Up to 100 scholarships will be offered to primary and secondary school-aged children and young people in care, thanks to a new, innovative collaboration between Catholic Education South Australia and the Marshall Liberal Government.
The Catholic Schools Scholarship Program will see scholarship recipients receive full tuition, uniforms, textbooks, excursion and extracurricular activities, continuing each year until the child or young person completes their schooling.
“Catholic Education South Australia is pleased to partner with the State Government on this new scholarship program for children and young people in care,” Bruno Vieceli, Assistant Director, Catholic Education SA said.
“Providing support for vulnerable people in our community is an important part of Catholic social teaching and the mission of the Catholic Education.
“We know that a quality education is the best foundation a young person can get in life, enhancing their opportunities for a thriving and productive future.”
The scholarship program, funded by Catholic Education South Australia, will be offered to children and young people in both metropolitan and regional SA who are enrolling for the first time in a Catholic school.
Minister for Child Protection Rachel Sanderson said she was thrilled to partner with Catholic Education South Australia to further support children and young people in care.
“The Marshall Liberal Government’s partnership with Catholic Education South Australia aims to provide additional support to children and young people in care and their families, recognising that a good education is a fantastic foundation for life and all the possibilities that lie ahead,” said Minister Sanderson.
“Education empowers and we know a good education is the best foundation for future prospects and all the possibilities that lie ahead.
“I want our children and young people in care to believe they have the capacity to achieve anything in life – and these scholarships will go some way in helping them do just that.
“I would really like to thank Catholic Education South Australia for providing education opportunities for our most vulnerable children and young people – their support is invaluable.”
The scholarship program will start this term, with Department for Child Protection caseworkers working with carers to identify children and young people who would benefit from the program.
“Our priority will be looking at the needs of each individual student and matching them with a school best suited to meet their needs,” explained Bruno Vieceli.
“Any child or young person in care may be nominated for the scholarship program. Carers will need to be able to demonstrate a commitment for supporting the child or young person’s education and the Catholic ethos and values of the school.”
“We know that a quality education can set a young person up for life. Our aim is to remove any financial barriers so that young people in care have the opportunity to not only attend school but to thrive in a positive learning environment.”
Students at St. Martin’s Catholic Primary School, Greenacres, recently received a welcome gift of hand sanitiser.
