Welcome back to Semester 2, l hope you and your family have had an opportunity to enjoy some of the school holidays together. We welcomed our students back to the College on Monday and were pleased to hear the energy and excitement of our young people and staff who were genuinely pleased to see one another and to engage in another term of learning and faith. Social connections and relationships are at the heart of a Damascus education.

Learning is at the core of our community, we are all learners engaged in discovering more about our world, ourselves and the impact we can have on other people. Curiosity and inquisition are dispositions we need to be open to learning to challenge our thinking and to have the courage to preserve when we find learning difficult. On Monday morning, l undertook my learning walk and l focussed on the St Paul’s Technology and Arts Centre. Learning walks support me and the members of the College Leadership to observe learning, make mental notes and to assess the embedding of our instructional model.

Last term l was approached by a group of Year 11 Materials Technology Wood students wanting to know if l would like a piece of furniture made for the Mercy Administration Wing. As some may have noticed we are making changes to the Administration Wing, so it continues to be a place of welcome, conversation and student focus. I set the challenge for our students to create a meeting table that will be positioned in the open area in the Mercy Administration. So to my delight as l walked through the Wood Room l was in awe of our students problem solving, collaborating and working as a team. My brief was to create a stand table that can be placed in the Administration waiting area that can be used for impromptu meetings, casual conversations and even as a work station. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting our students in Term 1 & 2 to discuss their proposal, the construction of a brief and now l am watching as the students construct the piece. Learning takes time, application, trial and error and importantly perseverance. These young students modelled that learning takes time, we need to apply many skills, use prior knowledge collaborate and check for understanding. Each one of us is a learner, but each one of us needs to push ourselves and rely on grit to face unknown and difficult work. I look forward to seeing the final piece.

Our Unit four students and Senior VM students have entered the final chapter of their secondary education. Our young people need your support and guidance to help them balance the demands of study, work and recreation. I encourage our students to maintain their leisure and appropriate downtime to preserve their wellbeing. As parents and carers we need to help students balance the demands of part time work and study. As we move towards the examination period l urge parents and carers to support their student to reduce hours of part time employment, to be able to proactively revise and study for their trial exams which begin at the end of this term. Preparation, organisation and regular review will support our learners to be their best and to achieve the outcome that they deserve; that will position them to access TAFE and or university pathways. I urge all students to regularly touch base with our Careers Team, to explore their future pathways and to explain the many Early Entry pathways to many of our universities and TAFE providers.

To further support our senior learners the College will provide our VCE/VM students the opportunity to meet with their subject teachers in the upcoming TA Interviews. I urge our parents/carers of Senior students to make appointments in the upcoming interviews, so you are fully aware how you can support your child to achieve their best.

Next week we commence the 2024 Subject Selection process. The College will be holding a Pathways and Careers Information evening on Tuesday 23 July from 5:30pm – 8:00pm. Parents and carers will receive an email with detailed information about the format of the evening and also the subject selection process. The College will also be holding a Pathways and Careers expo for all students from Wednesday 18 July to Friday 22 July at lunchtime.

I am excited to see this years College production, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, l believe this production highlights the inclusive and respectful community that we have at Damascus. The production explores the life of young man living with autism. Each one of us is unique, valued and loved, this text encompasses our Christian message of hope and love. It encapsulates our human frailty and need for unconditional positive love and regard. I have witnessed a couple of scenes and believe our performers captured the intensity of difference, understanding and emotion. Over the school holidays the Performing Arts team were here more days and nights than not! I look forward to seeing our students hard work and perseverance come together in an eventful performance.

This term a number of staff are on leave and therefore we welcome the following new staff:

• Ravelle Kenny – Administration and Compliance Officer
• Toola Strachan – Teacher
• Jess Harrison – Teacher
• Matthew Taylor - Teacher
• Sarah Lofts - Teacher
• Jack Bannister - Teacher
• Lexie McNaughton - Teacher

With every blessing.

Student Forum - Against Gendered Violence

It was a privilege and inspiration seeing students from across Ballarat come together to share their views and lend their voices to the serious issue of gendered violence. In coming together, they expressed their desire to contribute to action. They showed, that despite difficult and confronting issues, they are hope-filled young people who are committed to finding a better way.

They showed courageous leadership.

Paris and Caleb represented Damascus College at the forum and shared the following insights.

On Tuesday the 11^th of June Caleb and I were invited to a Gendered Violence seminar ran by Phoenix College. All the secondary schools were invited to join and talk about this prevalent issue in our society. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet new, like-minded people and talk about how we can do better as individuals, school groups and ultimately Ballarat as a whole.

We all came up with different ideas on how our schools can do better in the future and we were able to present these ideas to people from the government, Women’s Grampian Health, the Ballarat tech school,l among many others. It was wonderful being able to express our ideas to a panel of people who work for this change in the Ballarat region.

– Paris Govan

To be invited along to and involved with such a powerful event in Ballarat was truly insightful, and the position that I was placed in where I could speak on behalf of Damascus in front of esteemed members of the Ballarat community, including the Mayor, is an experience I will never forget.

I can’t lie, I was extremely nervous to arrive at the venue, not knowing what to expect was daunting. I soon came to realise how privileged I was to be in my position being able to speak to and more importantly listen to other leaders in my community about how to progress in our community from undeniably horrific events in Ballarat. We finished the day with writing a pledge for our school, one that must not be disregarded. Thank you.

– Caleb Smith

The Pledge

We pledge to promote the use of supportive and uplifting language, and to call out harmful and degrading language.

We commit to enforcing and upholding safe and respectful learning and social environments throughout the college and wider community, developing, and maintaining a positive school culture.

We will ensure that being a member of Damascus means we will not let poor behaviour slide.

This is not a one -off

It’s not weak to speak.

Introduction to SchoolTV

Prior to the school holiday, the College ran a brief information session on SchoolTV. Available under School Links on your PAM account, SchoolTV provides our community with a high-quality resource to assist parents and carers support the mental health and wellbeing of students.

Role and Benefits of SchoolTV

SchoolTV plays a crucial role in facilitating understanding, breaking down barriers, fostering connection, and initiating difficult conversations on the complexities of mental health and wellbeing. By working together and focusing on prevention and early intervention strategies, it aims to enhance a whole-school approach to wellbeing, nurturing an environment where students thrive and improve academic outcomes.

Accessibility and Anonymity

The platform is available 24 hours a day, allowing parents and carers to access information at their convenience while remaining completely anonymous. The College has no record of individual logins, but can ascertain the information and resources that parents and carers are gathering. This allows the College to help target specific programs that meet the needs of our student cohort.

A quick entry SchoolTV can be found here Home Page SchoolTV | Damascus College - Mount Clear Accessing the Introduction to SchoolTV video is a quick way to hear of the many benefits that the package offers.

Please see below a quick reference guide on the basic search tools for SchoolTV

During Term 3 I will be on leave from the College. Any matters that would ordinarily be directed to me can now be addressed by Hannah Keating email h.keating@damascus.vic.edu.au. I wish you all a safe, healthy and Christ filled Term 3.

Shaping Your Student's Future: Your Critical Role in Academic Planning

As we approach a significant moment in your student's academic journey, we cannot overstate the importance of your involvement. The decisions made in the coming weeks will have a lasting impact on your student’s educational path and future opportunities.

Why Your Participation Matters: Research consistently shows that parental involvement in academic planning leads to:

• Higher student achievement
• Increased motivation and engagement
• Better-informed career choices
• Stronger school-home partnerships

Key Events and Actions:

1. Parent Information Evening - Tuesday, July 23rd This evening is your gateway to understanding the diverse pathways available to your student. You'll gain insights into:

• VCE, VET, and Vocational Major options

• How subject choices align with future career paths

• Support services available to your student

2. Teacher Advisor (TA) Interviews - July 30th, 31st, and August 1st These personalized sessions are crucial for:

• Reviewing your student's progress and goals

• Discussing subject selections for 2025

• Addressing any concerns or questions

• Book your slot now through PAM to ensure you don't miss out.

3. Pre-Interview Survey - Due by July 24th This collaborative task between you and your student:

• Helps identify strengths, interests, and areas for growth

• Ensures a more productive TA interview

• Encourages meaningful discussions about future aspirations

4. Subject Selection Deadline - August 2nd All choices must be finalised by this date. This decision will shape your student's academic focus for the coming year and potentially influence their post-secondary options.

The Power of Home Discussions: We encourage you to engage in ongoing conversations with your student about their aspirations, strengths, and concerns. These discussions at home complement our school efforts and provide valuable insights that can guide decision-making.

For Year 10 Families: Special attention is needed as your students consider VCE Vocational Major and VET subject options. These choices can open doors to hands-on learning experiences and industry-specific skills.

Unable to Attend? If you can't make the scheduled events, please contact your Teacher Advisor immediately. We're committed to ensuring every student receives the guidance they need during this critical period.

Your active participation in this process is not just helpful—it's essential. Together, we can ensure your student makes informed decisions that align with their goals and potential.

We look forward to partnering with you in this important phase of your student’s educational journey.

Recently Damascus College had the pleasure of welcoming back past student Geovanni Piazza (Class of 2012) to speak to Year 11 and 12 students about Real Estate and Housing during a lunchtime presentation.

The presentation was hosted by a group of Year 12 students as part of the VCE VM School Improvement Project, inviting Geovanni who is an Estate Agent and Auctioneer for Ray White Ballarat to provide insight into the Housing market for the Senior students.

Geovanni explained the process of applying for rentals and what is needed for applications, along with guidance on how to enter the market as a first home buyer. Geovanni also shared his insight and passion for his career in Real Estate for those who may be looking at Real Estate as a career pathway.

Thank you Geovanni, for the informative presentation and for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

During the last week of term 2, Damascus College had the privilege of hosting Sam Clear as he led the Year 9 and Youth Ministry Reflection Days.

In 2006, Sam embarked on a remarkable journey from Joao Pessoa, the easternmost point of Brazil, covering over 15,600 kilometres across South America, North America, and Europe. His mission was to encourage people to pray for Christian unity, culminating 19 months later at Cape Finisterre, the westernmost point of Spain.

Sam's narrative is a testament to his unwavering determination, resilience, devotion to prayer, experiences of trauma, nurturing relationships, and steadfast faith. Through a series of engaging presentations, videos, activities, and prayer sessions, Sam invited the students to join him on his quest for unity. He challenged them to introspect on their own actions and discover fresh ways to embody Jesus' call to bridge the divides among us with love.

The Damascus College community extends heartfelt gratitude to Sam for his invaluable time spent with us and the invaluable support he has offered to our young individuals.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #ImPartOfSomethingGreater

To stay informed with the College, you can download the App via the Apple AppStore or Android PlayStore, by searching ‘Damascus College.’

The College will continue to use email / SMS and the App for the remainder of the year until we can be sure our families are getting the most from it.

This innovative App delivers the latest Damascus news, events, and communications straight to your smartphone or tablet, allowing the college community to have immediate access to current information and updates whilst on the go.

Currently in the extra-curricular section of the App, you can subscribe to BAS Sport Schedule and the Rowing Program to receive alerts on these specific areas.

Simply login to the App using your existing PAM or Damascus username and password.

Download the App today.

Over the past few weeks, the Justice Action Group have held a drive within the College, calling for blankets and toiletries to donate to the St Vinnies Winter Appeal.

Recently the students packed the toiletries into individual care packages and collected all the blankets ready to pass on to St Vinnies to distribute to those in need within the Ballarat community.

Thank you to all who donated items and well done to the Justice Action Group on hosting the drive providing some relief to those in need with access to essential items during these cold winter months

Please see following information in relation to the Tuning into Teen Group: -

On Wednesday 19 June, the Damascus senior football team played against Mercy Regional College, Camperdown, in the grand final of the BAS 2nd XVIII competition on a very cold night under lights at Ballarat Grammar.

Led by coach Adrian Lane, the team have had a fantastic season and the excitement around the school in the lead up to the match, especially by the year 12 students, has been wonderful to see.

With a very healthy crowd in attendance, it was goal for goal all night with Mercy coming out on top with a one-point win! Both schools should be congratulated for producing a great spectacle of football, which went down to the wire, and everyone should be very proud of their efforts.

The level of support on the night, with many parents, staff, and students in attendance, was a true demonstration of school spirit and community. Well done to all involved.

Student Growth and Engagement Team Notice

RE: Academic concerns of your student and new diagnosis

As we have finished Semester 1 and settle into the start of Semester 2 at Damascus College we thought it would be a good opportunity to remind you of the process if you have academic concerns for your student.

For families with educational concerns about their student, please reach out to your student’s Teacher Advisor. The Teacher Advisor can work with the student to develop strategies to use within the classroom. Where appropriate, students will be referred to the Student Growth and Engagement Team, where diagnostic screening may be conducted. From there, appropriate interventions will be implemented, and if necessary, students will be referred to Catholic Education Ballarat to gain more information on how a student can be appropriately supported in the classroom.

The Student Growth and Engagement team also recommend ensuring that your student’s vision and hearing is not impeding their ability to learn. If you haven’t had these tested in the last 12 months we would encourage you to get these tested. There are a number of optometrists in Ballarat who Bulk Bill. You can also book in a low-cost hearing test with an audiologist to ensure your student’s hearing is not impaired. If you obtain a referral from your regular GP it will be cheaper for you. Should your student be referred to the Student Growth and Engagement team for further testing these reports will be required before we can proceed further.

If your family has received a new diagnosis throughout Term 2 or over the holiday break, we kindly ask you to contact the respective Student Growth and Engagement Coordinator to establish a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for your student. The College is actively addressing social-emotional concerns, such as anxiety. We urge you to initiate this communication promptly for proactive support in your student's education endeavours.

For students previously funded under the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD), resources will continue to be allocated under the NCCD. Damascus College will continue to make reasonable adjustments, where needed, to assist students with a disability in accessing and participating in education free from discrimination and on the same basis as other students in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

The Student Growth and Engagement team looks forward to working with you, your student, teachers and Learning Support Officers (LSOs) to ensure the appropriate supports are in place to assist learning and growth.

If you have any specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant Coordinator or Matthew Hallowell, Student Growth and Engagement Team Leader.

The Student Growth and Engagement Teams details are as follows.

• Laura Kimm (Transition and Year 7 Student Growth and Engagement Coordinator)
  l.kimm@damascus.vic.edu.au
• Patricia Brown (Year 8 and 9 Student Growth and Engagement Coordinator)
  p.brown@damascus.vic.edu.au
• Rachel Wallbank (Year 10, 11 and 12 Student Growth and Engagement Coordinator)
  r.wallbank@damascus.vic.edu.au
• Matthew Hallowell (Student Growth and Engagement Leader)
  m.hallowell@damscus.vic.edu.au

Please see below the NCCD information sheet for download:-

2024 NCCD Information Sheet parents