Welcome back to Term 2. As we begin this next chapter in our academic year, we are reminded that 2025 has been declared a Year of Jubilee — a sacred time of renewal, forgiveness and hope in our Catholic tradition. The theme, People of Hope, resonates deeply as we continue to nurture a culture of courage, compassion, and community in the hearts of our young people.

In the spirit of Jubilee, we encourage our students to embrace new opportunities with boldness and faith — to take risks, to step into the unknown, and to challenge themselves beyond their comfort zones. This is a season not only of personal growth but of communal renewal. Let us all be beacons of hope in our classrooms, on the sporting fields, in the arts, and in our everyday relationships.

This term began with a strong focus on growth and collaboration, as our dedicated staff engaged in professional learning to deepen their practice and strengthen outcomes for all students. I am grateful for their commitment to ongoing development, ensuring that our classrooms remain dynamic, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our students.

I also extend my thanks to the many families who took the time to connect with their student’s classroom teachers during the recent subject interviews. These conversations are a vital part of the partnership between home and school, and we value your involvement in supporting your student’s learning journey.

Last week, and again on Monday, some of our students participated in ANZAC Day services, honouring the courage and sacrifice of those who have served — and continue to serve — in the defence of peace and freedom. We gathered in prayer and silence to give thanks, reflecting on the legacy of service and the call to live lives of gratitude, justice and peace.

We also join the global Catholic community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a shepherd whose legacy will endure through his compassion, humility, and unwavering advocacy for the marginalised and the planet. His call for a Church of mercy and his vision of a world united in love and solidarity will continue to guide and inspire us.

We are delighted to announce the launch of our St Brendan’s Program at Dunnstown, with students from classes 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 beginning their learning journey in this unique setting. This initiative offers a rich opportunity for students to step outside the traditional classroom environment, take risks in their learning, and engage with new experiences that will challenge and inspire them. We are excited to see how this innovative approach will unfold and shape our learners throughout the term. A heartfelt thank you to Karen Goonan for her outstanding leadership and Rachel Thompson, Fiona MacKenzie, Katrina McMahon, Paul Crabtree, Roger Barrow, Nissa Phan and Marion Leith in bringing this program to life.

I would also like to welcome the following staff to the College. Loren Murphy, Roger Barrow, Samuel Renouf, Taryn Heinrich, Rohan Evans, Paris Govan, Nissa Phan, Marion Leith, Paul Crabtree and Peter Buszko.

As we journey through Term 2, may we all continue to live as People of Hope, trusting in God’s providence and one another. We are excited for the learning, events, and opportunities that lie ahead, and we encourage all students to give their best and be open to transformation.

With every blessing

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope the Easter break and School holidays have provided some much needed time to rest and re-energise for the busy term ahead.

It is fantastic to hear of the engagement in Subject Teacher Interviews over this week, and concluding Thursday evening. They provide a great opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers, and to receive clarity around any questions that you may have.

Last week, on ANZAC Day, students from the College proudly represented our community at services held in Buninyong and Ballarat.

This year marked the 110th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli—an enduring symbol of courage, sacrifice, and the spirit of the ANZACs. As a nation, we paused to honour all those who have served, and continue to serve, in defence of Australia and our way of life.

We are proud of our students for their respectful participation in these important ceremonies, helping to keep the ANZAC spirit alive in our local community.

On Monday this week, three of our students also represented the College at the 93rd Annual ANZAC Commemoration Ceremony for Students, held at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.

This special ceremony brought together students from all Ballarat secondary schools to honour the bravery and sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women. The event featured moving speeches from student guest speakers, performances by school bands, and the ceremonial presence of Defence Force cadets. Dignitaries, including Legacy’s Patron, the Governor of Victoria, attended the service, which concluded with a powerful RAAF flyover.

We commend all our students who participated in these significant events for their leadership, respect, and deep sense of gratitude for those who have served our country.

Lest we forget

This Friday, all students from Years 7 to 10, along with senior students from Years 11 and 12 who have opted in, will head to Lake Wendouree for our much-anticipated annual Lap of the Lake event.

The Lap of the Lake is a longstanding tradition in our College calendar, promoting physical fitness, participation, and house spirit in a fun and supportive environment. Students will complete 4km (Year 7-9), or a full lap (10-12), either running or walking, with all efforts contributing valuable points towards the Ron Mathews Shield.

Whether competing for a personal best, running alongside friends, or simply enjoying the experience of being active outdoors, the day is about community, encouragement, and celebrating the positive benefits of physical activity.

We encourage all students to participate with enthusiasm and to represent their house with pride. We also remind students to come prepared with appropriate footwear, a water bottle, and sun protection if needed.

We are excited to announce that the new building is expected to be ready for student and staff use from Monday, 12 May. This state-of-the-art facility will provide an outstanding environment for our students to learn and our staff to teach. It marks an exciting new chapter for our College community.

Welcome back to Term 2.

Chris

Damascus College staff recently engaged in a valuable Professional Development session led by Justin Roberts from Mackillop Family Services. The focus of the professional learning day, centred on understanding the key developmental needs of students and practical strategies for fostering positive relationships and enhancing their wellbeing within school and home environments.

One of the key messages that was reiterated throughout the day was that adolescents thrive on predictability and consistency in their lives. Staff were informed that during this period of significant physical, emotional, and social change, a stable and predictable environment provides a crucial foundation for their sense of security and allows them to navigate the complexities of adolescence with greater confidence.

The College is certainly aware families are incredibly busy, where part-time jobs, sporting commitments, and co-curricular opportunities often fill the week. Working through a planned week with families knowing in advance what the week holds can help students alleviate stress and promote a sense of control and predictability in their day.

The professional learning also underscored the critical role of adults in modelling positive behaviours and creating supportive environments for students.

Key takeaways for adults included:

• Model Self-Regulation: Students learn by observing. Adults who demonstrate healthy emotional responses, manage stress effectively, and exhibit consistent behaviours that provide powerful examples for young people to emulate.
• Practice Unconditional Positive Regard: Creating a safe and accepting space where students feel valued and respected, regardless of their mistakes or challenges, is crucial for building trust and fostering their self-esteem. This involves active listening, empathy, and a focus on their inherent worth.
• Cultivate Emotionally and Physically Safe Environments: Students need to feel secure and supported in their surroundings, both at school and at home. This includes clear boundaries, consistent expectations, open communication channels, and a culture of respect and understanding.

For me, the key messages from this professional learning will be further explored and integrated into our school's wellbeing programs and practices. Students may have already discussed some of the College’s procedures that have been implemented since Term 1. This includes a structured process on entering and exiting the classroom and an increased emphasis on seating plans.

I look forward to working with you this term in the hope that all students attend Damascus College feeling safe, and supported in a predictable learning environment.

Prayer of Gratitude for the Life of Pope Francis

The Catholic community mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.

The death of the Pope marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the life of the Catholic Church. Just a day earlier, he appeared before the faithful in Saint Peter’s Square, offering his Easter blessing and a message of peace and freedom. It was his final public gesture in a life devoted to service.

Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis tirelessly placed humanity's goodness at its heart. He wasn't afraid to challenge us, to challenge tradition, to strive every day to make people feel more welcome, more seen, more heard, and more understood. He pushed us to protect the world we inhabit, the one God made for us.

The cry of the earth, the cry of the poor

One of Pope Francis’ main messages came through his environmental encyclical, Laudato si’, On Care for our Common Home. One of the ideas that emerged from this landmark document was ‘integral ecology’, explaining why it’s so important for Catholics to understand our relationship to God, each other and creation.

He wanted to build a better world, one that heeded both the voices of the poor and marginalised, and the impact of human beings on creation.

In honour of the work of Pope Francis we offer this PRAYER FOR OUR EARTH

A Prayer for the Earth

In Memory of Pope Francis
Loving God,
Today we remember with sorrow and gratitude
your servant Pope Francis,
who returned to You after a life poured out in love and service.

Even in his final days, he brought hope to the world—
blessing us on Easter Sunday,
speaking words of peace, freedom, and compassion.

We thank You for his courage, humility,
and tireless work for justice, unity, and care for the poor.
May his example guide our hearts,
and may his spirit of mercy live on in our words and actions.

Welcome him into the light of Your presence,
and comfort Your Church as we journey forward in faith.

Through Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Innovative Beginnings and Creative Collaborations in Technology

We are delighted to welcome Mr. Peter Buszko to the Damascus College community and the Technology Learning Area this term. Peter brings an extensive background in education, with particular expertise in the practical areas of Metal and Woodwork. His breadth of knowledge and passion for hands-on learning will be an asset to both students and staff as he teaches across a range of classes in these subjects.

Last term, we saw the beginnings of a wonderful example of cross-school collaboration through the Year 10 Textiles class, who are working closely with the Nyereeka students (Grade 5) from Emmaus Catholic Primary School. As part of an exciting design project, the younger students developed concepts for mascots, which the Damascus Textiles students will bring to life. Following a visit to Emmaus, where they conducted interviews and gathered insights directly from the Nyereeka students—the Year 10s are now in the process of translating these imaginative ideas into professionally crafted mascots. The final pieces will be presented to the primary students later this term—an inspiring example of creative partnership in Technology.

Meanwhile, our Senior Product Design and Technology students—across Metal, Wood, and Textiles—have been engaging in rigorous research and development in preparation for their major production pieces. Throughout Term 1, these students have been immersed in the design process: conducting materials testing, refining their ideas, and planning their construction strategies. With the design phase nearing completion, production is set to begin in the coming weeks, marking another exciting stage in their learning journey.

We look forward to seeing the innovative work that will emerge from these projects and to continuing to foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and technical excellence in the Technology Learning Area.

Creative Sparks Fly at Top Design!

Our senior VCE Visual Communication Design students wrapped up Term 1 with a jam-packed creative day out in Melbourne as part of the VCE Season of Excellence!

🖼 First stop: Top Design at Melbourne Museum, where students explored outstanding VCE folios across Media, Product Design, Systems Engineering, Theatre Studies, and Visual Comm. Ideas were flowing, cameras snapping, and conversations buzzing as they examined the process behind some seriously impressive work.

🎥 Then onto ACMI, where students explored the permanent History of the Moving Image exhibition—seeing how professional designers and filmmakers express their creative vision through time.

🏛 After lunch, the adventure continued at NGV International, with a guided lecture on the Gestalt Principles of Visual Perception, using artworks dating back hundreds of years. A powerful reminder of how visual language can transcend time—especially relevant in an age of rapid social and technological change.

Our Year 11 students are already channelling these experiences into their own human-centred design work. What a way to end the term! 👏

📍 Top Design is running now at Melbourne Museum until 13 July. Don’t miss it!

#TopDesign2025 #VCEDesign #VisualCommunicationDesign #NGV #ACMI #VCESeasonOfExcellence #DesignExcursion #StudentInspo #CreativeEducation

HPE has had a busy and exciting start to the 2025 school year. Year 7 students were introduced to athletics and have shown excellent skill and determination in both track and field events practiced. Other practical classes include Basketball for Year 8, Ultimate Frisbee for Year 9, and Touch Rugby for Year 10.

Unit 1 PE classes are studying muscles and bones whilst Unit 1 HHD are evaluating the Dimensions of Health. Unit 3 Physical Education are currently studying biomechanics as they approach their first SAC for the unit. To aid students with their understanding Damascus facilitated a biomechanics seminar. The lesson combined theory with practical activities. Topics covered included force, summation of momentum, friction impulse, moment of inertia and angular velocity. Students were involved in practical activities such as timed runs with a weight vest, different methods of hockey passing, and using the spin discs.

Term 2 will see many more exciting practical opportunities for students. Some of the sports conducted include Lifelong Sports, Basketball, Netball, Soccer, Volleyball, Badminton, Strength and Conditioning, and many more.

From the first regatta in Bendigo through to our last regatta in Tasmania, the Damascus College Rowing Program has performed far beyond expectation this season! With many exciting races, medal winning performances and personal growth – we a very proud of the achievements of all of our rowers, coaches and staff.

It was the first time in many years that we have sent a crew to the Australian Rowing Championships where our Senior Boys Crew placed 7^th in the A Final beating out some extremely competitive crews from all around Australia!

It was also the first time in many years that a Damacus crew won a medal at the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta – the Intermediate Girls Crew winning a silver medal in the Year 10 Coxed Four Division 1 event!

A big congratulations to Joshua Matheson (2022) for making the Victorian Rowing Team in the Youth Eight. Josh rowed in bow seat of the winning Victorian crew at the recent Australian Rowing Championships Interstate Regatta.

Well done to everyone involved in the Rowing Program! See you again next season.

2025 Excellence in Rowing Award Recipients:

Junior Boys Rower of the Year

Winner Vincent Howgate

Runner Up Mason Firth

Junior Girls Rower of the Year

Winner Grace Rivett

Runner Up Dani Crilly

Intermediate Boys Rower of the Year

Winner Kieran Govan

Runner Up Hamish McNaughton

Intermediate Girls Rower of the Year

Winner Georgia Thompson

Runner Up Molly Murnane

Senior Boys Rower of the Year

Winner Declan Newman

Runner Up Sebastian Erwin

Senior Girls Rower of the Year

Winner Catherine Coad

Runner Up Ivy Storey

Cox of the Year

Winner Ray Clark

Runner Up Leuca Henderson

• Senior Rowing Fellowship

Joachim Henderson

• Coach of the Year

Robert Davis

The Damascus College debating team recently kicked off their season with the Debaters Association of Victoria's, online debate against Sacred Heart College Kyneton.

Participating students were Isabeau Turner (Y 9), Bronte Jarvis (Y 10) and Emily Meade (Y 10), and they debated the negative side of the topic, 'That tickets to all sporting events should be free'.

All speakers argued strongly and were successful on winning the debate with Bronte Jarvis receiving the award of best speaker.

Well done to all involved.