The Waratah Education Foundation Secondary Transition scholarship offers scholarships for NSW public school students entering year 7 in a public high school in 2022.

Waratah Education Foundation supports programs that pursue, promote and improve education outcomes, so all children can gain essential life skills and realise their academic potential.  They also support and encourage educational activities and programs that help break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage amongst marginalised communities.

This scholarship is aimed at students whose financial situation could prevent them from achieving their potential or participating fully in all aspects of their early high school years.

Up to twenty (20) scholarships are available in 2022. The scholarship will provide financial support of $1,500 per year in year 7 and year 8 for each student plus a refurbished laptop in the first year (total scholarship value is $3,500 per student).

The scholarship funds are intended to be spent on items including:

  • Literacy and/or numeracy support
  • Stationery and text books
  • Laptop, iPad or other similar device
  • Subject or study related software
  • Printer
  • Internet connection for study at home
  • School excursions and school camps
  • Furniture for study such as desk, chair, lamp etc
  • Face to face or online tutoring

If the student leaves public school during these years, the scholarship will lapse. Any unspent monies at the end of the scholarship period must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation scholarship fund.

Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure that you read the scholarship terms and conditions available on our website.

BASIC ELIGIBILITY

  • Attends a NSW Public School
  • Currently in Year 6 (in 2021)
  • Intending to enroll in a public high school in NSW commencing 2022
  • Australian citizen or permanent resident

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Experiencing disadvantage which could prevent the student from realising their potential or participating in all aspects of early high school years
  • Have a positive attitude towards school
  • Have a high attendance rates
  • Demonstrate they participate in school life

SELECTION PROCESS

A selection panel will review all scholarship applications and assess them against the selection criteria. The selection panel will include representatives of the Public Education Foundation, a donor representative and independent experts. After considering all applications, the selection panel will recommend the selected applicants for the approval of the Public Education Foundation’s Board.  Successful applicants will be notified in December 2021.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome via email. If successful, the scholarship recipient’s school principal will also receive notification directly.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for a Waratah Education Foundation Secondary Transition Scholarship, students can access the link to the online portal via the Foundation’s website – http://www.publiceducationfoundation.org.au/scholarships

Please note that all applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s online portal. You will need to sign up for a PEF-Apply account to access the form.

Prior to starting your application, you should compile the following information ready to submit:

  • Applicant details including:
    • full name
    • gender
    • date of birth
    • phone number
    • address
    • email (please ensure you nominate an email account you regularly access)
  • Residence status (copy of residency Visa or Citizenship certificate is a requirement for applicants born outside of Australia)
  • Parent/guardian details (at least one but up to two)
    • name
    • phone number
    • relationship to student
    • email (please ensure you nominate an email account you regularly access)
  • School and principal details
  • School Point of Contact – the person at the school who you would like correspondence sent to – name, phone number and email
  • Which high school you will be enrolled in for 2022
  • Basic information about you/your family:
    • whether you are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Pacific or South Sea Islander
    • who is the primary caregiver at home
    • highest education qualification of your immediate family
    • if you are from a Non-English-Speaking Background
    • country of origin of your parents and yourself
    • which languages you speak and are spoken at home
    • if you have a diagnosed disability or learning difficulty
    • whether you have been in out-of-home care
    • socio-economic background
    • how you found out about the scholarship
  • A statement from the applicant’s parent/carer regarding why the applicant is a suitable candidate for this scholarship and how they meet each of the selection criteria.
  • A copy of your most recent school report ready to upload (PDF or word format)
  • A personal reference (PDF or word format, maximum 400 words)
  • A supporting statement from your current Principal which addresses the selection criteria (the applicant must initiate a request via the online application to the Principal. This will result in an email being sent to the Principal asking them to complete a statement of support online)

Note for Principals: Please be aware that your statement is a critical component of the application form and your feedback is given considerable weight in the process of panel deliberations.  The panels are looking for feedback that goes well beyond simple confirmation that the student is enrolled in your school.  

 Generic supporting statements WILL disadvantage an applicant.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Once you have finalised your application and all elements are complete (including references and supporting statements as required) you can submit it for review.

Applications must be submitted by 11.59pm on Tuesday 19 October 2021. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Call the Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or email us at info@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.

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