‘In Knowledge there is Opportunity’

July 2017, Issue 6

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Stage 3 Building Update: The End of an Era Demolition of our old gymnasium, including change rooms, storerooms and the old mini-gym is now complete. It took a little longer than expected and was made more complex because we are retaining the drama room and the new gym (which will be fully refurbished).

An important aspect of the demolition has been to locate a change room zone for students on the Sebastopol Campus. This was up and functional for the first day of Term 3.

Now that demolition is complete, the focus returns to construction and it won’t be long before we start to see our new buildings appearing. In Term 3 our College staff team will be working with all represented themselves and the College students P-12 to ensure that they have an opportunity to admirably. Our thanks must also go to the team of achieve their personal best: staff who worked so hard to ensure that all had such a wonderful evening; Alice Vincent, Amy In Knowledge there is Opportunity Devereaux and Sofia Aleem. To ensure that we all achieve our learning goals, it is All College teaching staff are involved in what is known important that as a learning community we work and as a PLC – Professional Learning Community – in learn together in a partnership that includes students, alignment with our focus on building partnerships. The teachers, College staff and family members focus of the PLC for all staff this term is on building

relationships that meet students at their point of need and using learning data to help students to progress.

This term our Professional Learning Day (Tuesday 25th July—Student Fee Day) will focus on the teachings of Glen Pearsall, whose educational focus is teaching responsible behaviours to enable students to achieve success.

Mrs Karen Snibson Principal Working in partnership enables us look after one another and importantly resolve any issues as they arise. MIDDLE/SENIOR SCHOOL REPORT To support the strengthening of our partnerships we It is hard to believe we are beginning Semester 2 include all students in our Pastoral Care Program, the already! Whilst half the year is already behind us, it is a SWPBS Program and also our 95% Attendance Program. perfect time to take stock, re-evaluate our goals for the Information relating to the College is vital for parents year and work harder than ever at achieving them over and we encourage regular access to COMPASS. Terms 3 and 4.

In the last week of term there were a number of VIP You should have accessed Semester One Reports by now student activities and celebrations: via COMPASS. These are the perfect catalyst for conversations at home and with teachers around setting,  Redan Campus Blue Light Disco – fully organised or re-visiting, goals and identifying strategies and and implemented by our wonderful Grade 6 behaviours students can adopt to help them achieve students, in partnership with Police and these in Semester Two. Leading Senior Constable Des Hudson.  95% attendance celebrations for students on the When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, Redan Campus and also on the Sebastopol don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. Campus. With our added focus on attendance we ~ Confucius have seen the number of students meeting our High School Musical 95% attendance target improve significantly. The end of Term 2 saw a flourish of events, none more  Most Improved Mathematician – two students significant than our production of High School Musical at with the most improved mathematical skills, from Her Majesty’s Theatre. It was so wonderful so see the Grades P-6, attended the Term 2 celebration. This hard work of staff and students pay off handsomely in event featured mathematical activities and the performances. This is yet another opportunity for puzzles, awarding of certificates and morning tea students to work on their musical, voice and acting for parents. talents with a genuine purpose – to entertain. I enjoyed  Debutante Ball – an annual event, which usually seeing our students in such a different light, showcasing involves students in Year 11. This year’s Ball was skills we don’t get to see in a run-of-the-mill day at the truly a gala event and was attended by more than College. 350 of our College family and friends. A special

congratulations goes to our students who

Debutante Ball and Regional Debating and teachers over the next few weeks to talk about Two other events that are noteworthy from the end of possible pathways. If your pathway includes VCAL or last term, that yet again deserve celebration of our VET, it would be a good idea to book in and get a complete picture of how this would look for the success students and their achievements are the Debutante Ball of your child. There are a lot of excursions and work due and the Debating Team. Once again, a lot of hard work at this time so please provide a quiet room and space for and weeks of preparation saw a very charming and students to study, as well as some exercise and good successful Deb Ball take place on Saturday 24th June at food. The Years 11 and 12 English camp is on in late the Ballarat and District Trotting Club – a special event August and a letter will arrive soon. Please be aware that it will require sleeping arrangements to be provided by for those students who chose to be involved. A huge the student. The College has some equipment but it is thank you must go the team of teachers who helped limited so the students will need to be very organised make this possible. Our Debating team finished in third and get in quickly. place at the Ballarat Regional Debating – an achievement to be immensely proud of for these students. Thanks to Mr Andrew Greed Mrs Browning for her tireless work and achieving such VET/VCAL Coordinator success with our students in this forum.

Attendance Milestone Debating Lastly, we once again celebrated all those students who Please view the results of the final ladder for this our achieved 95% Attendance for Term 2 with a BBQ in the Debating Association of Victoria Competition, 2017. Allocation is four points for a win, two for a loss. Results final week of the term. As you are aware, maximum are then made up of individual team scores each week. attendance is vital for any child’s success at school. It is We came in third this year, ahead of St.Patrick's College, important that we recognise and celebrate this as a Damascus College, Ballarat High School, Loreto College, Ballarat and Clarendon College and Brauer College. College on a regular basis. Whilst we realise there are D Grade medical and family circumstances that can affect this at times, we also want to highlight that in Years 7-10 across Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Total the State, students miss on average a week per term, Brauer College 1 4 4 4 4 4 20 Ballarat & Clarendon College 2 4 2 4 4 4 18 which is four weeks in a year. Over two years, that is Phoenix P-12 Community College 1 4 2 2 4 4 16 close to a term of learning that is potentially lost. It is Ballarat & Clarendon College 1 4 4 2 2 4 16 vital that students are here as much as possible, and we Damascus College 2 4 2 4 4 2 16 work in partnership with families to support this St Patrick's College 2 4 4 4 2 2 16 attendance goal. Loreto College 1 2 4 2 4 4 16

The month of August will be a School-Wide Positive Brauer College 2 4 2 4 2 4 16 Behaviour focus on the value of Integrity – I believe our Damascus College 1 2 2 4 4 2 14 most important value/quality. There is no better time Ballarat High School 2 2 4 2 4 2 14 than to sign off with this quote: St Patrick's College 1 4 4 4 2 0 14 St Patrick's College 3 2 4 2 4 0 12 Integrity is what you do when no one is watching. Ballarat High School 1 2 2 2 2 4 12 ~ Anonymous Damascus College 3 2 2 4 2 2 12

Mr David Garner St Patrick's College 4 2 2 2 0 4 10 Ballarat High School 3 0 4 2 2 2 10 Assistant Principal

VET/VCAL REPORT Please congratulate our team, Frances Robbins, Kelsey Madden and Tazmin Forrest. As the end of the year will come very quickly for all Year 12 VCAL students it is vital that parents/guardians access their child’s report via COMPASS and check their progress. If there are any queries, even small ones, our team needs to be contacted and a plan put in place. We understand that the VCAL program offers a lot of different learning styles and environments and can challenge kids at this stressful time. Years 9, 10 and 11 students will need to talk with their House Managers NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER email it is really important to let us know as a lot of our information is currently emailed directly to families, including financial statements.

MAINTAINING FAMILY DETAILS SECONDHAND UNIFORM Please remember to keep the data updated if any of Brrrr… it is getting cold. Does your family need your family’s personal details have changed. If you additional uniform? cannot update information on COMPASS you need Do not forget to check the Sustainable School Shop to let the General Office know 5329 3293 so our at http://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au/ if you records are correct and we are able to contact you are looking for additional College Uniform or in case of an emergency. textbooks or wish to sell. Many families are using this website to buy and sell and it is a great way to FAMILY ACCOUNTS find second hand uniform for your family. It’s Family Statements will be sent out FREE!!! Sign up today! As a result of introducing shortly with Semester 2 charges on this website we NO longer have a Second-hand them for electives. Payment of your Uniform and Bookshop. family account ASAP would be appreciated please. It is much easier to make LOST PROPERTY - COLLEGE UNIFORM payments as the charges go onto the account, and We have large amounts of College Uniform in lost then at the end of the year you do not have a huge property without a name. Can parents please be account to cover. diligent in naming their child’s uniform? It is very expensive to replace and if there is a name we can Regular payments are a great way to manage your return it to your child. family’s educational costs.

COMPASS LOGIN ISSUES SET UP REGULAR PAYMENTS All families have an individual It makes payment of costs much easier to manage if COMPASS LOGIN code. If you cannot access you are finding it more difficult to meet your COMPASS you are missing out on the information obligations due to the changes to support funding. you need to follow what is happening at the College, We are happy to receive regular weekly or and how your child is going at school. Please fortnightly deposits into your Family Accounts. contact the General Office and the staff will be able Centrepay or BPAY makes it easy; once it is set up to supply you with your COMPASS access the money is deposited directly into your Family password. Parent sessions will be held at the Account and allocated to costs. Any overpayment College on how to use COMPASS at the end of July is held as credit and will be used to pay for so please make sure you take advantage of these. excursions or other costs which may arise throughout the year. PHOTOS If you have any issues or questions with your Thank you to the many families who have paid their photos, please remember to contact COMPASS accounts, or commenced Centrepay or BPAY directly by calling 03 9005 5217 press 2 then 1 and payments directly into their account. If anyone they will assist you. would like to discuss their account, or have questions around setting up regular instalments, COMPASS ACCESS please contact the General Office on 5329 3293. Please remember - you need access to COMPASS to keep up with life at Phoenix College. Each family COLD WEATHER has a unique login and password. If you have Winter is here, and it is cold. Please ensure that difficulty logging on, or do not have your logon your children dress warmly and continue to be password, please do not hesitate to contact the dressed in the official College Uniform to comply General Office 5329 3293. with our College Uniform policy. The College grounds are quite muddy in areas. Please remind EMAIL ADDRESSES your children to “stick to the paths” and out of the We have a number of families without mud. email addresses in our database. If you have a new email or changed your Ms Andrea Waterhouse Acting Business Manager TRAFFIC SAFETY IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS

Recently we had the terrifying situation of one of our students being hit by a car outside our school at the end of the school day. On this occasion we were extremely lucky that the student sustained minor injuries, but I am mindful that the outcome could easily have been far worse.

This is a timely reminder to us all.

Students should:  Cross at the lights on Hertford Street.  Avoid running across the road or between cars, especially at the unmanned traffic island at the front of the Sebastopol Campus.  Observe road rules if riding a bike or a scooter. Please be aware that a helmet is a legal requirement in Victoria.

Parents please be aware: This term we have been focusing on  Of parking requirements on our street access points. our College values and the  The BCH Dental facility is a patient car park and should not be used for dropping off or picking up importance of being at school every students. day. Students who consistently  Dropping students at the 7-Eleven store puts students demonstrate our College values were directly into traffic. nominated by teachers to receive an  You can assist us to increase student safety by invite to our SWPBS celebration. We discussing the road laws with younger students. held a free BBQ on Monday 26th June  Victoria Police will engage in additional traffic to reward these students for their management in and around the school.

positive behaviour. Thank you to The College has been working with the Department of our student leaders and Year 11 Education and Training and the City of Ballarat for some students for organising the BBQ and time now to assist in developing a traffic management congratulations to all students who strategy for our neighbourhood as there has been attended. substantial growth in commuter traffic in recent years. With continued growth in the Delacombe area this trend is likely to continue. Miss Alice Vincent SWPBS Coordinator Mrs Karen Snibson Principal

Parents, Guardians and members of our School Community are always welcome at Phoenix P-12 Community College.

To ensure that our College is a safe and positive learning environment we ask that all visitors report to the General Office. If you want to meet with a specific member of our team, please phone ahead as far possible so we can accommodate your meeting requests efficiently.

Our College values are RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, INTEGRITY, COOPERATION and EXCELLENCE.

Please be aware that any form of aggressive or abusive behaviour at our College will not be tolerated.

On Saturday 24th June we held the annual Phoenix P – 12 Community College Debutante Ball. Our Year 11 students have been practising their dance steps all term and preparing for this special occasion. On the night students danced the Debutante Waltz, Progressive Jive and the Pride of Erin, followed by a special dance with their parents. It was lovely to see so many parents, staff and students enjoying the night. Well done and thank you to all involved.

Back Row L-R: Brock Williamson, Mitchell Quayle, Ford Sutcliffe, Brandon Kern, Emmanuel Law, Lucas Kelley, Jordan Achterbosch, Zachary Constable, Nathan Beasley. Fourth Row L-R: William Stephens, Kyle Burchall, Jack Gray, Lochlan Stewart, Caiden Anderson, Liam Duff, Sebastian Pedler, Jack Allan, Leon Levato. Third Row L-R: Caitlyn Hammond, Shaqiera Cartledge, Chloe Barendsen. Second Row L-R: Hannah Anwyl, Tayla Work, Dakota Creed, Tayla Achterbosch, Ella Funcke, Ashleigh Sorrell, Kiarna Lench-McHenry. Front Row L-R: Rochelle Dirks, Madison Howard, Leonie Howlett, Grace Davidson, Skye Elsey, Tayla Scutcheon, Maddison Pearse, Tia Doyle.

ABC Heywire Writer’s Workshops ABC producers Dan Hirst and his assistant Alex ran two creative writing workshops on Monday 26th June to empower a selection of Years 10 to 12 students to tell their autobiographical stories about what it is like to grow up in regional Australia. This will give them a starting point to enable them to enter the ABC Heywire Writing Competition which seeks stories from around the nation.

In 2016 Emiley Cody was successful in becoming a national finalist with her piece ‘Moments like these are why my family are farmers’. Hopefully the school will have the same success again.

Winners of this prestigious competition receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Heywire Regional Youth Summit and have their story developed into mini films to be played on the ABC television. Senior students who are interested in entering can either see Mrs Thomson or visit the competition website at www.abc.net.au/heywire

Pictured L: Rochelle Liston working with Dan Hirst (ABC producer) on her story for the Heywire Writing Competition.

th On Thursday 15 June, ten Year 7 girls played their hearts out at the Eureka Division Competition.

Skye Webber, Anastasia Montgomery and Kasey Henderson shot with 100% accuracy. Samra Watters, Keira McKenna, Tayissa Dunne-Ottini and Courtney Page didn’t stop running in the midcourt; and Aquinnah Collins, Courtney Walters and Hayley Coleman were amazing in defence.

Only two losses out of eight games was an incredible effort! The girls did Phoenix proud,

and displayed the

College values

both on and off

the court. Well done girls!

Miss Ruby Wilson

On International Olympic Day (23rd June),

188 Victorian Senior Secondary School students and State Sport Association athletes were acknowledged with the prestigious Pierre de Coubertin Award.

Mason Keast was the 2017 Phoenix College recipient of this award. The Pierre de Coubertin Award recognises students who demonstrate academic excellence and sporting prowess whilst exemplifying the Olympic values. Each award recipient must participate in sport and display the Olympic values, in particular, good sportsmanship.

Mason has competed in many different sports throughout his time at Phoenix College including Athletics, and Football. He always strives for excellence and conducts himself in a sportsmanlike manner. Phoenix P-12 Community College had 15 Years 7 and 8 Each award recipient was required to student representatives in two matches of Eureka Division submit either a digital media, literary Junior Soccer at Wendouree West Recreation Reserve. or artistic piece of work relating to the 0 injuries, 1 goal (Well done Kade Peldys!) theme: ‘Which Rio 2016 Olympic Games A few goals against… (to be honest I lost count of that one!) moment has had the biggest impact on you?’ Mason created a literary piece Overall really proud of the way these boys represented showing his passion for athletics themselves and their College. focusing on his idol Usain Bolt and the They improved as time went on and stood up to the challenge hard work that is required to succeed. of playing some older and pretty skilled opposition in Ballarat Mr Matthew Sharkey High School and teams. Head of Health & Physical Education Mr Andrew Sawitsch

The Ballarat South Rotary Club has continued its valued During Week 8 and 9 of Term 2, the involvement with the College to coordinate the Merv Communication Village had visiting instructors Lewis Public Speaking Competition. Students from Year from ‘Confucius Classroom’ come and spend 9 were encouraged to commit to a weekly public some time in our Years 7 and 8 Chinese classes. speaking course and then present a five-minute speech It was a unique experience for students to put on a subject of their choice. their new vocabulary into practice and introduce Merv Lewis was a passionate public speaker and themselves to our visitors, as well as widen their awareness of Art and Food culture from Asia. supporter of young people. He saw the value of developing excellent communication skills and using Above and below are some pictures of Year 8 speech to persuade, inform and entertain. students having a go at Chinese calligraphy and The College was represented by: Alicia Marchant, preparing ‘Tang Yuan’ Elizabeth Whitten-Bale, Jordynn Lonie, Dakota Campbell desserts. and Lucienne Connell. Their topics included Love and Mr Andrew Sawitsch Lust, The Lure of Technology, Sharks – Are They Chinese Teacher Villains?, AFWL – Girls Footy and Anxiety – A Teen Perspective.

The students presented at the LRC in front of family, friends, staff and Rotarians. The judges selected the top three to speak to the Rotary meeting at the Ballarat Golf Club. A room of approximately 80 guests and members were gob-smacked by the confidence and courage of Jordynn, Dakota and Lucienne. Congratulations to Lucienne Connell who won the 2017 Merv Lewis Public Speaking Competition. Special thanks go to Ballarat South Rotarians Paul Barrett, Alan McKinnon and Sandy Harbison for giving up their time to work so enthusiastically with our students.

Ms Angela Quinn Assistant Principal

Pictured R: Gerard Lewis and Lucienne Connell Year 9 Academic Achievers: Humanities Semester 1 was a busy time for the Year 9 Academic Achievers Humanities class. They participated in a range of excursions to support their understanding of geospatial skills and human wellbeing.

M.A.D.E. Excursion The Year 9 Academic Achievers class visited the Chinese Fortunes exhibition as a joint Chinese and Humanities class excursion at the M.A.D.E. Museum.

Pictured L: Alicia Mroz learning about the migration experience of Chinese coming to the Australian goldfields whilst visiting the Chinese Fortunes exhibition at the M. A. D. E. Museum.

Pictured R: Frances Robbins and Brett Smith carrying the 40 kg baskets simulating the experience of the Chinese migrants to the Victorian goldfields.

Pictured C: Brett Smith and Andre Davis-Williams enjoying the museum experience at M. A. D. E. Museum in Ballarat.

Lake Wendouree Fieldwork The class, along with the Year 10 Geography class, visited Lake Wendouree to complete their inquiries about the connection between Lake Wendouree and wellbeing and hone their fieldwork skills.

Pictured R: Kirby Lee, Samantha Spicer, Dakota Campbell and Hannah Collins perfecting their surveying and sketching skills whilst on a fieldwork study at Lake Wendouree.

BYGA Forum Excursion Members of the Year 9 Academic Achievers Humanities class (centre) joined with the Year 10 Geography students participating in the smoking ceremony with Uncle Murray at the opening of the Ballarat Global Ambassadors Youth Forum. This forum focused on the power of education and reflected on the rights of Indigenous Australians in Australia.

Pictured R: Samuel Shaw, Xavier Rennison, Brett Smith, Tyler Bourquin learning self-defence at the BYGA forum with Shabnam Safa, (Refugee advocate, Centre for Multicultural Youth). Putting Learning Into Action The class put their understanding of how to promote human wellbeing across the world by running a range of different fundraising and awareness-building projects. Students raised $137.20 for Australians Action Abroad’s Nepalese projects, through crazy sock day and a count the M&M’s jar; $350 for World Vision and $130 for Act for Peace. Other students ran investigations about the effect of desk layout on learning, completed online first aid courses and created music videos about ocean pollution.

Pictured R: Dakota Campbell, Lucienne Connell, Kirby Lee and Elizabeth Whitten-Bale raising money for Act for Peace at the fundraising stall at Ballarat Trash and Treasure with their candle stall. So far this group has raised $130 to support vital work to support refugees.

The students are commended on how they have represented the school and put their learning into action in a range of contexts.

Mrs Kirstie Thomson Humanities Classroom Teacher

Last semester has seen Year 7’s and 8’s developing and extending their skills at design and production. Year 7 students were able to demonstrate their emerging skills by presenting fruit products that were both nutritious and creative and designed their own aprons. Year 8’s showed off their applique and design skills with their unique cushions and Year 9’s explored the world of burial dolls from different cultures and created their own Gothic Rag Dolls showcasing their embellishment skills.

WOW! What an amazing and incredible time all the students (and staff) had showing off all their hard work in the school production. High School Musical was definitely a hit! Last month we had the absolute pleasure of performing High School Musical to more than 1,500 people over four shows at Her Majesty’s theatre. It was fantastic to see all the hard work come together from the band, the cast and crew to bring the show to life. Each student put in 110% making it such a rewarding experience. The production is a highlight of the school year and it is always great to watch the journey the students take to get the show to the stage.

We would like to thank everyone who came, saw the show and supported our students. They all had such a great time performing and it really brings a smile to your face to see just how much they have learned and how much fun they have on stage.

2017 CALENDAR

July 25th Glen Pearsall PD (Student Free Day) 26th Horsham Mega Music Day Social Media Presentation 27th Australian Mathematics For Years 6, 7, 8 & 9 Competition Years 7–12 28th Year 10 Health Day (compulsory excursion for all Year 10 Monday 7th August students)

August 7th Social Media Presentation

Years 6, 7, 8 & 9 28th Solo Performance Week

31st Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews (4pm-7pm) Nathan 'Dubsy' Want is a dynamic speaker, story teller and motivator September who inspires people to rise to new levels in life. 1st Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews (9am-2:30pm) He is one of Australia’s emerging - No Formal Classes voices in youth culture. For the past decade, he has been working with 4th Bonshaw Year 10 Work young people in primary and Experience Week secondary schools, speaking into their world and giving them the skills and 12th Year 7 Immunisations resources to navigate home, social 21st Cabaret Evening and school life. Nathan isn’t afraid to 22nd Term 3 Ends - 2:30pm dismissal tackle the hard conversations and challenges in their world. He currently represents the Halogen Foundation as their 'Foundational Leadership Speaker'. Nathan's seminars are marked with high energy, story telling, personal experience, practical steps, and relational connections with his Phoenix P-12 Community College audience. He has a remarkable ability to offer young people inspiring and P.O. Box 49 SEBASTOPOL VIC 3356 memorable insights that will have P: 03) 5329 3293 F: 03) 5335 7582 them talking well after the session [email protected] ends.