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.
2026 Scholarship Applications have now closed. Applications for students entering Year 7 or Year 10 in 2027 will open in late 2025.
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
Registrations for 2026 Scholarships have now closed. Applications for students entering Year 7 or Year 10 in 2027 will open in late 2025.
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 in February 2026.
- Candidates participate in Speed, Power and Strength Testing after the completion of the ACER Exams from 1.30pm onwards. Further information will be sent to all applicants.
- All applications 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
Register your interest in a 2027 Scholarship
Applications for our 2027 Scholarship Program open in late 2025.
Please provide your details to register your interest in a Fairholme College Scholarship, and we will be in touch with further information.
Discover why Fairholme is Top of Toowoomba
We welcome you to experience the Fairholme difference through a guided tour.
To arrange a tour, book your place online or contact Mrs Tina Hammond, Head of Enrolments:
ABN 16 917 099 053
CRICOS Provider Code: 03726D
Fairholme College is proudly a college of the
Presbyterian Church of Queensland