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St Catherine’s Scholarships 2026

St Catherine’s School leads the way for girls’ education in Australia. 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 students and School community. St Catherine’s School offers a range of scholarships including:

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 to both current and prospective students entering Year 7 in 2026.

Applicants must demonstrate strong academic ability.

• Scholarships to be awarded on the basis of the highest result from the written examination administered by Edutest, previous school reports and an interview with the Principal.

• Recipients will be expected to maintain 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 students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

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.

Criteria:

• Eligible for current and prospective students entering Years 5 to 11 in 2026 (Year 7 entry are encouraged to apply for the Year 7 Dr Sylvia Walton AO Award for Academic Excellence).  

• Applicants must demonstrate strong academic ability.

• Scholarships to be awarded on the basis of the results of a written examination administered by Edutest,  previous school reports and an interview with the Principal.

• Academic scholarships my 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.

Criteria:

• Eligible for current and prospective students entering Years 10 or 11 in 2026.

• For students who have demonstrated a high achievement in academics.

• Scholarships to be awarded on the basis of the results of a written examination administered by Edutest, previous school reports and an interview with the Principal.

• VCE Excellence scholarships may only be awarded to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

General Excellence

Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate strong academic ability AND who demonstrate excellence in co-curricular areas such as Sport, Performing Arts, Public Speaking, Leadership and Service, Visual Arts.

Criteria:

• Eligible to both current and prospective students entering Years 5 to 11 in 2026.

• Scholarships to be awarded on the basis of the results of a written examination administered by Edutest, previous school reports and an interview with the Principal

•Students applying for a General Excellence Scholarship will not be considered for a music audition.  Applicants who wish to be considered for a music audition must apply for the Music Scholarship.

• General Excellence scholarships may only be awarded to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Music Scholarship

Music Scholarships are offered for entry into Year 5 to 10 and are awarded on the basis of student’s music audition, results of a written examination administered by Edutest, previous school reports and an interview with the Principal 

• Eligible to both current and prospective students entering Years 5 to 10 in 2026.

• Awarded on the basis of the music audition with the Head of Music, academic excellence examination, previous school reports and an interview with the Principal.

• Candidates must perform two stylistically contrasting pieces in a music audition.

• Students will be asked to play one or two examples of their own technical work and they should expect to sight-read a short musical excerpt on their instrument/s

• Students will be required to complete brief aural exercises.

• If the student is a multi-instrumentalist, scales and exercises must be prepared for each instrument.

• Two contrasting pieces must be prepared for each instrument. St Catherine’s may choose to hear all or any part of the material that is being prepared.. 

• The scholarship will provide free instrumental tuition  (16 lessons per semester) on one instrument for the duration of study at St Catherine’s School.

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 Years 9 & 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.

• Music scholarships may only be awarded to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Boarding Scholarship

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 to current and prospective students entering Years 7–11 in 2026.

•  Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of the academic examination administered by Edutest, previous school reports and an interview with both the Principal and Director of Boarding Services.

• Recipients will be expected to maintain commitment to studies and make a significant contribution to boarding life at Illawarra House.

• Boarding 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 9 and 10 in 2026  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 new 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.

• Scholarships to be awarded on the basis of the results of the academic examination administered by Edutest, 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

• Swimming
• Diving
• Rowing
• Cross Country
• Hockey
• Track and Field
• Soccer
• Snowsports

• Successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment to participating in one School based sport per term, including their chosen sport.

• ADA Sports scholarships may only be awarded to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

St Catherine’s Hardship Bursaries (Means-Tested)

We are proud to offer Hardship Bursaries to eligible students entering Years 5 to 10 in 2026 who would not ordinarily have the opportunity to attend the School. These bursaries are means-tested and provide partial financial support to families on limited income.

Eligible to both current and prospective students entering Years 5 to 10 in 2026.

•  Hardship Bursaries are awarded on the basis of financial circumstances, results of the scholarship examination, previous school reports and an
interview with the Principal.

•  Applicants will be required to submit the last two income tax returns and assessments, Hardship Bursary Application Form, along with other relevant
financial documentation to support the application.

•  Applications are treated as strictly confidential.

•  Recipient students must have no familial links to any St Catherine’s Scholarship Fund or Hardship Fund donors.

•  Scholarships may only be awarded to students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Supporting Documentation

Supporting documentation must be provided at the time of application via the link provided in the registration confirmation email you will receive upon successfully submitting your Edutest registration for St Catherine's School.  The following documentation must be uploaded :

• copy of the most recent school reports 
• copy of the most recent NAPLAN report 
• copy of applicant's birth certificate 
• copy of applicant’s passport (if born overseas)
• copy of applicant’s Visa (if applicable)
• any supporting documents relevant to your application (e.g.awards, certificates)

Remote testing applicants: Contact remote@edutest.com.au immediately upon completing your registration.  Depending on personal circumstances and location, remote testing arrangements can take several weeks to organise. Early contact with Edutest is strongly advised.   Additional fees apply for remote testing.

No late applications will be accepted.