On Friday 3 May 2024, Damascus College hosted the Diocesan Catholic Education Week dinner, whereby the Diocesan leaders acknowledged the commitment of people who have graciously provided thirty years of service to Catholic education.

Damascus wishes to recognise and give thanks to the following staff who celebrated thirty years of vocation to Catholic Education: Hamish McCrum, Judy Vanderkley, Cathy Prunty and Steven Mifsud.

Outstanding contributors were also celebrated and recognised with the Spirit of Education awards. Damascus College is proud to announce, our very own, Cathy Prunty received an award for Empowering all to flourish and Tony Haintz (past Assistant Principal, Catholic Culture) received the Building Inclusive Catholic Learning Communities award.

Congratulations to Cathy and Tony, due recognition for these two exceptional members of our community.

Tony Haintz, Damascus College, Ballarat

Building Inclusive Catholic Learning Communities Award

Tony has been responsible for leading the Catholic Identity of Damascus College since playing a key role in drawing together the charisms of its three founding schools in 1995.

Tony always ensures Catholic identity is evident and accessible through presenting school masses and liturgies in ways that are engaging and meaningful to the diverse College community.

He and the team supporting him regularly facilitate best-practice professional learning for Damascus staff and, at various times, other Catholic schools - Damascus College has one of the highest rates of participation in the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) program, and Tony always ensures participants are well supported.

Tony has also been instrumental to the writing and implementation of the Awakening Curriculum, and its successive revisions.

He has tirelessly promoted and supported the work of his own parish, St Aloysius, and the Diocesan Church, throughout his professional life, including as Chair of the Diocesan Social Justice Commission.

One of Tony’s great achievements grew from the City of Ballarat's friendship with the Municipality of Ainaro in Timor-Leste. Tony and a colleague travelled to Timor Leste in 2010 and formed a close relationship with the school community of Santa Maria, Ainairo.

As a result, Damascus College continues to conduct immersion experiences grounded in Catholic Social Teaching for students and staff in collaboration with Ballarat Friends of Anairo.

Tony’s work epitomises bringing ‘fullness of life to all’ through building an inclusive Catholic learning community at Damascus College and beyond.

Congratulations Tony!

Cathy Prunty, Damascus College, Ballarat

Empowering all to Flourish Award

Cathy is a role model when it comes to empowering those around her to flourish.

She is beloved by staff, students, and families, excelling in her ability to build trust and create safe spaces where everyone feels at ease.

Cathy organises liturgies in such a way that all are visibly included. She takes time to know the students well, and asks them to perform roles that are challenging, yet achievable.

Cathy is astute at identifying the marginalised in the College community and persistent in actioning strategies to ‘bring them into the fold.’

Her successes with students in the ‘Hands On Learning Program’, supporting Year 10 students who aren’t suited to the conventional classroom, have been particularly significant, drawing deep respect from students and colleagues alike.

These are students that many teachers struggle to build positive relationships with, but Cathy is consistent in her efforts and ability to guide them to positive outcomes.

Cathy is also tireless in her work for her parish and wider communities, enabling her to make explicit the link between Catholic Social Teaching and the lives of her students.

Cathy works to continually update her teaching practice to engage students and empower them to live the Mercy values, while inspiring colleagues to do the same.

Cathy truly does empower all around her to flourish.

Congratulations Cathy!