Welcome to Term 4 Week 1
What's in this week's Connect
- Term 4 dates: Classes start back Tuesday 14 October. Term 4 finishes Friday 19 December
- A message for Year 12 students from their teachers at Finigan
- World Teachers Day: Do you have a great teacher? Let them know!
- Term 4 Camp: Don’t Miss Out
- Finigan Library News: Cyber Security Awareness Month; World Space Week
- Student News: Alexis is a change-maker!
- Finigan Film Festival: Submit a film - any story, any genre
- Circle of Security Parenting Program: October 22 - December 10
- Teen Mental Health Matters Webinars
- Careers: Career Ideas; Competitions; Scholarships; Traineeships
- 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
Term 4 Dates
Classes start back: Tuesday 14 October | Term 4 finishes: Friday 19 December
A Message for Year 12 Students
With HSC exams coming up teachers at Finigan have put together a video with some messages of encouragement for their Year 12 students.
World Teachers Day
Do you have a great teacher? Let them know!
At Finigan SDE, we have around 90 teachers from K-12, supporting our students and families each day – so let’s take an opportunity to recognise them!
World Teachers' Day celebrates quality teaching and inspirational teachers across the world. It is celebrated every year on the 5th of October internationally. As this date is within the school holidays for us, NSW celebrates on the last Friday of October each year – this year, landing on Friday 31st October.
NESA (NSW Educational Standards Authority) have set up an interactive map, where you can give a shout out to a teacher at your school. We’d love for you to put Finigan School of Distance Education on the map!
You might shout out a teacher at Finigan SDE who has:
- Inspired you and your learning
- Supported you at school
- Helped you with your course work or understanding content
- Guided you and helps you do your best
- Provided you with useful feedback
We will then share your comments back with our teaching staff next term.
Scan the QR code below or click on the link provided, to give a shout out to a teacher at our school:
https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/events/world-teachers-day-in-nsw
Term 4 Camp – Don’t Miss Out
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Our Years 7–12 Camp is happening Thursday 27th – Friday 28th November 2025 at the stunning Camp Kianinny in Tathra. With exciting activities, the chance to make new friends, and loads of fun, this is the perfect way to wrap up the school year!
Permission forms are due by Friday 17th October 2025 – don’t miss the deadline!
Finigan Library News
Cyber Security Awareness Month
World Space Week
Student News
Alexis is a change-maker!
Last term, Year 12 student Alexis Rann was selected by the Australian Olympics Committee to attend the Australian Change-Maker Forum in Sydney.
At this event, nominated Change-Makers from schools across Australia come together for an annual forum, held in-person, which connects Olympians with students in one major event to celebrate young leaders. The forum provides an insightful discussion about leadership, overcoming challenges in creating change, as well as gaining first-hand insight into our athletes' experiences at the Olympic Games.
Alexis enjoyed listening to the speakers on the day and had the chance to connect with a range of like-minded young people at the event too. She had the opportunity to reflect on the stories of real-world Olympians and to engage in discussions about pathways forward for young leaders in our country.
Funnily enough, Alexis got to meet one of our previous Finigan SDE students on the day as well – Australian Winter Olympian, Valentino Guselil. Valentino was speaking at the forum as a part of the Olympians panel. A reminder that students from our school continue to thrive in the real world when following their passion!
Congratulations on being selected to attend this event, Alexis!
Finigan Film Festival
Circle of Security Parenting Program
If you live in the Queanbeyan area you might be interested in the free parenting program below.
Teen Mental Health Matters Webinar
Available dates:
- 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
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
Your first job doesn’t define you
Starting your career doesn’t mean committing forever. Entry-level roles offer valuable experience, earning potential, and endless possibilities for growth. READ more.
5 ways to network without actually attending networking events
Your network is a source of opportunities you can’t afford to overlook, so if you know you need to network (but hate networking) we have some ideas.
What to share and what to keep private: Making smart disclosure decisions
Not sure what you need to mention to a potential employer? This article has some tips to help you navigate disclosure.
Why flexibility matters at work
Learn about why flexibility is such an important skill for work (for both you and your employer) and ways you can build it.
10 ways to prepare for your next holiday
Make the most of your school break with practical tips for wellbeing, fun, work experience and personal growth. Read more HERE.
How to become a Real Estate Agent
Find out everything you need to know about how you can become a real estate agent in this weeks Job Spotlight.
ANU Rocketry: Annual Showcase
ANU Rocketry are hosting their Annual Showcase on Wednesday 15 October 2025, 6–9 pm at ANU, and you are invited to attend.
The Showcase is a fun evening where the team:
- Reveals their new full-scale rocket “Solstice” and this year’s engineering projects
- Share what ANU students have been building in aerospace and innovation
- Welcome industry, community, and local businesses who support Canberra’s growth and talent
It would be fantastic to have the Finigan team represented on the night – both as part of the Canberra community and to celebrate the role of local organisations in supporting student-led innovation.
Event details & RSVP: https://events.humanitix.com/anu-rocketry-showcase-2025
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