SCHOLARSHIPS
The scholarship selection process for the children includes:
- A parent and student information session
- Recommendations from Teachers and Principals
- Parent and student interviews with Yalari selection committee
- Interviews with the Headmaster / Head of Schools
Students are selected on the basis of a variety of qualitative factors including a good attitude to education, enthusiasm, consistent achievement in all school activities and a commitment to complete Year 12.
Toowoomba Grammar School and The Glennie School, because of their educational reputation of overall student achievement and prestige, were the first schools of choice to be offered the chance to participate in the enrolment of the inaugural recipients of the Rosemary Bishop Indigenous Education Scholarship Program in 2006.
How to apply for a scholarship?
Essential Criteria
Applicants must be:
- Enrolling in their first year of high school,
- An Indigenous Australian person,
- A serious consistent student who has shown scholastic achievement for primary school years,
- Living in a remote or rural geographical location, and
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to complete Year 12 of secondary education.
Desirable Criteria
Applicants should:
- Show they would benefit from a first class education in a boarding school environment;
- Have an active interest in extra curricular activities for e.g. sport, music and/or art;
- Be able to demonstrate a character of resilience, independence, courage and determination;
- Be able to focus on a goal and show a tenacious attitude in achieving that goal (stickability);
- Have a capability for problem solving; and
- Show leadership qualities with a 'give it a go' attitude.
Selection Process
The selection process:
- Yalari will contact primary schools and community high school principals informing them of Yalari and the Rosemary Bishop Indigenous Education Scholarship, followed by a presentation. Elders, community leaders and council members will be invited to attend this presentation.
- A presentation will be given to primary school students and their parents/guardians about Yalari and the scholarship. Interested students from other years are invited to attend the presentation.
- Interested parents/guardians to complete application form.
- Interested students to complete application form.
- Visit the parents of potential recipient students.
- An interview of the student, with their parents in attendance, by the Yalari Selection Committee and Principal or teacher of their current primary school.
- Potential scholarship recipients and parents to visit the boarding schools with Yalari staff.
- Interview with Principal, Headmaster or Head of School at the designated boarding school.
- Students to attend orientation days at boarding schools.
- Yalari Selection Committee meetings with parents/guardians and students following the orientation days at boarding school.
- Upon recommendation and consent from parents/guardians, students will be selected to attend a one weekend boarding orientation at boarding schools at the end of term three.
- Meetings with parents/guardians and students following boarding orientation week.
- Offer of scholarship presented to students and parents/guardians.
- Parents/guardians and students to complete a Scholarship Agreement with Yalari and the Principal, Headmaster or Head of School of boarding schools.
Selection Committee
The selection commitee is made of the following:
- Two (2) members of the Yalari Board of Directors
- One (1) or two (2) representatives form the Boarding school
- One (1) or two (2) representatives from the primary school
- One retired/elder from the education system
The selection committee would vary for each school and each community to adjust to the specific variables.
