COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE
On Thursday 20 May 2021, our College came together and celebrated community, connectedness and a true sense of philanthropy as we combined to support and help others in our goal to ‘Change Lives Though Education’.
With an initial goal of $467,600 we did not know what to expect; what we did know was that it was ambitious, big and bold. We also knew that to make a meaningful impact, we needed to have faith and belief that like us, our community recognised the value in helping others. I am extremely proud and humbled that our inaugural Giving Day was a tremendous success raising almost $500,000 through the support of more than 455 generous donors.
Funds raised on the day will support the newly created Community Service Scholarship where, over the next three years, the College will welcome up to 12 new students in Year 11, until the end of Year 12.
The focus of our Community Service Scholarship has and will continue to be about creating a tomorrow for others full of new opportunities; the notion of developing empathy and compassion to be adaptable in building a more just and sustainable world.
Andy Müller Selena Palmer
Principal Foundation Committee Chairperson
What is the Community Service Scholarship?
The Tasmanian community has many amazing young people. The College will identify these individuals and invite them to join us as Community Service Scholarship recipients. We will, in turn, benefit from their attendance and involvement in College life.
Scholarships offer full funding, are means tested and will be offered to new students. A key priority of the College’s strategic Vision, SOC2035, is to act on the area of community service. The creation of this scholarship clearly demonstrates, that as a community, we are supportive, inclusive and provide opportunities for others.
To learn more about the scholarship, please email our Director of Marketing and Community, joel.brewer@soc.tas.edu.au.
When our Giving Day for the scholarship was announced, this video was used which helps explain why scholarships are so important to our students:
At the launch of the scholarship, we asked Principal, Andy Muller, a few questions about the scholarship and the Giving Day that raised the funds for it. They are still useful in helping to explain the purpose behind the scholarship.
SOC: What is the aim of the new Community Service Scholarship?
AM: This newly created scholarship will make Scotch Oakburn College accessible for some outstanding young people who would otherwise not have the financial capacity to enrol.
Our plan is to work with community groups to identify these young people and invite them to join the Scotch Oakburn College community and ultimately, complete their TCE.
It is envisaged that our community will benefit through the diversity these young people bring, their willingness to engage in service and be involved in the life of the College.
We believe these scholarships will change lives through education as we ‘Create the Future’.
SOC: How is the Community Service Scholarship connected to SOC2035?
AM: A priority of our recently launched Strategic Vision, SOC2035, is to increase the College’s contribution to the wider community, through service and giving.
Our goal is to launch the new fully funded scholarship in 2022, enabling four Year 11 students to enrol at Scotch Oakburn to complete Years 11 and 12. The ‘Community Service Scholarship’ is aimed to support those less fortunate and to clearly demonstrate that the College is supportive and inclusive, providing opportunities through the generosity of our existing community.
SOC: What are the details of the new scholarship?
AM:
- The scholarship will enable students to attend Scotch Oakburn College, who otherwise would not be able to, for their TCE years, covering 100% of tuition costs, plus boarding if required.
- It will be fully funded and include fees, levies, uniforms, devices and incidentals.
- Two recipients per annum may include boarding which will importantly create opportunities for students in regional communities.
- The scholarship is open to new students only.
- Four students will enter Year 11 in 2022, 2023 and 2024, staying with us until the end of Year 12. Therefore, a total of 12 students will complete their TCE across four years.
- The scholarships will be looking to support those students who have demonstrated significant contributions to their community through service and/or engagement programs.
SOC: How will applicants be ‘assessed’ outside of the financial limitation? How will the College find potential students?
AM: A great and very important question, the College is excited to be working closely with organisations such as the Smith Family and Migrant Resource Centre, and possibly some local High Schools that finish at Year 10.
The scholarships will not be advertised publicly – by working with our partners, we will seek out suitable students who have demonstrated significant contributions to their community through service and/or engagement programs.
SOC: How will the College ensure the wellbeing of the students who join the College?
AM: This is a key focus. The preparation of the scholarship recipients for their transition to Scotch Oakburn and then the on-going pastoral care they will receive is vital and something that we will be starting with the recipients well before they commence at the College. We will ensure we are setting these young people up for success.
SOC: How much does the College want to raise?
AM: The College’s goal is to raise a total of $467,600 through a Giving Day to fully fund 12 students through their TCE.
$374,080 will be raised via Matched Donors prior to the Giving Day and then on the day, a further $93,520 from our broader community.
SOC: What is a Matched Donor?
AM: A Matched Donor is a donor who has pledged to support our Giving Day prior to the event with a substantial donation. The Matched Donors’ contribution will act as a catalyst to inspire other members of our community to give on the Giving Day.
These pre-determined gifts enable us to implement a multiplier effect on Thursday 20 May, our Giving Day, making ‘Five Times the Difference’.
Every gift then received on or before the Giving Day will be multiplied five times! For example, a gift of $50 will become $250, a gift of $100 will become $500, a gift of $1000 will become $5000!
SOC: So, can you elaborate more on how to give?
AM:
- Giving is flexible.
- Gifts can be anonymous or recognised.
- All gifts are tax deductable through the College’s Deductable Gift Receipt (DGR) status.
- Donations can be given in their entirety or pledged annually over maximum of 3 years.
Donations can be made prior to the Giving Day by contacting our Community & Events Manager, Nicole Willcox on 6336 3368 or 0403 881 894 or Nicole.Willcox@soc.tas.edu.au.
On Thursday 20 May donations may be made by calling the College or donating online via our Charidy platform https://www.charidy.com/cmp/scotchoakburn.
SOC: Can I donate as a business?
AM: Yes, any gifts can be either via an individual or as a corporate gift through the College’s DGR status. If further clarification is sought, we encourage any business to seek financial advice.
SOC: How can the community assist (aside from giving)
AM: If anyone would like to volunteer their time in the Operations Hub on our Giving Day please contact Nicole Willcox on 6336 3368 or 0403 881 894 or Nicole.Willcox@soc.tas.edu.au. More information on volunteering can be found below.
