Please continually check COMPASS and the online newsletter for important information and sudden changes in the College’s timetable.

Student free days will be confirmed throughout the school year. 

Term 2

2022 – Term Dates

Term 2, Week 3

At Phoenix we have identified four core areas to target in 2022 and we have called this – The Year to BELIEVE.

We pride ourselves on giving our students opportunities that will extend their learning capabilities and most of all restore belief after two years of COVID.

For example, this year:

• We have our tutors in place across the school and additional learning programs.
• We continue to invest in literacy and numeracy coaches to ensure that our implementation of learning in these domains are innovative. We want to all make certain that every Phoenix student sees themselves as a successful writer, reader and mathematician.
• Last term we proudly installed our Koori mural. It is just one example of our dedication to being more inclusive of our Koori students and connecting with families. The art work of our students is displayed on the external south wall of the LRC.
• We have continued to expand our student leadership program and feel fortunate to have just had our Year 11 leadership camp again. This developmental program will assist any Year 11 student who has the aspiration to be a leader in Year 12. This week, I had the privilege of listening to the project pitches of our Year 11 students.
• We have been invited to join the DET Pilot Project 22 to increase outcomes for students in our school, and in our feeder schools, in the domain of mathematics. This invitation is recognition of the progress we are making as a school and the quality of our learning programs.
• The Resilience Project: Last year we worked towards the 2022 introduction of The Resilience Project for six months. We see this as a pivotal part of the social emotional learning programs that we have in place.

It is through this work each day that we commit to realising our Moral Purpose.

Phoenix P-12 Community College prides itself on the educational opportunities delivered for the students of today as we foster the development of socially respectful and responsible global citizens of tomorrow.

We empower our students to strive for success and excellence in their educational, vocational and personal pathways.

We ensure that emotional wellbeing is fostered within every child and that they leave the College as active, positive members of the community.

Karen Snibson
Principal

– At Phoenix we have a zero-tolerance attitude to violence and aggression of any form to staff and others. We build a thriving community by working positively together to educate our children. –

As a part of our continuing community connection with SpringFest Ballarat, our College community received a donation as thanks for our support and assistance with the SpringFest community market.

Our connection with the Rotary Club of Ballarat is a strong and valued part of our community engagement and our students participate in a range of volunteering opportunities to learn to work with others and positively contribute back to our community.

Last year, our 2021 leadership team assisted with the set up and running of the community market that ran alongside the Carols by Candlelight event at the Ballarat Showgrounds and will this year look forward to assisting at the traditional SpringFest on the lake foreshore.

The 2022 Phoenix College Production is underway and students have been busy preparing for auditions with the cast soon to be announced.

The Addams Family is a musical comedy that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare! Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family–a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before–keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

Performances Dates:

• Thursday June 16^th June
• Friday 17^th June
• Saturday 18^th June

More details to come over the coming months so make sure you save the date!

Stress, stress, more stress and how to manage it.

Signs of Significant Stress

After experiencing significant stress, young people can be left feeling drained and not like themselves. If left unchecked, stress can lead to more serious mental health concerns later on. Young people that have experienced or are experiencing significant stress may demonstrate:

• Sudden irritability, anxiety or anger,
• detachment and depression,
• impacted concentrating,
• impacted appetite,
• interrupted sleep,
• feeling on edge,
• no longer feeling secure in themselves and in the world,
• sensitivity to noises, sights, or smells that remind them of the stress,
• a desire to avoid people, places, things, or activities that remind them of the stress.

What can I do?

• Minimize stress on your child. There is enough happening already, and high levels of stress means there isn’t much brain space left to manage anymore. Keep things simple, have an agreed signal your child can use to indicate if they need some ‘space’ or ‘down time’.
• Create a ‘stress management plan’. Work with the student to create a list of strategies, or a “mental health first aide tool kit”, that they can use whenever they need.
• Show that you care. Simple, but amazingly effective! Find any opportunity to connect and relate to your child. You may not understand what they are going thorough but make genuine attempts to hear and empathize with them.
• Maintain usual routines. Routine, routine, routine! A consistent, predictable structure removes guess work from a child and can elevate stress. It may be helpful for them to have easy and immediate access to a printed and digital copy of their schedule.
• Manage your own mental health. Your ability to care is limited by how you feel, so take proactive steps to support and manage your own mental health so you can be the best possible version of yourself for your child.

Kenneth Anthony Alfred Spedding
Mental Health Practitioner
Educational and Developmental Psychology Registrar

Important Dates

Victorian Careers Show 2022: 12th – 14th May

Victorian Law Week 2022: 16th – 22nd May

The Victorian Careers Show follows on from the success of our flagship event, the VCE and Careers Expo which celebrates its 30th year in 2022!

Thursday 12th – Saturday 14th May, 2022.

Organisations with:

• Information and resources for the VCE
• Information about tertiary study, university, TAFE and training courses
• Career advice
• Study advice
• Employment advice and opportunities
• Apprenticeship and traineeship advice
• International exchange and gap year programs

Check out the program here –  Victorian Careers Show 2022.

There’s something for everyone during Law Week this year!  Law Week is an annual festival of events which makes learning about the law easy.  This year Law Week will look different to last year, but it is going ahead, nonetheless.  With webinars, interviews, information sessions, free legal advice, podcasts, and plenty more, Law Week makes learning about the law easy for all Victorians.

This year, Law Week will take place from Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd May, 2022.

Check out the Victorian Law Week program at Law Week 2022.

REMINDER: University Clinical Aptitude Test 

Students intending to study certain medical, dental, and clinical science degree programs are remined that they may need to sit the UCAT, and applications close on Tuesday 17 May 2022.  The testing dates will be from 1 July 2022 to 12 August 2022.

Find out more and register at UCAT.

New Bachelor of Sustainable Food Systems

Food sustainability is the study of food security, health, safety, quality and affordability, influenced by climate change and the environment.

This unique new degree was developed in collaboration with food industry partners to fulfill the need for food specialists in Australia.  The first half of the degree embeds a Diploma of Food Science and Technology to develop a student’s knowledge and core practical skills across food testing, quality, and sustainability.  In the second half of the degree, students pursue an interest by selecting one of Food Processing or Sustainable Food Production, as well as undertake an industry placement providing valuable and relevant workplace experience.

Find out more at Bachelor of Sustainable Food Systems

Cyber Security Courses at VU

In Term 1, the new Bachelor of Cyber Security was profiled.  VU also offers the following options –

1. Certificate IV in Cyber Security – students develop the knowledge and skills to work in one of the fastest growing sectors, the cyber security and IT industry. They develop skills that involve a blend of problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, data analytics, cloud-based networking, scripting, privacy, and ethics.
2. Advanced Diploma of Cyber Security – a 1-year course suitable for students who already have a strong understanding of cyber security concepts or are looking to pursue a career in the IT industry.
   Note: Students can pathway into the Bachelor of Cyber Security from the Advanced Diploma of Cyber Security, with credit.

Discover Monash Seminar Series

Hear directly from current students, alumni, and staff across our ten faculties. Students are encouraged to register to attend as many of these course information events that might be of interest to them.

Below are seminars taking place in May. Note: some are ZOOM meetings**

Discover What’s Next Seminar Series

RMIT’s Discover What’s Next webinar series commences this week.  These sessions are a great opportunity for students, parents, and school community to discover all there is to know about RMIT and its study areas.  Attendees will hear from staff and students on:

• The campuses and locations
• Course options
• Industry experience
• Global opportunities
• Prerequisites and pathways
• Clubs and societies
• Our graduates

All the seminars are online and will take place from 5.00pm – 6.00pm.  Register for any of the sessions here.

Bachelor of Business: Social Impact Major

Distinguish yourself in the field of socially responsible business.  In this major learn about how businesses can become more socially aware and take concrete action to address social issues and challenges.

Students keen on a business qualification and are keen on using their business practice to solve societal issues and making a positive contribution to society, might like to consider the Social Impact major – RMIT is currently the only university in Australia offering this specialisation.  This major covers the following units –

• Social Enterprise and Innovation
• Law, Business and Human Rights
• Development Economics
• Global Business Sustainability Project
• Sustainable Finance and Investment
• Integrated Reporting for Socially Responsible Entities

 Find out more about the Bachelor of Business here.

Diploma of Visual Arts

When you study visual arts at RMIT, you’ll create a professional folio of work.  This diploma is taught by practicing artists in real studio environments.  All our staff are practitioners with national and international reputation in the arts.  This enables them to connect you to work on projects with industry, other practicing artists, and galleries.

This one-year program is taught in specialised studios specifically designed for each of the specialisation areas.  The core subjects are:

• Establish and maintain safe professional practice
• Prepare for sustainable professional practice
• Analyse cultural history and theory
• Refine drawing
• Realise a body of creative work
• Present a body of your own creative work

Students must also choose three of the following studio specialisations:

1. Fine Art Photography OR,
2. Painting OR,
3. Sculpture OR,
4. Printmaking

There are no minimum academic entry requirements for this program.  Students must be 16 years or over and must complete and submit the Selection Task.

On completion of the Diploma of Visual Arts, students can transition to the Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts.  This is also a one-year qualification, which allows students to further investigate their creative practice with a more specialised focus.

Fashion Textiles and Sustainable Innovations

Technology innovations and improved environmental, social and ethical practices are fundamentally changing how clothes are made, consumed and experienced: from the integration of 2D and 3D virtual fashion and textile design and digital production methods, to material innovations, smart textiles, and the need for improved transparency. 

The Bachelor of Fashion and Textiles (Sustainable Innovation) provides students with the capability to work in diverse roles across the fashion and textiles sector.   Students will gain practical, theoretical, and technical skills to develop solutions, products and systems, using user-centred approaches at the intersection of design, technology, science, and art.

 In this cutting-edge degree, students will delve into sustainability as a concept and goal within fashion and textiles.  They will explore industry-relevant knowledge and projects, ethical and sustainable practices, and material and digital technologies.  Students will also have the opportunity to minor in either fashion design, textile design, or fashion enterprise.

The VCE prerequisite for this course is: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.  The ATAR for 2022 was 67.65.

Studying the Bachelor of Applied Innovation alongside another Degree
Swinburne University is introducing the Bachelor of Applied Innovation to be studied in conjunction with a number of other degrees.  With just one extra year, students get to graduate with a double degree.

Depending on the degree a student chooses to study alongside the Bachelor of Applied Innovation, various skills will be developed, including –

• a student’s collaboration, creativity, and complex problem-solving skills in real-world contexts.
• how to apply innovation toolkits, prototype solutions and participate in challenges such as innovation sprints inspired by their passions and interests.
• gaining the practical and technical skills to think strategically about how to employ innovative ideas in their studies and in the broader society.
• learning how to make decisions of impact, based on analytical and strategic thinking, human understanding, and respect for future generations – with supporting technological know-how.
• undertaking placements, internships or industry-based project work, and benefit from interdisciplinary, experiential learning. Students will tap into their creativity, curiosity, and leadership potential as they gain the skills to build a better future.

The following double degrees including Applied Innovation are on offer.  Students are encouraged to browse the links that provide more details about the core and major units on offer in the Applied Innovation degree as they do differ from double degree to double degree:

• Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Animation/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Aviation/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Business Information Systems/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Computer Science/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Games and Interactivity/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Media and Communication/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Innovation
• Bachelor of Screen Production/Bachelor of Applied Innovation

Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship and Innovation)

Entrepreneurs are innovators. They see opportunities, anticipate needs, solve problems, make plans, take risks, and build teams.

Whether students are hatching an idea, wanting to know how to launch their own venture, or looking to create competitive advantage within an existing organisation, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation major within the Bachelor of Business provides the tools and knowledge.

With plenty of hands-on learning, students will develop the type of fresh thinking required to build, launch, and scale a start-up business or social venture.

Students will discover how to differentiate an idea from a real opportunity, use innovation theory to maximise that opportunity, and learn how to create desirable, viable business models.  They will also develop their strategic thinking and planning skills, explore business models, learn to interpret sales and marketing opportunities, build a team and source capital funding.

A guaranteed ATAR of 60.00 is required, and the VCE prerequisites are: VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or equivalent.

Snapshot of La Trobe University in 2022

• La Trobe is just over 50 years old having enrolled its first students in 1967.
• La Trobe University has been ranked in the world’s top 1.1 per cent of the world’s universities in the Times Higher Education Universities Rankings and is one of the world’s best young universities.
• La Trobe University is now ranked in the world’s top 250 universities by Times Higher Education World University rankings 2021 – and in the top 1% of universities worldwide – Rankings & Ratings.
• La Trobe has more than 36 000 students and over 3 000 staff, with many courses on offer including numerous double degree options, and postgraduate courses too.
• La Trobe has a number of campuses and residential facilities.
• Over 50% of students who study at the Bendigo campus come from outside of Bendigo – La Trobe – Bendigo with over 500 students living on campus – La Trobe Bendigo Accommodation.
• La Trobe offers many scholarships including access and equity scholarships, as well as academic merit scholarships.
• Student Exchange opportunities are extensive at La Trobe.
• La Trobe ensures that there are opportunities for students to develop skills beyond the knowledge they are gaining at university through work experience, volunteering, and student exchange opportunities, etc.
• The excellent Global Markets Accelerator Program is one example of aiding entrepreneurial students in connecting with markets beyond Australia.
• La Trobe has the following Schools and Departments:
• La Trobe Business School
• La Trobe Law School
• La Trobe Rural Health School
• School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment
• School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport
• School of Applied Systems Biology
• School of Cancer Medicine
• School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
• School of Education
• School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• School of Nursing and Midwifery
• School of Psychology and Public Health
• La Trobe’s Student Excellence Academy provides life changing support and enrichment opportunities that expand current study and employment advantages to students.
• La Trobe also offers an Early Admissions program called Aspire. This program is designed to acknowledge secondary students who work hard to make positive changes in their schools and communities through volunteering.   The Aspire Early Admissions Program acknowledges a student’s volunteering efforts when they apply.  As a successful applicant, students receive an offer into their course in September before they receive their ATAR – Aspire Early Admissions Program and are eligible for one of 40 Aspire Scholarships.
• Recently introduced courses include archaeology, business analytics, innovation and technology, languages and linguistics, sports analytics.
• There has also been a recent restructure of some courses offered in Allied Health – Health.

You can find more information about Online Safety here:

eSafety Commissioner Webpage: https://www.esafety.gov.au/

The eSafety Guide: Learn about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report harmful content – https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide

Parent Resources: Downloadable resources to help you start the chat about online safety issues and strategies with your child. Resources include:

• Videos
• Books
• Information sheets
• Audio files
• Family tech agreements
• Activities
• COVID-19 advice

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources

World Education Program Australia Ltd (WEP Australia) is an independent, incorporated, not-for-profit/registered charity Australian student exchange organisation registered and approved by the education departments/regulatory authorities in The Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

WEP organises high school exchange program for both Australia and International students (mainly from Europe and North America).

We are currently looking for volunteer host families for international students arriving in July this year!

Click here to register now!

TheirCare provides a stimulating and safe environment for all children and an environment where children from and enjoy their time in their program. During sessions children develop life skills, friendships, confidence and creativity through play.

Our school has partnered with an independent provider TheirCare to provide Before, After Care and Holiday Care services to our school community.

The program services the children in the school from 7:00am in the morning until 8.50am and operates from 3:15pm each day until 6:00pm.

During school holidays the service will operate from 7:00am until 6:00pm.

Families wishing to use this service can visit the TheirCare website: http://theircare.com.au/.

Families are also eligible for a government rebate which reduces the cost per session. Further information can also be obtained by contacting the school or ringing TheirCare on: 1300 072 410.

• TheirCare – Program Information
• TheirCare – Parent Handbook
• TheirCare – First Week Newsletter

Monday 30th May or Monday 6th June

12:30pm – 2:15pm

– 1 hour Alumni Session and 45-minute lunch for casual Q+A’s

– Graduated from Phoenix P-12 Community College College, Sebastopol College or as previously known to you.

– 2 x Alumni per session

Are you interested? Contact our Alumni Coordinator, Kirby via alumni@phoenix.vic.edu.au

Register Your Details

Stay updated with Alumni Achievements and Stories via our Alumni Facebook Page.