Competitions, activities and events
Change of Preference Events: Students are strongly encouraged to check the ‘Events’ pages for institutions of interest as new events are being made available on a daily basis, especially in preparation to support Year 12 students with post-school pathway decisions.
See the attached handy summary from Compass Career News.
What: Access Education Summer School
Who: VCE students
When: Monday 22 January to Thursday 25 January 2024
More info: Extensive, live, interactive and ONLINE 2-hour VCE preparation lectures. Visit VCE and HSC Exam Revision Lectures at Access Education to find out more or to download a brochure for the 2024 program.
What: Ashurst UK Free Short Course: Building your personal brand
Who: Senior students and adults interested in learning more about personal branding.
When and More Info: On-demand. In this free virtual 6-hour program you will work on your personal branding, develop a LinkedIn profile, and learn how to brand yourself to potential employers. You will receive a certificate and you can complete the program on your own time, https://bit.ly/3EcbStr
What: Australian Defence Force Careers Sessions
Who: Students interested in roles within the Defence Force.
When: Various dates and sessions with current members of the Army, Air force and Navy
More info: www.defencejobs.gov.au/events
What: ADF Careers HMAS Cerberus Open Day
Who: Students (and their supporters) interested in careers in the ADF, especially the Navy.
When: Sunday the 3rd of March, 2024 at HMAS Cerberus (Hastings), Victoria
More info: This is an exciting opportunity for career advisors and students to learn more about what life is like in the ADF. On the day, attendees will meet and hear from current serving Navy personnel in leadership, trade, communications, IT and intelligence roles. Attending the HMAS Cerberus Open Day will allow students to learn about what opportunities and unique experiences are available to them with a career in the Navy.
The event will be free to attend with detailed information to follow in the coming months
What: Careers with STEM Webinars
Who: Students, educators and parents/guardians interested in learning more about careers which have a connection to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
When and More info: Webinars are free, but registration is required.
| Date and time | Focus | Registration link |
| Thursday 7 December at 12noon | STEM + X - Cybersecurity Learn what cyber security specialists do in a day-to-day work environment, and the top skills needed to succeed in the field | Register here. Students should email Mrs Elly Martin to attend this opportunity as it is during school hours. |
| Wednesday 24 May at 12noon | STEM + X – Science Explore how broad working in science really is and how you can combine a science degree with your ‘X’, which is your passion, another area or a big goal. | Register here. Students should email Mrs Elly Martin to attend this opportunity as it is during school hours. |
What: Collarts Summer Workshops SeriesWho: Year 10 – 12 students with an interest in gaining hands on experience in various areas relating to creative arts, music, fashion and photography.
When: 22 – 23 January, 2023
More info: Register For School Holiday Workshops at Collarts
What: Endeavour College of Natural Health Open Day
Who: Prospective students and their families
When: Saturday 20 January 2024
More info: www.endeavour.edu.au/events
What: Endota Wellness College Open Day
Who: Prospective students and their families
When: Saturday 9 December 2023
More info: https://endotawellnesscollege.edu.au/
What: Filmmaking Summer School
Who/When/More info: Filmmaking for the Digital Age: this intensive summer school is taught by Australia’s leading film industry professionals and is suited to people from all ages and backgrounds, 12 - 14 January 2024, Dancehouse, Carlton North, Vic. www.summerfilmschool.com/
What: Gallipoli Scholarship
Who/When/More info: Valued at $6,000, the Gallipoli Scholarship is open to the direct descendants of any service man or woman who has served in the Australian or New Zealand Defence Force in a conflict or peacekeeping operation, since the First World War to the present day.The Scholarship selection process is based 60% on necessitous circumstances, and 40% on academic merit. Applications open on 1 January and close on 28 February each year.All applicants are notified of their selection, or otherwise, by the end of March each year. Applications are submitted online via the website and require a number of documents to support the application.Find out more at Gallipoli Scholarship
What: Little Stories, Big Ideas Writing Competition
Who: High school students with an interest in writing.
When: Open now
More info: The theme is ‘Magic’. Applications close 22 December, https://littlestoriesbigideas.com.au/
What: Magnify Music Camp
Who/When/More info: Magnify Music Camp is an intensive high-level skills camp for high school students between the ages of 14 – 18 who are serious about career success in the field of music. Run by Box Hill Institute, the camp will run between 15 - 20 January 2024. There will be a final concert on Friday night, where students can show off their newfound skills. Entry is by audition and there are only 30 places. The cost is $450, https://bit.ly/45idxrc
What: myfuture webinars
Who: Students and their career influencers
When and more info: Tuesday 12 December, 1:00pm: Career conversations at results time. Find out more and register.
What/Who/When/More Info: National Mathematics Summer School
The National Mathematics Summer School (NMSS) is a program for motivated and high-achieving school students that has been held each January since 1969. The 56th NMSS will be held in Canberra from 7 to 20 January 2024. The application process for the 2024 School will open later this year. Bookmark this page and check for updates - https://nmss.edu.au/
What: National Youth Science Forum
Who: Year 11 students with a passion for Science
When: Apply now for 2024
More info: This is a two-week on-site and digital program where students are immersed in hands-on science activities, lab experiments, field trips and meet researchers who are leaders in their field. In-person STEM visit days and events will be held over a week of the program at major city hubs across the country, enabling students to meet each other and network with like-minded peers. The program will be held during January 2024. www.nysf.edu.au
What: NIDA Musical Theatre 101
Who: Year 11 and 12 students with an interest in musical theatre.
When: 15-19 January, 10am – 5pm, Southbank
More info: Cost is $603. Designed for those passionate about musical theatre. Learn songs, choreographed dance routines and apply NIDA acting principles in an energised approach to all things musical theatre. Be guided in a reliable approach to song and dance routines and examine what it means to complete a show stopping musical theatre audition! Find out more >>
What: Outward Bound Leadership Camp
Who: 16-25YOs
When: 15-19 January, ACT
More info: Cost is $997. This is a 5-day leadership program for emerging adults ages 16 to 24. Your group will need to work together while organising camp, cooking on fires, navigating through the wilderness, and summiting peaks. The individual challenges such as high ropes and abseil are supported by your two Outward Bound facilitators, who will expertly explore and discuss how to apply these experiences to your life back home. Find out more >>
What: Sony World Photography Award Youth Competition
Who: Young people under 19YO with an interest and passion for photography.
When: Open now until 5 January 2024
More info: For this year’s Youth competition we’re asking you to show us Through your eyes. What is your (and your generation's) perception of the world? From your family to the local environment to your day-to-day life, show us what – through your eyes – are the subjects and themes you want to photograph and share. Whatever the genre, technique or subject matter, we want to see your photographs. You can enter up to three images for free. Find out more and enter here: https://www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/youth
What: Toyota Dream Car Art Contest
Who: All young people 15years and younger.
When: Open now until 22 December 2023
More info: The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest encourages and inspires creative expression and imagination, challenging the boundaries of traditional thinking. It’s a chance for tomorrow’s engineers, designers, and creative thinkers to let their imaginations run wild by drawing their ‘Dream Car’. All entries must be created by hand (drawing, painting, etc.) and submitted online. Simply scan or take a photo of your drawing and follow the instructions in the link to enter. Make sure that the entry has been approved by a parent or guardian. Remember to keep a physical copy of your artwork once you have submitted it.
What: TSFX Summer School Program
Who: VCE Students
When: Wednesday 10 – Tuesday 23 January 2024
More info: Face-to-face, in person Head Start lectures held at the University of Melbourne, Parkville. Visit TSFX Summer School to find out more about the 2024 program or to enrol.
What: UNSW – Bragg Student Prize for Science Writing
Who: Students in Year 7-10 who are willing to consider STEMs relevance to everyday life.
When: Open now
More info: Write an 800 word essay on the STEM that's part of your everyday life and you could win a $500 voucher plus publication in Australia's most prestigious science writing outlets. More details available here
What: VTAC Webinars
Who: VTAC will be holding this webinar for applicants, parents and schools on key information relevant to ATAR, Scaling and Offers
When: Tuesday 5 December 6pm – ATAR, scaling and offers release
Tuesday 12 December 6pm – Getting ready for offers
More info: Registration is open at http://www.vtac.edu.au/events
What: Victoria University – Parent Info Webinar
Who: Open to any parents/carers keen to support their Year 12 student with a transition to further study at university.
When: Thursday 7 December at 7.30pm (Online)
More info: This is a free webinar which requires registration – register here.
Attendees will learn about ATAR scores and how they are calculated; How best to support your child once results are released; How to support them to change their preferences; Enrolment and application processes; How VU supports new students; Get answers to any questions.
What: Victorian Police Info Sessions
Who: Open to all students, especially those considering pursuing a role with Victoria Police
When: 13 December (Online)
More info: www.police.vic.gov.au/police-information-sessions
What: Work Experience with Parliament of Victoria
Who: Open to current Year 9s (Year 10 2024)
More info: Expressions of interest for work experience placements in semester 1, 2024 are now open. Work experience at the Parliament of Victoria is suitable for students who are interested in a wide range of careers, including politics, multi-media, education, business, landscaping, law-making or hospitality. Students nominate their preference for a one-week placement in either the Parliamentary Sitting Program or Parliamentary Services Program. To be eligible, students must be aged 15 years or over at the time of their placement, be a Victorian resident and a student at a Victorian secondary school. Expressions of interest for semester 1 close at 5:00 pm on 12 January 2024. Find out more here.
What: Young Endeavour Youth Scheme
Who: Young Australians aged 16 -23YO.
When: Applications for January – June 2024 are now open.
More info: Every day on board Young Endeavour is different. During each voyage youth crew spend several days and nights at sea learning to set and furl the sails, keep watch, and take the helm, as well as participating in games and team building activities on deck. Participants assist the chef in the ship’s galley, carry out ship’s rounds with the engineer, chart a course with the navigator, climb the masts, and even take command! Find out more at Young Endeavour.