Disclaimer

Please note that this blog is intended for the students and parents associated with MacGregor State High School. Please check areas of interest as seen on the blog to confirm dates and other information as there will be occasions when dates will change and the information may not be included in the blog as it may not have been received by the school. Posts prior to July 2021 may have reference to different schools as this blog was initially developed for students when I was the Guidance Officer at another school.








Sunday 29 April 2018

2018 National Council of Women - Bursaries available


2018 National Council of Women - Regional/Rural Bursaries

Do you know a female student from year 12 last year who may benefit  from the following bursary?

 

ACU Update

The following information has been forwarded to me from ACU:

Undergraduate course guide
The 2019 undergraduate course  guide is available to download here or additional print copies may be requested here.

A notable inclusion in this year's guide is the 'Pathways to ACU' content on pages 92 and 93. If you're concerned you won't get into your preferred university course this section provides alternative options for you to consider, including ACU College (formerly ACUcom) which offers a range of certificate and diploma qualifications.

New courses available
For students commencing in 2019, ACU has added a range of new courses for you to consider studying in Brisbane:
Bachelor of High Performance Sport
Bachelor of Human Services
Bachelor of Sport and Outdoor Education
Learn more about these courses and others by visiting acu.edu.au/courses
 
Courses not continuing
These courses will not be taking any new enrolments in Brisbane.
Bachelor of Information Technology
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Bachelor of Counselling
Bachelor of Science (and double degrees)
Bachelor of Public Health (and double degrees)

The University of Queensland Update

Queensland Junior Physics Olympiad - closing soon
The Queensland Junior Physics Olympiad (JPhO) is a five-day, non-residential program for Year 10 students with an interest in physics, science and mathematics.
The program aims to develop the problem-solving skills of students as well as an appreciation and understanding of physics. Students will have the opportunity to learn from current UQ lecturers, be mentored by current UQ students, tour state-of-the-art research centres and learn important principles of physics over the five days.
The Olympiad is delivered from Monday 2 July - Friday 6 July 2018, during the Queensland school holidays, and is located at the UQ St Lucia campus.
Registrations close Monday 30 April 2018. Discover more here.

Experience Science - register now
Experience Science is an on-campus experience providing students in Years 10-12 the opportunity to discover what studying Science is like at UQ.
With programs occurring across Friday 13 July - Thursday 19 July 2018, this free event is facilitated by experts from UQ and industry, and provides hands-on, interactive Science workshops.
Registrations close Friday 6 July 2018 or when places are filled. Discover more here

Pharmacy Experience Day
Pharmacy Experience Day is an annual UQ showcase which invites students to discover where a Bachelor of Pharmacy can take them.
Throughout the day guests will take part in a range of hands-on laboratory activities, meet and quiz current students, and participate on a guided tour through the world class facilities.
All members of the public are invited to attend the Pharmacy Experience Day being held on Sunday 19 August 2018.Discover more here.

Program update: Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours), QTAC Code: 709101
Run by internationally respected industry experts and academics, the Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) is designed to ensure students stand out to employers.
This program can be tailored to help students achieve their career goals, with the option to choose up to three majors consisting of six courses from the one area of specialisation. The program's unique capstone course in leadership and ethics will give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to real business cases.
Entry is limited to a small, highly motivated and high-achieving cohort aspiring to leadership roles in business, the community or academia. Discover more here.

Griffith University STEM - Cairns May 10, 2018

The following information has been received from Griffith University:

Find out how you can future-proof your career.

Our best future is a future that builds on technology, innovation, ideas and imagination. It is a future with STEM. And it is a future that is ours to build.   - Alan Finkel AO Australia’s Chief Scientist

We invite you to an interactive evening to gain an understanding of the exciting STEM-related degrees offered at our Brisbane, Gold Coast and Logan campuses.

The STEM Showcase is for teachers, students, parents and community supporters to hear from Griffith STEM researchers and lecturers about the range of degrees and experiences offered at our Brisbane and Gold Coast campuses and receive advice on how your students can best position themselves in the future job market.
If you would like more information, please visit griffith.edu.au/stem-showcase

Time:   3:30 pm to 7 pm with presentations at 4pm and 6pm, 10 May, 2018
COST: FREE
Register now




ADF Update

The following information has been provided by the Australian Defence Force:
 
Upcoming placements – NQ Region:
·         Infantry Overview – 1RAR
·         Combat Engineers – 3CER
·         Combat Signals (ICT) – 3CSR
·         Artillery Overview – 4REG
·         Air Traffic Control – 452SQN
·         Armoured Corps Overview – 2CAV
·         Army Aviation – 5AVN
·         Army Band – 1RAR Band
www.defence.gov.au/WorkExperience

Upcoming specialist placement:
HMAS Cairns - Women in Navy Technical Trades Camp: 1st – 4th July
This placement will provide a hands-on and interactive experience for young women who are considering a career in Navy technical trades. Navy technical careers include Marine, Electronics and Aviation technicians.
 
The camp is open to female students in Years 10 - 12 aged between 16 – 18 years of age. Taking place over 4 days and 3 nights in the school holidays, this is a residential camp and participants will be accommodated at HMAS Cairns.
Students will need to apply online by 6th May www.defence.gov.au/WorkExperience

Army & Air Force Careers Visits Term 2 - Townsville
·         2nd May: Army
·         20th June: Air Force
 
 National placements of interest
·         STEM placement with Defence Science & Technology
With the Weapons and Combat Systems Division in Adelaide focussed in air and surface-launched weapons systems.
·         Cyber Security & Robotics (multiple sessions)
With the Australian Signals Directorate in Canberra and offers a number of challenges, such as:
• identifying security intrusions on a computer system
• conducting forensic examinations of hard drives
• robotics programming using Arduino
• constructing electrical circuits 
www.defence.gov.au/WorkExperience
 
 

 

From the Foundation of Young Australians

The following information is from the FYA
 
Intelligence is no longer just about your IQ
Intelligence can be measured in many ways, so how can we teach our young people to engage intellectually but also develop their emotional and critical intelligence? READ MORE
 
What we've been reading...
TAFE and Uni - it's time to reset the funding model in entirety Go >
Participation in tertiary education in Australia Go >
How to pick a career (that actually fits you) Go >
 
 Visit the Foundation for Young Australians at https://www.fya.org.au/

CQU Update

I have received the following information from Central Queensland University:

With 20+ locations Australia wide and over 300 TAFE and University courses, it can often be difficult to keep up with the ever expanding course options available right here at CQUni Cairns.

CQUniversity knows the importance of providing tertiary education opportunities locally, so we can produce skilled and highly sought after graduates to make a positive impact within our communities.

That's why, this email gives a snapshot of just a few of our course options available in Cairns at CQUni.
You can also download or request hard copies of any of our publications

 
Bachelor of Engineering:
Who would like this course? What is it?
Our engineering suite of courses are ideal for those students who enjoy STEM. They are problem solvers, great thinkers and enjoy the challenge of turning innovative ideas into reality.

Future engineers are equipped by CQUni to be the change makers. They will solve today's challenges for renewable energy, sustainable mining, water resource management, automation, cities of the future and new manufacturing opportunities.

Not only will students benefit from smaller class sizes and participate in real industry projects from their first year of study, they'll also enjoy access to purpose built facilities and equipment.

Through completion of placement, they'll gain hands-on experience and work alongside industry professionals. In fact, students completing the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-Op Engineering)  have the opportunity to earn while they learn with 48 weeks of PAID placement
 
Bachelor of Education:
Who would like this course? What is it?
We don't need to tell you - teaching requires a lot of energy and passion! CQUni has a big focus on maximising the amount of time students spend actually in pre-service teaching and getting direct feedback before they graduate. That's why we structured the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and Bachelor of Education (Primary) to have an embedded diploma. It allows students, who complete the required practical hours, to work in the field while completing their degree.

As Australia's largest Regional University, we take pride in small class sizes and engaged lecturers available on campus in Cairns. This enables students to live locally, study on campus and then return to work in one of the many local schools we have strong partnerships with in our region.

Through CQUGlobal Outbound our students can enjoy overseas travel as part of their university experience, but still graduate locally, and remain in our vibrant community.

Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science:
Who would like this course? What is it?
It is perfect for the sports nut! This new course is ideal for students interested in fitness, elite performance, family and community health, lifestyle management, occupational health and safety and personal health.

As this industry continues vigorous growth CQU allows students to choose from a diverse range of minors that match their passions. For instance: Biomedical Sciences, Secondary Teaching, Sport Management.

Students develop practical skills in various disciplines relevant to exercise and sport sciences, including: anatomy and physiology, nutrition, exercise physiology, biomechanics, exercise and sport psychology, motor control and learning, exercise prescription and delivery. 

Available locally in Cairns, students have the opportunity to work directly with the Cairns Taipans. Due for completion in mid-2018, purpose-built facilities shared with the national basketball sporting team will also enrich their studies.

A great option for students that want to remain part of the vibrant sports community we have here. 
 
Bachelor of Aviation:
Who would like this course? What is it?
There is always one student who just wants to fly! This course is about setting up graduates to succeed in a diverse range of roles in an industry which plays a critical role in our region.

Purpose-built and developed in consultation with our industry partners, Hinterland Aviation, to make flying a more affordable option for Queensland students, our suite of aviation courses incorporate the right mix of theory and practical flying time.

Students can access over 200 hours of flight training which ensures our graduates are well prepared for aviation careers in the air transportation industry as commercial pilots.

Smart Phone tips

Smart phones have become a part of our everyday lives. Here are some tips, from Mindful Magazine, for keeping our smart phones as part of our lives and not the rulers of our lives.
 
Our phones keep us connected — but if we stay plugged into apps and social media, and snap selfies of everything we’re doing, our phones can become a powerful tool for avoidance and distraction. Explore these simple ways to make the time you spend on your phone more mindful.

1) Re-organize your home screen
Beeps and buzzes from the various apps on your phone can interrupt unnecessarily — do you really need an alert when a new podcast you subscribe becomes available? Often, people respond to notifications or click on their favorite app on autopilot. Here are
five simple ways to cultivate a less distracting relationship to your phone.

2) Cut down on mindless scrolling
Social media has a way of overloading your emotions by constantly feeding you photos and stories that align with your interests in order to keep your eyeballs on the screen. Friends’ posts can inspire joy, sorrow, envy, or all three—often in a matter of minutes. Noticing these emotions as you experience them can help you recognize your expectations and intentions when sharing on social media. Explore
this social media practice before, during, and after you’ve logged in.


3) Focus on friendships, not followers
Your phone helps you keep in touch with those who are far away, but it can distract you from the friends you see daily, and even pleasant chats with a barista or cashier. Small changes, like putting your phone down when you’re with other people, can help you strengthen old connections and foster new ones. Strike a balance between online and in-person relationships with
these six tips.

Sunday 8 April 2018

Queensland Youth eHub and Queensland Government Youth Strategy

Visit the Qld Government Youth webpage for information on a number of topics popular to youth. You are able to join the eHub and be an active participant in the Queensland Government's Youth Engagement platform.

Logging in to the eHub allows students to join one of the many activities that are happening around Queensland to celebrate the achievements, vitality and strength of young Queenslanders.

As a member, you are able to access a calendar of events.