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Secondary Scholarship Program

At Hunter Christian School our passion is to provide opportunities, inspire possibilities and nurture every child, to draw out noble hearts, infinite minds and able hands.

It is our heart to make quality Christian education as accessible to as many families as possible. Through our scholarships program, we provide opportunities for capable students to excel who may otherwise miss out. It also enriches our school community by drawing a broader range of backgrounds and capabilities to inspire and inform our students.

Inspired by the Australian National University Tuckwell Scholarship, we launched our new scholarship program in 2020. Each scholarship provides two years of funding for students entering Year 7, Year 9 and Year 11. Additional 1-year scholarships may be awarded from any balance of funds. We welcome external sponsors who may want to donate to the scholarships.

Sponsors are invited to contribute to our tax deductible scholarship fund.

To initiate a conversation about a Scholarship Application, please complete the Enrolment Enquiry form. Request Initial Enrolment Information

Our scholarship programme is much more than a traditional scholarship and includes the following optional features:

  • Flexible educational packaging options: some scholarships are ideally suited to our unique Flexible Education Packaging arrangements, particularly those who have training, representation and performance duties that may clash with traditional schooling structures.
  • Coaching and Mentoring: we have a range of staff and members of the broader school community with experience in elite sports, performance, leadership, higher learning amongst other things who can be paired with students.
  • Performance appraisal: as a further level of support, an annual performance appraisal is used to keep students accountable to their educational goals and ensure they fulfil their obligations as a scholarship recipient.
  • Positive Psychology: a focus on wellbeing and not just performance is part of our approach to ensure recipients are on the best path to reach their long-term potential. The approach of positive psychology is well-suited to the type of students who typically gain scholarships and is built into our coaching and mentoring.
  • Service learning: scholarship recipients are encouraged to apply their talents in socially responsible ways and to broaden the avenues they can pursue post-schooling through the school’s many service and mission projects available to students.
  • Attributes of a HCS Scholar: to promote well-rounded, wholistic development, our scholarships require recipients to demonstrate capacities beyond performance. These attributes are:
  • Higher purpose
  • Love of life and passion for an area of gifting
  • Honour and integrity
  • Innovative problem solving
  • Reflective on performance
  • Active listener, responsive to advice
  • Eagerness to grow and develop self and others
  • Collaborative, with a heart for shared success
  • Capacity for deep engagement
  • Selfless desire to make a positive difference
  • Strength and resilience in adversity
  • Conscientious and independent work ethic

Scholarship Categories

Academic

This category of scholarship would be awarded to someone who can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and natural academic capacity. They will have a passion for learning and a desire to use their knowledge and understanding for the benefit of others.

In addition to the HCS Scholar Attributes, attributes for a recipient of a scholarship based on this category would include:

  • Deep intellect
  • Academically skilled
  • Creative thinker
  • Committed to pursuing tertiary academic studies

Academic data and/or testing may also be used in determining the suitability of a candidate.

Creative and Performing Arts

This category of scholarship would be awarded to someone who can demonstrate outstanding creative achievement and natural artistic flair. They will have a passion for expression and share their talent within the school and beyond into the wider community.

In addition to the HCS Scholar Attributes, attributes for a recipient of a scholarship based on this category would include:

  • Highly skilled in the creative and/or performing arts
  • Creative
  • Outstanding communicator
  • A willingness to share and exhibit their talent
  • Commitment to the creative and performing arts life of the school
  • Commitment to pursuing a career and/or tertiary studies in the creative and/or performing arts

Elite Sporting

This category of scholarship would be awarded to someone who can demonstrate outstanding sporting achievement and capacity. They will have a passion for sport and undertake high level representative duties on behalf of the school and other elite sporting organisations.

In addition to the HCS Scholar Attributes, attributes for a recipient of a scholarship based on this category would include:

  • Highly skilled
  • Sportsmanship
  • Committed to balancing representative duties with study

A heart to use their talents to coach and lead others in the school

Leadership and Community Service

This category of scholarship would be awarded to someone who can demonstrate exceptional leadership and a natural ability to lead, support and inspire others with integrity. They will have a passion for community and undertake leadership responsibilities in the school and other significant leadership roles in recognised community organisations such as Rotary, SES, RFS.

In addition to the HCS Scholar Attributes, attributes for a recipient of a scholarship based on this category would include:

  • Passion to help people
  • Natural leadership
  • Outstanding communicator

Foster / Independent Student

This category of scholarship would be awarded to someone who has come from a foster home and/or an independent student and strongly demonstrates the attributes of a HCS Scholar such as high achievement, leadership, character and commitment and a natural ability to lead, support and inspire others with integrity.

In addition to the HCS Scholar Attributes, attributes for a recipient of a scholarship based on this category would include:

  • Positive mindset
  • Proven capacity to overcome challenges

Indigenous

This category of scholarship would be awarded to someone who identifies as having Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island descent, identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as such by the community in which they live. They will demonstrate capacity for encouraging reconciliation, mutual understanding, pride in their culture and to serve as an ambassador for their people.

In addition to the HCS Scholar Attributes, attributes for a recipient of a scholarship based on this category would include:

  • Familiarity with their culture and language
  • Connection to their community
  • A heart for reconciliation
  • Ability to support others
  • A willingness to speak of their culture in public settings

Refugee

This category of scholarship would be awarded to someone who has come from a refugee background, has been living in Australia for five years or less and is able to demonstrate socio-economic hardship as a result of their background.

Note that there are restrictions on holders of some visa categories when applying for this scholarship (such as category 500 visas), contact Heather Malone for further information in regard to visas.

In addition to the HCS Scholar Attributes, attributes for a recipient of a scholarship based on this category would include;

  • Ability to support others
  • A willingness to speak of their culture and experiences in public settings

VET

This category of scholarship would be awarded to someone in Year 11 or 12, who would otherwise not be able to undertake a VET course due to financial hardship. Please note that this scholarship is a contribution to overall cost of a VET course and has a different selection process.

In addition to the HCS Scholar Attributes, attributes for a recipient of a scholarship based on this category would include:

• Committed to completing their VET course

• Proven capacity to overcome challenges

Attendance data and/or an interview with the VET Coordinator may also be used in determining the suitability of a candidate.

Selection criteria

HCS Scholarships is not just about individual student talent or background. It is about raising purposeful, capable and compassionate leaders. Leaders equipped with the capacity and purpose to transform their world into a better place. We aim to be a school renowned for a uniquely astute, entrepreneurial and practical approach to education, excelling in raising generations that innovate to build a better world as the hands of Christ.

Scholarships are awarded based on five criteria:

  1. significant achievements to date
  2. demonstrated capacity to continue to achieve at a high level
  3. relevance to one of the scholarship categories
  4. clear commitment to education at and ongoing involvement in the community of Hunter Christian School and
  5. possessing the attributes of a HCS Scholar

While there are different categories of scholarship, only the top candidates from any category will receive the limited number of scholarships. These will be determined by the degree to which they can demonstrate the attributes of a HCS Scholar.

The attributes of a HCS Scholar are closely aligned with the school’s 5 core values and principles of learning:

Honour Christ
- Because we believe learning comes from honouring Christ, together we wrestle with the big questions of life, discuss why we believe what we do and pursue lives of purpose.
Learn Without Limits
- Because we believe in learning without limits, we build skills, prioritise learning, review our performance and collaboratively explore individual journeys of understanding.

Unite in community
- Because we believe learning comes from uniting in community, together we share ideas, collaborate on solutions, support, mentor, encourage and coach each other.

Serve selflessly
- Because we believe learning comes from serving selflessly, we seek to understand and empathise with others, make a positive difference in our families and communities and give the best of ourselves.

Live courageously
- Because we believe learning comes from living courageously, as a community, we support each other to set audacious goals, navigate challenges and work towards increasing independence and capacity.



Attributes of a HCS Scholar

All recipients of the HCS Scholarships will need to possess and live out the attributes of a HCS Scholar.

Higher purpose

An appreciation of a deeper meaning of life greater than themselves and an openness to spirituality.

Love of life and passion for an area of gifting

A zest for life, appreciation of excellence and a passion to advance something of value to the world.

Honour and Integrity

Values and acts in accordance with the principles of fairness, humility and mutual respect.

Innovative problem solving

Applies creative approaches to overcoming obstacles to success.

Reflective on performance

Focussed on continuous improvement, adaptive in navigating towards goals and future opportunities.

Active listener, responsive to advice

Open to learning from others and willing to consider other perspectives.

Eagerness to grow and develop self and others

Intentionally seeks to be the best person they can be and supports others to do the same.

Collaborative, with a heart for shared success

Shares their gifting for the benefit of others and appreciates the value of the contributions of others.

Capacity for deep engagement

Engages on a deep level with people, learning, goals, responsibilities and things that matter.

Selfless desire to make a positive difference

To do good in the world, to exercise leadership and seek to be a blessing to others.

Strength and resilience in adversity

Stands up for what is right, perseveres in worthy goals and shows good humour in all circumstances.

Conscientious and independent work ethic

Self-motivated, self-directed, avoids distractions and actively seeks help when needed.



Conditions of Award

The following eligibility requirements, terms and conditions apply to all HCS Scholarships.

  1. Be fully enrolled at Hunter Christian School for the academic years the scholarship applies for. If enrolment starts later than the start of the academic year, or ends prior to the end of the academic year, then the scholarship fund will be reduced to an amount proportional to the time enrolled as determined by the school.
  2. Pre-existing rebates or other discounts will be subject to review and are not available for students on scholarships if they are less than the value of the scholarship.
  3. Maintain a high level of attendance or as accepted by the school in exceptional circumstances.
  4. Comply with the School’s dress code, including full formal uniform, including the jacket and tie on formal occasions.
  5. Comply with the School’s behaviour policies with no significant breach.
  6. Comply with the School’s assessment rules, remain up to date with classwork and submit all required assessment tasks.
  7. Not bring the school, students, staff, school community or the scholarship program into disrepute.
  8. Demonstrate the attributes of a HCS Scholar.
  9. Maintain a high standard of performance and effort relevant to the scholarship category.
  10. Remain actively involved in the extra-curricular life of the school in activities related to the scholarship category:
    • Academic: academic coaching and/or competitions
    • Creative and Performing Arts: school exhibitions and performance groups
    • Elite Sporting: school representative teams and/or coaching
    • Leadership and Community Service: school student leadership group
    • Indigenous: welcoming indigenous families to the school, sharing culture and willingness to acknowledge country at school events
    • Refugee: a willingness to share experiences as a refugee in classes as a guest presenter
    • VET: workplace attendance, safe work practices
  11. Give permission for photos and personal testimonials to be used in school promotional material.
  12. Follow the correct procedures in the application process and complete by the required due dates.
  13. Participate in any review of performance or appraisal against scholarship conditions.



Applying for a HCS Scholarship

While parents are encouraged to support their children in the application process, it is essential that the application is personally undertaken by the student as we are looking for capable and independent individuals to award scholarships to.

Step 1 – Written application with supporting evidence

This step involves submitting an application form and providing a portfolio of supporting documentation. Applicants will need to provide personal details, education history, information about extra-curricular activities, school reports and a portfolio of achievement related to the scholarship category being applied for. The step may be completed by the student’s parents / guardians or support person. Families are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest prior to making an application.

To access the application form please email [email protected]

Applications close by COB on last Friday in October each year.

Step 2 - Testing

Students shortlisted from written applications may be invited to undertake testing where the school deems this may assist in determining the best applicants. Testing may involve one or two tests of various formats, such as:

  • Written test (all scholarships) asking for a personal response about each of the attributes of a HCS Scholar
  • Academic test (academic scholarship)
  • Team selection (sporting)
  • Audition (creative and performing arts)
  • Prefect appointment (leadership and community service)
  • Why they believe they are a good candidate for a scholarship
  • How they exhibit the attributes of a HCS Scholar
  • What they hope to achieve as a scholarship recipient
  • How they intend to improve their capacity in areas related to their chosen scholarship category
  • What they can give back to the Hunter Christian School community and to society as a whole

The written test will be undertaken on a date determined by the Scholarship Committee.

Other tests will be administered on an as needs basis should the Scholarship Committee feel they need further information to determine the most suitable candidates.

Step 3 - Interview

Students shortlisted from testing will be invited to an interview with the Scholarship Committee. Applicants will be asked about:

  • Why they believe they are a good candidate for a scholarship
  • How they exhibit the attributes of a HCS Scholar
  • What they hope to achieve as a scholarship recipient
  • How they intend to improve their capacity in areas related to their chosen scholarship category
  • What they can give back to the Hunter Christian School community and to society as a whole
Step 4 – Final decision by the Scholarship Committee

Following the interviews, the Scholarship Committee will award up to two scholarships for 2 years. If there are less than two applications of sufficiently high standard, then less than two scholarships may be granted. If there is remaining funds available, additional 1 year scholarships will be awarded to runner up candidates.




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