Welcome to Term 1 Week 8
What's in this week's Connect
- Highlights from Mini School
- Harmony Week 2025
- An Olympian is Visiting Finigan SDE!
- Student Work: Year 7 & 8 Visual Arts; Year 11 Visual Arts
- Student News: Youth Rural Ambassador Winner at Milton Show
- School Student Travel: Information for Parents & Students
- eSafety Parent & Carer Webinars: Term 1, 2025
- Think about signing up for Q-PAF!
- Australian Geography Competition
- Kids & Family Shows at The Q
- Careers
- University Information & Open Days
- 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
Highlights from Mini School
Mini School took place over three exciting days in Week 6. This event was a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage in diverse activities that promoted both learning and connections.
Day 1 kicked off with a session in the local park on navigation skills, where students learned how to orientate a mud map, use a compass, and develop basic navigation techniques. This was followed by an energetic introduction to pickleball, where students honed their hand-eye coordination and teamwork skills while enjoying friendly matches.
On Day 2, students embarked on an exciting excursion to Birrigai. They experienced the thrill of the giant swing, which challenged them to step out of their comfort zones and provided plenty of laughs. Later, they gathered around the campfire to learn how to make damper, which they enjoyed with lashings of butter and golden syrup. That evening, we visited the Stromlo Observatory for an awe-inspiring tour and stargazing session. Students had the chance to explore the night sky and learn about constellations and planets.
Day 3 focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with an interactive workshop that encouraged students to think critically and solve problems creatively. Following this, students had one-on-one time to meet with their teachers for individualised learning support, ensuring that every student received the attention and guidance they needed to thrive in distance education.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the teachers and staff who dedicated their time and effort to making Mini School a success.
As we continue our journey through the school year, we look forward to welcoming all students to the next Mini School in Term 2 to foster learning, connections, and student engagement.
Harmony Week 2025
This week is Harmony Week!
This week we celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity with Harmony Week under the theme “Everyone belongs”. Harmony Week is a celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. The focus is on inclusiveness, respect and creating a sense of belonging for everyone.
At Finigan SDE, we hold these same values across our school and continue to support and encourage all our students, regardless of race, background, culture or beliefs.
To celebrate and get the conversation started on respect and belonging, we have a couple of events running this week.
Wear it orange!
The official colour to celebrate Harmony Week is orange, so we are inviting all students to share a picture of themselves, or someone special in their life, wearing the colour orange.
Photos will be shared in Connect next week, so please make sure you have the permission of the person in the photo.
Harmony Week Poster Competition
Create a poster to represent what Harmony Week means to you. Include the theme “everyone belongs” and the colour orange.
- Theme: Everyone Belongs
- Entries Close: March 25 2025
- Specifications: A4 drawing, painting or mixed media work
- Email entries to: Penny.Cerutty@det.nsw.edu.au
The competition will be divided into two sections:
- Junior, years K to 6
- Senior, years 7 to 12
An Olympian is Visiting Finigan SDE!
We will have Australian Olympian, Nathan Katz (Judo), joining our students and staff online in the last week of term for a very special online presentation.
Further details have been provided (below) and a Microsoft Teams link will be sent out to all students and staff in the coming weeks.
If you have a specific question you’d like to ask Nathan, please use the following link to submit it prior to the event:
https://forms.office.com/r/Dk9J5T6sv1
Student Work
Check out some of the amazing work our Visual Arts students have been creating
Year 7 & 8 Visual Arts
Year 7s and 8s were working on one-point perspective in their drawings for Visual Arts last week. These are three of the best from year 7. They have successfully created the illusion of space and distance on a two-dimensional surface.
Year 11 Visual Arts
Year 11 students worked on the concept of reflection in Visual Arts last week. They did two artworks: drawing their self-portraits in a glass surface, and reflections of nature in bodies of water. Here are some of the best examples.
Student News
Youth Rural Ambassador Winner at Milton Show
Year 11 student, William Gray, had a brilliant few days at the Milton Show. William won Youth Rural Ambassador and his sister was named young woman for the Milton Show. A lot of hard slog to get things set up and packed down but William said it was an amazing community event and he learned a lot.
Congratulations William on all of your hard work, and your well deserved win.
School Student Travel Information for Parents & Students
School Travel Passes
Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.
In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.
Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
Terms of Use
Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.
This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.
All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.
Further information can be found at transportnsw.info/school-students
Enquiries can be submitted at transportnsw.info/passes-concessions-feedback
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
Think about signing up for Q-PAF!
Fill in this form to register your interest: https://forms.gle/vFi95XC9YgtKUMGdA
Australian Geography Competition
Are you interested in entering the Australian Geography Competition?
Your Geography teacher will discuss this with you.
Kids & Family Shows at The Q
If you live in the Queanbeyan area you might like to take the opportunit to go and see some of the great shows on at The Q this year.
Trash Test Dummies Circus: 12-13 April @ The Q (first weekend of Term 1 school holidays) - Everyone put your bins out! Tonight’s bin night and the Trash Test Dummies are on duty. Winning Best Children’s Presentation at Adelaide Fringe in 2015 and 2016, this “delightfully intelligent, highly entertaining” (Herald Sun) circus comedy takes the household wheelie bin to new heights, and delivers a dump-truck full of hilarity! With side-splitting slapstick, daring acrobatics, and dexterous juggling, these Dummies are off on an imaginative adventure that is anything but garbage. https://theq.net.au/whats-on/trash-test-dummies-circus/
Mr Snotbottom – 18 July @ The B (last weekend of Winter school holidays) - A hilariously deeeesgusting kids comedian brimming with all the oooey, gooey, yucky things kids love! Like a cross between Shrek and Mr Bean, you can expect snot-loads of gross-tastic gags, slimy songs, and just wrong routines perfect for weird kids and their even weirder parents! Mr Snotbottom will transport families on a roller-coaster of ridiculousness where they can howl, groan and roar with delight together! https://theq.net.au/whats-on/mr-snotbottom/
The Paper Escaper – 20-22 August @ The Q (During Term 3) - Benny, the plucky puppet protagonist, knows they are destined for greater things than a simple pop-up book. But in a world that’s trying to squash Benny between its pages – from a wily dancing fire to a disillusioned illustrator – Benny will need the help of a new friend to achieve their dreams. Written by Gita Bezard of The Last Great Hunt, this delightful, funny, and inspiring production features inventive puppetry, deft physical performance, and an intricate and engaging soundtrack. Benny doesn’t want to tell the story ‘The Maker’ has written for them. As their parents get nervous about the consequences of defying the ‘The Maker’, Benny rips themself from his story. Alone and in an unknown land, Benny comes across a mysterious tentacle and friendship blooms. But ‘The Maker’ is determined and his fire is hungry – and Benny and their friend must work together to survive. https://theq.net.au/whats-on/the-paper-escaper/
Jon & Jero: STUFF! – 10 October @ The Q (last weekend of Term 3 school holidays) - Jon & Jero are embarking on an epic journey to find their missing STUFF – but they can’t do it alone! With your help, these bumbling brothers will travel far and wide to get their STUFF back in this fast and fun choose-your-own-adventure for the whole family! STUFF! is an interactive comedy experience exploring themes of friendship, hopefulness, exploration and connection, all wrapped together with a healthy sprinkle of imagination on top. This high-energy hour of silly proportions combines physical comedy, big characters, improvisation, and most importantly, STUFF! https://theq.net.au/whats-on/jon-jero-stuff/
The Listies: 110% Ready! – 24-25 October @ The Q (during Term 4) - Featuring a pocketful of puns, silly slapstick sight gags, and a splash of improvisational idiocy, 110% Ready sees Melbourne’s masters of mirth do what they do best for 55 solid minutes of full family lols. This brand-new show is all about the joys of the average morning routine: sleeping through the alarm, not having any milk, fishing dirty clothes out of the hamper, burning the toast, and then finding the front door is glued shut, the shower won’t switch off, and the house is filling with water. Dedicated to anyone who has ever been in charge of someone who is impossible to get out the front door in the morning! https://theq.net.au/whats-on/the-listies-110-ready/
Careers
The importance of self-care for high school students
Learn about the importance of self-care and find three examples of self-care practices you can incorporate into your daily routine.
7 tips for maximising your scholarship application
Curious about scholarships but need some tips to maximise your application? Learn how to stand out from the crowd.
Why do we work?
Work can (and should) be about much more than just earning money. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why we work.
5 things to think about when looking for a course
If you’re considering study in your future, here are some things you might like to think about when looking for a course.
Discover career pathways in Translation and Interpretation
Discover career pathways in translation and interpretation, where you can bridge language barriers and facilitate global communication.
University Information & Open Days
Australian National University (ANU)
ANU Open Day 2025 is fast approaching. Don’t miss out! Saturday 29 March, 9am – 3pm. Register now.
Meet new people who could become life-long friends. Get involved in hundreds of events and activities. And discover all you need to start your university journey.
Plus, register and attend in-person for a chance to WIN a range of prizes including a MacBook and Beats headphones. Terms and conditions apply.
Bond University
Virtual Open Day, your exclusive snapshot of life at Bond:
Experience Bond’s deliberately different approach to learning at Virtual Open Day, streaming to you live on Saturday, 5 April from 12pm AEST.
Discover why the Gold Coast is Australia’s favourite classroom. From personalised attention to exceptional graduate outcomes, Virtual Open Day is the place to uncover everything Bond University has to offer.
Register now to gain early access to exclusive content about all the possibilities at Bond and unlock the livestream on 5 April. REGISTER NOW.
Charles Sturt University (CSU)
Charles Sturt Advantage (Early Offer)
- Round 1 - Early bird applications close 31 July 2025 and offers will be made from 1 September 2025.
- Round 2 - Applications close 31 August 2025 and offers will be made from 19 September 2025.
- Students Apply Here - https://study.csu.edu.au/information-for/school-leavers/charles-sturt-advantage
Virtual Information session to help students understand how early offers work and get tips on writing their application May 6th, 5:30pm - Register here
Explore Day 2025:
Come and check out or campus and experience a variety of hands on sessions across a variety of career areas. Students in year 10,11 or 12 can REGISTER HERE
- Wagga Wagga - Tuesday 18 March
- Port Macquarie - Tuesday 25 March
Internationally Educated - Study in the US
Study in the US | Virtual Information Session Hosted by Internationally Educated. Come learn about studying in the US and the US university application process directly from a former Assistant Director of Admissions. Q&A session will follow. Suggested for students in Years 9-12. Wednesday 19 March 6.00pm AEDT, registration required. To register: https://www.internationallyeducated.com.au/post/study-in-the-us-virtual-information-session.
La Trobe University
Course updates:
- Bachelor of Biological Sciences - New core subjects and course location
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics -New specialisation course
- Bachelor of Arts Explorer tool - Explore over 34 different arts majors or add your interests to refine your selection
Regional campus events:
- Bendigo Campus Talk and Tours - Ask questions, get a taste of uni, and feel ready to start your dream course. You’ll meet our student ambassadors and take a tour of the Bendigo campus. Monday 7 – Thursday 10 April. Book Now!
- Mildura Futures Day 2025 - Hear from expert academics and teachers in a range of study areas including regional and metro study options. Saturday 29 March. Book now!
Open Days 2025:
- Melbourne (Bundoora) - Sunday 3 August 2025
- Shepparton - Sunday 10 August
- Mildura - Wednesday 13 August
- Sydney - Saturday 16 August
- Albury-Wodonga - Sunday 17 August
- Bendigo - Sunday 24 August
Macquarie University (MQU)
- Experience Macquarie Days: Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 April
- Year 12 Guide to Uni webinar: Wednesday 30 April
- Year 10 Guide to Uni webinar: Wednesday 14 May
- Open Day: 16 August 2025, 10am – 4pm
National Instuite of Education: UCAT & Pathways into Medicine
UCAT and Pathways into Medicine Webinar Recording and PDF Slides - Students in Year 9, 10, 11 or 12 considering a career in medicine or dentistry, and missed the previous ‘UCAT and Pathways into Medicine/Dentistry’ information session, you can access the recording and PDF slides of the presentation here https://www.nie.edu.au/ucat-free/free-ucat-information-sessions
Torrens University
Virtual Open Day Catch Up | Torrens University - For students who missed Torrens University's February Virtual Open Day, the recording is now available. Hear from academics about courses, scholarships, internships and what sets Torrens University apart. https://www.torrens.edu.au/whats-on/open-day/virtual-open-day.
Western Sydney University
Western Sydney University Open Day | Sunday 6 July - The date for Western Sydney University's 2025 Open Day has been set for Sunday 6 July. Taking place at our vibrant Parramatta South Campus, Open Day is a fantastic opportunity for future students, teachers and the community to tour the facilities, chat to academic staff and current students, and learn all about what Western has to offer. For more information visit https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/openday.
Scholarships, Early Entry, Alternative Pathways:
- Western's HSC True Reward Early Offer Program - HSC True Reward acknowledges that students are much more than their scaled ATAR. The program recognises a student’s subject performance, which best reflects their strengths and areas of interest, as an indicator of future success at university. Offers based on Year 11 or 12 results are made from September. For more information visit https://bit.ly/43e4Gtu.
- Western Sydney University Indigenous Entry Pathway Program - The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway Entry Program is an alternative University Entry Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants can gain entry to any undergraduate degree at Western by completing the entry assessment and be supported throughout their education. The next assessment days are online and on campus in June 2025. For more information visit https://bit.ly/47iMOwF.
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.
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