Scholarships - Cranbrook School

Foundation Scholarships

“Cranbrook is a place where I can achieve, there are so many opportunities for me to learn and grow into the best person I can be." - Harry, Year 10, Indigenous Scholarship

Cranbrook School offers a variety of scholarships which enhance the depth and diversity of our School and provide opportunities for boys who may not have had the chance to attend our School otherwise. Throughout the years the Cranbrook community has generously enhanced the Cranbrook Scholarships and bursary programmes, and their ongoing support has ensured we have been able to assist exceptional students who fulfil the Cranbrook ethos.

Martin Pitt Scholarship Fund

“I love the exposure and encouragement that the school provides to my life. It’s not uncommon that a boy will be doing rugby training on a Monday morning then be at an open studio working on his art Monday afternoon. I think it’s rare that you find that kind of diversity in a school and I love it." - Will Andreas, Old Cranbrookian (2018), Martin Pitt Scholarship

Please click here to view a letter of thanks from Will Andreas, past recipient of the Martin Pitt Scholarship

Martin Pitt was someone who was positive, cheerful and full of energy; he was irrepressible.

Where he saw a need he acted and carried people with him. Martin embodied, lived and breathed the spirit of the Cranbrook community before sadly passing away in 2010.

Martin was at Cranbrook for almost 60 years as a student, teacher, Housemaster, Sports Coach and Deputy Headmaster. He was the heart and soul of the School and to commemorate Martin’s commitment and contribution to the life of Cranbrook, his family and the School established The Martin Pitt Scholarship.

Education and support for those less fortunate were two of Martin’s many passions. Martin’s love for rural Australia and his enthusiasm for boys’ education never waned and he had a strong belief that boys outside the city fringe should also have the opportunity of enjoying a Cranbrook education. He also understood the financial difficulty most rural parents endure.

As the inaugural Director of the Cranbrook Foundation, Martin worked tirelessly to encourage the Cranbrook community to support families who, without financial assistance, would be unable to consider a Cranbrook education for their sons.

Criteria for the awarding of the scholarship

The criteria for awarding the Martin Pitt Scholarship is that the recipient

• is from a rural area
• would be unable to attend Cranbrook School without financial assistance
• displays a real desire to attend Cranbrook School
• shows potential as a leader
• is a talented and passionate sportsman
• will embrace all that Cranbrook offers
• strives to reach his full potential in all areas
• upholds high ideals and who gives unselfish service

Funding the Scholarship

Endowment of one boy in perpetuity (one boy every six years) with a full Boarding and Tuition Scholarship from Year 7 to Year 12 will require a corpus of $1.2 million. To ensure that the Martin Pitt Scholarship can be offered in perpetuity, only a percentage of the interest earned from the corpus will be used to offset the Scholarship costs. The remaining earnings will be reinvested to ensure that the value of the Scholarship is not eroded.

Many Old Cranbrookians, past and present parents, friends and Cranbrook staff have offered support for this Scholarship.

All gifts to the Martin Pitt Scholarship Fund are fully tax deductible for Australian taxpayers through the Cranbrook Scholarship Fund. For US taxpayers, tax deductible gifts can be made through the Australian Independent Schools USA Foundation a 501 (c)(3) registered charity.

We invite all those who recognise and appreciate the outstanding contribution Martin Pitt made to Cranbrook to come together as one and contribute to The Martin Pitt Scholarship Fund which will ensure that the life and memory of this great Old Cranbrookian, teacher, mentor, coach and friend lives in the fabric of the School for generations.

Managing the Scholarship

The awarding of the Martin Pitt Scholarship will be vested with the Headmaster together with immediate members of Martin’s family. The Scholarship will be means-tested and will adhere to existing principles applied to other Cranbrook means-tested scholarships. Following a selection process, applicants who are deemed worthy will be invited to meet with a selection panel. The Martin Pitt Scholarship is promoted nationally and open to all boys throughout Australia.

At the Headmaster’s discretion and depending upon the availability of funds, more than one Scholarship may be awarded. If a family’s financial situation allows, partial scholarships may also be considered.

"Always leave the woodpile higher than you found it." - Martin Pitt, Old Cranbrookian (1957)

• Donate to the Martin Pitt Scholarship Fund
• Discover more about Martin Pitt's life and contribution to Cranbrook here

Matt Street Scholarship

"Being at Cranbrook has changed my life. The School is so friendly, everyone helps me out and there are great facilities.” - Lachlan, Year 12, Matt Street Scholarship

The Matt Street Scholarship was established by Old Cranbrookian Philip (Hooky) James Lee Street (1948) in memory of his youngest son, Matthew Lee Street who boarded at Cranbrook from 1970 to 1977.  Matthew was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident in 1980 aged 20 years.

In 1981 in memory of his son, Philip Street established The Matt Street Scholarship. The first Matt Street Scholarship was awarded in 1982.

Criteria for the awarding of the Scholarship:

• a boy of good intellect and character
• has shown community awareness and a keenness for sport
• without financial assistance would be unable to attend Cranbrook School
• either a day or boarding student
• awarded to a boy who is not already enrolled at Cranbrook School
• is entering or repeating the final year or entering the penultimate year
• to be held for a maximum period of two years

Endowment for one boy to commence in Year 11 and complete his education in Year 12 in perpetuity with full boarding and tuition requires a corpus of $1 million.

To ensure that the Matt Street Scholarship can continue to be offered in perpetuity, only a percentage of the interest earned from the corpus will be used to offset the Scholarship costs. The remaining earnings will be reinvested to ensure that the value of the Scholarship is not eroded.

“The time I was fortunate enough to spend at Cranbrook helped open my eyes to a wider world of opportunities, and gave me the confidence and educational underpinnings to pursue them.  The friendships and experiences that were part of my education had an incredibly positive impact on my life.  For me it would not have been possible without the Matt Street Scholarship.”  - Richard Wright, Old Cranbrookian (1988).

Richard is one of many Old Cranbrookians since 1982 who have been worthy recipients of the Matt Street Scholarship and we are now seeking the support of our wider School community to ensure that the Matt Street Scholarship remains in perpetuity.

All gifts to the Matt Street Scholarship are fully tax deductible for Australian taxpayers through the Cranbrook Scholarship Fund. For US taxpayers, tax deductible gifts can be made through the Australian Independent Schools USA Foundation a 501 (c)(3) registered charity. If you would like further information on the Matt Street Scholarship please contact the Foundation office.

Darcy Searl and Hooky Street

Please click here to view the speech of thanks from Darcy Searl, recipient of the Matt Street Scholarship

"The friendship and experiences that were part of my education had an incredibly positive impact on my life." - Matt Street, Old Cranbrookian (1977)

• Donate to the Matt Street Scholarship Fund
• Learn more about Matt Street and the Scholarship dedicated to his memory here

Bill Burcher Scholarship

We are so grateful to the Bill Burcher Foundation who established a scholarship in memory of Bill Burcher to support a boy who, without financial assistance, would be unable to attend the School. Bill Burcher had a passion for, and belief in, supporting students who display a real desire to attend our School and who show potential leadership qualities.  This gift of $190,000 covered the cost of tuition fees for a boy to study at the School from Year 7 to Year 12.

“Cranbrook is such a close community and an excellent learning environment for me." - Archie, Year 11, Bill Burcher Foundation Scholarship?

Heléne Joklik Endowment

The Heléne Joklik Endowment Scholarship is in memory of Ms Heléne Jokik, the mother of two Old Boys who were at Cranbrook in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The terms of the endowment are that it is for a boy who has marked academic and leadership potential. Where appropriate, preference may be given to a boy from a family with limited means.

The Scholarship is for full tuition fees, subject to the recipients continued satisfactory progress and conduct and may be awarded to a boy at any stage of his secondary school career. The applicants will be judged on their current performance, and if they are non-Cranbrook applicants, on the result of an interview with the Headmaster. The principle purpose is to provide a scholarship for boys who have marked academic and leadership potential.

"Entering every situation and opportunity with enthusiasm and gratefulness meant that Cranbrook was the perfect school for me – to put it simply, I got out what I put in." - Adam Congiusta, Old Cranbrookian (2010), recipient of the Heléne Joklik Endowment

• The Joklik Family - 32 years of support for Cranbrook School
• Read more about the Joklik Family here

Previous Scholarships and Bursaries

THE DOWLING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – 1965

THE WILLIAM COOLEY SCHOLARSHIP – 1981

THE JUSTIN McCUAIG SCHOLARSHIP – 1989

THE WOLKOWICZ BURSARY – 1997

ALISTAIR RITCHIE MEMORIAL FUND – 2000

THE MORDANT VISUAL ARTS SCHOLARSHIP – 2004

THE JOHN SWEENEY SCHOLARSHIP – 2007

Create a new Scholarship or Bursary

Scholarships and bursaries provide opportunities for students who may not otherwise be able to experience the transformative educational programme at Cranbrook School.

By creating a scholarship or bursary, you can have a real and immediate impact on the life of a student.

There are a number of ways scholarships and bursaries can operate. 

Cranbrook School offers a number of different scholarships.  For more information on the different scholarships available please contact our Director of Admissions, Meredith Stone, on 9327 9000 or email enrol@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au.

Please click here for information on the Scholarships currently available.