Helps students make a strong start to high school, through Years 7 and 8

Overview of Scholarship

The Waratah Education Foundation is an independent Australian charity working towards an education system in which every child has the chance to realise their academic potential. Originally established to operate Reddam House Sydney, it became a grantmaking foundation after the school was sold in 2019, funding programs, scholarships and research that help break cycles of poverty and disadvantage in marginalised communities.

The move from primary school to high school is one of the points where disadvantage does the most damage. Costs jump in the first year – a new uniform, a device, textbooks, camps and excursions – at exactly the moment a student is finding their feet in a bigger, less familiar school. Students who fall behind or disengage in Years 7 and 8 often don’t recover the ground.

This scholarship is funded to make that transition easier. Rather than a single payment, it supports a student across both of their first two years of high school, and provides a laptop up front so they start Year 7 with the equipment they need. It is administered on the Foundation’s behalf by the Public Education Foundation.

Is this scholarship for your child? It’s open to students currently in Year 6 at a NSW public school who will be enrolling in a NSW public high school in 2027, and who are Australian citizens or permanent residents. If that doesn’t sound like your child, PEF’s Eligibility Quiz can help you find a scholarship that does.

Eligibility Criteria

This scholarship is for students starting high school. Applications are made by a parent, carer or guardian on the student’s behalf.

The student must:

  • be currently attending a NSW government (public) school
  • be in Year 7 in 2027
  • be enrolling in a NSW government (public) high school commencing 2027
  • be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • not currently hold another Public Education Foundation scholarship – a student may hold only one PEF scholarship at a time

A complete application must also include:

  • the name of the NSW public high school the student will attend in 2027
  • a parent/carer statement addressing the selection criteria (25-400 words)
  • a parent/carer statement on how the funds would be used (20-150 words)
  • a copy of the student’s most recent school report (PDF or Word)
  • a personal reference from a teacher, counsellor or wellbeing officer at the student’s school (PDF or Word, maximum 400 words)
  • a supporting statement from the principal, completed online – the principal is sent the request automatically once you enter their email address in the application
  • for students born outside Australia, a copy of a residency visa or citizenship certificate

An application cannot be submitted until every section, including the Principal’s Supporting Statement, is complete. Applications that are incomplete at the closing time cannot be assessed.

Continued eligibility

  • The scholarship will lapse if the student does not enrol in a NSW public high school, or leaves NSW public education during the scholarship period
  • If attendance falls below an acceptable level, the scholarship may be withdrawn
  • The second year’s payment is subject to the student remaining eligible
  • Any unspent funds at the end of the scholarship period must be returned to the Public Education Foundation scholarship fund

Selection Process

Applications are assessed against the selection criteria below. Financial need alone does not decide the outcome, and neither does academic ranking – the panel is looking for students for whom this support would make a real difference at the start of high school.

Selection criteria

  • experiencing disadvantage which could prevent the student from realising their potential or participating in all aspects of the early high school years
  • a positive attitude towards school
  • a high attendance rate
  • demonstrated participation in school life

How applications are assessed

  • The Public Education Foundation first checks each application for eligibility and completeness
  • A selection panel including representatives of the Public Education Foundation, the donor and independent experts assesses all eligible applications against the criteria above
  • The panel weighs the parent/carer statements, the school report, the teacher or counsellor reference and the principal’s statement together – no single document decides an application
  • The panel’s recommendations are put to the Public Education Foundation’s Board for approval

Applicants are notified of the outcome by email in December 2026. If successful, the recipient’s school principal is also notified directly. The panel’s decision is final and individual feedback on unsuccessful applications is not provided.

Funding/Assistance

  • Up to 25 scholarships are available
  • $1,500 per year in Year 7 and Year 8
  • a refurbished laptop provided in Year 7
  • total value $3,500 per student (laptop valued at $500)
  • Payments are made annually and are subject to the student remaining eligible
  • The first payment is made once the student’s enrolment at a NSW public high school is confirmed
  • The scholarship cannot be transferred to another student or family member

Acceptable Use of Scholarship Funds

Funds are intended to be spent on items including:

  • literacy and/or numeracy support
  • stationery and text books
  • subject or study related software
  • a laptop, iPad or other similar device
  • a printer
  • an internet connection for study at home
  • school excursions and school camps
  • furniture for study, such as a desk, chair or lamp
  • face-to-face or online tutoring

The scholarship is not intended for:

  • general household or family expenses not connected to the student’s education
  • items for another child in the family

Application Form

Written components

  • Parent/carer statement addressing the selection criteria (25-400 words)
  • Parent/carer statement on how the funds would be used (20-150 words)
  • Most recent school report (PDF or Word)
  • Teacher, counsellor or wellbeing officer reference (PDF or Word, maximum 400 words)
  • Principal’s supporting statement (submitted online via system-generated email)

Writing the statements

  • Write in your own words about your own child – the panel is not looking for polished writing, it is looking for a clear picture of the student
  • Address each selection criterion in turn, with a short example for each
  • Be specific about what the money would be spent on and what difference it would make in Year 7
  • Scanned or photographed documents are accepted provided they are clearly legible

Notes for referees

  • Panels are not able to contact referees for additional information, so the reference should include everything the referee feels is relevant
  • Give your referee as much notice as you can, and let them know the closing date

Note for principals

Your statement is a critical component of the application and is given considerable weight in panel deliberations. Panels are looking for feedback that goes well beyond confirming that the student is enrolled at your school or that you endorse the application. Generic responses, or text copied from the applicant’s or referee’s statements, will disadvantage the applicant.

How to Apply

  • Applications must be submitted online via PEF-Apply, the Public Education Foundation’s application portal. Register for an account to access the form
  • Complete every section of the application form
  • Upload the school report, the reference and, if required, proof of residency
  • Enter the principal’s email address so the system can issue the request for the Principal’s Supporting Statement. Do this early – the principal needs time to respond, and your application cannot be submitted without it
  • Check that your contact details are correct, as all correspondence about the application is sent by email

If you need help with the form, or would prefer to complete it with support, contact the Public Education Foundation on the details at the end of this page. Your child’s school can also help you put the application together.

Submitting Your Application

Once your application is finalised and all elements are complete, including the references required, you can submit it for review.

  • Applications open: Monday 20 July 2026
  • Applications close: 5:00pm Friday 25 September 2026

Further Information and Contact Details

For further information, please contact the Public Education Foundation Scholarships team:

We also encourage you to visit our website to learn more about the Foundation and the work that we do – publiceducationfoundation.org.au.

Create a PEF-Apply Account

Complete the Eligibility Quiz first to access scholarships that are right for you.

You can save your progress and return where you left off.

Year 6 to 7 and 8 Transition Scholarship

For students transitioning from primary to high school in NSW.

Download a PDF copy of the scholarship information kit.