St Catherine’s School leads the way for girls’ education in Australia. St Catherine’s School occupies an enviable position, distinguished by its reputation for embracing an innovative and outstanding academic program and the richness and depth of opportunities offered to our students.

Through exceptional educational opportunities, we prepare our students to become globally responsive women of the future. Scholarships provide learning and life opportunities that benefit not only the recipients themselves but provide great value to our School community.

• 2025 Scholarship Applications open October 2023 – register your interest now 

Academic Excellence

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of proven outstanding academic achievement and is subject to the student maintaining a high level of academic achievement.

• Eligible for current and prospective students entering Years 5 to 11 in 2025.
• Applicants must demonstrate strong academic ability.
• Academic scholarships may only be awarded to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.
• Scholarships to be awarded on the basis of the results of a written examination, previous school reports, and an interview with the Principal

Year 7 Dr Sylvia Walton AO Award for Academic Excellence

Dr Sylvia Walton AO was the Principal of St Catherine’s School from 2007 to 2013. An outstanding educational leader, the Scholarship recognises her contribution to both the School and the Australian educational landscape.

• Eligible for current and prospective students entering Year 7 in 2025.
• Applicants must demonstrate strong academic ability.
• Scholarships will be awarded based on results from the written examination, previous school reports and an interview with the Principal
• Recipients will be expected to maintain a commitment to studies and make a significant contribution to St Catherine’s School through academic endeavour and leadership.
• Academic scholarships may only be awarded to new students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

General Excellence Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate strong academic ability AND who demonstrate excellence in areas such as Sport, Drama, Music, Debating etc.

• Eligible to both current and prospective students entering Years 5 to 11 2025.
• Scholarships to be awarded on the basis of the results of a written examination, previous school reports and an interview with the Principal.
• Scholarships may only be awarded to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

VCE Excellence

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of proven outstanding academic achievement and is subject to the student maintaining a high level of academic achievement.

• Eligible for current and prospective students entering Years 10 or 11 2025
• For students who have demonstrated high achievement in academics
• Scholarships to be awarded on the basis of the results of a written examination, previous school reports and an interview with the Principal
• Scholarships may only be awarded to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Music Scholarships

Music Scholarships are offered for entry into Year 5 to 10 in 2025.

• Eligible to both current and prospective students entering Years 5 to 10 in  2025.
• Awarded on the basis of the academic excellence examination, previous school reports, interview with the Principal, and an audition with the Head of Music.
• Candidates must perform two stylistically contrasting pieces in a music audition.
• Students may be asked to play one or two examples of their own technical work and they may be asked to sight-read a short musical excerpt on their instrument.
• The scholarship will provide free instrumental tuition (16 lessons per semester) on one instrument for the duration of study at St Catherine’s School. (The duration of the instrumental lessons provided will be determined at the discretion of the Head of Music based on the particular ability level of the student each year.)
• As a guideline, the following AMEB Grade levels or equivalent are suggested for entry at each year level. However, the School also encourages potential, with a particular focus on girls wishing to contribute to the School on specific instruments, such as Brass and Woodwind instruments.
  • • AMEB Grade 4 level for Years 5 and 6 entry
    • AMEB Grade 5 level for Year 7 entry
    • AMEB Grade 6 level for Year 8 entry
    • AMEB Grade 7 level for Year 9 and 10 entry
• Musicality and a willingness to be a part of a thriving program are of most interest to the School and recipients will be expected to be involved in both the school ensemble program and as solo performers.
• The scholarship will be reviewed yearly. This brief process may involve a written response and a brief interview with the Head of Music. 
• Music Scholarships will cover tuition with St Catherine’s instrumental staff only. In cases where the instrument is not offered by the school, lessons will be covered to the value of the scholarship with an external teacher. 
• Applicants will be shortlisted for an audition.
  • Music Auditions will be held on Saturday 11 February 2023 between 1.30pm and 5.00pm, following the scholarship exam.
    • Candidates will be advised of their audition time once Scholarship applications close.
  • Music candidates are to provide their own accompanist at the audition.
• Scholarships may only be awarded to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

St Catherine’s ADA Sports Scholarship

Athlete Development Academy Scholarships are awarded to students commencing Years 7- 10 in 2025 who demonstrate strong academic ability AND who show exceptional sporting promise and a commitment to achieving in sport at a high level.

• The value of this scholarship is variable and will be discussed with the Principal at the time of the interview.
• The Scholarship will include access to the Athlete Development Academy, including a personalised Strength and Conditioning program and access to athlete education sessions including sports psychology, nutrition, recovery strategies, injury prevention and goal setting.
• The Scholarship will provide access to exceptional coaching and training in your nominated sport as well as the full suite of sports on offer at St Catherine’s.
• The scholarship will be reviewed yearly. This brief process may involve a written response and a brief interview with the Head of Sport. 
• Scholarships may only be awarded to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Criteria for entry

• Scholarships may only be awarded to new student applications.
• Scholarships to be awarded on the basis of the results of a written examination, previous school reports and an interview with the Principal and Head of Sport.
• Students who have demonstrated strengths in one or more of the below listed, and who are already competing at a state or national level.
• Successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment to participating in one School based sport per term, including their chosen sport.

Boarding Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to students who can demonstrate their capacity to contribute to the life of the boarding house, particularly to excellence in academic endeavour and leadership.

• Eligible for current and prospective students entering Years 7–11 in 2025
• Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of the academic examination, previous school reports and an interview with the Principal
• Recipients will be expected to maintain a commitment to studies and make a significant contribution to boarding life at Illawarra House.
• Scholarships may only be awarded to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Additional Scholarships

The following scholarships are offered throughout the year outside of the Academic and General Excellence Scholarships program.  Please contact the Admissions team to discuss this further.

Hardship Bursary

The St Catherine’s Hardship Fund exists to support Australian families, whether existing or new, who would otherwise not be able to send their daughter to St Catherine’s School due to financial reasons or who may need to withdraw their daughter from the School due to a change of circumstances.

• Families who are yet to complete an Enrolment Application may submit an expression of interest in applying for a Hardship bursary via the Enrolment Application Form
• Applicants will be invited to interview with the Principal and the Director of Business, or their Deputy.
• Recipient students must have no familial links to any St Catherine’s Scholarship Fund or Hardship Fund donors.
• Applicants may be required to submit an annual tax return as proof of financial hardship.
• Applications are treated as strictly confidential.

The Dorothy Newman Scholarship

Mrs Dorothy Newman, was a much-loved teacher at St Catherine’s School from 1948 to 1953. Within this time Mrs Newman taught Chemistry, Biology and General Science. Mrs Newman held a Bachelor of Science from London University and a Teaching Certificate and Graduate Diploma from Cambridge University.

Known for her caring and encouraging approach, Mrs Newman was committed to educating the ‘whole-child’ across the School’s wide range of academic and co-curricular programs, leading study tours for St Catherine’s girls to Magnetic Island, Heron Island and Central Australia. Mrs Newman also held the position of Chief of Staff at St Catherine’s during her time at the School.

The Dorothy Newman Scholarship seeks to enable a young girl to reach her full potential through the academic and co-curricular opportunities offered by the School, including participation in the Arts, Drama, Sport, Music, Debating and Public Speaking.

Donated by a past student of the School, the perpetual Scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who would not otherwise be able to attend St Catherine’s School due to financial restraints, and has a diagnosed health condition or physical challenge.

All shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview with the Principal and her nominated committee, comprising a member of the Senior Leadership Team and medical advisor. All applicants will be required to complete an online Application for Enrolment and contact the Registrar to express interest in consideration of this Scholarship.

This Scholarship is awarded to a student who is capable of academic achievement through to VCE studies in Years 11 and 12, based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated financial need
• Diagnosed health condition or physical challenge
• Demonstrated strong academic ability

Consideration will be given for a number of factors, including:

• Family support
• Life experiences
• Practical issues including distance from School.

2024 Principal’s Barbreck Scholarship

Register Your Interest

We are pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to new students entering Junior School (Excluding entry to Year 5 & 6 who must apply for Academic and General Excellence Scholarships) in 2024. Our Principal’s Barbreck Scholarships will be awarded by the Principal based upon:

• genuine enthusiasm for learning
• positive participation in co-curricular activities
• active engagement in the classroom with their peers
• kindness, care and compassion towards others.

All applicants will be required to complete the Scholarship Application and an online Application for Enrolment.

All shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview with the Head of Junior School and demonstrate an understanding of our five core values:

• Empathy – I choose kindness and have the courage to care
• Perseverance – I persist with purpose
• Integrity – I act responsibly and with good character
• Curiosity- I wonder, question, and discover
• Gratitude – I express appreciation

Eligibility

• Scholarships may only be awarded to new student applications who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.
• Scholarships will be awarded to students entering Junior School in 2024 and will be based on an interview with the Head of Junior School.
• Recipients will be expected to maintain a commitment to studies and make a significant contribution to life at St Catherine’s School.
• The duration of this scholarship is will continue through to the completion of Year 6.
• The value of this scholarship is variable and will be discussed with the Head of Junior School at the time of the interview.

Yalari Indigenous Scholarship

The St Catherine’s Indigenous Scholarship Program provides full boarding and academic scholarships to Year 7 Indigenous students from regional Aboriginal communities across Australia. This program is a vital component that enriches our culturally diverse School community. In partnership with the Yalari Foundation, the Yalari Scholarship provides recipients with full academic tuition, Boarding House residence, additional academic support and one-on-one mentoring to assist the development of study and organisational skills.

• Eligible to Indigenous students from regional Aboriginal communities across Australia
• Scholarships for students entering Year 7, open from January to April each year.

Find out more 

Scholarships FAQ’s