A group of Hunter Region high school and trade college students are celebrating Christmas with a smile after being awarded a 2025 Educational Scholarship by the Mentor Support Network (MSN).
MSN Chairperson, Julie Rich, said a total of 46 financially disadvantaged students from 13 regional high schools and a trade college had been successful in applying for a scholarship to help with their senior studies in 2025.
Julia said MSN was a dynamic not-for-profit organisation that assists young students experiencing significant socio-economic difficulties or family challenges and that each year MSN conducts a scholarship program where scholarships range in value up to $2,000.
“We work very strongly with regional high schools and education institutions as our scholarships are designed to mainly assist eligible students who must be 15 years of age entering Year 11 studies in 2025,” Julie said.
“We also have TAFE students and students from independent colleges apply for scholarships which are granted to those applicants who demonstrate the drive and determination to achieve educational goals, despite experiencing financial need.
“The scholarships are not necessarily awarded because of academic achievement, but rather because of a student’s demonstrated desire to succeed.
“The overall goal of the scholarship program is to assist disadvantaged young people to stay in senior years at high school or in vocational training and reach their potential in terms of individual education and career goals.”
The successful group of 46 students, who must be nominated by support teachers or similar personnel to apply for a scholarship, underwent interviews in October and were notified during November about their result. Many students have already started spending their scholarship funds as they prepare for the 2025 academic year, the purchase of new computers being a popular item.
The list of high schools and the trade college from which students were successful includes:
- Callaghan College Waratah
- Callaghan College Wallsend
- Cooks Hill
- Glendale Technology High School
- Hunter River High School
- Hunter Trade College
- Lake Macquarie High School
- Lambton High School
- Maitland High School
- Newcastle High School
- San Clemente Mayfield
- Singleton High School
- Toronto High School
- West Wallsend High School
Julie said MSN would not be able to conduct its educational scholarship program if not for the great contribution each year by sponsors, donors, members and supporters.
“We are very thankful for the support we receive for our annual fundraising campaign and those new clubs and organisations helping fund our 2025 scholarship program include:
- Belmont Branch – Country Women’s Association
- Club City Maitland
- Club Macquarie
- Newcastle Men’s Shed
- Sisters of Charity Foundation
“Among our magnificent long-term sponsors are Beresfield Bowling Club, East Maitland Bowling Club, Hexham Bowling Club, Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group, The Mutual Bank and Zeal Futures (formerly Hunter Valley Training Company which this year became our first three-year ‘Platinum Sponsor’.