Connect Finigan School of Distance Education Term 2 Week 1

What Matters? – Writing Competition

Inspired by Gough Whitlam's commitment to involving young people in shaping Australia's future, the What Matters? Writing Competition is now in its 21st year and seeks to hear from children on what they care about the most: from climate change to mental health to video games and relationships with friends and families.

Whatever the issue is, the Whitlam Institute is inviting young people in Years 5–12 to express themselves through their writing and to share their ideas and thoughts in 600 words or less.

What you need to know:

• Competition is now open until May 16, 2025
• Entries can be in the form of prose, non-fiction, poetry, or essay
• Free to enter here for years 5-12, at home or school
• There are great prizes including a $1500 cash prize, book packs from Allen and Unwin, and money-can’t-buy experiences, like shadowing journalists at Parliament House, or hosting a virtual author visit at your school.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, you’re welcome to enter by following this link and submitting your responses by May 16th, 2025: https://www.whitlam.org/what-matters

Kids & Family Shows at The Q

If you live in the Queanbeyan area you might like to take the opportunity to go and see some of the great shows on at The Q this year.

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/

eSafety Parents & Carers Webinars: Term 2

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.

Some of the topics include:

Understanding & using parental controls to help protect your child online

Parental controls can be a useful addition to the strategies you use to help protect your child online. Parental controls can help keep children and young people by preventing access to harmful content, managing time spent online and who they communicate with.

Join us at this 45-minute webinar to find out about:

• the types of parental controls available and how to set them for your child’s safety including smart devices, in apps, gaming platforms and computers
• using parental controls with other online safety strategies to help your child build digital and critical skills to have safer experiences online.

It’s suitable for parents and carers of children in primary school.

Term 2 (Australian Eastern Standard Time):

• 14 May, 12.30pm
• 3 June, 3.30pm

Sexual extortion: What parents & carers need to know

Sexual extortion or ‘sextortion’ is a form of blackmail where someone threatens to share a nude or sexual image or video of a person unless their demands are met.

Sexual extortion is a serious, growing online concern, especially for young people. But what exactly is it? What conversations may help prevent it and how can you support your child if they’re targeted?

This 30-minute webinar will explain:

• what sexual extortion is
• the impacts and potential harms sexual extortion may have on young people
• strategies to support young people who may experience sexual extortion, including how to respond and access support; and how to encourage safer and more positive online interactions.

It’s suitable for parents and carers of young people in upper primary and secondary school.

Term 2 (Australian Eastern Standard Time):

• 28 May, 12.30pm
• 18 June, 12.30pm

eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you

eSafety has a range of programs and resources that can help parents and carers build knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safer online experiences.

This 30-minute webinar introduces:

• eSafety resources designed to help you start the conversation about online safety with your child
• how to help children and young people thrive online with 5 top tips to keep your family safe online
• how the eSafety Commissioner can help parents, children and young people that are experiencing online harms.

It’s suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and secondary school.

Term 2 (Australian Eastern Standard Time):

• 21 May, 12.30pm

Go to the eSafety Commissioner website to learn more and register for the webinars.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

Careers

Personalised 2025 HSC written exam timetables are scheduled to be released via Students Online on Friday 2nd May.

Please see below link for other key NESA dates.

The benefits of networking

Think networking is just for professionals? Think again. Networking can have many benefits for students and job seekers alike - find out now.

On campus or online study – What’s right for you?

What’s the best option for you if you want to study at university – on campus or online? We cover the pros and cons of both HERE.

Interested in sport? Consider these careers

Do you have a passion for sports? Find out about the huge variety of careers available in this field, from journalism to events.

5 reasons to enter competitions

There are tons of competitions out there, and if you want to enter one, we have some reasons why to do it while you’re at school.

UAC Equity Scholarships

Equity Scholarships are awarded to tertiary students who demonstrate the greatest level of financial need. There are two types of Equity Scholarships. Click here to find out more.

Discover career pathways in Writing and Editing

Learn about the variety of career pathways in writing and editing, ideal for keen-eyed creatives and storytellers.

University Information & Open Days

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

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!

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)

2026 course guide

• 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 Institute 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

Follow Finigan on Social Media

Our School Values

Have a fantastic week!