Knights support WA Catholic teachers through scholarships

06 Dec 2018

By Theresia Titus

Retiring board member of KSC Education Foundation Trust, Alfredo Giacomo Cicci and Chairman of KSC Education Foundation Trust, Wojciech Grzech. Photo: Supplied.

More than 40 students studying a Religious Education or Theology unit at the University of Notre Dame Australia have been selected to receive scholarships Knights of the Southern Cross (KSC) Education Foundation Inc.

The Scholarship Recipients Reception was held on Monday 26 November at Catholic Education Office in Leederville

Secretary of the KSC Education Foundation, Chris Hunt, told The Record that the students are also teachers teaching at Catholic schools in WA.

“A selection panel of representatives from the KSC Education Foundation, Catholic Education WA and the University of Notre Dame Australia oversee the selection process,” Mr Hunt said.

“This year there were more than 80 applications with 49 being successful.

“The fact that many applicants missed out was not due to the unworthiness of their application, but more that there were limited funds available,” he continued.

Alfredo Giacomo Cicci presented with an award for serving as board member of the KSC Education Foundation Trust since 31 March 1999. Photo: Supplied.

Established on 25 March 1992 by the Order of the Knights of the Southern Cross (WA), KSC Education came into being as a response to an appeal made by Emeritus Archbishop William Foley in April 1990.

“His Grace asked the Knights as leaders among the laity to take a greater share of responsibility for Faith Education in the Catholic school system,” Mr Hunt added.

“Obviously the motivation of the Foundation remains unchanged since its creation in that we are seeking to ensure that students in our Catholic schools will continue to receive instruction in their faith from well-qualified teachers committed to their faith.”

Mr Hunt also informed that the cost of a Religious Education unit is $2828.25 and a Theology unit costs $2546.87.

“This year, some $133,000 was made available for scholarships by the trustees of the Foundation,” Mr Hunt said.

Tristan Kolay from Knights Leadership Academy, Knights of the Southern Cross WA Inc. Photo: Supplied.

“Since its inception almost 25 years ago the Foundation has awarded scholarships to UNDA totalling just over $2 million.”

Click Here for the list of KSC Education Foundation Inc scholarships recipients for 2019 academic year