CSC students win prestigious scholarship

By Gabriel Garcia

Dec 8, 2023

CSC Harding Miller Scholarship 2023 victors: Far ends: High Abilities Co-ordinators George Allen and Kirky Kirkman with (L-R) Isabella Galland and Molly-Mae Ruigrok. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

Year 9 students from Cobram Secondary College Isabella Galland and Molly-Mae Ruigrok are feeling on top of the world.

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The two students have been awarded the prestigious Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship, granted to girls who demonstrate high academic proficiency and dedication to learning.

Both Isabella and Molly-Mae are in CSC’s High Abilities program. Isabella aims to study either Science or Bachelor of Pharmacy and Molly-Mae plans to pursue psychology, hoping to improve access to mental health services.

The two students competed against 643 applications from 272 schools nationwide.

The application process involved students completing an essay-structured personal statement based on a series of questions and providing their school report cards, their NAPLAN data, and a reference letter from principal Kimberley Tempest.

Of the applications, only 206 scholarships were awarded, which help ensure the students succeed by assisting them with buying educational equipment, including textbooks and computers, and helping provide tutoring and coaching.

Molly-Mae said winning the scholarship has given her a huge confidence boost.

“(The scholarship) sets a sturdy pathway until Year 12,” she said.

“I was actually really surprised when I got it because there were so many applications.”

Isabella said she was shocked that she had won the scholarship and is thankful to high abilities co-ordinators and her family for their support.

“I feel honoured to be selected in what was a very competitive application process,” she said.

“I have worked extremely hard to get to this point and I’m feeling really proud of myself.”

CSC’s high abilities co-ordinator Kirky Kirkman is over the moon for her two students.

Ms Kirkman said both Isabella and Molly-Mae showed consistent commitment, a desire to learn, and natural curiosity.

“We are so proud of Molly-Mae and Isabella, as we recognise that they have been awarded this prestigious scholarship due to their hard work, engagement, determination, and focused aspirations,” Ms Kirkman said.

“Both students are a joy to teach and contribute wonderfully to Cobram Secondary College’s positive culture, so we are thrilled that they are being recognised for their achievements.”