Mehar Bains: Governor of South Australia Commendation

The College community would like to extend our sincere congratulations to outstanding Class of 2025 graduate, Mehar Bains.

This is the culmination of many years of excellence in Mehar’s academic career. Throughout her years of schooling at Saint Ignatius’ College, Mehar has won numerous subject prizes including Spiritualities Religion and Meaning, Modern History, Philosophy, and Ancient Studies. This year Mehar was awarded the Father Terry Kelly Memorial Prize for Conspicuous Influence in the Life of the College reflecting her engagement with, and contribution to, all aspects of College life - academic, co-curricular, faith and service.

Mehar has demonstrated a deep commitment to learning as reflected in her consistently outstanding academic achievements. This year she has studied Modern History, English Literary Studies, Psychology, Philosophy, and Activating Identities and Futures (in which she achieved an A+ grade), excelling across disciplines that demand both intellectual rigour and thoughtful reflection. At the College's Speech Day, held in October, Mehar achieved subject commendations for both Psychology and Modern History. Her ability to communicate in new linguistic contexts is exemplified by her achieving an A+ for Stage 2 French whilst in Year 11 in 2024. As evidence of her keen interest in socio-cultural contexts and love for language she immersed herself in the French culture during the French Language and Cultural Exchange to France in 2024. This year, Mehar received Merits for Activating Identities & Futures, Modern History, and Psychology.

Alongside her superb academic achievements, Mehar’s involvement in co-curricular has been equally impressive. A passionate debater and public speaker, she was twice a State Finalist in the Rostrum Voice of Youth competition. As a Year 10 student she won the prestigious Premier’s ANZAC Spirit School’s Prize and was invited to speak as a VIP Youth Keynote at the State RSL ANZAC Eve Youth Vigil. Mehar regularly participated in the JACSA Debating Carnival, a competition held against other Jesuit schools from Victoria and New South Wales, in which she was recognised as best speaker. In her final year of competition, she led the College to victory at the 2025 event.

The critical and creative thinking skills Mehar developed through her debating were further enhanced through her participation in the Da Vinci Decathlon in 2022 and the Senior Ethics Olympiad in 2023. These activities required Mehar to be highly organised and self-directed, while also collaborating with others and problem solving as a team.

As well as achieving excellence in debating, public speaking, and regular participation in both tennis and netball, Mehar developed her leadership qualities through being a coach of debating, and an active member of in the Philosophy Club over several years at the College. Her consistent efforts in this activity were recognised when she was named as Philosophy Club Captain in 2023.

In recognition of her outstanding leadership qualities, Mehar was also named a Faith and Service Leader at the College. To facilitate her spiritual growth, Mehar was involved in the planning and delivery of chapel services across a number of year levels and participated in Days of Reflection and a Kairos Retreat. Mehar demonstrated her commitment to the College ideal of being a person for and with others throughout her time at the College. She dedicated her time and talents to the service of others through her community service work at Warrina Park Retirement Home, as well as volunteering in the Smith Family Student2Student Reading Program, reflecting her care for, and mentoring, others.

Mehar is aspiring to a future in Law and Humanitarian Diplomacy, where she hopes to continue to advocate for justice and compassion.