Girls aim high thanks to Bankstown Sports

Girls from Years 7, 9 and 11 at Bankstown Girls High School have just received a valuable boost thanks to financial support from Bankstown Sports Club.

The club has given $14,400 to the school to continue a scholarship program that started in 2007, for financially disadvantaged students. The financial assistance is provided as part of the club’s Community Development Support Expenditure scheme (CDSE).

Current Year 12 student Joanna Huynth just completed her HSC. Joanna was awarded a scholarship at the beginning of last year and used the money to pay for maths tutoring.

“When I finish school I want to do a Bachelor of Oral Health at Sydney Uni,” Joanna said. “I currently do Extension 1 Maths, but without the tutoring I wouldn’t be able to get into the course next year.”

Principal Betty Harper said the scholarship program has proven to be fantastic.

“The senior students have bought laptops to work on at home and have had them connected to the internet. They will miss out on the laptop program announced by the Federal Government so the scholarship has helped them buy their own,” she said.

“A lot of junior students have used the money for tutoring or to learn some special skill. For example, one girl bought a guitar so she could take free guitar lessons provided by the school. Scholarships are awarded to dedicated students but when they use the money for things like tutoring, they become even more engaged in school.”

Scholarships are given to students who show excellent and consistent progress in areas of academia, sport or creative and performing arts. Four students in Years 7, 9 and 11 are given $400 each year for two years.

Bankstown Sports Secretary/Manager John Mackay said, “The value of education in a person’s early life cannot be underestimated, that’s why the club provides this support. We’re really happy to hear of such positive outcomes from this local initiative.”

Media contact: Sue Nelson, Quick Thinking Communications, 0403 343 275,
9939 3555 or sue@qtcommunications.com.