The impact of scholarships: enriching school communities
At its core, a scholarship and bursary program opens the doors of opportunity for students who might otherwise be unable to access a quality education.
There are many individual benefits to students who are awarded a scholarship or bursary - it may be a life changing experience that presents personal, academic and future opportunities.
PLC Sydney’s rigorous curricula, including Cambridge subjects, experienced teachers and exceptional resources, nurtures critical thinking and academic excellence. While our extensive co-curricular offering allows students to participate in activities, clubs and sports, exploring and developing their interests.
However, our scholarship and bursary program also enriches our educational environment, fostering numerous benefits for both the College and our students. Scholarships and bursaries attract high-achieving students who may not have otherwise considered a PLC Sydney education.
This diversity of talents can elevate academic and artistic standards, benefiting all students.
Scholarships are important on so many levels, not only for the opportunity they afford students who may not otherwise have the chance to study at the College, but also scholarship recipients add diversity to the school community, which is another really strong feature of the scholarship program.
We want to enable the scholarship recipient to grow in their talents and capacities, but equally we want the recipients to enable and encourage other students to reach their full potential as well. Scholarship recipients can help raise standards across school programs and add to the rich social fabric of a school.
Past Music scholarship recipient Lily Dai, from the Class of 2020, helped raised standards across the College’s music program. Lily auditioned for a Music scholarship in Year 6. I remember when Lily auditioned all those years ago. She was unusually talented and I offered her family a scholarship on the spot. Lily brought a depth of emotion and a maturity to her music that was very unusual. So much so, that in her final year at school, Lily was awarded a scholarship at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York.
Other scholarship recipients, like Dr Anastasia Hronis (2009), were also awarded a Music Scholarship in Year 7. After school, Anastasia went on to pursue a career in Psychology, but also a musical career, which resulted in her performing at the Opera House several times. She even went on to perform at Carnegie Hall as a soloist in New York in 2015.
Like so many of our students, PLC Sydney scholarship recipients, like Lily and Anastasia, go on to have meaningful and exciting careers and PLC Sydney plays a big part in that, inspiring and encouraging them to develop their passions, work hard and follow their dreams.
In short, scholarships not only transform the lives of the scholarship recipient by providing access to education and opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach, but they also enrich the school community as a whole. Their presence fosters a culture of inclusivity and mutual growth, encouraging all students and staff to appreciate and learn from each other’s different backgrounds and experiences. This diversity enhances collaboration, broadens horizons, and strengthens the school’s reputation as a place that values and nurtures potential in all its forms.
Scholarships are offered to both benefit individual students and, by doing so, assist other students. Scholarship students often bring diverse perspectives, unique talents, and a strong drive to excel, creating a more dynamic and inspiring learning environment.
Dr Paul Burgis
Dr Paul Burgis
PhD (UNSW), MEd, BEd, Dip Tch (Eng/His-sec), Dip Div/Miss
Dr Paul Burgis is the current Principal of the Presbyterian Ladies College, Sydney. Paul is married and has three daughters and lives in Drummoyne, Sydney. In his leisure time he enjoys reading history, theology, philosophy and poetry, supporting the Cronulla Sharks and wild bird photography. He worships with his family at Drummoyne Presbyterian Church.