The Norman Mendelson Scholarship is a means-tested scholarship awarded to a student from a Ukrainian and/or Jewish background, who meets the criteria of the General Excellence Scholarship.
Norman Mendelson was born in the Donbas region of Ukraine shortly before the outbreak of WWI. Norman began life at Wesley with a burning ambition to become a doctor, something he had no possibility of becoming in Ukraine. At a time when there were few non-British migrants in Australia, Wesley, a school run by the Methodist Church, opened its arms to a Jewish boy with a traumatic past. The family established a scholarship to assist ambitious migrant children to fulfil their dreams of a Wesley education. Read more about Norman Mendelson's story
Eligibility
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- be a new or current Wesley student entering Years 5 to 11 in 2026 at the St Kilda Road or Glen Waverley Campuses, or Years 5 to 9 in 2026 at the Elsternwick Campus.
- Be generally excellent in one or more areas sport, music, performance, art, leadership and community service
- complete and submit the Wesley College means-testing form.
Selection criteria
Applicants must evidence their Ukrainian and/or Jewish heritage and are assessed based on academic performance and outstanding achievement in one or more of the following areas:
- excellent academic records
- outstanding sporting achievements (state, national level or international level)
- a passion and potential for contributing to Wesley College.
Below is a guide of what sporting achievement can involve for different age groups:
- years 4 to 5 - Local sports club, individual ranking, age-level championship
- years 6 to 7 - Local sports clubs, individual ranking, age-level championships, inter-league team, state programs
- years 8 to 9 - Local sports clubs, individual ranking, age-level championships, inter-league team, state representation, national representation
- years 10 to 11 - Local sports clubs, individual ranking, age-level championships, inter-league team, state representation, national representation, international representation.
- excellent academic records
- participation and outstanding achievement in music
- depending on the age of the applicant, participation in ensembles, performance experience and/or composition would be highly regarded
- a passion and potential for contributing to Wesley College
- applicants may be required to audition as part of the scholarship selection process. As a guide applicants should have completed the minimum AMEB grade or equivalent as outlined in the table below:
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PERFORMANCE ART
- excellent academic record
- potential for contributing to Wesley College
- a passion for performing arts
- participation and outstanding achievement in one or more of the stage crafts, (acting, singing, dancing and movement, choreography, directing, role creation, set design, costume design, lighting and/or sound) as evidenced by a leadership role in a school or community production
- leadership qualities as evidenced by setting the standards for others to follow, encouraging and supporting team members, and collaborative creation.
- industry experience in TV, film, dance troop or theatre will also be considered
We are looking for scholarship candidates with a strong work ethic, commitment and focus as demonstrated through evidence of prompt and regular attendance at rehearsals, learning lines, songs and choreography.
VISUAL ART:
- excellent academic record particularly in English
- a passion for the arts outside of school and potential for contributing to Wesley College
Artwork
- evaluation of the art and artistic skills in the chosen medium including painting, drawing, fiber art, sculpture, photography, digital media or mixed media measured through material and conceptual practice
- Material practice involves the artwork composition, elements, principles, techniques/mediums used.
- Conceptual practice includes the artwork themes, signs and symbols.
Folio
- age-appropriate documentation of the art making and theory of the artists and their art
Applicants are assessed using a combination of the following selection criteria:
- excellent academic records
- participation and contribution to the community such as volunteering
- evidence of leadership role, for example at current school and/or in a community club or organisation
- a passion and potential for contributing to Wesley College
Applicants are assessed using a combination of the following selection criteria:
- excellent academic records
- participation and outstanding achievement in an area such as debating, chess, e-sports or other unique skills
- a passion and potential for contributing to Wesley College
Application process
Step 1. Complete the Scholarship Application Form
Click on APPLY NOW to complete and submit the scholarship application form along with supporting documentation. A one-off registration fee of $90.00 is payable for each candidate for whom you are applying.
We encourage candidates to apply for all relevant scholarship categories to increase the opportunity for consideration across all available scholarships. For entry in 2026, these include:
- Academic Excellence scholarships
- General Excellence Scholarships including all categories of excellence
The Scholarship application form, including supporting documentation must be completed and submitted by the closing date, Friday 31 January 2025.
Step 2. Means-Testing
All Wesley College Scholarships are awarded on merit, recognising students’ existing talents, achievements and academic performance as well as their potential to contribute to the College community.
You may apply for means-testing as part of your scholarship application. The means-testing component of our scholarship program seeks to provide additional support for families with demonstrated financial need and relevant personal circumstances seeking the opportunity of a Wesley education.
The means-testing form will be emailed to shortlisted candidates upon completion and submission of the Scholarship application form. The means-testing form should be completed and returned promptly in order to progress the scholarship application.
Step 3. Interview
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with the Head of Campus (or delegate). Interviews are held both in person or via video conference, depending on the applicant’s location.
Step 4. Scholarship Offer and Outcome
Successful applicants will be sent a letter of offer via email. To formally accept, applicants must sign the letter of offer and pay a one-off confirmation fee of $1,200 and a Tuition Contribution fee of $2,800. These fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in Term 2 2025 at the latest. Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply for a scholarship in future years, where eligibility criteria are met.
Please note, that results from the academic testing (if applicable) are unable to be released to families.
FAQs
For more information about Wesley’s scholarship program for 2026, please see our Frequently Asked Questions document:
Application process
Step 1. Complete the Scholarship Application Form
Click on APPLY NOW to complete and submit the scholarship application form along with supporting documentation. A one-off registration fee of $90.00 is payable for each candidate for whom you are applying.
As part of your application, you may select multiple named scholarships where the candidate meets the eligibility criteria.
The Scholarship application form, including supporting documentation must be completed and submitted by the closing date, Friday 31 January 2025.
Step 2. Means-Testing
All Wesley College Scholarships are awarded on merit, recognising students’ existing talents, achievements and academic performance as well as their potential to contribute to the College community.
You may also apply for means-testing as part of your scholarship application. The means-testing component of our scholarship program seeks to provide additional support for families with demonstrated financial need and relevant personal circumstances seeking the opportunity of a Wesley education.
The means-testing form will be emailed to shortlisted candidates upon completion and submission of the Scholarship application form. The means-testing form should be completed and returned promptly in order to progress the scholarship application.
Step 3. Interview
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with the Head of Campus (or delegate). Interviews are held both in person or via video conference, depending on the applicant’s location.
Step 4. Scholarship Offer and Outcome
Successful applicants will be sent a letter of offer via email. To formally accept, applicants must sign the letter of offer and pay a one-off confirmation fee of $1,200 and a Tuition Contribution fee of $2,800. These fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in Term 2 2025 at the latest. Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply for a scholarship in future years, where eligibility criteria are met.
Please note, that results from the academic testing (if applicable) are unable to be released to families.
