St Agnes

Catholic High School

Week 10 newsletter term 1

Dear Parents and Carers

We have only one week of term left and on reflection this has been a busy term with many co-curricular activities. The majority of events have been initiated and organised by our outstanding student leaders. I would like to thank them for their energy and enthusiasm. Our leaders have a real passion for our school community and want to make a positive difference.

I will be on Long Service Leave from the 8th April until the 16 May; during this time Mr Kemmis will be Acting Principal and Mr Madigan will be stepping up as Acting Assistant Principal, Mr Sadsad will be Acting Head of Mission and Mrs Harb will be Acting Assistant Leader of Mission. We are very fortunate to have a wonderful staff at St Agnes who are capable of stepping up into senior leadership positions when needed.

The Resurrection

On Easter Sunday we celebrated the resurrection of Christ. Although on Easter Sunday we officially celebrate Easter, Easter Day is celebrated for eight days - the Octave. The Easter Octave begins on Easter Sunday and ends on the Second Sunday of Easter of the Divine Mercy with every day being another solemnity or another “little Easter.” The current title for each Octave is “Monday in the Octave of Easter,” “Tuesday in the Octave of Easter” etc., but it is commonly called “Easter Monday,” “Easter Tuesday,” and so forth.

As we continue to bask in the radiance of Easter joy, we enter into the sacred time known as the Octave, eight days of celebration and reflection on the glorious resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. During this Octave of Easter, let us allow the reality of Christ's victory over death to permeate every aspect of our lives. Just as the disciples encountered the risen Lord in unexpected places and moments, may we also be open to encountering His presence in our daily lives.

Let us dwell on the profound mystery of the Resurrection, allowing its transformative power to renew our spirits and strengthen our faith. As we journey through these eight days, let us commit ourselves anew to living as joyful witnesses to the hope that Easter brings. May the light of Christ continue to shine brightly within us throughout this Octave of Easter and beyond, guiding our steps and illuminating our path.

Wishing you a blessed and joy-filled Octave of Easter!

CSPD Board Visit - Monday 25 March 2024

On Monday, 25th March, two members of the CSPD Board visited St Agnes. These board members were Emeritus Professor Marea Nicholson AM - CSPD Board Director & Mission, Learning and People Committee (MLPC) Chair and Maria Pearson - CSPD Board Director & Infrastructure and Property Committee (IPC) Member.

They valued meeting with our Leadership Team, Teachers, Student Leaders, Father Layt, our Parish priest and parents. They were both pleased to hear first hand the commitment to improving learning outcomes and our recent successes.

The Board Members observed that our student leaders provided a comprehensive overview of the many initiatives celebrating First Nations people, cultural diversity and exciting co-curricular activities. Their agency in the organisation and delivery was evident, as was their ownership. Our parents commented on their appreciation of the school’s focus on appropriate behaviour, and the increased focus on academic performance and they also identified St Agnes as “empowering individuals to be the best version of themselves”, both students and staff.

Parent Forums

In light of the success of last year's Parent Forums, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting them again this year. This provides an excellent opportunity for parents to stay informed and engage in discussions on various topics related to their children.

St Agnes warmly invites all parents and caregivers to join us for our Term 2 and Term 4 Forums. The details are as follows:

Term 2

Topic: ‘Why don’t you try this?’ - Supporting your child with practical tips for study and notetaking.

Date: Monday 13 May 2024

Time: Arrive 4:45pm for 5pm start

Duration: 1 Hour

Location: St Agnes Catholic High School

Method of delivery: In person face to face

Cost: Free

Term 4

Topic: “Is your child safe Online” Digital Empowerment

Date: Wednesday 23 October 2024

Time: Arrive 4:45pm for 5pm start

Duration: 1 Hour

Location: St Agnes Catholic High School

Method of delivery: In person face to face

Cost: Free

To secure your place, simply send an email to stagnes@parra.catholic.edu.au confirming your attendance and the number of people accompanying you.

Furthermore, we encourage parents and caregivers to submit any questions or topics they would like addressed during the session and include them in their confirmation email. We look forward to seeing you there!

Congratulations Jewel Osborne

- NSW Training Award

Jewel Osborne has been nominated for the NSW Training Award due to her achievements in Business Services during her School Based Traineeship with the National Bank and her support and guidance of her fellow students in this subject. The Western Sydney Vocational Training Committee has informed us that Jewel has been selected to go through to the next step in the award process which will be an interview on 17 April 2024. I wish her all the best in the next stage of the process.

Beginning Teachers Mass

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese has a commissioning ceremony for beginning teachers every year and this year it was held on the 21st March at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. At St Agnes, we commissioned 3 beginning teachers for 2024: Mr Fonua, Mr Green and Mr Vallido. It was a lovely ceremony and I would like to thank members of the leadership team at St Agnes for supporting our young teachers at the ceremony. The leaders who attended included: Mr Donovan, Mrs Hanratty, Mr Hilder and Mr Kemmis. At this ceremony we had two of our talented vocalists, Zaebriel Orayenza fromYear 11 and Saane Vailala from Year 10 who were part of the CSPD Vespers Choir which sounded magnificent.

Update on Year 7/2024 Enrolments

On April 3rd we completed the first round of St Agnes enrolment Interviews for Year 7 2025. The students we interviewed were impressive and were very excited to be part of our St Agnes community. I would like to thank the 18 staff members from the leadership team and middle leaders for assisting with the interviews of the Year 6 students which took place after school. I am so appreciative of the generosity of our staff at St Agnes. I would like to thank the following staff for assisting with the interview process: Mr Usman Khan, Mr Kemmis, Mr Hilder, Mr Madigan, Mrs Hanratty, Mr Scarpin, Ms Penna, Ms Gale, Ms Tomich, Ms Udovicic, Mr Conte, Mr Neilson, Mrs Millwood, Msl Vincent, Mrs Walters, Mr Sadsad, Mr Thompson, Mrs Hagarty and Ms Contogeorge.

Should you have a younger son/daughter who you would like to enrol at St Agnes Catholic High School for Year 7 in 2025, please ensure that you complete an application form that is available from our website or the school office. To avoid the disappointment of missing out on a position in Year 7 2025, submit your enrolment forms as soon as possible. Siblings of current students are not automatically accepted without submitting an application.

Year 12 and 7 Student Led Conferences

On Tuesday afternoon, the 26th March we held the Year 12 and Year 7 Student Led Conferences. This was an opportunity for parents, guardians and students to meet with the individual subject teachers to discuss each student’s progress. These conferences provide an opportunity for parents and guardians to connect with the teacher and discuss the child's academic progress, social development, and overall performance in various subjects. I would like to thank the parents and teachers for attending the Conference. Parents expressed their appreciation, stating that this allowed them to meet the teachers and gain an insight to their son’s and daughter’s progress.

Holy Thursday Easter Liturgy Thank You

On Holy Thursday, St Agnes celebrated the Easter story through the Journey to the Cross Passion Play. Prior to the performance Mrs Millwood, Ms Oraha, Mr Sadsad, Miss D’Aprile and Mr Davidson, along with cast members, practised tirelessly in preparation for this liturgical celebration. Our school gathered in the Alverna Performance Hall to pray together and remember the greatest love story ever told, the story of our King who defeated death and made way for life with no end.

Student Representative Council Movie Night

The St Agnes SRC mission is to provide opportunities for all students to express their opinions and concerns, to suggest innovative solutions to enhance their school life at St Agnes Catholic High School. The SRC strives for students to feel valued, respected and involved in the decision-making process of the school, thus contributing to a greater sense of community. In partnership with our school’s motto ‘To truth through love’, the SRC endeavours to promote social justice, equity and love to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and best serve the St Agnes community.

Their first event for 2024 was a Movie Night to foster a sense of unity and school spirit. The shared cinematic experience strengthened social bonds, creating a positive and inclusive school culture. This event built a supportive community where students connected outside the classroom.

Thank you to Miss Liu and Miss Fielding for assisting the SRC Leaders in organising the Movie Night and to all the staff members who assisted on the afternoon: Mr Cruickshank, Mr Hilder, Ms Gale, Mr Scarpin, Mr Wilson, Mrs Ramasamy, Mrs Tomich, Ms Balasuriya, Mrs Cruickshank, Mr Conte, Mr Fonua, Mrs Millwood, Mr Goco, Mr Madigan and Mrs Hanratty.

Congratulations Intermediate and

Junior Boys Basketball Teams

I would like to congratulate the St Agnes Junior and Intermediate basketball teams who made it through to the PDSSSC Semi-finals. Our students participating in the competition were outstanding representatives and I was very proud of them as I watched them play. The Junior team defeated Santa Sophia College Box Hill and will go through to the Finals next week. Unfortunately, the Intermediate team was defeated, but they played well and should be proud that they reached the Semi-finals.

I would like to thank Mr Sarac for coaching the Intermediate Team and Mr Barnett for coaching the Junior Team. A special thanks to Aldin Ocampo from Year 10 who also assisted in coaching the Junior Team.

NAPLAN

This term, students in Years 7 and 9 successfully completed their NAPLAN testing in the areas of Literacy and Numeracy. We use NAPLAN result data when making decisions around how to best target the learning needs of our students. Here are just some of the ways we utilise NAPLAN data:

• To target individual students who may be behind in their learning in one or more areas.
  
• To target individual students who may require extension work in one or more areas.
  
• To look at how much students have grown and look for patterns that might explain that growth.
  
• To compare where our students are against students across the state and country.
  
• To ensure our curriculum programs reflect the needs of all of our students.
  

Thank you Ms Raad and Mr Conte for overseeing the wellbeing of the Year 7 and Year 9 cohorts and supervising their year groups. Thank you to Mrs Walters, Mr De Martin, Mr Kemmis, Mrs Hanratty, IT Team and our Learning Support department for organising and administering the NAPLAN tests.

Mrs J Holland

Principal

CLICK HERE to access our Parent Calendar. Click subscribe at the bottom to connect the school calendar to yours and stay up to date with school events

To Truth Through Love

Learning at St Agnes

We are now close to the end of our first term of learning for the year and for the most part, students have been engaged and focussed. It is essential for each student to reflect upon their learning, determine what they have understood well and more importantly, establish the areas which require further attention. To be a successful learner takes motivation, effort and practice. One of the greatest supports for our students are the teachers who work with them each day. Their goal is to ensure the students before them are active in their learning, seek help when required and to ultimately exceed what they think is possible.

Our learning environment is one of high support and as a result, high expectations.

NAPLAN

Congratulations to the students in Years 7 and 9 who engaged very well with the recent NAPLAN Tests. Students in both year groups were well prepared and organised for these important tests. The results will be available during the first half of Term 3.

Year 11 Study Skills Session

Two weeks ago we welcomed back Dr. Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning Educational Services (www.enhanced-learning.net) as our guest speaker for an insightful session with Year 11 students. The event provided a unique opportunity for Year 11 to reflect on the academic progress students have made and skills they have developed, in order to explore new strategies for maximising academic potential as they approach the culmination of their high school years.

Dr. Salter's expertise offered valuable insights into how to study effectively at home and deal with distractions, manage time efficiently, plan for assessments, make brain-friendly study notes regularly, and use a wide variety of active study techniques to suit individual learning preferences. We would like to express our gratitude to Dr Prue Salter for sharing her expertise once again, and we encourage our entire school community to leverage the

valuable insights available to our school on the study skills website: www.studyskillshandbook.com.au. Just enter the username: stagnes, and use the password: 24success. There are lots of useful handouts available on the Things to Print page when you log in. For additional study skills tips from Dr Salter, families can explore a dedicated resource at http://studyskillstoptipsparents.com/.

We also encourage parents to explore the session's slides and handouts with students, fostering further discussions about areas that may benefit from positive changes. Let's continue to support our students to achieve their full academic potential and work towards the next chapter of their lives.

Study Skills Tip for April

Maximising Your Study Efficiency: The 80-20 Rule

Are you tired of spending countless hours on assignments only to realise that much of that time was wasted on unnecessary tasks? It's time to work smarter, not harder, and the key lies in understanding the 80-20 rule.

The 80-20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, suggests that 80% of results come from just 20% of effort. How can you apply this principle to your studies? Let's break it down.

1. Choose the Right Goal: Before diving into any task, it's crucial to identify your goal. Ask yourself: What do I want to achieve with this assignment? Focus on the 20% of goals that will yield 80% of the desired results. For instance, if your goal is to write a persuasive essay, identify the key points or arguments that will make the most impact.
   
2. Choose the Right Task: Not all tasks are created equal. Some tasks contribute significantly more to your goals than others. Prioritise tasks based on their importance and relevance to your objectives. If research is consuming too much of your time, consider focusing on the essential sources and information that directly support your main arguments.
   
3. Choose the Right Action or Strategy: Once you've established your goals and tasks, it's time to determine the most effective actions or strategies to achieve them. Break down your tasks into actionable steps and concentrate on the 20% of actions that will generate 80% of your desired outcomes. For example, if you're studying for an exam, identify the key concepts or topics that are likely to appear and allocate more time to mastering them.
   

Remember, every task consists of three components: the destination (goal), the route (plan), and the action (steps). By focusing on the critical 20% of each component, you can optimise your study approach for maximum efficiency and results.

In your academic journey, prioritise activities that align with your goals and contribute the most to your success. By adopting the 80-20 mindset, you'll not only save time but also achieve better outcomes with less effort.

So, the next time you embark on a study session or tackle an assignment, think about the 80-20 way of working smarter, not harder. Identify the tasks and actions that truly matter, and focus on these.

Learn more this year about how to improve your study techniques and be more efficient in your associated skills by working through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au. Our school’s access details are:

Username: stagnes

Password: 24success

Mr G Kemmis

Assistant Principal- Learning Transformation

Student Wellbeing Update

St Agnes values all students feeling safe and supported. Our staff will always respond to any allegations or instances of bullying in a timely manner. The strength of the St Agnes community comes from the collaboration between staff, students, families and the parish. It is important that we all work together to ensure the safety and optimal wellbeing for all. Please contact the school if you are aware of any instances that have or could affect the safety and wellbeing of anyone within our community.

We regularly review and update our procedures to ensure we are always in alignment with our system. Please see the link below which explains the procedures in more detail.

Link to CSPD Bullying of Students - Prevention and Response Procedure

Attendance Update

Thank you to all of the students and families who regularly attend school. This term is generated from a set percentage of 90%. This equates to being at school for all but 5 days every term. The expectation for students is that they are at school, on time, each day unless they are too unwell or have a circumstance that does not allow them to be ast school. Parents and carers are encouraged to send through communication via the Compass app if their child is away or late.

New social media safety

features keep young people safe

Popular social media platforms have introduced new safety features to help keep young people safe. These updates include:

• Meta – Teens joining Facebook & Instagram will be in the most restrictive content settings. Instagram search will hide results about self-harm, suicide and eating disorders.
  
• Snap – New parental controls within Snapchat will offer parents an extended view of their teens' Snapchat activity.
  
• Discord – There are tips to make their chats safer for teens, including safety alerts and sensitive content filters.
  

To learn more about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report harmful content, check out The eSafety Guide.

Mr G Hilder

Assistant Principal- School Culture

Pace e bene- Peace and blessings to all members of the St Agnes community.

Last week we gathered for our Easter Liturgy. The Easter story reminds us that even in the very worst moments of life there is always hope because as Christians, we believe in the life and the resurrection of Jesus. I was proud of the way that our students engaged in the liturgy that brought the Easter story to life. The Easter liturgies are some of the most mystical experiences in the Church calendar. They involve washing feet, fire, water, incense, ringing of bells, light and darkness. They touch the full range of human emotions, from despair to joy.

ECSI Survey

I would like to thank all staff, students and parents for their participation in our recent ECSI (Enhancing Catholic School Identity) survey. This was no easy feat to achieve. I would like to thank the staff and executive team for their support in delivering the survey to our community, as well as the admin and support staff for ensuring our parents and families could also engage in the survey. We now await the results from the Leuven University, in Belgium, in regards to our Catholic Identity.

I would like to thank you all for your support throughout this term with all the Mission fundraisers for Caritas, as well as engaging with the Sacramental program offered by St Aidan’s Parish, the various masses and liturgies that we had, and the various Lifted leader events. I hope you all have a rested, peaceful holiday, and are able to spend quality time with family and friends.

Peace and blessings to you all.

Mr P Madigan

Head of Mission

Young Women's Leadership Seminar

Testimonials

On the 8th March, accompanied by Ms.Collins and Angelica Prasad, we got to experience a women’s leadership seminar that spoke about many stereotypes about women and their role in society. We had a key guest speaker, Associate Professor Lisa Williams, who spoke specifically about this topic as well as other female leaders from the parliament. The topics that were spoken about were very eye-opening, especially as a young woman. It taught me that I can achieve anything no matter my gender, capabilities or the type of field I want to get into. It was fascinating to see the whole room filled with over 150 young passionate female students all coming together to listen about the importance of women in society.

-Rachel Hanna

The Young Women's Leadership Seminar radiated with uplifting encouragement to give more women the inspiration and courage to become leaders in their own lives. In doing so, all women will be able to overcome gender stereotypes faced within the workforce and will feel empowered to reach their full potential. In the course of the seminar we had the privilege to hear the words of social psychologist Lisa Williams and female members of the NSW Parliament. An outstanding common theme from all speakers was that despite gender, we all have the potential to be leaders.

-Angelica Prasad

Student Representative Council (SRC)

On the 22nd March, the Student Representative Council (SRC) hosted our first initiative of the year - the SRC Movie Night, which turned out to be a huge success. By catering pizzas and drinks with fun trivia questions and playing family-friendly movies, up to 150 students and teachers came and supported the event. We were fortunate to raise $600 which was put forth into helping with the cost of the Year 12 Formal later this year. We would like to extend our gratitude to all the students who attended as well as the teachers and student leaders who assisted in the making and advertising of the event.

John and Andrea

SRC members

The SRC Movie Night was a wonderful event hosted by the 2024 SRC. It provided an opportunity for students to connect and the funds raised helped to support the year 12 formal.

The pizza and popper deal was a hit and we sold over 140 tickets, emphasising the event's huge success. On behalf of the SRC, we would like to thank all of the teachers who stayed back and supported the event. A huge shout out to Ms Liu who coordinated the entire event with the help of Miss Fielding.

The SRC can’t wait to host their next event in term 2!

Jacob Gueh

SRC member

UTS Big Day In

On Wednesday, 20th March, 35 Year 11 students ,along with Mr Cheung and Ms Gale, attended the UTS Big Day In. The event was designed for students to explore careers in technology, engineering and design. Students gained an insight into ‘university life’ and were provided opportunities to make better-informed decisions about their future.​ Students interacted in workshops covering career paths, career opportunities, the latest engineering developments, and the future of technology. During the breaks, students visited the exhibitor stands to speak with company and university representatives. It was an insightful day and the students appreciated new information about courses, degrees, work experience, internships, apprenticeships and engaging with hands-on demonstrations of robotic technology.

UNSW Leaders Gateway Program

On Tuesday, 26th March, 13 Year 11 students, along with Ms Gale, attended the UNSW Leaders Gateway Program. The program was designed for students to discover university opportunities and develop leadership skills. Students engaged in workshops designed to develop curiosity, analytical thinking, creativity and emotional management. The Gateway Program is for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 who want to discover UNSW degree options, explore future career opportunities and access additional resources for the HSC.

The students particularly enjoyed a focus workshop on authentic communication and leadership presence facilitated by Josephine O'Reilly Artistic Director and a principal performer with Boom Chicago.

UNSW will be continuing their Gateway program with St Agnes Catholic High School and are offering further opportunities throughout the year for senior students.

PDSSSC Intermediate Girls Oztag Team

Congratulations to the Intermediate Girls OzTag team for a successful PDSSSC season with multiple victories over the course of the term. All students played with tenacity and excelled in developing skills on and off the field throughout the season. Unfortunately, the team did not progress to the finals, however, they showed wonderful leadership and team spirit and are to be commended for their effort throughout each game.

NSW TRAINING AWARDS

At St Agnes we have had three students in year 12 nominated for the VET in Schools Student of the year category. The NSW Training Awards are conducted annually by Training Services NSW within the NSW Department of Education and they recognise outstanding achievements in the vocational education and training sector. These awards are designed to honour and reward the achievements of students who are undertaking a vocational qualification as part of their HSC journey.

Jack Hewitson, Paula El-Ghossein and Jewel Osborne were all nominated due to their outstanding achievements in their vocational courses and their suitability to become an Ambassador for Vocational Education and Training. The students spent many hours going through the nomination process after being

nominated by their teachers and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese RTO. The first phase of the process is the regional phase where applicants that are outstanding in their vocational courses are shortlisted and an interview is offered to have the opportunity to progress to the next stage. Unfortunately Jack and Paula were unsuccessful in progressing past this stage but it is certainly not a reflection on their ability or their application or suitability for this award. Both of these students put a lot of effort into their nomination and application. This is a highly sought after award and one that is extremely difficult to progress to the next stage of the award process in.

The state phase evaluates the regional winners which will be shortlisted after an interview with the student during the holidays and this is when the Award Committee will look for character values and virtues that will contribute to the qualities they require for becoming an individual Ambassador. Jewel Osborne has been shortlisted to attend the interview phase at a regional level and we congratulate her for this achievement. She has been nominated in the VET in Schools Student of the Year category for Business Services and was nominated by the RTO for her achievements in this course. She undertook a school-based traineeship at National Bank in Year 11 and is now completing the qualification in Business Services at St Agnes which will contribute to her HSC and enable her to complete her schooling with a Certificate III Business Services national qualification.

The state phase evaluates the regional winners which will be shortlisted after an interview with the student during the holidays and this is when the Award Committee will look for character values and virtues that will contribute to the qualities they require for becoming an individual Ambassador. Jewel Osborne has been shortlisted to attend the interview phase at a regional level and we congratulate her for this achievement. She has been nominated in the VET in Schools Student of the Year category for Business Services and was nominated by the RTO for her achievements in this course. She undertook a school-based traineeship at National Bank in Year 11 and is now completing the qualification in Business Services at St Agnes which will contribute to her HSC and enable her to complete her schooling with a Certificate III Business Services national qualification.

The Training Awards provide a unique opportunity to celebrate the achievements and hard work of students in a Vocational course.These awards can also open many doors and potentially become a stepping stone in the careers of these students. It is wonderful to have three nominations for St Agnes in 2024 based on such a high calibre of students to choose from. We wish Jewel every success in her next steps in this Award process and celebrate the achievements of all three students.

Jack Hewitson nominated by Adam Scarpin (Construction Teacher) for Certificate II Construction Pathways - VET in Schools Student of the Year Category

Paula El-Ghossein nominated by Saroja Dass (Business Services Teacher) for Certificate III Business Services - VET in Schools Student of the Year Category

Jewel Osborne nominated by Bridget Ward (VET & RTO Leader) for Certificate III Business Services - VET in Schools Student of the Year Category

Timeline for the next steps in the Award process if successful at Interview:

• Regional Training Awards Presentation - 21 June 2024
  
• NSW Individual Student Categories / State Interviews 22 - 26 July 2024
  
• NSW Training Awards Presentation for the NSW finalists for each Award category Sydney Town Hall 13 September 2024
  

If you are contemplating undertaking a VET subject or are currently studying a VET subject at St Agnes or external to the school this could be you in the future.

Bridget Ward

VET Coordinator

Beyond School, What’s Next?

Careers Day

On the 18th March, selected students from Years 9 to 12 and Alumni from Years 13 to 15 attended St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall and Cloister where they were offered personalised Career Coaching and then ushered to an array of service providers ranging from apprenticeship centres to employers and Universities. Students who were unsure of their pathways left with a significant amount of information and direction regarding the next steps for employment or applications for transition. This event runs annually and for inquiries for 2025 please contact me at nkarafotias@parra.catholic.edu.au.

Year 11 and 12 UAC Talk

Wendy from UAC attended to speak to students in Years 11 and 12 about the application process for the University Admissions Centre. She spoke about how to access the Equity Access Scheme (EAS) and School Recommendation Scheme (SRS). She explained how moderation takes place and how to prioritise preferences. She also reinforced the importance of Year 11 results in attaining early offers in September 2025 for a range of University institutions. For more information, please visit www.uac.edu.au

Year 12 PATHE and NEC Consultations

Students in Year 12 from Pasifika and New and Emerging or Refugee Backgrounds came together for a one-hour workshop to look at ways of applying for degrees and scholarships at Western Sydney University. Throughout the day they were then allocated 30 minutes to work 1:1 with WSU consultants to unpack individual pathways, applications for degrees and relevant scholarships that fit their criteria. All St Agnes students can access webinars and consultations using the following link:

www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/info-for-year-12-students

Bakers Delight Virtual Work Experience

Discover the Art of Baking with the

Year13 X Bakers Delight Virtual Work Experience!

The Bakers Delight Virtual Work Experience offers a unique opportunity to step into the world of professional baking from the comfort of your home.

Discover the art of baking with the Year13 X Bakers Delight Virtual Work Experience - an interactive exploration into the craft of baking, offering insight into a baker's daily life.

Virtual Bakery Tour

You’ll start with a 360-degree tour of a Bakers Delight bakery to familiarise yourself with the daily workspace and tools of the bakingtrade.

Quality ControlChallenge

Learn the importance of consistency and quality in baking and test your decision-making skills with real-life scenarios.

Get Hands-Onin the Kitchen

Roll up your sleeves to bake your own sourdough or delicious scroll at home! Follow the step-by-step guide and experience the joy of creating something delicious.

A baking apprenticeship with Bakers Delight can lead to owning your own bakery!

When you finish the experience, you'll understand the amazing career opportunities on offer, whether Bakers Delightroll could be right for you (pun intended), and you’ll also receive a certificate to add to your career portfolio. Visit the Year 13 X Bakers Delight VWE page to get started!

Are you ready to take on Australia’s leading university?

Dive deep with global field leaders in small classes at the Australian National University (ANU), with 50+ single and 600+ double degrees to choose from. Start imagining yourselfliving and learning in the ANU talented campus community and beyond. You can apply now and potentially receive an early offer in September.

ANU takes care of your admission, scholarships and accommodation in one easy application.

One seamless application

Your direct application form covers scholarships, student accommodation and admission and could see you get an early offer for the most eligible degree on your list of preferences. A room in a student residence is guaranteed for eligible students who apply on time.

How will my application be assessed?

ANU calculates your selection rank using your Year 11 or Year 12 results (whichever are better) and any adjustment factors.

Am I eligible?

• I am an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or hold an Australian Humanitarian visa.
  
• I am in Year 12 or the final year of my International Baccalaureate, and am on track to receive an ATAR.
  
• I have been involved in co-curricular activities such as volunteering, part- time work, caring for a family member or playing a sport.
  

Early offers

Early offers are released from 5 September 2024. They are conditional on you completing Year 12 and getting an ATAR, but not on the ATAR score itself.

How do I apply?

1. Learn how to apply by downloading the guide.

2. Log into the ANU application portal to complete your free direct application by 13 May 2024.

3. To apply for the Tuckwell Scholarship, tick the box in the application and submit by 8 April 2024.

The 2024 Mathematics and Statistics Research Competition has officially launched!

How does it work?

It’s free.

• It’s open to students from across Australia.
  
• It’s not an exam - you write a report or make a poster.
  
• There is a range of open-ended research topicsto choose from.
  
• You have until 31 July to undertake research and submit a project.
  
• The highest-quality projects are eligible for cash prizes!
  
• You may be invited to The University of Melbourne Parkville campus to deliver a presentation on your research!
  

You can find out more on the FAQ page and in the submission guidelines

How do I enter?

The steps are:

1.Form a team of up to 3.

2. Select a topic from the competition booklet. Click here to be sent a copy.

3. Conduct research and create a report or visual display.

4. Submit your researchby the deadline.

Prizes!

Students with the top projectreceive

$500 each and finalists receive $200 each. There are also cash prizes for best visual displays! Check out the 2023 Finalist Projects for some inspiration

Follow the link to access 2023 finalists projects

Discover Data Science with CommBank and Year13!

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Data Scientists are in demand and earning impressive salaries, which makes this an attractive career choice for those with curious minds and a passion for problem- solving!

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• CommBank Data Scientist team.
  
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• The fascinating world of machine learning and AI; the future of data science.
  
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Upon completion, you'll receive a certificate to add to your resume, but best of all, you’ll know if, and how, this exciting career matches your skills and interests.

Take a deep-dive into the worldof Data Scienceby visiting the Year13 X CommBank VirtualWork Experience today!

While you’re not quite old enough to get your licence or vote yet, turning 16 is excitingbecause you’re old enough to get started on LinkedIn!

Whether you're lookingfor a new job, want to create some networks, or just feel like you're living under a rock without it, LinkedIn has fast become the go-to social networking platform used for professional and career development purposes.

But if you're scratching your head, unsure of how to navigate or utilise LinkedIn, don't worry. Here are five quick and easy tips.

1.Make your profile

Start with your headshot. Make it professional by using a school photo or ask a friend to take a photo of you in front of a white wall. Job done. You'll also need a summary of your skills, experience, and career aspirations. List your jobs or work experience, and your education (but leave your primary school out).

2.Start networking

Whether it's your high school friends, work acquaintances and colleagues, or even your family, create a network by adding people you know. You can take a step further by - adding people you don't know, but who are in a field, job, or workplace you're interested in. That's what LinkedIn is for!

3.Engage

Share articles, videos,and other content related to your industry or interests.

Comment on and like other people's posts to start conversations and build relationships.Engage with others,and keep your profile up-to-date.

4. Use LinkedIn for job searching

LinkedIn is an amazing tool if you're in the market for a job! You can search by title, skill or company as well as save jobs you're interested in, get job alerts, and apply for them through LinkedIn.

And don't forget the power of Step #2. Network! Even if your dreamcompany isn't hiring, research them and add their employees to your circle.

5. Join groups

Joining LinkedIn groups related to your industry or interests are such a great way to get amongst it! You can participate in discussions, find new connections and begin to establish yourself in your desired field.

Work Experience at the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum high school work experience program offers you the chance to explore a variety of careers including science and cultural research, education, public programming, curatorial and exhibition design, marketing, communications and corporate services.

All work experience opportunities provide practical learning to support your personal development and professional skills as you prepare to enter the workforce and make choices about your career.

The program is available to students in Years 10–12. Each placement is 5 days (Monday to Friday) working 10 am–4pm.

2024 Dates and Specialisations

July 22–26: Paleontology, Development, Design, Operations.

September 9–13: Ichthyology, Digital, Development, Design, Operations.

October 14–18:Entomology, Design Operations.

November 11–15: Arachnology, Development, Design, Operations

How do I apply?

• Download and read the information pack to learn about the areas of specialisation and the application requirements.
• Prepare your application including your statement of interest and a letter of recommendation.

Submit your application here by Friday 3 May 2024.

Students of all backgrounds are welcome to apply. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply, as are students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

The program is in high demand and the number of applications outweighs the number of places available. All applications will be assessed by a panel based on application, areas of interest and available dates. Successful applicants for 2024 will be notified the week of Monday, 3 June 2024.

Challenges are free and open to students nationwide unless otherwise stated. Click the images for more information or to register.

Experience your future in Data Science with the Year13 X CommBank Virtual Work Experience. It will immerse you in:

• A typical day in the life of a Data Scientist. The expertise and experiences of the
  
• CommBank Data Scientist team.
  
• Data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization.
  
• The fascinating world of machine learning and AI; the future of data science.
  
• Study pathways to becoming a Data Scientist.
  
• Practical workplace activities that give you a real sense of the work of Data Scientists.
  

Upon completion, you'll receive a certificate to add to your resume, but best of all, you’ll know if, and how, this exciting career matches your skills and interests.

OPAL Cards

Some of our buses are very close to maximum capacity.

What can you do about it?

All school students need to travel with a valid school travel pass. If you are using a School Opal card, you must tap on and tap off whenever using public transport to travel to and from school. This allows the bus company to better understand customer travel patterns and adjust the services provided if necessary.

How can you get a new Opal pass?

https://transportnsw.info/school-travel-apply

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