Welcome to Term 1 Week 5
What's in this week's Connect
- Timetable Changes: Years 7, 8, 9 & 10
- NAPLAN: 12-24 March 2025
- eSafety Parent & Carer Webinars: Term 1, 2025
- Student Work: Yr 7 English
- Shoalhaven Youth Music Festival: 15 March
- Australian Geography Competition
- Queanbeyan Kangaroos Minor Rugby League Registration
- Careers
- 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
Timetable Changes
I hope everyone is enjoying a fabulous start to 2025!
There have been some timetable changes for students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 and there are likely to be more changes this week. Please make sure you check your timetable in the DEMS Student Portal as this will reflect all changes.
If you have a clash in your live lessons, please contact your Wellbeing Coach. I am reviewing clashes this week and hope to resolve them ASAP.
Best wishes for a great term and an even better year.
Penelope Field
NAPLAN
NSW schools will participate in NAPLAN online testing from Wednesday, 12 March, to Monday, 24 March 2025.
At Finigan SDE, students complete tests administered by supervisors in their current learning environment. The FSDE NAPLAN Coordinator will be monitoring and providing support from FSDE. It is our expectation that all students at FSDE sit the tests, as they provide valuable insights into their learning progress. Additionally, NAPLAN supports school improvement by enabling teachers to monitor student progress against national benchmarks, identify strengths, and refine teaching programs to address areas for improvement.
More information about NAPLAN is available brochure below.
In the coming weeks, students will have the opportunity to ensure they are ready for the tests. Parents and supervisors are encouraged to access the NAPLAN public demonstration site to support preparation at home. https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site
If you have any questions or wish to discuss your child’s participation in NAPLAN, please contact Michelle Grasso via email at Michelle.grasso2@det.nsw.edu.au or by phone at 0439 383 040.
eSafety Parent & Carer Webinars
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:
Supporting healthy tech use as your child transitions into high school
This 30-minute webinar explores the social pressures, peer influences, and technological challenges young people face as they transition into high school. It also offers practical strategies for navigating online friendships and connections to help minimise negative experiences.
It's suitable for parents and carers of children in upper primary school (ages 11 to 12) and Year 7.
Term 1 dates (Australian Eastern Daylight Time): 25 February, 3.30pm
Algorithms and adolescents: the rewards & risks of recommender systems for young people
Are you curious about how digital platforms are influencing your children’s online experiences?
This 30-minute webinar explores the role algorithms and AI and how parents and carers can support safer and more positive interactions in the digital world.
This session will:
- highlight how young people are using some of the popular social networking apps and games
- discuss the role of algorithms and recommender systems in influencing how children and young people experience the online world, including potential harms and impacts
- provide strategies to have better conversations with your children about social media use, managing content and reporting negative online experiences.
It's suitable for parents and carers of young people in upper primary and secondary school.
Term 1 dates (Australian Eastern Daylight Time):
- 19 March, 12.30pm
Go to the eSafety Commissioner website to find out more or register for a free webinar.
Tips from the eSafety Commissioner
This week we bring you another from the eSafety Commissioner on staying safe online.
eSafety tip#2: Online Gaming
Student Work
Year 7 English
Year 7 English are studying the play, ‘Honey Spot’ and were asked to create their own totem animal or plant, and to explain why totems are important to Aboriginal peoples.
Melaleuca citrina (plant) by Myles
It is important for Aboriginal peoples to have a totem connected to native Australian plants and animals because it is like a spirit watching over their clan or family. It connects them to their ancestors and their land. When they see their totem in life, they feel a powerful connection to not only the totem but everything around them. The totem was also used to identify who was in what group. It is also a source of spiritual guidance and protection which is important. Each clan’s totem is also important because it gives them a sense of security and is a link to their ancestors.
Shoalhaven Youth Music Festival
Headspace Nowra is running the Shoalhaven Youth Music Festival Fundraiser to raise money for youth mental health and outreach. Our talented Emily D, year 11, will be one of the headlining acts for the festival performing at 2pm. Come along and have some fun with lots of music, food and markets on what promises to be a fantastic day.
Australian Geography Competition
Are you interested in entering the Australian Geography Competition?
Your Geography teacher will discuss this with you.
Queanbeyan Kangaroos Minor Rugby League
If you live in the Queanbeyan area you might be interested in registering to play with the Queanbeyan Kangaroos Minor Rugby League Football Club.
Registrations are now open for the Queanbeyan Kangaroos Minor Rugby League Football Club 2025 season. Season proper commences weekend April 26-27.
We intend fielding a range of teams from U8 - U16 in both league tag and tackle. Boys, mixed and girls.
The come-and-try days are great if your child is not familiar or unsure if rugby league is for them. It's also invaluable for parents to ask any questions that they may have about the game or how the competition runs.
Careers
How to include participation in a competition on your resume
Competitions can be a great way to show of your skills and interests. Learn how to include participation in a competition on your resume.
5 reasons to apply for scholarships
Thinking about your post-school pathways? Here’s 5 reasons to apply for scholarships – there are lots of benefits to consider.
Planning for a future in medicine
Planning to enter the competitive world of medicine? We have some ideas on what you’ll need to consider and tips on how to get ahead.
RIVIT: Unlocking digital futures for Indigenous students
From hands-on workshops to inspiring talks, RIVIT opens doors to careers in IT and innovation for Indigenous students.
Understanding the rites of passage: A guide for students & parents
From solo travel to major physical challenges, discover how traditional rites of passage can be adapted for modern teenagers to build confidence, independence and life skills.
Discover career pathways in Immigration
Interested in helping people start new lives abroad? From advocacy to visa processing, explore the variety of career pathways in immigration.
ATTENTION YEAR 12 students
The Tuckwell Scholarship Program is the most transformational undergraduate scholarship program in Australia. Every year, ANU offers 25 talented school-leavers the opportunity to fulfil their potential by actively participating in the very best that ANU has to offer.
Scholars are selected on the basis of intellect, character, leadership and their commitment to Australia.
Click HERE to find out more about the scholarship and how to apply. 2026 Application Guide.
KEY DATES:
- Early March: ANU Direct Application Open; Tuckwell Stage 1 Applications open
- 10 April 2025: Applicants submit their ANU Direct Application
- 14 April 2025: Tuckwell Stage 1 Application close
- 29 April – 7 May 2025: Head of Year reference will be sought
- 14 May 2025: Tuckwell Stage 2 Applications open
- 23 May 2025: Tuckwell Stage 2 Applications close
- 11 - 13 July 2025: Tuckwell Stage 3 Interview Weekend
- 14 July 2025: Tuckwell Stage 3 Candidates Notified, Scholarships awarded
Learning & Wellbeing Coaches 2025
The Learning and Wellbeing Coaches for 2025 are as follows:
- Primary: Milly Hammond
- Year 7 & 8: Mark Huynh (supported by Penny Evans on Fridays)
- Year 9: Jess White & Aamir Aftab
- 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