Frequently Asked Questions

Can I arrange to tour the college?

Tours of the College are conducted by our Year Level Coordinator team throughout the school year. A tour of the College can be arranged at a convenient time for you.

Please contact the College Receptionist on 9389 0600 and request to speak to the Year Level Coordinator for the entry level of interest to you. Alternatively, you may email your request to mailbox@phsc.vic.edu.au.
Further Year 7 tour information

How will the College's enrolment restrictions affect me?
With the opening of a 7-10 school in Fitzroy, we expect that the past high pressure for places at the College will reduce. Next year, we expect that one third of the available Year 7 places will be allocated to students who live within our neighbourhood zone or have older siblings at the school. All remaining places will be offered on the basis of curriculum needs. You do not have to live in the immediate area of the school to apply on the basis of curriculum grounds.
See the "Enrolment" link for more detail.

How does the College extend able students?
The College provides three types of extension. In all subjects, an extension work requirement is set in each semester and students are able to negotiate a task that will stimulate and challenge their skills. Additionally, the College provides a wide range of special programs outside of normal classes for students with specific interests and abilities. It is also possible for students to access studies at higher year levels or for accelerated promotion to be considered. This approach has been adopted to enable the particular talents of every student to be identified and nurtured.

Why doesn't the College have a uniform?
The College prides itself on encouraging a sound base for personal responsibility and individuality amongst students. Enabling students to wear their own clothes is one example of this. No two children are the same, yet schools too often try to make them so. Whilst there is a College dress code which sets guidelines, the diversity of our students is reflected in their choice of dress; we wouldn't have it any other way.

What about the size of the College grounds?
The College is fortunate in having access to Princes Park directly behind the school. A specific section of the park is available to students for recess and lunch where they are supervised by staff as at any other school. This also means that in addition to the school's gymnasium and basketball courts, the College PE and Sports classes can use specialist facilities at the park, including tennis courts, soccer and football ovals. A new gymnasium will be built at the school by mid 2006.

What sports opportunities are available?
All students in Years 7-10 participate in sport. At Years 7-8 students select a different sport activity each term from over 15 choices that include team, recreational and non-traditional sports. They can also elect to participate in interschool competition, with the school fielding over 100 teams at these year levels alone. The College also holds annual swimming and athletics carnivals for all students that include competition and recreational activities. As an indicator of the success of its sports program, the College has won the local zone swimming competition for the past four years.

What approach has the College taken to drugs?
The College has a comprehensive drug education program across all year levels. The College Code of Conduct gives students a clear message regarding drug use. If any student uses, or has in their possession any illegal substance, they will be suspended from the school until a compulsory support program is put into place. If there is any second occasion, or if a student attempts to sell drugs, they will be automatically expelled from the school. As an indication of how effective this policy has been, it has only been necessary to activate this second requirement twice.

Is the College geared to artistic studies?
A clear strength of the school has been its capacity to foster the individual talents of each student and inspire them to achieve. The successes of the College's Performing and Creative Arts programs are well known in the community, however our students achieve outstanding results in all areas of study. The College has been recognised as the state’s outstanding Secondary College in the prestigious Maths Talent Quest five times and was awarded one of only four Science Talent Search [STS] School Awards in 2004. Students have received national and state awards in Science, Technology, Sport, LOTE and Humanities. This diversity of student achievement is reflected in VCE tertiary choices, with the most popular destination being Science and Engineering courses.