Connect Finigan School of Distance Education Term 2 Week 8

eSafety Parents & Carers Webinars: Term 2

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.

Some of the topics include:

Sexual extortion: What parents & carers need to know

Sexual extortion or ‘sextortion’ is a form of blackmail where someone threatens to share a nude or sexual image or video of a person unless their demands are met.

Sexual extortion is a serious, growing online concern, especially for young people. But what exactly is it? What conversations may help prevent it and how can you support your child if they’re targeted?

This 30-minute webinar will explain:

• what sexual extortion is
• the impacts and potential harms sexual extortion may have on young people
• strategies to support young people who may experience sexual extortion, including how to respond and access support; and how to encourage safer and more positive online interactions.

It’s suitable for parents and carers of young people in upper primary and secondary school.

Term 2 (Australian Eastern Standard Time):

• 18 June, 12.30pm

Careers

Personalised 2025 HSC written exam timetables have been released via Students Online.

Please see below link for other key NESA dates.

ATARs and Selection Ranks: What they are and how they work

Looking to understand ATARs and selection ranks and how they work? This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know.

5 questions to ask while you’re on work experience

Make the most of your placement by knowing the key questions you should ask while you’re on work experience.

Unlocking scholarships: Application tips and advice

Discover the best scholarship databases, application tips, and why you shouldn’t count yourself out of free education funding.

How to become a professional athlete

If you think you have the dedication and skill required to be a professional athlete, you might like to find out how to get there is this Job Spotlight.

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)

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

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.

To find out more, click here.

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.

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

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)

2026 course guide

• 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

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Have a fantastic week!