TRINITY GRAMMAR SCHOOL | ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP

TRINITY GRAMMAR SCHOOL | ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP

FROM THE HEAD MASTERThe purpose of the scheme can be summedup in one word - opportunity. Your Trinityeducation has given you opportunities inlife that you might not otherwise have had.It has contributed to your achievements inyour chosen career. The Alumni ScholarshipScheme is a way to give something back– not to the School itself but in a morepersonal way to a new generation ofstudents. It extends the benefit of a Trinityeducation to boys who, without somefinancial support, would otherwise bedenied that opportunity.‘GIVING THE GIFT OF OPPORTUNITY’For a small financial commitment, you and others of your generationcan keep alive a strong Trinity tradition – one that is in keeping with ourFounder’s vision. That vision is to provide a “grammar school” educationto boys whose families, without such commitment, would not be able toafford it. Many of you came to the School from such family backgrounds.This is a way for you to give another young boy the opportunity to makethe most of his potential in life.I commend the Alumni Scholarship Scheme to you, and encourage youto give it your wholehearted support. In so doing you will join the OldBoys from the classes of 1957, 1961, 1965, 1968 and 1969 who arecurrently sponsoring nine boys at Trinity.THERE IS NO GREATER GIFT THANTHE GIFT OF OPPORTUNITY

THE ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMEThe scheme has been established so that groups of Old Trinitarians of a particular Yearcan unite to help sponsor a new student, or students, to the School. Each scholarshipwill be to the value of 50 per cent of the student’s tuition fees for his secondaryeducation, i.e. from Year 7 to Year 12. The student’s family will pay the other 50 percent of fees. The administration of the scholarships will be handled by the School, soOld Boys’ contributions will be applied purely towards tuition. The eligibility criteria forAlumni Scholarships will be similar to those that apply for existing School scholarships. Inessence, they seek to identify boys who possess the qualities which Trinity espouses, whowill contribute to all aspects of School life, and who need the support of a scholarship tomake their admission financially feasible. As well as these basic criteria, the sponsoringgroup will have the opportunity to express its own preferences as to particular qualities,skills or potential they would like to support.In 2009 our first twoAlumni Scholars graduatefrom year 12. The Classof 1968 are very proudof these boys whohave clearly made themost of this wonderfulopportunity that wascreated for them, as youcan see at right.“ The friendships I’ve made overthe past 6 years with my peersand teachers have been invaluable,and I wouldn’t have had thisopportunity if not for the faithand support of the Class of 1968,through the Alumni Scholarshipprogramme”Jordan (far left)“It has been a wonderfulexperience that I am eternallygrateful for. The friends I’ve made,the things I’ve learnt, the sportingopportunities I’ve been given I willremember forever”Alex (left)

WHAT FINANCIAL COMMITMENT IS INVOLVED?The level of financial commitment will depend mainlyon the number of Old Boys from your Year who supportthe scheme. To give an indication, based on currenttuition fees, the cost of a 50 per cent scholarship forone boy would be as shown in the following diagrams.Sponsorship would continue for the six years duringwhich the student progresses from Year 7 to Year12. At the end of that period it would be up to thesponsoring group to decide if it wishes to recommencethe scholarship for a new student.40 Old Boy sponsors= annual contribution of$27530 Old Boy sponsors= annual contribution of$35020 Old Boy sponsors= annual contribution of$55015 Old Boy sponsors= annual contribution of$700

SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ANSWEREDQWho decides which applicants will beconsidered?Will sponsors have a say in who isawarded scholarships?What role will Trinity play?Can a Year group sponsor more thanone student?How are the payments organised?Are sponsorship payments taxdeductible?The initial selection criteria are the sameas those used to assess applicants forpreliminary interviews for School BursaryScholarships. A short list of candidates isthen drawn up by the Head Master, basedon interviews and recommendation.Yes. Each Year group will elect a selectionsub-committee, and that sub-committeewill be able to express their preferencefor particular candidates. They may, forexample, favour a candidate with strongmusical, academic or sporting ability.The School will carry out initial testing ofcandidates, assess their family financialcircumstances and conduct preliminaryinterviews. Once successful candidateshave been identified, the School willliaise between the family and thesponsoring group to ensure that thelevel of involvement is acceptable to allparties. The School will also deal with theadministration of the sponsorship and willmeet any administration costs involved.Yes. If there is a sufficient level ofcommitment, there is nothing to stop aYear group from sponsoring two or morestudents.Sponsorship payments will be requestedon an annual basis at the beginning ofFebruary. A direct debit facility will beused wherever possible to simplify theadministration.Yes. On receiving your payment a taxinvoice will be issued.

QWhat if one of the sponsors in thegroup fails to make a contribution?Will sponsors have contact with thestudent they are supporting?Will sponsors be formally recognisedfor their contributions?WHAT TO DO NEXT...There is no requirement for the othersponsors to make up any unpaidcontribution, although they may choose todo so. In the event that the non-paymentis permanent and no replacement sponsorcan be found, the School will meet thebalance of the cost.Yes. As a matter of courtesy, studentswill be expected to keep their sponsorsinformed about their progress. Ideallythere will be two way ‘reporting’between the student and his sponsors sothat all parties share the benefits of therelationship. In some cases, and subject tothe agreement of the parents, a degree ofmentoring may be appropriate wherebysponsors can pass on their knowledge,skills and experience to the student.That is a matter for individuals and thesponsorship group to decide. Those whoprefer to remain anonymous will havethat option. In other cases, a listing in aSchool publication may be appropriate toencourage others to follow the sponsors’example.

If you are interested in supporting the Alumni Scholarship Scheme,please register your initial interest by emailing Stephen Heanly(details below). The School will contact you to discuss the levelof support shown by others in your Year, and to indicate whatthis might mean in terms of your financial commitment. If thereare additional questions that you would like answered, pleasecontact:Stephen Heanly | Director of Community Relationsp. 02 9581 6065 | sheanly@trinity.nsw.edu.au