Riverina students receive life-altering scholarships

Ten Riverina public school students received life-changing public education scholarships in Sydney recently.

Since the scholarships program’s launch in 2009, the Public Education Foundation (PEF) has provided more than $10 million in life-changing scholarships to 3218 students and more than 120 educators.

Students from Finley High School, Griffith East Public School, James Fallon High School, Murray High School, Mount Austin High School and Wagga Wagga High School were among the 300 public school students and educators across Australia who received scholarships from PEF at the 2024 Proudly Public! Awards night at Sydney Town Hall.

James Fallon High School principal Jenny Parrett said she was proud of her students for demonstrating their academic potential and willingness to take the initiative to apply.

“All Friends of Zainab scholars are honoured to achieve their scholarships. It has made a huge difference to their capacity to access laptops and excursions,” Ms Parrett said.

“Maddison White has told me how life-changing and affirming her scholarship is. It has increased her confidence as a learner, and she relishes the opportunity to study further when she leaves school.”

Ms Parrett also mentioned that one of the students, Rahni Rose, was presented with a Hardy Miller scholarship a little earlier in the year.

“Rahni’s family has been in touch with me numerous times over her Harding Miller. Rahni loves school, and this opportunity is fantastic for her and her family.”

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said that scholarships could be a game changer for many students and could alter their life trajectory.

“Our world-class public education system empowers our students and can be an equaliser within our society – that’s why these scholarships are so important to our students who face disadvantage,” Mr Dizdar said.

“Thank you to our staff who support student excellence and the Public Education Foundation for its ongoing support of public education in NSW.

“I am proud of our students, teachers, and leaders who have won scholarships, and I look forward to seeing the scholarship recipients achieve outstanding educational outcomes.”

PEF CEO David Riordan said the awards celebrated scholarships that had the potential to “change lives”.

“Proudly Public! celebrates the best and brightest students and educators in our public school system,” Mr Riordan said.

“We also want to acknowledge our premium partners and other generous and supportive partners and donors who help us provide more of these life-altering scholarships.”

PEF is a charity dedicated to enhancing the value and reputation of public education by providing scholarships to its students, teachers and principals.

Riverina Award Winners

Acacia Program Scholarships
Harleigh Kenneth-Hayden Carter and Dan Eldridge – Finley High School

NSW Teachers Federation Primary Scholarship
Sally Johnson – Griffith East Public School

Aboriginal Education Council Scholarship
Maddison Elizabeth White – James Fallon High School

Friends of Zainab Senior Secondary Scholarships
Aline Nyanshuti, Justin Shukuru and Merci Rabani – James Fallon High School
Mireko Albertine – Murray High School
Berivan Yousif Qari – Mount Austin High School
Shamsia Barakzai – Wagga Wagga High School

Waratah Education Foundation Secondary Transition Scholarship
Bella Jenkins – Mount Austin High School
Muhammad Yaseen Barakzai – Wagga Wagga High School

NSW Teachers Federation Refugee Scholarship
Zahra Roshan – Wagga Wagga High School