Special Ability Scholarships – Performing Arts

Applications for Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School’s Special Ability Scholarships – Performing Arts are open to students entering Years 7 to 12 who demonstrate excellence in Performing Arts through exemplary dedication and willingness to commit to the School’s curricular and co-curricular Arts program.  

Selection Criteria

• Completion of the ACER Scholarship Examination
• Achievements, ability and potential to excel in the Performing Arts, as demonstrated by information, certificates and examiner reports provided in the portfolio.
• Musical and/or technical abilities, presentation and overall presentation at audition.
• Demonstrated talent and potential based on past achievements and performances.
• For vocalists – minimum Grade 2 AMEB (Years 7 to 10), minimum Grade 4 AMEB (Years 11 and 12), or equivalent.
• For instrumentalists – minimum Grade 3 AMEB (Years 7 to 10) and minimum Grade 5 AMEB (Years 11 and 12), or equivalent.
• For dance students – Years 7 to 9 students should show evidence of working towards a RAD Intermediate Foundation Ballet level and or a Grade 5 or equivalent in other styles (Gold in Tap). Years 10 to 12 should have a minimum of RAD Intermediate level and or a Grade 6 equivalent in other styles (Intermediate Gold in Tap).
• Academic achievement as noted in past school reports.
• High level of enthusiasm in and commitment to the IGGS Curricular and Co-Curricular Performing Arts program.
• Willingness to participate in Performing Arts-related activities and external activities which interest the applicant.
• Ability to comply with the School’s guidelines for appropriate behaviour, attitude, uniform and use of technology.

How to Apply

• Submit an online Scholarship application – applications for the 2026 school year will open in November 2024.
• Scholarship applicants for the 2026 school year must sit the ACER Scholarship Test at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School on Saturday 22 February 2025. Register here: https://scholarships.acer.org/intro/2675
• 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 Special Ability Scholarships – Performing Arts, the applicant’s portfolio should include the following:
• The student’s name, current school and scholarship categories applying for.
• Achievements in Performing Arts (Music, Drama and/or Dance) and current repertoire being studied.
• For musicians – the instrument they wish to be considered upon for the scholarship position.
• Certificate and examiner reports for AMEB, ABRSM or Trinity College Music examinations.
• Dance or Drama examiner reports.
• Performances and achievements in concerts, musical ensembles/choirs, eisteddfods and/or other relevant recognised competitions.
• Membership of youth orchestras, instrumental and vocal ensembles, performance troupes, State/ National Ensemble Programs, internships and work experience.
• At least one reference from a Performing Arts/Music teacher who attests to the student’s achievements and development of their skills (external applicants only).
• 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? You can tell us about your goals, family, friends and/or community and why these are important.
  • What kind of things do you like doing? You could tell us about your hobbies (such as art or music) or any groups you’re a part of (like sports clubs, charity groups or community organisations). 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)

Portfolios must be submitted by the online Scholarship Application Form.

• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview and an audition on a set date in 2025 with the Head of The Arts and the Director of Co-Curricular Arts. Please note, all auditions will be recorded for scholarship review purposes only. At least one parent/guardian is requested to be present for the interview component. Parents/guardians will be asked to leave the room for the audition process.

The audition/interview will comprise of:

• A performance of two instrumental/vocal works/performances of a contrasting nature.
• For instrumental/vocal students who audition – performance of a selection of scales and technical work from the student’s current equivalent AMEB grade level and an aural test.
• Interview with student and parent/guardian.

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).
• Maintain consistent attendance of 90% or higher.
• Scholars are expected to demonstrate leadership and be role models of the School and within the wider 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.
• Be positive role-models and actively involved within the School community.
• Parents of scholarship recipients must actively support the School’s Music Art Dance and Drama (MADD) Supporters, a sub-group of the School’s Parents & Friends Association.

Expectations of Arts Scholars

• Students awarded a Performing Arts Scholarship on the merit of their drama ability will be required to undertake classroom drama studies from Years 9 to 12 and will maintain a B average in the subject.
• Students awarded a Performing Arts Scholarship on the merit of their dance ability will be required to take a leadership role within the co-curricular dance troupe from Years 9 to 12, and work with the curriculum dance teacher to facilitate dance workshops for the Middle School.
• Students awarded a Performing Arts Scholarship will be required to participate in at least two school-based ensembles, choirs, dance troupes and/or activities that are relevant to the instrument/ specialised field they have been given the scholarship for and will participate in all related IGGS competitions and performances.
• Music Scholarship students will also be required to participate in solo performance opportunities at IGGS and in the wider community as directed/organised by the Director of Co-Curricular Arts.
• Music Scholarship students will be required to undertake weekly private tuition in their specialist area (instrumental or vocal).
• All scholarship recipients gain automatic entry to the Emerging Artists Program and are expected to attend weekly rehearsals.
• All Scholarship students will be required to meet with the Head of The Arts and Director of Co-Curricular Arts each semester to review their progress and to discuss how IGGS and the student can continue to help develop their creative abilities.

For further information please contact the Director of Enrolments and Community Relations at  [email protected]

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.