About The John Sessarago Sporting Scholarships
This scholarship is named for John Sessarago – long-time Fairholme teacher, mentor and coach who passed away in 2024.
John (affectionately known by everyone as Sess) began teaching at Fairholme in 1988 and spent so much of his extra time on the sports field: coaching, mentoring, and growing both athletic ability and self-belief.
He was, sometimes simultaneously, Primary School teacher, Debating Coach, College Photographer, Videographer, Secondary Physical Education Teacher, Marketing and Promotions team member, Australian World Youth Athletics Coach, Rugby Coach, Touch Coach, and Athletics ‘tragic’.
The College is indebted to his service, his impact, his generosity - and this scholarship matters to us, it keeps his legacy alive for perpetuity.
Applications for students entering Year 7 or Year 10 in 2027 are now open. Applications close Midnight AEDST (11pm QLD AEST) Sunday 8 February 2026. All applicants for 2027 Scholarships are required to sit the ACER exam to be held on Saturday 28 February 2026.
Eligible Students
The John Sessarago Sporting Scholarship is available for students entering Year 7 or Year 10 annually.
Candidates must be competing at (or progressing towards) State, National or the highest possible level in at least one sporting activity (team or individual) that is offered in the Fairholme College sports program.
Speed, Power and Strength Assessment
To be eligible for a Sport Performance Scholarship, all athletes are required to complete a Speed, Power and Strength assessment on the day of interview.
Sessions may take place individually or in small groups. Assessment items may include (but not limited to):
- 40m sprint
- vertical jump
- standing long jump
- beep test
- Illinois agility test
- push ups (1min)
- sit ups (1min),
- throw test
- grip strength.
Application Process
All applicants for The John Sessarago Sporting Scholarship are required to:
- Submit online Scholarship Application Form along a list of sporting achievements with proof of performance.
- Register for the ACER Scholarship Exam.
- Application and achievements will be reviewed by the Head of Sport at Fairholme.
- Students sit a scholarship exam held at Fairholme College on Saturday 28 February, 2026.
- Candidates are required to participate in Speed, Power and Strength Testing on Friday 27 February, 2026. Further information will be sent to all applicants.
- All applications are reviewed by the Principal.
- Successful applications will receive a letter of offer. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.
Additional notes:
The value and duration of all scholarships is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and all scholarships are a percentage of tuition only. The school requires that all applicants and their families support the College’s mission and ethos in full.
The College reserves the right not to offer a scholarship or scholarships at a particular Year level or within a specific category. When the scholarship is offered to the successful applicant it is a requirement that all of the usual enrolment fees are to be paid in full.
For further information, please contact our Head of Enrolments, Mrs Tina Hammond.
Head of Enrolments
Mrs Tina Hammond
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