Welcome to Term 2 Week 5
What's in this week's Connect
- We want to hear from you!
- Supporting student’s engagement
- Library News
- Student Work
- Term 2 eSafety Parents & Carers Webinars
- Careers
- Scholarships
- UAC News
- University Information & Open Days
- Learning & Wellbeing Coaches 2026
- Wellbeing 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
We want to hear from you!
To access the Microphone and Camera Survey link: Click here.
Supporting student’s engagement
In Week 6, students’ engagement will be reviewed by all their teachers. If a student’s engagement is identified as being a concern across more than half their subjects, you will receive a letter inviting you to work with us to develop a plan to support them. Please reach out so we can support you in supporting your child/student to re-engage. We look forward to working with you.
Library News
Now that you have access to the ‘Britannica School’ site through the Oliver News Pages, please find below instructional videos to show you how to search, view, and save the encyclopaedia’s content.
Promotional Video
Britannica School Highlights - Q3 2025 (Feat. Customer Success) | Videos & Movies on Vimeo
Navigating the Encyclopaedia
Britannica School - Navigating your Navigator | Videos & Movies on Vimeo
Creating ‘My Britannica’ Account for Students
Britannica School - Set Up My Britannica for Students | Videos & Movies on Vimeo
Saving Articles, Images, Videos, and Journal Articles
Britannica School - Saving Articles, Images, Videos and Journal Articles | Videos & Movies on Vimeo
Student Work
Year 11 Textiles - First Prize
One of our Year 11 Textiles students, Erin Anderson, entered her assessment project into her local show! Not only did she win first prize, but she also won a whole $5! Entry fee was $2, so technically that’s a 150% profit......if we don’t consider the cost of materials. Lovely job Erin!
Term 2 eSafety Parents & Carers Webinars
Webinars for parents run by the eSafety Commissioner are held throughout Term 2. Go to the eSafety Commissioner website to find out more or register for a free webinar.
Careers
Women in Engineering Information Night
ATTENTION Year 11 and 12, Female and Non-Binary students.
University of Sydney is thrilled to announce that their Women in Engineering Scholarships is valued at $2 million and aims to support and inspire the next generation of women in Engineering. As a part of their commitment, students and families are invited to attend the upcoming Women in Engineering Information Night – an evening of conversation and connection that explores what it means to study engineering at Sydney, and how they are creating space for women to lead, innovate and shape the future of the field. Date: Wednesday 3 June, 2026 (in person) Time: 5:30 – 8pm AEST Location: Peter Nicol Russel Building (J02), The University of Sydney, Darlington NSW Register HERE Please note: students in regional and remote areas of NSW – more information to come about how you can be supported to apply.
5 tips for open day success
Open days are a great way to explore your future study options – here are our top 5 tips to help you make the most of your day.
The difference between skills, qualifications, and experience
Jobs often require a combination of skills, qualifications, and experience. Understanding what each one means can help you know what employers are looking for. Read more.
Careers that keep cities running
Cities function through systems that are carefully coordinated and consistently maintained – if this sounds like it might interest you, take a look at some potential future jobs in this blog. Check out the blog.
Common job titles for young people and what they actually mean
Starting in the workforce comes with a lot of new vocabulary, and job titles aren’t always self-explanatory as they seem. If you want to decode some of the most common ones, find out more in this article. Find out more.
How to respond to your boss
Knowing how to communicate with your boss and the people around you at work is one of those things nobody really teaches you, but it makes a bigger difference than most people expect. If you want a clearer idea of what professional communication actually looks like, find out more in this article. Learn how to respond to your boss here.
How to become a textiles designer
Textile designers create fabrics and materials for fashion, interiors, and industrial use, selecting fibres, structures, and finishes that meet both performance and environmental requirements. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, find out more in this week’s Job Spotlight.
Scholarships
Women in Aviation Scholarships
21 Scholarships offering over $64,000 in opportunities, applications are open now. Scholarships aren’t just for pilots, they’re for women in all roles – engineers, ATC, operations, safety, management, and more. Find out more and see how to apply in the WAI Australia 2026 Scholarships Guide. Find out more. Winners will be announced late June 2026 and will have access to their scholarships in July 2026.
King & Amy O’Malley Trust Undergraduate Scholarship
The King & Amy O’Malley Trust awards annual scholarships are for students applying for or enrolled in tertiary Home Economics or equivalent programs, such as Consumer Science, Family and Consumer Studies, Food and Nutrition, or Teacher Education. Find out more. Applications close: July 31, 2026
Pinnacle Foundation Scholarships
The Pinnacle Foundation provides educational scholarships, mentoring and opportunities for young LGBTQIA+ Australians to realise their full potential. Find out more. Applications close: August 31, 2026
Snow Scholarships Open For Application
The Snow Schoarship is a life-changing opportunity for passionate and purpose-driven students who face barriers to higher education living in Canberra or regional and rural New South Wales. Snow Scholars can receive financial support of up to $30,000 per year for their living expenses, on-campus accommodation and travel, along with dedicated wrap-around academic, personal and leadership support designed to help students unlock their potential. The Scholarships have been specifically designed for applicants who:
- face financial hardship; and/or
- live with a disability or ongoing medical condition; and/or
- have experienced unforeseen challenges.
Applications are now open for student planning to begin their university journey in Semester 1, 2027. Submissions close 12 July. FIND OUT MORE
NSW Tertiary Health Study Subsidies
The NSW Tertiary Health Study Subsidies offer financial support to new and graduating students in eligible health qualifications who begin their careers with NSW Health and commit to a minimum five‑year service period. The subsidies are available to students across nursing, medicine, midwifery, paramedicine, allied health professions and Aboriginal health practice. The program aims to attract future health professionals to Australia’s largest health system by providing up to $12,000 for commencing health students and a one‑off $8,000 payment for graduates starting their roles with NSW Health. Applications are open now. Visit the Tertiary Health Study Subsidies page for more information on how to apply. FIND OUT MORE
Interested in finding out what else is out there in the way of Scholarships? Click the link below
UAC News
Applications opened on 8 April for study in 2027. Details of hundreds of semester 1, 2027 courses offered by UAC’s participating institutions are now available. More will be added over the next few months. Students should log back in to their application in August to take another look at the courses being offered and review their course preferences. Starting an application: the essentials You will need the following details to start your UAC application: Personal email address: Before you start your application, you will need to create an account using a personal email address and a password. You will then be sent an email to validate your details. Once you've done that, you will use your email address and password to start/log in to your application. Year 12 student number and UAC PIN: UAC PIN were emailed to students on 8 April using the email addresses NESA has on file. If you have not received this email, please call UAC on (+61 2) 9752 0200. Don’t forget to register a personal email address in your NESA Students Online account. You will need to enter your Year 12 student number and UAC PIN early in the application. These details identify you as a 2026 Year 12 student, which meansyou'll be able to apply for an early offer through the Schools Recommendation Scheme. Unique Student Identifier (USI): This is a mandatory field for domestic applicants who are Australian citizens or permanent residents. You can quickly and easily create your USI or check if you already have one. Institutions are still confirming details of their 2027 courses and admission processes. UAC are updating their website as information is provided. COURSE SELECTION When thinking about selecting your course preferences consider the following:
- Dream degree – the course you want most, your top pick no matter what
- Another top choice – a similar course or one you’d be just as happy to study
- A strong match – a realistic course based on your results and interests: could help you transfer to your dream course
- Your safe option – a course you feel confident you'll get into and that could help you transfer at a later stage
- Your back-up – your ‘just in case’ course to give you the best opportunity to start your study journey.
Scholarships and schemes Applications for the Schools Recommendation Scheme, Educational Access Scheme, Equity Scholarships and the Elite Athlete and Performer Scheme opened for domestic students on 8 April. On UAC’s website you can find application instructions, document requirements and more.
- Schools Recommendation Scheme: FREE to apply for SRS (or early entry). Submissions close 11 September. Course preferences need to be in by 5 November, offers released on 12 November.
- Educational Access Scheme: There are several categories that you can apply under and you can apply for multiple categories: Financial support, health and disability, difficult circumstances at home, caring for yourself or others, english language, distance education or regional school.
- Equity Scholarships
- Elite Athlete and Performer Scheme
University Information & Open Days
Agriculture & Environment Online Information Night Tuesday 26 May, 5.30–7.00pm Where: Online info night via Zoom We have been cultivating the next crop of ag innovators for over 120 years. When you study with us, you'll gain hands-on skills and industry knowledge for the future of diverse and rewarding careers in agriculture and the environment.
- Unpack ag and enviro careers and courses, plus dive into our early offer program.
- Hear from industry experts, students and graduates.
- See what hands-on learning is all about and check out our virtual facilities tour.
- Have your questions answered live!
Register here: https://study.csu.edu.au/ag-animals-enviro
Animal, Equine and Veterinary Sciences Online Information Night Wednesday 27 May, 5.30–7.00pm Where: Online info night via Zoom Passionate about animals? Curious about a career in the animal health sector? Our info night is the perfect place to start.
- Discover where animal, equine and vet careers can take you.
- Hear from industry experts, students and graduates.
- Explore our hands-on courses and facilities.
- Have your questions answered live!
Register here: https://study.csu.edu.au/ag-animals-enviro
University of Canberra
UC Early Offer Scheme The UC Early Offer Scheme is an admissions pathway that lets eligible Year 12 students apply for a place before their final ATAR results are released. Assessment will be based on their Year 11 results and a personal statement. To be eligible, applicants must be a current Year 12 student enrolled in a school located in the ACT or NSW and intend on going to university (demonstrated by undertaking a tertiary package, or pursuing the HSC). The majority of undergraduate courses at UC are included in the Early Offer Scheme, but there are some excluded. Make sure you check our list of Early Offer Scheme-eligible courses before applying. A step-by-step application guide is available on our EOS website. Application Open: 27th March 2026 Application Close: 9 August 2026 Document Deadline: 23 August 2026 Offer Release: 7 September 2026 MORE INFORMATION
Aspire UC Open Day Camp Aspire UC is offering fully funded places for regional and rural Year 12 students, along with their parents/guardians, to attend the UC Open Day Camp on Saturday, 12 September 2026. This include:
- One nights' accommodation: at a 3.5 star hotel on 12 September
- A personalised experience: Student Success Coach meet and greet
- Petrol vouchers: to assist your travel to Canberra
- Follow up suport: assistance with the application and enrolment process
To apply, please complete the form by scanning the QR code provided above. As part of the application, you will need to submit a 200-word statement outlining your plans after finishing high school and explaining how attending the UC Open Day Camp will help you achieve your goals. Places are limited, so be sure to apply by 18 July. Successful applicants will be notified by 31 July.
AIE Canberra
AIE Open Day – Saturday 23 May MayMeet AIE Instructors, uncover courses that they offer and find out how to kickstart a career in games, film and animation with AIE. Read more and register.
La Trobe University
La Trobe’s Aspire Early Offer Program is now open. The program offers students the chance to secure an early offer to uni before you finish Year 12. Aspire recognises a range of different student strengths, whether it’s their impact on the community, their academic results in Year 11 or their motivation to study. There are 3 Aspire streams to choose from: Aspire Community Impact – applications close 4 September 2026 Aspire Academic Impact – applications close 4 September 2026 Aspire Everyday Impact – applications close 4 September 2026
Western Sydney University
Pathways, Alternative Entry and Early Offers Webinar Join the WSU team in an interactive webinar exploring Pathways, Alternative Entry and Early Offer opportunities at Western. This session is designed especially for Year 10, 11 and 12 students and will break down the different ways you can gain entry to university, even if you’re unsure about ATARs or traditional pathways. REGISTER NOW.
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