By Chitalu Kapambwe
Doubleview mother Therese Johnston says the awarding of the June O’Connor scholarship to her daughter Ann will be a huge help to her family.
Speaking with The Record late last week, Mrs Johnston said she knew there was great interest in the scholarship with a strong field of applicants from throughout Perth’s northern suburb parishes.
“We are really humbled as a family, especially with five kids, financial assistance with one will definitely make a huge difference in our budget, and we couldn’t be happier,” Mrs Johnston said.
“Our daughter is a very delightful and pleasant girl, we know for sure that she will make us very proud as parents, and we will be there to support her every step of the way,” she said.
The June O’Connor scholarship was established to assist Catholic families with primary school children realise the best of curricular and extracurricular outomes through their secondary education.
Ann Johnston, a Year 6 student at Holy Rosary Primary School in Doubleview, is the second recipient of the scholarship, after Meggan Kavenagh in 2008 who has just graduated from Newman College.
Ann said she was very happy at being awarded the scholarship and was looking forward to next year, especially after orientation at her new school.
Holy Rosary Principal Darryl Winsor said he was proud that both recipients of the award to date had come from his school.
Mr Winsor said both girls, together with their families, were dedicated members of the Catholic Church and carried out their pastoral duties within the Church with so much enthusiasm, and that no other younger people could have deserved it better.
A total amount of $3,000 will be entrusted to Ann’s high school, Newman Catholic College, at the beginning of each financial year, to be spent on any education-related expenses, as directed by her parents.
At the end of each school year, a report will be presented to the organisers of the scholarship regarding the progress of the child’s learning.
Ann Johnston is set to start Year 7 at Newman Catholic College in January 2014.