Our new Year 12 students for 2026 set out this morning on their three-day retreat program. This time away together offers them a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect and build deeper connections as a senior cohort. The retreat is an important moment in their faith and formation journey, encouraging them to unite in purpose and spirit as they prepare to step into their final and most significant year of schooling. We pray that these days strengthen their sense of community, deepen their understanding of themselves and others, and ground them in the values that will guide them throughout the year ahead.

A reminder that the final day of school for 2025 will be Friday 5 December. This day will run under an alternative timetable and will include our Semester Awards presented within House communities, year-level Liturgies, and a range of ball games and activities. Attendance is expected for all students in Years 7–9 (2025) and Year 11 & 12 (2026), as it forms an important part of the close of our school year.

This week also marked the beginning of the Early Start Program for our 2026 Year 11 and 12 students. This program provides students with an opportunity to begin their new courses, meet their teachers, and establish routines that help set a strong foundation for the year ahead.

On Monday evening, we were delighted to farewell our graduating Class of 2025 at our Year 12 Graduation Mass and Dinner. It was a wonderful celebration of their achievements, resilience, and growth throughout their secondary journey. We congratulate each of our graduates as they step confidently into the next chapter of their lives, and we look forward to welcoming them back as Damascus College Alumni in the years to come. Our sincere thanks go to our Catholic Culture team and Senior School team for their dedication in preparing both the Mass and the dinner, ensuring a meaningful and memorable event for our graduates and their families.

Congratulations to our Sustainable Racing Team on a successful year, led with commitment by Alan Strange and strongly supported by Danielle Nyikos, Peter O’Loughlin and Carley Young. Their hard work culminated in the SRT event in Maryborough over the weekend, where the team represented Damascus with pride, teamwork and enthusiasm. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the parents, carers and volunteers who have generously supported the team throughout the year.

Next Tuesday, 2 December, is Orientation Day for our incoming 2026 Year 7 students. We are very much looking forward to welcoming our new students to the Damascus community on this significant day. Please note that Unit 1–4 classes and VCE/VM classes for our 2026 Year 11 and 12 students will run as normal. For students currently in Years 7–9 (2025), this will be a student-free day.

Prayer for Our Graduates
Loving God,
We give thanks for our graduating students—their gifts, their growth, and the journey that has shaped them. Bless them as they step into new pathways with courage, wisdom and hope. May they carry forward the values of compassion, justice and faith that they have lived here at Damascus. Guide their footsteps, surround them with supportive hearts, and fill them with confidence in the future you have prepared for them.
Amen.

Chris