The lead-up to the Year 12 final day is always a time filled with mixed emotions – excitement, pride, and a touch of anticipation. As we approach this Friday, we look forward to celebrating our Year 12 students and marking the end of their secondary school journey.

These final days are an opportunity for our Year 12 students to reflect on their time at the College and to finish well – with the same respect, gratitude, and sense of community they have displayed throughout their schooling. We are incredibly proud of how they have carried themselves in the lead-up to this significant milestone, and we are confident that their final day will be one of joy, unity, and celebration.

To all students completing their time with us this Friday – whether through the VCE, VCE VM, or other pathways – we wish you every success in the next stage of your journey. For those preparing for the VCE exams, we remind you that your teachers remain available to support you right through the examination period.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the parents and carers of our Year 12 students. Your partnership, encouragement, and support over the years have played an important role in helping your young person reach this point. Whether this is your first child to graduate or the last of your family to complete their schooling with us, we are deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in the College.

We look forward to celebrating with all Year 12 students and their families at the upcoming Graduation Ceremony in November, as we formally acknowledge their achievements and their contributions to our community.

I congratulate our senior Arts and Technology students on the outstanding exhibition displayed last week in the Damascus Events Centre. The creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship evident across all areas — Art, Media Studies, Visual Communication, Photography, and Technology — were truly impressive. Each piece reflected not only the individual talent of our students but also the depth of learning, perseverance, and critical thinking that have been developed throughout their studies.

It was wonderful to see families, staff, and students engaging with the displays and celebrating the diverse range of skills and interests within the cohort. Events such as this showcase the vibrant learning culture at Damascus and the opportunities our students have to express themselves in meaningful and authentic ways.

Congratulations and sincere thanks to the dedicated Arts and Technology teaching teams for their guidance, encouragement, and the significant time and effort invested in bringing this exhibition to life. Your work continues to inspire creativity and excellence across the College.

We keep in our prayers our graduating students and their families.