The prayer, unity, love and care that has always been abundant at our school has sustained us over the last 12 months as we faced unique challenges and some considerable sadness. Trying to thank everyone who has contributed, cared and prayed during 2020 in a single newsletter is impossible; however, I cannot overstate how much I have appreciated:

• Those who have prayed and shared words of encouragement as we have faced our trials.
• Those who have given gifts to help the school and individuals.
• The staff and parents who have graciously invested many extra hours into the school this year.
• People who have perceived a gap and jumped in filled it without anybody knowing.
• Students who have thoughtfully and maturely pressed on throughout the year and learnt to the best of their ability.
• Students who have been kind to other students who have struggled with the consequences of the challenges presented to us.
• Parents who have been gracious and patient with the school as we have done our best, and possibly made some mistakes along the way, to provide the best quality Christian education we can under trying circumstances.

On behalf of Mrs Nicole Smith, I would like to thank the countless people who have expressed their sympathies, prayed and provided support following the sad and sudden passing of our Head of Secondary, Mr Greg Smith. The details of how to view the recording of Mr Smith's Celebration Service can be found here. The Secondary School held a touching and fitting assembly to honour Mr Smith this week. The tributes shared by students and staff demonstrated that Mr Smith touched the lives of many. He will be remembered with great fondness.

As we reflect on the year that was – the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows, the predictable and the surprises - we should all give praise to God who has comforted and enabled us, remembering that in him we live and act and have our being (Acts 17:28). As you reflect on the year that was and look forward to 2021, I trust that this passage of scripture will help guide your thoughts and prayers. 

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 4: 1 – 4

Mr Brett Hartley
Principal

Year 6 Celebration and Graduation

Last Tuesday night we celebrated the completion of Junior School with our Year 6 students. It was a fantastic night! We hired a massive inflatable obstacle course, we danced, played games, Minute to Win it competitions and had a whole lot of fun. Thank you to the Year 6 Teachers and Mrs Susan Murray for your help to make this evening such a success. 

On Monday we will have a Junior School Assembly (for teachers and students only) to present Year 6 with their graduation certificate. We will email each Year 6 parent a photo of their child receiving their certificate. Congratulations Year 6! We wish you well and will pray for you as you begin the next exciting stage of your life in Secondary School.

House Leaders

The House Leaders in our Junior School play an important role across the school year. We thank the 2020 House Leaders for their exceptional work this year of change. Over the past few weeks, the Year 5 students have been reflecting on what it means to be a leader as they prepared to apply for these important roles. 16 students were then chosen to present a speech at our morning assemblies. They all gave exceptional speeches about what they thought leadership was and ways in which they would make a good leader. 

After a voting process the 2021 House Leaders have been selected. They are:

Calvin

Ethan Ward
Leonie Chong

Cranmer

Tim Jefferson
Tamara Dunkley

Knox

Brendon Mobbs
Eva Brooke

Luther

Cooper Starr
Kiara Hazlewood

These students will receive their badges at next Monday’s Junior School Assembly.

What is happening in the last week of school?

Monday - children wear school uniform. This will be the last normal day with the class as they finish up the year together.

Tuesday - children wear school uniform. We spend a short amount of time on this day cleaning up the classroom and packing things away for next year. 

Wednesday - Final Day Fun Day - children wear casual clothes suitable for fun activities. Closed-in shoes must be worn (no sandals or thongs). 

This day is for Prep (W) to Year 6 students. The teachers have planned a range of fun activities for the children to participate in. Due to Covid restrictions there are no class parties with shared food. Students will need to bring their own lunch as usual.

Thank you to all parents for your perseverance and partnership with us this year as we have navigated through this year’s challenges together. I am thankful for our staff as they all have gone over and above this year to adjust to many changes, persevere and contribute whole heartedly to the school's mission to care for children and deliver a quality Christian Education. We hope and trust that you have an enjoyable holiday and take time to celebrate the joy that celebrating the birth of Jesus our Saviour brings. We look forward to seeing you again next year. 

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1

Mr Paul Carter
Head of Junior School

There was even a Q & A at the end for Year 9 to ask Year 10 about their process.

Arielle Lee, the Promotion Designer, has written a media release announcing the play and the approach taken by Laurence as well as the rest of the company: "This production is entirely student run including directing, acting, set, costume, poster and promotion. The play follows a young boy by the name of Orhan. After the waters rose around ‘The City’ and many people inhabited a smaller space, war broke out over which language should be spoken and the Officials created a set of rules which limited the words people were allowed to use to 1000 selected words. If any word is told other than the chosen 1000, or if a word is wasted, there is a punishment. Orhan has always known this, he has never had a reason to disobey. 

The director's vision for this production is 'expression is the rival of authority and oppression': this explores the themes of control and rebellion shown in the play. This concept is shown through the various design mediums (set, costume, poster and promotion). These themes are also shown in the chosen setting for this production. The play is not set in any particular time or place, meaning that there is more flexibility. The setting for this production will be in a similar time and place to the USSR in the Cold War period. Making reference to this historical setting shows the themes of control clearly. In preparation for this performance the actors practised the scenes, memorising lines and blocking using masking tape lines on the floor to mark where the set pieces are going to go. Designers worked on separate concepts from the director's vision to be shown through the set, costumes, poster and promotion before working towards sourcing the required elements." 

Despite a few bumps along the road, the class laboured over many weeks to audition, cast, rehearse and create the world of the play in the TLC. Together they worked like a real production company, producing a successful performance that stayed true to the playwright's intentions and showed great responsibility for students their age.

Mrs Kathryn Breen & Arielle Lee
Head of Drama & Promotion Designer

The films can be viewed here: Year 9  Year 8 

Not only were we finalists, but the Year 9 entry earned the “Most original” and “People’s Choice” awards! Well done!

In other news, our Year 8 class has finished their wonderful books for their Kindergarten buddies. Here are a few photos of them reading their German books and teaching a little German language along the way!

Frau McWhirter

What a joy it was to witness their hearts for service, as they worked so diligently and with such delight, knowing that the next time the shoebox box they had just processed was opened, it would be in the hands of the child receiving it. We prayed that each box would open each child’s heart to receiving the gospel and knowing Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

Thank you to Mr Holden for driving us and Mrs Wilson for your support.

The final total of shoeboxes donated by Shire Christian School and our community was 623. A magnificent effort given the events and limitations of this year. Thank you.

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’  Matthew 25:40

Mrs Lillian Corban

Jungle Jane told everyone that there were some children lost in the Jungle! The children didn't just watch but were involved in this Social Skills play. They went into small groups, ably led by our Year 9 Drama students, and had to discuss ideas of how to make wise choices to solve a problem and then act out their scenario for us all to learn from. In the end, all the children were safely out of the jungle, the crocodile did not eat anyone, Sammy was found after being lost and everyone learned about making wise choices.

Many thanks to our Year 9 drama students, Mrs Wright and Sammy for making the Jungle come alive!

Mrs Diana Moes

Students learnt about the coastal dune and rainforest environment between the Minnamurra River and Mystics Beach.

Students walked through the coastal dune and rainforest environment to observe flora and fauna. Students also noticed how the vegetation changed the further back from the beach that they got. They also progressed through their worksheets that they can now use as part of their HSC study material.

The fieldtrip was a great outdoor experience for the students. Overall, the Year 12 Geography students came away with great memories of the time spent together and a wonderful case study on coastal dunes and rainforests.

Matthew Miller
Head of HSIE

Our coaches did an amazing job warming up and preparing our players for some intense, fast paced action on the courts. Abbey Baker and Miss Ohlmus had the girls passing like pros and darting around the court, but the opposition in the following games seemed like giants and no amount of dodging and weaving could stop them! Despite the defeat, the girls soldiered on valiantly and showed tremendous courage. Their next game saw a solid win with the final score being a whopping 26-2! Overall the girls finished 3rd in their pool by a narrow margin.

Liam Woods and Mr Kennedy were masterful managers of the boy’s team, unfortunately the boy’s team drew a very difficult pool and were unable to earn a win. Every member of the team however, played admirably and displayed good sportsmanship throughout the day.

It was wonderful to witness the positive team spirit and encouraging smiles from our players and the other participating schools. Many thanks to our fantastic team managers and scorers.

Girls team: Katrina He, Ruby Krstanoski, Evie Poppett, Jade Seidel, Mikayla Shore, Elizabeth Speirs, Anna Rolland, Katie Davidson.

Boys team: Nicholas Clapham, Lucas Stavropoulos, Hamish Murray, Jett Crawley, Nash Smith, Cooper Guanine, Brendon Mobbs, Christian Davies, Joshua Palazzolo, Jonathan Low.

Mr Kennedy, Miss Ohlmus, Mrs Whitaker

“As I was hoping for some hope, I met a man who could not cope.
‘It’s all too much’, he said to me, ‘I do not like this world I see.
The more I wander through the land the less and less I understand.
The world is such a nasty mess. And yet I also must confess:
The sorrow and the shame it brings - to be a man who feels such things!
Oh, how I wish that I could be a joyful songbird in a tree.’
And then I saw, as off he went, the hope in disillusionment!”

My thought immediately went to Jesus’ statement in the heart of the Sermon on the Mount: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes.  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34)  

My confident, soul-liberating hope, is certainly NOT in ‘disillusionment’! It is in Jesus’ faithful, time-tested, proven command/promise: “But seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Yes, I share wholeheartedly with Leunig the struggles and frustrations of living in a confusing, sin-infected, messy world. But when I see and hear the ‘joyful songbird in a tree’, I am reminded of what Jesus said, rather than seeing Leunig’s wish as ‘the hope in disillusionment’! Moreover, I will be especially encouraged, as Christmas approaches, in being reminded that the One who made the songbirds actually came into our world as one of us and listened to their joyful songs!

Rev Bruce Christian

The school board has a legal obligation to act with care and diligence, to ensure the school remains financially sustainable, and can continue to serve future generations.

For 2021, there will be a fee increase of 2.2%. There is no change to sibling discounts for 2021.

Despite teachers not receiving a pay increase in 2021, and staff numbers being almost identical, staffing costs have increased by 2.1%. These costs are necessary to meet legal obligations in relation to:

• An increase in the superannuation guarantee contributions to 10%, and
• Step increases / or seniority instalments under the staff enterprise agreements.

Additionally:

• The cost of school camps at places such as YouthWorks has increased.
• The cost of student computers has increased.
• The school has incurred various IT expenses to protect us from cyber threats.

The 2021 average fee increase is $138 per annum per student based on a typical family with a number of children at the school.

The 2021 fee schedule is below. Fee statements will be sent in the first week of Term 1. 

If parents have questions about school fees, please contact the Business Manager, Peter Watters.

Mr Ben Graham
Treasurer

Edstart helps make it easy for you to manage school fees by providing flexible payment plans. You can reduce your annual school fee spend by extending payments over a longer period.

With Edstart, you can fund tuition fees, additional charges such as uniforms, extra-curricular activities as well as amounts in arrears.

To find out more, visit edstart.com.au/shirechristian.

Please note that in providing information about Edstart, the school is not providing any recommendation, brokering or advice services. The school does not receive referral fees, commissions or any other remuneration from Edstart.

Year 7
Location: Austinmer Beach Park
Meet at school no later than 8:45am for a 9:00am departure. 
Bus will return to school at approximately 2:00pm in time to catch regular school buses home.

Year 8
Location: Tops Conference Centre @ Stanwell Tops
Meet at school no later than 8.15am for a 8:30 departure.
Bus will return to school at approximately 1:45pm in time to catch regular school buses home.

Year 9
Location: Jamberoo Action Park
Meet at school no later than 7:50am for an 8am departure
Bus will return to school at approximately 3pm but will go via Sutherland Station on the way home.

Year 11
Location: Gunnamatta Park @ Cronulla
10am-2pm
Transport to and from the venue is to be arranged by parents/student.

Managing Gaming Consoles

In this webinar Nicole Embra, from The Cyber Safety Tech Mum, runs through some practical and easy to implement tips for managing consoles.

Confront the Confronting 

What should your parents do if their child sees upsetting material online? In this popular webinar, Yasmin London, cyber expert from ySafe, helps navigate this challenging aspect of digital parenting.

What might have seemed like an impossibility earlier this year has, quite remarkably, become a reality. Students have spent valuable time discovering first hand what life in the workplace is really like. 

There have been 4am trips to the flower markets, walks under Waratah trains at Ricardo Rail’s massive Sydney Trains maintenance facility, art gallery Year 1 portrait classes at Hazelhurst Gallery and bent cars brought back to life at the panel beater’s workshop. 

There’s been time spent in city law offices, on the end of the landscaper’s shovel, in front of the graphic designer’s computer, even and opportunity to practicing giving stitches at a doctor’s surgery (but not on a real patient!)

Work Experience is always valuable. Some discover their future careers. Some discover jobs they never want to have anything to do with again! But all gain valuable insight which can shape decisions about school leaving, HSC subject selection as well as university and TAFE courses selection.  

And work experience can give students a fresh appreciation for the opportunities before them, the push they needed to make new plans, confidence from an enlarged life experience and a lot more questions - as well as some cracking stories!

Thank you to all the employers who have made their workplace, their time and their staff available and, in doing so, made an incredibly meaningful and valuable investment in the future of our Year 10 students. 

It’s worth making a special mention of the students who, at the end of their time on work experience, were offered a full time apprenticeship or part-time work. Congratulations! And well done to the students who completed the well-attended Virtual Work Experience at school. Like in the workplace, you saw the rewards that come with turning up and working well.

Well done, Year 10! Work Experience is a landmark not only in your schooling, but in your future career!

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8

Mrs Robyn Buchanan
Careers Advisor

Offer rounds for Year 12 students

The most important offer rounds for Year 12 students are:

• December Round 2 – Wednesday 23 December
• January Round 1 – Friday 8 January 2021.

Not all courses will be offered in December Round 2, and applicants should check UAC’s website for details of excluded courses before they finalise their course preferences. Please note, the Australian National University (ANU) will not be participating in December Round 2.

Students whose results are not available in time for December Round 2 can be assured that they will not be disadvantaged – universities will still have places available to make offers to all courses in January Round 1.

https://www.uac.edu.au/current-applicants/undergraduate-applications-and-offers?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=UAC%20News%20September%202020&utm_content=UAC%20News%20September%202020+CID_08b6d7b263c42c28dffcb4a51e335c8d&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=More%20about%20offer%20rounds#UACN

University of Notre Dame Accepting Applications for Bachelor of Primary Education

We are currently accepting applications for the Bachelor of Primary Education, starting in 2021. The Bachelor of Primary Education provides our students with some of the highest rates of practical, industry experience in the country whilst supporting them through our in-depth mentoring program, allowing our students to graduate job ready and in demand. 

https://www.notredame.edu.au/programs/sydney/school-of-education/undergraduate/bachelor-of-primary-education?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ND5156_6_S1+2021_UNDERGRADUATE_EDM%27s_CA%27s+Newsletter&utm_content=notredame.edu.au%2Fprograms%2Fsydney%2Fschool-of-education%2Fundergraduate%2Fbachelor-of-primary-education&utm_source=www.vision6.com.au

Great tips if you don’t get your first Uni preference.

 You might be a bit worried about getting a lower ATAR than you hoped. It certainly won’t be the end of the

world – read these two articles for some tips of what to do next.

https://www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/education-blogs/tertiary-study/what-to-do-if-you-didn-t-get-into-your-first-preference

Change of Preference - Online Expo 

The Good Universities Guide is hosting a free online expo during Change of Preference to connect students, parents and career advisors directly with Australian institutions. On the day you will have the opportunity to attend webinars or chat directly with institutions via a live chat system. There are events held in each state, visit: 

https://events.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au 

University of Sydney Info Day

19 December

Join us on campus and online at Info Day.

Get course advice, your last-minute questions answered and experience the University of Sydney before finalising your preferences for entry.

We’ve designed the day for domestic Year 12 students, but we welcome family and friends, along with anyone interested in undergraduate study in 2021

https://infoday.sydney.edu.au/?_ga=2.253402569.1137175348.1605089468-1791717903.1588730221

7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting University

Jess loved her days at university, but there are a few things she’d change if she had her time again. Get ready to coast into uni life thanks to Jess’ helpful reflections on her own experiences.

When I look back on my own years at uni, I can safely say it was the best time of my life.

However, while I made some great decisions and had a lot of fun, I also made a few mistakes and learned a lot along the way. Let’s just say that if I could go back in time, I would have a few words of advice for my younger self. Here they are.

https://www.fya.org.au/2020/02/03/7-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-starting-university/

UOW STEM Careers Panel 

9 December 

UOW has asked some of its most interesting alumni to share their career journeys and industry insights into how a STEM career can lead to the world of cyber security, art & culture; sustainability, collaborative robotics and so much more. Panelists include the CEO of Engineers Australia & an Executive Director at Sydney Opera House. 

http://bit.ly/STEM-panel

Year 12, 11 & 10 - Head-start UCAT Preparation – Live and Interactive

23 January 2021

Intensive Training UCAT Workshop  (2-days event). Parents are invited to Day 2 of the workshop (Pathways into Medicine and Medical Interviews).

Ph: (02) 4367 0404 / mob: 0404 197 178 / 0412 439 115 / www.nie.edu.au / enquiries@nie.edu.au
Enrol here:: 

https://www.nie.edu.au/products-listing/product/216-simulated-ucat-day-workshop 

Free Info Session! UCAT, Interviews, Pathways into Medicine & Career in Health 

9 December. 6.30pm

UCAT NIE presenting a free information webinar about UCAT, interviews, the undergraduate pathways into medicine, dentistry, and some other health science programs. Register via: 

https://www.nie.edu.au/ucat-free/free-ucat-information-sessions 

University of Wollongong Drop In Day

18 December. 2pm to 8pm

Got an offer for, or interested in studying at UOW, and want to check out the campus and meet the staff and students? Not sure what course to apply for and need some advice or tips on how to apply? Received your ATAR and have questions?

‘UOW Starts Here’ is your chance to visit our Wollongong campus, take a tour, get course info and ATAR advice, and speak with UOW study area experts. Our staff will be available to make sure you get the info you need to start at UOW in 2021. 

http://mkto.uow.edu.au/UOWStartsHere-Wollongong2020.html

Explore your options at UTS Info Days!

18 and 19 December

Join us on campus and online over two days to learn more about your undergraduate study options, alternate admission pathways and get your last-minute questions answered before close of UAC preferences.

https://infodays.uts.edu.au/

7 tips to acing your first year of uni

\Wrapping up Year 12 and wondering what uni will be like? Here’s everything you need to know about nailing the transition from third year student, Hannah Diviney

If you’re reading this, then congratulations! You/someone you love has made it through Year 12 in the middle of a global pandemic and one of the most unstable years in history. That’s a big deal so I hope you’ve been celebrating (safely) now that the exams are over, and the next adventure is about to begin.

University is a big wide world of opportunity (when we’re not doing classes from our bedrooms over Zoom) that can be very confusing and chaotic when you’re not used to it. But lucky for you, I’m a third year uni student who’s picked up a few things along the way, so here are my top tips for starting uni off on the right foot

https://careerswithstem.com.au/first-year-of-uni/

5 Quizzes that help you narrow down your Uni preference choices

If you’re almost finished high school, picking a tertiary pathway can feel like a blur of Uni Open Days, looming UAC deadlines and late night Google searches. Because let’s be real –narrowing down thousands of undergraduate options to find a compatible course and campus, is probably one of the biggest decisions you’ve had to make so far.

In order to give your brain the chill space it needs to do other important things – like er, study for the HSC – we’ve dug up five quizzes designed to help you find a degree that fits. Match a pathway with your extra-curricular interests and discover which of our e-mags is the right resource for you!

And if you don’t get the ATAR needed to get into your first few preferences? There are loads of awesome alternative pathways that don’t involve heading to Uni.

https://careerswithstem.com.au/how-to-choose-university-preferences/

Want to do a STEM Degree at Uni? 

Here are 8 things you should know. Making the leap from school to uni is exciting but can be a steep learning curve. To help you get into the swing of things, we’ve put together this handy guide.

https://careerswithstem.com.au/guide-to-university/

University of Sydney Course Calculator

Use our ATAR and International Baccalaureate (IB) search tool to explore your course options, adjustment factors and admission pathways.

https://atar-search.sydney.edu.au/home

UNSW Physics Bridging Course

UNSW Physics bridging course provides you with the strong base of HSC Physics you’ll need to successfully undertake Physics at university level.

UNSW Physics bridging course provides approximately 40 hours of tuition and will be offered fully online for 2021. 

The fee for this course is $380. 

Undertaking the bridging course will ensure you’re not at a disadvantage if you do not have a strong background or any prior knowledge in HSC Physics and intend on studying physics in the first year of your degree.

However, it is highly recommended that you have HSC Mathematics level knowledge. 

Learn more here:

https://www.science.unsw.edu.au/study-us/undergraduate/bridging-courses/physics-bridging-course

UOW College Australia 

Get to where you’re going with a UOW College program. But wait – where are you going exactly? Need some help in identifying your career direction and the course appropriate to your skills, abilities and interests to achieve this? Careers Central at the University of Wollongong can help! Careers Central provides resources, programs, events and services to help students establish appropriate career goals and identify pathways and strategies to achieve them. It also provides information on professional experience opportunities, finding and applying for jobs and general careers advice. For more information, go to Careers Central.

https://www.uowcollege.edu.au/future-students/index.html

TAFE

TAFE Online Resource

This is not just any old resource, this is your comprehensive one-stop-shop kit to all things TAFE NSW to help guide your students.
Now you can have student resources at your fingertips.

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/documents/60140/60957/CAA-Online-Resources-flyer-A4-v10.pdf?utm_campaign=20201105%20001%20edm%20b2c%20Career%20Advisor%20newsletter%20initial%20schools%20awareness&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

TAFENSW Scholarships - Who is eligible for a Fee-Free Scholarship?

Students can get the skills they need to get the job they want and their course fees will be covered.

Young people (aged 15-30) who meet the Smart and Skilled Fee-Free Scholarship criteria are eligible for a government subsidy which covers their Smart and Skilled course fee.

Eligible students can receive a single Fee Free Scholarship in a financial year, and two Fee-Free Scholarships across 4 financial years.

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/enrol/payment-funding/smart-skilled

TAFE NSW Degrees - Aspiring Early Educators 

If you love working with children, this accredited four-year teaching degree is for you.

This degree has a strong applied learning focus so that when you graduate, you'll be prepared to work in a variety of settings such as day care, preschool, integrated child and family services. As well as practical core units, you will undertake a work placement each semester that allows you to apply what you've learned in a real setting.

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/degrees/bachelor-of-early-childhood-education-and-care-birth-5

Like some variety in your career? Employers are now looking for Landscape apprentices for 2021. Landscaping is a rich and rewarding career, where no two days are the same. Landscaping careers fall into three different fields: landscape construction, landscape maintenance (parks & gardens), and landscape design. The Landscape Association can connect students with businesses looking to take on an apprentice in your area, please visit /www.landscapeassociation.com.au/careers/

Microsoft Traineeship Program 

Microsoft Australia is very proud of the newly created Microsoft Traineeship Program, which aims to create a new, diverse pipeline of exceptional IT talent while also addressing the technical skills shortage in Australia. 

For Microsoft partners and customers interested in hosting a trainee, this is an opportunity to get access to new and emerging talent from a diverse pool of candidates. 

For aspiring trainees, this program provides an excellent foot-in-the-door to an exciting and rewarding career in IT. 

More info here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/microsoft-traineeship-program

and here:

https://www.megt.com.au/microsoft-traineeship-program

Fast Track Reminder This Summer in:

agriculture, construction, conservation, mechatronics, coding, communication and digital literacy

There's over 20 short courses available. All NSW 2020 Year 12 school leavers can enrol in Summer Skills training courses over the summer period. Places are limited so call us on 13 28 11External link to find out where training is taking place near you or read more about the Summer Skills program.

Fast-track into a career or further study with free skills training this summer. Explore your interests, gain new skills for in-demand jobs and industries and take control of your future, today.

Why should I enrol?

Whether you're taking a gap year, going on to uni or college, our courses will give you the chance to learn new skills that could lead to a part-time job, rewarding career or full qualification. Meet like-minded school leavers across the state while boosting your resume and exploring your interests.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/summer-skills

Find Your Passion - No ATAR – No Worries – TAFE Has Hundreds of Options

Hundreds of choices delivered straight to your inbox. With over 1,200 courses to choose from, TAFE NSW can help you find your passion – and turn that passion into a career. We are the #1 choice for education in real-world, useable skills and courses – so take a look at what we have to offer.

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/ambition

Start at TAFE and finish at University with a Degree - TAFE NSW Credit Transfer 

Check credittransfer.tafensw.edu.au when helping your students to see how many Credit Points a TAFE NSW qualification can give them for a degree with an Australian University. With around 3,000 pathways available. 

https://credittransfer.tafensw.edu.au/

TAFE NSW –Apprenticeships & Traineeships

Here is a great quick summary all about apprenticeships, traineeships, school based apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship courses. It covers how long they take and who can apply for these opportunities.

From Barangaroo to the Light Rail project, from WestConnex to new residential builds, New South Wales is a state in construction. We need apprentices. We need to build a strong pipeline of skilled tradespeople.

The NSW Government recognises this and has now made it even easier for you to become (or employ) an apprentice. They’re investing over $285 million to fund the qualification fees for 100,000 new apprentices. So what are you waiting for? Become an apprentice today.

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/study/types-courses/apprenticeships-traineeships

Get Set for InfoFest – Discover the Job You Want

7-11 December & 18-22 January

Discover the skills you need, for the job you want at TAFE NSW InfoFest.

Are you looking for a 2021 career change or perhaps a new skill-set to stand out from the crowd? Find out how at TAFE NSW InfoFest!

Whether you’re joining us online or on campus, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with industry-expert teachers, join interactive workshops, explore state-of-the-art facilities and get the help you need to finalise your enrolment.

Registrations are mandatory so get in quick to secure your seat at your nearest participating campus.

If you need further information, drop into your local TAFE NSW campus or call us on 131 601 to speak to one of our friendly staff.

Ensure you keep checking back as new sessions will be regularly added.

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/infofest

Get Set for InfoFest – Discover the Job You Want Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wV9olqBmUU&feature=emb_logo

8 dream careers that are real

Yes, targeting skills shortages and skilling for the digital revolution are good. But maybe thinking outside the box can also work. Maybe you can do it all! 

Targeting skills shortages and future-proofing your students is one thing but there’s merit in also guiding their career ambitions that are outside of the box too. Here’s eight careers that are real and how your students can achieve them at TAFE NSW: 

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/career-advice/start-my-career/blog/-/blogs/8-dream-careers-that-are-real

COLLEGES

Coder Academy – Become a Web Developer

22 February 2021

22 March 2021

Australia's Only Accredited
Coding Bootcamps

Launch your career in technology with Coder Academy and gain a nationally recognised, higher education Diploma of IT, while mastering programming through a hands-on, industry-relevant curriculum.

Become an in-demand Full-Stack Developer with all of the required skills the industry is seeking and global employment opportunities in the tech industry. Have the opportunity to participate in a 4-week optional industry internship, where you'll foster long-lasting relationships with some of the most innovative companies across Australia from startups to large corporate.

https://info.coderacademy.edu.au/coding-bootcamps-2020

NIDA – Years 7 to 10 - Summer Holiday Workshops December to January 2021 Holiday Courses

Spend a week exploring performance for both stage and screen in this practical introduction to acting. Develop skills in improvisation, text analysis and script work then apply these skills to an on-screen performance. This course includes a session on auditions and screen tests.

Course components

ï Craft: Participate in improvised scene work to develop basic acting and improvisation technique

ï Technique: Practice acting to camera techniques. Discover the difference between live and recorded performance craft.

ï Text interpretation: Bring to life through the application of acting technique a short written text for live and recorded performance.

ï Character Development: Develop and record a character from a scripted scene.

ï Audition Practice: Participate in simulated live auditions and screen tests.

https://www.open.nida.edu.au/course/OHSSS710

NIDA – Years 11 and 12 - Summer Holiday Workshops December to January 2021 Holiday Courses

Sharpen your performance skills through a comprehensive workshop with a theatre practitioner drawing on NIDA acting techniques. Develop key principles of actor training, and extend into characterisation and scenework. Interpret, rehearse and present some of the most exciting writing produced for young people today.

Course components

ï Apply key principles of NIDA Acting Techniques in scripted performance

ï Develop engaging characters through improvisation and rehearsal processes

ï Collaborate with a creative team to engage audiences and bring stories to the stage

https://www.open.nida.edu.au/course/OHNA1112

Reminder - Torrens University Australia Course & Career Webinar Series 

Here’s a chance to ask in detail all those burning questions about the courses and study options. The webinars are custom designed to help you learn more and chat live with the academic and Course and Career Advisor teams, all from the comfort of your own home. Explore more about Torrens University Australia’s courses and how to create a career you’re passionate about. 

https://bit.ly/3lKMAGU

 
Endota Wellness College 

Now Enrolling for January 2021 Study 

Discover where the industry can take you with full-time, part-time or distance study in Beauty Therapy, Remedial Massage or Salon Management. Join the connected community at eWC's Alexandria Campus and study with others that share your passion for skin, health and wellness. Learn more via: 

https://endotawellnesscollege.edu.au/ 

GENERAL

Your ultimate guide to amazing Engineering careers

Engineering careers can take you to all corners of the world, from high in the sky to deep in the earth.

This definitive guide to Engineering careers will show you the skills you need to excel, and the sweet cash you’ll be making in return. These 7 amazing Engineering careers show us that there’s so much more to Engineering that just welding – so, which career will you choose?

https://careerswithstem.com.au/7-amazing-engineering-careers/

6 Tips to a Winning Cover Letter 

Guide your students to nail their cover letter when applying for jobs with our six top tips. The cover letter is the perfect opportunity to showcase skills and personality into a CV. An amazing one-pager summarises their experience and the value to a potential employer. It gives them the opportunity to sell themselves and shine! 

http://bit.ly/2OU6f9L

The Future of Recruiting - 7 ways recruiting will change

The world of recruiting is changing fast. If you want to succeed, you’ll need to be prepared for what's to come in the next 5 years. To give you a head start, we dug into exclusive LinkedIn data, interviewed recruiting leaders, and surveyed thousands of your peers. Download this report to find out:

ï 7 ways recruiting will change

ï Tips and tactics to help your team take action

ï New skills, tools, and metrics that recruiters need to master

ï Advice from talent leaders at companies like Microsoft, IKEA, and Amazon

Why play catch-up when you could get a head start? Find out what the future holds for your team today.

https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/recruiting-tips/the-future-of-recruiting-report-apac?trk=eml-mktg-lts-20191106-mod11-1-mofu&mcid=6593579947661541379&cid=7010d000000ieTkAAI&src=e-eml&veh=LHS_EMLP_20191106_Mod11_1_MOFU_TPBL_Future_Recruiting_Full_PROS_STFF_CORP_Global_EN#

New Unique Student Identifier (USI)

The Australian Government is extending the Unique Student Identifier (USI) to all higher education students, starting in 2021. The USI is 10-digit number students will use throughout their education journey.

The USI will be introduced with students who are commencing their studies in 2021.

https://www.usi.gov.au/students

4 Surprising Cyber Security Paths

These four experts all work for one of the world’s biggest cyber security companies – but took very different paths to get there.

https://careerswithstem.com.au/4-surprising-cyber-security-career-paths/?utm_source=Refraction+Media&utm_campaign=6e9f452129-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_04_04_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_20dc88b9ea-6e9f452129-148898187&mc_cid=6e9f452129&mc_eid=5a58dfdde9

Love Horses? Applications are now open! 

Applications are now open for the February intake of the 2021 Explorer Program allowing students to learn about and experience the world-leading Australian Thoroughbred Industry over 12 months and get paid while they are doing it. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, for more information go to:

https://tbindustrycareers.com.au/overview/

HSC prep courses at the CCE every school holidays 

Join the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Sydney for an extensive range of HSC preparation courses. Available courses on offer are in HSC biology, business studies, chemistry, economics, English and more. Register now: 

https://cce.sydney.edu.au/courses/hsc-preparation?utm_source=ca&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=20201022+-+HSC&segment=pd&subarea=hsc

Harvest Trail Information Service

Not sure which provider to contact in your area? Whether you are looking for harvest work or needing to hire workers, you can call the Harvest Trail Information Service (HTIS) Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm on 1800 062 332 for advice.

https://jobsearch.gov.au/harvest/providers/harvest-trail-information-service

Find out if harvest work is right for you and how to apply for jobs

From grape harvesting in the Hunter Valley to mango picking in Darwin… you could be among the thousands of people who find work each year helping to bring in Australia’s fruit and vegetable harvests.

Harvest jobs are available across Australia – but please don’t go directly to farms. 

https://jobsearch.gov.au/harvest

Carecareers In NSW

Are you looking for a career that helps you meets your goals while helping others to achieve theirs?  If so, this is a great place to start.

In NSW, more new jobs are being created in Disability, Community and Aged Care than in any other sector. It’s an exciting time as the sector is expanding and helping to transform the lives of those in the community

https://www.carecareers.com.au/carecareers-in-nsw/

Disability Jobs In NSW

If you are looking for entry-level vacancies in front line support, you will need to search for jobs with titles like these: 

ï Direct Care Worker

ï Disability Support Worker

ï Lifestyle Support Worker

ï Personal Care Assistant

https://www.carecareers.com.au/page/disability-jobs-in-nsw

Loads of Opportunities, Reward and Advancement - Aged & Community Care Jobs In NSW

Aged care is a huge industry and it is expanding rapidly. Australia’s aged care workforce is expected to grow to over 800,000 by 2050, which means there are many, many opportunities for people to become involved. 

Community care services support people to live with dignity and independence in their own homes and to avoid social isolation. These services are aimed at the elderly and those who have mental illness, disability or are otherwise disadvantaged.

AGED CARE entry-level job titles:

ï Assistant in Nursing

ï Home Care Worker

ï Lifestyle Assistant

ï Personal Care Assistant

ï Residential Care Worker

ï Undergraduate & Graduate Nurses

And as you progress your career, there are job opportunities like these:

• Accommodation Manager • Aged Care Case Manager • Aged Services Manager • Clinical Manager • Customer Support Co-ordinator • Director of Nursing • General Manager Residential Services • Home Care Co-ordinator • Home Care Packages Coordinator • Home Support Services Manager • Registered Nurse • Resident Administration Officer • Residence Manager

COMMUNITY CARE entry-level job titles:

ï Community Support Worker

ï Drug and Alcohol Counsellor

ï Mental Health Worker

ï Peer Worker

ï Residential Youth Worker

ï Wellbeing/Pastoral Care Worker

ï Youth Outreach Worker

And as you progress your career, there are job opportunities like these:

• Assessment and Intervention Case Officer • Bilingual Community Liaison Officer • Child and Family Services Manager • Community Development Officer - Aboriginal Programs • Community Programs Co-ordinator • Indigenous Program Officer • Mental Health Case Manager • Policy Advisor • Programs Case Manager • School to Work Transition Officer • Tenancy Support Officer

https://www.carecareers.com.au/page/aged-community-care-jobs-in-nsw

I Was Told I Could Never Sustain Myself With A Creative Career’

‘In high school, I was warned about picking “too many creative subjects”. I was told it wouldn’t prepare me for work or that my career expectations were unrealistic. Yet 5 years out of school with a string of professional positions under my belt, I’ve learnt firsthand that almost every single job requires a creative mindset’.

https://www.fya.org.au/2018/04/04/make-a-living-creative-career/

Budding and Serious Photographers – This is a must site

Nikon School of Australia

Events for every level and interest is here!

We cater for every level of photographic ability, whether you are a beginner, keen amateur or professional photographer. Our workshops are a mix of easy to understand theory and hands-on practical photography sessions. We specifically have small groups to ensure everyone can benefit from our expert instructors' knowledge. We cover everything photography related, from understanding your DSLR or Mirrorless camera and lenses, to image editing, location fashion shoots, photographing landscapes, wildlife photography and shooting videos. 

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/nikon-school-australia-26440725489