Welcome to Term 1 Week 4
What's in this week's Connect
- NAPLAN: Parent & carer information for students in years 3, 5, 7 & 9
- NSW School Vaccination Program
- Young Archies: Entries due by 2 March 2026
- Term 1 eSafety parents & carers webinars
- Careers: Career Ideas; Competitions; Scholarships; Traineeships
- Learning & Wellbeing Coaches 2026
- 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 parent & carer information for students in years 3, 5, 7 & 9
NSW schools will participate in NAPLAN online testing from Wednesday, 11 March, to Monday, 23 March 2026. At Finigan SDE, students complete tests administered by supervisors in their current learning environment. The FSDE NAPLAN Coordinator will be monitoring and providing support from FSDE. It is our expectation that all students at FSDE sit the tests, as they provide valuable insights into their learning progress. Additionally, NAPLAN supports school improvement by enabling teachers to monitor student progress against national benchmarks, identify strengths, and refine teaching programs to address areas for improvement. More information about NAPLAN is available in the attached brochure. You will have received further information, including the full timetable, parent as supervisor form, and details regarding disability adjustments, in a separate letter from the school. Please ensure the Supervisor Agreement is completed and returned as soon as possible. In the coming weeks, students will have the opportunity to ensure they are ready for the tests. Parents and supervisors are encouraged to access the NAPLAN public demonstration site to support preparation at home. NAP - Public demonstration site Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA website (https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/naplan) and the NAP website (https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers). If you have any questions or wish to discuss your child’s participation in NAPLAN, please contact Michelle Grasso via email at Michelle.grasso2@det.nsw.edu.au
NSW School Vaccination Program
Young Archies 2026
Calling on all budding ARTISTS to enter this years Young Archies - exhibited at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. You can enter through Finigan School of Distance Education or on your own. The portrait must be of a person who is special to you – someone who is known to you and who knows you and plays a significant role in your life. There are four age categories:
- 5–8 year olds
- 9–12 year olds
- 13–15 year olds
- 16–18 year olds
Portraits must be 2D and sized between A4-A3.
- One artwork only per entrant.
- Must be on paper (NOT board).
- Must be unmounted and unframed.
- Must be no smaller than A4 (210 × 297 mm) and no bigger than A3 (420 × 297 mm).
- Can be vertical or horizontal.
- Any art materials or combination of art materials may be used (eg paint, pencil, pastels, paper collage) but the artwork must be two-dimensional.
- We do not accept digital artworks.
You could use watercolour, pencil, pen, poscas, acrylics or whatever 2 D markers you choose but it must be on paper
- Key dates for 2026
- Entry forms available online: 27 January – 2 March 2026
- Entries must be received: before 2 March 2026, 5pm
- Finalists and honourable mentions announced: 30 April 2026
- Young Archie exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW: 9 May – 16 August 2026
- Salon des Refusés at SH Ervin Gallery: date to be advised
- Winners announced: 4 July 2026
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/young-archie/ https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/art/prizes/young-archie/enter/ Some past winners
Entry forms online Contact Visual Arts Teacher Tamara Lawry for further information. 62105273 | Tamara.lawry@det.nsw.edu.au
Term 1 eSafety Parents & Carers Webinars
Careers
How to ask for a reference or referee
References can play a big role when you’re applying for a job, apprenticeship or course. Here’s some tips on how to ask.
National Apprenticeship Week 2026
During National Apprenticeship Week Australia, young people can uncover hands-on career options while employers and schools showcase training opportunities, highlighting how apprenticeships and traineeships develop skills for meaningful, long-term employment.
The Two-Minute Rule
The Two-Minute Rule works anywhere – at work, at home, or at school – helping you stay organised by completing small tasks immediately and scheduling longer ones.
7 rewarding traineeships you haven’t heard of
Not sure what career path to take but eager to get started? Check these traineeships out.
What to know about Australia’s latest university rankings
A new global university ranking has just been released, and it places more than two dozen Australian universities among the world’s leading institutions for 2026.
Competitions
World Wildlife Day Photography Competition
Entries close at 11:59pm on Monday 3 March
Scholarships
Scholarships to Study at the Melbourne Institute of Massage and Myotherapy
The Melbourne Institute of Massage and Myotherapy provides scholarships for students looking to study Remedial Massage and Massage Therapy. Click HERE to find out more.
Bria Joyce Scholarships to Cover Transport Costs for Education Related Travel The BusCharter Student Access Scholarship was established in 2022 to help Australian students who face transport challenges in accessing their education. Click HERE to find out more. Interested in finding out what else is out there in the way of Scholarships? Other Scholarships
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 2026
- Primary - Emma Marmont
- Year 7/8 - Michelle Hill
- Year 9 - Mark Huynh & Kerrie McKinlay
- Year 10 - Aamir Aftab & Tracey O'Leary
- Year 11 - Dylan Wood
- 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