From the Futures Team
Futures Update – Week 7
This week we have been focussing on Year 12 with lots of information shared about Early Offers, Money Matters, Scholarships and different pathways into university courses.
One student had a wonderful week on work experience at Taronga Zoo. These opportunities are very rare. Please read Christine’s story about her week below.
External Important Dates
University Open Days – use links to register
| Date | University |
| 6 September | ACU North Sydney |
| 6 September | UNSW |
| 6 September | UTAS – Rozelle |
| 6 September | National Art School |
| 13 September | Sydney Design School |
| 18 September | USYD – Open Night Webinar |
External Opportunities
Year 7 and 8
UN Youth- Junior Leadership Summit
20 – 21 September 2025
University of Technology, Sydney
The Junior Leadership Summit (JLS) is an engaging introduction to UN Youth, designed specifically for younger students eager to develop their leadership, problem-solving, and advocacy skills and gain the confidence and knowledge needed to become active changemakers.
Registration Form – The registration fee is $50.00 per person.
Registrations close – 6 September at 11:59pm.
For more information, contact the Convenor, Sathya Gururajan, at nswjlw@unyouth.org.au.
Year 11 and 12
Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) at JCU
Learn more about the course structure, the application process, and the future demand for jobs in this sector.
Date: Tuesday 9 September 2025
Time: 7 pm – 8 pm (AEST)
Webinar: Register here
Free HSC Study Sessions. 29th September to 3rd October. Western Sydney Uni.
Learn more: Free HSC Study Sessions | Western Sydney University
Teaching and Psychology at ACU. 1st October.
Doctor For a Day With MedView | Sydney
Practice Being a Doctor For a Day! An unforgettable hands-on experience designed for high school students with dreams of becoming a doctor.
Date: Saturday September 13 2025
Time: 11am – 4pm
In-person: UNSW Register here
School Leavers Money Bible
All of the “money stuff” Year 12 school leavers need to know about.
Click here to download
Taronga Zoo
Christine Leung – Year 12
I completed a five-day work experience placement at Taronga Wildlife Hospital within Taronga Zoo, gaining valuable insight into animal care and treatment for wildlife animals. During the first and second day, I gained hands-on exposure to animal care and quarantine procedures. After a little penguin was released back to the wild, I cleaned its enclosure, as well as the enclosure of two ringtail possums. I also prepared browse for the possums to replicate their natural habitat in preparation for their move to a larger roofless enclosure. I also had the opportunity to feed a loggerhead turtle and, although challenging, witnessed the euthanasia of two dusty moorhen chicks, which highlighted the realities of animal welfare decisions. To support veterinary care, I prepared gauze swabs and observed the behaviour of animals in quarantine, including a noisy pitta, two feathertail gliders, and a quokka undergoing crate training who will be added to the Taronga Zoo collection if no diseases are detected over a 4 week period. The strict biosecurity policy required all staff to wear rubber boots that remained inside the quarantine area to prevent cross-contamination. On day three, I helped with supporting education activities, as the vets and nurses were in a lengthy team meeting. I assisted an education officer in delivering a session to a group of Year 6 students, helping them learn about and interact with wildlife.
On day four, I was able to prepare meals for all animals in the Wildlife Hospital, carefully measuring food portions to the gram and ensuring dietary variety to prevent boredom. I also carried out husbandry tasks, including cleaning and changing the water in a long-necked turtle’s tub, and maintaining bird cages in the small animal ward by replacing newspaper and water bowls while preventing escapes. To enrich their environment, I collected and added browse to the birds’ enclosures. On day five, I observed several veterinary procedures involving animals under anaesthesia. A king quail was examined to assess the healing of a fractured leg, and a dental x-ray was taken using camera-sized equipment, requiring his feet to be taped down. A fig parrot was also anaesthetised after keepers suspected an amputation might be needed, but the injury was limited to the second digit of its claw and no surgery was required. I then observed a potoroo, long-term at the Wildlife Hospital, undergo assessment for return to the Wildlife Retreat. Although clear of Salmonella, it showed hip issues on its left hip causing uneven weight-bearing and a callus on his right hind foot, so multiple x-rays were taken before its release and the keepers were also informed to monitor him closely to avoid further complications. Lastly, a quokka received a routine check-up for its second week in quarantine, including blood tests, to confirm it was disease-free before joining the zoo.
At last, all the vets and vet nurses were incredibly kind and patient with teaching me how to carry out different tasks within the Wildlife Hospital. This experience deepened my passion for veterinary medicine, improved my knowledge of animal husbandry and veterinary care for wildlife animals, also enhancing my ability of working independently and as a team, showing me Taronga Zoo’s commitment to animal welfare and education.
