Defence Force Family Scholarship

Defence Force Family Scholarships are offered to new and continuing students entering Years 7 to 12 who are members of serving defence force families in recognition of the significant contribution and sacrifice the families make whilst serving our nation.

Selection is based on the strength of the applicant’s portfolio and an interview.

Students are expected to participate actively in all aspects of a well-rounded education and support others at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School.

Selection Criteria

• Academic achievement.
• Willingness to contribute to the curricular and co-curricular activities of the School, that is, participate in at least two of the following: sport, service or cultural activities each year.
• Ability to comply with the School’s high expectations regarding attitudes, behaviour, uniforms, and use of technology.
• Parent/guardian serving in the Defence force.

How to Apply

• Submit an online Scholarship application.
• Scholarship applicants for the 2025 school year must sit the ACER Scholarship Test at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School on Saturday 24 February 2024. Register to sit the test.
• For applicants residing outside the Brisbane and Ipswich metropolitan areas, it may be possible to sit the scholarship test at their nearest participating cooperative school, at an ACER Test Centre or at a non-ACER Test Centre. For a list of participating schools please visit the ACER website.
• All applicants are required to prepare a portfolio.

For Defence Scholarships, the applicant’s portfolio should include the following:

• The student’s name, current school and scholarship categories applying for.
• A list of achievements, positions or roles they have held at school (such as Class Captain, Debating team, Excellence awards).
• Demonstration of participation in a range of aspects of school life, such as the Arts, Sports, or Service activities.
• A supporting statement (approximately 200 words) outlining their capacity to contribute to the School, addressing the following questions:
  • What does attending Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School mean to you? Some suggestions might be to tell us about your goals, ambitions, family experiences, friends and/or community and why these contribute to your desire to attend our School.
  • What is a hobby or activity you particularly like being involved in? Tell us about how you got involved, what contributions you make, and why you find it worthwhile or enjoyable. What do you enjoy about these things? How long have you been involved in it/them?
  • What are three things that you have done or experienced that you are most proud of?
• Birth certificate (external applicants only).
• A copy of the student’s School reports for the last two years (external applicants only).
• A copy of the student’s most recent NAPLAN results (external applicants only).
• Evidence of parent/guardian’s employment in the defence force.

Portfolios must be submitted by the online Scholarship Application Form.

• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview.

Conditions

• Scholarships offered to students are tenable until the end of Year 12, subject to annual review.
• This means that if the conditions of the scholarship continue to be met, the student retains the scholarship for the tenure.
• The Scholarship is granted with the expectation that the student will complete Year 12 at the School. Should this not occur, and the student continues to reside locally, then it is at the discretion of the School to require that the value equivalent to part or all of the Scholarship fee reductions be payable to the School.
• Scholarships are not means tested.
• By accepting the Scholarship award, students and parents or legal guardians, consent to the use of the scholarship recipient’s name, image and profile to be used for the purposes of marketing and promotion of the School’s scholarship program. This may include for the purposes of publication in School newsletters, external newspapers, magazines and websites (including the School’s website) and social media. Such publication will go beyond the School community and may extend for a period of time beyond the duration of the scholarship recipient’s education at the School.

If successful, in order to maintain the Scholarship, the student must:

• Maintain a consistent level of academic performance (reviewed each semester).
• Contribute to the curricular and co-curricular activities of the School (reviewed annually).
• Exhibit behaviour of the highest calibre.
• Comply with the School’s high expectations regarding attitudes, uniform, and use of technology (reviewed each semester).
• Demonstrate commitment to the values of the School.
• Maintain consistent attendance of 90% or higher.
• Scholars are expected to demonstrate leadership and be role models of the School community.

The student’s family must:

• Pay the balance of any account within four weeks of each term’s commencement.
• Provide in writing to the Board of Trustees an explanation about any delay in settling an account and a request to arrange alternative payment options.
• Remain employed with the Defence Force for the duration of the scholarship.
• Be positive role-models and actively involved within the School community.
• Parents of scholarship recipients are encouraged to actively support the School’s P&F Association and volunteer to assist in events and activities when possible.

Each scholarship is granted on the understanding that the Board of Trustees has the right to withdraw the scholarship if the aforementioned conditions are not met. Scholarships are contingent on the full disclosure of all information pertinent to a student’s education. Withholding relevant information may result in a scholarship being withdrawn. Potential withdrawal of a scholarship will be discussed with the family prior to the end of a school term. IGGS has excellent pastoral care, counselling, learning support resources and programs to help all students maintain high personal and performance standards. Withdrawal of a scholarship is not executed without due consideration of any mitigating circumstances should any of the above conditions provide cause for concern.

For further information please contact the Director of Enrolments and Community Relations at scholarships@girlsgrammar.com.au.

The details of scholarship offers are confidential and must not be disclosed to third parties. The School will not negotiate the conditions or amount of a scholarship once a decision has been made.