Welcome to Term 4 Week 10
What's in this week's Connect
- School Holiday Dates: Last day for students is Fri 19 Dec, Returning Mon 2 Feb 2026
- Student Leadership: Join our team in 2026
- Social Media Age Limit: Information for Families
- Finishing Year 12: What needs to be done?
- Student Work: Year 9 Visual Arts
- Finigan Library News: Star Reader Award; Summer Reading
- Careers: Career Ideas; Competitions; Scholarships; Traineeships
- Learning & Wellbeing Coaches 2025
- Wellbeing: General links
We would love to hear from you. If have something to share in our school newsletter please email it to: finigansde@det.nsw.edu.au
School Holiday Dates
Last day for students is this Friday 19 December Classes for 2026 start back Monday 2 February
Wishing all of our families a safe and enjoyable Christmas break with your friends and loved ones. We are looking forward to welcoming new and returning students on Monday 2 February. Have a safe & relaxing holiday.
Join our Student Leadership Team in 2026!
The Student Leadership team is an exciting initiative that we’ve had running at Finigan School of Distance Education for the last six years – and we’d love for you to join us! So, who are we looking for? Let’s see if this sounds like you…
- Full-time enthusiastic students across Years 6-12 at Finigan SDE
- Individuals who want to make a difference and are willing to put their voice forward on behalf of their peers.
- Willing to commit to three live-lessons each term, and an ongoing commitment to the needs and projects of the team.
What types of things do we work on each term?
- Each session develops your capacity for leadership as a young person – from how to build rest into our lives and developing our listening skills, through to tips on how to host in the online space and where to seek help from others.
- We also work on whole-school activities – we develop the whole-school assemblies each term, as well as participating in fundraising events and Mini School throughout the year.
If you’re interested in joining us, please provide your details and a bit of insight as to why you want to join – by using the following link: 2026 FSDE - Student Leadership Team – Fill out form If you're not sure if this is the program for you, chat with one of our student leaders in your morning check-in session over the next couple of weeks and/or contact organiser Christianna Billows with any questions you might have by dropping a line to christianna.billows@det.nsw.edu.au or leaving a message at (02)62296878.
Social Media Age Limit: Information for Families
You may have seen recent discussion in the media about age limits for social media use in Australia. We’ve had a number of questions from families, so here is a brief guide to help clarify everyone’s role during this transition. Schools are not responsible for policing students’ use of social media outside school hours. Families should continue to make decisions that best support their child’s wellbeing and digital habits at home. For guidance around safety, privacy or online behaviour, the Office of the eSafety Commissioner provides expert, up-to-date advice. Teachers will continue to use publicly available educational content in lessons as appropriate. As always, anything behind a personal login remains the responsibility of families to supervise at home. The most current advice for parents and carers is available through the eSafety Commissioner: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents This site includes practical guidance on setting up devices, managing online behaviour, understanding age recommendations, and where to seek help if concerns arise. Our focus at school remains on learning, wellbeing and digital citizenship. If you have concerns specific to your child, please reach out so we can support you in the right direction.
Social media age restrictions hub Find information in the eSafety hub to help you understand and prepare for the change. eSafety hub
Finishing Year 12: What needs to be done?
Student Work
Year 9 Visual Arts
Finigan Library News
Star Reader Award
Thomas Patterson from Kindergarten received a ‘Star Reader Award’ for the number of books read on ePlatform. Well done, Thomas!
Summer Reading
Careers
The benefits of taking some time to reflect on your year
Taking some time to reflect on our experiences from the past year helps us feel fulfilled and prepare for what’s yet to come.
Generative AI: Understanding the technology reshaping how we work
Wondering how Gen AI could impact your career? This article covers what you need to know to understand how new tech is changing how we work.
What is unpaid overtime?
Are you working more hours than you think you should be? This article explains what unpaid overtime is and what you can do about it.
Online learning for elite athletes: Your guide to Years 11 & 12
If you’re an elite athlete discover online learning options in Year 11 and 12 that could help you prepare you to balance sport and studies.
Seven reasons why employers care so much about teamwork skills
Employers LOVE teamwork skills because strong team players make everything run smoothly.
Scholarships
University of Tasmania Agriculture Scholarships Agriculture Scholarships are made possible through the generous support of donors to the University of Tasmania and by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture.
Griffith Brighter Futures Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students The Brighter Futures Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students impacted by various types of educational disadvantage, including financial hardship, educational disruption, disability or others, that has impacted their ability to achieve their full potential.
University of Tasmania Lewis and Sons Bursary in Agricultural Science This perpetual bursary was established by the Lewis family on behalf of Lewis and Sons, which was a successful rural supplies business in Wynyard.
Resources for Students
The Importance of a USI - A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a student’s education number for life. All students undertaking nationally recognised training such as VET or a First Aid course, must have a USI to get their certificate. Higher education students need it to access a Commonwealth Supported Place, HELP loans and to graduate. Students can create their USI in under 5 minutes using their ID. For more information visit www.usi.gov.au or email stakeholders@usi.gov.au.
Learning & Wellbeing Coaches 2025
The Learning and Wellbeing Coaches for 2025 are as follows:
- Primary: Homeroom Teacher
- Year 7 & 8: Mark Huynh
- Year 9: Aamir Aftab & Tracey O'Leary
- Year 10: Dylan Wood & Michelle Hill
- Year 11: Donna Needham
- Year 12: John Preston
Wellbeing links
To access the school counselling service students from year 6 to year 12 can self refer.
https://forms.office.com/r/2xBCyq7Gff?origin=lprLink