INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES 2019 Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries starts here IN THIS Why choose an independent education? ISSUE 6 helpful tips to make the most of your scholarship application experience PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS (select a school) Arden Anglican School Redlands Ascham School Rouse Hill Anglican College Barker College SCEGGS Darlinghurst Blue Mountains Grammar School Sydney Church of England Brigidine College - St Ives Grammar School (Shore) Central Coast Grammar School St Andrew’s Cathedral School Hills Grammar St Spyridon College International Grammar School Sydney Grammar School Meriden Tara Anglican School For Girls MLC School The Armidale School (TAS) Newington College The King’s School Our Lady Of Mercy College Parramatta Trinity Grammar School Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney Wenona School Queenwood WHAT IS THE BENEFIT WHAT DOES THE PROCESS INVOLVE EVERYTHING OF A SCHOLARSHIP It can vary greatly from school to school. An exam (academic Scholarships are available from most independent schools. or practical) along with an interview or audition could be part YOU NEED TO In general they offer the remission of all, or part of the tuition of the application process. It is very important that you know fees for a period of time. the specific requirements, so you can prepare your child for what’s expected of them on the day. The ‘testing’ process is KNOW ABOUT necessary so the school can more accurately gauge suitability HOW ARE THEY AWARDED for a scholarship or bursary. SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships are generally open to existing students and prospective ones wishing to attend in the future. They are HOW DO WE APPLY & BURSARIES awarded on a variety of means from academic, boarding, This guide will give you an understanding of what scholarships character and skill-based aptitudes such as music, sports or are available from your preferred school, however we STARTS HERE. performing arts. Often there will be conditions, or ideals, that encourage you to contact the school directly for more details the student will be required to uphold in order to retain the so you can make an informed decision that’s right for your scholarship for the given time. Welcome to the Independent Schools Guide to Scholarships family. A great place to start is the school’s website, which and Bursaries. We’ve put together this Information Pack to we have listed on each entry in this guide. Look for the terms WHAT IS A BURSARY and conditions for each scholarship, so you have a clear help inform parents and their children on a range of factors understanding of what the scholarship entails. It would also be relating to the availability and application of scholarships and A bursary is a ‘means-tested’ scholarship to help families who may have financial difficulties meeting the cost of tuition worthwhile going on a tour of your preferred schools where you bursaries from many NSW independent schools. Featuring will also have the opportunity to ask questions and get a better great tips to make the most of the application process, along fees from their preferred school. A confidential financial questionnaire may be required to demonstrate the financial feel for the environment. with answers to some of your initial questions, our guide will need that would otherwise prevent attendance. help you get started in the right direction. Most importantly, we have previewed each of our featured WE WISH YOU WELL schools so you can get a feel for their specific environment and the scholarships and bursaries they have on offer. WHY CHOOSE Not to mention the dedication of staff to achieve positive outcomes for their students, and nurture them AN INDEPENDENT to be great learners and importantly good people that will make a meaningful impact on the world. EDUCATION DIVERSITY OF CHOICE ACCOUNTABILITY The sheer diversity of offerings available at independent schools There is strong accountability within the teaching staff at make them a desirable option when exploring the educational independent schools, helping to maintain exacting teaching Independent schools come in all shapes choices available to your child. Students are encouraged to try standards and attract motivated staff who actually want to be and sizes, in a myriad of locations across activities outside their comfort zone, to safely try different things there. Independent schools have full say in who they employ and and discover what it is they enjoy and are good at. who they let go, allowing them to cull staff who are not meeting Australia. The common denominator for the standards expected. all of these establishments is the wealth of SPORTS educational, social and extra-curricular and Some schools offer more than 25 sports from AFL, surfing, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE mountain biking, sailing and decathlons to name a few. Coaching While independent schools offer a diverse range of programs sporting opportunities that are available. staff range from professionally experienced sportspeople, to to build a child’s strengths in many different areas, they are even ex-Olympians, providing the ultimate mentoring in specific also very focused on academic outcomes and many offer the sporting endeavours. International Baccalaureate, an internationally recognised education and testing program. CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS Independent schools feature many high quality, co-curricular NURTURING GOODNESS programs to challenge and develop students while complementing AS WELL AS EXCELLENCE their main learning areas. From debating teams, public speaking, Most independent schools have a religious foundation, ensuring sporting competitions, chess club, art, music, drama and literary children study in an environment supported by a set of defined programs, the activities focus less on theory and more on practical values. In general, these values nurture self-discipline, respect application of skills that build personality, passions and a healthy for authority, self-reliance, safety, structure and cultural competitive spirit. traditions. While, the decision to pursue a scholarship may be based on accessing exceptional resources on a day-to-day basis, THE QUALITY OF STAFF many parents choose independent schooling for what kind of Almost without exception, every independent school principal people their children become as a result of their attendance. credits the expertise and dedication of the staff employed within The students not only succeed in their professions, but often their fraternity as one of the outstanding reasons to aspire to take up opportunities to volunteer in a wide range of charitable an education of this type. Many studies globally have found activities and give back substantially to the world. that the key to students’ academic success is quality teaching and leadership. Independent schools employ highly skilled and innovative teachers who are passionate about learning and often work in teams to critically review each other’s lessons and identify opportunities for change and innovation. HELPFUL TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION EXPERIENCE The scholarship process can be both an exciting time and sometimes stressful one for both children and their parents. Making sure your child feels 6supported to be themselves, while being healthy and happy is more critical then hiring tutors or cramming knowledge. The following 6 tips are a great starting point to ensure everyone stays cool, calm and collected during the scholarship testing and interviewing process. TIP 1 TIP 2 TIP 3 TIP 4 TIP 5 TIP 6 BALANCE PLAN AND A GOOD NIGHT S MEDITATION GET THE FUEL THE BODY EXPECTATIONS PREPARE SLEEP BOOSTS TO CALM BLOOD WITH LONG While it’s important for Planning and preparation CONCENTRATION THE MIND PUMPING LASTING ENERGY your child to understand are two very important Getting a good night’s sleep Teaching your children simple Research shows strong evidence Instead of a diet of processed the importance of the test things you can help your is essential for optimum meditation techniques such as that regular exercise (at least 3 and packaged foods which and interview process, child with. Make sure you concentration. Quality of sleep closing their eyes and focusing times a week) not only improves can be inflammatory, fill their expectations must be balanced have a clear understanding is greatly affected by erratic on their breathing is extremely sleep but has a direct effect on plates and lunch boxes with so the child feels supported, of all requirements of your blood sugar and insulin levels. helpful. Low volume, soft reducing anxiety and improving nutritionally rich foods such as not pressured, to succeed. specific scholarship application An important way to balance music or a radio can often be concentration in children. It’s fruits, vegetables, good fats and Unrealistic expectations process. Have the forms these fluctuations in your child enough to distract anxious also a great way to clear their protein. These foods are anti- could create stress in both been completed? Does your is to provide a good quality thoughts when trying to go minds after a long day at school inflammatory, regulate blood child and parent/s, leading to child need to sit an exam, or source of protein together to sleep. or as a break from study, but sugar levels and support healthy less than desired outcomes. prepare for an interview, or with vegetables and healthy ensure exercise doesn’t occur nervous system function. Boost Instead, try having meaningful both? Perhaps he/she needs fats at the evening meal and too close to bedtime. concentration with a healthy conversations that encourage to put together a portfolio, eliminate night-time desserts breakfast, like a smoothie. Try and support your child and ask or practise and perform at or ‘treats’ which are high mixing banana, strawberries, them what help they need an audition? Plan out each in sugar. Also switch of any BELIEVE YOU raspberries, yoghurt, full cream to succeed. requirement with plenty of electronic devices at least an milk/almond milk with added time, so there is not a feeling hour before going to bed to CAN AND YOU RE pre-soaked oats.