‘TIS THE SEASON FOR SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS It is scholarship season for independent schools in NSW, with regional centres and Sydney flush with life changing opportunities for girls and boys.
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Words MICHAEL BURT
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t may be tempting to look for the scholarship with the highest dollar value or at the closest school, but there are plenty of factors for parents to consider as part of the research process. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ for school scholarships, with every school offering something different in terms of the rewards and requirements. Some schools offer full scholarships, while others may offer a single-year scholarship, discounted fees or just cover tuition costs. The differences between a scholarship and bursary can also create some confusion for parents. Scholarships are awards of financial aid unique to each school, and are often judged on merits including academic performance, student character and values. A bursary is a kind of scholarship but is generally means-tested and available to help families that may have financial difficulties meeting the cost of tuition fees from their preferred school. Most importantly, parents should assess how the school will nurture learning and personal development. Fortunately, families in NSW are blessed with independent boarding schools that aim to foster good values, personal growth and excellence in education in those formative years.
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THE FARMER
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024
FRENSHAM GIRLS
Above: Mille and Alex Bolger from Wombat in the South West Slopes Region of NSW were Educational Grant recipients at Frensham School in Mittagong.
Regional centres such as Orange, Bathurst, Mittagong and Armidale are home to some incredible schooling and scholarship options. Some are located on hundreds of acres and offer spectacular extracurricular and sporting facilities. Sydney also chimes in with scholarship opportunities for rural families at award-winning schools like Loreto Normanhurst in the city’s northern suburbs. Here is what is on offer from five highly regarded independent boarding schools in NSW.
“Extension co-curricular programs in music, visual art, equestrian and cattle teams are matched with dedicated teachers and professionals who encourage students to explore new challenges.” – RICHARD FORD Head of College, Scots All Saints
