Welcome back to Term 1 of 2016! We hope all students and educators had a refreshing holiday with family and friends and are ready to jump feet first into the school year!

At the end of last year we learned that one of our 2015 First Seeds Scholarship recipients had achieved the highest ATAR possible, 99.95!  We send our heartiest congratulations to Amanda Nguyen of Prairiewood High School, and all of our high achievers from public schools around the state.  

Amanda intends to study Medicine at the University of Sydney this year.  Her First Seeds Scholarship will continue into 2016 to assist wtih her transition to University.  

The Public Education Foundation is very grateful to the Little Black Dress Group and Sydney Community Foundation for thier support for the First Seeds Scholarship. 

Applications for the prestigious Harvard Club of Australia Education Scholarships, including the Teachers Mutual Bank Harvard Club of Australia Scholarship, must close on Monday 29 February 2016.

Scott Davidson (pictured here with Nathan Rees CEO of the Public Eduation Foundation and Steve James CEO of Teachers Mutual Bank) is the Principal of Cabramatta Public School.  In 2015 he was awarded the Teachers Mutual Bank Harvard Club of Australia Scholarship.  His life-changing visit to Harvard last year and has left an indelible mark on his leadership capacity.  

The scholarships are open to Principals of government primary and secondary schools across Australia and succesful participants receive:

• All tuition fees for one of two Harvard Graduate School of Education programs - either 'Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership' or 'Leadership: An Evolving Vision'
• Return airfares
• Accommodation for the duration of the course

For further information, and to begin your application, visit http://www.publiceducationfoundation.org.au/scholarship-archive/harvardclub/

Applications must be submitted by 5pm, Monday 29 February 2016. 

Last chance to apply for the Medich Foundation's Elizabeth H. Blackburn Western Sydney Scholarship!

Applications close 5pm, Monday 8 February 2016. 

The Medich Foundation’s Elizabeth H. Blackburn Western Sydney Scholarship aims to provide support and encouragement for students wishing to pursue a career in a medical field, such as medical science, medical research or medicine. The scholarship is named in honour of Professor Elizabeth H. Blackburn who was born in Tasmania and went on to be awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. As a child, Professor Blackburn was inspired by Marie Curie and by her late teens knew that she wanted to study science. Professor Blackburn studied physics at her local public school in Tasmania in the evening, as this was not offered at the girls’ school she was attending.

This prestigious and highly competitive scholarship, awarded in honour of Professor Blackburn, is designed to encourage excellence in a field related to medicine. A bursary amount of the $2,250 will be paid to in both Year 11 and 12 to help the student with resources relevant to improving their educational outcomes.

If you are in Year 11 this year and are interested in pursuing a career in the medical sciences, don't miss out on this opportunity!

Mahnoor Mushtaq, one of our 2015 Medich Foundation Scholars, describes the opportunity here. 

Applications for the Mamma Lena and Dino Gustin Foundation Scholarship are now open.  If you are currently in Year 10 or Year 11 and are studying the Italian language as part of a Board of Studies approved course you could have the opportunity to travel to Rome for 5 weeks and participate in an intensive language course.  For more information visit our website.