Welcome to Term 1 Week 7
What's in this week's Connect
- NAPLAN: Timetable, forms, & documentation
- eSafety Parent & Carer Webinars: Term 1, 2025
- International Day of Mathematics: 14 March
- Think about signing up for Q-PAF!
- Shoalhaven Youth Music Festival: 15 March
- Australian Geography Competition
- Careers
- Learning & Wellbeing Coaches 2025: Yr 9 Wellbeing Coaches updated
- 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
NAPLAN is this week
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It is the only national assessment that all Australian students have the opportunity to complete. NAPLAN measures the literacy and numeracy skills students develop through the school curriculum and provides parents, carers, and teachers with insight into the child’s progress against national standards.
The NAPLAN test window spans nine days, from Wednesday, 12 March 2025, to Monday, 24 March 2025. Students will complete four tests. Catch-up days will be scheduled within this period; however, no additional catch-up days will be available after the 24th of March.
All relevant forms and documentation are below:
- Parent Acting as a Test Supervisor Agreement - Please return forms ASAP to finigansde@det.nsw.edu.au
- NAPLAN Brochure
- NAPLAN website
- Lock down browser
- Practice tests
- Inclusive testing options
- Handbook: Years 3 & 5; Years 7 & 9
- A guide for parents & carers administering NAPLAN tests
If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Grasso 0439383040, Michelle.grasso2@det.nsw.edu.au
eSafety Parent & Carer Webinars
Algorithms and adolescents: the rewards & risks of recommender systems for young people
Are you curious about how digital platforms are influencing your children’s online experiences?
This 30-minute webinar explores the role algorithms and AI and how parents and carers can support safer and more positive interactions in the digital world.
This session will:
- highlight how young people are using some of the popular social networking apps and games
- discuss the role of algorithms and recommender systems in influencing how children and young people experience the online world, including potential harms and impacts
- provide strategies to have better conversations with your children about social media use, managing content and reporting negative online experiences.
It's suitable for parents and carers of young people in upper primary and secondary school.
Term 1 dates (Australian Eastern Daylight Time):
- 19 March, 12.30pm
Go to the eSafety Commissioner website to find out more or register for a free webinar.
Tips from the eSafety Commissioner
This week we bring you another from the eSafety Commissioner on staying safe online.
eSafety tip#3: Cyberbullying
International Day of Mathematics
Think about signing up for Q-PAF!
Fill in this form to register your interest: https://forms.gle/vFi95XC9YgtKUMGdA
Shoalhaven Youth Music Festival
Headspace Nowra is running the Shoalhaven Youth Music Festival Fundraiser to raise money for youth mental health and outreach. Our talented Emily D, year 11, will be one of the headlining acts for the festival performing at 2pm. Come along and have some fun with lots of music, food and markets on what promises to be a fantastic day.
Australian Geography Competition
Are you interested in entering the Australian Geography Competition?
Your Geography teacher will discuss this with you.
Careers
Student exchange programs
A student exchange program is your opportunity to broaden your horizons by studying overseas.
Work experience options for future medicine students
Thinking of a future career in health? Work experience is a great way to build skills and get a taste of your future options in medicine.
Why you should set goals
Goals don’t always have to be hugely monumental and life-changing events – here are some reasons why you should set goals.
How to choose the right international university for you
Interested in heading overseas to study? We have some tips on how to choose the right international university for you.
Discover career pathways in Utilities
Explore career pathways in the utilities industry and learn how to get started in this essential sector that keeps our communities running.
ATTENTION YEAR 12 students
The Tuckwell Scholarship Program is the most transformational undergraduate scholarship program in Australia. Every year, ANU offers 25 talented school-leavers the opportunity to fulfil their potential by actively participating in the very best that ANU has to offer.
Scholars are selected on the basis of intellect, character, leadership and their commitment to Australia.
Click HERE to find out more about the scholarship and how to apply. 2026 Application Guide.
KEY DATES:
- Early March: ANU Direct Application Open; Tuckwell Stage 1 Applications open
- 10 April 2025: Applicants submit their ANU Direct Application
- 14 April 2025: Tuckwell Stage 1 Application close
- 29 April – 7 May 2025: Head of Year reference will be sought
- 14 May 2025: Tuckwell Stage 2 Applications open
- 23 May 2025: Tuckwell Stage 2 Applications close
- 11 - 13 July 2025: Tuckwell Stage 3 Interview Weekend
- 14 July 2025: Tuckwell Stage 3 Candidates Notified, Scholarships awarded
Learning & Wellbeing Coaches 2025
The Learning and Wellbeing Coaches for 2025 are as follows:
- Primary: Milly Hammond
- Year 7 & 8: Mark Huynh (supported by Penny Evans on Fridays)
- Year 9: Aamir Aftab & Tracey O'Leary
- Year 10: Jessie Norman/Shane Spellman (job-share) & Dylan Wood
- 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