Jack Ross Bursary Educating our futureS T J O S E P H ’ S N U D G E E C O L L E G E

About the Jack Ross Bursar y

The Jack Ross Bursary is an initiative of the Nudgee College Old Boys Association and is named after John (Jack) Elliott Ross, a highly respected College student, teacher, coach and secretary of the Old Boys Association with connections to the College from 1908 to 1972.

The bursary committee, under the guidance of the Nudgee College Foundation Board, is led by the College Principal, a member of the College Leadership Team (CLT) and two members of the Nudgee College Old Boys Association. The Old Boys Association is the primary fundraising body for the Jack Ross Bursary and also seeks support from the College community through its Annual Appeal and regular gifting program.

The bursary committee meets regularly and upon receipt of all requirements as outlined in the ‘What should I provide?’ section will assess each applicant on his individual merits. Successful applicants will be required to meet with a member of the committee to ensure agreement and compliance with any bursary offer.

S p i r i t o f Our Ancestors

Over the years many St Joseph’s Nudgee College Old Boys and families have benefited from the generosity of the Christian Brothers by receiving financial support to attend Nudgee College.

For many it just seemed to happen; they may not have known that the local priest had contacted the Principal. In other cases, financial support was provided by the College enabling boys to remain at Nudgee College in the face of family hardship. The generous spirit of our custodians, the Christian Brothers, openly responded to such community needs and rarely asked for support in return.

S p i r i t o f Generosit y

The spirit of generosity has been maintained at Nudgee College for the past 120 years. The Jack Ross Bursary program proudly embraces that spirit as it endeavours to provide boys the opportunity to achieve their potential through the diversity of a Nudgee College education.

Such generosity has inspired generations of Nudgee College boys to great success in business, science, sport, trades and the arts. Rhodes scholars, renowned scientists, world famous musicians and composers, rugby internationals and Olympic champions are amongst our illustrious alumni.

As proud as we are of these achievers, we can be more proud still of the opportunities the Jack Ross Bursary will provide future generations of young men firmly on the path to happy lives, rewarding careers, loving families and community service.

Image courtesy of Qld Country Life

What should I provide?

Before making any recommendations to the bursary committee we need a detailed curriculum vitae together with a completed Application for Enrolment form and copies of your sons most recent school report (www.nudgee.com >enrolments>scholarship program). Then, to better understand your current financial situation and to consider what level of support you need now and in the future, you may be asked to complete a Financial Needs Analysis and provide copies of your most recent tax returns, bank statements, loan statements and any credit card statements. Upon receipt of all requirements applications are lodged for consideration at the next monthly bursary committee meeting.

How do I apply?

Applications to the Jack Ross Bursary are received in two ways, namely;-

1. Formal Examination via the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) scholarship program which includes the Co-operative Scholarship Test Program (CSTP). Registrations close in approximately April and the exam can be taken at Nudgee College or regional centres in May each year. A registration fee must be paid with the nomination to sit the exam which is rebated to successful applicants upon their enrolment at Nudgee College. To review registration procedures and complete an online registration form, go to the ACER website (www.acer.edu.au). Registrations open in February each year.

2. Submission of Detailed Curriculum Vitae:- This option particularly applies to young men who can demonstrate achievement in cultural, sporting or vocational excellence, or for reason of equity. Submissions are assessed on individual merit and should be addressed to The Jack Ross Bursary, C/- Enrolments Registrar, PO Box 130, VIRGINIA QLD 4014. Submissions can be accepted throughout the year.

What is expec ted of me?

Nudgee College encourages its young men to strive in academic, cultural, personal, social, spiritual, and sporting aspects of life to become for the world a Sign of Faith – Signum Fidei. Recipients of a Jack Ross Bursary will be expected to lead by example in all aspects of College life, especially towards those most in need. Parent(s) / guardian(s) will be invited to participate in those areas of Nudgee College life for which their son has been granted the privilege of a Jack Ross Bursary to help promote their formation and embrace the wider Nudgee College community.

How long does a bursar y last?

The term and level of support provided by a Jack Ross Bursary is negotiated with the families and will be dependent on a student’s level of achievement, year of entry, financial position, enrolment interview and, importantly, the level of funding available within the bursary. The bursary does not cover normal school expenses such as books, uniforms, excursions, sporting equipment, ancillary fees, and so on and is reviewed as agreed in the offer document.

I nvitat ion for I nter v iew

Short-listed candidates are invited to attend an interview with the College Principal or a member of the CLT, along with parent(s) and/or guardian(s). Based on the recommendation of the College Principal or CLT member and the Financial Needs Analysis successful applicants will then be asked to attend a brief meeting with a member of the Jack Ross Bursary, at which the committee will present their offer, and witness signing to the acceptance of any terms and conditions.

Who can apply?

The Jack Ross Bursary is open to new students entering Years 8–11 only, who wish to benefit from a Nudgee College education and can demonstrate achievement in academic, cultural, sporting or vocational excellence, or for reasons of equity. In the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice, the bursary committee is aware of its charter to offer fee relief to families in need where possible. We are unable to always provide fee relief when requested, but, regardless of the outcome we strive to maintain the dignity of any applicant.

S p i r i t o f a Par tnership

During the period that we offer a Jack Ross Bursary to a student, we aim to develop a relationship with the parent(s) / guardian(s) which is based on mutual trust and shared responsibility. Parent(s) / guardian(s) have a responsibility for making full and open disclosure of their circumstances so the bursary committee can justly and fairly evaluate the level of need across the many applications we receive each year. Parent(s) / guardian(s) also have a responsibility for paying increased fees IF and WHEN their financial position changes as it would be unjust for the bursary to continue to provide funding to a family who did not have a real need and therefore deny another young man the gift of a Nudgee College education.

Final Decis ion

The Jack Ross Bursary is an initiative of the Old Boys Association and is funded through the generosity of Old Boys and the wider Nudgee College community. It is administered by a bursary committee under the stewardship of the Nudgee College Foundation. Whilst the bursary committee is committed to involving all key stakeholders the decision to interview, the level of financial assistance and the offer of a Jack Ross Bursary rest with the bursary committee and no further correspondence will be entered into.

D e b t o f Honour

To maintain the spirit of generosity so future generations can benefit from the diversity of a Nudgee College education recipients are encouraged to assist and advocate for the Jack Ross Bursary fund once they have established themselves in their careers and become for those future generations of young men a Sign of Faith – Signum Fidei. Giving something back, regardless of the amount, is a way for recipients to repay a 'debt of honour’ and thank the generosity of the Christian Brothers and those who have donated to the fund, allowing them the gift of a Nudgee College education.

• Bequest Program: The generous spirit of some has led them to remember the Jack Ross Bursary in their will. Benefactors may be interested in leaving a gift of money, property or other items from their estate in their will to benefit future generations the gift of a Nudgee College education.

Every donation counts, every amount makes a difference. All gifts to the Jack Ross Bursary are tax deductible and are received with thanks. All enquires should be directed to the Foundation and Fundraising Manager on 07 3865 0555 or the Nudgee College Old Boys Association on 07 3865 0551.

To maintain the spirit of our ancestors the Jack Ross Bursary relies on the generosity of the Nudgee College community. Donations to the Jack Ross Bursary are fully tax deductible and you can contribute in a number of ways:

• Regular Giving Plan: Regular donations are the lifeblood of our fundraising activities and enables us certainty around our bursary offerings. Most donors find it convenient to make a regular contribution by monthly deduction from a nominated bank account. One off donations can be made at any time through the Nudgee College Foundation office.

• Annual Appeal: Each year the Nudgee College Old Boys Association conducts an annual appeal to help boost the underpinning capital required to sustain the bursary program and make a real difference to the life of young men.

D o n a t i n g t o t h e Jack Ross Bursary

St Joseph’s Nudgee College2199 Sandgate Road Boondall 4034PO Box 130 Virginia 4014CRICOS Provider No. 00572Gp: +617 3865 0555f: +617 3865 0500w: www.nudgee.com e: contact@nudgee.com

About John ( Jack) E l l iott Ross

John Elliott Ross was born in Dalby on 10th April 1894, the first child and only son of Thomas and Emily (nee Elliott) Ross. Though they were not Catholics, Thomas and Emily were determined that by attending Nudgee College Jack would have the educational opportunity denied to them.

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Jack arrived at Nudgee College in 1908, and would subsequently represent the College in 1st XI (1912-1915) and 1st XV (1911-1915) as well as be College Rifle Champion (1911-1912) and College Champion in the 440 and 880 yards.

After completing Senior in 1913 (suggesting that he represented the College in sport after graduation) he studied law for a year, although his legal ambitions were curtailed by financial constraints. Jack successfully applied for a teaching position at Nudgee College … the rest is history.

In 1934 he converted to Catholicism and was married in the Nudgee College Chapel. Nine years later, at the age of 50 and to his great joy, his daughter Mary was born.

In his sixty-four years at Nudgee College he had ‘seen out’ a dozen principals and eight thousand students. Outside Nudgee College Jack was also very active in community life. He was secretary to the GPS Association from 1928 to 1959 and secretary of the Nudgee College Old Boys Association for over 50 years, as well as serving as president of Brothers Rugby Union Club from 1935 to 1973. Even when he retired from teaching Jack stayed at Nudgee College and did clerical work, but even he could not go on forever. In the second term of 1972 he farewelled Nudgee College, and passed away in September the following year. .

S T J O S E P H ’ S N U D G E E C O L L E G E