Renmark High School

Australia Day Award Recipient

On Thursday 27 February, Anja T was the recipient of an Australia Day Award for Leadership in Languages and Cultures for 2025. Officially recognised at Government House, Anja is one of only three secondary students selected in South Australia. Speaking Greek, Spanish and French, while studying Arabic, she is the first student in Renmark High School’s 100 year history to achieve this accolade.
At just 16 years of age Anja speaks and studies four languages which reflects her deep passion for intercultural understanding and her genuine interest in making connections with people from all backgrounds. Speaking both Greek and French from a young age, Anja has also learnt to speak Spanish and is studying Arabic. As Arabic was not available, Anja began teaching herself with the support of Renmark High School and was able to complete this as an integrated learning subject.  

Anja has participated in the Australian Computational and Linguistics Olympiad since Year 8, in which she has analysed over 20 other world languages. Anja proactively engages with exchange students who attend Renmark High School and actively listens to their experiences and perspectives. Anja shows a deep understanding of the different cultural backgrounds they come from and appreciates how their views may differ from her own. Anja is empathetic and willing to learn from others and helps create an inclusive environment.  

Anja has also worked with language teachers of junior classes, supporting students to enable them to actively engage in their language learning.  Anja has role-modelled multilingualism at Renmark High School as something that is just ‘the norm’. She demonstrates at all times the benefits of knowing other languages and understanding cultural differences. 

Congratulations to Anja!