan for positive education outcomes for young people.