Published on: 25 June 2020


‘The Students’ Scholarship’ introduced at Christ Church Grammar School has garnered global attention. Among its latest accolades is the announcement that the initiative has received an international CASE Circle of Excellence Award.

The 2019 campaign saw boys in the Senior School lead a fundraising initiative which resulted in a scholarship being offered to a young recipient who commenced his Christ Church journey this year.

Each year the CASE (Council for Advancement and Support for Education) Circle of Excellence Awards recognise global educational institutions for leading innovative, inspiring and creative ideas that have a lasting impact.

Representing judges from CASE said that they were extremely impressed by the campaign and felt it was an exemplary showcase of a student-led philanthropy initiative.

“Many aspects of this fundraising campaign were commendable, but we were most impressed by the thoughtfulness exhibited at every level,” said the judges.

“The students took into account a structure that would allow for a leadership pipeline over time, executed tailored messaging based on the audience, and how to efficiently raise the most money for the most good. This was a student-led initiative of professional quality.”

Director of Philanthropy, Carolyn Turner said for decades boys at Christ Church had been supporting charities and making a difference through traditional fundraising methods such as sausage sizzles and lapathons.

“We needed to introduce an innovative way to get the boys attention, to empower them to bring about change and make a positive difference on a whole new level” said Ms Turner.

The campaign resulted in almost 600 new donors to scholarships in 2019 and the introduction of the position of Philanthropy Prefect at Christ Church.

‘The Students’ Scholarship’ was also recognised as National Finalist for the Most Innovative Fundraising Campaign by the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) Awards earlier this year.