Cracking the code: How to bag a scholarship at a top Brisbane school

Brisbane tiger parents who want to send their child to one of the city’s top private schools might want to maximise their offspring’s chances of scoring a scholarship – unless they can afford to fork out up to $31,000 each year on their education.

We all know the cost of living has shot through the roof, so here’s my guide to scholarship options in Brisbane.

A tutor might be in order to get your child through the scholarship exam with flying colours.

First, jump on that private school waiting list while your child is still in nappies. Non-refundable application fees for elite private schools range from about $300 to $550.

Next, work out if they might be gifted academically, musically or in sport.

Academic

If you think your tot is brilliant because they mastered their wooden Montessori toys and Pikler climbing triangle before other children, focus on academics.

Better not take any chances, though. If you can afford it, hire a tutor in maths or English for $50 to $65 an hour, or engage one of the companies that offer scholarship-exam tutoring to ensure your child aces their test.

The academic scholarship application process can include a request for primary school and NAPLAN reports, an interview with the principal, and an Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) or Academic Assessment Services (AAS) test.

Cross your fingers your child is a genius.

Music

Fancy yourself a melophile? Maybe music is for you. Sorry, I meant for your child.

But which instrument to choose?

Schools generally require a higher Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) grade for piano or strings, while those for woodwind and brass instruments are lower. Plus, there’s only going to be one pianist in the orchestra. Rubbish odds.

To increase their chances, you could opt for the French horn, bassoon or oboe – Churchie helpfully points out that applications for lower brass instruments are “actively encouraged”.

Somerville says preference may be given for bassoon, double bass, euphonium, oboe, trombone and tuba as they are in higher demand in its ensemble program.

But do you really love the French horn lines in Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers, not to mention the fact it is notoriously hard to learn? Do you want your kid playing the “clown of the orchestra”, aka the bassoon?

Not to mention the cost of buying instruments and lessons?

Sport

Think of the cost of training, the time (pre-dawn rowing sessions, anyone?), the uniforms and your child’s physical build.

The interschool activities of the nine members of the Great Public Schools Association of Queensland (GPS) club include basketball, chess, cricket, cross-country running, debating, football, rowing, rugby union, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball, just to give you a shopping list.

You’ll also want to get your child selected in a regional, state or national team in their chosen sport.

If all else fails

Another option is the well-regarded Brisbane State High School, which isn’t a private school, but is in the GPS grouping, and is renowned for its good results.

Last year, 10 of Queensland’s 33 year 12 students who received the top ATAR of 99.95 went to Brisbane State High.

The school has highly competitive academic, cultural and sporting selective-entry positions for people living outside its catchment zone, or you could save your pennies and buy a home in South Brisbane, West End, Highgate Hill or Dutton Park.

With the total cost of education for a child starting school in Brisbane in 2023 estimated at $193,235 for a Catholic school and $262,531 at an independent school, according to the Futurity Investment Group Cost of Education Index, this column may not entirely be in jest.