Today marks the halfway point of Term 3, and with just four and a half weeks remaining, the pace of school life shows no signs of slowing.

For our Year 12 students, the coming weeks are particularly significant as they complete the final content for Unit 4 and the Vocational Major, while also undertaking their last SACs. I extend my best wishes to our senior students as they continue to work diligently toward the conclusion of their secondary school journey.

Last Friday, the College gathered in the John Shannon Centre for the Xavier House Assembly. Named in honour of Mother Xavier Flood—a woman of courage and commitment—Xavier House continues to reflect her values in its community spirit. The assembly was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the gifts and talents of Xavier House students and to come together as a College. Thank you to House Leader, Karen Hocking, and the Xavier Teacher Advisors for their work in preparing the assembly and highlighting the strengths of the Xavier House community.

Students submitted their subject selections over the last two weeks, and we are working through the blocking processes regarding what subjects are able to be run and those that cannot. It is certainly an exciting time of year when students are able to reflect, plan for and prepare for their future pathways, their journey to their chosen career, or simply stepping outside their comfort zone and having a go at a subject of interest next year.

This week we have been delighted to welcome more than 350 Grade 5 students from our local Catholic feeder primary schools for the Secondary Experience Day. Students enjoyed a College tour, participated in mini classes, and finished with a trivia competition—a fun and engaging day for all involved. SEED visits will continue on Thursday and Friday of this week.

On Monday, it was fantastic to conduct mock interviews with our Year 12 VCE-VM students. These sessions are an important part of preparing our young people for life beyond Damascus, giving them the chance to practice presenting themselves confidently and professionally in a supportive setting. I was so impressed by the way our senior students have been optimising their time in class to refine their interview skills, strengthen their resumes, and build their general communication capabilities. The poise, preparation, and maturity they displayed gave a glimpse of the bright futures that lie ahead. Opportunities like these not only help our students develop practical employability skills but also nurture their self-belief and resilience as they step into the next stage of their journey. We are very proud of the achievements of these young women and men who demonstrated that they are ready to take the leap into life beyond secondary school.

Emergency Management Drill – Shelter in Place

On Friday 5 September, the College will conduct our quarterly Emergency Management Drill. As an education facility - particularly given our beautiful bushland setting - we are required to complete four emergency management drills each year. So far, we have practiced an evacuation (Term 1) and a lockdown (Term 2). This term, we will undertake a Shelter-in-Place Drill during this day, with shorter periods in operation.

A shelter-in-place (SIP) is an emergency response that involves remaining safely inside the school rather than evacuating, as there may be greater risk outside the buildings in certain situations. For this drill, McAuley and Xavier students will shelter in the Damascus Events Centre, while St Martin and Rice students will shelter in Building 5.

We encourage families to speak with their young person about the importance of these drills in helping us prepare for a range of scenarios. Please note that no cars or visitors will be permitted to enter the site during the drill. Further details will come regarding the time. If you have any concerns about how your child may respond, please contact their Teacher Advisor or a member of the Student Growth and Engagement Team.

Looking ahead, our College Open Evening will be held on Wednesday 10 September from 4.30pm to 7.00pm. We look forward to welcoming prospective families for an evening of activities, College tours, information, and experiences. If you know a family considering a Damascus education, please share this invitation with them.

Thank you once again for your continued support and partnership in the education and wellbeing of your young person.

Chris