Celebrating the Impact of Giving at Sancta’s Scholars and Donors Luncheon

Bringing together current and past scholarship recipients, alumni, donors, Council members, and scholarship partners, this year’s event focused on a single idea: trajectory. 

In his welcome address, Director of Community Engagement Hayden Edwards reflected on a quiet but powerful moment earlier in the year, when a student shared that her scholarship had “changed the trajectory of [her] life.”

“Trajectory is not a word we throw around lightly,” Hayden told the room. “It’s not about a small helping hand or a short-term boost. It’s about direction. Momentum. A fundamental shift in where someone is going.”

That theme carried through the afternoon, particularly in the scholar address delivered by first-year undergraduate Jade Coe, recipient of the JT Clark Rural Student Scholarship.

“The JT Clark Rural Student Scholarship has not only affirmed my potential, but it’s also called me to action.” – Jade Coe, Sancta scholarship recipient

“Coming to Sancta from regional Australia was both exciting and daunting,” Jade said. “But Sancta has a way of drawing people in – not just with its beautiful courtyard or warm meals, but with its spirit. A spirit grounded in community-mindedness and leadership, values I’ve come to live by every day I’ve been here.”

She spoke about the friendships, mentorship, and confidence she’s gained since arriving at Sancta. Now studying architecture at the University of Sydney, Jade reflected on how her experience at Sancta has shaped the way she thinks about design and belonging.

“The most powerful spatial experience I’ve had hasn’t come from a lecture or a sketch – it’s been Sancta itself. A place that breathes with kindness, curiosity, and shared purpose.

“The JT Clark Rural Student Scholarship has not only affirmed my potential, but it’s also called me to action. To give back, to lead with heart, and to keep lifting others.”

Throughout the event, we shared stories of former scholarship recipients who are now making meaningful contributions in their fields and communities across Australia:

• A surgical fellow on her way to becoming one of Australia’s few female liver surgeons
• An executive producer at NITV whose creative work fosters cross-cultural understanding and is driving change in the Australian media landscape
• The founder of a registered not-for-profit that provides scholarships and career development opportunities for young people with disabilities working in agriculture
• A composer, PhD candidate and Associate Lecturer whose teaching and research are pushing the boundaries of music and generative AI
• A senior curator bringing ancient cultures to life through storytelling, education and preservation at one of Australia’s leading museums.

“While these paths are diverse, what they share is a turning point,” Hayden said. “A shift in trajectory that began with a scholarship at Sancta. A moment when someone believed in their potential and helped change the direction of what was possible.”

The afternoon closed with a musical performance by fourth-year undergraduate and Senior Resident Assistant, Bridget Power, which was a fitting end to a day that honoured both the spirit of gratitude and the promise of what’s ahead for many students at Sancta.

Thank you to all who attended and continue to support Sancta’s scholarship program.

View the full photo gallery on Sancta’s Facebook here. 

If you’d like to support the next generation of Sancta students, you can make a once-off or regular tax-deductible donation to the Sancta Sophia College Scholarships Fund here, or contact Hayden Edwards, Director of Community Engagement, at [email protected] to explore establishing a private donor scholarship.