10 February By Mr. Matthew Byrne, Principal
Next Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday, and our senior student leaders will travel into St Patrick's Cathedral to celebrate Mass with Bishop Paul Bird. Our leaders will join the leaders from St Patrick's College and Loreto College.
The liturgy on Shrove Tuesday marks the commencement of our community recognition of the season of Lent. Next Wednesday (17th) is Ash Wednesday, and globally, the Catholic community are being marked (sprinkled in COVID safe times) with ashes from the earth as a sign of humility. From Ash Wednesday, Lent is the forty days that follow until the blessed celebration of Easter; the zenith of belief for Christian people.
Here at Damascus, we look to the period of Lent to support the fundraising activity for Project Compassion across the College. Damascus has a wonderful reputation as supporters of social justice. Project Compassion is the annual appeal for Caritas Australia, which is the Catholic Church's international aid organisation. The community's support of Project Compassion throughout Lent has been very generous over recent years, and we hope to be able to continue that in 2021.
Lent is a time of preparation for Easter. I often talk to young people about the opportunity to reflect on how they can give Time, Talents or Treasure over this period. Time in prayer or personal reflection about their relationship with God, Talents; the sharing of their personal gifts or talents to benefit others, and finally Treasure; charity or almsgiving to support those in need. At home, you may like to engage in the conversation about how this Lent as a family, you may be able to give Time, Treasure or Talents.
I had the good fortune of accompanying our Year 12 students, to Anglesea for their Retreat experience from Wednesday to Friday of last week. They were a remarkable group of young people who capitalised on this opportunity to strengthen their inter-relationships and explore their personal connection with our loving God. While not perfect, the weather was suitable for enjoyable beach time, and some of our 17/18 year olds still managed to get burnt! Our Year 12 Retreat is an experience that many people reflect on post their secondary school with great fondness, and this certainly appeared to be the sentiment of the students of the 2021 cohort. I thank Adrian Newman for his work over the last 12 months in preparation and for the support of RE teachers, small group leaders, Martin Ryan, Tony Haintz and former students, Castley Webb and Imogen Coles.
Year 7 Camp kicks off next week at the Log Cabin Camp at Creswick. Students will go out in House groups starting with Xavier Monday, Rice Tuesday, St Martin Wednesday and McAuley Thursday. Families should have all received information regarding the camp; however, do not hesitate to contact the College office if there are any questions. It should be a great week for our newest and youngest students to consolidate friendships within their new House groupings.
There was a big day of rowing for our senior rowers last Saturday in Nagambie. Rowing Co-Captain, Angus Shillito again won the men's open single skull event, and we congratulate Angus on his win. Our junior and intermediate rowers also competed strongly in Geelong on the Barwon. This coming weekend boys are rowing here in Ballarat in the School Boys Championships. All rowers are building up to the Head of the Lake which will take place on Friday 19th February.
I will communicate with families of rowers about arrangements for the Head of the Lake (Friday, 19th February) this week, but we do know that there are significant changes in place to ensure that it is a COVID safe event.
I ask families to continue supporting the College to support young people to adhere to the Government and Chief Health Officer's advice regarding wearing face masks. Masks are required to be worn by all staff, students and visitors to the College whenever anyone is inside. It is disappointing to have to follow up with young people who are not carrying/wearing masks. Can families please ensure students have masks on them and perhaps ensure young people have some spares within their school bag for the times they forget.
Next Wednesday (17th) there will be an information evening for families of VCAL students. This event will be live-streamed. An equivalent event will take place on Thursday (18th) for families of VCE students. If you have a student in VCE or VCAL, you are strongly encouraged to attend these events. More information can be found here.
We extend our condolences this week to the family of Finlay Reeve (Year 7) on the passing of his maternal grandfather in the UK recently. Our prayers go out to Finlay's family in this time of grief that is exacerbated by restrictions to international travel. We also extend our condolences to Isabella Munro (Year 9) and her family on the passing of her grandfather. May the God of peace be with you all.
Until next week …
MATT