Community News
UNE - Discovery
Registrations for the “The Science Experience” at UNE in Armidale during January school holidays are now open and there are a limited number of places available.
Students with a passion and interest in science, who will be in Years 9 and 10 in 2026, are invited to join us on campus at UNE for a 3-day science camp.
Students can stay on campus and experience what it’s like to live at university in a residential college. Note this event was held in July for the past two years and is returning to January - a much warmer option!
Dates: Mon-Wed 19-21 January 2026
Costs: Registration $220 per student + accom/meals/activity package (from $80/no accom, $160 2 nights, $240 3 nights)
Click here for more information
Opportunities for financial assistance may be available through your local Lions or Rotary Clubs. Please contact them directly to find out more.
Would you please forward the attached invitation to students/parents who may be interested? Bookings are made directly by parents. Thank you.
Saver Plus
School Student Travel.
Applications are now open for 2026 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2026.
Students progressing from year 2 to year 3 and from year 6 to year 7 need to re-apply. Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new distance requirements, they will receive an expiry notification. Students who change address, school, campus location, have repeated a year or received an expiry notification for their school travel entitlement need to renew or update their details before the end of term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications before the end of the year, so students travel entitlement can remain valid for the start of the 2026 school year. Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
Rural and Regional Students
Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may come via the school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
Senior Secondary Student Concession Entitlement Card
Delivery of the Senior Secondary Student Concession Entitlement Card will be paused from Friday, 12 December 2025 and will recommence from 27 January 2026 (inclusive).Applications will need to be submitted by 5 December 2025 to ensure cards are delivered by or prior to 12 December 2025.
School travel brochures and posters
Updated school travel brochures are now available on our website at transportnsw.info/resources-for-school-staff under ‘Resources for school staff’.Schools within the Opal network may also wish to make use of the School Opal card posters to remind students of the need to tap on and tap off.