Welcome to Term 2 Week 10
What's in this week's Connect
- School holiday dates: Classes finish 3pm Friday 4 July, Students return Tuesday 22 July
- Third-Party Software Consent: Urgent Action Required
- Push-Up Challenge Update: That's a Wrap
- Student News: Finigan Riders Saddle Up for Glory at the Equestrian State Championships
- Student Work: Yr 7 & 8 Visual Arts
- Careers: Webinars for students; CISCO Networking Academy - Holiday Tech Days; Competitions; National Teritary Scholarships
- University Information & Open Days: updated weekly
- 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
School Holiday Dates
- Classes finish for Term 2: 3pm this Friday 4 July
- Classes start back for Term 3: Tuesday 22 July
We hope you have a wonderful and relaxing break filled with fun, rest, and quality time together. Remember to recharge and enjoy the time away from school before returning refreshed for Term 3.
Third-Party Software Consent: Urgent Action Required
Finigan School of Distance Education is committed to providing a technology-rich environment for our students. Our school community considers the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as fundamental in assisting teaching and learning in all areas of the school curriculum.
The school uses third-party software providers offering web-based online educational resources and cloud-based storage to support our administrative functions and enhance student learning outcomes. Please click the link below for the list of third-party providers.
In most instances, students are required to register before accessing the software. Registration involves either a staff member or student entering identifying information such as name, school year, and the student's school email address into the software.
Thank you to parents/carers who have already completed the third-party software consent form. If you haven't completed the form, please click the link below to give your approval to register your child to use the software as outlined above (List of third-party software providers) .
Please complete this form urgently. There may be implications for students’ access to our eLearning platforms if we do not receive this consent.
If you require further clarification, you can contact Administration, Finigan School of Distance Education on telephone 6210 5200.
Push-Up Challenge: That's a Wrap
Alexis Leads the Charge for Mental Health – Again!
A big shout-out to Alexis Rann in Year 12, who once again stepped up as our Student Ambassador for The Push-Up Challenge. This marks the second year in a row that Alexis has taken on this leadership role, and she’s done it with the same drive, energy, and commitment we’ve come to expect.
Student Ambassadors are the heartbeat of the challenge in schools – they rally their peers, encourage teachers, and help the whole school community get moving, get talking, and get involved. The challenge isn't just about push-ups; it’s about raising awareness and funds for mental health, and Alexis led from the front, making sure every push-up counted.
Thanks, Alexis, for being a driving force once again. Your effort made a real difference.
Student News
Finigan Riders Saddle Up for Glory at the Equestrian State Championships
Get ready to cheer, Finigan! Two of our standout Year 12 students, Skye McCoullough and Indiana Burke, are gearing up for one of the biggest equestrian events on the school sport calendar – the State Interschools Championship at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre this July.
This elite competition draws the finest young riders from across NSW, and both Skye and Indie will be proudly flying the Finigan flag. With grace, focus, and serious grit, they’ll be representing the school in Dressage, where horse and rider perform a choreographed sequence of movements with precision and poise. Skye will also take on the high-pressure Combined Training and Show Jumping events, where there’s no room for error and every second counts.
But that’s not all. In a powerhouse display of dedication and skill, Indie will travel to Wagga Wagga the week before to compete in the Australian Youth Dressage Championships. With her top horse, Rubinz, she’ll go head-to-head with the nation’s best in the Elementary and Medium classes – a true national stage, even welcoming international entries.
Both girls have worked relentlessly to earn their place at these major events, and their success is a testament to the support of their families, sponsors, and the team at Finigan. Keep an eye out for our school logo, proudly displayed on their saddle bags as they ride into action.
We’re backing Skye and Indie all the way – go get 'em, girls!
Student Work
Year 7 & 8 Visual Arts
Check out some of the artwork our talented year 7 & 8 Visual Arts students have been busy creating.
Careers
Personalised 2025 HSC written exam timetables have been released via Students Online.
Please see below link for other key NESA dates.
Webinars for Students
CISCO Networking Academy: Holiday Tech Days
Why work experience matters for your future
Work experience can show you what careers involve, helping you make informed decisions about your future. Let’s find out more.
The 7 best time management apps for students
Learn why attending subject selection events is crucial for making informed decisions about senior school and future study pathways.
10 jobs for people who love reading
Love getting lost in a good book? There are heaps of jobs out there where your love of reading can really pay off. Here’s 10 of the best.
How to become an Industrial Designer
Industrial design combines art, business, and engineering to design functional, innovative products – learn how to become one in this weeks Job Spotlight.
Competitions
Sony World Photography Awards Youth Competition
Enter your favourite photographs taken in 2025. Submit up to three of your striking single images from the past year and share them with the judges.
- Opens: June 1, 2025
- Closes: January 6, 2026
CreAIT High School Competition
CreAIT is a competition for high school aged students to showcase their creativity! Submit an original artwork (can be hand drawn or digital) in response to the theme: Harmony in Chaos.
- Opens: June 2, 2025
- Closes: August 8, 2025
PEF National Teritary Scholarship
The Public Education Foundation’s National Tertiary Scholarship is open to current Year 12 students attending public high schools in metropolitan regions across all states and territories in Australia.
University Information & Open Days
Open Days Guide 2025
Click HERE to download a copy of the Open Days Guide 2025, for students and their families.
Gap Year Guide 2025
Click HERE to download a copy of the Gap Year Guide 2025, for students and their families.
The 2025 University Early Entry Guide
It’s arrived! The 2025 University Early Entry Guide!
- Early Entry Guide 2025: School Licensed Edition
- Early Entry Quick Reference Guide: Early Entry QRG 2025
- Early Entry – Accepting offers: Study Work Grow Education
Rising Sun Pictures & University of South Australia
A decade-long partnership that has played a key role in developing industry-ready visual effects (VFX) artists who are now contributing to some of Hollywood’s biggest productions.
Specialised courses have been tailored to meet the evolving demands of global VFX industry. The collaboration has now led to a bachelor’s degree in visual Effects along with a suite of specialised post-graduate courses including 3D Animation, Creature Effects, Compositing and Tracking, Dynamic Effects and Lighting.
Study with RSP | Getting started in VFX
University of Canberra (UC)
University of Canberra - Parent and Guardian Information Session
Are you a current year 11 or 12 student or a parent or guardian of a year 11 or 12 student? Join a webinar to learn more about the support, pathways and offering at the University of Canberra and how UC can support your family as you dive into tertiary studies.
When: Monday 30th June: 6pm
University of Canberra - Fitting Uni into Real Life
Thinking about starting or returning to Uni but wondering how you’ll juggle study with everything else? Hear from a panel of current and former students as they share how they’ve balanced Uni with work, family, and other responsibilities. Get practical tips, honest insights, and reassurance that study can fit into your life – on your terms.
When: Monday 30th June: 6pm
University of Canberra - The Snow Scholarships Applications are now open!
Snow Scholarships have been co-created by Snow Foundation and UC. Snow Foundation believes in the power of education to change lives and open doors – helping students realise their potential and grow into confident, purposeful leaders. In partnership with the University of Canberra, they’ve committed $20 million to back students who have big dreams and just need the support to get there. The Snow Scholarships are designed to support students in Canberra and regional or rural NSW who face barriers to higher education.
Scholars receive:
- up to $30,000 per year to support living costs, travel, and accommodation
- wrap-around academic, personal, and leadership growth
- a welcoming, diverse community of peers and mentors.
With a Snow Scholarship, higher education isn’t just a hope – it’s a pathway.
Find out more and apply for Snow Scholarships
University of Canberra - Early Offer Scheme Now Open for Applications!
If you’re a current Year 12 student applying to UC for undergraduate study next year, you could receive an early admission offer under the Early Offer Scheme using criteria other than your ATAR.
Applications for Early Offers opened on 19 May 2025.
Important dates:
- 19 May 2025 : Applications
- 17 August 2025 : Applications close
- 31 August 2025 : Early Offer document deadline
- 15 September 2025 : Offers released
What do you need to apply?
- Your official Year 11 NESA (NSW) report
- A 300-word personal statement about which course you are interested in studying, and why you have chosen to apply for this course at the University of Canberra.
To find out more and to start your application, click here.
The Aunty Agnes Shea Early Childhood Education Scholarships
Do you have an interest in Early Childhood Education and Care? Do you want to see our Booris thrive in the world?
The Aunty Agnes Shea Early Childhood Scholarships are available to Aboriginal people in the ACT seeking to start or progress their careers in the Early Education and Care Sector.
On offer:
- Cert III or Diploma in Early Child Eduation and Care, or Bachelor of Early Childhood Edcaution (birth to 5 years).
- Ongoing Support from the Scholarship team and broader Yerrabi team to help you succeed in your studies.
University of Canberra - Discover FAD Holiday Workshops
Are you a Year 10-12 student? The University of Canberra's Faculty of Arts and Design (FAD) would like to invite you to our DiscoverFAD short courses these winter school holidays. Our short courses are facilitated by our talented academics and are a greatway for high school students to experience what life is like at University, and gain an understanding of their pathways to get there.
Click here to find out more and register for your workshops.
University of Technology Sydney
UTS: Bachelor of Information Technology Co-operative Scholarship program
The Bachelor of Information Technology is a cooperative education program between the University and sponsoring organisation. The aim of the program is to produce graduates who will become leaders in information technology in Australian organisations. Click HERE to find out more.
UNSW Sydney
Discover how to gain early entry through the Portfolio Entry Early Conditional Offer Scheme. At this event you will learn how to craft a standout portfolio for degrees in Arts, Design and Architecture (ADA). This is an in person event, register your interest. Faculty of Engineering portfolio event is online, Wednesday 16 July (6-7pm) register your interest here.
University of Sydney
MySydney Entry & Scholarship Scheme Webinar | Tuesday 24 June, 5 - 6pm
MySydney Entry and Scholarship Scheme for students residing in low socio-economic areas? Register for our webinar to learn about the great benefits offered, including entry on a reduced ATAR, a $8,500 per annum scholarship and a range of ongoing support. Find out about eligibility criteria, how to apply, frequently asked questions and more! Register here
Regional & Remote Entry Scheme Webinar | Tuesday 24 June, 6 - 7pm
Find out how students residing in regional and remote areas can enter their dream course through our Regional and Remote Entry Scheme. Register for our webinar to hear about the great benefits offered, including entry on a reduced ATAR and a range of ongoing support, and learn about eligibility criteria, how to apply, scholarships for regional students and more! Register here
University of Wollongong
Early Admission - UOW’s early entry scheme opens towards the end of this term. UOW Early Admission will open Monday 16 June and close Friday 8 August.
We are happy to offer Early Admission workshops for your students for late Term 2 or early Term 3 where we can guide students through the process. Please email me with a couple of preferred times and dates so we can get you booked in.
More information on Early Admission is available on the UOW website.
Open Day - If you would like to learn more about UOW before you apply, UOW Open Day provides an opportunity to attend information sessions, talk to academic and service staff and visit campus. There will be 2 events in 2025:
- 28 June: Wollongong Campus
- 26 July: Liverpool Campus
Charles Sturt University (CSU)
Charles Sturt Advantage Early Offer - Session Recording
CSU held their first Charles Sturt Advantage Early Offer webinar for the year, and if you missed it you can catch up by watching the recording. You'll see Rebecca Baker speaking with Jordan Stewart CSU’s early offer co-ordinator and answering student questions live via the Q&A.
You'll see students questions being answered live via the Q&A.
View it on the CSU website: https://study.csu.edu.au/information-for/school-leavers/charles-sturt-advantage
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
ADFA Open Day 2025
- Organisation: Australian Defence Force Academy
- Location: ADFA Canberra Campus and Online
- Date: 16 August, 2025
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
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)
- 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
6 August 2025 at 7.00 pm (AEST)
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.
Learning & Wellbeing Coaches 2025
The Learning and Wellbeing Coaches for 2025 are as follows:
- Primary: Milly Hammond
- 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