Education & Industry
Pathways & Opportunity
Working Together |
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| | | | EVENTS FROM APRIL - JUNEVisiting Experts Visiting Expert – Kelen Polli Visiting expert Kelen Polli, QLD Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year, visited local schools from Wednesday, 21 May to Friday, 23 May 2025, engaging with students through a series of presentations and interactive activities focused on engineering pathways, resilience and the diverse opportunities available in the profession. During her visit, Kelen presented at Bentley Park College, Cairns State High School, Gordonvale State High School, Mareeba State High School, Trinity Anglican School and Trinity Bay State High School. Feedback from schools was very positive, with many highlighting Kelen’s engaging presentation style, the hands-on activities, and the way she inspired students by sharing her own career journey and experiences in engineering. Kelen’s visit provided students with valuable insight into the many different pathways within engineering, while also encouraging them to stay curious, embrace challenges and consider future careers in STEM.
Visiting Expert – Professor Anthony Gray Visiting expert Professor Anthony Gray from Bond University visited local schools from Tuesday, 13 May to Friday, 16 May 2025, engaging with students through a series of presentations and workshops focused on legal studies and topics connected to classroom learning. During his visit, Professor Gray presented at Bentley Park College, Mareeba State High School, Redlynch State College, St Andrew’s Catholic College, St Augustine’s College, St Mary’s College, St Monica’s College and Trinity Bay State High School. He also delivered a Legal Studies Teacher Professional Development session at St Monica’s College and attended Breakfast with the Law at Rydges Esplanade Resort. Schools provided very positive feedback, with many noting that Professor Gray’s sessions were engaging, thought-provoking and highly relevant to the curriculum. His visit allowed students and teachers to explore complex legal concepts in a practical and accessible way, while encouraging discussion, critical thinking and deeper engagement with legal studies.
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Onsite Visits Over the period from April to June 2025, students took part in a range of industry site visits and iEngage experiences, providing valuable opportunities to experience workplaces firsthand and learn more about different industries and career pathways. Visits and industry experiences during this period included: Nautilus – 8 May 2025: St Monica’s College Tropical Reef Shipyard – 20 May 2025: St Monica’s College Cairns Hardware – 22 May 2025: St Andrew’s Catholic College Jet Aviation – 22 May 2025: St Andrew’s Catholic College and St Monica’s College Cairns Hardware – 29 May 2025: Freshwater Christian College Ergon Energy – 29 May 2025: Babinda P–10 School, Bentley Park College, Cairns State High School, Cairns School of Distance Education, MacKillop Catholic College, Malanda State High School, Peace Lutheran College, Smithfield State High School, St Andrew’s Catholic College and Tully State High School Norship – 3 June 2025: Bentley Park College and St Monica’s College Norweld – 3 June 2025: Djarragun College
Employers enjoyed the opportunity to host, and teachers and students shared positive feedback about the quality of the experiences and the value the visits provided. Site visits are an important part of the BLA program because they give students direct exposure to real workplaces, helping them better understand industry expectations and providing opportunities to see the wide range of career opportunities available to them. Thank you to our industry partners who generously host students and support this valuable program. |
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Aspire and DATTA Awards and Competitions Award and competition season was well underway between April and June 2025, with several application periods closing and a number of student competitions taking place across the region. The Interschool Mathematics Competition was held at Newman Catholic College on 15 May 2025. Students demonstrated their mathematical knowledge, teamwork, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills while competing against students from other schools. The ECOMAN Competition was held over two days on 22–23 May 2025. Students took responsibility for managing a simulated business and were required to make important executive decisions across areas such as sales, staffing, finance and environmental considerations. The Pacifica Chartered Accountants Mock Court Competition was held on 27 May 2025 at the Cairns District Court. The competition allowed students to develop their legal knowledge, advocacy, public-speaking and critical-thinking skills in a realistic courtroom environment.
Applications also closed for several Aspire awards and competitions during this period, including: Pacifica Chartered Accountants Mock Court Competition - Applications Closed 7 April 2025 ECOMAN Competition - Applications Closed 10 May 2025 Interschool Mathematics Competition - Applications Closed 15 May 2025 Cairns Show Association Billboard Competition - Applications Closed 23 May 2025 Mario Calanna North Queensland Debating Competition - Applications Closed 20 June 2025 Salt House Restaurant Culinary Challenge - Applications Closed 24 June 2025 These awards and competitions provide students with valuable opportunities to develop practical skills, showcase their abilities and connect classroom learning with industry and career pathways. To see the full list of awards and closing dates, head to our website BLA Awards & Competitions |
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| | Industry Breakfast – Breakfast with the Law The 2025 Breakfast with the Law, held on 16 May 2025, brought together 85 students and 10 teachers, along with guest speakers, sponsors and BLA representatives. The event provided students with a valuable opportunity to engage with members of the legal profession and learn more about legal careers, university pathways and professional practice. Participating schools included Freshwater Christian College, Gordonvale State High School, St Andrew’s Catholic College, St Augustine’s College, St Mary’s Catholic College, St Monica’s College and Trinity Bay State High School. Students heard from legal professionals who shared their career experiences, industry knowledge and advice for those considering a future in law. The presentations encouraged students to think critically, ask questions and gain a stronger understanding of the diverse opportunities available within the legal profession. Featured guest speakers: - Professor Anthony Gray | Law Professor | Bond University
- Chloe Parsons-Pope | Solicitor, Commercial Litigation | Scoglio Law
- Jade Campbell | Law Graduate | Knowmore Legal Service
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Industry Breakfast – Ergon Energy Young Leaders Breakfast The 2025 Ergon Energy Young Leaders Breakfast, held on 30 May 2025, brought together 106 students, 18 teachers and 21 guest speakers, sponsors and event representatives. The event provided students with a valuable opportunity to hear directly from leaders across different industries and gain insights into leadership, career development and personal growth. Participating schools and groups included Atherton State High School, Babinda P–12 State School, Cairns School of Distance Education, Freshwater Christian College, Gordonvale State High School, Kuranda District State College, MacKillop Catholic College, Newman Catholic College, Smithfield State High School, St Monica’s College, St Stephen’s Catholic College, Study Cairns, Trinity Anglican School and Woree State High School. Students heard from a diverse panel of speakers who shared their career journeys, leadership experiences and the challenges they had overcome. A key message throughout the event was that leadership looks different for everyone and that being a leader does not mean having to be the loudest person in the room. Students also learnt about the value of mentors, perseverance and the many different pathways that can lead to a fulfilling career. Featured guest speaker: - Ms Millie Faulkner | Strategy & Solutions Lead - News Xtend and Chair of Cairns Young Chamber of Commerce
- Mr Seb Vergara | Technology Innovation Engineer at Ergon Energy
- Ms Amy Spiller | Finance Broker at Astute Finance
- Mr Marcus MacDonald-Camden | Participation Lead at AFL QLD
- Ms Kayla Childs | Senior Associate at MacDonnell’s Law and Vice Chair of Cairns Young Chamber
- Mr Kyle Richardson | Managing Director at FNQ Podiatry & Orthotics
- Ms Claudia Galea | Director of Sales at Pullman International
Feedback Highlights: “Students appreciated hearing how the speakers had overcome hardships and developed their leadership skills through different life and career experiences.” “Many students valued the message that leadership looks different for everyone and can be a pathway for people from all backgrounds.” “The importance of mentors was a strong theme, with students enjoying the speakers’ advice, personal stories and different perspectives on leadership.”
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IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY |
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| Monday, 14 July 2025 | Term 3 Starts
Wednesday, 16–Friday, 18 July 2025 | Cairns Show
Friday, 18 July 2025 | Cairns Show Public Holiday
Tuesday, 22 July 2025 | iEngage - Norweld [10.30 am–12.00 pm]
Wednesday, 23 July 2025 | JCU Mediation Competition - Applications Closed
Friday, 25 July 2025 | JCU Cairns Open Day
Monday, 28 July–Friday, 1 August 2025 | Visiting Author - Richard Yaxley
Tuesday, 29 July 2025 | BDO Big Day Out [9.30 Am–11.30 Am]
Tuesday, 5 August 2025 | iEngage - Norweld [10.30 Am–12.00 Pm]
Thursday, 7 August 2025 | Cairns Hardware Site Visit
Monday, 11–Friday, 15 August 2025 | RACI School Lecture Series - Associate Professor Rowan Young, UQ
Thursday, 14 August 2025 | Miller Harris Lawyers Professional Site Visit For Legal Studies Students [10.00 Am–12.00 Pm]
Friday, 15 August 2025 | Excellence In Business Awards - Applications Closed
Wednesday, 20 August 2025 | Department Of Education Early Childhood Education Awards - Applications Closed
Wednesday, 20 August 2025 | Careers Expo Welcome Function
Wednesday, 20–Friday, 22 August 2025 | Catholic Education Conference - Cairns Convention Centre
Thursday, 21 August 2025 | Cairns Careers Expo
Tuesday, 26 August 2025 | iEngage - Jet Aviation [10.30 am–12.00 pm]
Thursday, 28 August 2025 | Carey Connect
Friday, 29 August 2025 | Department Of Education Far North Literary Competition - Applications Closed
Friday, 29 August 2025 | Tong Sing Award For Excellence In Health And Physical Education - Applications Closed
Wednesday, 3 September 2025 | Cairns Lawyers Legal Studies Essay Competition - Applications Closed
Wednesday, 3 September 2025 | Miller Harris Lawyers Professional Site Visit For Administration And Reception Roles [10.00 Am–12.00 Pm]
Friday, 5 September 2025 | Brett Moller Legal Bursaries Awards - Applications Closed
Friday, 5 September 2025 | Cairns Catholic Education Historical Writing Competition - Applications Closed
Friday, 5 September 2025 | Ergon Energy Innovation Awards - Applications Closed
Friday, 5 September 2025 | Keith Goodwin Memorial Scholarships In Accounting And Business - Applications Closed
Friday, 5 September 2025 | MiHaven Training Hospitality And Tourism Awards - Applications Closed
Friday, 5 September 2025 | Ports North Environmental Awards - Applications Closed
Friday, 5 September 2025 | Medical Sciences Awards - Applications Closed
Monday, 8 September 2025 | Excellence In Visual Arts Awards - Applications Closed
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 | Excellence In Performing Arts Awards - Applications Closed
Friday, 12 September 2025 | Agricultural Futures Awards - Applications Closed
Friday, 12 September 2025 | CQUniversity Digital Technologies Awards - Applications Closed
Friday, 12 September 2025 | Right At Home Business Planning Competition - Applications Closed
Tuesday, 16 September 2025 | Mario Calanna North Queensland Debating Competition - Competition Date
Saturday, 20 September 2025 | School Holidays Begin |
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