Ping! Edition 39 - 22 April 2020

Dear Student

Ping! welcome to a fresh special edition for 2020.

You normally won't receive an edition of Ping! during the semester break. However, due to the unusual times we find ourselves in, you deserve special editions.

Reminder: If you need ANY help at all during these unprecedented times, the Flinders Support Network is here for you.

As always, the information contained within this email is accurate at time of sending, but remember to keep an eye on the coronavirus website for the latest updates - the situation is evolving regularly.

In this edition of Ping!:

Flinders Support Network
Like a Boss series continues
A mental health plan tailored to you
Matthew Flinders Scholarships close soon
Are you from the Barossa Valley region? You may be eligible for $3,000!
Changes to assessment due to COVID-19

Flinders University Student Association at your house
Important - last day to withdraw without failure is 15 May
Online Hub
Last week's competition winners
Find the winning article to win one of 4 Uber Eats vouchers

The Flinders Support Network doesn't take a break

The Flinders Support Network is an ongoing service to make sure you can access the wide variety of academic, financial and wellbeing support available to help you.

If you would like a Flinders staff member to contact you to provide more information about the support available, please complete this brief Flinders Support Network questionnaire (only takes a minute). Someone from the Student Experience team will be in contact within a few days.

Managing stress... like a boss!

Welcome to the fourth blog in our video series "... like a Boss". Join Dr Lauren Butterworth as she helps you manage stress... Like a Boss.

Stress is totally normal. This video will show you how you can manage your stress and turn it into a force for good in your life.

Don't let stress take control of your study and your life. Watch the video by clicking the image or visit our student blog.

Introducing the be well plan

The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, in conjunction with Flinders University, are responding to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis by making The Wellbeing and Resilience Centre’s renowned mental health training available online - for a limited release - free of charge.

The program is being pilot tested by students in the college of Education, Psychology & Social Work.

Be sure to take advantage of this amazing opportunity to undertake mental health training prepared by expert researchers and mental health professionals for a limited release for free.

Matthew Flinders Scholarship – hurry, applications close Monday 27 April

If you plan to apply for the Matthew Flinders Scholarship and haven’t done so already, applying is easy. Just follow the instructions on the scholarship page. If you have started your application, but not yet submitted it, make sure you do this before the closing date (11:59pm Monday 27 April). We’ve also had some questions regarding supporting documentation. Here is some clarification around what you will need to submit with your application:

A list of bank transactions from your financial institution from the 1 March 2020 to the current date (that you are applying for the scholarship). What you need to provide: A bank statement that matches these dates.
Confirmation of your current financial situation, including evidence. This includes (where applicable): current financial assistance from foreign governments, employment income and changes to employment income, cessation of employment, external scholarships, and evidence of ineligibility for Centrelink benefits. What you need to provide: Please upload as many of these documents as possible. If none of these documents are relevant to your situation, please upload a word document with one sentence confirming you don’t receive any support and that you have not been working in Australia.
Evidence of financial hardship due to COVID-19. What you need to provide: Please upload documentation to support this such as letters from employers, payslips, reductions in government assistance or other evidence of financial hardship caused by COVID-19. If none of these documents are relevant to your situation, please upload a word document with a short summary of how you have been experiencing financial hardship (or expect to experience financial hardship) due to COVID-19.

Apply today

Are you from the Barossa Valley region? You may be eligible for $3,000!

You may be eligible for $3,000 in financial support through The Rotary Club of the Barossa Valley Foundation Scholarship if you:

started a full-time undergraduate degree this year
are an Australian or New Zealand Citizen, or an Australian permanent resident
can demonstrate financial hardship
lived in the Barossa Valley region for the five years prior to commencing university study; and
have been an active community member – e.g. that you can demonstrate participation in school or community activities in the Barossa Valley/Eden Valley area.

Applying is simple. Visit the scholarships webpage for full eligibility criteria and details on how to apply. Hurry, applications close Monday, 4 May.

Changes to assessment for Semester 1, 2020

Due to the changes necessary to teaching and learning during the first half of 2020, adjustments have been made to assessment and topic grading. It is important that you read and understand these changes that may affect you.

Please see here for full details.

Flinders University Student Association at home

Have you heard about FUSA @ Home? Flinders University Student Association (FUSA) runs an online social space where you can kick back, relax and interact. Dedicated to Flinders Uni students, FUSA @ Home is a little slice of nice for the student community. It’s your space to share, get creative, and become involved in our online events, clubs & more!

You can join the group here.

Last day to withdraw without failure is Friday 15 May

We must draw your attention to the fact that the final day to withdraw without failure from Semester 1 topics is Friday 15 May.

Want to WIN one of four $25 Uber Eats vouchers? Click here to enter.

Congratulations to our $25 Uber eats voucher winners

Congratulations go to Salina C, Anna S, Dilip K and Simon E. You have each one a $25 Uber eats voucher!

In this competition we asked you what your watching on Netflix/STAN at the moment. The most popular results were: Brooklyn 99, Suits, Terrace House and Unorthodox. We haven't even heard of some of these titles, so thanks for sharing!

Duck socks are this isolation season's must have item

And our lucky duck winners this week are: Caleigh J, Angel S, Scarlett C, Jiulin L, and Nicole DeL.

Congratulations to all our winners!

If you missed out this time, do not despair, there will be more chances to win...


	Matthew Flinders Scholarship Have you applied? If not, apply NOW. The scholarship closing date is 27 April 2020. You could be successful in getting the $2,000. Be positive. Be confident. Are you eligible? Yes, if you are an International student currently studying onshore, not sponsored and facing serious financial difficulties due to COVID -19. Submit your applications online through the Flinders University Student System (access via Okta). Login and go to the My Scholarships tab. The application form is "Matthew Flinders Scholarship". Read the how to apply page. Make sure your personal details are updated in the Student System. If successful it will be paid into your nominated Australian Bank Account in two equal instalments after the Semester 1 and Semester 2 census dates.
	Ladies, do you need an interest free loan? Deadline 25 April 2020. Charity Australia International in collaboration with Women Support Centre and Islamic forum for Australian Muslims (IFAM) is pleased to offer Qarz-e-Hasna for International female students to support themselves. Qarz-e-Hasna is a loan that is provided to assist you in times of need and when you are able, you can pay this back in instalments to help others in need. Application form here.
	Got a favourite recipe? Why not share it with your fellow students by submitting an article for our blog? Send a step by step guide to us at student.experience@flinders.edu.au of your favourite recipe to cook at home. If you wish, you can include a picture of yourself with your finished meal too (not compulsory). If we publish your blog, you will receive a pair of our coveted duck socks!


We want your feedback! If you have feedback about the Ping! all student newsletter, we'd love to hear it. Email your feedback through to: student.experience@flinders.edu.au
Do you have an article for Ping? Students are invited to submit articles for Ping! if they meet the criteria outlined in the Ping! guidelines. Visit the Ping! page on the current students website to view the Ping! guidelines, FAQs and to submit an article.

The information contained in this newsletter is for general information purposes only. Flinders University makes every effort to ensure the information is up to date and correct, but makes no representations or provides no warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information contained in this newsletter. Flinders University does not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided.