It has been another big year for our school community. Together we have embraced challenges, celebrated achievements and continued to grow in faith and learning. The dedication of our students, families and staff has ensured that 2025 has been a year of progress and success and I’m grateful for the collective effort that makes Damascus such a vibrant place to learn and belong.

As the end of the academic year rapidly approaches, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our students.

Congratulations to all students who participated in exams and the many assessments. Your commitment and perseverance throughout this assessment period is commendable. I’m immensely proud of the way you have applied yourselves and demonstrated resilience and dedication.

Special congratulations to our Year 12 cohort who this week attended their Graduation Mass and celebratory dinner. This is a significant milestone, marking the culmination of years of dedication, growth and spirit. I wish you every success as you take your next steps beyond Damascus.

Best wishes to our 2026 Year 12 students as they embark on their retreat this week. May this time away provide reflection, renewal and inspiration as you prepare for your final year of study here at Damascus.

Please note that this is the final newsletter for 2025. A Principal’s Communication will be distributed via PAM at the end of next week to provide closing reflections and important updates.

Thank you to all students, families and staff for your contributions throughout the year. Together we have created a vibrant and supportive learning community, and I look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2026.

With every blessing,

Steven

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

As we move toward the end of the school year, it has been wonderful to see our students engaged so positively in the learning experiences of the past fortnight.

Year 10 & Year 11 Exams

Last week, our Year 10 and Year 11 students completed their end-of-year exams. It was fantastic to see how seriously the students approached this process—arriving well prepared, asking thoughtful questions, and giving their best effort.

Research consistently shows that opportunities to practise formal assessments build confidence, develop effective study routines, and improve long-term learning outcomes. Examinations help students consolidate knowledge, identify areas of growth, and strengthen their ability to work under timed conditions—skills that are essential for success in future VCE studies and beyond.

Our students demonstrated maturity, focus, and resilience throughout the exam period, and we are incredibly proud of the way they engaged with this important part of their academic journey.

Year 11 VCE VM Expo

Also last week, our Year 11 VCE Vocational Major students hosted their annual Expo. Students showcased the projects they have been working on throughout the year, presenting to both staff and peers. Their displays highlighted creativity, problem-solving, community engagement, and applied learning in action. It was inspiring to see the confidence with which students shared their achievements and reflected on their growth.

Year 10 HoLP Lunch

Last Thursday, I also had the honour of attending the Year 10 HoLP (Hands-on Learning Program) lunch. Students proudly showcased the work they have undertaken throughout the year in their hands-on learning days. It was wonderful to see the skills, confidence, and teamwork they have developed, along with the pride they took in discussing their projects. Sharing a meal and “breaking bread” with parents/carers made the occasion even more special, and it was a privilege to celebrate these achievements together.

Early Start for 2026 Year 11 & 12 Students

This week marks the beginning of Early Start for our 2026 Year 11 and 12 students. Early Start is an important part of our senior school program, giving students the opportunity to meet their new teachers, understand expectations, and begin their learning before the new year commences. Research suggests that early exposure to course content reduces student anxiety, supports smoother transitions, and leads to stronger academic outcomes. We look forward to supporting our new senior students as they take this next step.

PAT Testing for Years 7–10

Later this week, students in Years 7 to 10 will undertake PAT Testing in reading and numeracy. Conducting this testing at the end of the year provides valuable data that will help us tailor learning programs, identify areas for targeted support, and ensure teachers have a clear understanding of each student’s progress heading into 2026. This information plays a key role in planning for differentiated instruction and supporting the individual needs of every learner.

With the semester coming to an end, I want to thank everyone for the support you have shown throughout the year. My first semester as Assistant Principal of Teaching and Learning has been incredibly rewarding, and I feel very lucky to be part of such a welcoming and dedicated community. I’m excited to continue this journey with you next year.

Wishing every family a safe, relaxing, and joy-filled festive season and holiday break.

Graduation Mass and Dinner: A brief reflection

I recently had the privilege of attending the Year 12 Final Mass and Graduation Dinner—two significant events that mark the culmination of our students’ journey at Damascus College. These occasions always provide a moment for me to pause and reflect on the growth of young people who, for me, were once familiar faces in the junior school classrooms.

As I watched these young adults make their way to the altar during Mass, I was reminded that their time at Damascus has not always been easy. Many have faced challenges—concerns about core groups, friendship changes, family separations, and struggles with mental health. Yet, despite these obstacles, they have persevered and completed their journey with courage and resilience.

The wrap-around support of parents, carers, Teacher Advisors, Classroom Teachers, House Leaders, faith in their God, and more recently Year Level Coordinators has ensured that our young people are guided through the inevitable “heavy lifting” that life presents.

I want to acknowledge the parents and carers who have walked alongside us throughout this journey. At times, these conversations were difficult, and our approaches may have differed, but our shared goal was always clear: to provide the best opportunities for each student.

At the Graduation Dinner, one moment stood out for me—a student took the time to seek out staff and express her gratitude for the support she received. With a smile, she reflected, “I was a bit of trouble in the early days,” now speaking as a confident young adult ready for the next chapter.

These experiences remind us that education is not just about academic achievement—it is about growth, resilience, and relationships. We are proud of the Class of 2025 and the community that supported them along the way.

It has been a busy and exciting end to the year in Science at Damascus College. Across all year levels, students have continued to showcase curiosity, creativity and a genuine passion for understanding the world around them.

Our junior students wrapped up a year of hands-on learning, with Year 7 building confidence in the laboratory refining their Science inquiry skills and Year 8 completing biology-focused investigations. Year 9 concluded their physics unit with practical explorations of particle and wave models, while Year 10 students finalised their elective pathways and strengthened their inquiry and analysis skills in preparation for the rigour of VCE.

A standout highlight this year has been the introduction of the Year 9 STEAM Creative Solutions elective. This subject has quickly become a hub of innovation, with students designing prototypes, tackling real-world challenges and developing the creative resilience valued in emerging high-tech industries.

Our Horticulture program also had a productive term, with students building new garden beds, caring for summer crops and preparing produce for sale to staff - a wonderful demonstration of sustainability and biology in action.

VCE students across Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology and Environmental Science completed major assessments, investigations and applied learning tasks. We congratulate our Year 12 students on their dedication and wish them every success as they move into the next chapter of their learning.

Our partnership with Ballarat Tech School continued to energise STEM learning, with Years 7–9 participating in engineering, robotics, coding, VR and product-design challenges. Our Boys and Girls in STEM groups also worked with industry partners on authentic, real-world problems.

Science Club remained a vibrant highlight of the term, bringing together enthusiastic junior students each week to experiment, explore and experience science purely for the joy of it.

As we conclude Term 4, we thank our students for their enthusiasm and our Science team for their ongoing commitment. We look forward to another year of discovery and innovation

Please see following an invitation to the Music Department Christmas Concert.

This week, students who participated in the recent five-day Lake Mungo Immersion gathered with Principal Steven Mifsud, Assistant Principal Student Wellbeing Andrew Robertson and First Nations Officer Alex Jameson to share stories, insights, and reflections from their time on Country. The conversation marked a meaningful conclusion to an experience that has easily become a highlight of the year for those involved.

The Lake Mungo Immersion with Red Earth is designed to deepen students’ understanding of Australia’s First Nations histories, cultures, and ongoing connections to land. Throughout the trip, students explored the World Heritage–listed Mungo National Park, walked across ancient lakebeds, learned from Traditional Owners about ancestral artefacts and narratives, and spent time contemplating the vast timeline of human presence in the region.

During yesterday’s gathering, Principal Mifsud invited the students to reflect on the personal and communal significance of their experience. Many spoke about the profound sense of history they felt while standing at Mungo’s iconic lunette, where discoveries such as Mungo Man and Mungo Lady have reshaped understanding of human history. Others shared how the immersion helped them appreciate the importance of cultural preservation, storytelling, and humility when learning from Elders and Custodians of Country.

Students also discussed the challenges and joys of the journey: long days outdoors, the value of teamwork, moments of quiet reflection under expansive night skies, and the strengthened connections formed within the group. Several noted that the immersion encouraged them to think differently about their role in reconciliation and how they can bring these lessons back to Damascus and the wider community.

Principal Mifsud expressed pride in the students’ maturity and openness, emphasising that the school’s immersion experiences are not simply trips, but catalysts for personal growth and deeper understanding.

At the end of the session, one theme resonated clearly: Lake Mungo offered far more than breathtaking landscapes, it offered perspective. The learnings gained will continue to shape these students long after the sand has settled from their shoes.

We commend the students who shared their reflections so openly and thank the staff from Damascus and Red Earth who helped make the immersion possible.

Term 4 Wrap

Week 8 of Term 4 sees the conclusion of sport for not only this term but 2025. Term 4 saw 35 students participate Mountain Bike Riding, Junior Girls Cricket, Junior Boys Volleyball and Junior Tennis (boys and girls). I would like to thank the staff that coached Term 4 Sport – Matt Taylor, Wayne Forster, Nikki Hexter and Alan Archbold for their time and expertise, the students certainly appreciated it.

2025 Summary

I would like to congratulate all students who took to the field, court, track, pool and pitch in 2025, be it in weekly after school BAS sport, annual BAS events or external competitions. The willingness and commitment of the hundreds of students who represented the college should all be proud of their efforts and no doubt some great memories were created. To the staff who coached, managed, scored or travelled on a bus, I thank you, without your time and expertise the college’s sport program would not run as effectively as it does, our students are lucky to have you and they do appreciate all that you do.

Damascus Swimming Carnival

Year Level Champions

Damascus Athletics Carnival

Year Level Champions

Damascus Lap of The Lake

Year Level Champions

BAS Athletics

125 students represented the college at the annual BAS Athletics. I would like to thank and acknowledge Mr. Rodney Mathews for all the work he did prior to the event in organising the squad, this is a huge undertaking, thanks Rod. A special mention to Lucy Jones, Year 11, who broke three records (16 and under), which is an outstanding effort.

400m - 1:00.98

800m - 2:18.08

1500m - 4:56.00

BAS Cross Country

60 students represented the college over the course of the Term 3 Cross Country Season. Events included the Road Relay at Victoria Park, Cross Country at Victoria Park and the Lap of The Lake. I would like to thank Mr. Rodney Mathews for all his organisation and support prior to and on the day of each event, his passion and expertise is evident, and our students are very lucky to have him invested in our Athletics events.

Victorian School Associations Competition – Swimming Championships

Luke Gallagher (Year 11), Mason Firth (Year 9), Jonty Ward (Year 8) and Estelle Karslake (Year 8) represented BAS & Damascus at the VSAC Swimming Championships at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC). This is as a result of their strong results from the BAS Swimming Carnival. This is an outstanding achievement, well done.

BAS Tennis Singles Championships

Preliminary rounds

Seniors – Hamish McNaughton, Jack Sproull and Charley Ward.

Juniors – Quinn Grenfell, Flynn Sullivan, Elsie Angove and Pearl Nicholson.

Finals

Junior Girls – Elsie Angove was defeated in the final.

Senior Girls – Charley Ward (championship winner)

Olympic Change-Maker Award (Word count could be reduced)

Joachim Henderson

About the award: This award recognises a student who demonstrates consistent participation and commendable sporting behaviour in line with the Olympic ideals of participation, friendship and striving for excellence. The recipient must models behaviours that are consistent with the ethos and values of the College.

Joachim’s achievements: Joachim has demonstrated great leadership and strived for excellence both on and off the sporting field whilst at Damascus. His involvement in a range of sporting pursuits include representing Damascus at BAS Athletics, Cross-Country events and school cricket. Joah’s contribution to the college’s rowing program is where he has excelled, having rowed for five years, being named Rowing Captain and representing the college at the State and National Rowing Championships.

Sports Person of the Year

Charley Ward

Throughout her time at the college Charley has consistently participated in college wide sporting pursuits with vigor and passion. Charley has excelled in the pool by winning the Year Level Champion award six years in a row, as well as representing the college at BAS level. In 2023 and 2024 Charley represented BAS at the Victorian Schools Association Competition (VSAC) at MSAC. Charley has also participated in the BAS Tennis Singles Championships and claimed the victory in the Senior Girls Division (Henderson Shield) in 2025.

Signing off

As 2025 draws to a close I would like to thank all students and staff who have contributed to the college’s sport program. I particularly would like to thank Pat Dillon and Ellie Meade for all your time, effort and professionalism in ensuring all sporting teams were well prepared, facilities safe, risk assessment complete, uniforms clean and equipment were all in order so our students could have the best experience possible in their chosen sporting field.

My time in the role now comes to a close, it has been an extremely busy but fulfilling two years. I am indebted to everyone who has assisted me as the Sports Co-ordinator and I look forward to still being a part of the Health and Physical Education department and coaching some after school BAS Sport.

Last week, our Year 8 students involved in the St Brendan’s Program stepped beyond the classroom to visit a number of our neighbouring primary schools as part of a literacy outreach activity.

In the lead-up to the visits, students spent considerable time preparing: selecting a picture story book, planning how to engage younger learners, and designing a literacy task to complete with their primary buddy. Their effort, care and creativity were clearly on display during each session.

Throughout the visits, our Year 8s interacted with their primary buddies with a wonderful sense of compassion, patience and joy. It was a privilege to witness them taking the lead, sharing their learning, and building connections that reflect the heart of our Damascus College community.

We extend our sincere thanks to Lal Lal, Warrenheip, Scotsburn and St Mary’s primary schools for welcoming our students so warmly and partnering with us in this enriching experience.