• Next Workshop:  8 – 10 October 2009

3 Day Jewellery short courses at Charles Sturt University School of Visual and Performing Arts.

Jewellery is an exciting, vibrant and diverse industry.
The BA Jewellery and the new double degree BA Jewellery/ Business are both offered by Charles Sturt University to give students the best preparation for a career in jewellery.

The three-day workshop is a good opportunity for future students to undertake projects and learn basic jewellery skills indicative of those encountered in our programs. Participants will be introduced to the workshop environment, tools and equipment before using those to create their own designs.

The fully equipped Jewellery Studios, the tuition of experienced staff and the showcase of work from past and existing Jewellery students will no doubt make the visit a positive experience.

Students enrolled in D&T are welcome to use the workshop as a way to continue their project within a University environment and benefit from staff advice and feedback.

COST: $180 + cost of additional materials (up to $20)
PLACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED; ACT QUICKLY TO SECURE A PLACE*

Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney
Monday 21st September 2009
6.30pm – 8.30pm
This is the perfect opportunity to not only find out what Blue Mountains can offer you, but also gain a better understanding of this exciting industry. You will have the unique opportunity to hear from the General Manager of the Four Seasons and speak to graduates about their experiences.

Hilton Hotel, Brisbane
Tuesday 22nd September 2009
6.30pm – 8.30pm
During the evening there will be a talk about the Schools with the opportunity to meet school representatives and other attendees.

Central Plaza Apartment Hotel, Toowoomba
Wednesday 23rd September 2009
6.30pm – 8.30pm
This is the perfect opportunity to not only find out what Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School and the Australian International Hotel School can offer you, but also gain a better understanding of this exciting industry. You will have the unique opportunity to speak with the experts on both Schools to find out what your studies will be like.

You can register for these events by contacting:

Danielle Magennis
Sales Coordinator
P: 9431 7906
Danielle.Magennis@hotelschool.com.au

Sydney Children’s Festival is going to be an extraordinary mix of events and performances, and promises to be a wonderful experience not only for kids but for adults (or big kids) as well. Being a volunteer will be hugely rewarding, fun and you will work with a great team on an amazing event.

Who we are looking for
This is a perfect opportunity for anyone who:
• Loves kids, and lots of them!
• Big kids at heart - people who love to play
• Are interested in / studying education, teaching or childcare
• Are interested in / studying arts, performing arts, visual arts, festivals
• Are interested in / studying physical education, circus arts, dance etc
• People looking to gain experience in any of the above industries
• Retirees who love kids (must be energetic!)
• School teachers / education workers who would like to reinvigorate their imagination during the school hols
• Corporate workers and companies looking to give back to the not-for-profit artistic community
• And as we said before… anyone who loves kids!

Types of Volunteering Opportunities
There is a huge range of events and activities to get involved in, depending on your bent - from visual arts, music, circus, film making, performing arts and a Mini Wrong Prom!

Information and Induction Session
The Festival Director, SCF team and Mandy Logan, Volunteer Coordinator, will be conducting a general volunteer induction session and an info session about Sydney Children’s Festival opportunities on WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER at CarriageWorks.

INDUCTION AND TOUR OF THE BUILDING: 5.30pm (please be here 5 mins before – meet in the foyer)

INFO SESSION ABOUT SCF: approx 6.00pm (after the tour)

This is a chance to ask any questions and hear more about the Festival from the team. It’s not essential to be here on this day, but it is highly recommended.

At the induction you will be shown around the entire site and given basic information about CarriageWorks. This is a good way to get an introduction into volunteering here at CW. You don't have to be involved in the Sydney Children's Festival to come along to this. All interested volunteers are welcome.

Contact and RSVP for Info Session
Please contact Mandy Logan if you would like to involved. Please indicate whether you can attend the Info and Induction Session on Wednesday 9 September.
Email Mandy on mandy.l@carriageworks.com.au.

Small print!
We are keen to meet all enthusiastic people! We do however, have a couple of conditions:

1. Festival Essentials - This is one compulsory shift that every volunteer needs to commit to in order to be involved in the rest of the festival.

2. All volunteers have to consent to a "working with children" check

3. You are strongly encouraged to come to the Info and Induction Session on Wednesday 9 September to hear about the festival and our requirements. It will also be an opportunity to sign up for specific events. Mandy will not be assigning any shifts until this briefing.

4. The minimum age is 16, however we may look at slightly younger volunteers if they are volunteering with an older friend or adult.

www.sydneychildrensfestival.com

THE SCHOLARSHIP TO PURSUE AN IDEAL

In association with the Robin Anderson Film Awards, Sydney Film School offers an annual one-year, full time scholarship to one lucky secondary school filmmaker (Years 11-12) to study in a Diploma of Screen and Media Program. The scholarship provides an outstanding opportunity for a person passionate about making films to further their studies in a practical and educational filmmaking environment.

Valued at over $14,000, the Robin Anderson Scholarship covers all tuition fees, materials and equipment. The successful candidate must be prepared to commit to full time study of a 40 weeks long course.

So how to be eligible to the Robin Anderson Scholarship?
1. Make the short film (max 8min) and enter it in the Robin Anderson Film Awards by 5.00 pm on Friday, 18 September 2009.
2. Have your film (documentary or drama) selected as a finalist in any senior section of the Robin Anderson Film Awards.

What then?
1. Every finalist film will be viewed by a panel of Sydney Film School staff
2. A short list of finalists will be invited to an interview with Sydney Film School staff
3. One short listed finalist will be offered the opportunity to take up the scholarship

For further information about the Robin Anderson Film Awards including the submission details and requirements please visit: http://www.robinanderson.org.au/

For further info about the Robin Anderson Scholarship email ikeller@sydneyfilmschool.com or call us on (02) 9698 2244

Since, 1943, the NSW school leaving age has been 15 years, but we now live in very different times. From 2010, as part of the new National Partnerships on Youth Attainment and Transitions, under 17 year olds have a number of options.

They can a) stay at school and continue into Year 11, b) choose to do an apprenticeship or a traineeship, c) study vocational courses at TAFE, d) do a course in higher education, e) do other approved education or training, f) be in employment as long as it is full-time, paid work, or g) do a combination of a number of these options.

In other words, they must 'learn or earn' for more than 25 hours a week.

I have a lot of compassion for the plight of many students who can't see relevance in staying at school.

I've witnessed many leave early, move into apprenticeships and become resounding success stories, but I have also witnessed far more who fail to hold a job or pass trade tests, and become tearful statistics, in and out of the dole queue.

Early School Leavers

Early school leavers do not fair well in a competitive marketplace. Research shows that they are two and a half times more likely to be unemployed, earn lower wages and have poorer quality-of-life outcomes.

The good news is that teenagers can find engaging subjects in senior years that provide the relevance they seek. If not at school, then a school-TAFE combination called TVET.

As we prepare for the Penrith Valley Apprenticeship EXPO, we know that 80 per cent of employers prefer Year-12 school leavers, which is a mirror reverse of the data when I left school.

Times have changed and because we love our kids we must support the rationale behind 'learn or earn'.

Apprenticeship EXPO is on again

Apprenticeship EXPO, Panthers Pavilion 15th Sept

The Penrith Valley Apprenticeship EXPO has hundreds of positions on offer and growing each year.

This year we are expecting another great turn out -and it is free!!

We will heavily promote the theme of 'Bring your Parents' and 'Bring your Resumes' so that parents and teenagers can discuss their options with professional career advisers from the Nepean Careers Forum.

The feedback from last year was stunning, with many exhibitors saying it was the best event they had attended.

Recruiters and employers found last year's EXPO was an excellent way to find talent, as well all the technical details and incentives to make it easy to take on a great trainee or apprentice.

This year we will have many great exhibitors, such as Defence Trades, My Freight Career, C-Mac Industries, Gilbert and Roach, Trivett Pty Ltd, Integral Energy, Austral Refrigeration, Qantas Engineering and dozens more.

The EXPO will be held at Panthers Pavilion, Mulgoa Rd Penrith on September 15, from 5.30pm-9.00pm - and it is free!!