Sydney Catholic Schools has announced the 2026 recipients of the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) Teaching Scholarship, with record application numbers highlighting strong interest in teaching within Catholic schools.
Following a competitive selection process, 16 students were awarded scholarships for 2026, recognised for their academic potential, commitment to Catholic service, and passion for teaching.
For 2026 recipient Angelina Odisho, an 18-year-old former student of Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights, receiving the scholarship represents both reassurance and opportunity as she begins her university journey.
“I am immensely grateful to have received the CEF Teaching Scholarship for 2026, as it allows me to gain a head start on my career in education knowing that I am supported not only financially, but also holistically throughout my journey to becoming an educator,” she said.
CEF Supervisor Kathleen Badolato said early support, mentoring and belonging underscores the important role the scholarship plays in forming confident, values-led educators.
“For these students, receiving this scholarship signifies an entry into a lifelong ecosystem of support. It provides them with a rare bridge between their academic studies and their professional vocation, allowing them to deepen their faith journey within the Sydney Catholic Schools community even as they master their craft at a Catholic university,” she said.
Angelina echoed the importance of this support network, noting that the scholarship eases the pressures often associated with university life.
“Through extensive mentorship and opportunities for employment whilst studying, the scholarship not only eases the pressures often associated with university life, but it reminds me that education is a shared mission, and that I am supported by a community that believes in the transformative power of teaching,” she said.
Michaela Zizovski, a 21-year-old former student of Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook, said the program has played a key role in preparing her for the classroom and securing a full-time teaching position.
She will be among the first cohort of CEF Teaching Scholarship recipients to graduate this year.
“The scholarship allowed me to be immersed in Sydney Catholic Schools from an early point in my degree,” she said.
“Through my Principal mentor and employment opportunities while studying, I gained a strong understanding of how a school and classroom operate, which made the transition into teaching feel far more natural.”
While financial support remains critical, the scholarship offers recipients a structured pathway of formation and connection. This includes casual employment opportunities across Sydney Catholic Schools, a principal mentor throughout their degree, access to spiritual formation opportunities, and participation in an annual retreat day and end-of-year liturgy.
“Through this scholarship, I am confident that the guidance provided by experienced mentors and the employment opportunities offered will equip me with the skills and tools needed to develop into a confident and capable educator,” Angelina said.
Since 2023, the CEF has expanded its mission to invest not only in students but in the future of Catholic education, supporting graduates pursuing teaching degrees at Australian Catholic University or the University of Notre Dame, and strengthening the pipeline of educators across Sydney Catholic Schools.
Looking ahead, Angelina said she is excited to give back to the system that shaped her.
“What excites me most about my future teaching career at Sydney Catholic Schools is the opportunity to provide the future generation of students with the same high quality, Catholic education that I was fortunate enough to receive,” she said.
“With God at the centre of everything, I look forward to nurturing the faith of my students and supporting them as they navigate their own unique spiritual journeys.”
Last year, the CEF provided 6,324 student bursaries, supporting foster families, refugee and Indigenous communities, and working families experiencing cost-of-living pressures.
