SCHOLARSHIPS BURSARIES & BOARDING O ORTUNITIES ,
7-page feature
Your child’s future is in your hands
All 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 long-term future of their child or children.
It will affect the direction of their lives, while having a signi¬ficant influence 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-confidence 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 financial 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 McPherson Group provides parents with essential reading through this important educational feature.
Assumption College, Bendigo TAFE, Geelong Grammar School, Melbourne Girls Grammar School, Melbourne Grammar School and Xavier College are among many of the states 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.
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES & BOARDING
Life at Melbourne Grammar School
At Melbourne Grammar School, our boarding houses offer a warm and secure environment that extends the School community into students’ daily lives. We provide stability, care, and structure in all aspects of boarding, supported by staff who are deeply engaged with both students’ learning and well-being.
A Home Away from Home
Students describe life in our boarding houses as diverse and inclusive, giving them opportunities to foster independence while forming lasting friendships. With boarding staff living nearby, just minutes from the School, our boarding precinct functions as a cohesive community. This proximity ensures boarders feel connected and cared for by those around them.
In their early years of secondary school, students live in shared twin rooms and transition to single rooms by Year 11. Our boarding houses offer
comfortable spaces for recreation, such as TV lounges, table tennis, games rooms, and a shared courtyard, all designed for students to unwind.
On weekends, boarders can participate in various activities, including trips to the beach, cycling, ice skating, skiing, and theatre visits. Conveniently located near public transport, the boarding houses are within walking distance of Melbourne’s CBD, the Tan running track, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and other major attractions.
We prioritise students’ health and well-being by providing delicious and nutritious meals throughout the day. Our in-house catering team prepares three hearty meals a day, along with morning and afternoon tea. Boarders also have access to well-stocked kitchenettes for making snacks or a cup of Milo.
2026 Scholarships
Melbourne Grammar School is an exceptional learning community.
Applications for Academic, Music and Boarding Scholarships are now open for boys entering Years 7 and 9 in 2026.
A range of Access Scholarships are also available to those families who can demonstrate financial need.
Applications close 23 January 2025. To apply, visit mgs.vic.edu.au
To find out more, contact: Head of Admissions
+61 3 9865 7570 | enrol@mgs.vic.edu.au
355 St Kilda Road Melbourne +61 3 9865 7555 mgs@mgs.vic.edu.au mgs.vic.edu.au
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES & BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
Fostering Lifelong Bonds and Personal Growth in Xavier’s Boarding Community
The Xavier Boarding House prides itself on creating a community based on Catholic values, where students and staff forge lasting bonds and where every student experiences a broad and challenging program in a small boarding house setting. At Xavier College we will strive to engender a love of learning that will last long after graduation from the college.
We do this by providing a caring community within which boys from Years 9 to 12 are encouraged to develop personal leadership skills, to become responsible members of the community, to strive for excellence and to become ‘men for others’.
A vital facet of a Xavier College education is our focus on ensuring that boys are connecting with a welcoming and caring community. Xavier boarders appreciate the opportunity to live, work and play with their best mates.
2024 Year 12 Boarder and Captain of Boats Harry Glass summarises this idea perfectly: “Becominga boarder at Xavier is one of the best decisions I have madeinmylifethusfar.Ithasexposedmetoa varietyofopportunitiesthatIwouldnothavefound elsewhere.ManyofthesefriendshipsIhavefound withinourboardingfamily.Beingpartofsuchatight knitboardingcommunitymadethetransitionto livinginthecityveryenjoyableandeasy.Ithas givenmethechancetobuildsuchstrong connectionswithpeoplethatIwillcarrywithme beyondmytimeatthecollege.
OneofthemostuniquethingsthatsetsXavierapart from all the other schools is when one of our Year 12studentsvoluntarilymakesthemselves vulnerableinfrontoftheirpeers.Itisasafetime forthemtosharegeneralwellbeingdifficulties
orreflectonhowtheyhavenavigatedthrougha difficulttimeoftheirlife.Thisvulnerabilityandtrust explainssomeoftheincrediblebondsandlifelong friendshipsthatareforgedduringyourtimehere.It recognisestheneedforyoungmalestosharetheir feelingsanddemonstrateshowwesupporteach otheronourjourneythroughoutlife.
TheXavierexperiencehasbeenlifechangingfor notonlyme,butalsomyfamilyandIthoroughly encourageanyoneconsideringboardingtoseizethe opportunitiesatXavier.”
The Boarding House seeks to enhance each boy’s sense of respect for the members of his community. The relatively small size of the house ensures that students know one another well and are therefore in a position to contribute positively to the learning and development of their fellow boarders.
Our key entry point of Year 7 is now accommodated in an exceptional, new state-of-the-art Year 7-8 learning precinct on the Senior Campus, opened at the beginning of the 2024 school year.
Preceding this will be a seven-year journey through an amazing, brand-new P-6 Junior School.
Xavier prides itself on delivering a unique Jesuit education, and 2028 will mark 150 years of developing exceptional graduates through inspiring learning experiences.
Buoyed by strong recent VCE results and APS sporting success, the college now looks ahead with excitement and anticipation.
Xavier College is very much on the move.
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES & BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
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Thriving in a home away from home
Sacha Laidlaw’s family connection with Geelong Grammar School is a rich tapestry. Her parents and grandparents attended the school as students, and her great, great aunt was a much-loved staff member in one of the boarding houses, to the level where there is a plaque placed in her honour in the garden she “loved and tended”.
Sacha, from Balmoral in Victoria’s Western District, joined GGS on a boarding scholarship in Year 9.
Living in a boarding house filled with more people than the population of her hometown was an adjustment, but something she has taken a lot from.
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While Sacha still relishes her time at home on the farm, she feels that her integration into busy boarding school life was a seamless one.
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“Regional kids like me really thrive at GGS due to the amazing range of academic opportunities, as well as the camaraderie of Saturday morning sport and the companionship that comes with living and working with many other boarders.”
Being able to have a touch of home, in the form of her horse, is another perk of boarding at GGS.
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“Boarding with girls who have grown up in different environments and cultures opened my eyes to other people’s worlds, increasing tolerance, understanding and enjoyment of other’s interests and perspectives,” Sacha said.
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“It’s a great life lesson for all of us, to be able to live with people whose priorities and values don’t always align with our own.”
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“The amazing Equestrian Centre has been a wonderful opportunity for me to keep my horse at school and keeps me in touch with home.”
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GGS is currently accepting applications for a range of scholarships, including boarding scholarships for students from rural, remote or regional areas of Australia. Visit: www.ggs.vic.edu.au/ scholarships to learn more.
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Sacha Laidlaw - Geelong Grammar School
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SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES & BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
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Join us for Open Evening 2025 at Assumption College
Assumption College is thrilled to announce our annual Open Evening, to be held on March 17, 2025.
This event is a wonderful opportunity for prospective students, families and the community to explore what makes our college a beacon of excellence in education.
From 3.45pm to 6:30pm, our gates will be open to welcome you into our vibrant campus.
Visitors will have the chance to tour our state-ofthe-art facilities, meet our dedicated faculty, and learn about the diverse learning domains and co-curricular activities that we offer.
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Whether you are interested in our outstanding academic curriculum, our active arts programs, or our competitive sports teams, there is something for everyone at Assumption College.
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Our Open Evening is not just about showcasing our achievements; it is about engaging with our community and fostering a sense of belonging.
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We believe that education is a partnership between the college, students, and their
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families, and this event is a perfect opportunity to build these connections.
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We invite you to join us on March 17 to experience firsthand the supportive and inclusive environment that defines Assumption College.
Come and see why our students thrive academically, socially and personally.
We look forward to welcoming you and answering any questions you may have about our college.
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Boarding tours of our boutique boarding facilities will be available on the evening as well as during Term 2 and 3, providing a comprehensive look at our unique residential offerings.
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Visit our website to learn more about our boarding facilities or book a tour now.
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Mark your calendars and prepare to be inspired. Assumption College’s Open Evening 2025 promises to be an informative and enjoyable event for all. We look forward to seeing you there.
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Assumption College Principal, Mr Paul Finneran, with students
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SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES & BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
From Quambatook to Melbourne:
A Boarding Journey at MGGS
For one Quambatook student, the leap from rural life to boarding at Melbourne Girls Grammar (MGGS) has been nothing short of transformative. As a fourthgeneration MGGS student, Annabelle Williamson’s decision to attend the prestigious school might seem pre-ordained, but she and her family approached it thoughtfully. “We considered many options, but what set MGGS apart was the people and the culture,” she explained. “There’s a real emphasis on connection, empowerment and personal growth that resonated with us.”
Life as a boarder brings its own unique challenges and rewards. Adjusting to the balance between academics and the dynamics of communal living was initially overwhelming, but she credits the School’s supportive environment with helping her find her footing. “I decided to embrace every opportunity, whether it was academic challenges, co-curricular opportunities, or simply getting to know people,” she said. “That openness made the transition so much easier.”
Boarding life has taught Annabelle invaluable lessons. Living away from home has fostered independence, self-discipline and adaptability. “It’s prepared me for life beyond school in ways I couldn’t have imagined,” she shared. Friendships with students from diverse backgrounds have also broadened her horizons. “I’m more excited than ever to travel and explore the world, and I now have friends in so many places to visit!”
Annabelle has also embraced her new urban surroundings, discovering a love for Melbourne’s culture. Her favourite activity? Walking ‘The Tan,’ the famous Botanical Gardens track. “It’s such a special spot, and something I didn’t fully appreciate until I lived here,” she said.
Within the Boarding House, traditions like the annual
Christmas in July dinner hold a special place in her heart. “It’s such a fun event. Each year level performs, and while our group might pull things together lastminute, it’s always a highlight!”
At MGGS, the breadth of opportunities has been a revelation for Annabelle. Sports like swimming, basketball and netball have been staples of her experience, but leadership programs stand out as a personal passion. This year, she’s excited to take on a role with the Student Executive Council. “It’s given me the confidence to think bigger and pursue my goals,” she said.
The School’s rich array of programs has opened doors she might not have discovered back home. “Growing up in Quambatook, I never imagined the variety of activities I’d get to try here,” she admitted.
Despite her immersion in Melbourne life, Annabelle keeps her rural roots close. Regular trips back to the family farm and staying connected via technology help bridge the gap. She also brings a regional perspective to the MGGS community. “Growing up in the country teaches you resilience and independence,” she said.
“It’s something regional students bring to the School’s culture—a sense of connection and care.”
As she reflects on her boarding school experience, her advice to younger students is simple: “Say yes to everything and back yourself. Boarding school isn’t just about academics—it’s about growing as a person and making memories that will last a lifetime.”
To find out more about Melbourne Girls Grammar and Boarding Scholarships opportunities, visit mggs.vic.edu.au/boarding.
Annabelle out for dinner with other boarders Annabelle and Dina at the Boarding House Halloween dinner
Annabelle and other members of the Student Executive Council for 2025 at their inauguration
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES & BOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
Scholarships available at Bendigo TAFE
Are you ready to start something new? Do something you love?
With Bendigo TAFE you can! There are many courses to choose from in a variety of industries and support is available if you are facing financial hardship.
The Education Support Scholarship can provide local students with a waiver or a reduction of their course fees. ‘If you are struggling to pay your course fees and you are unsure what to do, you may be eligible to receive assistance from the Education Support Scholarship’, says Brian Wiseman, Student Counsellor.
‘The support we are able to provide can be the difference between continuing on with this journey, or not’, adds Brian.
If paying fees upfront is not possible, a payment plan is available. Students can also apply for the Access Scholarship, which helps to lower their repayment amounts.
The Education Support and Access Scholarships are open to students enrolled in any course. Applications are open throughout the year, and applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and provide supporting documents.
To learn more about the scholarships and eligibility criteria, interested students can visit the Bendigo TAFE website or contact a Welfare Officer for support and assistance at 13 8233.
A TAFE for Echuca
Bendigo TAFE’s Echuca Campus offers a modern and boutique facility on the corner of Hare Street and Darling Streets. The campus aims to be a hub of community-based industry partnerships and a provider of skilled workforce for the local community, bringing together students from diverse backgrounds.
‘I really like the small class sizes; it makes you feel comfortable and supported through the lessons’, says Lindzee, a student at the Echuca campus.
Matt Rolfe, an educator, says, ‘Students might be older people who haven’t been at school in a long time or early school leavers who need help with their literacy and numeracy skills. I love seeing them slowly developing more confidence and making friends.’
Educators like Matt work with local services, including Reconnect and the Skills and Jobs Centre, to support students in finding meaningful work they love.
Unleash You at Bendigo TAFE
Did you know that at Bendigo TAFE, students do not need an ATAR score to start a course?
With a wide range of courses, including Free TAFE* courses and nationally recognised qualifications in automotive and trades, business and IT, food and fibre, health and community services, culinary and hospitality, Indigenous and foundation courses, we have options for you!
The Victorian Government’s Free TAFE* initiative can save thousands of dollars for eligible students. While Free TAFE* covers the tuition fees, there may be additional expenses, such as materials or consumables fees.
‘Because of Free TAFE I was able to study, keep up with home commitments and get employed. It wouldn’t have been a possibility if not for this grant,’ says Kathryn Stanford, a nursing graduate.
Apply now
13 TAFE (13 8233) bendigotafe.edu.au
Explore over 100 courses today.
