Welcome back to term 2, l hope you have had a relaxing Easter break and found peace and joy with your family and friends. This week’s gospel from Luke was the story of Emmaus and how the disciples responded to seeing Christ amongst them. This gospel passage reminds us that we are people of Christ and that through one another and in our relationships, we are people of Christ. Here at Damascus, we are the one body of Christ, each one us is a host of our God’s love, compassion and forgiveness. As we continue to work, study and play together let us be people of hope, forgiveness and respect.

The staff returned to the College yesterday and completed Day 2 of our ReLate Training. I thank you for your patience in enabling the staff to participate in professional development to enhance and further develop our wellbeing practices to support our learning culture. The College continues to challenge our students academically, and to reset classroom expectations. It is essential for our young people to be engaged in their learning program and to learn the skills to work co-operatively with their peers and classroom teachers. Our House Leaders, TA’s, and subject teachers work with our young people to help them be their best. The College promotes a high level of engagement in students teaching and learning which is enhanced through positive classroom interactions and behaviours.

Through the Parent Access Module (PAM) the College will make available times for parents to meet with their child’s Teacher Advisor and this semester we are trialling the opportunity for you to meet subject teachers. The Leadership Team has responded to the feedback provided from our parents through surveys and also the Meet the Principal Q&A held last year. I urge you to make appointments with our staff to hear and learn how you can support your young person. When we work in partnership, we are modelling to them that they matter and that they are supported, loved and challenged.

Yesterday morning l attended our Dawn Service at the Cenotaph on Sturt Street Ballarat with our College Captains – Xavier Byrne and Sophie Busutill. I once again was so proud of our students who presented with humble confidence and pride. The ANZAC commemoration is a reminder that we are a privileged country because of the hard work and sacrifice made by many before us. Yesterday our PM, Anthony Albanese delivered his ANZAC Day speech, l was struck by the following line, ‘Gallipoli is just one battle in our history, but in all its stories of valour and resilience, in its simple truth of Australians looking out for each other no matter how bad things got, it has come to stand for something so much bigger in our collective heart.’ At Damascus we are a community here for one another in times of challenges, in times of joy and in times of sadness. As people of faith we are drawn to the communal, to be in community, to respect difference and to embrace the other. The ANZAC Tradition is one of mateship, friendship and deep respect.

On Thursday April 13, Fr. Jorge, Parish Priest at St Alipius and celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Fr. Jorge was ordained to the Order of the Oblates of St. Joseph, in Batangas, Philippines in 1998. Since his ordination he has worked in many places and in a number of roles. Coming to St. Alipius Parish in January of 2020, it took some time to learn much about Fr. Jorge as Covid struck and weekly masses in the church were not possible. However, since weekly masses have returned we have experienced the care he shows to his parishioners and are very grateful for all that he has provided in our parish community. We congratulate Fr. Jorge on this wonderful achievement and give thanks for all his work.

We welcome a number of staff to our College for Term 2.

Mark Holland and Leigh Denning are taking on part time teaching classes for the first half of Term 2.

Katelyn Clark will replace Adrian Newman for Term 2 and Term 3 teaching Year 7&8 Maths and Year 7&9 Science. Katelyn is an alumni McAuley student!

Sharon Roth will support the St Martins Education Resource Library team and replace leave during Term 2.

Renee Teven will join our Student Growth & Engagement Team as a Learning Support Officer.

We welcome back Trish Rowe and Nicole Burness from leave.

With Every blessing.

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope the Easter break, along with our ANZAC day holiday on Tuesday, provided some much needed time to rest and re-energise for the busy term ahead.

We have a small number of staff starting with us this term, and I warmly welcome the following staff.

If you have a child in Year 10 who has work experience next term and the paperwork has not been returned to the College, could you please attend to this as soon as possible.

Students are required to be in full Winter uniform on Monday, 8th May – this means long pants, Winter skirts and tights and track pants with the PE uniform. It is not uncommon for students to have grown, which requires skirts and pants to be let down. Skirts should be knee-length. Following up on uniform infringements takes valuable school resources away from the core business of learning and teaching and creates awkward and unnecessary conversations with students and families. Please ensure all students come to school each day in the correct school uniform.

Parents may also be pressured to purchase a rain jacket. This uniform item was introduced to cover the expensive blazer as students walk to and from school or as they wait at rural bus stops. Students are allowed to wear the rain jacket in terms 2 and 3 at lunchtime and recess while outside as another layer and to encourage student activity. The rain jacket is not to be worn in class. It does remain an optional item of uniform.

You may also be pressured to purchase a rain jacket. This item of uniform was introduced to cover the expensive blazer as students walk to and from school or as they wait at bus stops. It is an optional item of uniform.

If you are an existing family that has received an offer for an enrolment place for Year 7 for 2024, I remind you that the final day for acceptance is this Friday, 28th April.

On the evening of Friday 12th May, the Senior School formal will take place from 7:00pm to 10:30pm in the Damascus Events Centre. This is a social opportunity that Damascus College facilitates for our community's Year 11 and 12 students. It has always been a very positive event on our calendar, but it is important that we reiterate that normal school rules apply. It is an alcohol, drug and smoke-free event; any student suspected of having consumed alcohol will not be let in. There are no pass-outs through the evening. Year 12 students are permitted to bring a guest on the condition that they arrive with the Damascus College student and that the guest abides by Damascus College rules. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the evening, please contact your House Leader. It is a social activity, and hair and make-up appointments are not more important than school on Friday. Any student who is away on Friday will not be able to attend the formal. I must reinforce my encouragement that parents support one another by not condoning after parties. If you say no to requests from your child, you're actually supporting other Damascus parents who are going to receive the same pressure from their student. Students are encouraged to bring a plate of food to share.

Welcome back to Term 2.

Chris

Welcome back to term 2. I hope your families were able to gather in the spirit of Easter and acknowledge after a period of sombreness we awake to the resurrection of Christ. I was able to take some time to spend with my family where we were all able to reflect on the busyness of the start of the year. It seems that no matter your occupation the start of 2023 has indeed been hectic.

As Steven indicated in his report all our College staff have been involved in professional learning through MacKilliop Family services ReLate Program. It is important that this program is viewed as a College response not just something that falls on classroom teachers and support staff. Throughout the semester we aim to provide an opportunity to bring our parents/carers on board so they too have a greater understanding on how ReLate can contribute to positive outcomes for students.

One of the key points that was addressed on Monday was the need for our community to respond to matters in a Predictable, Calm and Reliable way. The presenters pointed out that routine and predictability reduce stress and improve the feeling of students safety in the surrounds that they are operating in. Whether that be in the workplace, home or at school our young people are looking for consistency of practice. As parents/carers you may to consider how you are addressing this. Patterns such as regular meal times, bed times, study, switching off social media at an agreed time all help build a consistent body of practice.

In addition it is important that our relationships are build around a calm and controlled patterns of behaviour. Our interaction with our young people, whether it be in behaviour management or supporting them at sporting events should be expressed in a way that emphasises a degree of calmness and control.

Finally we need to demonstrate reliability in these spaces. While we might be consistent in our expectations it is equally important to be reliable in our follow through. Knowing that behave in a manner that demonstrates a reliable outcome is important in establishing norms and expectations.

I hope that you take the opportunity to reflect on these three practices as students return to the hurly burly of term 2.

All the best,

Andy

Teacher Advisor and Subject Interviews

A How to Guide to for Parents to Get the Most from Interviews

As we embark on our first set of interviews for the year, I would like to take a moment to highlight the importance of these meetings for both parents and their students. At Damascus College, we believe that Teacher Advisor interviews and subject interviews are crucial components of a student's academic success and overall experience at the College.

Teacher Advisor (TA) interviews provide an opportunity for parents to meet with their student's TA, discuss their progress, and identify areas where they may need additional support or resources, particularly in the areas of Social Emotional Learning. These interviews also allow Teacher Advisors to gain valuable insights into their students' home lives and provide insights and supports to maximise their learning at school and at home.

Subject interviews, on the other hand, provide students with the opportunity to discuss their interests and passions with subject specialists, receive advice on subject selection and pathways, and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. These interviews can also help students to identify any areas where they may need additional support and guidance.

To help parents make the most of these interviews, we have put together a guide with some prompts to assist you in asking the right questions and maximising your student's success at Damascus College.

1. What are my student's strengths and weaknesses in this subject?

It is essential to know your student's strengths and weaknesses in a subject to provide them with the necessary support and guidance. This information can help you to identify areas where your student may need extra help or resources and enable you to work with their teacher to develop a plan to address these areas.

2. What are the expectations for this subject, and how can I help my student meet them?

Understanding the expectations for a subject can help you to support your student in achieving their academic goals. Ask your student's teacher about the assessment criteria, expected outcomes, and any resources or study techniques that can help your student succeed.

3. How can I support my student's learning at home?

Parental involvement in their student's learning is essential for success. Ask your student's teacher for guidance on how you can support their learning at home. This could include providing a quiet study space, setting aside time for homework and revision, or working with your student on specific tasks or projects.

4. What extracurricular activities or opportunities are available to my student in this subject area?

At Damascus College, we believe that extracurricular activities are essential for students to develop their interests and passions. Ask your student's teacher about any clubs, competitions, or events related to the subject that your student may be interested in participating in.

5. How can my student maximise their College experience beyond the classroom?

Finally, ask your student's teacher about opportunities for your student to get involved in the broader College community, such as volunteering, mentoring, or leadership roles. These experiences can help your student develop essential life skills and enhance their overall College experience.

In conclusion, parent-teacher interviews and subject interviews are crucial components of a student's academic success and overall experience at Damascus College. By asking the right questions and working with your student's teachers, you can help your student reach their full potential and make the most of their time at the College.

What’s happening in Term 2?

We begin Term 2 in the light of the resurrection of Christ. As faith-filled people we have much to bring to our college community - a new beginning, a fresh start. It is a time of great joy and optimism and so we look ahead to the many offerings to support the holistic development of our students.

Curriculum

Following a planning workshop, the Year 8 Religious Education team is trialling a revised approach to delivering Scripture. This grew out of the team’s dialogue and collective understanding of student educational needs. It’s great to see the team energised and ready to take on something new this term as we continue to bring the good news of the Gospel to the students in our care.

Mother’s Day

It won’t be long before we turn our attention to celebrating the significant women and nurturers in our lives as Mother’s Day approaches. A Mass will be celebrated by Father Eugene on Thursday 11 May for parents, students and staff who will be attending the Mother’s Day Liturgy and Breakfast.

Youth Ministry

The Year 11 Youth Ministry students will be assisting in the preparation of the Masses for the year levels throughout Term 2. As part of their learning, the Year 10 Youth Ministry students will be contributing to the spiritual development of their peers. They will be preparing sessions to run for Year 8 classes on ‘What is Pentecost?’ and the ‘Significance of Pentecost in our lives’.

It is wonderful to see our students supporting each other in their faith development.

Year 10 Retreat

A change of pace is in store for Year 10 students. Gen Bryant will facilitate Day One of the retreat experience for the students. Gen is a musician and composer and with her band Gen spreads the Gospel messages of hope, love and justice in an energetic and engaging way.

On Day Two students will venture into Melbourne to explore the inside workings of the magazine ‘The Big Issue.’

Sustainability Team

It’s great to have the Sustainability team up and running again in 2023. The theme for this year’s Earth Day was “Invest in our Planet”. As we begin to plan, there is much to look forward to and much to do. Staff and students will be working on their activity plan for our commitment to our planet in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

God Bless

Sharon Lehtonen

Assistant Principal – Catholic School Culture

Tuesday 14^th and Wednesday 15^th March Year 9 students visited Sovereign Hill as a part of the Industrial Revolutions Unit. The students investigated the changes in technology, buildings, building materials and clothing over a short period of time on the Ballarat Goldfields.

The goldfields brought 150 years of new ideas to Ballarat in the space of 10 years. Of course no visit to Sovereign Hill is complete unless you have bought some Raspberry Drops! I’m sure there were enough bought to go around the whole school.

On Wednesday 29^th March the Year 11 Students had the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist through their year level mass. The Mass took place in our beautiful Our Lady of Mercy Chapel in Building 7 and was celebrated by Fr Jorge de Chavez, whose birthday it was today. He wanted to share the Eucharist as his gift to us and receive our prayers as a gift for him.

Students participated through the readings, prayers and procession of the gifts, as well as participating reverently in quiet prayer. In his homily, Fr Jorge reminded us that we can’t see in the dark and that it is the light that helps us to see and helps us to live our lives. God loves us and this love is constant and always there, because He is the light. We are the messengers of God’s love to others, so we need to be conscious of the things we do and the decisions we make. Fr Jorge told us that Christ has many different modes of presence in our lives, and asked us to ponder the question, “What is Christ’s light in you?”

With much excitement, the Damascus College Performing Arts production team of ‘The Addams Family’ announces the cast for this year’s whole school musical.

The audition process included singing and acting auditions and a combined dance workshop on Sunday the 19^th with over 60 students keen to participate.

The final cast of 36 students from all year levels of the College are:

Morticia Addams – Dana Reynolds

Gomez Addams – Declan Eden

Wednesday Addams – Elarin Johnson

Pugsley Addams – Gabriel Russell

Grandma Addams – Niamh Seare

Uncle Fester – Ben Casey

Lurch – Caleb Inglis

Mal Beineke – Zac Cripps

Alice Beineke – Zoe Newman

Lucas Beineke – Marlin Phillips

Ancestor Ensemble: Jessica Dechene*, Chloe Martin*, Rylan Vermeend*, Cendrine White*, Charlie Norman*, Ava Skilbeck*, Declan Newman*, Paris Govan, Emily Meade, Lucy Baldwin, Macey McQuie, Emma Reed, Asha Dickson, Elliot West, Lucy Leviston, Adelle Kierce, Emily Busuttil, Oliver Jones, Sadie Jones, Chenoa Williams, Tiana Collins, India Ellis, Finlay Reeve, Tilly Jones and William Hollitt.

*Denotes understudies for main family members

The cast is currently working Tuesday’s and Thursday’s afterschool and on Sunday mornings from 9:00am to 12:00pm to complete the shows complex opening number before the end of term break.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #FindMyCalling

The Damascus College Year 7 students have been working on the Respectful Relationships unit in their Health & Physical education class this term. Their assessment was to create a respectful relationship ‘cake’, made of 10 values such as 1 cup of trust, 2 tbsp of kindness etc. Several students in Mr Forster’s class went above and beyond what was expected of them and baked and decorated an actual cake which they brought in for the class to share.

Well done to everyone involved.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #ImPartOfSomethingGreater

Please see following information on the 2023 STEAM Careers Expo at Damascus College: -

On Monday 27^th of March, I participated in the year seven religious education retreat, alongside the rest of my class. It was a cloudy day with rain drizzling down. We started the day in the undercroft, playing games led by the peer mentors. After around an hour of Dead Fish, Duck-duck Goose, Simon Says and Silent Ball, we boarded the bus and left to go to the Buninyong Football/Netball Club.

When we arrived, we sat in a circle and played Two Truths, One Lie. We worked together to put printouts of the Easter story into order, at each one talking about the what the different parts are about, and how they can be viewed in our lives - the deeper meaning of the ancient story.

For recess, everyone had brought a plate to share, and we ate outside where the food was laid out on the table. We ate any leftovers there for lunch, and there were lots of delicious foods.

The main part of the day was the small skits we performed in groups, acting out all the stations of the cross. Each group had two to four stations they had to perform, whilst reading a prayer, and there were many colourful fabrics strewn over the floor, waiting to be turned into creative props and costumes.

We ended the day doing a guided meditation and yoga session, which helped me calm down and spend time reflecting on the day.

One of my favourite parts was hanging out with my friends and eating food, as well as learning more about the famous bible story. We learnt about how we can relate things in the story to our everyday lives, for example, the Easter Story tells us to always keep hoping, even in the darkest of times, because you never know when a miracle might occur (like Jesus rising from the dead).

Overall, it was a fun experience, and I would recommend it to the future year seven students.

By Isabeau Turner, Year 7

Recently Damascus College students were treated to a live lunchtime concert in the Valda Ward Auditorium.

Performances were from students in our instrumental program and they were thrilled to have a chance to perform on stage displaying impressive musical talents.

It was a great turnout, with many students and staff supporting the occasion and enjoying the show.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #ImReadyToTakeOnAnything

Over the holidays Christians from around the world will commemorate a momentous event that happened over 2,000 years ago in the Middle East. It was an event that changed the course of history, an event that is the foundation of our faith.

On the last day of Term we had the opportunity to reflect on what happened, through dramatisation, song and prayer, presented by students and staff. We reflected that Good Friday was a day of paradox, where in a moment of great evil, the greatest good was revealed: the forgiving love of Jesus Christ for all humankind.

At the end of term one the Damascus College Rowing Program held their annual awards and achievement evening with a spectacular dinner in the Damascus Events Centre.

The evening was a celebration of the success and growth that the program has enjoyed during the 2022/23 season. It was an opportunity to say thank you to the parents and volunteers who give up so much of their time, resources, and energy to support our students who undertake rowing here at Damascus. The evening also provided the chance to say thank you to all of the coaches who turn up day after day to share their knowledge and skills and to motivate our students to “Be My Best”.

Awards presented on the night included the Rowing Excellence Awards for the various squads, Morongo Medal, Coxswain, and Coach of the season. The final award of the evening was presented to Daisy Simpson-Kerr who received the Senior Rowing Fellowship.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the evening, it was a runaway success. We look forward to the 2023/24 season as the Damascus College rowing program officially enters its 10th year.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #ImSupported

The following is a selection of Reflections written by Year 7 students on their first term at Damascus College: -

Year 7 Core Group 1

Lola Watson

My first term a dmac was very fun and enjoyable we first met the peer mentors and had them every Thursday. A couple weeks into school we had camp with our house group which was fun but challenging but the re retreat was even more fun, coming together with my class and sharing a meal then doing a little bit of re work. Overall Damascus was very welcoming, and I have made lots of new friends.

Lily Kolotelo

My head was spinning with excitement, ready to take in all that Damascus Collage can give. Not many of my primary school friends went to the same school I was put in and that made me extremely nervous. They all went to Loreto or St. Pats. It was only me and Londyn, A friend That I only made last year. My new friend Erika also was in our friend group And I only made her as a friend 2 DAYS AGO. I was starting to miss my old friends when Londyn branched in MORE people into the group.

CAMP!! We where all talking about it for weeks and the day finally came. As we got onto the bus Me and Erika where hoping with all our might so we Could be in the same cabin. We weren’t going to just sleep with a bunch of strangers! The day finally came and we… weren’t put in the same cabin. A feeling of great misery came upon us.

Lavinia kalouche

My name is Lavinia and I’ve started year 7 at Damascus and I can say it was a fun ride but not everything was that way. I have done lots of fun things like camp, the excursion to the movies, athletics day and many more but there were some downs about high school like homework, the assemblies were pretty boring and the nerves on the first day or the nerves from trying to find my classes. In the end I’ve made many new friends and I’m able to find my classes so everything worked out. I have to say it was pretty scary at first but once I settled in I was doing great.

I also lots of new teachers like Mr Macklin, we had some sessions with the peer mentors which are some year 10s to come and play learning games and have a break from boring class. Even though I’ve only been here one term I feel like I’ve been at Damascus for years because everyone makes it so welcoming. Damascus is a great school and really made me feel like I’ve had a great first little taste of high school life. I’ve had an awesome experience so far and hope to have many more.

Mikenzi Kappatos

My name is Mikenzi and my first time was amazing. I have met so many new people like, Oliva, Tilly, Sienna, Lavinia, Kloe, Lola and much more. The camp was so fun too! We had the giant swing and the leap of faith, The food wasn’t the best though. The peer mentoring was really fun, each week we did a number of activities. All the classes are fun too, my favourites are, Humanities, Maths, Drama, Wood and Metal! I really like the teachers to, they are so welcoming and ensuring. Swim Carnival was really fun! But so cold, I regret signing up. I’ve really liked year 7 term 1 because we have had so many days for particular things. swim carnival, athletics day, reflection day and camp. At the start of term 1 I could not find my classes but some older kids help me find my way.

Sienna Baldwin

I have enjoyed my first term at Damascus College. I have met new people and made new friends. I have made many memories at camp, like talking to new people and trying new and exciting activities. I have participating in many things like school basketball, swimming carnival, athletics day, seeing Blueback at the movies and getting my bunsen burner licence. All in all, I think I have had a great start to Damascus, and I am looking forward to what the rest of the year and my time at Damascus will bring.

Josh Rodda

My name in Josh Rodda. On my first day of school, I meet some new friends and some new teachers. I missed camp because I was sick, but all my friends told me about me. I have started making my bag tags. I got my Bunsen burner licence. That was my first term at high school.

Riley Murphy

My first term at Damascus has been good my first couple of days I was nervous because I didn’t know my rooms and I didn’t know many people here but in the first week I got to meet new friends, all my new teachers and know where my rooms are I went to camp, starting to make my bag tag and boat in wood and metal. This was my first term at Damascus and it was good.

Abbey Fuhrmeister

My first term at Damascus College was an amazing I have enjoyed learning new things that I have never done before, and it has helped having my amazing brothers by my side to show me new things as well. Learning how the school works was new and interesting and I have learnt a lot about how the school has affective results on many students. Damascus College has made a tremendous first impression on me and I love the amazing friendly environment. This school just makes me happy, I have successfully started my new journey and I definitely think I am on the right path to success. I am really excited to see what the schools future holds for me. Damascus College feels like a safe environment where I don’t feel like I am going to be judged. I have built better relationships with my friends and have built friends from friends which makes the school journey a lot easier. I have made many achievements while at camp, Athletics Day, Swimming carnival, etc.

Corben Boehm

My first term at Damascus College was filled with many new things. I got introduced to the subjects, humanities, English, science, woodwork, and metalwork. We did year seven camp and that was fun, there were many things we did and all of them were fun. Wood and metal work are very fun once you get past the planning stage. I also started dungeons and dragons which was a great decision.

Isabeau Turner

My first term at high school. Done. It’s gone by so fast, yet it feels so long ago that I first stepped onto the campus, in my brand-new uniform, a mix of fear and excitement swirling and swishing around inside me. I came to this school all alone, knowing no one, but thanks to my wonderful teachers and classmates, it was an incredible start to high school, and I have made some great friends. I’ve had so many fun times this term, and there have been so many opportunities provided to me by the school. Athletics day, swimming carnival, school camp, excursions, book club, writing club, the justice action group, playing basketball, debating and public speaking, getting voted SRC. It has been a whirlwind of things to do and experience, and I wouldn’t have it any different. There were also many opportunities to improve my learning, such as the writing enrichment program. I have loved going to high school at Damascus College. It is an amazing school, and I can’t wait for what the rest of my journey this year will bring.

Ella Gordon

First term of high school down! It still feels like yesterday when we were still learning each other’s names, now we feel like we’ve known each other for a lifetime. My name is Ella Gordon and I have really enjoyed year seven so far. High school has provided me with so many opportunities and clubs that we can participate in already.

In week three we all headed of to camp, it was an amazing chance to make new friends. We were split into groups for our activities and cabins and told to go unpack. Once we settled down, we did our activities and ate lunch before doing more activities. The next day we did our last activity and left to come back to school. We had our opening mass as well as a few assemblies we had school swimming day and it was freezing, the water was warm though. We also had sports day and it was fun because we chose what we wanted to do and didn’t have to do the other stuff. In metal we are making our bag tags and in science we got our Bunsen burner licences. We also had retreat which was fun. In conclusion this has been an amazing term and I am looking forward to my future at Damascus College.

Bryson McMillan

My First term at Damascus was good, in the first week I made some new friends like Henry, Alexander, Noah, Josh, Jud and Riley. Although it wasn’t until week 3 that school really started to get good, when we had camp. On camp we did all kinds of activities like giant swing, canoeing, leap of faith and milk crate stacking. My Favourite activity was the canoeing. After camp we nominated the year 7 SRC, there was a good competition but, in the end, Isabeau was the winner.

A new dawn is unfolding – like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.

Lord, as we begin this term, let it be filled with the things that are truly good – with the comfort and warmth in our relationships, with strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others.

Let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible – with your guidance.