Welcome to Term 2 Week 9
What's in this week's Connect
- Recognising World Environment Day
- AusAlert
- Student Work
- Student News
- Term 2 eSafety Parents & Carers Webinars
- T25 Clinic: Free nurse-led health and wellbeing service
- Get active with Scouts
- 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
Recognising World Environment Day
In Week 7, our school community came together to recognise World Environment together in a whole-school assembly! We had 75 staff and students join us in a Teams session online, to reflect on the role that we each play in caring for Country and ensuring a brighter future for the physical environment that we all like to call our ‘home’. Firstly, a big thank you to our student leaders – Tara, Abi and Myles – who hosted specific sections of the assembly on the day. It was fantastic to have you each share about the importance of World Environment Day, and the reflections shared on how you look after our world too. During the assembly, we engaged with a fast-paced Kahoot quiz. The most challenging questions seemed to be ‘How many years does a plastic bottle take to decompose?’ and ‘What proportion of all food produced globally is wasted?’ – with the results confronting quite a few of our students and staff! Congratulations to Emily, Jack and Jess who made up our Top 3 on the podium at the end of the session – we were very impressed with your knowledge throughout! We hope that our school community took away some information to better inform their future choices, and that you now have some strategies to support you moving forward too. This week, we’d love for you to share strategies that you use to care for our planet. To do this, you might like to post on our Padlet page – which can be found here: https://padlet.com/christiannabillows/what-strategies-do-you-use-to-care-for-our-world-9qxed97t7zaqcvy4
AusAlert
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will be undergoing Community-based trials of a warning system, known as AusAlert. This system will enable emergency service organisations to deliver emergency and public safety messages to compatible mobile and other devices. These test alerts will be sent to all mobile devices in the selected testing area at the time of the test. Devices may vibrate and play a siren-like warning sound for about 10 seconds.
Type of Test:
- Priority – Can be silenced but not by putting your phone on silent – see instructions below
- Critical – Cannot be silenced if a phone it turned on
Community Testing Dates:
- 21 June 2026 @ 2pm – Queanbeyan, will seep outside of this general area, potentially up to or exceeding 25km’s
- 27 July 2026 @ 2pm – Nationwide
What does it sound like? https://www.youtube.com/live/6qdJn_V0vO0?t=1574s
How do you silence a priority alert?
For more information visit http://ausalert.gov.au/
Student Work
Year 7 Technology
Year 7 technology students created some impressive pouches out of felt.
Year 8 Visual Arts
Student News
Georgie Girl Stage Show
Year 11 Student, Chelsea Hoad, was recently in the stage production of Georgie Girl - The Seekers musical. Well done Chelsea, the show looks like it was amazing!
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.
T25 Clinic: Free nurse-led health and wellbeing service
Get active with Scouts
Careers
What’s the difference between a boss and a mentor?
Bosses and mentors can both have a significant influence on your working life, but they play very different roles. Knowing the difference makes it easier to get the most out of both relationships, and to recognise what kind of support you’re actually looking for.
Early Entry: Quick Facts
We’ve put together some interesting facts about early entry over the last year, and what you might be able to expect this year.
Where physical education can take you
Physical education builds more than fitness. It develops a genuine understanding of how the body works, how movement affects health, and how people perform and improve over time. Find out MORE about where physical education can take you.
What is HECS debt and what does it mean for you?
Australian students – University is more accessible than most people realise, partly because of a government loan scheme that means you don’t have to pay your tuition upfront.
Applying to university of Canada as an international student
Applying to university in Canada as an international student involves more moving parts than many other destinations, with provincial application systems, study permits, and a newer attestation letter requirement all to navigate. Find out MORE.
How to become an Environmental Health Officer
Environmental Health Officers inspect workplaces, construction sites, and public spaces to make sure they meet health, safety and environmental standards, investigating complaints and advising organisations on how to stay compliant. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, find out more in this Job Spotlight.
Scholarships
Equity Scholarships application guide
Equity Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate the greatest financial need, helping with the costs associated with going to university. The Equity Scholarships application guide [PDF] outlines how to apply, key dates and circumstances students can claim. REMEMBER: Applications for the Schools Recommendation Scheme close on the 11 September. It is apart of your UAC application and does not incur any additional application fees. So make sure you don’t miss out and apply NOW. Early offers will be released from the 12 November.
Educational Access Scheme application guide
EAS can help students who have experienced significant educational challenges receive a uni offer. The EAS application guide [PDF] provides details of the circumstance’s students can claim in their application and the documents they need to provide. Educational Access Scheme 2026 – Guide
DISSH Pride Scholarship for creative industries
At DISSH, we celebrate diversity in all facets and acknowledge the continued work and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community in making the fashion industry what it is today. To show our support and invest in the future of fashion, we are proud to share the return of our Pride Scholarship in 2026.
Global Footprints Scholarship
A Global Footprints Scholarship gives young Australians like you the opportunity to travel the world, learn about sustainability and shape a better future for yourselves and the world. Scholarships are available for young people in Agriculture, Horticulture and many Trades.
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
How to apply for uni through UAC
This short video, available on our UAC Digital YouTube channel, provides a step-by-step guide for domestic Year 12 students applying to university through UAC. The video shows our new application portal, launched in April 2026. How to apply for uni through UAC as a Year 12 student
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
Western Sydney University: Open Day Sunday 5 July
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