CGS CONNECT

Scholarships

At Canberra Grammar School, we believe in encouraging excellence and integrity, and in ensuring the quality education at our school is open to all.

Through our scholarships programme, we provide opportunities for those who excel and who are willing to commit to their studies, regardless of their background.

As a School, we also benefit greatly from having a diversity of talents and experiences represented within our student cohort. Please see below for more information on all the scholarships we offer.

Applications for the Year 11 2025 Scholarships are now closed.

Applications for the Year 11 2026 Scholarships will open in early 2025.

The recipient of the Robert Poate Scholarship is someone who is determined to use their outstanding ability and natural talent to realise their full potential. In so doing you will endeavour to make a difference in the world.

This Scholarship is awarded in recognition of the values that were upheld by Robert Poate in his time at Canberra Grammar School and in his career in the Australian Army.

The attributes of a Robert Poate Scholar:

Willing to take on a challenge – you are not one who will sit back and let an opportunity be missed. You will get in there and take on the challenges that come your way

Prepared to take the lead – you are prepared to step up to take the lead when this is required. You will not sit back and just let others ‘carry you’

Operate as part of a team – you understand the importance and strength of a team and work well in this environment where success is determined by the strength of the team

Self-motivated – your drive comes from within and you strive to achieve at your highest in all that you do

Outward looking – your focus is not merely on your school life but it goes beyond this where you are engaging with the broader community; and

Resilient – you understand that there will be setbacks but you are prepared to persevere even when the situation you are in is difficult.

The Robert Poate Scholarship will provide:

– Funding to cover 25% of the cost of tuition fees for Years 11 & 12 at Canberra Grammar School

– An opportunity to meet and mentor the younger scholars of the school to help them realise their potential; and

– To achieve a high grade point average in their studies each and every semester.

Canberra Grammar School is pleased to offer the Terry Snow Scholarship for Global Studies for a student wishing to take the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. In recognition of CGS Alumni, Terry Snow, and the contribution he has made to the School over many years, the Scholarship will be for a student who demonstrates excellent academic potential and a commitment to a global outlook.

The attributes of a Terry Snow Scholar:

Intellectually curious – you have high academic aspirations and are motivated by a desire to understand the world from multiple perspectives, building on the knowledge and skills acquired in a broad range of subjects and experiences

Effective communicator – you understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in multiple languages. You work successfully and willingly in partnership with others

Principled – You act with integrity and honesty. You have a strong sense of social justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, group and communities, either local or international; and

Accepting and broad-minded – You are committed to understanding your own cultures and you are equally open to the perspectives, values and traditions of others.

The Terry Snow Scholarship will provide:

-Funding to cover 25% of the cost of tuition fees for Years 11 & 12 at Canberra Grammar School

-An opportunity to meet and mentor the younger scholars of the school to help them realise their potential; and

-To achieve a high grade point average in their studies each and every semester.

The recipient of the Paul McKeown Academic Scholarship is someone who has a demonstrably outstanding academic ability. The Scholarship is to be awarded in recognition of the contribution and achievements of former Headmaster, Paul McKeown and his belief in and support for academic pursuit.

Up to two scholarships for students studying in Years 11 and 12 will be offered, at least one of which will be awarded to an external applicant.

The attributes of a Paul McKeown Scholar:

Problem Solver and Thinker – you have excellent problem-solving skills and the ability for sequential and logical thinker

Willing to take on a challenge – you are not one who will sit back and let an opportunity be missed. You will get in there and take on the challenges that come your way

Self-motivated – your drive comes from within and you strive to achieve at your highest in all that you do

Outward looking – your focus is not merely on your school life but it goes beyond this where you are engaging with the broader community and how you can contribute to this; and

Resilient – you understand that there will be setbacks but you are prepared to persevere even when the situation you are in is difficult.

The Paul McKeown Scholarship will provide:

-Funding to cover 25% of the cost of tuition fees for Years 11 & 12 at CGS.

The recipient of the Hazlehurst Scholarship for Science and Technology is someone who has a demonstrably outstanding talent for ICT or Science. Applicants will have excellent logical and problem solving skills and be aspiring to a career in Science, Technology or related fields.

The Scholarship is to be awarded in recognition of the contribution and achievements of CGS Alumni, Peter Hazlehurst. It will be offered to a student with a keen interest in, or outstanding talent for, either ICT or Science and Technology which can be demonstrated by a wish to study Software Design and Development or Science and Technology in Years 11 and 12.

The attributes of a Hazlehurst Scholar:

Problem Solver and Thinker – you have excellent problem solving skills, a high level of mathematical skill, and the ability for sequential and logical thinker

Willing to take on a challenge – you are not one who will sit back and let an opportunity be missed. You will get in there and take on the challenges that come your way in the areas of Science and/or Technology

Self-motivated – your drive comes from within and you strive to achieve at your highest in all that you do

Outward looking – your focus is not merely on your school life but it goes beyond this where you are engaging with the broader community and how you can contribute to this; and

Resilient – you understand that there will be set backs but you are prepared to persevere even when the situation you are in is difficult.

The Hazlehurst Scholarship will provide:

-Funding to cover 25% of the cost of tuition fees for Years 11 & 12 at CGS.

The recipient of the Tim Murray Music Scholarship is someone who has a demonstrably outstanding musical ability. The Scholarship is to be awarded in recognition of the contribution and passion for music of former Headmaster, Tim Murray and his belief in and support for the performing arts.

The application criteria for the Tim Murray scholarship are:

-A minimum instrumental standard of 7th Grade AMEB or the equivalent at the time of application

-Must be enrolled in either HSC or IB academic music for years 11 & 12

-Must be prepared to contribute to the co-curricular music life of the School; and

-An audition and interview.

One scholarship for Years 11 and 12 is offered and is open to new or current students seeking to enter Year 11.

The attributes of a Tim Murray Music Scholar:

Music is your passion – Showing evidence of outstanding musical potential and a desire to fully commit to the musical life of CGS

Commitment – To achieving individual musical excellence and encouraging excellence in others

Leadership and Enthusiasm – An excellent role model, willing to share your musical skills with other students across the whole school; and

The Future – Demonstrate a desire to pursue tertiary music study.

The Tim Murray Music Scholarship will provide:

-Funding to cover 25% of the cost of tuition fees for Years 11 & 12 at CGS.

The Old Boys’ Association Scholarship is for a student – boy or girl – who through their achievement shows the promise of making a distinctive contribution either to the academic, or the co-curricular, or the pastoral, social or spiritual life of the School.  The Old Boys’ Association Scholarship was created in memory of the legacy left by the Old Boys’ Association to the CGS Foundation.

The application criteria for the Old Boys’ Association Scholarship are:

-The Old Boys’ Association Scholarship is open for applicants from within the School (Year 10) or those outside and seeking to join Year 11.

The attributes of an Old Boys’ Scholar:

Contributes to the life of the School – you have a desire for distinctive achievements and/or show promise of making a distinctive contribution to the academic, co-curricular, pastoral, social or spiritual life of the School

The Old Boys’ Association Scholarship will provide:

-Funding to cover 25% of the cost of tuition fees for Years 11 & 12 at CGS

Applications for the 2026 Year 7 CGS Foundation Scholarships for Academic Excellence and the CGS Foundation Scholarship for Musical Excellence are closed.

Applications for Year 7 in 2027 will open in late-2025.

If you have any questions regarding CGS Scholarships, please contact the Admissions Office here.

Key dates:

Tuesday 3 September

Week 7 Term 3 2024

·       Applications for Year 7 2026 CGS Foundation Scholarships open.
Friday 8 November

Week 4 Term 4 2024

·       Remote and overseas applications close.
Sunday 17 November

Week 5 Term 4 2024

·       Applications close.

·       No further applications can be accepted after this date.

Thursday 21 November

Week 6 Term 4 2024

·       Scholarship examination held at CGS – Senior School Campus.

·       Candidates shortlisted for the Scholarship for Musical Excellence will be contacted for an audition.

Please note that not all candidates will be successful in obtaining an audition.

Monday 2 December

Week 8 Term 4 2024

·       Examination results and applications will be reviewed.
From Monday 9 December 2024 ·       Successful candidates will be notified.

·       Unsuccessful candidates will be notified.

Year 7 CGS Foundation Scholarships for Academic Excellence

Up to four scholarships worth 20% of the tuition fee over six years are open to new or current students seeking to enter Year 7. At least two of these may be awarded to external applicants. The Scholarship is determined following the results of an Academic Exam, conducted by an external examiner.

Please Note: Whether or not they win a scholarship, new applicants to the School for Years 7 and 11, whose academic scholarship examination results place them in the top 25% of all external scholarship applicants for their year group, will be given priority offers of places at the School (subject to satisfying the normal entry criteria and application procedures outlined in the School’s Admissions Policy).

Year 7 CGS Foundation Scholarship for Musical Excellence

CGS places a high value on the musical life of the School and seeks to nurture outstanding musicians through the Scholarship programme. One scholarship worth 20% of the tuition fee for up to six years is open to new or current students seeking to enter Year 7. Applicants must have passed a minimum Grade 6 music examination and undertake an interview and audition.

Music scholars are required to maintain academic music as an elective subject in Years 8 – 12 and are expected to participate in School musical ensembles, performances and undertake tuition either at the School or externally as approved by the Director of Music.

Please Note: Whether or not they win a scholarship, new applicants to the School for Years 7 and 11, whose academic scholarship examination results place them in the top 25% of all external scholarship applicants for their year group, will be given first priority offers of places at the School (subject to satisfying the normal entry criteria and application procedures outlined in the School’s Admissions Policy).

Through the generous donations from a member of the Canberra community, we are delighted to offer the following Organ Scholarships open to applicants entering Years 6 to 10.

Applications are open throughout the month of February, one year prior to the first year of Scholarship (i.e. February 2023 for 2024 Scholarship).

The Ann Jory Music Scholarship
This is a rare and exceptional opportunity for ongoing piano students to extend their keyboard abilities and master a new instrument: the organ. The Ann Jory Scholarship is awarded to the successful candidate for a three-year period, subject to annual review. This Scholarship supports the cost of organ tuition with the school’s organ tutor up to a value of $2,500 per annum. The full cost of annual tuition (45-minute, weekly lessons) is $3,250; the parents/guardians of the scholar are required to pay the balance ($750).

CGS Organ Scholarships
Up to three CGS Organ Scholarships may be awarded each year, for one year only with the possibility of renewal. A Scholarship supports the cost of organ tuition with the school’s organ tutor up to a value of $2,500 per annum. The full cost of annual tuition (45-minute, weekly lessons) is $3,250; the parents of the scholarship recipients are required to pay the balance ($750).

All applicants must:  

  •  Have passed at least a Grade 6 piano examination
  •  Be in Years 5 to 9 at the time of application
  •  Be a student at, or be prepared to be a student at Canberra Grammar School
  •  Undertake an interview and audition.

Applicants may be shortlisted prior to audition. At the audition an applicant will be required to play on the piano:

  •  One piece of their own choice that demonstrates their technical ability
  •   One Hymn – music will be provided in advance; and
  •   A short piece to sight-read that the audition panel will provide on the day.

If successful, Organ Scholars will be required to:

  • Attend a weekly organ lesson
  •  Play the organ as required for regular school Chapel Services
  •  Play the organ as required for special occasions.

Please email the Music Department at music@cgs.act.edu.au to apply or if you have further questions.

Kerry Allen OAM was a dedicated Canberra Grammar School educator from 1978 to 2013 who had a passion for all things music and singing. The Kerry Allen OAM  Vocal Scholarship will be established to carry on Kerry’s legacy and to extend opportunities to young students who share her passion and gift for music and singing.

The Kerry Allen OAM Vocal Scholarship is designed to provide primary-aged students with financial support to explore and extend their gift in singing, with priority given to students with a financial disadvantage.

The Scholarship is awarded to the successful candidate for a three-year period, subject to annual review.

All applicants must:  

  • Be in Year 5 at the time of commencement
  • Be a student at, or be prepared to be a student at Canberra Grammar School
  • Undertake an interview and audition.

    If successful, VocalScholars will be required to:

    • Attend a weekly vocal lesson
    • Participate in Chorale as required
    • Sing as required for special occasions.

    Limitations to the above bursary:

    • The Kerry Allen OAM Vocal Scholarship may not be awarded, entirely at the schools discretion if there is no suitable applicant identified.
    • Costs for vocal books / resources are not covered by the Scholarship.
    • Fees for enrolment in examinations / eisteddfod / piano accompanist if required are not covered by the Scholarship.

    Please email the Music Department at music@cgs.act.edu.au to apply or if you have further questions.

    Applications for the 2025 Indigenous Scholars Programme (ISP) are closed.

    If you have any questions regarding the Indigenous Scholars Programme, including eligibility requirements, please contact the Admissions Office here. For an outline of the ISP process, please see the summary below:

    Indigenous Scholars Programme 2025 Timeline
     

    Monday 5 August, Week 3, Term 3 2024

     

    • ISP Applications open.
    • ISP Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

     

     

    From Week 3, Term 3 2024

     

    • Shortlisted ISP candidates will be invited to interview during Term 3.

     

     

    Friday 6 September, Week 7, Term 3 2024

     

    • ISP Applications close.
    • Shortlisted ISP candidates will be finalised.

     

     

    Week 10, Term 3 2024

     

    • Successful ISP candidates will be notified.
    • Unsuccessful ISP candidates will be notified.