Welcome to Term 4 Week 9
What's in this week's Connect
- Finigan Film Festival Awards
- Student Leadership: Join our team in 2026
- Social Media Age Limit: Information for Families
- Reminders from the Head Teacher Secondary Studies
- Student Work: Year 7 Visual Arts
- Finigan Library News: Human Rights Day, 10 December 2026
- eSafety Commissioner: Free webinars in Term 4
- 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
Finigan Film Festival Awards
Join our Student Leadership Team in 2026!
The Student Leadership team is an exciting initiative that we’ve had running at Finigan School of Distance Education for the last six years – and we’d love for you to join us! So, who are we looking for? Let’s see if this sounds like you…
- Full-time enthusiastic students across Years 6-12 at Finigan SDE
- Individuals who want to make a difference and are willing to put their voice forward on behalf of their peers.
- Willing to commit to three live-lessons each term, and an ongoing commitment to the needs and projects of the team.
What types of things do we work on each term?
- Each session develops your capacity for leadership as a young person – from how to build rest into our lives and developing our listening skills, through to tips on how to host in the online space and where to seek help from others.
- We also work on whole-school activities – we develop the whole-school assemblies each term, as well as participating in fundraising events and Mini School throughout the year.
If you’re interested in joining us, please provide your details and a bit of insight as to why you want to join – by using the following link: 2026 FSDE - Student Leadership Team – Fill out form If you're not sure if this is the program for you, chat with one of our student leaders in your morning check-in session over the next couple of weeks and/or contact organiser Christianna Billows with any questions you might have by dropping a line to christianna.billows@det.nsw.edu.au or leaving a message at (02)62296878.
Social Media Age Limit: Information for Families
You may have seen recent discussion in the media about age limits for social media use in Australia. We’ve had a number of questions from families, so here is a brief guide to help clarify everyone’s role during this transition. Schools are not responsible for policing students’ use of social media outside school hours. Families should continue to make decisions that best support their child’s wellbeing and digital habits at home. For guidance around safety, privacy or online behaviour, the Office of the eSafety Commissioner provides expert, up-to-date advice. Teachers will continue to use publicly available educational content in lessons as appropriate. As always, anything behind a personal login remains the responsibility of families to supervise at home. The most current advice for parents and carers is available through the eSafety Commissioner: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents This site includes practical guidance on setting up devices, managing online behaviour, understanding age recommendations, and where to seek help if concerns arise. Our focus at school remains on learning, wellbeing and digital citizenship. If you have concerns specific to your child, please reach out so we can support you in the right direction.
Reminders from the Head Teacher Secondary Studies
Year 10: All My Own Work
A reminder that all Year 10 students must complete the All My Own Work modules on Moodle by Friday 5th December. All My Own work must be completed by all students enrolled in a NSW school before they begin any Year 11 courses. Students are not able to be enrolled with NESA in Year 11 courses if it has not been completed. Please follow the steps below to complete the All My Own Work course. 1. Login to https://www.finigansde-elearning.net/ 2. Select “11 All My Own Work”. 3. Open the first Module “What is All My Own Work?” and read through the information. 4. Attempt the quiz. You are required to achieve above 90% to pass on the quiz. You may have 3 attempts to achieve this. 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the remaining three modules.
Year 12 2026: Checklist and Confirmation of Entry
A reminder that all Year 12 students must complete the Year 12 Checklist and confirm their Confirmation of Entry as soon as possible. You have been emailed a copy of the Year 12 Checklist, and you should have received a Students Online notification about your Confirmation of Entry. Please complete and return this checklist to finigansde@det.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible. You will need to know your Students Online student number and password to complete your Confirmation of Entry. If you need assistance completing your Confirmation of Entry, you can click here to download a guide. You have also received this in your welcome letter which was emailed to students and supervisors in Week 5. Please note, while there were slightly tech issues last week, NESA has confirmed that the online verification of Confirmation of Entry system is now up and running. If you have questions about either of these documents, please get in touch with the Head Teacher Secondary Studies Jessica Scarcella (Jessica.scarcella2@det.nsw.edu.au)
Finishing Year 12: What needs to be done?
Student Work
Year 7 Visual Arts
Finigan Library News
Human Rights Day: 10 December 2025
eSafety Commissioner free webinars in Term 4
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 4 Topics include:
Go to the eSafety Commissioner website to learn more and register for the webinars.
Teen Mental Health Matters Webinar
Available dates:
- Wednesday 10th December @ 7PM (AEDT) - CLICK HERE to Register
Careers
What happens to us when we finish something hard
When you finish something that you found difficult it can feel hard to unwind, but knowing the reason why this is the case can help.
Understanding consent in the workplace
Starting your first job is exciting. You’ll be earning money, learning new skills, and meeting different people. But…..
What happens when an employer checks your references?
Learn about what might happen when a potential employer checks your references and how you can prepare properly.
Five historians uncovering the stories we missed
Want to work as a historian but not sure what that could look like? Learn about five young historians doing exciting things right now.
How to become a Legal Secretary
Find out if a career as a legal secretary is right for you and how you can get there in this week’s Job Spotlight.
Scholarships
University of Tasmania Agriculture Scholarships Agriculture Scholarships are made possible through the generous support of donors to the University of Tasmania and by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture.
Griffith Brighter Futures Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students The Brighter Futures Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students impacted by various types of educational disadvantage, including financial hardship, educational disruption, disability or others, that has impacted their ability to achieve their full potential.
University of Tasmania Lewis and Sons Bursary in Agricultural Science This perpetual bursary was established by the Lewis family on behalf of Lewis and Sons, which was a successful rural supplies business in Wynyard.
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
- Year 9: Aamir Aftab & Tracey O'Leary
- Year 10: Dylan Wood & Michelle Hill
- 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