OLD SCHOLARS

Sharon Traucki

Class of 2005

2025 marks 20 years since I graduated from Woodcroft College. But looking back, 17-year-old me would be astonished (but also, I hope, proud) to learn that I’m now a seasoned public servant with 15 years in the Commonwealth Government and have a significant record representing Australia internationally. I am currently part of the Senior Executive Service in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, responsible for Australia’s climate and energy relationships with key partners including the US, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

My work days are always packed but can vary a lot. Anything from attending interdepartmental committees discussing how we advance Australia’s interests, to engaging with embassy staff from other countries based in Canberra, to briefing our Minister to inform government decision-making, to meeting one-on-one with each of the 20 staff working with me from around the country to help support their growth and career development. Working in international climate policy, the only real constant is change, and I love the dynamic, challenging and meaningful work I get to undertake every day to improve the lives of Australians.

While it sounds clichéd, the immense privilege of representing Australia never wears thin. One of my proudest achievements has been contributing as one of Australia’s longest-serving G20 officials, advising on, negotiating in and stewarding this key multilateral forum on behalf of the Prime Minister, including through the COVID-19 pandemic. I also had the opportunity to serve in the Japanese Ministry of Finance in 2019 as a Senior Adviser to Japan’s G20 presidency, which was an incredible chance to brush up on my university Japanese and live and work in Tokyo.

Service has always been a core part of Woodcroft’s ethos, and as an IB student, I remember undertaking my CAS hours at the local public library, volunteering my time to give back to the community. My love of literature has been a constant; I enjoy reading and reviewing novels, often sent by publishers, in my spare time and attending writers’ festivals where I can. I recently saw the filmed performance of Macbeth starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo and realised this is also the 20 year anniversary of my first time reading the play at school. I remember the thrill of my Year 12 English class all drumming our hands on the tables as we launched into reading the play together, creating the atmosphere of the Act 1, Scene 1 storm.

Twenty years sounds like such a long time ago, but as I’m sure as the rest of the class of 2005 will agree, it also feels like only yesterday. For those students now in their final year, all the very best. In the wise words of Smash Mouth, “the years start coming and they don’t stop coming”, so make them the best – in another 5, 10, 20 years, I look forward to reading your stories here.

Meredith Woolsey

Class of 2005

I graduated from Woodcroft College in 2005 and went off to study Biomedical Science with the aim of becoming an astronaut science officer. Unfortunately, glandular fever in my second year and a severe aversion to calculus put a stop to that plan. So, I went after my second love, Outdoor Education Teaching. While I was doing my Diploma in Fitness to get back into the university system, we had a guest presentation from an Exercise Physiologist and I knew that is what I wanted to do. So, I went off to UniSA and did a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement and Health Studies) and a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Exercise Science. Finally, after eight years of tertiary study (two at Uni, two at Tafe, and a final four at Uni) I popped out as an Exercise Physiologist and I haven’t really looked back since!

Only a year or so after I graduated as an Exercise Physiologist, I started my own business – Move to Live – Exercise Physiology. The business turned nine in February of this year and I couldn’t be prouder! We are a size-inclusive, LGBTIQA+ affirming and Neurodivergent affirming clinic, and pride ourselves on supporting our clients and meeting them where they are at on their movement journey.

My typical day looks like helping my clients who have a wide variety of complex conditions, supporting my staff with mentoring and professional development, doing all the boring business things like paying bills and wages, doing some guest lecturing at UniSA, mentoring students, and whatever else needs to be done around the place – the reality of being the owner of a small business. Today I am off to the pool to do some hydrotherapy with clients, so it really is extremely varied which I love.

The best part about being an Exercise Physiologist is seeing the difference that you get to make in the lives of your clients. When they can get up off a chair without using their hands or can pick up their kids without pain, when you truly connect with them about their issues and they make the difficult decision to go get some extra support, when they share good news about their condition’s progress or about their life, or even when they share the bad news because you know that you are part of their support system and are there for them. It is a very uplifting and humbling experience to be a part of their lives in such a personal and positive way.

My two favourite parts of being a business owner are getting to run things the way I want to and in line with my values, and watching my delightful staff grow and turn into amazing health professionals and lovely humans. It’s a real honour to be able to help them along this journey and watch them make such a difference in the lives of their clients. One of the things that I really enjoyed about my time at Woodcroft College was the variety of what I got to study and participate in, which helped me to continue my hobbies and to gain some important life skills. I’m pretty handy with a drop saw and a drill thanks to Mr Cross in Tech Studies, and still have my table I built in Year 9. Unfortunately, nothing from Home Economics seems to have stuck as I am still a lousy cook.

Getting to be involved in band and the school musicals allowed me to continue my passion for music, singing and dance, even though I was focusing my academic studies on science. My love of Outdoor Education and being active in nature was fuelled by the Year 9 Grampians Camp (I was in the first ever cohort to undertake this amazing trip) and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and without this I never would have discovered Exercise Physiology. I remember being so mad I was on the last Grampians camp of the year as I wanted to call my Mum and ask to stay another two weeks because I loved it so much.

I also had some incredibly supportive teachers during my time at the school who embraced my weirdness and desire for space travel. Even though that didn’t end up being my path, it taught me that it was ok to dream big and go against the grain. Outside of my business and career I love crushing my friends at boardgames, gardening and swing dancing. Turning up to swing dancing classes eight years ago was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have made amazing friends, have a supportive community, and have travelled interstate and overseas to dance with and learn from the most amazing people. There is nothing quite like having the common language of dance with someone where you can only say about three words in their native language, but you get to have this amazing connection and conversation on the dance floor. It really is something special.

My advice for current students … it’s ok. It’s ok if you don’t know what you want to do in the world. It’s ok if you know it with all your might and to go on and achieve it. It’s ok if you know what you want to do and then change your mind. Or the universe changes your mind for you like it did for me. The road is windy and you will still get there in the end. I think we put way too much pressure on ourselves to know all the things at once and to be the best at everything. Honestly, that is exhausting and incredibly unrealistic. Putting effort into being a decent human who is kind and considerate to yourself and to others is going to have much more of a mark on the world than any grade or any achievement award ever will. That is the stuff that matters in the end.

Lachlan Nash

Class of 2023

It’s certainly been a journey since I left the College! I moved at the start of February with a quick turnaround before the course started. However, I have been so lucky that everything seemed to click into place for me. I’m glad that I can honestly say that I have loved moving away and living independently.

Sydney is certainly busier than Adelaide but at times I think I prefer the quick pace and bustling streets, although I do miss the quiet at times! Naturally, there are times when I miss family and friends at home, but the people I’ve met this year at NIDA have become my new family away from home, and made this adventure so worthwhile and special.

NIDA has been fantastic, I don’t think I can even put into words how it feels to be studying at such a prestigious institution that I looked up to for so long. Dreaming that I would study there one day and to now say I am there, it’s quite a surreal feeling. My course is certainly intense, with classes running 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and often Friday being a day for practice and self-guided rehearsals. Regardless of how hectic the schedule has been, I think it has only helped me further develop skills like stamina, patience and perseverance that are needed in the performing arts industry.

Each day at NIDA in the Musical Theatre course is different but always involves some form of singing, acting and movement. I think that is the appeal of the course, no two days are the same and you never know what you’re going to get!

This year I have thrown myself into every class and done all that I can to absorb as much knowledge as possible!

We’re so lucky to work with many industry professionals who have years of experience and knowledge that ultimately, help guide the way we tell stories as performers. The Musical Theatre course is in high demand for performances at NIDA too, with my cohort performing at multiple events this year as well as some of us putting on our own Circus-themed Cabaret (I had the honour of being the Clown!). Our Cabaret was such a valuable experience as it was an inter-disciplinary project between multiple different courses including Musical Theatre, Make-up and Live Production/Technical Services.

I am also very excited as we are now working towards our end-of-year showcase in October. This is an open-invitation event for industry professionals, casting directors and agents to come and see the talent that is emerging from this year’s graduating students. Overall, NIDA has been a life-changing and eye-opening experience for me. I have learnt so much about myself and the performing arts that has reinforced my passion and love for the industry, encouraging me to keep pursuing it further in life!

I think the biggest highlight for me has been being part of this group of 19 people who all share a similar love for the performing arts, and being able to create and connect with this new family. The special thing about NIDA is their willingness to invite amazing industry professionals to hold workshops and classes for us. This year, I have had the privilege of working with some fantastic actors, choreographers and performers who have years of experience in the industry. They have been able to provide guidance on what the future may look like and how to approach it as young up-and-coming performers.

Harry Jones

Class of 2018

Straight after school I started scaffolding, before flying to the UK to travel.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 lockdowns put a hold on that, so I returned to Adelaide, where I started working at RoofClimb Adelaide Oval. I ended up taking on a management role there, before relocating to Queenstown, New Zealand, where I worked for AJ Hackett Bungy, and did plenty of travel. I became a Nevis Bungy Jump Master and had an absolutely incredible experience.

Recently I have returned to Adelaide, I’m working at RoofClimb again and now also Golding Wines in Lobethal.Over the last few months, I have been setting up Woodcroft College’s first ever Old Scholars Sports Club, named “Woodcroft Wanderers Football Club”. We will be entering two teams into the Collegiate Soccer League Division 3A and 3B in 2025.

Sport was a huge part of my time at Woodcroft, particularly when it came to Knockout Soccer. I never missed an opportunity to play, whether it was Open Knockout, Year Level Knockout, five-a-side, or even giving new sports a go, like Ultimate Frisbee. I loved being given the responsibility from the Sports Faculty to select the teams who would compete, and even be player/coach on occasion. We always had loads of fun and had a tight knit community, which often culminated in a passionate Staff versus Students game at the end of the year. I loved coming into school and putting on the Woodcroft soccer kit, rather than the usual uniform for a day, and getting to represent the school in the sport I loved.

I saw an opportunity to grow the Woodcroft Sports Program by starting a soccer club for Old Scholars. The Sports Program did so much for me whilst I was a student and I felt it was a great opportunity to give something back. I had recently joined one of my friend’s collegiate soccer clubs and enjoyed the community atmosphere. I wanted to set up an Old Scholars Soccer Club for Woodcroft, so that Old Scholars could continue to play the sport they love together, in a fun, relaxed, community environment. It is an opportunity for us to enjoy the beautiful game again and play because we love it. Community is so important to mental health, and being part of a sports club like Woodcroft Wanderers will help provide that sense of belonging.

To have an Old Scholars team playing at Woodcroft College will mean students graduating from Woodcroft can continue to play soccer with their mates in the local community, and feel free to invite anyone along. We have goals of becoming very community oriented, whilst also striving for success in the league and cup competitions. Being based at Woodcroft College means we can add plenty of social events to our calendar for all our players, members, family, friends and volunteers that will help to support our local business and organisations.

Jak Rivers-Dixon

Class of 2011

After completing school back in 2011, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do for a career. I took a gap year where I worked a few jobs to save as much money as I could. The following year I decided to head to university and study construction management. Near completion of my degree, an opportunity presented itself to lease a shop in the Forbes complex in South Plympton, the same complex that my dad has owned his bakery in for 25 years now. I decided to follow my passion for hospitality and opened what was meant to be a simple sandwich/coffee shop. Very quickly this grew from a small idea to a 70 seater licensed restaurant, staffing around 25 people. Over the years I have finessed the menu and learnt to roast my own speciality coffee at what is known as The Front Page Cafe.

Fast forward a few years to 2022 which is when my wife and I had just found out that she was pregnant after a very unpromising but lucky round of IVF. We went to our local supermarket in Flagstaff Hill and noticed the shop next door had come up for lease. This was the first time in 10 years a shop in that complex had been offered and we decided to take the plunge in opening venue number two. Della’s Deli, named after our miracle baby girl who was born just eight weeks before we opened. We opened up in April 2023 and have quickly become a local favourite for our delicious food and house roasted specialty coffee.

One of my regular customers, whom was also a mentor and major influence in my younger years is of course Ms Lorenz. She always supported my passion, gave me opportunities and taught me a lot about hospitality during school, which inevitably has led me to where I am now. So, if you’re interested in hospitality, I would encourage you to buy Ms Lorenz a coffee (preferably from The Front Page or Della’s ha-ha) and pick her brain, as she has many years of knowledge which can inspire you to go in any direction you desire in the hospitality industry.
As for the future, we plan on having another baby and it wouldn’t be fair if Della was the only one with a café named after her! So watch this space.

Emily Adams

Class of 2019

I always knew I wanted to be in a creative industry. It seemed my graduating Class of 2019 knew this as well as I was awarded “The Biggest Movie Fanatic” by my peers that year.

With the skills I had learnt while at Woodcroft College, it was no surprise that I wanted to strive towards something that would challenge me and put me out of my comfort zone – like the school had taught me for my 13 years studying there.

I wanted to feel the same rush of being on stage at Showcase performing with my trombone, but wanted to be behind the scenes of it all ‘to bring that magic to life’. So I decided to combine a dream and my ambition and strive for the silver screen.

Emily is now working at the world renowned Rising Sun Pictures here in Adelaide. They provided the following bio:

Emily had aspirations for a career in the film industry and her journey began when she was accepted into the University of South Australia’s Bachelor of Film and Television degree. Whilst undertaking the course, Emily was exposed to the world of visual effects and discovered her newfound passion.

During her second year of study, Emily completed a ‘Look Development and Lighting’ course which is taught by world-renowned visual effects studio Rising Sun Pictures. Learning from a company who created incredible visuals for some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, ignited her spark!

Emily chose to spend the third year of her degree at Rising Sun Pictures in the VFX Specialisation. During this time, she learnt from artists in the industry, as well as learning about the various pathways and roles, including production, and seized the opportunity to build on her skills.

Upon completing her degree, Emily was immediately employed by Rising Sun Pictures as a Production Assistant, and after working hard, learning and building up her skills, she was promoted to Junior Production Coordinator. Emily already boasts an impressive credit list, with her most recent credit on The Marvels and she is very grateful to be provided with the opportunity to work in an amazing, local company like Rising Sun Pictures.

Sarah Dey (nee Nogaj)

Class of 2000

After graduating from Woodcroft in 2000, Sarah worked in Disability Services for eight years and completed a Certificate 4 in Disability.

In 2008, Sarah married Scott and they welcomed their first child Bailey in 2009 and had a second son, Marley in 2011.

She attended Flinders University in 2012 and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Nursing.

Since then, Sarah has been working as an RN in a private day surgery hospital as a scrub/scout nurse and absolutely loves it!

In 2020 Sarah, her husband and two kids decided to take a break from their 9-5 work and mainstream schooling and travelled around Australia for 1.5 years. They completed a whole lap and covered lots of inland areas. She even managed to catch-up with Old Scholars along the way!

Brodie May and George Hughes

Class of 2019

Old Scholar, Brodie is using his passion for health and fitness to run a ‘Growing Strong Program’ for students at Woodcroft College.

During his time at Woodcroft, Brodie was heavily involved in Cricket, playing for the schools First XI until he graduated. He does admit that he enjoyed anything sporty and that this may have been a way to spend less time in the classroom!

Brodie has now started a Bachelor of Exercise Science, majoring in Physical Therapy. He has developed a larger focus on psychological wellbeing linked to physical wellbeing to deal with the challenges that life can bring our way.

Brodie currently has help from George Hughes to run the program, which is aimed at helping students to build their strength and learn how to train as they take their own fitness journey. He reflects on his own experience in working out at a gym from the age of 16 and the mistakes he made. Brodie wanted a program that would support and educate students to progress their fitness in a safe way.

Brodie wants to help students build better technique, and develop fitness plans that can be used to improve their performance in sport, health and in the classroom.

“I have seen a massive difference in the students who participate,” Brodie said. “By developing the proper lifting techniques, I have seen students build up their strength, smashing records they set at the beginning of the program.”

Hannah Guy

Class of 2013

Old Scholar and current teacher at Woodcroft College, Hannah Guy runs the Healthy Habits Program to support students to be active and develop their fitness.

Her inspiration to become a PE teacher was her amazing Year 12 PE Teacher, Neil McNaughton. His passion for the subject was inspiring and he continues to be a role model today.

Hannah also comes from a very active and health conscious family, and enjoyed playing as many sports as she could while she was a student at Woodcroft. Hannah’s sport of choice now is netball as she loves the team atmosphere and hopes to continue to play long into the future.

After attending our Year 9 Quest as a mentor, Hannah realised that a number of students struggled with their fitness. She understood that not everyone is interested in participating in a sport, so she came up with the idea of running an exercise program after school. With support from our Director of Sport, Kirsten Lawson, Healthy Habits was born.

This is a program that means students do not need to sign up to a membership, join a team or rely on transport. Hannah wanted to make working on fitness affordable, accessible and convenient.
“I wanted to offer a way to learn to exercise and work on your fitness that was not sport orientated,” Hannah said. “Most importantly, I wanted students to have a healthy relationship with their body and self-esteem.”

The program offers a safe and supportive environment for students to be active. Hannah shared that one of the positive outcomes of the program is students connecting across Year levels with friendships blossoming as age becomes insignificant.

“The biggest difference I have seen from participating is the development of self-confidence with students believing they can do things they have not been able to do before,” said Hannah. “The little smiles at the end of a really hard workout tell me ‘I’m proud of myself for doing that’.”

Ashleigh Law

Class of 2014

Ashleigh is living her dream as a full-time athlete and part-time school teacher.

After placing 5th overall in Level 10 at the Australian Rhythmic Gymnastics National Championships in 2021 and winning the South Australian Gymnast of the Year award, Ashleigh moved to Brisbane to train with Olympic coach Gina Peluso as part of a Rhythmic Gymnastics senior international group. This group, made up of five gymnasts, are training five hours per day, six days per
week on their journey to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The group took out each of the Australian Rhythmic Gymnastics national titles in their division in May 2022 and as a result were selected to represent Australia at the World Challenge Cup in Pamplona, Spain. In Pamplona, they qualified for finals (by placing in the top 8) in their ball and ribbon routine, being the first group in Australia to have ever qualified for a final on a world stage.

They then went on to represent Australia at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria in September where they placed 22nd overall. A fantastic achievement for Australia.

In between training sessions, Ashleigh is working part-time as a primary school teacher to fund her gymnastics fees and trips. She teaches PE and Media Arts to children from Reception to Year 6.

Over the Christmas school holidays, Ashleigh works taking photographs as one of Santa’s elves at her local shopping centre.

Brittany Law

Class of 2010

I have been working a number of my dream jobs. After graduating from Woodcroft College in 2010, I went on to study a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Media at the University of Adelaide.

While at University, I was pursuing a career in the media – working as Assistant Producer in breakfast radio at Nova 91.9 and FiveAA as well as working as the casual Traffic Reporter on-air across all commercial radio stations. However, after graduating, I decided to change careers and utilise my Law degree.

I worked as a Judge’s Associate at the District Court of South Australia for two years before working as a Solicitor on the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Since the release of the Royal Commission’s recommendations in the final report, I have worked in criminal defence at the Legal Services Commission. The Legal Services Commission provides legal representation to those with financial hardship.

I’m currently placed in the Whyalla and Port Augusta regions and loving the country life – where I recently started playing hockey and won the award for “most improved” this season.

Evan Lever

Class of 2005

In 2009 I moved to Melbourne to study a Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts. After graduating, I was lucky to receive the Ron and Margret Dobell Scholarship, which allowed me to study acting in the USA and UK, as well as tour my original cabaret to the New York Music Theatre Festival in 2014.

I’ve always loved musicals and I knew early on that I wanted to be on stage. My chance came when I performed in the College Musical, Viva Mexico. A pair of maracas were thrust into my hands and there was no looking back!

In the 10 years since I started working professionally, I have had a number of highlights including playing Emmet in Legally Blonde The Musical for which I received a Green Room Award nomination.

I was in the ensemble in the World Premiere of Cat Stevens Moonshadow The Musical, played Henry T Dobson in Anything Goes The Musical with Opera Australia, and donned a pair of 6-inch platforms as ABBA’s Benny Anderson in Muriel’s Wedding The Musical with Global Creatures.

I have to thank the drama and musical teachers at Woodcroft, especially John McCall (past staff member) and Rachel McCall, who encouraged my love of performing as a student. I have such fond memories of the plays and musicals during my time at school.

In October 2022 I am returning to Adelaide to perform with State Theatre Company of South Australia in Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart. This play is extremely close to my heart, and I feel privileged to work with an amazing cast and creative team, especially in my hometown. It’s a dream job. Book your tickets!

Rebecca Marshallsay

Class of 2000

Since leaving the College, I have been fortunate to do a lot of two things I love – study and travel.

I completed a Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), which honed my writing and editing skills, giving me the confidence to work as a freelance writer in a range of capacities. In 2020 I completed my Juris Doctor, which gave me the skills to start writing and researching in the field of social justice and jurisprudence.

I have always loved storytelling – from reading and writing, to movies and theatre. I recently found a reflection from primary school where I talked about becoming a writer when I was older, and I still have copies of stories I wrote as a kid. Being a big reader has always inspired me to pursue my own writing.

At the College, some of the projects that I remember most clearly were connected to storytelling. I remember studying Lord of the Flies in Year 10 and the idea of creating allegory in this way completely blew my mind. It set up my passion for examining the power of stories to express our fears, values, hopes and more.

While there isn’t one particular person who inspired me to be a writer, I am appreciative of all of the little bits of support and encouragement I have received along the way from my parents and various teachers. Many teachers introduced me to interesting writers or encouraged my enthusiasm for reading.

My first picture book, Facing the Wave, was published in April 2022. I am currently pitching and polishing a few more children’s picture book stories with the hope of getting more work published, and I am also working on an adult non-fiction manuscript. My dream is to keep writing and to keep getting published – both books and features.

My travel highlights have included travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, trekking in Iceland and Patagonia, living in a van in the UK and diving in lots of amazing places. In the years after I finished school, a lot of my overseas travel was connected to youth leadership programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Ship for World Youth, and I credit my time at the College for helping me build the skills that helped me get selected to participate.

I relocated to the Gold Coast in 2009 and while I miss Adelaide a lot, I can’t tear myself away from the warm winters.

Georgia Bolton

Class of 2012

I think I had a love of performing from a very early age as I studied violin and piano from around 4 years old and started singing when I was 10. But, Woodcroft College is where I definitely found musical theatre and later acting.

My first College Musical was Grease in 2007, which later became my first professional job! The first play I ever did was Away by Michael Gow for our Year 12 Drama production. I absolutely caught the acting bug.

After graduating from Woodcroft College, I worked and saved for two years before I successfully auditioned and was accepted to study a Bachelor of Musical Theatre at Queensland Conservatorium at Griffith University in Brisbane. Since then, I have been working professionally as an actor and an Acting and Musical Theatre coach.

I still live in Brisbane with my partner Geoff, while also spending chunks of time in Sydney. Professionally, I go by Georgie because another Australian actress with brown hair and brown eyes was already called Georgia Bolton!

After I graduated university and signed with the amazing Mollison Keightley Management, I was cast as Jan in the national tour of Grease: The Arena Experience. I also originated the role of Rex Connor in the original production of The Dismissal in Sydney in 2019 and 2020. I was due to reprise my role in The Dismissal for Sydney Theatre Company at the Opera House in 2021, followed by a national tour in 2022, but the season had to be postponed to 2023 due to COVID.

In 2020 I played Helen in Young Rock for NBC USA and in 2021 I played Helen (I’ve found my niche playing women named Helen) in Joe vs. Carole for Matchbox Pictures/Universal and shot with one of my absolute idols, Kate McKinnon. My career highlight has definitely been playing Judy (weirdly, not Helen?) in God’s Favorite Idiot for Netflix. Working with Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone, Usman Aly, Leslie Bibb, Steve Mallory and Michael McDonald was beyond a dream come true.

I had amazing performing arts teachers at Woodcroft, including past staff members John McCall and Andrew Forder, as well as current teachers Rachel McCall, Renee McCarthy and Adam Goodburn. They instilled in me that being a good person, a hard worker and supportive cast member was more important than talent, and that’s always served me well.

They did an incredible job with the cast on all the musicals I was involved in, and without that experience, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with musical theatre the way I did.
Passionate history lessons, taught by Lee Fenwick (past staff member), sparked a life-long interest in history and politics, which I think had a huge part in landing my role in The Dismissal. Wonderful English classes fuelled my love of reading and Shakespeare, which has been invaluable to me. I have had constant support from teachers all throughout (and beyond) high school.

It is not an exaggeration to say I would not be here if it wasn’t for those teachers and those experiences, but especially because of the added layer of inspiration, love and care they brought every single day. I think this impact also shaped my love of teaching – I understand the impact a great teacher and mentor can have, and I try to live up to the example they set for me.

I also have to say a huge thank you to my Mum and Dad for driving me to and from every lesson under the sun and always believing in me. Thank you also to my brother for sitting in the car while they drove me.

If you told me 10 years ago what I would do after graduating, if I even believed you, I would be incredibly excited and probably feel like I had achieved everything I wanted to. A TV show with Melissa McCarthy and originating a role in an Australian political comedy musical for Sydney Theatre Company at the Opera House were not even on my wildest dreams bucket list. But now, I don’t feel anything like that.

I’m always looking for the next job, the next skill or the next audition. I’m looking forward to jumping back into musical theatre soon, watching my students tick off the goals on their journey, learning new skills, and crossing my fingers for more opportunities. I think I know better now than to pretend I know exactly what those opportunities will be.

Cliff Maina

Class of 2014

Woodcroft College High Performance Athletes Program (HPAP) students are very fortunate to have Cliff Maina on hand to share his experience of playing sport at a professional level and his skills as a performance coach.

After graduating, Cliff spent four years playing professional soccer in Australia and the US. When major health issues ended his professional career, he returned to Australia in 2019. During his career Cliff started working as a performance coach with junior athletes. He counts himself fortunate to have worked with national and international athletes in a range of sports from AFL, A-League, Australian Open, Super Netball and IAAF Athletics.

Cliff’s work has focused on improving the physical preparedness of emerging athletes looking to make the step to senior professional level. More recently Cliff has made the transition to sports psychology to add to the services he can offer young athletes and he is finishing his studies in this area.

Cliff was invited back to Woodcroft College to present to our HPAP students on managing mental health in sport and the mental health skills that athletes can use to increase their performance. He also coached the inaugural First XI soccer team throughout their first year in the Premier Division for the SAAS (Sports Association of Adelaide Schools) competition.

“I kept in contact with a few teachers at the College and was asked to get involved with the HPAP cohort,” says Cliff. “There have been many great athletes who have come from the College and I believe the HPAP is a great way to identify and nurture talent.”

Cliff did not hesitate in accepting the exciting opportunity to work with students at this stage of their schooling and sporting careers. He knew he would love to be part of our students’ development.

“Sharing my experiences with current students is always rewarding. It fills me with a sense of pride to see the growth of the College over the past few years,” said Cliff. “I hope to continue to work with staff to drive Woodcroft’s sporting success and improve the students’ experience.”

Jordan Kitchingman

Class of 2017

After graduating in 2017, Jordan came back to the College the following year to work as part of the Production Team for the annual Musical production. As a Stage Manager, Jordan supports our Director on the creative and technical aspects to make sure that each year’s performance comes together. This important support role includes running rehearsals, coordinating the work of the stage crew, and overseeing the entire show for each performance.

Jordan also supports the Drama Faculty and student performances throughout the year working as a sound and lighting designer. He is on hand to help bring each show to life with music and lights.

Jordan’s commitment to the College is driven by his own positive experience with the Arts when he was at the school. He shared that he feels incredibly lucky to be given an opportunity to come back and help create wonderful memories and experiences for other students.

“I really enjoy the positive environment that Woodcroft offers. Teachers and students have such a strong and passionate drive for the Arts, and I am so grateful to be part of this and to feel welcomed back,” said Jordan. “It feels wonderful to make a small difference in students’ lives during their time at the College.”

Jordan is now planning to become a teacher and will be returning to his studies in Secondary Education (after a short stint in the Nursing Degree). He knows that teaching and inspiring the next generation is where his passions truly lie.

Millie Watkins

Class of 2018

Shortly after graduating from the College in 2018, Millie became a trainee at Discovery Holiday Parks. Not long after starting, she was thrown into the deep end, dealing with the bushfires of 2019 and then the COVID-19 Pandemic.  She performed so well in her role, that she was welcomed onto the team at Discovery Parks when her traineeship finished and is loving it.

At the Maxima Graduation and Awards Ceremony held in May 2021, Millie won the Trainee of the Year Award for her traineeship at Discovery Holiday Parks.

Sarah Christie

Class of 2010

Sarah completed a Bachelor of Podiatry at UniSA in 2014. She is currently employed as a Senior Podiatrist and Allied Health Divisional Lead Sunrise EMR Activation at Flinders Medical Centre.

Sarah’s partner Chris Hrycek is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and General Physician.

Sarah has travelled to Thailand, Vietnam, Vanuatu and Spain.

Charles Tindley

Class of 2011

Charles is a Graduate of Architecture after completing a Bachelor of Architectural Design and a Master of Architecture at the University of Adelaide.

Since graduating from the College, Charles has travelled to the USA, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, along with some travel in Australia.

Scott Broadley

Class of 2014

About six years ago, Scott met Christine who was from Denmark and the two became friends. They dated long distance for about two years, before she moved to Australia to live with him while he worked in the Air Force.

They lived together in Australia for about three years, but after his term of service ended in late 2019, they decided to move to Denmark together.

Unfortunately COVID put their plans to travel around Europe on hold, but they were able to travel to Christine’s home in Denmark to wait out the pandemic.

Scott and Christine were married in November 2020.

Ellie Hutton

Class of 2012

Since leaving the College in 2012, Ellie has completed a Bachelor of Health Science at the University of Adelaide with majors in Anatomy and Public Health. She went on to do a Master of Audiology at Flinders University. Since graduating from Audiology in 2017, she has worked as a Rehabilitation and Diagnostic Audiologist in Darwin.

Ellie currently works for the Northern Territory Top End Health Service. While she lives and works predominantly in Darwin, her work has involved travelling to remote communities across the Top End to provide services to those who can’t easily access care, something that Ellie thoroughly enjoys and feels privileged to have as part of her job.

Lenara Scandrett

Class of 2010

After completing a Bachelor of Forensic Biology and Analytical Science and an Honours Degree in Forensic Wildlife Science at Flinders University, Lenara is currently a Forensic Biologist with Forensic Science SA.

For her Honours project, Lenara went to Cambodia where she worked with internationally renowned charity ‘Free the Bears’ in their bear sanctuary, collecting saliva samples from nearly 200 rescued bears.

Lenara has maintained a very strong friendship with Emily Bartholomew (Class of 2010) and the two spent six months backpacking and couch surfing around Canada and the US in 2011. They crossed 21 states and made great memories to last a lifetime.

Lenara credits Mr Suneel Kookana as one of her biggest influences from the College. She is very grateful for the knowledge he shared and his enthusiasm for Science.

Matthew Barkway

Class of 2001

Matthew and his wife Sophie, along with their 3-year-old son Lachlan, live in Port Lincoln. Matt is a Tuna Diver for six months of the year and he and his family spend the remainder of each year exploring on their yacht and living on their block of land at Sheringa on the Eyre Peninsula.

Scott Sheridan

Class of 2000

After finishing Year 12 in 2000, Scott completed a Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) (Advanced Computer and Information Science) and currently works as a Software Engineer and
Volunteer.

Scott has travelled as much of the world as he can over the past 10 years. He has visited over 65 countries on six continents and had some exciting adventures along the way.

He has worked in Thailand and volunteered in Fiji for two years to develop, run and analyse the data from a nationwide survey of every household in every Fijian village. He received an Innovation
Award by the iTaukei Affairs Board for his work.

Prior to the COVID pandemic, Scott was volunteering in Kalimantan (Indonesia), but was forced to return to Australia and has spent the last six months living on Christmas Island.