Best school scholarships in SA: Our interactive database shows what top private schools offer

From space cadets to highland dancing, our database reveals some of the most unusual scholarship opportunities available for starry-eyed SA schoolkids.

Seymour scholarship recipient, Sophia, who is in Year 7, says she “loves her school's encouraging teachers who care about our learning and wellbeing”. Picture: Supplied.

From highland dancers, to pipe band drummers, jazz musicians, orators, electric bass players and even masters of the euphonium, it seems there is a scholarship for almost all weird and wonderful talents.

An analysis of scholarships from 43 of the state’s independent and Catholic schools reveals plenty of the scholarships you would expect to see – namely, academic.

But, increasingly, all-rounder and general excellence awards are being offered.

“Each school is different, families need to find the best fit for their child – an environment where they will thrive,” says PAC headmaster Bradley Fenner, whose all-boys’ day and boarding school at Kent Town has a long tradition of scholarships, awarding its first in 1870.

“Our scholarships are awarded for the duration of the student’s schooling and recognise students with outstanding qualities and potential to contribute.

(But) we understand that students’ interests can change over time and we encourage them to make the most of the opportunities available to them at the college and to discover new interests and abilities.”

While at St Mary’s, an all-girls’ Catholic school in the city, principal Clare Nocka said she was pleased to be offering scholarships for the first time in her school’s 150-year history.

“We want every girl who wants a St Mary’s education to be able to have one,” she said.

“We value student diversity and know the rich learning that results when people of all backgrounds and experiences are brought together in an inclusive learning environment.

“To assist families make the transition from primary school into Year 7 less stressful, we have specific Year 7 scholarships.”

Here are six of the Advertiser and Sunday Mail’s favourite scholarships.

Members of Scotch College Caledonian Corps. Picture supplied

1. The Caledonian Scholarship; Scotch College: “This scholarship is offered to Middle School students who demonstrate an outstanding ability in either piping, pipe band drumming or highland dancing. The students must join the Scotch College Caledonian Corps for performances and competition.”

2. The Vansittart Scholarship; St Peter’s College (Year 10 boarder): “Applicants qualified to apply for the Vansittart Scholarship must reside in the County of Grey for a period of three consecutive years minimum, preceding the award.”

3. Organ Scholarship, Blackfriars PS: “Recipients of an organ scholarship are entitled to the remission of weekly organ lessons with a private tutor for a period of two years. Recipients have the opportunity to learn on the magnificent, fully restored pipe organ located in the Chapel of St Albert the Great at Blackfriars.”

4. Principal’s Scholarship, Scotch College: “Scotch College wishes to recognise special abilities that are otherwise hard to reward in other categories … (for those who can) prove they have a specific, exceptional skill such as, but not limited to, oratory, science and technology, entrepreneurship, innovation or social change.”

5. The Brett Gooden Space Science Scholarship, PAC: “(This) supports a student who hopes to achieve a career in a space science or in the aerospace industry. Dr Gooden (PAC 1953-1960) places great emphasis on encouraging young people to take advantage of the extensive career opportunities opening up in these areas in South Australia.”

6. High Performance Athletes Program, Woodcroft College: In 2021, for the first time the Morphett Vale school will award two scholarships to new and current students entering Year 10 the following year who are competing at a state or national representation level.