Madison Eastmond, Murray Pioneer

A Riverland student has been awarded during this year’s National Reconciliation Week for receiving one of the highest Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATAR) in the state.

Scoring 86.75 — one of the highest ATARS received among South Australia’s Aboriginal students — Berri Regional Secondary College alumni Nicholas Harris was awarded with a Chief Executive’s Reconciliation Award last month.

“Part of the award also included a prize of $1000, so I didn’t believe it at first — it was just such a surprise,” Nicholas said.

“When we got to Adelaide (for the ceremony), the nerves did start to kick in, and I think it was then I started to realise it was a big deal.”

The award coincides with National Reconciliation Week, with this year’s theme of ‘Bridging Now to Next’ calling on Australians to step forward together, to look ahead, and continue to push forward.

Spanning from May to early June, the dates of National Reconciliation Week commemorate significant milestones for First Nations peoples, including:

• National Sorry Day, May 26: Remembering and acknowledging the Stolen Generations.
• 1967 Referendum anniversary, May 27: When Australia voted for a change in the Constitution, allowing Indigenous people to be included in the census.
• Mabo Day, June 3: Anniversary of the 1992 decision to overturn Terra Nullius, led by the work and activism of Eddie Koiki Mabo.

Department for Education chief executive Martin Westwell said the awards complement the department’s Aboriginal Education Strategy, which aims to increase outcomes for Aboriginal students by supporting them to be “proud and confident learners”.

“We are committed to helping young Aboriginal people to feel supported in their educational pursuits and prepared to take on the world when they leave school,” he said.

“The awards acknowledge these students for their excellent academic achievements and the strong commitment they have made to their education.

“They have gained knowledge, skills and confidence to help them make positive choices about their future, with encouragement from their teachers and support from their family and friends.”

With a year 12 course load, that included chemistry, scientific studies, English, and essential math, Nicholas said the key to his academic success “was having a good balance” and “not hanging onto the past”.

“I really enjoyed year 12,” Nicholas said. “There were moments when it could be stressful, and I did try really hard, but overall it felt pretty cruisy — I had good friendship groups and great teachers, so it was actually really fun coming to class.

“I also just tried to move past when I received a grade I wasn’t happy with — I worked on getting over the mistake I made and strived for better next time.

“I miss school a lot now actually, it was a really good time.”

Berri Regional Secondary College principal Clinton Ridgeway said “Nicholas had always been a driven and thoughtful student”.

“His ability to stay focused on his goals while also giving back to those around him is what really sets him apart,” he said.

“We’re incredibly proud of Nicholas’ achievements, and know he’ll continue to make a meaningful impact in whatever path he takes.”

Encouraged by his recent achievement and award, which “made (him) want to reach (his) full potential”, Nicholas said he was looking forward to completing a secondary teaching degree, with a focus in science, after his gap year.

“Originally, I wanted to be a math teacher, but I realised (through my studies) that I like the ideas behind science more — it’s all about understanding how things work,” he said.

“The award has also made me want to do even better.

“It just makes me want to put my head down and start learning again.

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 11 June 2025.