A message from our General Manager
Welcome to Term 3 for 2017! For us, it is a particularly exciting time of year as we are delighted to launch our main round of scholarships for 2018 which are now open. I encourage you to visit the scholarships page on our website and read about the many opportunities available this year for public school students right from Year 1 through to transitioning to tertiary study.
The scholarships that are currently open for 2018 support students with all kinds of interest and expertise as well as offering students who are experiencing disadvantage critical support to help reach their potential. Read below to learn more about these wonderful opportunities and start thinking about students you know who might be eligible.
I would particularly like to welcome two new scholarships to our fold; the Agnes Borsody Scholarship and the Aboriginal Education Council Scholarship. We are grateful for the generosity and vision of the supporters who established these scholarships.
Agnes Borsody Scholarship
We are very proud to announce a brand, new scholarship for female students with a refugee background to support them in their studies at a selective high school.
The Public Education Foundation’s Agnes Borsody Scholarships was established this year in memory of Agnes Borsody by her family. Agnes arrived in Australia as a refugee in 1957 and attended North Sydney Girls High School. Agnes gained degrees in psychology and law, before embarking on a successful career sitting on legal tribunals in NSW and Victoria, including the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, Veterans’ Review Board, Refugee Review Tribunal.
The Scholarships are available for students enrolled in Years 7-10 of a NSW public selective school.
Scholarships for Primary School Students
Last year the Public Education Foundation expanded the number of scholarships offered to primary-aged students. These scholarships provide young students with financial support and encouragement.
The Vorsay Scholarship
The NSW Teachers Federation Primary Scholarship
The Public Education Foundation Primary Scholarship
Scholarships for primary school students are open to those entering year 2 in 2018 with a positive attitude towards school, enthusiasm for learning and good attendance rates.
The Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship Program provides the tools and support to lift the educational achievements and career aspirations of high potential girls who are facing disadvantage.
Scholarship support begins in Year 9. Scholarships are awarded for 2 years. At end of Year 10, scholars are invited to reapply for another 2 years support. The value of the 4 year support is approximately $20,000.
Kafo'atu's Story
Girls who face economic hardship don’t have access to the equipment, resources and services that girls from more affluent families have. The Harding Miller Education Foundation awards scholarships to Year 9 high potential girls and offers practical support to lift their educational outcomes and career aspirations.
Kafo’atu, is a driven student determined to make a difference with her life and make her family and herself proud. “I want to learn, study and achieve things despite the stereo types surrounding my background, social standings, financial health and the area I am from.” Coming from a family of 7 with a single income, Kafo’atu is used to having to go without. The Harding Miller Education Foundation scholarship has provided Kafo’atu with her own laptop. She can now work more efficiently and has more time to do assignments. Her Harding Miller Education Foundation Coach assists her with any advice she may need including helping her find a tutor, subject selection and career advice. She has access to funds to purchase equipment such as stationery, textbooks and uniforms, something she has felt guilty about asking her parents for in the past as she knows these can be costly.
Kafo’atu aspires to study Law at Sydney University, a goal she has held since she was a little girl. “I want to be a role model for other people. This scholarship will be a perfect opportunity to help my family, my education and my future”.
Help us change the lives of high potential Australian girls.
Kimnu's Story
Kimnu is a bright, enthusiastic Burmese refugee who currently attends Yarra Hills Secondary College in Melbourne and is a recipient of the 2017 Friends of Zainab Senior Secondary Scholarship.
"It is very important for me because I have been given a life-changing experience. It not only helps me financially, it also encourages me to study harder and also become a role model in my community. At the point last year when I applied for the scholarship, I was struggling and now I'm back on track. Without the scholarship and without the help of the Public Education Foundation I wouldn’t be able to reassure myself that I could still keep pushing."
2018 Scholarships Now Open
- The Friends of Zainab Scholarship: Provides financial assistance for refugee students (available to senior secondary students and students transitioning to tertiary studies).
- The Vorsay Scholarship: Provides financial support to primary-aged students (includes the PEF and NSW Teachers Federation Primary Scholarships).
- The Emorgo Scholarship for Music: Supports students commencing vocal or woodwind study the Conservatorium High School.
- The Patricia Long Conservatorium High School Scholarship: Supports students for the duration of studies at the Conservatorium High School
- The J Holden Family Foundation Scholarship: Supports students commencing study at the Conservatorium High School.
- The Trades & Technology STEM Scholarship: Encourages senior high school students to pursue a career in STEM subjects.
- The Australian Science Olympiad Summer School Scholarship: supports an outstanding student to attend the highly competitive Science Olympiad.
- Aboriginal Education Council Scholarship: Supports Indigenous students enrolled in NSW Public Schools to successfully complete their senior years of schooling.
- The Camburn Withers Scholarship: Supports an Indigenous student in year 2 enrolled in a Connected Communities school through their primary school years.
- The Dr Heather Radi Scholarship: Supports an Indigenous student enrolled in a Connected Communities school complete high school and transition to tertiary education.
- The Malala Yousafzai Scholarship: Supports students in the middle years of secondary school who have a strong belief in the power of education to change lives.
- The Una May Smith Scholarship: Supports an Indigenous student in primary school through to high school and future tertiary education.
- The Una May Smith Senior Scholarship: Support Indigenous students in senior high school successfully complete schooling and progress to tertiary education and/or training.
- The Agnes Borsody Scholarship: Supports female students with a refugee background through high school years at a NSW selective public high school.
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Trust Opportunity Scholarship: Supports students with a physical disability make the transition to tertiary education.
- The Susan & Isaac Wakil Foundation Scholarship: Supports students entering tertiary or vocational education.
- NSW Cookery Association: Assists students who have obtained a high degree of proficiency in the subject of Food Technology.
- The Capital Chemist College Scholarship: For ACT public school students who will be in their final year of secondary education in 2018.
- Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarships: Supports high potential girls in high school.
"My scholarship has allowed me to extend myself .... Scholarships should be more accessible to those who need it, based on merit, based on need and I am very grateful for this scholarship."
Harry Ly is the very talkative School Captain for Fairvale High School and a 2107 recipient of the Public Education Foundation Scholarship for Social Justice.
He appreciates the inclusive nature of his school in Sydney's western suburbs: " I like the support we get from the teachers, the environment, the students as well. We all come together and we are all very inclusive and respectful and regardless of where we stand we are all treated equally."
