Student Support Services Team

SchoolTV

SPECIAL REPORT: Anxiety & Young People

Anxiety is a natural and expected part of growing up. In fact, it plays an important role in helping young people prepare for challenges, stay alert to potential dangers and adapt to new situations. It can motivate them to study for a test, practise before a performance, or tread carefully in unfamiliar settings. However, for many children and adolescents today, anxiety can shift from being a helpful response to becoming intense, persistent and disruptive.

The world young people are growing up in is fast-paced and often demanding. Academic pressures, social expectations, family changes and the constant presence of digital media can all contribute to heightened stress and worry.

When anxiety is left unrecognised or unsupported, it can begin to affect a young person's wellbeing, learning, friendships and self-confidence. That's why it's so important for adult carers to understand how anxiety may present in children. Everyone experiences anxiety differently, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution.

This edition of SchoolTV raises awareness and provides families with practical strategies to help young people manage anxiety in healthy, constructive ways.

Here is the link to your Edition.

Heath Matters

First Nations Student Opportunities

2026 TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program

The 2026 TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program is now open. These are open to all students, but there are additional opportunities for First Nations students, students with a disability, carers, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and athletes. Scholarships are awarded to people looking to change their lives and build lifelong careers. Scholarships can be used to pay for study-related costs such as course fees, travel expenses, childcare, uniforms, tools, books and other study materials.

For more information click this link.

University of NSW – Indigenous Australian Engineering School

The Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) is an annual residential program, established and funded by Engineering Aid Australia. The IAES is hosted in Sydney by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), in partnership with Engineering Aid Australia.

Applications are now open for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who will be in Year 10, 11 or 12 in 2026 to apply for the program.

The program offers a week of engaging activities designed to showcase the filed of engineering. You will stay on campus for six days, experiencing university life firsthand. This will allow you to make new friends and gain a clearer understanding of engineering, both as a field of study and a career path. The program is completely free for students, with all costs for travel, accommodation, and meals fully covered.

If you are interested in applying, please complete the online application form and submit the requested supporting documents. Applications close 7th November, 2025 at 12am (midnight).

For more information click this link.

Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme

First Nations students who are looking at tertiary health studies in 2026, the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS) is now open for applications. The scholarship is available to students studying across a diverse range of qualifications through vocational education and training and university. This includes:

· Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care

· Allied health (excluding pharmacy) – NACCHO Pharmacy Scholarship

· Dentistry and oral health (excluding dental assistants)

· Medicine

· Mental health studies

· Nursing (Registered and Enrolled nursing)

· Midwifery

The scholarship provides access to financial, cultural, mentoring, and other supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying in health, including access to up to $15,000 per annum (full time) for the normal duration of the course. Applications are open until 30 October 2025. To apply please click this link.

JCU Indigenous Summer School

The JCU Indigenous Summer School conducts pre-programs for prospective Indigenous school leavers who are seeking to gain entry into JCU in 2025. It is run over a five-day period during the Summer school holidays. The focus is to build capabilities in Math, English, Chemistry and tertiary study skills. The program is supervised by IERC staff with the help of Indigenous Student Ambassadors at JCU.

Students will live on campus and take part in academic lectures and team-building activities. This interaction provides opportunities to meet University staff and students and form bonds with other students in the program. JCU will cover return travel and accommodation costs. The School will run from 23rd – 29th November 2025. Applications close Friday, 26 September 2025.

WEX (Work Exposure in Government) Program

The 2025 WEX Program is now open for applications from all Year 10 – 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are interested in Australian Government careers. This is a fully funded program that runs from Sunday, 26 October – Friday, 31 October 2025 in Canberra.

WEX provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with hands-on experience and information about job opportunities and career pathways in the Australian Government.

All transportation, accommodation and meals will be provided at no cost. WEX is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) under its Children and Schooling Program. To apply, please click this link.