A number of our 2021 Matriculants are off beyond our shores to make a World of Difference.

Bailey Davenport

Bailey’s involvement and achievement in the sporting sphere at the Girls' College has been remarkable. A dedicated sportswoman, Bailey has been a member of the Girls’ College 1st Diving Team from Grade 8 to 12. Bailey has arrived in the United States of America to continue developing her diving skills at the University of Tennessee Knoxville in the state of Tennessee. She was awarded a sport scholarship for diving and will be studying Biological Sciences. For Bailey, Saints has taught her the value of Community Engagement. Whilst at St Stithians Girls’ College, Bailey was selected for the South African Team to compete at the World Junior Diving Competition twice (2018 and 2021) and obtained her Team South Africa colours. She was also co-captain of the diving team and obtained her honours and sportswoman of the year trophy.

Bailey Heydra

Bailey Heydra was awarded a diving scholarship to the University of Nevada Reno, Nevada, USA, and though she has not yet declared her major for her degree, it will most likely be Sports Medicine (Kinesiology) or Sports Psychology. Bailey took the long way round to University – due to the COVID travel bans she had to isolate in Mexico before travelling to Hawaii to be with the team for a training camp before the university commenced.

Bailey has been selected to represent her country twice at the World Junior Diving Championships. She was also captain at St Stithians College for two years. A highlight for Bailey was when St Stithians won the Aquatics Shield as the top school in the Johannesburg area for three years in a row. Saints has taught Bailey that helping others to achieve their goals can be just as satisfying as achieving the goals herself. She also learnt to be resilient and to strive for excellence.

Her goal is to make the Olympic team for the 2024 games in Paris. Bailey is an exceptional diver and also the College’s Sportswoman of the Year.

Samantha Varrie

Samantha Varrie is off to Siena College in New York State, USA, in the Fall (August of 2022). She was awarded an Academic and Sports Scholarship to study psychology. Siena College is a Division 1 university with the NCAA.

Samantha has been a part of the water polo dream team that has won every National Tournament that St Stithians Girls’ College has entered. She was selected as a reserve for South Africa’s U16 water polo team and has played in the Saints 1st polo team since Grade 9. Saints has taught her resilience and how not to give up when things get tough. Samantha likes to play golf and surf when she is not playing water polo. She received a certificate of excellence for sport at Saints during the COVID pandemic years that took away so many opportunities for our students. Samantha’s matric buddy from when she was in Grade 8 is also at Siena College, and they look forward to being able to play in the same team next season.

Bianca Kennerley

Bianca Kennerley is also off to Siena College in New York State, USA, in August 2022. She has received a Sports Scholarship as well as the Franciscan scholarship for Academics. Bianca plans to study Pre-Law. At school, she was awarded her Full Colours for water polo and was also privileged to play for the South African age group teams. The St Stithians Girls’ College water polo team won all 5 National titles whilst Bianca was playing for the 1st team. St Stithians has taught Bianca a multitude of things, the most important lesson was that of commitment and determination. She was committed to all disciplines, academics, sport and relationships. For Bianca, being passionately committed to everything with a high level of discipline, means that anything can be achieved.

Skye Tucker

Skye Tucker is off to Merrimack College in Massachusetts, USA. She has been awarded a Sports Scholarship and will be studying Mechanical Engineering. At St Stithians she achieved Academic Honours, Rowing and Cross-Country Full Colours and the Bronze President's Award Medal. Saints has taught Skye how to put her effort and energy into the things that matter. She has learnt what is important to her, how to work for these things and how to head in the direction she would like to go. She has also learnt how to persevere during hard times and appreciate good times. For Skye, the journey at school has been learning about the person she is and the person she would like to grow into, for herself and for others.

Shelby Schoeman

Shelby Schoeman is off to the University of Alabama in the state of Alabama, USA. She was awarded a Rowing Scholarship and will be studying a Public Health/Medical degree. Her top school achievement was Honours for Rowing. When the school Rowing team went to compete in Canada, there was great excitement about trying to recruit her then; sadly she was only in Gr 10 at the time. Saints has taught Shelby to work diligently and to manage her time well in balancing sport and academic commitments. She is very grateful for the opportunities and the privilege to attend St Stithians Girls’ College.

Emma Aitken

Emma Aitken is currently in Colombia, South America, she is spending a gap year as a student teacher assistant in Colombia at the Colegio Anglo Colombiano School in Bogatá, Colombia. St Stithians has an exchange programme with Colegio Anglo Colombiano through the Round Square organisation for our grade 10 students. Emma was a devoted student leader in the Round Square committee during her years at St Stithians College. She also participated in rowing, hockey, choir and robotics.  The Round Square pillars are Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership and Service. Emma brings her experience and qualities in all of these areas and is off on an adventure of a lifetime as a St Stithians Girls’ College Alumni Ambassador. She will assist in the Foundation and Primary School phases with two other GAP students, one from Ireland the other from Latvia. After that she plans to travel in Europe for a month before returning home, completing a GIS course and studying GeoInformatics. Teaching is where her heart is!