Annual Report 2014–15 Acting Chair Report 2014-15 I am delighted to be reporting on another year of growth for the Public Education Foundation. This year we have delivered more scholarships than ever before, changing lives for students right across Australia. Take Michael Ufi, a recipient of the Walter and Eliza Hall Trust Opportunity Scholarship. Here’s what Michael had to say: “Public school life was hard for me because I have a vision impairment. The scholarship helped me get prepared for university. I’ve bought the computer I need to help with my vision. When I graduate I want Recently our dear friend and colleague Jennifer to teach in the public education system.” Neary stepped down from her role as Chair and Director of the Public Education Foundation. Jenni Or, Kyleigh Go-Sam, a recipient of the Harding was the founding Chair of the Public Education Miller Foundation Scholarship: Foundation and her vision and hard work were limitless in the early years. Our current success “My scholarship has helped me fund an iPad so in owes much to her. I would like to thank Jenni for class if I’m struggling my teacher lets me look up the her tireless efforts for the Foundation. Those question on google. When I leave school I want to efforts were recognised with the award of AM become a midwife so I can give something back to earlier in the year. We congratulate Jenni and give my community.” her our very best wishes. Our scholarships are targeted, and every Of course, scholarships can’t be provided without application is assessed by an expert panel. I the assistance of supporters. I would like to thank would like to thank the dozens of people who all the supporters of the Foundation, in particular have volunteered their time to sit on our panels; the NSW Department of Education, the Harvard your good work makes a real difference. Club of Australia, Teachers Mutual Bank, NSW In 2014/15, we welcomed two new board Teachers Federation, Teachers Health Fund, members, James Arvanitakis and Judyth Unions NSW, the Medich Foundation and the Sachs. Both James and Judyth have academic Harding Miller Foundation. backgrounds and they bring enormous Be assured, your generosity changes lives. experience to our board. I look forward to working with you all again over Professor Arvanitakis is a former recipient of the years ahead. the Prime Minister’s Teacher of the Year award, and we were delighted that he gave this year’s Libby Gleeson address at our Annual Awards night. Acting Chair PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 1 CEO Report 2014-15 I’m delighted to present the 2014-15 Annual this goal, achieved only through their unstinting Report for the Public Education Foundation. commitment to our cause. The generosity of our supporters has been exceptional and I thank each and every one of This year’s Annual Awards night allowed us them; students right across Australia benefit from to recognise scholarship recipients and also our donor commitment to their education. to see some tremendous performances from performing arts students in the NSW public I would especially like to thank the Harding Miller school system; a sincere thanks to the NSW Foundation for their substantial support over Department of Education for their support for our many years. The Public Education Foundation major night. looks forward to working with them in the years to come under our new arrangements. Over the coming year, the Public Education Foundation will be working closely with Parents This year the Public Education Foundation and Citizens groups and other advocacy awarded scholarships to 166 students, 3 teachers groups to make sure that the Gonski report and 8 Principals, which is the highest number recommendations remain a key focus for the of scholarships awarded per year to date. Many major political parties in the run up to the of these students have received a multi year Federal election. scholarship and will be supported through to 2016 and in some cases beyond. Now is the time to redouble our efforts towards the Gonski cause; no other policy initiative will The Foundation also provided ongoing deliver such a long term benefit to Australia and support for 36 students as part of the previous its young students. year’s scholarship intake, and provided three scholarships for current principals to attend The Public Education Foundation has been Harvard University in the United States for very fortunate in having Sanzeeda Ali work for an intensive 6 week course in leadership. The us. Sanzeeda has departed the Foundation to selection process for the Harvard Scholarships take up a role as Regional Director of the Duke is extremely competitive, and without exception of Edinburgh program. We thank her for her all recipients have found the course life tremendous efforts and wish her all the best in changing. I would like to take the opportunity her new role. to thank Pat Regan and Naomi Flutter, past and current presidents of the Australian Harvard Finally, can I thank Jenni Neary, our chair for alumni chapter for their support for this special the reporting period. The Public Education Scholarship. Foundation would not have been established and sustained without the driving passion Jenni has The Foundation’s administration expenditure for public education. We thank you. remains under 10% of total donations received; amongst the very best in the not-for-profit Nathan Rees industry. I thank our PEF staff for delivering on CEO 2 PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 2015 Scholarship Recipients In the 2014-15 financial year, the Public Education Foundation awarded scholarships to 166 students, 3 teachers and 8 principals, which is the highest number of scholarships awarded per year to date. Many of these students have received a multi year scholarship and will be supported through to 2016 and in some cases beyond. The Foundation also provided ongoing support for 36 students as part of previous year’s scholarship intake. The Foundation’s scholarships awarded in 2014-15 include: Australian Science Olympiad Summer School Scholarship supports an outstanding student to attend the prestigious and highly competitive Australian Science Olympiad Summer School. Helen Zhang Sydney Girls High School PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 3 Capital Chemist Scholarship provides support to ACT college students in their final year of school. In 2015, scholarships were awarded to students at each of the ACT’s nine secondary colleges and two specialist secondary schools. Daniel Eagle Corey Harber Michael Paragalli 2015 Black Mountain School Daniel Leditschke Scholarship Ruby Whalan Sarah Yates Canberra College Recipients Abbey Kellet Indigo Strudwicke Harry Tinney Dickson College Jonathan Connor Jasmine Ellis Georgina Evans Erindale College Fengyan Li Catherine Risbey Kal Slater Gungahlin College Sophie Brissenden Maddison Mielens Ben Shipard Hawker College Rhys Coles Truc Le Conservatorium High Emorgo Scholarship William Whitecross Lake Tuggeranong College School Scholarships for Music supports a supporting a number of talented young musician Sarah Buchhom Elijah Kaisuva scholarships that have arisen commencing vocal or Roxanne Miller from bequests to support woodwind study at the Melba Copland Secondary School talented students through Conservatorium High School. Amel Saeed their education at the Eve Fan Braulio Melo Conservatorium High School. The Conservatorium High School Bruno Melo Rebecca Hong Jenny Wang Ricardo Valverde First Seeds Narrabundah College Ryan Nguyen Scholarship provides Kalinda Chatterton Chelsea Baek financial support to a senior Alexandra Sharp Ethan Pang high school student taking the University of Canberra Senior Chelsea Baek first steps towards developing Secondary College Paula Tennant Bethany Williamson Jessie Wang a successful career. University of Canberra Senior Jeffrey Zhang Amanda Nguyen Secondary College Hamish Spicer Prairiewood High School Corey Brown The Conservatorium High School High Commended Jacob de Almeida David Estigoy Sam Froggatt Campbelltown Performing Arts Woden School High School Amy Huynh Tina Truong Macquarie Fields High School 4 PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 Friends of Zainab Scholarship helps support year eleven and twelve refugee students through the critical years of their HSC and also provides financial assistance for a student’s first two years of full time university study. Sundas Buta Faduma Abdikadir Precious Ibekaku Zahra Afzaly Chifley College Mount Druitt Tahir Ahmadi Campus Ali Gulzari Mujibar Rahman Ali Abbas Haidari Rahan Uddin Taherah Jafari Holroyd High School Ahmed Khaleel Arifa Mousawi Rana Rahma Atika Mousawi Noorulhuda Wakaul Matin Wafa Lurnea High School Mahdia Zahidi Mohammad Bahrami Holroyd High School Parastoo Bahrami Farydoon Moradi Northmead Creative and Keysborough College Performing Arts High School Rafad Najim Hashem Baqeri Kobra Sayyadi Paiman Oriakhel Soghra Sayyadi Arthur Phillip High School Liverpool Girls High School Majd Yousif Ali Raza Nashwan Yousif Hussain Rezzaie Bankstown Senior College Lyndale Secondary College Machozi Mbuto Raneem Alqysie Chifley College Mount Druitt Menai High School Campus Adel Aljuboury Poharjan Rajenthiran Ali Aljuboury Cranbourne Secondary College Lana Hasun Asma Mirzae Albion Jahiri Dandenong High School Dan Kiflu Gosford High School Tahiri Karimi Merrylands High School Alumni Scholarship Dickson College Akbar Ali provides financial support Lena Adeli Noble Park Secondary College Nesa Adeli to outstanding senior high Mohammad