Recent News and Events

Transition and Pathways (TaPs) Lessons - Years 7 to 10

This week I held TaPs lessons with Year 7 and 10. The focus for Year 10 was the value of employability skills in today’s Jobs Market and the emphasis employers place on these skills in addition to the technical skills required for the job.

Essential employability skills include: interpersonal skills, communication, problem solving, resilience, adaptability. Year 10 were placed into house groups and instructed to complete a variety of group tasks that tested and helped develop these skills.

Students found the tasks fun and engaging, moreover, they were able to recognise how transferable those employability skills are and now understand ways to continually develop them, in preparation for the world of work.

Year 7 had their first taste of the Transition and Pathways program - I visited Year 7 classes individually to introduce the concepts of career exploration and how the journey of discovering activities, interests and hobbies they participate in align with work-based competencies.

Year 12 - UAC Applications opened 4 April 2025

Year 12 - UAC Applications opened 4 April 2025

This week Year 12 students received an email from the University Admissions Centre (UAC), the organisation that processes university applications for NSW and ACT, informing them that applications for Semester 1, 2026 are now open. Below is information I shared with them via Google Classroom:

UAC Applications for 2026 are open - What does this mean?

• Applications for 2026 Uni courses opened on Wednesday 2 April 2025.
• Applications close 6 February 2026 - So have plenty of time to plan and submit your application!
• Attached to this newsletter is a detailed guide to UAC Applications + Key Dates and info

What should I do now?

• You can get organised by ensuring you have registered with UAC using a personal email
• Ensure you have a Y12 NESA Student number and UAC Pin (This should have been emailed to you)
• Create / find your Unique Student Identifier (USI) number. (link)

What about Early Admission Pathways?

• UOW Early Admission applications open 16 June 2025, close 8 August 2025
• Other university early admission program info was posted in last fortnight’s newsletter

What is the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) and can I apply?

• If you have encountered any significant educational challenges you can apply for special consideration and your selection rank for a particular course may receive a boost, making you more competitive for that place.
• Challenges may include - illness / injury, family bereavement, being a care provider for family member, financial hardship, English as second language
• A detailed guide to EAS applications and eligibility is attached - "eas-application-guide.pdf"

What is an Equity Scholarship and can I apply?

• If you have / are experiencing financial hardship or other social barriers you may be eligible for an equity scholarship
• To check your eligibility please read the attached doc - "equity-scholarships.pdf"

What is the School Recommendation Scheme (SRS)?

• The SRS is a way in which students can gain early entry into some courses via a recommendation from their school.
• Because UOW have their own Early Entry Program, UOW do not accept SRS applications
• A guide to SRS applications has been attached

You can click on this link for a detailed guide to complete your application. Attached is the UAC application fact sheet and other key material

In summary:

2 April 2025 - Applications open

30 September 2025 - Early bird processing charge deadline ($82 or $215 thereafter)

6 February 2026 - Applications for Semester 1, 2026

In short, there is no rush to complete the UAC application. Most students complete theirs before the early bird deadline, which is generally after they have received news on their early admission applications for UOW and other universities.

UOW early admissions applications open on 16 June 2025. Details to follow next term.