Somerville House has traditionally offered financial assistance through the provision of Scholarships and Bursaries to support diversity, equity and excellence at the School.
Giving transformative opportunities
Through the generosity of our Foundation’s donors, a number of scholarships are awarded each year to students who might not ordinarily be able to access a Somerville House education.
All Foundation Scholarships are ‘means tested’ with a robust and independent assessment of applicants’ capacity to afford school fees.
Selection is based on performance in the ACER Academic Scholarship Test.
The majority of scholarships are multi-year and allocated on a competitive basis. The status of scholarships, and the year in which they will next become available, is captured in the Foundation Scholarships Schedule.
The Foundation also assists members of the School community experiencing financial difficulty through the provision of bursaries.
Named Scholarships
These Scholarships are administered through an arrangement directly between the School and a Foundation donor, as specified in a Gift in Will or through fundraising initiatives undertaken by the Foundation.
Scholarship in Memory of Kate Benjamin
Together, family & friends have established the Scholarship in Memory of Kate Benjamin.
The multi-year Scholarship, which will commence in 2024, will be awarded to an outstanding student, who could not otherwise attend Somerville House.
Sidonie Thompson Memorial Scholarship
The Sidonie Thompson Memorial Scholarship, was established in honour of a former student at the School. The Scholarship funds 100% of tuition for one student only for six years and is awarded to a high achieving student who would otherwise not be able to attend the School.
Dr Lorna Archibald Memorial Scholarship
The Memorial Scholarship is named in honour of former student and bequestor Dr Lorna Archibald who graduated from Somerville House in 1931. The scholarship will be awarded to a talented student who would otherwise not be able to attend the School due to their financial circumstances.
The Scholarship funds 100% of tuition for one student only for six years from Year 7.
The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of merit or equity (which could include hardship) to Australian citizens or residents within Australia.
The scholarship recipient will be determined at the discretion of the Principal and a Foundation Director.
The Editha Robinson Memorial Scholarship
The Memorial Scholarship is named in honour of former student and bequestor Editha Robinson née Bentley who graduated from Somerville House in 1931. The scholarship will be awarded to a talented student who would otherwise not be able to attend the School due to their financial circumstances.
The Scholarship funds 50% of tuition for one student only for six years from Year 7.
The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of merit or equity (which could include hardship) to Australian citizens or residents within Australia.
The scholarship recipient will be determined at the discretion of the Principal and a Foundation Director.
The Elizabeth Kirby Scholarships
The Elizabeth Kirby Scholarships, were established in honour of a former student at the School. The Scholarships fund varying proportions of tuition for four students. These scholarships have been allocated and are no longer available.
Scholarship to honour Mrs E Gilchrist AM
The Scholarship to honour Mrs E Gilchrist AM was established for a new student who demonstrates excellence in academic, music, sports or the arts to enter the School in Year 7 and who, for financial reasons, would not normally be able to access a Somerville education. The Scholarship funds 50% of tuition for one student only, from Years 7 through to Year 12.
Scholarship in honour of Dr Russell Bird
The Scholarship in honour of Dr Russell Bird was established for a new student who demonstrates excellence in academic, music, sports or the arts to enter the School in Year 7 and who, for financial reasons, would not normally be able to access Somerville education. The Scholarship funds 50% of tuition for one student only, from Years 7 through to Year 12.
Legacy Scholarship
The ‘means-tested’ 50% Scholarship will partially support a student from Years 7 through 12, to enable families with strong connections to the School to continue that association.
Applicants must be the daughter, granddaughter, or niece of an Old Girl.
The multi-year Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of talent or merit with entry in other years permitted.
Selection Criteria incorporate means-testing to determine eligibility to apply, or receive, a Foundation Scholarship.
The Scholarship recipient will be determined at the discretion of the Principal and a Foundation Director.
General Fund Scholarships
These Foundation Scholarships do not meet the criteria for funding by the Scholarship & Bursary Fund (SBF) so are funded from the General Fund. The Assessment panel is to be comprised of, as a minimum, the Principal and a Foundation Director.
Senior Years Scholarships
Foundation Senior Years Scholarships, also called Foundation Scholarships, were established to enable academically gifted students to enter the School at Year 10 or 11. These students, for financial reasons, would not normally be able to attend the School. Scholarships are tenable for up to three years to enable the successful student(s) to complete Year 12.
Special Ability Scholarship
A Special Ability Scholarship was established for a student in Year 8 who, for financial reasons, would not normally be able to attend the School. Scholarships are tenable for up to five years to enable the successful student to complete Year 12.
The Scholarship is for students who demonstrate special ability or talent in academic, music, sports or the arts who, for financial reasons, would not normally be able to attend the School. The Scholarship funds 60% of tuition.
Career Development Scholarship
The Career Development Scholarship, offered jointly by the Somerville House Foundation and the Old Girls’ Association, is to go towards a specific and approved project that will further a Year 12 student’s career aspirations. The $10,000 award is funded by the Foundation.
The judging panel is comprised of representatives from the Somerville House Foundation, The Old Girls’ Association and the Dean of Academic Programs. As a part of the award the Old Girls’ Association (OGA) will provide the Scholarship recipient with an opportunity to participate in the OGA Mentoring Program.