Riverine Herald, Friday, January 22, 2021—PAGE 19
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7-PAGE FEATURE
SCHOLARSHIPS
& BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
Your child’s future is in your hands A
LL parents want the best for their children. And that includes a good education. In fact, education is perhaps the single most important decision parents will make affecting the longterm future of their child or children. It will affect the direction of their lives, while having a signi!cant in"uence on the type of contributor they will become to their community. As well as providing them with a solid foundation of academic instruction, a good education can heighten their social awareness and expose them to the wider world and a sense of responsibility. Giving them every chance to not just succeed but excel in their future lives. Therefore, a child’s schooling should be in an environment where each student’s strengths and potential are recognised, nurtured and encouraged. Where they are equipped not just with the A, B, C of basic curricula, but the all-round skills to take on tertiary study and/or careers. And the option of a scholarship is a remarkable start to some of the nation’s !nest schools. A part or full scholarship is a stimulating option that, if successful, could provide your daughter or son
the choice of more than one school. A quality school doesn’t just encourage achievement; it nurtures self-con!dence and the capacity of its pupils to help not just themselves but others as well. Creating that environment is not easy, but the best schools have spanned three centuries to achieve the choice of subjects, build the facilities that will enhance academic performance and underpin it with a healthy and active lifestyle and diverse extracurricular opportunities. Being able to participate on a much wider stage, from sport to drama, from debating to creating, is essential for the school to meet its responsibility in helping each student’s parents provide their child with every opportunity. By the time each student has completed their secondary schooling and is preparing for further study or to pursue different avenues they will have been given the foundation to cope with the decisions to come. Obviously, there are many good schools, but accessing the best is often as much a !nancial decision as an academic one. And for rural and regional families, this is compounded with boarding fees and relinquishing their child into a new family. Today, the Riverine Herald
provides parents with essential reading through this important educational feature. Ballarat Grammar School, Geelong Grammar School, Melbourne Girls Grammar School, Moama Anglican Grammar, Presbyterian Ladies College, Scotch College, St Catherine’s School and
Xavier College are among many of the state’s and country’s leading educational institutions taking part. Representing a proud heritage and a proven commitment to the highest of standards in the academic world, these schools also operate at the cutting edge of education. They represent unparalleled
pathways for their students, so when the time comes for your children to enter the workforce, they will have all the advantages and opportunities that will help them build a successful future. We encourage all parents to carefully consider the options in today’s feature.
PAGE 20—Riverine Herald, Friday, January 22, 2021
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SCHOLARSHIPS & BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
Boarders can shape the world
ST CATHERINE'S School has built a reputation for providing a caring and supportive environment for students. Boarders at Illawarra enjoy a ‘home away from home’ where their emotional, physical and academic wellbeing are at the core of the boarding experience. “Whether it is through academics, sport or the student’s development as an individual — wellbeing is central to our school philosophy,” head of boarding Sue Collister said. “It is about developing independence, tolerance, resilience and the confidence to try different things.” Former student Flynn O’Brien, who completed her VCE in 2019, relished her four years boarding. “I loved the fact that whenever you needed someone to talk to, there was someone there,” she said. “I developed a lot of independence from boarding, as well as learning to live as part of a team. It provided me the opportunity to shape how to take care of myself and how to manage time.”
These skills have been invaluable to Flynn during her gap year in 2020. After spending the first six months living and working as an au pair in Paris, her time in France ended with lockdowns and uncertainty due to COVID-19. After six flight cancellations, Flynn was finally able to return home, spending early December in mandatory hotel quarantine before reuniting with her family. “Although the experience was difficult, my time boarding at St Catherine’s provided the grounding to deal with the unexpected,” she said. “It was also lots of fun and it did wonders for my French. I had an awesome time with my host sister and I struggled to say goodbye.” Life at Illawarra provides a foundation for girls to flourish. The supportive environment of the boarding house underpins St Catherine’s capacity to offer the girls the opportunity to build great study habits, and a diverse range of life skills; but to also create fun memories and build friendships.
INSPIRATIONAL: Flynn O'Brien's passion for global politics is rewarded with a meeting with former Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop.
BOND: Flynn O'Brien maintains a strong connection with head of boarding Sue Collister.
perspective and opened my eyes to a more multicultural world,” Flynn said. “This has definitely shaped who I am and the way that I see the world today.” Recommencing in 2021, the Experience Illawarra overnight stay program offers prospective students the chance to experience life in the boarding house before they enrol at St Catherine’s. Matched with a boarding buddy, prospective boarders can experience a full day in the senior school participating in academic and co-curricular programs before spending a night in the National Trust-listed Victorian mansion — Illawarra. Mrs Collister said the program
helped girls feel confident and comfortable with the idea of boarding. “It is just a normal night in the boarding house, so they can see exactly what boarding life is like,” she said. “They experience the camaraderie of both dinner and study time as well as the range of after-school activities that build community spirit and enrich their learning.” Applications for 2022 boarding scholarships close on February 5. To find out more, phone registrar Jeanette Boehm on (03) 9828 3917, email admissions@stcatherines.net.au or visit www.stcatherines.net.au
This support provides a bond between the girls, where connection becomes a large part of the boarding experience. The girls become friends for life. “Being surrounded by so many different cultures really widened my
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I developed a lot of independence from boarding, as well as learning to live as part of a team.
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— Flynn O’Brien
2022 Scholarships Apply Now Boarding Academic Excellence General Excellence Music VCE Excellence Applications close Friday 5 February 2021 Find out more: www.stcatherines.net.au/scholarships
ST CATHERINE’S SCHOOL www.stcatherines.net.au
ELC to Year 12, Day & Boarding School for Girls (ELC includes boys) 17 Heyington Place Toorak | T 03 9822 1285
Riverine Herald, Friday, January 22, 2021—PAGE 21
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SCHOLARSHIPS & BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
Christian values at our heart FOUNDED in 1851, Scotch College has been educating boys for 169 years. Located in the heart of suburban Melbourne, its beautiful single campus, spanning 27 hectares, is flanked by the Yarra River. Scotch is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and Christian teachings underpin all that it does. Scotch is home to 160 boarders from year 7 to 12. Boys reside in one of three boarding houses, where they learn to share their lives with others from a wide range of backgrounds. Boarding at Scotch provides boys with access to the school’s outstanding facilities in one convenient location. In addition to the five main ovals, two multipurpose playing fields (including 26 tennis courts), indoor swimming pool and gymnasium and rowing facilities, there is the state-of-the-art music and drama centre (The James Forbes Academy), a new world-class science centre (The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science) and the Spencer Centre for Design and Technology. The latest development to be undertaken at Scotch is the Keon-Cohen Dining Hall/Cafeteria. The Senior School Precinct, in which the dining hall/cafeteria is located, forms a marketplace of community and engagement for boys and staff at the very heart of the school. It is a home for the boys, their aspirations, conversations and collaborations. A place of enterprise, where opportunities can be identified and explored, and solutions refined and brought to bear for the greater good. The redeveloped and completed Keon-Cohen Dining Hall/Cafeteria forms the hub of this precinct. Boys and teachers can gather to meet and eat and share news and ideas as they take time away from routines and let their minds wander to all that might be possible.
STEEPED IN HISTORY: Scotch College offers its boarders outstanding facilities at one convenient location.
Boarding at Scotch College Laying the foundations for their future Boarding at Scotch College provides boys with an education of the highest standard, combined with accommodation in a caring, well-equipped environment. Scotch has an outstanding reputation for the high standard of its academic programme and the wide range of its sporting, outdoor, and cultural activities. The boarding precinct is located within the College’s extensive 27 hectare grounds in Hawthorn, Victoria. The Scotch boarding lifestyle provides an integrated, comprehensive package for the education and development of each boy. For school tours, please contact Admissions on
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Scotch College 1 Morrison Street, Hawthorn VIC 3122 Australia Phone 1800 622 912 Email admissions@scotch.vic.edu.au
739SCO
03 9810 4203.
PAGE 22—Riverine Herald, Friday, January 22, 2021
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SCHOLARSHIPS & BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities away from home MELBOURNE Girls Grammar’s scholarship program provides opportunities for exceptional girls to discover and pursue their strengths, interests and goals. For more than 128 years, the Melbourne Girls Grammar Boarding House has welcomed students from regional areas and empowered them to meet the future head on. Every year, a number of scholarships are awarded thanks to the support of generous donors to the school. Thanks to this generosity, Melbourne Girls Grammar can offer boarding scholarships and bursaries to rural students who would not ordinarily have the opportunity to attend the school. Year 12 student Lilli is one student who has benefitted from such an opportunity as she begins her 2021 school year as school captain. From Yanco in NSW, Lilli joined the school in 2018 at the start of year 9. “I think Melbourne Girls Grammar and boarding schools in general just give you a lot more opportunities,” Lilli said. “I wanted to be in an environment where everyone is motivated to learn.” At Melbourne Girls Grammar, every Grammarian is offered experiences that provide a broader focus to help them understand who they are, and what matters to them. While providing an exceptional education, the school is also innovative in its approach to prepare students for an increasingly complex and globally connected world. “What I like about being in Mel-
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I applied for the role of school captain because I wanted to be able to give back to the school community.
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— Year 12 student Lilli
INNOVATIVE: Melbourne Girls Grammar exposes students to a wide range of experiences. bourne is that it's a lot bigger and a lot more diverse and you meet (especially in the boarding house) a lot more people from different cultural backgrounds and from different parts of the world,” Lilli said. “I feel that Melbourne Girls Grammar’s school community benefits from a diversity of thought and opinions. It's
not just a group of all like-minded people, everyone's different.” Lilli was pleasantly surprised with her new position as 2021 school captain, which is a testament to her leadership skills and the confidence her peers have in her. “Becoming school captain of Melbourne Girls Grammar is something that I am so proud to be able to say that
I have achieved, and I feel very honoured,” she said. “I applied for the role of school captain because I wanted to be able to give back to the school community which has offered me so many amazing opportunities, which would not have been possible otherwise. My new position has given me the confidence and knowledge that I am
capable of things that I would not have thought possible before.” Since she began her time as a boarder in the picturesque boarding house in the heart of Melbourne, Lilli has learned strong values and lifelong skills such as resilience and independence. With these 21st-century skills under her belt, she is now looking forward to leading her peers in 2021. With the ultimate goal of becoming a human rights lawyer, Lilli has embraced every opportunity at Melbourne Girls Grammar and is a fantastic example of what a young woman can do when she is empowered in the right environment. Boarding scholarships and bursaries can make a significant contribution to girls from regional Australia to study in Melbourne and receive a worldclass education. Apply now at mggs.vic.edu.au/ enrolments/scholarships Scholarship applications close on Friday, February 5.
Riverine Herald, Friday, January 22, 2021—PAGE 23
riverineherald.com.au
SCHOLARSHIPS
& BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
WELCOMING: Geelong Grammar School attracts students from all around Australia.
So much on offer
ESTABLISHED in 1855, Geelong Grammar School is Australia’s largest co-educational boarding school and celebrates a vibrant and culturally rich community of students from every state and territory in Australia; rural, regional, metropolitan areas, as well as overseas. Most boarders join GGS from year 7, in the peaceful setting of Corio Campus, located one hour’s drive from Melbourne. After completing years 7 and 8, all students move to the Timbertop campus located in the bushland of the Victorian Alps and engage in a challenging outdoor program alongside
a rigorous academic curriculum. Students return to Corio Campus to complete years 10 to 12. GGS boasts an international reputation as a pioneer of modern education and offers exceptional academic, sporting, music, drama, arts, cultural, community and leadership programs designed to energise the gifts within every child and champion their unique abilities. The combination of a wellestablished House system with a dedicated team of expert staff and deeply embedded positive education (wellbeing program) ensures every student receives the understanding, care and support they need to thrive.
GGS is committed to nurturing an inclusive and diverse community, with almost 25 per cent of students receiving some form of financial assistance (scholarship or bursary) to attend. The scholarship program includes academic, music, general excellence and STEM awards, for entry in years 7 to 11 in 2022. All applicants will sit an academic examination, which will be held in February 2021. Applications close on Friday, February 5. To apply, visit the website at ggs.vic.edu.au/scholarships or contact the admissions team on 03 5273 9307 or email admissions@ggs.vic.edu.au
PAGE 24—Riverine Herald, Friday, January 22, 2021
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SCHOLARSHIPS & BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
Special life experience for girls ‘
While boarding will be a different experience for most girls as they move away from home, it encourages strong independence and provides opportunities to meet girls from many other regions, countries and cultures. ESTABLISHED as one of the first schools in Australia for girls, PLC Melbourne has offered boarding facilities for girls whose families have lived out of town or overseas for almost 150 years. Now home to about 80 girls, the boarding house caters for students from years 7 to 12, providing a modern, comfortable and safe environment, located outside inner metropolitan Melbourne. At PLC, the boarding house is situated within a garden-like setting at the very heart of its spacious and green 16-hectare campus. Boarders have access to the full
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range of school facilities, programs and services that a school the size of PLC can provide, as well as many opportunities to explore beyond the campus while enjoying some of the many activities and adventures on offer. Within the residence, girls are nurtured in their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing by the staff, all of whom take an active, personal interest in each girl and help foster a uniquely supportive family atmosphere. While boarding will be a different experience for most girls as they move away from home, it encourages strong
TRANQUIL: The Presbyterian Ladies’ College boarding house is situated within a garden-like setting. independence and provides opportunities to meet girls from many other regions, countries and cultures. As girls progress through their boarding journey, they learn to live harmoniously together while being considerate of others, their needs and differences, and they develop the life skills they need to start a bright future beyond school. Boarding at PLC is a special and
social experience, and girls develop wonderful bonds and strong friendships, many of which last a lifetime. It is not uncommon for girls to travel around the country and the world to visit one another during holidays and upon graduation and appreciate life-changing new experiences. Boarding is very much a life experience and the school looks for-
ward to welcoming new girls to the community, all of whom will become much-loved and valued members of the boarding house family. PLC Melbourne is offering boarding scholarships and bursaries for girls in years 7 to 12. To apply, phone the registrar at PLC on 03 9808 5811, email admissions@plc.vic.edu.au or visit the website at plc.vic.edu.au
curious at home, at school
A nurturing environment. Extensive facilities and grounds. Endless opportunities. Boarders at PLC Melbourne live at the heart of a caring and supportive school community. To apply for a Boarding Scholarship, contact Admissions on 03 9808 5811. FINDING THE ANSWERS THAT SHAPE THE QUESTIONS
Riverine Herald, Friday, January 22, 2021—PAGE 25
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SCHOLARSHIPS & BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
Home away from home
AS VICTORIA braced itself for another lockdown, Xavier College boarding students were faced with a tough decision: head home, or bunker down on campus with their boarding house family. Every senior student who had the option to do so decided to stay. The cohort’s decision to remain together as one highlights the unique bonds shared across the intimate senior boarding group. Head of boarding Alex Smith said this was thanks largely to the smaller, tight-knit community of boarders. “One of our greatest strengths is having a small boarding community where the boys form fantastic relationships with each other,” he said. Many boys made the decision to stay because they appreciated the opportunity to continue to live, work and play with their best mates. This sense of camaraderie meant students could draw on the strength of
ALL SMILES: Xavier College students enjoy top facilities — and the friendship of pup Frankie (top right). one another to remain motivated during a challenging year. Frankie, the golden retriever pup, was a welcome addition to the boarding house family in 2020. If students ever needed a break from their studies, or just a change of scenery, Frankie was a willing companion on walks around the grounds. Luckily for Frankie and the boys, the Xavier College grounds make for some of the best spaces to play and let off steam, with regular sporting activities organised throughout the year.
“The availability of the Sports Centre and ovals makes it one of the best backyards in the world,” 2020 college captain and boarding resident Ben Wright-Smith said. This was particularly important in 2020 with the introduction of the ‘boarding bubble’, a comprehensive measure that kept students COVIDsafe at all times. The 2020 VCE results show boarding students were able to balance these social and sporting endeavours with rigorous academic study.
This year, one in three Xavier College boarding students achieved an ATAR score in the top 10 per cent of the state. A key component of a Xavier College education is the formation of the whole person. The Jesuit principle of cura personalis inspires staff to nurture not only students’ minds, but their hearts through service to others and bodies through physical activity and education. Educating the head, heart and hands
is fundamental to the development and wellbeing of each individual. 2020 college prefect and boarder Hugh Basset found the boarding house culture was also key to the care of each student. “You felt so comforted from the first day you came . . . you just thought ‘okay, I’m looked after here . . . this is a home’,” he said. The culture of the boarding house stems from a community within which boys are encouraged to develop personal leadership skills, strive for excellence and become ‘men for others’. With access to a wide array of facilities and surrounded by close mates and helpful staff, there was no better place for students to ‘lock down’ than on campus. As demonstrated by strong 2020 VCE results, boarding students are well positioned to achieve outstanding academic performances. The Xavier College boarding community provides an excellent environment for the next generation of young men. As the college expands its popular boarding services, Years 7 to 12 will be available from 2022.
A Xavier education can take you there.
Apply now for 2022 scholarships and bursaries Applications close Friday 12 February 2021 visit xavier.vic.edu.au/our-programs/our-scholarships-bursaries or contact Admissions on 03 9854 5373
Building the Possible x a v i e r.v i c . e d u . a u
PAGE 26—Riverine Herald, Friday, January 22, 2021
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SCHOLARSHIPS & BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
Support sets stage for success BALLARAT Grammar director of boarding Chris Van Styn knows every boarding student has individual and different needs and goals. Along with Boarding Heads of House, his role is to make sure all 250 Ballarat Grammar boarders are supported to achieve their goals and be their best. Living on the spacious 16ha parkland campus north of Lake Wendouree, Ballarat Grammar boarders have access to all the school’s sporting amenities, including the indoor heated pool, all-weather running track and extensive green fields. A renowned visual arts program, music program, outdoor education camps and excursions, work experience and year 9 city experience in Melbourne all promote independent and personalised learning, helping young people find and develop their individual passions. “Through Ballarat Grammar’s strong mentoring structure, we work with each student to define what success looks like for them, and then guide their planning so they can achieve in every aspect of their lives here: academic study, engaging with the community, the pursuit of sporting excellence, as well as learning to flourish and engage in social settings” Mr Van Styn said. Ballarat Grammar's large boarding campus has been purposefully created to form a supportive community that reflects the country and family values boarders have grown up with. Divided into five single-sex boarding houses, it’s the family feel of each
COUNTRY LIVING: Ballarat Grammar promotes independent and personalised learning, and encourages students to develop their passions. house and the strong relationships quickly formed that make for a smooth transition to boarding life. Twenty staff live on campus with their families, helping boarders feel at home and part of a family. “Boarders and their families form amazingly strong bonds with each other at Ballarat Grammar. It is a
BALLARAT AND QUEEN’S ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL
unique and special relationship we create, which links families, students and the school together and results in successful, happy and well-rounded students,” Mr Van Styn said. Emily Manzin will spend her final year at Ballarat Grammar in 2021. The boarder from Deniliquin loves the community spirit in the boarding house.
“I have made life-long friendships with girls from all over Victoria and I love all the academic and sporting opportunities,” she said. “The teachers and boarding staff are really supportive and genuinely want me to do my best.” As boarding at Ballarat Grammar continues to flourish as one of the
largest co-educational boarding communities in Victoria, early inquiries and applications are encouraged to secure future places. The inquiry and application process is complemented by the annual scholarship and bursary program, which provides a wide range of opportunities for country students to explore their potential to the full.