Celebrating Learning, Talent, and Transitions at Our School

As we near the end of a busy and rewarding term, it’s a great time to celebrate the incredible work happening across our school community. Our students and staff have been working with enthusiasm and determination as they complete a wide range of assessment tasks. Their focus, resilience, and commitment to learning are commendable.

Next week, students studying a VCE Unit 3 or VCE VM will participate in the Annual General Achievement Test (GAT). Participation in the GAT is an essential part of senior secondary education in Victoria and should be taken seriously by all students. The GAT plays a key role in assessing students’ general knowledge and skills in areas such as written communication, mathematics, science, technology, humanities, and the arts. While it does not directly count towards a student’s ATAR, it is used to verify school-based assessments and exam results. It can be critical in determining derived scores in unforeseen circumstances such as illness or misadventure. A strong performance in the GAT can support the accuracy and fairness of VCE results, making it an important opportunity for every student to demonstrate their learning and capabilities. I encourage our students to participate in the test with rigour.

I was thrilled to visit students and staff at our St Brendan’s Campus recently. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the collaborative learning taking shape and the energy with which our students are engaging in the rich programs on offer. It’s always inspiring to see students embracing new experiences and making the most of every learning opportunity.

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting student wellbeing, connection, and academic growth, we are currently reviewing the TA program to ensure it continues to meet the evolving needs of our students and aligns with the College’s strategic direction. Your insights as parents and caregivers are invaluable in this process.

Feedback Session Details:
Date: Monday 16 June 2025
Time: 7.00pm to 8.00pm
Location: St Martins Resource Centre, Damascus College
RSVP: https://www.trybooking.com/DCL...

This session is an opportunity for you to share your experiences, offer suggestions, and help shape the future direction of the program. We hope you can join us for this important conversation.

In the performing arts space, our talented students are deep into rehearsals for Oliver! The excitement and dedication are palpable as they prepare to bring this beloved production to life. The commitment on display is a testament to the vibrancy of our school’s creative spirit—students are certainly working hard and living life to the full!

We would also like to take a moment to thank Maria Russell for her valued contribution to the College. Maria has recently completed her time with us, and we are grateful for her dedication and care, particularly with our senior students. Moving forward, Olivia Walson will be teaching Maria’s Year 11 and 12 classes. For any Instrumental Music enquiries, please direct your questions to Naomi Olthoff, who will now be coordinating this important area of our co-curricular program.

Lastly, we wish Andy Robertson all the best as he begins a ten-week period of leave. We are currently in the process of interviewing for an interim replacement and will keep families updated once an appointment is made.

Thank you to all families for your continued support. It’s been a term full of growth, creativity, and community spirit—and we’re proud of all that’s been achieved.

Year 11 Exams

I wish our Year 11 students well over the coming week as they undertake exams. All students will continue classes as normal after their examinations up until the final day of term on Friday 28th June, with the exception being Year 11 Students, who will begin their Unit 2 classes on Friday 19th June. Any students wishing to make a change to their electives or Unit 2 classes are encouraged to follow the change of preference process as advised in instructions sent to their student email.

Studying, preparing for, and undertaking exams at secondary school are crucial for students' academic and personal development. These activities deepen understanding and reinforce knowledge, ensuring better retention of academic concepts. Exams measure progress, highlight strengths, and identify areas needing improvement, preparing students for higher education demands.

The process develops essential skills like time management, critical thinking, and test-taking strategies. Students learn to prioritise tasks, create study schedules, and manage their time effectively. Exam preparation encourages critical thinking, helping students analyse information and apply their knowledge in various contexts.

Personal growth is fostered through responsibility, discipline, and perseverance. Consistent study habits and exam preparation instil self-motivation and dedication. Facing exam challenges teaches students resilience and the importance of continuous effort. Exams offer opportunities for self-assessment, helping students recognise achievements and areas for improvement.

The feedback from exams offers valuable insights for improving learning strategies and academic performance. Exam preparation contributes to a balanced skillset, including academic knowledge and soft skills like stress management and effective communication. These habits lay the foundation for lifelong learning, encouraging students to value continuous education and personal growth.

Tuesday 17th June is GAT day for all Year 12 Students and Year 11 Students who are studying a Unit 3/4 Subject. Unlike previous years, this will be a normal teaching and learning day for students (other than those Year 11 VCE students not sitting the GAT – Year 11 VM will still run as normal).

New Bus Strike Dates - June 16 and 17

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has changed the dates of the protected industrial action, and it will now be a 48-hour strike. The strike will take place on Monday, 16 June and Tuesday, 17 June 2025 instead of Thursday, 12th June 2025 as previously advised. This means that Thursday 12 June 2025, will operate as a normal school day with all school bus services running as scheduled.

It is important to note that this industrial action only effects CDC town bus services – the country bus service will continue to run as normal. Year 11 students sitting exams, as well as all students sitting the GAT, will need to be mindful of these cancellations.

Chris

Mobile Phone Use at Damascus College – A Reminder to Families

As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and focused learning environment, Damascus College reminds all families of the College’s Mobile Phone Policy, which requires that students' phones be switched off and kept out of sight preferably by being stored in the student’s locker during the school day (8.55am-3.18pm).

Recently, there have been increasing concerns regarding inappropriate mobile phone use on campus, including reports of students using phones in toilet and corridor areas. Alarmingly, some of this content has been uploaded to TikTok or other social media accounts that reference Damascus College by name. In addition to this some of these posts have compromised the health and wellbeing of students.

Such behaviour not only undermines the respectful culture we strive to maintain, but it also raises serious privacy and safety concerns for both students and staff. These actions are a clear breach of school expectations and do not align with the values of our community.

The College continues to work with students to reinforce appropriate behaviours around technology use. However, the support of parents and carers is crucial. We ask that families partner with us in:

• Reminding students of the importance of using phones responsibly and only when permitted at school.
• Discussing the potential risks of sharing content online, especially when it involves others or references the College.
• Encouraging students to hand in their phones to their TA or House Leader if they find it difficult to follow the expectations.
• Ensuring that the legalities associated with age appropriate social media use are adhered to and respected. (As of June 2025, the legal minimum age to create or maintain a TikTok account in Victoria—and across Australia—is 16 years old.)

We thank our families for your ongoing support in upholding standards that keep all members of the Damascus community safe, respectful, and focused on learning. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s House Leader or a member of the leadership team. Please see below for the key points of Damascus College Phone policy.

Damascus College Student Mobile Phone Policy – Key Points

• Phones must be switched off and secured in lockers at the start of the school day.
• No use of mobile phones during class, recess, lunch, or while moving between classes (e.g., corridors or toilets).
• Phones may only be used under the direct supervision of a teacher for learning purposes
• If a student has a medical condition requiring phone access, prior approval from the College via House Leader / Assistant Principal is required.
• If a student uses a phone inappropriately or against College expectations, the phone may be confiscated, and further action may follow.
• The College reserves the right to request the removal of online content that breaches school values or student privacy.
• Repeated breaches may result in escalated consequences, including parent meetings and possible suspension from classes.

I thank the families for their support working in partnerships with Damascus Staff to ensure we can work collaboratively in meeting the needs of our students.

Many thanks,

Andy

Reflecting on an Incredible Journey: Farewell from Damascus College

As I approach my final days as Assistant Principal for Learning and Teaching at Damascus College, it is with immense gratitude and pride that I reflect on this extraordinary journey that began in 2017. Grounded in our Mercy values of compassion, justice, hospitality, courage, service, and respect, my mission was clear, to nurture a cohesive community dedicated to supporting every student's potential. As I prepare to say goodbye, I am deeply moved by how far we've journeyed together, always guided by these enduring principles.

From the very beginning, it was evident that the strength of Damascus College lay in its people, dedicated practitioners committed to fostering academic excellence and holistic growth. It was a privilege to collaborate with inspiring colleagues such as Jen Henderson, whose passion and courageous leadership significantly shaped ESTEEM, our vibrant STEM program, and our instructional model. Jen, alongside her instructional coaches, championed excellence in teaching, creating a dynamic culture of continuous improvement and innovation, illuminating pathways of exploration and compassionate learning for countless students.

Equally remarkable was the partnership with Belinda Dwyer, whose steadfast leadership and hospitality strengthened and expanded the Vocational Major (VM) pathway. Belinda’s unwavering commitment engaged not only our school community but also resonated within the broader community, highlighting the incredible opportunities our VM program offers.

Rod Mathews' exceptional work in data analytics played a crucial role in informing our strategic decisions, ensuring evidence-based approaches were applied with justice and integrity to improve student outcomes. Additionally, Sharon Hayes' inspiring efforts in the reading program, particularly, cultivated a deep love of reading among our junior students, embodying the Mercy value of service. The resilience and determination demonstrated by Matthew Hallowell and the Student Growth and Engagement Team reflected courage and compassion, especially evident in their innovative English intervention at Year 7, a calculated risk strongly grounded in evidence-based research.

The unexpected challenges brought by the COVID pandemic tested our resolve, courage, and resilience. Through these trying years, collaboration with Adam Ratcliffe, Head of ICT, ensured our students and staff were equipped with innovative technology. This sustained and enriched our connections with students and families, emphasising the critical importance of relationships and hospitality during times of unprecedented change.

The introduction of the Hands on Learning Program (HoLP), a joint initiative between Student Growth and Engagement and Applied Learning, was another milestone, effectively bridging Year 10 students into pathways that ignited intrinsic motivation through practical, hands-on experiences, demonstrating respect for individual learning styles.

Curriculum enhancement became an enduring legacy, driven by Naomi Olthof and our dedicated Learning Area Leaders. Their exceptional efforts embedded consistency, rigour, and excellence across all teaching practices, exemplifying justice and integrity. This solid foundation was complemented by Caroline Nolan, whose dedicated leadership at VCE significantly raised academic expectations and achievements. Georgia Shillito revitalised our career education model, transforming our approach to careers education following our formal review.

The establishment of the St Brendan’s Program under Karen Goonan was a testament to collaboration, service, and community spirit. This groundbreaking initiative brought together an amazing team and an engaged community, amplifying the voice and heritage of Dunnstown while paving new paths for educational innovation.

Behind every achievement was invaluable support from dedicated individuals like Maree Lawlor, whose tireless administrative guidance and compassionate service kept our Learning and Teaching operations thriving. The ICT, admin, and maintenance teams, along with the supportive leadership team, continually entrusted and empowered us with respect and courage to pursue ambitious educational improvements, ensuring the seamless daily operation of our College. Special thanks to the admin team, whose smiles, cheerful greetings each morning, and tireless efforts to support my numerous requests never went unnoticed; they, alongside our Learning Support Officers (LSOs), truly are our silent heroes.

The unwavering support from the Executive Leadership Team, led by Principal Steven Mifsud, demonstrated hospitality and respect, allowing me the autonomy to drive strategic initiatives and innovative educational practices. This support was integral to our achievements.

My sincere gratitude extends to our parent community for their steadfast support and active engagement, which has consistently enabled us to enhance our students’ educational journey.

I am also leaving incredible leaders who embody our Mercy values, fully understand the brief, and will courageously step up and continue driving what makes Damascus College the school of choice.

Most importantly, my deepest appreciation goes to our remarkable teachers, the heartbeat of Damascus College. Their adaptability, honesty, courage, and relentless dedication grounded my leadership and reminded me daily of our core purpose, nurturing every student's growth and potential.

I leave Damascus College enriched by the experiences and memories we've shared. My heart is full of gratitude, and I am forever blessed by this remarkable community, guided always by our Mercy values. Thank you for being part of this incredible chapter. Our collective legacy of learning, innovation, compassion, and community spirit will surely continue to flourish.

Take Care Everyone,

Ashwin Pillai

Congratulations to the Damascus College Senior Boys football team for recently winning the 2nd XVIII BAS Football Grand Final.

This result was the culmination of a fantastic undefeated season, and for the Year 12 students it was a wonderful way to finish their association with school sport at Damascus College.

Final Scores - DC 8. 7. 55 def SPC 4. 10. 34

The commitment, pride and effort shown by the students has been outstanding throughout the term, and it was wonderful to see a real sense of community on display at the game, with many staff, fellow students, and parents supporting the team. Well done to all involved.

The City of Ballarat Immunisation Nurses will visit Damascus College on Wednesday 25 June to Immunise Year 10 students for the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

To have your student participate in this program you will need to provide consent by following the online link. You will need to have your mobile phone with you to proceed. The link will also provide you with more information about the program and the vaccines.

https://portal.cirv.vic.gov.au//PrivacyCollection/?id=7d45f9c9-e4e4-ef11-9341-000d3a7954b1&Year10 The link will expire at 3pm on Tuesday 24 June 2025.

All Immunisations provided will be uploaded to Medicare with 48 hours and you will be able to access the updated record on MYGOV.

If you have any questions please call City of Ballarat Immunisation on 5320 5720 or email: immunisation@ballarat.vic.gov.au

Thank you to all families who have adapted to the updated student absence notification process via SMS.

Please note that if you receive an absence SMS, you will need to log the absence directly through PAM. Replies to the SMS should only be made if you believe the absence has been recorded in error.

To support families in transitioning to this new system, the College will continue to respond to SMS replies with reminders about the updated process until Friday, 20 June. After this date, any absences not recorded in PAM will be considered unapproved unless subsequently updated by parents or carers in PAM.

Please also note that the PAM portal now accepts absence entries until 3:30pm each day.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact our Student Reception team or the Leader of College Administration

Early in Semester Two, students in Years 10 and 11 will be choosing their VCE subjects. When choosing which level of mathematics to study, students should do the hardest mathematics of which they are capable, but not one which is too hard. As hard as possible for them, because this will give them the most options going forward in terms of university courses and careers, and cognitive growth. Not one which is too hard, because it is important to be realistic. Choosing a mathematics which is too hard means you will not have enough success to keep options open, but instead will cause you unnecessary grief. Your math teacher should be able to give you some indication of the math subjects to which you are well-suited. Choose to do what is purposeful rather than what is easy.

Late in May we had over 100 students take part in the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking competition, a one-hour problem solving test. I commend all who participated, it takes a certain amount of bravery to put yourself out there, and you get the growth that can only come from striving at the highest level. Particular congratulations go to the following students who received Certificates of Distinction.

and to a further 22 students who received Certificates of Credit.

There are other formal opportunities for extension. Year 7 to Year 9 students can participate in the Math Challenge – currently underway. In this they have 6 problems to solve over 3 weeks (with the second two of these due this Friday June 13). Students have been emailed these problems and even if they miss the first few, it is still worth them submitting the latter problems.

The Australian Math Competition in August is another opportunity for extension, with teachers in the process of offering this to students in their classes. It is important for students to realise that in all of these competitions, it is an achievement to solve any of the problems: the best student in Australia may not receive 100% in a competition.

Each Wednesday from 3.30 to 4.30 math teachers provide additional support for students in the library. Whether students are struggling with Year 7 math or trying to turn an A into an A+ in Year 12 Specialist math, or anywhere in between, they are encouraged to take advantage of this offer. The more mathematics questions that students complete, the more their mathematical ability improves. Their math ability is not fixed at its current level. The extra assistance can help them to get more questions done in less time. Some students use this time to get assistance from teachers for a large part of the time. Other students use this time to complete their math homework, rarely asking for assistance, but are using the structured time to help them develop good homework habits. Both of these approaches are encouraged. Numbers are up but we will always find space for more. No booking is required.

If you're sick, stay home!

We’ve recently seen a rise in the number of students visiting First Aid with cold and flu symptoms, including cases of Influenza A and B and COVID.

To help keep everyone in our school community as healthy as possible, we kindly ask that you keep your student at home if they are feeling unwell.

If your student begins to feel sick during the school day and shows signs of cold or flu while at First Aid, we will contact you to arrange for them to be collected.

We truly appreciate your continued support in keeping our school a safe and healthy place for all students and staff.

The Year 8 St Brendan’s Program at the Damascus Dunnstown campus is going well, with students recently experiencing their first solo experience, requiring students to spend three hours alone in the bush without technology.

Students prepared for the experience with shelter and knot tying activities in the lead up to the day, and prepared mentally with discussions and activities on the difference of being alone and lonely.

Students did a marvelous job, building their personal shelters with the tarps and ropes provided. Some students utilised the time to write in journals, read books, eat and/or colour in, and others took the time to appreciate the scenery. The solo experience was conducted in the Le Gerche Gully Creswick.

Students also recently prepared and conducted a literacy lesson with local primary school students, where they chose a picture story book and created an activity that related to their chosen book for their primary school student.

It was fabulous to see the students interact and conduct their activity in a one-on-one situation. The buses on the way home from this activity were alive with chatting about their new buddy.

Well done to all involved.

It is staggering to think we are now at the end of week 8 of the term!

The majority of Term 2 BAS Sport has concluded, and we have had some solid results across all the various sports, year levels and teams. A huge thank you to the staff who have given up their time to coach, manage, umpire, score etc. over the duration of the term. I would also like to thank the small number of students who have helped umpire term 2 BAS Sport or filled in for the opposition to ensure a fair and even game has occurred. It is this sort of dedication and commitment that sets school sport apart compared to local club and representative sport.

Vic All Schools Basketball Tournament

Week 6 saw our U/15 and U/17 basketballers represent the college at the Vic All Schools Championships in Werribee. The staff who coached/managed the Under 15’s were Ellie Meade, Pat Dillon, Naomi Olthof, Rachel Wallbank. The Under 17’s were led by Hamish Walsh, Adrian Lane, Shaun O’Loughlin, Ryan Leaney, Pat and Ellie also doubled up with the 17’s.

A special mention must go to Mia Reynolds (Year 11), who is currently recovering from injury, who offered to coach both the 15 and 17 girls’ team. This is an example of great leadership and role modelling.

U/15 Results

Girls

Round 1 –

Damascus (9) vs Western Heights College (27)

Round 2 –

Damascus (2) vs Iona College (40)

Round 3 –

Damascus (16) vs The Grange (12)

Round 4 –

Damascus vs Loreto – marked as a draw as Loreto was the only div 1 team

Round 5 –

Damascus (16) vs Geelong Christian College (36)

Boys

Round 1 –

Damascus (16) vs Bendigo South East College (22)

Round 2 –

Damascus (19) vs Iona College (25)

Round 3 –

Damascus (16) vs King David School (19)

Round 4 –

Damascus (23) vs The Grange (38)

Clay Target Shooting

On Monday, June 2 the following students represented the college at the Warrnambool Clay Target Shooting Competition; Roman Gosney, Blake Perryman, Tom Sheridan, Bella Mahar, Harry Mahar, Casey Leonard and Jack Dwyer. A big thank you to staff members Matt Taylor and Ellie Meade, who accompanied the group on the day.

Senior Boys Football Grand Final

Our senior boy’s footballer’s defeated St. Patrick’s College in the final of the BAS 2^nd XVIII on Tuesday, June 10. Final scores were DC 8. 7. 55 v SPC 4. 10. 34. After a tight start our boys proved too strong in perfect conditions for football. I t was wonderful to see so many staff, parents and fellow students in attendance.

Term 3 BAS Sport

An MS Form will be emailed to all students, I would strongly encourage as many of you as possible to sign up!

Term 3 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 and bring your own drink bottle.

I wish all students and coaches the best for Term 2 Sport. 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 Ellie Meade (e.meade@damascus.vic.edu.au) at the College with any questions.

Regards,

Gavin Webb

Sports Co-ordinator

Damascus College is proud to announce the launch of the Family Partnership Program. This program offers a series of workshops and/or information sessions tailored to meet the needs of our parent and carer community.

Through these sessions, you will have the opportunity to engage with the College and gain valuable insight and resources that help support the learning, wellbeing, and spiritual progress of your child.

The first session, Finding the Words, is coming up on Wednesday 25 June. The Damascus College Student Counselling Team in collaboration with Headspace, will offer an insightful presentation on how to have safe conversations about mental health at home.

Help create a community where every young person feels seen, heard and supported – be part of this essential conversation and book your ticket today.

Click the link for more information and to book: https://www.damascus.vic.edu.au/.../family-partnership...

Science Update – Term 2 Highlights & What’s Coming Next

It’s been a busy and exciting Term 2 in the Science Department! We’ve had a range of engaging opportunities for students, with more to come next term. Here are some highlights and upcoming events:

International Chemistry Quiz

The International Chemistry Quiz, hosted by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, is a global event designed to challenge students’ chemistry knowledge and critical thinking. Open to students in Years 7–12, the quiz is a fantastic opportunity to test your skills and be part of a worldwide science initiative.

Interested students should contact Georgia Nicht (Learning Area Leader – Science) by June 20 to register.

Introducing Science Club – Starting Term 3

We’re thrilled to be launching Science Club next term! This club is a fun, hands-on space for students from all year levels who are curious about how the world works. From exciting challenges and experiments to exploring real-world applications in biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science—there’s something for everyone.

When: Tuesdays, First Break

It’s a great way to build skills, make connections, and ignite a passion for science!

Year 9 STEM Showdown

Four of our Year 9 classes took part in the STEM Showdown at Ballarat Tech School this term. This high-energy competition challenged students to work in teams on hands-on STEM activities involving coding, physics, engineering design, and problem-solving.

With scenarios reflecting real-world challenges in robotics, space, and environmental science, students developed critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills—all while having a blast!

We look forward to seeing how the remaining Year 9 classes go when they attend next term.

New in Semester 2: Year 9 STEM Elective

We’re excited to run our brand-new Year 9 STEM elective in Semester 2. This subject is designed for students eager to extend their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics skills through hands-on, future-focused learning.

Students will explore a variety of engaging, real-world topics such as:

• Cryptography & Codebreaking – Discover the history and impact of secret codes and their role in modern cybersecurity.
• Animal Enrichment (in collaboration with Zoos Victoria) – Design innovative tools that support animal wellbeing using science and empathy.
• Rockets & Race Cars – Bring physics to life through the design and testing of miniature F1 cars using Newton’s Laws.
• Future Cities – Prototype sustainable technologies for the cities of tomorrow—think wearable tech, vertical gardens, and automated systems.

We can’t wait to see the creativity and innovation this elective inspires!

On 29^th to 30^th May, three members of the College Leadership Team travelled to WA to attend the annual Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association (AMSSA) conference at Santa Maria College in Attadale, Perth.

Principal, Mr Steven Mifsud, Assistant Principal of Learning & Teaching, Ashwin Pillai, and Leader of People and Culture, Anne Beaton enjoyed the enriching experience, centred on the theme of ‘Community, Connection and Celebration.’

The conference brought together Mercy secondary schools from across the country to engage in meaningful dialogue, professional development, and spiritual reflection.

Some highlights included the keynote addresses from Prof. Br David Hall and Dr. Helen Street, as well as a compelling presentation by Lucy Stronach who shared insights on overcoming societal challenges such as disconnection and loneliness.

Workshops covered a range of topics, including mental health strategies, inclusive education and maintaining the Mercy charism through change. The conference also featured a Mercy Pilgrimage, offering participants a chance to connect with the rich heritage of the Sisters of Mercy.

This conference created a strong sense of unity and purpose among attendees, reinforcing our collective commitment to Mercy values in education.

Please see following information on a free NDIS Q&D Information Session: