Melbourne Girls Grammar Provides Opportunities for Indigenous Students
Announcement posted by melbourne girls grammar 02 Aug 2019
Challenge, Choice and Community
Applications for 2020 Indigenous Scholarships at Melbourne Girls Grammar are now open and close on Friday 23 August 2019.
An education at Melbourne Girls Grammar provides a great opportunity for any girl of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island descent to reach her full potential in the heart of Melbourne.
With a proud history of over 125 years, Melbourne Girls Grammar has always taken pride in its courageous choices to empower every woman to leave the School with the skills, values and confidence to make the most of every opportunity.
Since 2006, Melbourne Girls Grammar has offered scholarships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, not only so that the individual can benefit from an outstanding education, but so that the School community is enhanced by the diversity of backgrounds and culture.
Melbourne Girls Grammar is pleased to share a video which highlights the stories of two current Indigenous Scholars Lilli Ingram and Gracie Ah Mat, and past Indigenous Scholar, Ellie White.
Principal, Dr Toni Meath, is a strong advocate for diversity of thought, opinions and culture and believes that by providing these types of opportunities the community as a whole can thrive.
“We have an indigenous program because we value diversity. We value different voices and backgrounds and understandings of the world,” said Dr Meath.
“Our graduates will leave here with the values of compassion, self-discipline, integrity and courage and we want them to have a deep understanding of who we are as Australians and so that they can be women of action and influence. Our indigenous students come to us with amazing aspirations and are a part of our community. The boarding house provides them a home away from home and they quickly make friends and are part of a sisterhood for life.”
Part of welcoming indigenous students to the School, is the focus on offering places to young women who embody the values of the School. By welcoming students from a broader walk of life, the School hopes that the wider community will gain understanding of and respect for Australia’s indigenous people. As a School, Melbourne Girls Grammar aims to weave indigenous culture into everyday activities from the Early Learning Centre through to the Senior Year Program, so that the everyone can come together with a richer understanding to move forward together.
As the only boarding school located close to the heart of Melbourne, indigenous scholars can make the most of the ideal location, as well as the close friendships they make by living with their peers.
Lilli Ingram, an indigenous Year 10 Student from Yanco, NSW has found a great support system in the boarding house. “What I love about being in Melbourne, and in the boarding house, is making friends from different year levels. It’s so diverse, and you meet people from different cultural backgrounds and different parts of the world. For me, I’m motivated by the fact that everyone just wants to learn, and everyone wants to be successful.”
The School has seen 22 indigenous scholars make the most of their time at Melbourne Girls Grammar since the inception of the program, including Ellie White, a 2013 graduate. Ellie came to Melbourne Girls Grammar at the start of Year 9 and has fond memories of her time and credits the School with preparing her for where she is today.
“At my previous school, I found that I was on top of the class without trying. At Melbourne Girls Grammar, I had to really work hard. There was a great sense from the staff that we could do whatever we wanted to do, but to also find something that you're passionate about and what you're proud to do. I would say that the opportunity, my experiences at Melbourne Girls Grammar, have changed my life and helped me get to where I am today.”
“Culture is a very important part of Melbourne Girls Grammar. We are a school with a long and rich history. We are over 126 years old. And culture is deep. It is visible and shared by our current students and community and also our alumnae.”