Dilworth Tertiary Scholarship Programme

2015 was the Staples Education Foundation’s (SEF) first year offering support and guidance to worthy Dilworth Students through our wrap around programme. The Trust Board and Executive Team have worked together to create what we believe is a first class programme to support Year 13 Students transitioning into university study in accordance with our objectives and values.

A number of scholarships are awarded per annum to high achieving school leavers studying at an Auckland university.

A SEF Scholarship offers financial and holistic support to the Students by matching them with Mentors and Buddies, ongoing training for all parties through the Support and Development Programme, as well as 2 weeks Work Experience per year in the profession or industry they would like to work in.

Mentors and Students are also offered support through Psychologists attached to our programme.

In 2015, our Inaugural Year, SEF recruited 8 Year 13 Dilworth Students. These Students commenced their university studies in 2016 at either The University of Auckland or AUT University.

In 2024, 85 students have been recruited and 57 have joined the SEF Alumni Programme.

Recruitment commences in August each year.

Buddies are a second or third year student at the SEF recipient's university pursuing a similar course of study. The Buddies meet their students regularly throughout the first year of the programme and aid them in the transition from school to university life. Buddies also receive financial assistance for their studies.

SEF is grateful for the support of our partners who help our programme by providing office, meeting and workshop spaces as well as assisting with professional support. The Urban Partners and Cressida Capital Teams are always happy to spend time with the SEF Students and many have become Mentors for our Students. Dilworth Trust Board are very supportive of the work SEF is doing with so many of their Old Boys and see SEF as an important part of the school community.

Sponsorship of our students is one way of making a difference to a student's life. All donations received for the students are solely for their own use over the period of their scholarship. Funds are managed by SEF.

Sponsorship can be tagged to a student or, depending on the donor’s preferences, can be linked to a specific part of the programme and/or just assist the operation of our overall programme. SEF can tailor sponsorship packages to meet your needs and the extent of your contribution.

Currently SEF have sponsors who support our students and buddies, and while they appreciate being acknowledged through our website and newsletters, their true satisfaction is gained from being a part of a student’s growth. We welcome you to learn more about becoming a sponsor by clicking on the box below.

Support and Development workshops are run for students periodically throughout their scholarships. These workshops are targeted at the relevant stage of the scholarship e.g.

• University Crash Course (entering university in Year 1)

• Reflection and Progression (reflecting on Semester 1, Year 1)

• APP JOB 101 - tools for moving into the work-force whether it be for work experience, part-time or graduate position

Additionally the SEF Programme offer a Mentee Assistance Programme (MAP) overseen by a Clinical Psychologist to enable our programme to provide professional psychological assistance to our students if there is a need.