Welcome to Term 3 Week 7
What's in this week's Connect
- Water Stories: History Week 2025
- Best Practice in Screen Use for Education
- Term 4 Camp: 27-28 November
- Student News: 2nd Place at South Coast Regional Athletics Carnival; Support Alexis as she ‘steps up’!
- Teen Mental Health Matters Webinar
- eSafety Webinars: Term 3
- Careers: Career Ideas; Competitions; Scholarships; Traineeships
- University Information & Open Days: Updated weekly
- 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
Water Stories: History Week 2025
Water is fundamental to life. It also underpins our histories. From floods to droughts, from oceans to creeks, rivers and wetlands, our pasts are bound up with the ebbs and flows of water.
The theme invites History Council members to dive into their water stories.
- What happens to communities when water is absent or when it is destructive? How did people in the past use water to travel and trade?
- How do waterways connect, or disconnect, communities?
- How important is water in cultures of sport, fishing, and play as well as the economy?
From the caring for water practices of First Nations people to non-Indigenous transformations of creeks and rivers, and the building of dams, there is an abundance of histories of water waiting to be ‘tapped’ and told.
For more information about events on your local area please go to: https://historycouncilnsw.org.au/history-week-nsw/history-week-2025/
The History Faculty has put together a little challenge for you:
Grab a seat at the dinner table and try this quick True or False quiz together. See who’s the family history champ – parents or kids!
Along with our quiz, we’ve included a few fun colouring sheets for our younger students. Print them out, share them around the table, and see who can colour the most colourful water story!
Best Practice in Screen Use for Education
Finigan School of Distance Education has been invited to participate in ‘Best Practice in Screen Use for Education’. This is a research project led by Macquarie University, in collaboration with 10 other NSW universities, and supported and funded by the NSW Department of Education Screen Use and Addiction Research Fund.
The project aims to develop evidence-based guidelines and classroom resources that help students, teachers, and families build healthy and effective technology habits for digital learning.
The survey is open to students and parents/carers. Students require parent/carer permission to complete the survey. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and can be access here: https://mquni.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6fF3g9JBb97QHEW . You can opt to receive a summary of the statewide results.
Why your participation matters
- Findings will inform a toolkit and professional learning resources that promote balanced screen use for students, parents/carers, and teachers across NSW schools
- Aggregate results and a summary report will be shared with all participating schools. Individual school, principal, teacher, student, or parent/carer results will not be reported.
Practical details
- If you would like to review any of the parent/carer, student, teacher or school leader survey questions, please visit: survey previews.
- Survey window: Please complete the survey within the next 2 weeks.
- Data security & ethics: Approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 18877) and NSW SERAP (Ref: 3111). All responses are deidentified, and participation is entirely voluntary.
Thank you for your participation. Your insights will directly inform new classroom resources and policy.
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Term 4 Camp
Student Work
Year 7 Science
This term, Year 7 have been learning about cells and classification of living things in science.
They have explored the structure of cells and completed a creative project to show their understanding, as either as a physical model or an analogy.
Year 8 Science
In Year 8 Science, we have been learning about chemical structure and the periodic table. These are some of the great posters our class made to show what they know about a specific chemical element, including its atomic number and mass.
Student News
2nd Placce at South Coast Regional Athletics Carnival
Year 11 student, Abbey, recently represented FSDE at the South Coast Regional Athletics Carnival in the 17+ Girls Shot Put where she placed 2nd with a distance of 9.38m.
Congratulations to Abbey who has now qualified to represent the South Coast at the NSW CHS State Carnival later on this term in Sydney.
Best of luck to Abbey!
Support Alexis as she ‘steps up’!
This month, Alexis (Year 12) is walking/running 58 km (possibly more!) in a bid to ‘Step up to Breast Cancer’ for the 58 Australians who are diagnosed every single day.
She is hoping to raise around $250 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation to support vital research. Please consider viewing, and if possible, donating to her fundraising page to support her challenge: https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/AlexisRann/step-up
A very big thank you from Alexis for your support!
Teen Mental Health Matters Webinar
Available dates:
- Thursday 11th September @ 7PM (AEST) - CLICK HERE to Register
- Thursday 9th October @ 7PM (AEDT) - CLICK HERE to Register
- Monday 20th October @ 7PM (AEDT) - CLICK HERE to Register
- Thursday 30th October @ 7PM (AEDT) - CLICK HERE to Register
- Wednesday 12th November @ 7PM (AEDT) - CLICK HERE to Register
- Thursday 27th November @ 7PM (AEDT) - CLICK HERE to Register
- Wednesday 10th December @ 7PM (AEDT) - CLICK HERE to Register
eSafety Webinars: Term 3
The eSafety Commissioner has some free webinars coming up to give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences.
Term 3 Topics include:
Go to the eSafety Commissioner website to learn more and register for the webinars.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
2025 HSC Written Exam Timetables
Personalised 2025 HSC written exam timetables have been released via Students Online.
Please see below link for other key NESA dates.
Careers
Career Ideas
Find fresh career ideas below.
10 jobs for sporty people
There are more pathways into the world of sport than just becoming an athlete – here are ten exciting jobs to consider if you love sport.
How a gap year can build your work and life skills
A well-planned gap year can provide you with a world of knowledge and skills, setting you up for future success in your careers and life.
How to become a Meteorologist
Interested in how weather and climate affect our lives? You might like to become a meteorologist – find out more in this weeks Job Spotlight.
Competitions
JMC No Limits National High School Competition
JMC Academy is proud to present their National Competition for 2025. Students in Years 10 – 12 are invited to challenge themselves to create in an area they’re passionate about.
International Chemistry and Art Competition
Students from around the globe are invited to submit an entry focused on this year’s theme “What is Chemistry to me?” With a total of $2500 AUD in prizes - $500 for each age group and an additional $500 for the People’s Choice winner.
- Opens: August 1, 2025
- Closes: October 1, 2025
Sony World Photography Awards Youth Competition
Enter your favourite photographs taken in 2025. Submit up to three of your striking single images from the past year and share them with the judges.
- Opens: June 1, 2025
- Closes: January 6, 2026
Scholarships
Charles Sturt Transgrid Engineering Scholarship
Charles Sturt University has partnered with transmission network leader Transgrid to develop a new Transgrid Engineering Scholarship Fund.
Public Education Foundation Scholarships
The Public Education Foundation’s Campbell-Carter Scholarship supports public school students from regional, rural and remote areas in Australia. Click HERE to find out more.
RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships
A RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship can help ease some worries and allow greater freedom to more regularly visit home for students in regional areas who have to relocate for study.
- Opens: July 1, 2025
- Closes: October 20, 2025
Teach NSW Teacher Education Scholarship
If your future plans include completing an initial teacher education degree or you are currently studying to become a secondary mathematics, science, technological and applied studies (TAS) or English teacher or an inclusive/special education teacher (K-12), you could be eligible for the Teacher Education Scholarship.
- Opens: July 28, 2025
- Closes: September 12, 2025
Traineeships
JPMorgan Chase 2026 Traineeship program
JPMorgan Chase 2026 Traineeship program applications are now open.
JPMorgan Chase are providing a unique opportunity for Year 12 students who are interested in starting a full-time career immediately after high school. The 2026 Sydney Traineeship Program at JPMorgan Chase offers a dynamic pathway for students to build a long-term career in the financial industry. Here are the key highlights:
- Eligibility Criteria: Open to current Year 12 students who will have obtained a high school certificate by end of 2025, are Australian citizens or Permanent Residents, and have not commenced or graduated from a degree or Certificate IV qualification.
- Comprehensive 2-Year Paid Program: Students will gain essential knowledge and skills in either Operations or Finance & Business Management (F&BM) tracks, with hands-on experience in optimizing services for global clients or engaging in financial analysis and reporting.
- Strategic Role and Responsibilities: Trainees will act as trusted advisors, ensuring the integrity of financial statements, driving key initiatives, and contributing to strategic business decisions, all while working in a fast-paced environment.
- Skill Development: The program emphasizes strong attention to detail, communication, and interpersonal skills, with opportunities to work in teams, and engage in process improvement.
- Program start date: March 2026
This traineeship program is an excellent opportunity for students to embark on a rewarding career journey with JPMorgan Chase.
University Information & Open Days
ATTENTION YEAR 12! Applying to uni? Then you need to know this!
SRS application and offer dates:
- Application deadline: 5 September
- Course preference deadline: 6 November
- First offers released: 13 November (November Round 1)
- Conditional offers converted to unconditional offers: from 23 December (December Round 2)
Tips for navigating offers and preferences:
- SRS offers are only for eligible courses included in a student's UAC preferences at the time offers are made. Not every institution participates in SRS and not all courses are eligible. CLICK HERE for participating institutions and their criteria
- In November Round 1, students can receive one unconditional offer and multiple conditional offers. To convert a conditional offer to an unconditional one, students must keep the course in their UAC preference list and meet the institution's specified criteria.
- Students should always prioritise their dream course. In December Round 2, they won’t be penalised for ranking their dream course above a course for which they've received a conditional offer, even if an institution instructs them to list the conditional course as their 'highest eligible preference'.
- If they miss out on their dream course, their next choice will be considered, and so on. Their conditional offer will be considered after the courses listed above it have been considered. If the conditional course is listed as their top choice, and they’ve met the conditions, they will receive the offer and not be considered for courses listed below it.
CLICK HERE FOR SCHOOLS RECOMMENDATION SCHEME FAQs
All courses for Semester 1, 2026 should now be available for selection in the course search.
Early bird fee ends on 30 September. The fee will increase from $82 to $215. If you are unsure if you wish to go to university, you apply and receive an offer you can always apply to the university to defer your start date.
How to apply to university: The complete guide
Navigate university applications with confidence using this step-by-step guide to choosing courses, selecting institutions, and securing your place.
Bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate: Your guide to university degrees
Confused about the difference between bachelor's, master’s and doctorate? Read this simple guide to different university degrees.
Open Days Guide 2025
Click HERE to download a copy of the Open Days Guide 2025, for students and their families.
Gap Year Guide 2025
Click HERE to download a copy of the Gap Year Guide 2025, for students and their families.
The 2025 University Early Entry Guide
It’s arrived! The 2025 University Early Entry Guide!
- Early Entry Guide 2025: School Licensed Edition
- Early Entry Quick Reference Guide: Early Entry QRG 2025
- Early Entry – Accepting offers: Study Work Grow Education
Rising Sun Pictures & University of South Australia
A decade-long partnership that has played a key role in developing industry-ready visual effects (VFX) artists who are now contributing to some of Hollywood’s biggest productions.
Specialised courses have been tailored to meet the evolving demands of global VFX industry. The collaboration has now led to a bachelor’s degree in visual Effects along with a suite of specialised post-graduate courses including 3D Animation, Creature Effects, Compositing and Tracking, Dynamic Effects and Lighting.
Study with RSP | Getting started in VFX
Torrens University
Virtual Open Day Catch Up | Torrens University (Tuesday 2 September & Wednesday 3 September | 6pm - 7pm (AEST)) - 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
We believe chasing big goals shouldn’t mean leaving everything behind. That’s why thousands of students are choosing to stay near and go far – with a world-class education close to their community, then can focus on what really matters: their goals, their time and their people.
CLICK HERE for more information on HOW TO APPLY
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.
If you have any further questions, reach out to WSU’s friendly Student Services Hub team by phone, email, text or chat.
Ph: 1300 668 370 | Email: study@westernsydney.edu.au | SMS: +6482 095 590 | Chat live online (click icon bottom right on web)
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 (supported by Milly Hammond 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