In 1990, the reopening of the Scone Grammar School on the site of the 1845 school, and the utilisation of the original school building, gave hope to many people who had long wished to see an Independent Christian School in the Upper Hunter. That hope has been fulfilled for over 500 students and their families, past and present.

Scone Grammar School is an Anglican Diocesan School owned and managed by a locally constituted body corporate whose members are drawn from the communities of the School itself, the Church and district.

The School is committed to providing the best education and pastoral care that can be achieved with its committed Christian staff in facilities tailored to the needs of the students.

The Scone Grammar School Foundation was established in 1989 with specific and far reaching objectives. These goals will ensure that the School will thrive and grow according to the Strategic Plan of the School Council.

The Foundation is a company limited by guarantee. It is controlled by a board elected from its membership and managed by a committee to which the board delegates its day to day activities. A permanent partner of the School Council, the Foundation has clearly stated short and long term objectives which include:

• To provide a substantial and varied asset base to ensure ongoing financial independence of the School.
• To provide finance for capital works for the growth and development of the School.
• To ensure the provision of essential facilities and additional specialist staff.
• To provide scholarships and bursaries to enable deserving students to benefit from Scone Grammar School’s unique environment.
• To encourage financial commitment from the School community, as well as personal interest in the general development of the School.
• To educate the School community to better understand the role of the Foundation and the School’s supporters in funding the development of the School for the present and future generations of the children of the Upper Hunter.

PAST ACHIEVEMENTS

THE SCHOOL NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT THROUGH THE FOUNDATION RIGHT NOW

Scone Grammar School’s needs are immediate. The Foundation has the task of providing a continuing flow of funds to meet both current projects and those planned for the future.

Schools cannot rely solely on government aid. Financial assistance to independent schools has decreased over recent years and there is no indication that this trend will be reversed, irrespective of which political party is in office. The Foundation will play a vital role in generating funds to enable the School’s facilities to be maintained properly, while at the same time providing for the school’s upgrading and expansion.

Expansion in enrolment as the School grows will continue to place demands on its facilities, necessitating a staged building program as dictated by the Strategic Plan. There is little or no leeway available to the School to cater for extra classes in the existing facility.

Maintaining the quality of educational resources at the School is one of the Foundation’s most important goals. Staff members are encouraged to take on further studies - academic and exchange programs included. Technological progress necessitates constant updating and this will place a financial burden on the School, which cannot be met by fees. The cost of installing computers at the Bullock Library was in the vicinity of $40,000.

Financial security is essential for Scone Grammar’s future. The School provides scholarships and bursaries to enable more students to have a sound Christian education. Government and other influences have placed a greater onus on independent schools to fend for themselves in recent years. To meet the needs of a developing school, the Foundation will need to dramatically increase its current support for school’s scholarships and bursaries which assist over a dozen students who would not otherwise be able to attend the School. The necessary funds would ideally not be paid from the Foundation’s annual fundraising and donations, but rather from income earned on invested fund. These funds must be steadily acquired over the period. By pledging your support right now, you will play a vital part in ensuring that Scone Grammar School is there for the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of today’s 'Grammarians'.

Your support is needed now!
Projects already planned for will require over $2million to be raised every 5 years, as we cannot count on significant Government assistance as the School grows. The School has a limited ability to service additional building loans without raising fee levels even when student numbers increase to the planned maximum. The School’s fee income is sufficient only to meet its recurrent expenditure, which is largely accounted for by staff salaries.

The School’s commitment to being a relatively "low fee School", which makes it possible for many families to have an Independent Christian Education for their children, must have our financial support.

Your commitment is needed now!
The funds raised by the Foundation have come from Membership contributions, special fundraising projects, investment income and annual fundraising events. The individual contributions that have been made vary from donations (both tax deductible and non-deductible) ranging from tens of thousands down to tens of dollars and membership at all levels in the Foundation. Members have also given of their time and skills in serving on the committee, organising and running functions and fundraisers as well as encouraging family and friends to lend their support.

What you need to do now to give us your support

• Become a member of the Foundation at a level appropriate to your circumstances.
• Work toward a higher level of membership by progressive donation.
• Offer to serve on the committee either as a regular member or on a sub-committee that appeals to you.
• Donate according to your circumstances to the next major project.
• Give to the tax deductible General Building Fund.
• Sign an Automatic debit authority with your bank to make regular affordable donations.
• Make a bequest to the Foundation when you next review your Will.
• Persuade family, friends or business colleagues to become members of the Foundation and to support future projects or the Scholarship Fund.
• Just tell people about the Foundation’s achievements - this will help our role to be understood.

Your next step
Please contact the Foundation Secretary/Executive Officer by telephone on 6545 3093. Alternatively, write to us at PO Box 332, Scone, 2337.

YOU CAN PLAY A VITAL ROLE

There are many ways in which you can show your support for the ideals of Scone Grammar School. Membership of the Foundation comprises a continually growing number of parents, friends and benefactors of the School, as well as the support of the corporate sector. Eventually, it is hoped that past students will also play their part. There are three individual levels of membership available within the Foundation, as well as an additional category of developing support. Your pledge can be made as a single contribution, or progressively, over a period of up to five years.

GOVERNOR: Donors who make a gift of $15,000 or more, or who give notification of a bequest of $30,000 or more, qualify as Governors of the Foundation. If they desire, Governors may take up a seat on the Board of the Foundation and take an active part in its development and management.

FELLOW: Donors who make a gift of $5,000 or more, but less than $15,000, or give notification of a bequest of $10,000 or more, but less than $30,000, will qualify as Fellows.

COMPANION: For a gift of $1500 or more, but less than $5,000, or for notification of a bequest of $3,000 or more, but less than $10,000, donors will qualify as a Companion of the Foundation.

SUSTAINING CONTRIBUTOR: All contributors become members of the Foundation Family. By donating $50 or more, but less than $1500, donors are recognised as a Sustaining Contributor and further donations would be accumulated towards full membership level.

Control and Management of the Foundation is vested in a Board, which compromises:

• Governors who elect to be members of the Board
• Three representatives of the Fellows, elected by the Fellows
• Two representatives of the Companions, elected by the Companions
• Chairman of the School Council or his nominee
• School Principal

As a donor, you may appoint a nominee to serve as a member of the Foundation in your stead.

Return to the Scone Grammar School Foundation page.