Welcome to our first edition of Damascus News for the 2024 academic school year. I hope you have had a restful Christmas, where you have been able to connect with family and friends and were nourished by the Spirit of the Holy Season. Christmas is a time to celebrate our families, friends and loved ones. May you be blessed with a year filled with much joy, growth and sustainable relationships.

We are excited and humbled to welcome, both new and returning families to the College community. On Wednesday we welcomed students from Year 7 and 12. The buzz, laughter and joy was palpating and our community was eager to gather, to learn and to embrace one another. Today we gathered as College community in the John Shannon Centre where we welcomed our Year 7 students and all members of our College community.

Our senior students chose the song, Find your People, by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbours, to play for our Assembly. It is a song that celebrates friendships, honesty and authenticity and explored our College theme of Living Mercy. I invited Tara Orchard, Harrison Kennett and Emily Crumpler to present their interpretation, l was so impressed by our young people’s wisdom and maturity and ability to share their thinking with over 1300 staff and students present. The song is about finding your people, who will challenge, support and help you be your best version of yourself. The students were able to articulate how one needs to surround themselves with people who give you energy and joy. I have even attached the link for you to view here

Thank you to the many families who attended our recent Teacher Advisor (TA) Meetings. The College has a strong reputation for ensuring each student is named and known and our TA program is an essential pillar. I remind families that your student’s TA is your first port of call and the crux of our partnership within the College.

At Damascus, we are proud of every young person and work assiduously to provide the best learning opportunities for each and every student. Our mantra, ‘to be our best,’ recognises the need for each one of us to be in community and to work in partnership to create the best faith learning environment for every young person. Our vision statement; “Damascus College is a dynamic Christ-centred learning community that values each member and is committed to inspiring and challenging students to reach their potential and contribute confidently to the global community, reminds us that learning is a partnership and requires each one of us to work together to nurture, challenge and build relationships that foster mutual understanding.

This year our College theme: Living Mercy recognises and celebrates our Mercy heritage and tradition. As a community we are blessed to have a Mercy Charism and the model of Catherine McAuley who demonstrated what it meant to be a person of faith, courage and hope. This year our community will explore what it means to be ‘living mercy,’ in a world that is experiencing much conflict, suffering and misunderstanding. We believe as a community we’re beacons of hope and agents of social change. Change begins from within and examination of ourselves and our relationship to the other.

2024 holds the key to unlocking our individual potential, discovering new passions, and overcoming challenges that will shape every members academic and personal growth. I encourage each of us to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead, whether it's diving into a fascinating subject, joining a club that sparks our interest, or forging connections with our peers. Remember, this is not just a new year; it's a chance to redefine our learning narrative and to create memories and experiences that will last a lifetime, this message for both our young people and ourselves as adults. Our young people need to see and hear us learn.

I would like to acknowledge our fabulous staff, who have commenced the year full of enthusiasm and renewed energy for the possibilities the year ahead holds.

Over the next few weeks we have a number of key events that l wish to draw your attention to:

• Student Photos
• Year 7 Camp and Retreat
• Year 7 Welcome BBQ
• Opening College Mass

These events are listed in the College calendar in PAM and further details will be provided where relevant.

Can I please ask all families to ensure that their students arrive for the Student Photos on Monday 5 February, in full College uniform including blazer, no facial hair, with no jewellery or make-up and long hair must be tied up.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter and l encourage you to hear of the great work undertaken by our leaders within the College because together and in partnership we are our best.

With every blessing

Welcome to Damascus College for the 2024 School year!

I welcome all those who are new to our community and congratulate you on your efforts over recent days to make a positive start at Damascus. Our opening College assembly held today was a fantastic start to our 2024 school year, with a reminder of what it means to Be our Best in all that we do.

We are delighted with the calibre and commitment of the staff who have joined Damascus College over the past 12 months, and our 2024 school year, and we are confident they will be great additions to our College community.

We welcome;

• Stephen East - Leader of Mission/Teacher​
• Gavin Webb – Sports Coordinator/Teacher​
• Andrea Hadley – Teacher​
• Narelle Dixon – Teacher​
• Mikhaila Picone – Teacher​
• Peter Hexter – Teacher​
• Jayde McSparron - Teacher​
• Jessica Simon – Teacher​
• Rachael Thompson – Teacher​
• Alan Ng – Teacher​
• Tegan Heinrich-Morrison – Teacher​
• Danielle Nyikos – Teacher​
• Katrina McMahon – Teacher​
• Jack Mattinson – Learning Support Officer​
• Toni Schiltz – Student Counselling Practitioner​
• Lois Stiles – Learning Support Officer
• Amy O’Loughlin - Teacher

Naturally, the return of the school year brings with it higher levels of routine for school families following the more casual summer months. It does take a week for students to get back into routine. I cannot understate the value of plenty of sleep, a healthy diet and exercise to fuel good learning and assist your student/s in establishing sound routines from the start of the year. If there have been any concerns over the initial days of your student’s schooling, please talk with your Teacher Advisor, and they will support you to try and navigate solutions.

To support Year 7 Students in their start at Damascus, Year 7 students will be dismissed from class at 3.10pm each day until Friday 9 February, to allow them to get to their lockers and the buses before the rest of the students leave class.

Student Photos will be held on Monday 5 February in the Damascus Events Centre (DEC) for individual Photos, and the John Shannon Centre (JSC) for Year level photos. Can I please remind families of the importance of students being in their correct summer uniform. Hair should be tied back if it reaches the shoulders; students should have clean shaven faces. The only permissible jewellery includes a watch and a pair of sleepers or plain studs in the earlobe; jewelled studs are not allowed. Facial or tongue piercings are also prohibited. Families are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the College Uniform Policy attached below: -

2024 Uniform Letter and Expectations

The schedule for Student photos is as follows;

• Period 1 - Year 7 (called during TA)
• Period 2 - Year 9 (Called at end of P1)
• Recess – Family Photos
• Period 3 - Year 8, Year 11
• Period 4 - Year 12
• Period 5 - Year 10

The ongoing safety and wellbeing of all children and young people is the primary focus of care and decision making at Damascus College. Particular attention is paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability. Protecting young people from abuse is critical for Damascus College. Our Child Safe and Safeguarding Children and Young People policies and procedures can be seen on the College website here. Families are encouraged to engage with our policies and procedures and ask questions or suggest improvements. In partnership with our families, Damascus College ensures children and young people are engaged and active participants in decision-making processes, particularly those that impact their safety. This means that the views of staff, children, young people and families are taken seriously, and their concerns are addressed in a just and timely manner. For further information, please contact the College’s Child Protection Officer’s, Hannah Keating, Andrew Robertson, or myself on 03 5337 2222 or visit Child Safety on the Damascus website for more information.

This morning (Thursday) is the College Open Morning for prospective future students and families. If you are a current family who has a child in Grade 6 this year and are seeking a Year 7 placement in 2025, please complete your enrolment form before this coming Friday 2 February, as the demand for places is high. More information about enrolments and School tours can be found here.

Can I please remind families that if your student(s) has an appointment, needs picking up prior to the end of the day or has a holiday coming up, that you contact the Front Office with this information in advance. This can be done via phone, PAM, or the App. Student's are unable to leave class without prior notification to the office.

We are excited about 2024 and the educational journey, and we look forward to sharing that journey with you.

Chris

Partnering with Families for Student Success

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the start of an exciting new school year. I am writing to provide greater insight into our learning and teaching priorities and how we can work together to support your student's growth and success.

First, I want to emphasise the importance of strong partnerships between school and home. Teacher advisor interviews, scheduled early in the term, are a valuable touchpoint for us to connect and align on academic, social and emotional goals tailored to your child's needs. These conversations enable us to collaborate on strategies to motivate learning and cultivate strengths. I strongly encourage you to meet with your student’s teacher advisor even if you were unable to commit to one this term; this two-way sharing of insights lays the foundation for a productive year ahead.

A major area of focus will be developing foundational literacy skills across all subject areas. Literacy is far more than reading and writing—it encompasses speaking, listening and higher-order thinking skills that empower students to interpret complex information, articulate ideas, and make meaning from diverse texts. Our teaching staff will provide explicit literacy instruction, especially for Year 8 students, to build comprehension, critical analysis, written communication and more. Targeted intervention and enrichment in Years 7-9 will reinforce these competencies so students gain fluency and confidence.

In tandem, we aim to elevate higher-order thinking skills like evaluation, synthesis and creation. Our 5E instructional model (Engage, Explain, Explore, Elaborate, Evaluate) facilitates this by moving beyond rote learning. Teachers will introduce and consolidate skills in each lesson using the 5Es, ensuring full student understanding through examples, discussion and collaboration. With ample opportunities to analyse issues from multiple lenses, construct insights and articulate reasoning, students will develop the cognitive agility needed to excel in school and life.

While we focus on building academic capabilities at school, success also relies on discipline, organisation and time management at home. I ask that you help establish routines around studying, prioritising a quiet space and protected time each evening to review classwork, complete assignments and study. With the fast pace of content coverage across subjects, consistent review and knowledge consolidation is imperative for retention and achievement.

I also encourage you to attend our academic workshops and information evenings throughout the year. These provide valuable insights into how you can support learning at home. Topic areas will include:

• Establishing effective home study habits
• Building literacy and reading comprehension
• Higher order thinking and problem solving
• Managing assignments and preparing for exams

I am excited to collaborate with you this year as we guide your child toward their full potential. Together, through a shared commitment to literacy, higher-order thinking and diligent study habits, we can provide the foundation for their growth and future success. Please reach out if you have any questions. I wish your family a year rich in learning and personal growth.

How wonderful it was to welcome back our students this week. I especially welcome our new families to our Damascus College Community. It is a privilege to have an input into the academic, spiritual, and social and emotional development of your student.

Monday provided me with an opportunity to speak to staff on the Catholic Education Office – Central Zone’s theme for the year. The focus on the theme comes from St Paul’s Letter to the Romans in which the apostles list qualities appropriate for a community inspired by Christ. The reading speaks of being joyful in hope, patient in affliction and joyful in prayer. These words and practices form a wonderful anchor that our community needs to call upon in our interactions with each other.

As the College embarks on the second year of Mackillop ReLATE Teaching and Learning model we are reminded of our commitment to the unconditional positive regard of the young people we are supporting. We acknowledge the diversity of challenges that will impact students experience in the classroom. Being joyful in hope and patient in affliction certain resonates with our ReLATE model.

As parents and carers, there are number of habits that I would hope you are encouraging as your students return to the formalities of the school day. The Catholic Education Commission of Victoria has provided a series of guidelines that provide a useful reference point how parents and carers can support the wellbeing of the young people under their care. These guidelines include

Encourage healthy eating, sufficient sleep and regular physical activity.

It is recommended children and young people do at least 60 minutes each day of moderate to vigorous physical activity that makes the heartbeat faster. Children aged 5 to 13 years should be getting 9 to 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Young people aged 14 to 17 years get 8 to 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Encourage positive attitudes, values and behaviours like organisation, confidence, persistence, and doing your best.

The development of students Social and Emotional Learning skills is clearly linked to improved student outcomes. As a college we acknowledge students are progress with these skills. Parents/ Carers should be encouraging resilience, persistence, organisation, team work and confident behaviour. When you see your student demonstrating these skills praise and acknowledge them

Celebrate your child’s successes.

Young people thrive on affirmation and recognition of success. Take the opportunity to label their achievements. Go beyond the ‘well done’ and label the success. “Well done on your result in mathematics. I know you have put a lot of work in nailing how the area of a circle is measured”.

Help your child balance the amount of time spent in school work and play.

Encourage your student to get involved in activities that allow them to flourish in a variety of settings. Exposure to a variety of activities allows students to cultivate a variety of skills.

I look forward to working with you all throughout the year.

Living Mercy

The beginning of the school year is both an exciting and daunting time. As I look to the year ahead, I see many opportunities for our families to partner with us in the holistic growth and development of the students. It is also an opportunity for us to grow as a community.

Damascus College is a community that has a faith identity, grounded in a story, the story of Jesus Christ. We are unique in the way we express our faith.

In the College we often talk of a Mercy tradition. This means we have a particular way of acting and seeing the world.

This year, we have chosen the theme ‘Living Mercy’. We will spend the year exploring each of the values and how they may help us to grow though a deeper understanding of what they might look like in our lives and in our community. Living the values is an opportunity to reflect on our words, thoughts, attitudes and actions.

At the end of the day, we can reflect on some questions and ask our students: where did you find Mercy today? What did it look like? On days when things don’t go as we planned, as a community that supports restorative practice, we might ponder, what might Mercy look like tomorrow?

We aspire to see these values in our work, in our school and in our community.

Respect: to see the goodness in everyone we encounter. To be self-aware, reflective, and respectful of uniqueness in embracing our interconnectedness with all God’s creation.

Compassion: to recognise the suffering of others with gentleness and kindness. To answer the call to action by not being bystanders in times of challenge. To understand that compassion is a decision, not a feeling.

Justice: to recognise, respond, speak out and act whenever injustice is seen. We are inspired by Jesus Christ to be stewards working together to make our planet more peaceful, sustainable, and just.

Courage: to act with integrity when attitudes and social barriers stand in the way of ethical living and decision making. To be resilient and have grit to meet the demands of our Christian mission, in encountering injustice and actively working toward a more equal and equitable future for all.

Service: to serve and not be served. To be generous in sharing our talents and resources so that no one might be in need. Being of service to others is an act of gratefulness and in turn offers thanksgiving to God.

Hospitality: to open our heart and home to welcome the stranger. To move beyond our comfort zone to create an experience of ‘home’ for others.

It was wonderful to welcome our commencing Year 7 students and their families to Damascus College on Wednesday 31 January for the first day of term.

It was also great to welcome back our Year 12 students on the same day, who proudly helped the Year 7 students settle into their first day at Damascus!

Congratulations to Damascus College Year 7 students Anna and Annabelle on securing roles in the upcoming Ballarat Lyric Theatre production of Annie.

Anna has been cast in the titular role of Annie, and Annabelle is playing orphan July.

Well done to Anna and Annabelle on landing these delightful roles, we hope you have a wonderful time. We have no doubt that you will light up the stage.

(If you know of other Damascus performing arts achievements, please send them to info@damascus.vic.edu.au)

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #FindMyCalling

Today the Damascus College community gathered together as a whole school cohort, at the first college assembly for 2024.

New students and staff were welcomed to Damascus, and 2024 College Captains Paris Govan and Lucas Wells led their first assembly. Well done to them both for a fantastic job.

College expectations were a highlight of the assembly, and the 2024 College Theme of Living Mercy was introduced, and will be further unpacked throughout the year by staff and students.

Senior students chose the song 'Find Your People' to be played, a song that celebrates friendships, honest and authenticity. It is about finding your people, who will challenge, support, and help each of us to be the best version of oneself.

It was wonderful to have all students back to commence the school year today, the campus was certainly abuzz with a mix of nerves and excitement for more than 1200 students, and 180 staff, that enjoy a contemporary learning environment set on an inspiring 20 hectare bush setting.

Damascus College is excited to welcome our new staff for 2024.

We look forward to their enthusiasm, knowledge, skills, and new ideas, to further enhance the learning experience at Damascus College.

We are excited to partner with each new staff member, to grow and develop a contribution and commitment to the Damascus College community.

During the holidays (16th to 20th Jan), Damascus College Yr 9 student Azalea Wighton represented country Victoria in U16’s basketball in the Australian country junior basketball cup in Albury. Her team competed against all the other Australian states and teams from New Zealand, and they won the cup.

Congratulations Azalea and the team on your victory!

(If you know of other Damascus sporting achievements, please send through to info@damascus.vic.edu.au)

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #ImReadyToTakeOnAnything

Urgently sought Host Families for Visitors from France

There is still an urgent need to find host families for students visiting from our Sister School, St Benoit (Angers) in France who will be touring Australia and staying at Damascus from 3 -15 March 2024. The majority of visiting students have been allocated; just need three more.

The relevant dates for prospective Host Families are as follows:

Sunday 3 March 2024 St Benoit Students arrive at Damascus College. They would need to be collected from the College by their Host Family at a very early morning hour.

Friday 15 March 2024 St Benoit Students depart from Damascus College at approximately midday to travel to Tullamarine Airport to complete their Australian Experience in Sydney.

As the Labour Day weekend (9-11 March 2024) falls in the middle of the time that the St Benoit Students will be in Ballarat, we ask that families consider this when volunteering to be a Host Family and be willing to include their visiting Student in all aspects of their family life, including family holidays. It might be more ideal to consider this if you were not planning any family holidays over the long weekend.

Due to the ages of our visiting Students, we are seeking expressions of interest from families with Students who will be in Years 9 and 10 in 2024 (current Year 9 and 10 Students). It is not a requirement that your Student is currently studying French. In fact, it would be very desirable that the visiting Students enjoy a truly diverse experience whilst in Australia. To adhere to child safety regulations, aged over 18 will need to have a WWC (working with children) clearance. The visiting student will require a bedroom to themselves. This might require other residents in the home to sacrifice some of their own space for two weeks, if space is an issue.

Please email Finn Augustin at f.augustin@damascus.vic.edu.au if you would like to offer or have any questions about offering your support.

Please see following information on how to order your school photos for Monday. Please note, any questions and or concerns re photos are to be directed to MSP Photography by calling 5333 5577.

Our school is committed to providing students with unique learning opportunities, which is why we are pleased to offer ePlatform, a digital library for students that provides free access to eBooks and Audiobooks.

The benefits of ePlatform:
With ePlatform, your student has 24/7 access to eBooks and Audiobooks for free. This is a wonderful extension of our physical school library and allows titles to be checked out at home, over the weekend or during school breaks without worrying about losing or accruing late fees because they automatically return at the end of the loan period. Students of all ages can benefit from ePlatform's reading and comprehension tools. A service like this can benefit struggling or reluctant readers, learning-challenged students, second-language learners as well as gifted readers alike.

• Unique reader customisation with Settings wizard, across all devices
• Introduce students to books above their reading level
• Help busy kids find time to read
• Professionally curated collection with age restrictions set by school staff
• Increase vocabulary and improve pronunciation and comprehension
• User friendly for all types of readers & listeners (e.g. reluctant, dyslexic)

How does it work?
Ensure your reader has the ePlatform app which can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store, Google Play Store or visit eplatform.co to begin. Students’ login using their student ID and device password (SSO). Please contact us directly should your reader have any trouble logging in.

Kind regards,

SMRC Librarians

Damascus Sport Report – Week 1, Term 1, 2024

Welcome back

Hello to all and welcome back to the 2024 school year. Gavin Webb is my name, and I am the new Sports Co-ordinator at Damascus College. I am delighted to take on this role and I am very much looking forward to providing as many students as possible with opportunities to represent the college in BAS (Ballarat Associated Schools) after school sport and other competitions and tournaments throughout the year. It has been wonderful to see students return to campus, eager to commence the 2024 school year and attack the challenges that they will be faced with.

As well as after school sport on a weekly basis (commences week 3) we have our annual Swimming and Athletics carnivals in Term 1, BAS Swimming, BAS Tennis Singles Championships, BAS Golf and the esteemed Head of The Lake (key dates are listed below). From my experience, I know that students who participate in extra-curricular activities establish a greater connection at the college with peers and staff. The development of school spirit, which starts by taking pride in your performance and experiencing the highs of winning and losing together teaches resilience and grit. These attributes correlate with your studies and your personal life. So, my challenge to you all is to sign up to a Term 1 after school sport and enter into as many events as you can for the Swimming and Athletics carnival.

The morning notices will be full of sport information (key dates, meeting times etc.) over the coming days and it is vital that you regularly check your emails and the school App for the most up to date sport information. Once teams are established, MS Teams will be the main form of communication on a weekly basis (more information to come).

January Rowing camp

In January, the annual rowing camp was held for Junior, Intermediate and Senior crews. I would like to thank Paul Blanchfield, Linda Skidmore, Claudia Griffin, coaches and parents for all their help and organisation prior to and on the camp. The crews are looking strong and have already competed in some regattas in the lead up to the Head of the Lake, which is on Sunday Feb 25. All rowers should be congratulated on their efforts thus far, we are now reaching the business end of the season, continue to train hard and enjoy pushing each other to succeed.

BAS Sport – Term 1

The majority of Ballarat Associated Schools (BAS) Term 1 sport commences in week three. Students need to ensure that they listen to the morning messages and attend meetings so that they are organised know where they need to be. Always communicate with your coaches if you are unavailable or for general inquiries, generally this will be via MS Teams.

There are plenty of opportunities for all year levels and abilities. After school sport is a great way for Year 7’s to meet new friends, get to know teachers and other Damascus staff and participate in a sport they may never have played before.

*Venues and coaches to be confirmed.

* Number of teams per sport is dependent on level of interest.

*Some sports may not run if numbers are not sufficient

Swimming

The Damascus Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday, February 29 at the Eureka Pool. All students are to attend TA and will be bussed down with staff. In preparation for this, an extended TA and short House Assembly (TBC) will be held on Thursday February 8, where students will be able to sign up for events. The BAS Swimming Carnival will be held on Wednesday, March 20 at the Ballarat Aquatic Centre at 2:00pm. Any inquiries regarding swimming please do not hesitate to contact Patty Dillon or myself via email or drop down to the gym and say hello.

Athletics

The Damascus Athletics Carnival will be held on Tuesday, March 19 at Llanberis. An extended TA and House Assembly will be on Thursday March 7 to sign up for events. Please note that the BAS Athletics Carnival is at Llanberis on Wednesday, May 1, Term 2 (more information to come).

Term 1 Key Dates

Damascus Sport Uniform

Students need to ensure they are in the correct uniform to participate. Students should check with their coach as to what is required. Also, remember to wear sunscreen at all times if competing outside and bring your own drink bottle.

I wish all students and coaches the best in 2024. Always play the game in the right spirit, wear the correct uniform, respect the umpires, staff in charge and the facilities. You all have an opportunity to add to your school experience by being the best you can be, both in and out of the classroom

Please do not hesitate to contact myself (g.webb@damascus.vic.edu.au) or Sport and PE Administrator, Patty Dillon (p.dillon@damascus.vic.edu.au) at the College with any questions.

Regards,

Gavin Webb

Sports Co-ordinator

School’s back! So that means reduced speed limits around schools to keep kids safe.

Please watch out and slow down for children crossing the road and around school buses.

For further information please click here