What’s On in the Next Few Weeks:

Important Notices For Year 12 Scored VCE Students:

SEAS and Scholarships deadline this Friday 6 October:

The deadline for SEAS and Scholarships applications is 5pm, this Friday 6 October 2023. All applications and supporting documents must be submitted by this time.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to check the status of their application and all supporting documents prior to the closing date. No late applications or document submissions are possible.

2. Getting your ATAR and Study Score Results - you need to register with www.resultsandatar.vic.edu.au

As you are aware, in order to be offered a tertiary course in 2024, you MUST complete a VTAC application. Most of you have done this and have put your preferences in – which is great. If not, you MUST attend to this as soon as possible. This may be a bit confusing, but you NOW need to also register with www.resultsandatar.vic.edu.auin order to receive your results at 7am on 11 December.

Just having your VTAC application in does not mean you will access your results on 11December. Registering with www.resultsandatar.vic.edu.au is quite simple (not as long as the VTAC registration). You will be giving them your mobile number and a personal email address that they can contact you on 11 December.

In order to register, you once again need to use your VCAA number (the one that was handed out on a sticky label at an Assembly earlier this term.

It is IMPORTANT that you register to receive your results on 11 December.

You have plenty of time to do this, there is no payment required, no deadline…but it is recommended you do it as soon as possible.

What’s On in the Next Few Weeks:

Deakin | Science and Environment School Experience Program

October 9 to October 13, 2023

The School of Life and Environmental Science would like to offer Year 10 students with an interest in science and the environment, the opportunity to participate in this hands-on experience. The program includes a full day of engaging and interactive activities in the field of science and the environment. Students will get the opportunity to participate in activities such as water testing, vegetation surveys, protein analysis, food chemistry and molecular biology. Find out more here.

SCCE | Exchange Webinar

October 10, 2023.

Preparing for your exchange program is an important part of the process and is vital to continued program success. At these online meetings, an experienced high school exchange advisor will share an overview of high school exchange programs with Southern Cross Cultural Exchange.

You’ll learn more about living with a host family and how studying overseas can help you develop confidence and independence and gain a lifetime of memories.

Find out more here.

Online Panel: Navigating a Pathway in STEM – What girls and their family supporters need to know

October 11, 2023

We know that for young people, and their family supporters, navigating a pathway into a STEM career can be challenging for a range of reasons. First, STEM offers diverse options in careers, some of which are unknown or misconceived. Second, information available can be outdated, limited or misinforming depending on access to information.

We have heard from girls, parents/carers and teachers, that addressing the challenges to navigating STEM pathways is a priority. This online panel will host a range of people that are passionately involved across the STEM careers sector.

Find out more here.

Important Future Events:

AIE | Open Day

November 18, 2023

Discover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation, film and visual effects at the AIE Open Day on Sat 18 November 2023. This event will be held at AIE Campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide from 10am to 3pm.

AIE’s Open Day is a great opportunity to meet our teachers, staff and students. The day will cover everything you need to know about the: careers in games and VFX that we train students for

studios and industries that we work with;
courses we offer – from beginners to professional mastery, and;
the software, skills and knowledge we teach.

AIE’s Open Day will also include

presentations on entry requirements and how to apply. Find out how AIE can get you into a creative career.

Find out more here.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships:

Apprenticeships versus University – what are the benefits?

When it comes to planning your future career, there’s always more than one road to success. While university is usually the most popular route, an apprenticeship can be a practical and rewarding alternative. Let’s explore the advantages of opting for an apprenticeship vs university, and why it might be the right choice for you.

Hands-on learning experience:

Apprenticeships are unique in the way they offer a hands-on approach to learning. Instead of spending most of your time in a classroom, you’ll have the opportunity to work directly in your chosen field. This means you’ll gain practical skills and experience right from the start and is a great way to apply what you learn in real-world situations.

Early career progression:

Another benefit is the opportunity for early career progression. In many apprenticeships, you’ll have the chance to work alongside experienced professionals, leading to faster advancement in your career compared to a traditional academic route. You’ll be building a network and making valuable industry connections from day one.

A direct path to employment:

Lots of apprenticeships come with a direct pathway into a job. Many employers who offer apprenticeships end up hiding their apprentices as full-time employees after they complete the program. This means you could have a job waiting for you at the end of your training period, which isn’t always the case with a university degree.

Is an apprenticeship right for me?

As you can see, there are heaps of benefits to jumping into an apprenticeship over university. If you thrive in a hands-on environment and prefer practical learning over traditional classroom settings, an apprenticeship could be perfect for you.

But don’t forget, your apprenticeship will still involve some study too, just not as intense as what you might expect at university.

For some people, university might be a better fit – and that’s OK too. If your dream job requires a specific academic qualification or demands a deep theoretical understanding, you’ll need to study.

You might find you learn better in an academic setting rather than getting hands-on, and university will be a better choice in this case too.

Remember, your decision should be based on aligning your goals and learning style with the educational path that suits you best. And if you try one pathway and decide it’s not for you, it’s never too late to try something else.

You can find heaps more information about both apprenticeships and university on our website.

Competitions:

Somerset National Poetry Prize

As a part of the 2024 Somerset Story fest, school-aged students are invited to participate in the Somerset National Poetry Prize sponsored by Dr Annette Allen of Tweed Banora Dental.

The purpose of the Somerset National Poetry Prize is to encourage a love of writing poetry amongst secondary school students, to affirm it as a worthwhile literary pursuit, and to stimulate excellence in writing. It also aims to inspire and enrich youth literature.

There are two categories to enter: a Junior Category for Years 7-9, and a Senior Category to 10-12.

Each category winner will be awarded:

Cash prizes
Flights and accommodation to the Gold Coast
Tickets to attend Somerset Storyfest (25 to 27 March 2024)
Exclusive access to meet with Australia’s elite authors and publicists.

Entries are open until Friday 1 December.

Find out more and enter here.

Under the Radar Short Film Competition:

Proudly presented and produced by the City of Port Phillip, the St Kilda Film Festival supports the Australian film industry by showcasing the best short films. A special category of St Kilda Film Festival is the Youth Short Film Category – Under the Radar. This category provides an opportunity for young filmmakers (under the age of 21) to show their work in an internationally recognised film festival.

St Kilda Film Festival provides the most comprehensive overview of the national short film industry, screening the top short film entries alongside a rich program of special events, international screenings, and a free filmmaker development program.

Winner of the Under the Radar Short Film Competition will be awarded a prize of $1000.

Submissions are open now and close 31 January 2024.

Find out more and enter here.

Community News

2023 Trivia Night - St John's Regional College