In Knowledge there is Opportunity' - 'In Knowledge there is Opportunity'
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‘In Knowledge there
is Opportunity’
September 2020, Issue 9
RETURNING TO SCHOOL are so many success stories, in the midst of unwanted
Week 1 – Term 4 difference. Finally it is with a huge sense of gratitude
All students flexible and remote learning / vulnerable that I see the numbers of active COVID-19 cases in our
and essential services worker children on-site. community and around the State decline. Hopefully this
Monday, 5th October: VCE English Assessment. will mean that we can be together again soon.
Wednesday, 7th October: GAT assessment.
Friday, 9th October: Transition program – return to
school Prep and Grade 1, Year 7 and Year 12.
Week 2 – Term 4
Monday, 12th October: All students and staff return to
face-to-face teaching and learning.
When we are back together we will be working with a
focus on ensuring that students are supported to
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT transition back to a learning routine quickly and
Message of Gratitude positively. We are planning for additional supports, both
I’m writing this Newsletter on the first day of Spring and from a wellbeing and academic perspective, to ensure
when I was out for my morning run today it was a chilly, that no Phoenix student is left behind as a result of this
1 degree. During my run I had some time to think about pandemic. Stay well.
the things that I am most grateful for as the Principal of Mrs Karen Snibson—Principal
Phoenix:
#1. Our students. Our kids have been super; they have
MIDDLE/SENIOR SCHOOL REPORT
had a go, engaged, been the best they can and have
Light at the end of the tunnel!
been tolerant. A huge well done to you. I can’t wait to
These are exciting days as we start marking off the
have you back, school is lonely without you.
calendar until we can return to school. At this stage it
#2. Our families. As parents your role as the first
looks like Week 2 of Term 4, so there’s still plenty of
educators of your children is a respected one that has
time to find and clean those school shoes, empty the
never been truer than now. You have done an amazing
mould from school bags and remember locker codes and
job to help us keep your children learning, well and
passwords.
connected. Hopefully you will all be sending them to
school again very soon. This is an exciting and busy time. VCE/VCAL are
#3. Our amazing staff teams. Your readiness to embrace completing course work, beginning to revise and
change and challenge has been outstanding!! Where complete projects. Years 8-10 are completing subject
would we be without you? The processes and selection for 2021. Year 10’s will take part in a safe-
expectation of adaptation have been relentless and driver session with Vic Roads in Week 3. Year 9’s will
ongoing and never have you faltered. have personalised Morrisby Career pathway interviews
in Week 4. New Year 6 students will begin their
I have a mantra that I truly believe in; Phoenix kids can
transition to secondary school. Despite the craziness,
do anything they put their minds to, if we believe in
and sadness in some cases of COVID-19, nothing will
them and encourage them to succeed. Right now there
stop us from being the best that we can be.
Phoenix Food Frenzy
To prepare for school return it might be good to look at
In other news, our Year 11 VCAL students have been
COMPASS. Are there some essential tasks that could still
working hard all term to prepare to open the first
be completed? Did you edit that writing piece or submit
Phoenix café run by students for students! This week
your design? Have you answered those or some of those
their uniforms and loyalty cards were delivered to
questions? When we return it will be great to spend time
school. Watch this space for exciting new updates.
doing the hands-on tasks that were difficult at home or
in remote learning. Is it time to practise being away from
phones and devices during the day? Have you started or
kept regular sleeping patterns? Have you made positive
connections with friends even if you haven’t seen them?
Most importantly, although social media and technology
has kept us connected and able to teach and learn, it can
also be an unsafe platform. Please make sure you have
checked your security settings, you check the validity of
sites that are visited, report sites or connections that
make you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Remember our
College value of ‘Responsibility’ means we are ABLE to
RESPOND. So let’s make sure we are safe, secure and in
control of our dealings and responses with others – in Fraser Davies, Brody Benson and Jeremy Wong
person and online.
“It is not only for what we do that we are held Remote Learning – A Reminder About Expectations
responsible, but also for what we do not do” - Moliere Students will need to be responsible for their learning.
Ms Angela Quinn—Assistant Principal They will need to ensure they are following their regular
timetable during the day, checking lesson plans on
COMPASS for task instructions and checking their school
VCAL/VET REPORT
email regularly during the school day. It is an expectation
VCAL Excellence
that ALL students are present in online lessons via
A huge shout out to senior students Taylah Dawson,
Webex to meet their attendance requirements for the
Peace Aziawor and Rhiannon Gerlach who showed
VCAL certificate and receive support from their teachers.
leadership and care for their peers by organising care
packages for all Year 12 students, acknowledging this
VET hours
year looks very different than the one they had planned
As we get to the pointy end of the year, a reminder that
for their final year of school. The project saw media
students MUST complete the mandatory number of VET
attention from The Courier and WIN News and was a
hours to pass their VCAL or VCE certificate. This means
great example of community spirit in this difficult time.
attending ALL online classes, completing and submitting
Well done ladies!
required work and attending on-site practical classes
where required.
Stay safe and keep smiling!
Miss Kiya Eberle—VCAL/VET Coordinator
Helpful Parent Information
https://www.dove.com/au/dove-self-esteem-project.html
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.
NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER families uploaded into the data base. If you have any queries
What a great job you are all doing assisting the children with regarding payment – please contact Lorraine Hayes (Business
their Online Learning. Manager) for clarification or assistance.
2021 ENROLMENT PROCESS - UPDATE PREP 2021 UNIFORM AND BOOKLISTS
Families enrolling their child for Prep 2021 should have Some families are very keen to organise their child’s uniform
already either had a telephone interview or have one and booklist. The uniform requirements were included in your
scheduled with BJ Overstead. If you are intending to enrol a enrolment pack and Lowes and Crockers
Prep 2021 and have not been involved in the process please have stock and discounts available.
call the General Office to make sure your child is included in Booklists will be ready soon and you will
the transition and orientation process. be notified when available online for
your completion and payment. Further
YEAR 7 2021
details will be distributed when ready.
Thank you for attending your telephone
interviews. What a fantastic result. ORIENTATION AND TRANSITION
If you still have some forms to lodge with Further information regarding Orientation and Transition will
the General Office, please make sure you be released once firm plans are in place, so keep in touch.
lodge them as soon as possible so our legal
COMPASS IS IMPORTANT
enrolment document requirements will be
COMPASS ACCESS - VITAL TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE
met.
Please remember, you need access to COMPASS to keep up
New families to Phoenix P-12 Community College 2021
with life at Phoenix College. Each family has a unique login
Year 7 2021 enrolment interviews have been conducted over
and password. If you have difficulty logging on or do not have
the past two weeks for all new Year 7 families commencing at
your logon password, please do not hesitate to contact the
Phoenix P-12 Community College in 2021. If you have missed
General Office 5329 3293.
out on your telephone interview, or not received any
information and intend to enrol at Phoenix P-12 Community MAINTAINING FAMILY DETAILS
College for 2021, please contact the General Office ASAP to Thank you to all those families who are continually updating
ensure your child is included in our numbers and enjoys a their contact details. It is really important at a time like this to
seamless transition. have current information and be able to contact you if
necessary.
Current Grade 6 students already attending Phoenix P-12
Community College FAMILY ACCOUNTS
Our current Year 6 students’ families have not been included Thank you to families who continue to make payments on the
in this interview process, but will have received emails and family accounts. I have some families asking about their
current family information we have already on CASES21. If statement balances. We are still unsure of excursions and
there is any information that is not current on those print activity plans for Term 4 so will keep you updated once school
outs, please either update your data on COMPASS or contact attendance and normal programs resume. We have allocated
the office and update your payments as they come in to family account as credits which
details. Please make sure will remain on the account for allocation later. I will be
you have returned all sending out family statements at the end of this week to each
relevant forms as soon as family. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to
possible if you have not contact us.
done so. COLLEGE GROUNDS - How good do our grounds look?
LAPTOP 1:1 Program 2021 I would like to acknowledge the great work of our grounds
Information regarding the LAPTOP 1:1 program was included personnel. We are very lucky to have such a lovely learning
in the enrolment packs emailed to families. Thank you to environment and I thank the grounds team for their fantastic
those who have already made a payment, much appreciated. work across our three campuses.
Payments can be made directly at the General Office via
telephone call, or in person at any time.
Distribution of the LAPTOPS is planned
for Orientation Day and again details will
be released once confirmed. Payment
would be appreciated prior to that date.
Your invoices (including BPAY details) will
be emailed to you once we have all
in Term 4 to secure a successful pathway that suits
them. All Year 12 students in both VCE and VCAL are
encouraged to check in with MIPS before leaving after
the stress of exams and final assessments to ensure that
they have a positive destination.
University Applications For job opportunities and all of our current careers
Timely VTAC applications are due to close on 30th news, please join the Phoenix P-12 Community College
September. We encourage all Year 12’s looking to make Careers Centre Facebook page.
a University application to do so before this date. A
timely application costs $41. A late application (anything
after 30th September) will cost $119, so there is real
incentive to get applications finished early.
Scholarships
Students should be filling in the scholarship section of
VTAC to be eligible for a scholarship in 2021. Many
Universities have their own scholarships as well, so
students keen to apply need to research their options.
Support is available for those willing to do the extra
work. Contact the Careers Department for support if you
need it.
Living on Residence
Students looking to move into on-site University
accommodation (Res) in 2021 should apply now to avoid
missing out. Please be aware that many Universities
charge a fee to apply. Deakin University applications are
free for all campuses.
VCE Results and ATAR release dates
This year, students will receive their VCE results on 30th
December. There is a change of preference period until
the 4th January 2021. This is far from ideal and
completely beyond our control. This is a vulnerable time
for students and one that we need to support as much
as possible. Further information about school support
will be in future Newsletters. For this reason we
encourage students to have a range of ATAR courses,
including a non-ATAR related pathway course, in their
VTAC application.
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
The Careers team, headed by Pauline Pipkorn, is working
hard to secure Apprenticeships and Traineeships
throughout this challenging period. We have had a
number of students achieve great success, securing full
time opportunities and ongoing school based
apprenticeships. If you would like support seeking an
apprenticeship, please contact the MIPS team via email
at Pauline.Pipkorn@education.vic.gov.au or
Nadia.Impey@education.vic.gov.au
We will be working hard with all Year 12 school leavers
The Head Start Central Highlands team would like to Beyond Blue - Coronavirus I need support now -
congratulate Phoenix College Students: 1800 512 348
https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/i-need-support-
now.html
Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service - Call
1800 512 348 - 24 hours / 7 days a week or chat online.
Includes links to support organisations, chat forums,
online counsellors and crisis support.
Beyond Blue Be You
https://beyou.edu.au/coronavirus-support-for-learning-
Fynn Anderson Chris McIntyre communities
Chris McIntyre, who is undertaking a Head Start A series of articles providing wellbeing tips and strate-
Apprenticeship as a Painter with CM Painting, Ballarat. gies for educators and schools to cope with change and
uncertainty during COVID-19.
Fynn Anderson, who is undertaking a Head Start
Apprenticeship as a Plumber with Da Fonte Plumbing, Ballarat Emerging Minds
Chris & Fynn will attend school up to 3 days a week and work/ Supporting children during the Coronavirus pandemic
training 2-3 days a week until the completion of Year 12, https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/supporting-
children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/
where they will potentially continue their apprenticeships in a
full-time capacity. Fantastic resources including Videos, Podcasts and
Factsheets including: Managing routines, communi-
Our team will provide Chris & Fynn with continuous support cating with your child, children's mental health and us-
during their Head Start Apprenticeships. ing play to support children during COVID-19. Also pro-
If you would like to be part of the Head Start program or vides access to a COVID-19 Family Guide resource.
require further information about Head Start Apprenticeships
Headspace - 5304 4777 Ballarat
and Traineeships, please contact our team via email
https://headspace.org.au/covid-19/
head.start.SWV@education.vic.gov.au or speak to your
Careers teacher. A series of resources including: Struggling with a return
to pre-COVID life, how to cope with stress related to
COVID, responding to family conflict, balancing online
schooling and working from home, and challenges with
intimate relationships during COVID.
Access https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/
for telehealth appointments and phone numbers.
Headspace - 1800 650 890 - Free online & telephone
counselling for ages 12 - 25 years. 9am - 1am, 7 days a
week.
Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800
https://kidshelpline.com.au/coronavirus
Resources that might help you with your biggest prob-
lems right now including: I'm missing my friends, guides
to quarantining and isolation and how you can make the
best of it, managing your anxiety levels, socialising
while social distancing and coping strategies.
Parentline - 132289
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/services-for-
parents/Pages/parentline.aspx?
Confidential and anonymous counselling and support
for parents of children aged 0 -18 years, 8am - mid-
night, 7 days a week. Help with family relationships,
resilience and wellbeing, ways to cope, positive parent-
ing strategies and connection with services.
Leadership @ Phoenix Bonnie Paul, Declan Casey and Lachie Nippress!
Unfortunately, the pandemic has meant that we have
We have some fantastic opportunities for students
had to cancel our Year 11 Leadership Camp as well as
within the Leadership space that I want to share with
many of the activities in the Leadership Program. Thank
you. Please take a moment to read them and I
you for your understanding.
encourage all eligible students to apply.
Joanne Kemp—Leadership Coordinator
2020 Young Women in Public Affairs Award.
The goal of Zonta International Young Women in Public
Affairs Award program is to encourage young women to
participate in public affairs. The award is to recognise
young women aged 16 to 19 (as of April 1, 2020) who
have taken a leading role in their chosen field be it
sport, study, church, social group or hobby. I strongly
encourage our young women to apply. The experience
provides an opportunity to practise writing applications
and going to an interview, as well as networking with
peers from across Ballarat. The finalist receives $500
and the opportunity to move to the District level of the
competition.
Applications close on 5.00 pm Friday 18 September
2020. Please go to the following website for the
application form and further information https://
www.zontaballarat.com/ywpa.html Please let me know
if you are applying. I am also happy to proof read your
application. Email them to
Joanna.Kemp@education.vic.gov.au
2021 School for Student Leadership Camp (Alpine
Camp) for students in Year 9 in 2021
Phoenix College has been successful in securing 6 spots Daughters of the West moves online
at the Alpine Campus of the School for Student The coronavirus pandemic won’t stop the Western
Leadership Camp in Term 4, 2021. This camp provides Bulldogs Community Foundation’s Daughters of the
experiences that allow students to make great West program from being delivered in 2020. The fourth
friendships, mature and develop into fine young adults. I year of the free women’s health and wellbeing program
have spoken to a number of students and their parents will kick-off 6th October in an online format, with eight
who have gone on the camp and all have agreed that it sessions running on Zoom every Tuesday. Registrations
was the experience of a lifetime. For more information are open now for female participants living in
on the camp, please take a look at The Alpine School Melbourne’s west and in Ballarat.
website http://www.alpineschool.vic.edu.au/ If you https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/805445/
would like your child to be placed on the expression of calling-the-daughters-of-the-west
interest list or have any questions please contact me by
email Joanna.Kemp@education.vic.gov.au
Our 2020 Year 9 students are gearing up for the School
for Student Leadership Camp at the Gnurad-Gundidj
Campus. We are hoping that restrictions will ease
sufficiently for them to be able to spend if not the whole
term, then at least half the term at the campus. Please
keep your fingers crossed for Millie Collins, Naomi Shaw,
for health, wellbeing and engagement and has some
great episodes including:
How do I make the internet safe for my child?
VCE and VCAL: What you need to know to help your
children thrive.
Fantastic Free Wellbeing Resources for Families Boredom: Helping children make the most of it.
Given the fact that we are about to enter another period
of change for the students, we thought it timely to share
this with everyone. The Phoenix Wellbeing team would
like to draw your attention to some fantastic free
resources for students and parents to help support
young people and their families during this difficult time.
Brave Online Program
BRAVE is an online
program supporting young Child Mind Institute Website
people and their families Some great tips for helping students make the transition
who are experiencing to come back to school after remote and flexible
anxiety. Around 8-10% of learning can be found on the Child Mind Institute
children and adolescents (https://childmind.org/backtoschool/). They
are affected by anxiety, recommend the following steps:
which can be extremely Validate your child’s feelings.
debilitating and cause Set the tone; make sure to stay calm and positive about
significant problems in a the change yourself.
person’s emotional, social Help them stay positive.
and educational Practice separating for those children who struggle with
functioning. With BRAVE, separation anxiety. Taking some small steps, like
children, teenagers and their parents have access to working in a different room in the house, might start
a proven online cognitive-behaviour therapy in the to help them get used to having time separate from
comfort of their own homes. yourself.
Setting a routine with sleep, school work and eating will
BRAVE was developed for children and teenagers who help students make that transition back to the school
experience Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, timetable in Term 4.
Specific Phobia and Generalised Anxiety Disorder. This Remind your child about the safety measures that are
online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program going to be in place. Phoenix will continue to have
helps young people to learn new ways to manage their appropriate safety measures in place to keep
anxiety and fears. Young people complete one session students and staff as safe and healthy as possible.
per week over 10 weeks. BRAVE also has designated Encourage flexibility by acknowledging that you will keep
sessions for parents of children and teenagers them up-to-date on any changes in an age
respectively. appropriate way and that we can all work together to
To learn more please go to https://www.brave- continue being flexible.
online.com/ When needed seek help. Most children will just need
time and support from parents and teachers to
Raising Learners Podcast adjust. However if your child is displaying ongoing
Raisingchildren.net.au website and the Department of and severe responses to being dropped off or staying
Education have created a great free podcast series that at school please contact your classroom teacher, the
gives parents and caregivers help to ensure children Wellbeing team or your GP for assistance in seeking
learn and thrive at school and at home. Advice is given further supports.
Student Wellbeing Days
Many students identified their
pets as their best Wellbeing
support.
Thank you to all the students, staff and families who
participated in the two Student Wellbeing Days on the
24th August and 11th September. A wide range of
Wellbeing activities were on offer for students including
pet shows, cooking, workouts using cans from the
pantry, mindfulness colouring, riddles, animal yoga and
many more. Thank you to everyone who has offered
feedback on these days; the consensus was that the
chance to pause was a positive boost to students’
Wellbeing during this time of remote and flexible
Workouts with Ms Tangey
learning. Beyond these days please note that there are
Unplugged Wellbeing Activity packs available
electronically through the link in the COMPASS news
feed, or in hard copy from the General Office.
Animal yoga with Mary on Webex.
Thank you to Colleen Filippa (Previous Phoenix College Staff
Mindfulness Colouring by Millie Mittag-Broes (Left) and Member) for donating Trees for the 15 Trees Program that
Spencer D’Arcy (right) supports individuals and businesses offset carbon emissions
by planting trees, providing trees for schools and volunteering
organisations for planting. Also a big thank you to Harrison
Funerals for providing funding for our trees and Avalon
Nursery, especially Johanna, (Previous Phoenix College
Student) who supported the 15 Tree Program.
Working out with Miss Fenton and food cans.
PHOENIX HAS GOT TALENT
On Friday 11th September our school held its first virtual
Phoenix Has Got Talent competition for students P-12. It
was an exciting event comprising of 24 diverse acts from
the categories of Music, Speech and Drama, Dance,
Sports Skills and Alternative Physical Talent.
On the Senior Campus Ashton Clerks impressed the
judges with his character voices, Sebastian Allen showed
his technical skills on the clarinet and Remi Turkovic
expressively performed her song.
Special mentions went to William Kynoch (keyboard),
Taylor Gust (cooking demonstration), Shania Stowe, Ella
O’Brien and Darla Hopkins (Singing), Kiarn Dark
(saxophone) and a highly expressive Year 12 monologue
performance by William Matthews concluded the event.
Congratulations to all participants and to our winners for
this event. Remi Turkovic, Sebastian Allen, Ashton Clerks and William Matthews
Awards – Primary and Secondary
Drama Talent: Katylin Gocs and Ashton Clerks
Music Talent: Rita Rwabwogo and Sebastian Allen
Dance Talent: Natasha Aziawor Doctor in Secondary Schools Program
Sport Talent: The Blomeley Family and Morgan Bevan Due to the restrictions of COVID-19 we aren’t able to
Physical Talent: Emma Colla have the Doctor’s Clinic on the school site. Fortunately
Encouragement Awards: Lincoln Sharp and Remi students and parents/carers are still able to access Dr
Turkovic Oliver by contacting UFS Medical Bridge Mall directly
Audience Appreciation Award: Ziva Beddoe on 5327 0420 and making an appointment. Dr Oliver is
Best Dressed Judge: Mr. Stevens seeing students face-to-face or via telehealth. You must
mention that the appointment is part of the Doctor in
Thank you Mrs Joosten (Coordinator), Mr. Patterson Schools program and the booking will be during
(Host), Mr. O’Brien ( Virtual/Technology) and to our staff Wednesday mornings.
judges Mr. Glen, Ms. Hucker, Ms. Firns (Primary), Miss Lorraine Firth
Webster-Otto, Mr. Stevens and Mr. Beggs (Secondary) - School Nurse
such a wonderful creative team to work with.
Thank you to our wonderful audience who watched the Year 7 next round of immunizations will now be Tues-
event LIVE. day 24th November. This will also be a catch-up day for
Year 10 meningococcal immunizations.
Interknit (owned and operated here in Ballarat) are now
making face masks for adults and children.
They also have a design for students
with special requirements (e.g.
Autism) that sits away from the face.
https://interknit.com.au/product/non
-medical-fabric-face-mask/
2020 CALENDAR
September
18th End of Term 3
2:30pm dismissal
October
5th Term 4 Commences
Week 1—Flexible and
Remote Learning
VCE English Exam
7th GAT Assessment
9th Transition Program—Prep,
Grade 1, Year 7, Year 12
Return to School
12th All Students Return to Face-
to-Face Learning
23rd Grand Final Day—Student
Free Day
November
3rd Melbourne Cup Day
Past Student Aimee Stowe has started a small business selling
Washable Face Masks
Aimee’s Masks
Handmade, washable, adjustable
0418 845 747
$7.00 each (limit of 5 masks per order)
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
Phoenix now has a Facebook page. Like Phoenix
P-12 Community College for upcoming events,
important notices and student stories.
Phoenix P-12 Community College
PO Box 49 Sebastopol VIC 3356
P: (03) 5329 3293
phoenix.p12.cc@education.vic.gov.auYou can also read
