The Abbotsleigh Teacher Education Scholarship

1. Background

a. The Abbotsleigh Teacher Education Scholarship has been established to offer students a unique opportunity to work at a leading Independent School within the Greater Sydney area.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded to a student with an excellent academic record who will contribute to the curricular and co-curricular life of Abbotsleigh School.

c. This Scholarship is funded by Abbotsleigh School.

2. Eligibility

a. This Scholarship is offered subject to applicants being currently enrolled to study full-time within the School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney in the final year of one of the following degrees:

I. Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood),
II. Bachelor of Education (Secondary),
III. Bachelor of Education (Primary)
IV. Master of Teaching (Early Childhood),
V. Master of Teaching (Secondary),
VI. Master of Teaching (Primary).

b. Applicants must be conducting study in one or more of the following areas of study:

I. Early Learning,
II. Primary Education,
III. Secondary Education – Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Commerce/Business Studies/Economics, History.

c. Applicants must have a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 75 across the past two years of study.

d. Applicants from an eligible Bachelor’s degree must be willing to complete the following in their final year of their degree at Abbotsleigh School:

I. spend one day a week (or equivalent) Placement at the School for School Terms 1, 2 and 3,
II. undertake an unpaid internship at the School during School Term 4,
III. receive guidance from a mentor teacher, and
IV. participate in academic, pastoral and co-curricular activities.

e. Applicants from an eligible Master’s degree must be willing to complete the following in their final year of their degree at Abbotsleigh School:

I. spend one day a week (or equivalent) at the School for Terms 1 and 2,
II. undertake an unpaid internship at the School during School Term 3,
III. receive guidance from a mentor teacher, and
IV. participate in academic, pastoral and co-curricular activities.

3. Selection Criteria

a. For Bachelor’s degree applicants the Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:

I. academic merit,
II. a one-page personal statement indicating their interest in participation at the School they applied for, how they might contribute to the culture of the School and their skills,
III. two academic referee reports, including one from a staff member of your degree program,
IV. a recent copy of a Professional Experience report, and
V. an interview for short-listed applicants.

b. For Master’s degree applicants the Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:

I. academic merit,
II. a one-page personal statement indicating their interest in participation at the School they applied for, how they might contribute to the culture of the School and their skills,
III. two academic referee reports, including one from a staff member of your degree program,
IV. a recent copy of a Professional Experience report if this is available at the time of application, and
V. an interview for short-listed applicants.

c. Preference will be given to students who can contribute to co-curricular areas in their areas of study within the School and Sydney School of Education and Social Work.

d. The Scholarship will be awarded by a Selection Committee comprising the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or their nominated delegate, and the Head of Abbotsleigh School or their nominated delegate. The ultimate decision rests with the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or their nominated delegate.

4. Value

a. For Bachelor’s degree recipients the Scholarship is valued at $12,000 per annum for up to one year.

b. For Master’s degree recipients the scholarship is valued at $9,000 and is tenable for up to nine months.

c. The Scholarship value will be paid in two equal instalments after the census date of each semester.

d. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted and it is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university.

e. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

f. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must achieve satisfactory progress in their Professional Experience studies. This will be monitored jointly by Abbotsleigh School and School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney.

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. commences part-time study without prior approval from the Head of School, School of Education and Social Work,
III. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance,
IV. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application,
V. accepts an alternative scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,000 per annum or more for the same purpose as this Scholarship, or
VI. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave.

b. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.

7. Privacy

a. The recipient agrees to the University providing Abbotsleigh School with their personal information including academic progress as appropriate in connection with this scholarship.