The Cynthia Rowe French Scholarship

Melbourne Girls Grammar  takes enormous pride in announcing a new and very generous perpetual scholarship: The Cynthia Rowe French Scholarship.

APPLICATIONS For THE 2027 Cynthia Rowe French Scholarship are now CLOSED

The Cynthia Rowe French Scholarship provides financial support to cover a major part of the costs associated with tuition at the School over four consecutive years (Years 9 to 12). This perpetual scholarship has been created to support girls of high intellectual aptitude who can demonstrate academic excellence and a specific interest for French language and culture, but who would not ordinarily have the opportunity to study at an independent school.

The Scholarship is to commence from January 2027.

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP  

Cynthia Rowe (Leigh Jones, 1956) enjoyed a long and rich association with the School, with generations of the Rowe family having enjoyed their education at Melbourne Girls Grammar. Cynthia Rowe attended MGGS from 1949 to 1956, and her daughter Belinda Rowe (1979) attended MGGS from 1968 to 1979. This Scholarship is designed specifically to nurture a Grammarian in the study of the French language to honour Cynthia’s lifelong love of language that began early, nurtured by her parents, Arthur Leigh and Mildred Louise Jones (Coad, 1926). Cynthia studied a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, majoring in French and English. Her passion led her to become a devoted French and English teacher, inspiring generations of students. Her passion for the French language started at MGGS, where Miss Davis one of her French teachers inspired her. Cynthia was awarded a  Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française  by the French Ministry of Education. 

scholarship benefits

The successful recipient of the Cynthia Rowe French Scholarship will receive up to 90% remission of tuition fees for the duration of their schooling at Melbourne Girls Grammar, from entry in Year 9 through to Year 12.

The Scholarship will also cover additional expenses such as uniform, laptop, books, camps, local trips and specialist programs. The recipient of the Scholarship will also have the opportunity to go on language exchange to France, with flights and cost of the exchange covered.

Eligibility

The four overarching eligibility criteria for the Cynthia Rowe French Scholarship are as follows:  

1. Applicants must show a genuine commitment to academic outcomes and be motivated to join our values-based community.  

2. Applicants must show a strong interest in the French language and culture. They must already possess a good level of French for their age, feel passionate about learning the language and commit to studying French all the way to Year 12 (VCE).

3. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. Available to new students only.  

4. The financial circumstances of the applicant’s family will be taken into consideration, as well as the potential for the Scholarship to improve the applicant’s educational experience.  

how to apply

Candidates are required to complete an online application form. As part of her application, each candidate is asked to submit a letter, in her own words, outlining why she is passionate and dedicated to learning French and why she thinks that she would be a great addition to the MGGS community. This letter should also provide examples of her commitment to the School’s core values – courage, integrity, compassion and self-discipline. 

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Selection will be based on performance in the Scholarship examination and an interview with the Principal and the Head of Languages. Scholarship applicants must demonstrate continued commitment to their educational priorities, especially the study of French and to the MGGS values.

Candidates for the Cynthia Rowe French Scholarship are required to sit the academic examination conducted by Academic Assessment Services (AAS). The examination takes place at Melbourne Girls Grammar. 

Once results are evaluated, a shortlist of candidates will be asked to sit an exam to evaluate their skills in French (listening, writing, reading and speaking) and will then be invited to attend an interview with the Principal at Melbourne Girls Grammar. Shortlisted candidates will also be requested to submit supporting financial documentation at this time. The Scholarship is awarded at the sole discretion of the Principal.  

To summarise, the following components will be used to used to shortlist and select the scholarship recipient. 

1. Academic Assessment – candidates for all scholarships are required to sit the academic examination conducted by Academic Assessment Services (AAS) at Melbourne Girls Grammar.  
2. French language exam – shortlisted candidates (from the scholarship exam, their application and their letter) are invited to attend an exam to test their French skills (written exam, including reading comprehension, a writing task and a short oral exam). 
3. Interview with the Principal – based on the strength of their French exam, their performance in the scholarship test and their financial situation, candidates are invited to attend an interview with the Principal.