We welcome applications from students who believe they can make a positive contribution to our school community. The number of scholarships awarded each year is dependent upon the quality of the applicants and the availability of places.
Community philanthropy has been integral to The Friends’ School and its core values since the school was founded in 1887. This community philanthropy and generosity continues to this day. Scholarships and fee assistance packages are funded by generous donations from the School community.
If you have any questions about the process for obtaining a scholarship or fee assistance package, please contact the Enrolments Manager, Jen Scharkie, on either
+61 3 6210 2224 or jscharkie@friends.tas.edu.au
Applicants must be Australian Citizens or holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa. (you will be required to upload a copy of your PR status, in the application process if this is the case).
Submit your online application and accompanying documents.
All eligible applicants will be sent information about the scholarship exam and/or music audition 2 weeks prior to the audition and exam dates.
Merit and Boarding applicants are required to sit a scholarship exam as follows:
Music auditions: Music applications will be shortlisted and those selected will be required to audition on Friday 1 May 2020 at our Commercial Road, North Hobart Campus. Applicants required to audition will be contacted 2 weeks prior, to schedule their individual audition time.
During May 2020, all scholarship papers will be reviewed by the School and further information from applicants may be sought.
Shortlisted Merit and Boarding applicants will be interviewed by the Principal and respective Head of School. Music applicants will be interviewed by the selection panel during their audition. Successful applicants will be awarded scholarships by 29 May 2020. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by 30 May 2020.
For any enquiries or to discuss with the School, please contact our Enrolments Office on either 6210 2286 or enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au
Visit The Mather Endowment Trust for more information about the history of the Trust and its benefactors.
Further information and Fee Assistance forms may be obtained through The Enrolments office. Please contact Jen Scharkie, Enrolments Manager on 6210 2224 or via email jscharkie@friends.tas.edu.au.
Students are selected based upon their demonstrated desire to learn and their involvement in their current school and community. Students entering Year 5 to 12 may be considered for assistance through the Mather Endowment Trust.
Students would need to be interviewed by the relevant Head of School and Principal.
Applicant families would need to complete the Fees Assistance Forms provided by The Friends’ School. These are obtained through the Enrolments Office.
This is a bursary available for A student from Years 7 to 12 in 2021 from a rural area.
The Frances Parsons Bursary was created following receipt of a bequest from Frances Parson’s estate in 2015. Frances had a passion for the education of women, particularly from rural areas, although the bursary is available to all rural students.
This bursary will be awarded to either an existing or prospective Friends’ School student entering into Years 7 – 12 from a rural area and will provide up to 50% of boarding costs for the tenure of the student’s enrolment.
Friends’ School bursaries are based on financial need and assistance varies depending on the individual family circumstances.
Applications Open: 1 May 2020
Applications Close: 28 June 2020
To apply for the Frances Parsons Bursary, please contact the Enrolments Manager, Jen Scharkie, on either +61 3 6210 2224 or jscharkie@friends.tas.edu.au
Established in 2018, and funded entirely by community donations during annual giving, The Friends’ Fellowship provides financial assistance to families who can least afford a Friends’ education, and who will benefit greatly from attending the School. The value of the Bursary depends on funds raised. Recipients do not sit an exam, rather they demonstrate their commitment to academic achievement, service, community and the values of the School through a written application, interview and references from teachers and community members.
Applications Open: 1 May 2020
Applications Close: August 2020
To apply or enquire about the Friends’ Fellowship, please contact the Enrolments Manager, Jen Scharkie, on either +61 3 6210 2224 or jscharkie@friends.tas.edu.au
Shortly after the First World War, a group of Friends’ School Old Scholars set up a trust fund to support a student moving into Year 11 at Clemes, whose parent(s) had been adversely affected by war. This worthy cause has been modified over the years, extending the support to students who are simply direct descendants of an old scholar and more recently, omitting the word “War” from the title. There is one grant of $4,000 towards Clemes fees in Term 1.
The application form outlines the areas on which students will be evaluated. We are looking for a student who is academically sound, an active participant in the life of the school and strong in service. Students should provide details about their contributions in the application.
A panel of Old Scholar Trustees and Heads of High School will shortlist the applicants and then conduct interviews.
Applications for the Old Scholars Memorial Grant are closed. Information regarding 2021 applications will be published in July 2020.
Available to students entering Year 7 and 11 in 2021.
A Merit Scholarship provides a 25% reduction in tuition fees only. All scholarships are tenable throughout the student’s enrolment time. Additional financial assistance may be available for families that demonstrate a financial need in order to attend The Friends’ School.
These scholarships are offered to students who demonstrate they have strong abilities across a range of the key areas of learning.
Examination papers are written by a team of Friends’ teachers, who represent a broad range of learning areas. A variety of questions invite students to present written responses intended to demonstrate both the breadth and depth of their academic proficiency. We seek students who are academically well-rounded and who also embody the values reflected in our Purpose and Concerns.
Candidates who are successful and shortlisted following the examination paper will be invited to an interview with our scholarship panel. During this process, the panel will seek information on how the student might contribute to The Friends’ School beyond their academic capabilities.
A rigorous appraisal of the student holding a Merit Scholarship from Years 7 through to Year 12 will be conducted in Year 9 to determine the status of their current academic standing at The Friends’ School. If there are doubts that the student is contributing to the anticipated level, the student and parents will be informed. The student will be counselled and offered support to refocus their energies. A Merit Scholarship awarded for Years 7–12 may be withdrawn after the completion of Year 10 if the student fails to meet the School’s expectations of academic commitment and/or personal conduct.
Application Open Date: Monday 3 February 2020
Applications Close Date: 9am Monday 30 March 2020
Scholarship Exam Date: To be advised
We seek applications annually for music scholarships from students entering Years 7 and 11 the following year. For entry into 2021, we are also inviting applications for music scholarships from students entering Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10. The additional entry points are possible because of the existence of several unfilled music scholarships.
Scholarships for entry into Year 8 and Year 9 are open to both current and new students to the School given the enrolment opportunities in these year groups. However, with the current and projected size of the Year 10 cohort in 2021, music scholarships for that year group will only be open to current Friends’ students.
A Music Scholarship provides a 25% reduction in tuition fees only. All scholarships are tenable throughout the student’s enrolment time. Additional financial assistance may be available for families that demonstrate a financial need in order to attend The Friends’ School.
Music Scholarships are offered to students who demonstrate outstanding musicianship and the ability to make an ongoing, strong and varied contribution to the musical life of the School. Specifically, music scholars will:
Music Scholars in the High School meet with a Head of High School and the Head of Music once a year to review their involvement in the Music Program and academic participation. Years 11 and 12 Scholars meet only with the Head of Music unless a meeting with the Head of Clemes is also necessary.
Application Open Date: Monday 3 February 2020
Applications Close Date: 9am Monday 30 March 2020
Music Audition Date: To be advised
Available to students entering Year 7 and 11 in 2021.
A Boarding Scholarship provides a 25% reduction to tuition and boarding fees. All scholarships are tenable throughout the student’s enrolment time. Additional financial assistance may be available for families that demonstrate a financial need in order to attend The Friends’ School.
Applications for Boarding Scholarships are invited from students who would otherwise be unable to attend the School because of their remote residential location or other circumstances related to their residential arrangements.
Candidates who are successful and shortlisted following the examination paper will be invited to an interview with our scholarship panel.
Shortlisted boarding candidates will need to demonstrate a willingness to participate in school life and be a positive member of our Walker House residential community.
If there are concerns that the student is not contributing to the anticipated level, or their behaviour is not meeting expectations of boarding staff, the student and their parents will be informed. The student will be counselled and offered support to refocus their energies.
Application Open Date: Monday 3 February 2020
Applications Close Date: 9am Monday 30 March 2020
Scholarship Exam Date: To be advised
The Friends’ School has made some changes to the 2021 Scholarship process in response to the COVID-19 situation. The School also considers these changes appropriate in following current government health and safety requirements.
Please note the following changes:
Merit and Boarding Exam Information
Please refer to the Scholarship Exam Information.
Music Scholarship and Audition Information
Please refer to the Music Scholarship and Audition Information.
Subject to a range of factors, such as levels of funding and available spaces in relevant year groups, limited bursaries for boarding and tuition are occasionally available. These may be offered to exceptional students who demonstrate qualities that will enrich the entire school, and contribute to our ability to deliver the Purpose and Concerns statement. Bursaries are based on financial need and assistance varies depending on individual family circumstances.
There is no examination for bursaries but families will be expected to make available a range of financial information to allow assessment of their application. Applications are assessed by the Fees Assistance Committee of the Board of Governors and all details are held in confidence.
The Board may, from time to time, offer targeted bursaries to assist students from certain special groups. These are advertised in the local media and on this website.
For more information on scholarships and bursaries please contact the Enrolments Office.
