I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the staff, students, and parents for the incredibly warm welcome in my new role as Principal of St Clare’s High School.  These past few weeks have been bustling with activity! 

In Week 1, we had the pleasure of welcoming 118 Year 7 students into our community.  We also saw the return of our Year 11 and Year 12 students, followed by the rest of the school the next day, including new students across Years 9 to 11.  Alongside our new students, we are excited to have several new staff members joining St Clare’s, with some of our existing staff taking on new leadership positions. 

New positions 

Teaching Staff - Ms Naomi King (Mathematics) 
Learning Support Teacher - Mrs Sarah Blundell and Mrs Megan Brown 
Learning Support Assistant - Mr Jackson Starr and Miss Amelia Lunney, Mrs Karina Warner and Miss Sophie Gogerly
Support Staff: - Mrs Chelsea Wann (Science) and Ms Loretta Tener (Office)
Onsite Casual Staff: - Ms Victoria Merillo

 Victoria Merillo, Sarah Blundell, Sophie Gogerly, Megan Brown & Karina Warner

New Leadership Roles 

Mrs Karen McCann - Ministry Coordinator 
Mrs Nicole Lovern - Wellbeing Mentor and Careers 
Ms Tanith Reardon - Pedagogical Mentor 
Ms Erin Lawler - Friday Science Leader of Learning 
Mrs Rebecca Harris - Learning Support Coordinator  
Mr Jeremy Hobbes – Year 10 Leader of Wellbeing & Engagement
Mrs Linda Davies - VET Coordinator   

Dux Assembly 

At the end of our first week, we proudly celebrated the remarkable academic achievements of 2024 with our Dux Assembly where were joined by Head of Schools Jacqueline Wilkinson and Assistant Head of Schools Kate Drake.  The assembly featured awards presented to our top achievers, which included:

Ms Jacqueline Wilkinson, Head of Catholic Schools & Phoebe Hinchliffe - Dux 2024

ATAR 90+ 

Phoebe Hinchliffe – 94.20
Elise Miles – 94.0
Trinity Waterhouse – 91.95
Booyong Dykshoorn – 90.85 

Diocesan First In Course: 

Earth & Environmental Science – Phoebe Hinchliffe
Agriculture (Equal) – Lucinda Kern
Drama – Elise Miles
English Advanced (Equal) – Elise Miles
Japanese Beginners (Equal) – Elise Miles
English Extension 1 – Trinity Waterhouse

Record of School Achievement (RoSA) - Year 10 Academic Achievement (Six or more Grade A’s) 

Benjamin Cooper
Cornell Estibeiro
Amelia Johnson
Bonnie McMaster
Tessa Rourke

Cornell Estibeiro, Bonnie McMaster, Ms Jacqueline Wilkinson, Head of Catholic Schools, Amelia Johnson & Benjamin Cooper 

A heartfelt thank you to our Assistant Principal, Theresa Avery, and our dedicated hospitality team for their incredible efforts in making this occasion truly special. 

Grounds and Maintenance 

During the holidays, St Clare’s underwent significant major works, including improvements to our Aboriginal Education space, classrooms, and various other maintenance projects.  I would like to extend my gratitude to our diligent grounds and maintenance team for their hard work in coordinating these projects throughout the break.

Opening School Mass 

We came together again this week to celebrate our Opening School Mass.  This year is very special in the Church Calendar as Pope Francis has declared 2025 the Jubilee Year of Hope.  A Jubilee is a special year of grace, typically lasting approximately one year.  The theme for this Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope,” as the Pope urges all Catholics to renew their hope in Christ.  And in the words of Ryan Gato, Assistant Head of Schools Religious Education and Spirituality Services, “As we celebrate this Jubilee Year of “Pilgrims of Hope”, let us embrace our mission with joy and enthusiasm, knowing that each step we take with God brings us closer to a more hopeful future”.

Swimming Carnival 

This week's school Swimming Carnival was graced with beautiful weather, making it a fantastic community day filled with standout performances.  Congratulations to Lawson for being awarded the Spirit Trophy and to Gordon for emerging as the Champion House.  A special thank you to our house leaders and to Mr Rowe for his exceptional organisation of the carnival.

Parent Partnership 

In 2025, we aim to enhance opportunities for engagement with our parent community.  While more details will be provided soon, I would like to extend my gratitude to all the parents who participated in our community events over the past three weeks. 

Davis Street 

As you are aware traffic along Davis Street is restricted to outside school time zones.  Can I please ask for parent support in this matter and not use Davis Street during these peak times.  Students are to be picked up in Cowper Street.

School Uniform 

It's been encouraging to see most students returning to school in the correct uniform.  However, some students are wearing incorrect school shoes, which do not meet our presentation standards.  Please remember that shoes must be "black, leather, tongued, lace-up and polishable"  This is also a WHS requirement for practical and Science subjects.

Creative Arts 

I would like to extend my thanks to our Creative Arts staff, who spent three days in Sydney for the Senior Creative Arts excursion and attended Bravissimo in Port Macquarie.  Both events provided incredibly valuable educational experiences for our students.

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to the entire school community for their patience and understanding as we navigated the storm damage that led to the school closure.  While it was certainly not an ideal start to 2025, I felt incredibly grateful for the team around me, who worked together tirelessly to ensure we were operational again within such a short timeframe.  

Kind Regards

 

Christine Harmer
Principal

It would be appreciated if parents/guardians would phone the office, email or send in a written note if their child needs to leave early for appointments etc.  Notes should be handed in at the front office in the morning so a leave note can be issued to students.  If parents/guardians need to notify their child of a change of afternoon arrangements, it is necessary to phone the school prior to 2:20 pm (End of Lunch – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday) or prior to 2:05 pm (End of Lunch – Thursday Sport) as it is often difficult to locate students if their last lesson is a PE Prac or there has been a room change.  Students cannot be collected from the school during school hours by anyone other than a parent or guardian without phone or written permission.

Lateness to school is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained to the school the same way as other forms of absence.  Arriving Late for school requires a handwritten note from a parent/carer, email or a phone call from a parent/carer or the absence is recorded as an unexplained partial absence. 

Students are reminded that if they are unwell whilst at school, they are to advise their teacher who will then send them to the Front Office.  If necessary, the office staff will contact a parent while the student waits in the Clinic.  Students are not to contact parents on their mobile phones as this leaves teachers and office staff unaware of the situation and is also in breach of the school policy – use of mobile phones.

Forster-Tuncurry Catholic Parish 

Current Mass times are Saturday, 9:30 am & 5 pm, Sunday 8 am and 10 am. 

Further updates can be viewed on the Forster-Tuncurry Parish Website:

Taree Catholic Parish 

Saturday

5:30 pm Our Lady of the Rosary, Taree:  Mass 

Sunday

9:30 am Our Lady of the Rosary, Taree:  Mass
7:30 am every 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month Our Lady of Fatima, Old Bar:  Mass
7:30 am every 2^nd Sunday of the month St Therese, Lansdowne:  Mass
7:30 am every 4^th and 5^th Sunday of the month Star of the Sea, Harrington:  Mass
4:45 pm Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wingham:  Mass 

Further updates can be viewed on the Taree Parish Website:

On Tuesday 18 February, Father Kevin Corrigan and Deacon Vince Ryan celebrated our Opening School Mass with us. 

All of the students were present and on the whole were very well behaved and respectful.  It was wonderful to see this level of engagement. 

I would like to thank all staff for their involvement and supervision of the students.  There are several people who need to be mentioned. 

Thanks to: 

Dan and Mal for setting up the chairs and stage, and to the Year 12 SCO students for setting up and putting away all of the extra bits and pieces, including the Altar.
Ben Gibbs for setting up the technology and ensuring that any technical issues were dealt with as quickly as possible.
Marian Parvin for organising the students to process respectfully into the Mass.
Amanda Brooks and the choir for their wonderful music.
Rebecca Huett for taking the amazing photos.
Michael Morson, Denise Ryan and Sarah Blundell for being our Eucharistic Ministers.
Nicole Lovern for operating the PowerPoint and organising the Senior Leaders to read and badge the junior SRC members.
Tanille Gardner, staff and students for putting together an information video on expectations and explanations of the Mass for the students.
Christine Harmer (our new Principal) for her address at the beginning of the Mass.
Deacon Vince and Father Kevin for a lovely Mass and being with us on this very important occasion. 

God Bless
Karen McCann
Ministry Coordinator

2025 Consent Process 

Parents/carers can provide consent online for their child’s routine school vaccinations. 

This is now available for parents to access.  

URL: Online consent URL:

QR Code:

Conditions for the event this year were warm which reflected in the participation rate for each House.  Congratulations to Gordon on claiming the overall title!  A combination of highly competitive swims and significant participation rates from the boys and girls in the House was once again the recipe for success as well as the addition of Mr Ian Evans the Gordon House Patron! 

There were additional participation activities to add to the fun atmosphere of the day including House chants.  Year 11 Sports House Captains were praiseworthy in their leadership of the students for their House encouraging members to continue to participate throughout the day swimming, singing, dancing which led to a day that students and staff were able to enjoy. 

This leadership continues to build our sporting house culture and is what makes our event unique. 

A huge thank you is extended to the Taree Torpedoes Mr Ian Smith for the time, resources and his expertise.  Thanks also to the Manning Aquatic Leisure Centre for presenting a wonderful facility. 

The work of all staff to ensure the day runs smoothly is appreciated from starting, timekeeping, marshalling, catering, supervising and everything in between. 

To the parents/carers and families able to attend the event, thank you.  A significant sense of community on the day is created by the support of parents/carers and families.  And it is fantastic to be able to welcome our new families each year as well as those who continue to support the event, thank you. 

Please check out the following details for final House Standings, and our 2025 Age Champions. 

House Standings: 

1. Gordon – 1595 points
2. Paterson – 1132 points
3. Lawson - 1047 points
4. Kendall - 868 points 

Age Champions: 

12/13 Years
Boys – Levi Dodds - Lawson
Girls – Mia Wheeler – Paterson 

14 Years
Boys – Carter Cox - Gordon
Girls – Milla Thompson – Gordon 

15 Years
Boys – Mani Buckland - Paterson
Girls – Yasmin Cassidy – Paterson 

16 Years
Boys – Cameron Ford - Kendall
Girls – Sophie Scislo – Paterson 

17+ Years
Boys – Oscar Davy - Lawson
Girls – Miley Cox – Gordon 

Students who have finished first in an event automatically qualify for the Diocesan Championships.  Students who have finished second must meet the qualifying time in order to secure qualification to this event. 

The Diocesan Championships will be held on Tuesday, 11 March at The Forum, University of Newcastle pool.  The list will be placed on the Sport Noticeboard. 

Students must notify Mr Rowe by Wednesday, 26 February if they will attend OR not attend. 

Luke Rowe
Leader of Learning – Sport

Senior Creative Arts Excursion to Sydney:  A Visual Feast for our Year 11 & 12 Students 

Last week, our Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts students embarked on an inspiring excursion to Sydney, immersing themselves in the vibrant world of contemporary art.  The trip included both self-guided and venue tours at three of Sydney's premier art institutions:  the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the SH Ervin Gallery. 

At the Art Gallery of NSW, students marvelled at a diverse range of artworks, from last year’s HSC Bodies of Work to cutting-edge contemporary installations of Cao Fei.  The Museum of Contemporary Art offered a dynamic experience, with students engaging deeply with the various thought-provoking exhibitions of work by Julie Mehretu, Isaac Julien and Julie Rrap, that challenged their perceptions, sparked lively discussions and demonstrated a variety of artmaking techniques. 

The SH Ervin Gallery provided a more intimate setting, where students could closely examine the current exhibition of work by Australian artist, Peter Godwin.  Students appreciated the nuances of each piece and learnt how the past influences artists work in the present.  This intimate experience allowed students to connect theory with practice, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of visual arts and artmaking contemporary practice. 

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff who made this excursion possible, Mrs Lyndall Laurie, Mrs Marion Johnson and Mr Jeremy Hobbes.  Their hard work and enthusiasm ensured a smooth and enriching experience for all involved.  Overall, the excursion was a resounding success, leaving students inspired and eager to apply their newfound insights to their own creative projects.  It was a memorable three days of artistic exploration and learning, highlighting the importance of experiencing art firsthand. 

Mrs Rebecca Huett
Creative Arts Leader of Learning 

Curtains Up:  Senior Creative Arts Excursion Inspires St Clare’s Year 12 Drama Students 

The annual Creative and Performing Arts excursion held at the beginning of Term One was an enriching opportunity for senior Drama students.  The first day involved viewing two different programs of OnSTAGE which showcases the best of the HSC Drama performances and projects from 2024.  The exposure to outstanding Drama performances highlights the high standard in performance and what is required to achieve at the highest level.  This opportunity allowed students to reflect on the qualities of these performances, inspiring students to aspire to the highest level in their own performance and devising work in Term Two.  As well as the inventiveness and skill demonstrated in each project and performance, students were also encouraged to consider the sophisticated ideas explored in each work.  Themes ranged from the Emu Wars to the plight of the homeless and the space race between the USA and the USSR.  Moreover, theatrical styles included mime, clowning and physical, highlighting the range of approaches to making theatre. 

The following day, Drama students were given a tour of the Sydney Theatre Company an iconic theatre venue located on Sydney Harbour.  The Sydney Theatre Company was formed in December 1978 when then Premier, the Hon Neville Wran, established funding for the establishment of a state theatre company.  Originally a wharf for storing and shipping Australian wool, the building was converted into a theatre with the capacity to for costume making and set and props building for productions.  The repurposed building on Sydney Harbour is a wonderful setting for a world class Australian theatre company that has toured intentionally.  As we toured the building, students witnessed the work of set and prop builders and costume makers demonstrating the range of skills involved in creating theatre. 

The highlight of the excursion involved viewing of a staged adaptation of Emily Bronte's classic novel, Wuthering Heights, an international production directed and adapted by Emma Rice for the Old Bristol Theatre.  A multimedia production combining puppetry, live music, visual projections and physical theatre, we all came away gobsmacked by the brilliance of this production, hopefully inspiring students to read the novel on which the productions is based.  Staged at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in the theatre district of Walsh Bay, both Visual Art and Drama students were treated to an unforgettable performance. 

Thank you to all parents and guardians for allowing your children to participate in this wonderful annual event.  Students were delightful representatives of the St Clare's community. 

Mrs Marion Johnson
Drama/English Teacher

Bravissimo Excursion

ASPIRE

Mathematics Workshop and Homework Support takes place on Fridays at lunchtime in Room 13  Students have the opportunity to have support for homework or be in a space with a mathematics teacher present to complete more challenging work or preparing for tasks.  This is available to all year groups. 

Michael Morson
Leader of Learning, Mathematics

Year 11 Food Technology students have been exploring food science fundamentals. 

Last week they experimented with sourdough making a class 'starter' named Gloria. 

They then used an existing starter to trial a bacon, cheese and jalapeño loaded bread cooked in a Dutch oven. 

A second attempt was made in an electric bread maker. 

The results of the Dutch oven bread were much more popular and a nicer consistency.  

Year 10 Hospitality students have started off this week learning different precision cuts practicing their specific cuts including Julienne, Jardiniere, Chiffonade and Brunoise.

Danya Gillard
Hospitality Assistant

Year 10 Food Technology students are currently exploring the design, planning, preparation of current food trends with Mrs Davies. 

This week students made New York Cookies. 

The recipe was a big hit with all.  Recipe below.

Danya Gillard
Hospitality Assistant

An interesting quote I read the other day relates well to the involvement of St Clare’s staff and students at the Community Kitchen.  The quote is “The best feeling of happiness is when you’re happy because you’re made someone else happy”.  This is certainly what happened at the Community Kitchen.  The bright, cheery, friendly faces of the students, as they prepared and served the patrons, made their day and for a short time enabled them to forget their plight.  Many diners commented how wonderful it was to see the youth volunteering helping others.  Congratulations Oliver Collins, Jake Guppy, Shiloh Herzberg Nicholls, Rylee Wicks and Mrs Ryan for stepping out of your comfort zone and being the face of Jesus in the community.  Over 140 meals were served to those in need.

Shiloh Herzberg Nicholls, Jake Guppy, Mrs Denise Ryan, Rylee Wicks & Oliver Collins 

Carol Healey
Community Kitchen Volunteer 

Congratulations to Taylor Brown U16 girls, Lachlan Polson and Kobi Egan U15 boys and Sara Harris U18 girls who have been selected to represent the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese at the Northern Rugby League selection trials after attending the recent Diocesan Rugby League trials.  All students will travel to South West Rocks for these trials.  Well done and best wishes for the next round!

 Taylor Brown, Kobi Egan, Lachlan Polson & Sara Harris

Luke Rowe
Leader of Learning – Sport

Careers Corner 

Welcome to 2025 and our first edition of Careers Corner for the year. 

Hopefully everyone is well and ready to cope with the challenges which await us this year. 

I would like to start off by welcoming Mrs Nicole Lovern who is going to be looking after Work Experience this year. 

If you would like to do Work Experience, please go and see Mrs Lovern to get the paperwork. 

Work Experience 2025 

Work Experience (W/E) in 2025 at St Clare’s will be available as targeted work experience. 

W/E will be for the following students: 

• Transition to work students identified by Learning Support
• Students in Year 10 interested in leaving school to find employment at the end of 2025
• Students in Year 11 and 12 who need W/E as part of applications for courses, scholarships and employment. 

W/E can be done in the following forms: 

• One day a week – transition to work programs for Work Studies students
• One day/week for five weeks or one week organised in conjunction with the school calendar for students looking to leave school
• During holidays for Year 11, Year 12 and Year 10 students - only if two supporting St Clare’s teachers are available as monitors. 

Work Placement (W/P) for VET students will continue as normal in designated weeks. 

Process for W/E 

• Students in Year 10 wishing to be involved in a work experience program in 2025 will need to collect and fill in an application form (please see Mrs Lovern).
• Each application will require an interview with the Mrs Lovern and a written reason for wanting to be part of the program supported by parents.
• All students will need to complete a “Work Ready” booklet which is in the W/E pack.
• All students will need to complete “Go2Workplacement”.
• Year 11 and 12 students need to contact Mrs Lovern if they wish to participate in work experience.
• An annual insurance fee applies to all students involved in W/E or W/P programs. 

Career Pathways 

There are many posters which are up in the Library titled: 

“Are You Interested In Or Are You Good At” 

There are many different school subjects and for each one a huge range of possible career pathways ranging from Certificate I level through to Degree and Master’s level.  This is worth having a look at as it may give the student an idea of one or more possible post-school pathways. 

We are going to continue with several local industry presentations this year.  These are organised by Erin Lute from RIEP (Regional Industry Education Partnerships) and are a great way to give post-school career information to the students and make them aware of the many opportunities in the local area.  Stay tuned for more information. 

Year 12 Careers Day 

Our first Careers Day for Year 12 was supposed to be held on the day of the Swimming Carnival, however, due to the school being closed, this has been postponed. 

It will now be held on the same day as the School Athletics Carnival, Tuesday 1 April.  Year 12 students will have their first and only full Careers Day at school.  The purpose of this Careers Day is to enable students to embrace the complexities of Year 12 and to develop a timeline which will help to avoid excessive stress levels when thinking about the year ahead and their post school possibilities.  The program addressed issues such as: 

• Goal setting
• Personal Strengths and skills
• Apprenticeship and Traineeship pathways
• Industry pathways
• What is an ATAR?
• What is UAC?
• What is EAS?
• Checking NESA information and details
• Scholarships
• Subject adjustment factors
• Flexible/Alternative Entries
• Early entrance
• School references
• Resumés
• Study timetables
• Student Careers Profile 

There will be several guest speakers including various industry personnel.  The venue will be the Josephite Learning Centre (Room 106). 

White Card 

Early in Term 2 (Date to be confirmed), there will be an opportunity for Year 10, 11 and 12 students who do not have their White Card, to complete this.  Stay tuned for more details.  Anyone who is considering either working or doing Work Experience in the Construction industry must have a valid White Card in order to enter a building site.  They must complete a course in a “face to face” environment for the card to be valid in NSW. 

ALL STUDENTS DOING THE CERTIFICATE II IN CONSTRUCTION PATHWAYS MUST HAVE THIS. 

Year 12 2024 

It has been very exciting to hear that several of our 2024 Year 12 students have been successful in gaining full-time apprenticeships, places at university and other full-time work. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2024 for their successful navigation of a very challenging two years.  There were some excellent results across a range of subjects. 

Careers Association of Australia 

The latest information from the Careers Association of Australia (CAA) is as follows: 

Information Sessions for Students & Parents, Open Days, Expos for Students 

Study Advanced Computing at the University of Sydney | Wednesday 26 February, 4:00pm Want to work for tech giants or launch your own start-up? Sydney’s Bachelor of Advanced Computing offers core units, electives in Data Science, IT, and majors in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Software Development and more. Choose from 100+ areas across the University. Learn to build systems for emerging tech like drones and VR. To register:

The University of Sydney's Bachelor of International Studies | Wednesday 5 March, 4:00pm Dream of making a global impact? In Sydney's Bachelor of International Studies, tackle the world's biggest challenges and prepare for a career in business, diplomacy, policy or advocacy. Join the webinar to learn how the degree can help you navigate the global arena. To register:

Navy Open Day for Students Friday 7 March The Navy will be hosting their annual Navy Open Day at Fleet Base East, Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo on Friday 7 March for school students to tour the base, which includes five ships, as well as many static and interactive displays for them to get involved with. To register, email Chief Petty Officer Craig Davis cptnsw@adfcareers.gov.au by COB Friday the 28 February advising names and numbers of students attending.

TAFE NSW | Bradfield Senior College Open Day Tuesday 11 March For HSC students interested in a traditional HSC, or for preparation for creative industry, Bradfield’s project-based learning in Year 11 can build specialisations and industry connections. Courses in Fashion, Design, Filmmaking, Content Creation, Beauty, Music & Performance. To register:

Western | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Future Students Information Evenings – Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 March This event will provide information on the upcoming Indigenous Entry Assessment days, important dates, and more. There will be an opportunity to learn about what Western programs are on offer, the range of services available, the opportunities to gain a scholarship, and hear about campus life. For more information visit

University of Newcastle | Free HSC Webinar for Students and Parents Wednesday 19 March, 7:00pm-8:30pm. This webinar for Year 11 and 12 will share the strategies for HSC success. Led by a Senior HSC Marker, effective study, exam hacks, and strategies for excelling in your tasks will be covered. Brought to you by the University of Newcastle, it’s free to all participants. Registration is essential. To register:

AIBI Higher Education | Future Proof: Cyber Pros as Digital Age Superheroes AIBI Higher Education presents "Future Proof: How Cyber Pros are the Superheroes of the Digital Age" a webinar on Wednesday 20 March at 4:00pm. Explore cybersecurity career paths and gain insights from AIBI's Dr. Arda Tezcan on breaking into this dynamic field. Discover opportunities in cyberspace and learn how to stand out. To register:

The University of Sydney's Info Nights | March – June The University of Sydney’s Info Nights for Years 10–12 students and caregivers cover admission, entry schemes, scholarships and more. Join Western/Southwest Sydney, Central Coast, Camperdown or online. Year 10 students focus on subject selection, while Year 11-12 explore courses and careers. Meet staff, students and alumni. To register:

Explore University of Canberra Monday 19 – Friday 23 May 2025 Explore UC is a hands-on, student-simulation opportunity for your Year 10 to 12 students to get a taste of university life and it is coming back in 2025. Students will get to build their own itinerary to sample what UC has to offer, including faculty workshops, campus activities, and more. Come Explore UC 19 - 23 May 2025. For more information email student.recruitment@canberra.edu.au.

National Skills Week 2025 | Promote VET: Explore all the Options Monday 25 – Sunday 31 August Showcase and promote the opportunities available through VET.  The challenge is to provide students (and their parents) with clear information on career pathways, training, new skills and courses available. Promote careers through VET and the work you are doing. View the School Kit

to get some ideas.

Book an ACU Visit Book a representative for a school presentation, lunchtime popup, one-on-one consult, or in-school expo. The months of May, June and July tend to be the busiest for school events for all tertiary institutions. During this period, ACU will try to prioritise events where Year 12 students are attending. To book:

The National Institute of Education | UCAT and Interview Preparation Resources and Services The National Institute of Education was founded in 1999 with one goal in mind: To provide an unparalleled assistance to students who wish to pursue a career in medicine or dentistry. Contact NIE to see how they can help you or your child succeed. For more information call (02) 4367 0404 or 0404 197 178, email enquiries@nie.edu.au or visit

Explore Fashion Degrees & Industry Connections at The Fashion Institute The Fashion Institute offers degrees in Fashion Business and Fashion Communication, providing students with exceptional industry connections through internships and Fashion Week experiences in Australia and internationally. For more information, email the Future Student Adviser at

CQUniversity | Explore Career Paths: Choosing a Career with Info Hub Do you have students who feel unsure about their career path? CQU's Choosing a Career Info Hub has helpful resources to guide them, including career planning tools, job descriptions, and study options that match your students’ goals. These tools can help to make informed decisions and plan for their future with confidence.  For more information visit

Discover Western Webinar Series 2025 Western’s 2025 Discover Western webinar series will feature webinars aimed at educators, parents and students. Hear all about early offer programs, alternative entry, scholarships and student life. To register:

Upcoming Open Days for Students Ready to Start a Beauty, Laser & Dermal Career Explore your future at Australian Academy Beauty Dermal Laser open days. Attend the open days across four locations; Rockdale, Sydney, Bella Vista, and North Strathfield to tour state-of-the-art facilities, meet expert trainers, and discover courses in Beauty Salon management and Laser Dermal Therapies. A perfect opportunity to secure your spot for April intake and start your dream career. For more information visit

Courses & Workshops for Students 

Arrive & Thrive Webinar | Career Conversations @ Home, Helping Parents Have Positive Career Convos Arrive & Thrive is running a public webinar on 20 March at 6:30 pm (AEDT) to support parents around Australia in having more positive career conversations at home. The webinar will share insights for parents to better support their young people in career decisions. Participants will receive a Career Conversation Kit. To register:

NIE Careers | Future Doctors Australia Program (Age: 14-18) 12-15 April 2025 A high-impact 4-day program that provides young people (age: 14-18) with a unique opportunity to explore medicine as a career. For more information call 1300 974 187 or 0412 439 115, email enquiries@nie.edu.au or visit

StarBurst Film Festival and Community Filmmaking Workshops Camera and Smartphone categories open for all ages. $10 submission fee. StarBurst Jnr Smartphone Filmmaking Festival is open to all filmmakers under 18. Deadline 25 May. Submit your masterpiece today. Download the submission form here

and email your completed submission form to starburstfilmfest@gmail.com.

BarMax RSA & RCG Courses | Training for Life After School 2025 BarMax Australia (RTO 41242) is a leading accredited provider of RSA & RCG hospitality courses for NSW. Each year BarMax successfully teach thousands of students and prepare them for life after school. For more information and to register your interest for 2025 visit

or contact Kane on 02 9211 4110 or email kane@barmax.com.au.

Arrive & Thrive | Career Development Workshops for High School Students Arrive & Thrive is a career education company that provides high school students with entertaining and educational workshops to help them thrive in their careers. Since 2019, they have supported over 100,000 students in 100+ schools. Workshops cover everything from Career Design and Values to Personal Branding and LinkedIn. For more information, visit

or email hello@arrivethrive.com.au.

University of Canberra Sydney Hills | Graduate Industry-Ready in Early Childhood Education Equip your students for success with UC Sydney Hill's Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five). With hands-on experience, graduates develop the skills to excel in diverse ECE settings. Applications for Semester 2 2025 are now open. For more information or to book a campus tour, email Katrina Kartina.Ayoob@canberra.edu.au.

GRADE-A Mobile Cafe | Free Breville Coffee Machine for your School Staffroom GRADE-A Mobile Cafe has partnered with Breville and Pablo & Rusty's Coffee Roasters to provide barista training for students wishing to gain employment in the hospitality industry. Students who complete the training will receive nationally recognised barista certification and the school will receive a free Breville coffee machine with training in how to use it. For more information, contact Tim Gardiner on 0421 928 843 or email tim@gradeamobilecafe.com.au.

The National Institute of Education | Year 10, 11 and 12: UCAT Preparation Workshop 5 April 2025 A full-day intensive, live, online and interactive UCAT preparation workshop with a follow-up session on another day to which parents are also invited to join to have all their questions answered about medical entry in Australia. To register visit:

Discover ACU Series Discover ACU is designed to give an exciting first taste of specific disciplines, with an opportunity to speak with current ACU students to find out what life is like in your course of interest. Students can explore campuses and engage in hands-on workshops. For more information visit:

National Fashion College | Free Fashion High School Masterclass Program NFC invites students in Years 10-12 to a FREE High School Masterclass. This five-week program, led by an industry expert, explores exciting fashion careers from Fashion Communications to Creative Direction. It concludes with an exclusive in-person Styling Masterclass in Sydney, taught by one of Australia’s top stylists. Spaces are limited. For more information email morgan@nationalfashioncollege.com.

Help School Leavers Begin a Beauty, Laser & Dermal Career | Enroling Now for April Do you have students eager to leave school and start a career in beauty, laser, and dermal therapies? An April intake is perfect for Year 11 and 12 students ready to transition into full-time study. With campuses in Rockdale, Sydney, Bella Vista, and North Strathfield, offering hands-on training to launch their careers. For more information visit

Don Whitford Consulting | Gap Time - Selling the Plan to Family include Europe Travel, Discovery and Some Study Summer Discovery, Immersion programs, Short Pastry or Culinary Arts Essentials courses or Swiss Diploma in Europe (Australian Winter) at Swiss Luxury Business Hotel Schools and Swiss and French Culinary Schools. 1 or 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 to 9 weeks plus internship, 10 months etc. For more information, visit

or call Don on 0422766730.

The Lemon Car The Lemon Car is taking bookings now. This program is completed outdoors with a specially modified car. The students receive a checklist and must work as a team to find the defects on the car. This is for Year 10 and 11 students and will help save their life and save them money. For more information, call Mark on 0444 528 409 or email mark@thelemoncar.com.au.

The Hotel School Australia is Launching CSPs for 2025 THSA is launching Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) for 2025. A Hospitality and Tourism university offering CSPs in for all undergraduate courses. Students will enjoy reduced tuition fees of up to 32%. For more information visit

Coastal OHS Services | White Card Training White card training on campus. Coastal OHS Services has delivered white card training for more than 15 years to over 180 high schools in NSW. Safework NSW approved. For more information call 0243823055 or email info@coastalohs.com. 

Traineeships, Cadetships, Apprenticeships - Information & Opportunities 

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia |Fast Track Applications Now Open If you know someone passionate about horses, this could be the start of an exciting new career for them. Successful candidates will commence a full-time traineeship with a reputable stud farm while studying for a Certificate III in Horse Breeding - a nationally recognised formal qualification. Applications for the 2025 program are open for a period of six weeks, closing on the 11 March. For more information visit

or email madison@tbaus.com.

WPC Group | Panel Beater & Spray-Painting Apprenticeships WPC Group have 16 SBAT opportunities around Sydney for Panel Beating Apprenticeships - AUR32120 Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology and Spray Painting Apprenticeships - AUR32420 Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology. For more information, call Carine Fleming on 0447468313 or email cfleming@wpcgroup.org.au.

Maxima |First Nations School Based Traineeships Maxima’s Indigenous Employment Team has exciting opportunities for First Nations Year 11 students to complete a variety of SBTs. Any students keen to explore in Customer Service, Retail, and Banking. Students will have paid workdays and off-the job training (studying a certificate in either Business, Workplace Skills or Retail). For more information visit

Master Builders Association of NSW is Taking Applications Now for Apprenticeship Opportunities Master Builders have apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities in the Northern Beaches and Northern Sydney area within multiple trades for all ages and entry levels. Suitable for those who have the commitment and drive to commence and complete an apprenticeship in the building and construction industry. For more information email careers@mbansw.asn.au.

2025 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants are Now Open 20 grants, each worth $3000, will be awarded to apprentice plumbers to support their studies and help launch their careers. The expert panel are looking for individuals who demonstrate a high level of dedication, passion and commitment to the industry. They want to know about your experiences, challenges and achievements as an apprentice plumber. To apply:

Scholarships, Early Entry, Alternative Pathways

AIBI Higher Education | Scholarships Now Open Did you know that you could save over $10,000 on your tuition fees with an AIBI Higher Education scholarship for 2026. Whether you want to study cyber security or business, there’s a scholarship for you. For more information visit

email domestic@aibihe.edu.au  or call 1300 23 77 41.

AIBI Higher Education | Early Offer Program Now Open AIBI HE’s early offer program is now open for 2026 intakes. Year 12 students can apply now for early entry for the Bachelor of Cyber Security or Bachelor of Business. Just submit Year 11 reports for the early entry program. To apply:

email domestic@aibihe.edu.au or call 1300 23 77 41.

UTS Bachelor of Accounting Co-op Scholarship Program BAcc is a co-op program in accounting. It is an intensive course offered in conjunction with major employers. Around 36 students receive a scholarship over the three years, a year of full-time industry experience and a graduate job at the end.  There is a highly regarded list of industry sponsors, many of which have been with the program since its inception 36 years ago. For more information visit

Western | The College The College offers guaranteed pathways to the second year of Bachelor programs through a range of Diploma Programs. The College has reimagined how Diploma programs are delivered using research on how students learn. There are smaller class sizes, no exams, no lectures, and personalised support to ensure success. For more information visit:

Resources for Students 

MyCareerMatch | Discovering Careers in Engineering and Technology MyCareerMatch has just released its 2025 high school career reports to now include breakout guides matching each to engineering and technology careers. This new addition provides students with detailed insights into these rapidly growing in demand industries, helping them make informed decisions about their future.

Jobs & Work Experience for Students

Jumpstart Your Game Design Career with the AIE's Work Experience Program Experience game design at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment with the Work Experience Program. Tailored for high school students in Years 10 to 12, this immersive, week-long program offers the opportunity to work with industry-standard game development software and learn more about digital industries. For more information and to secure a spot, visit

or call 1300 709 019.

UNSW Civil Engineering Work Experience Program The program will be run from Monday 26 to Friday 30 May and will be available to Year 10 students across NSW. Applications close March 14. For more information email tricia.tesoriero@unsw.edu.au

Each week there will be news about apprenticeships, traineeships, and jobs as they come to hand and of course other important Careers information.  This information will be available in each Year Groups’ Career Team OneNote and in many cases emailed to students when relevant. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss anything related to careers. 

Karen McCann
Careers/VET Adviser

Term 1 2025

Term 2 2025

School Zones 

A reminder to all our parents that school zones remain in place for the safety of our children and families.  School zones operate on all gazetted school days, which are all days the school is open, even pupil free days.  School zones for our school will end on Friday, 11 April 2025 and resume on Monday, 28 April 2025. 

Complaints Resolution for Parents and Carers

Taree Wildcats Football Registration

Taree Wildcats Football Registration 139.35 KB