As the term concludes and we enter the Easter period, it is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that we have achieved and all that we hope to gain through our relationships with one another and the Holy Spirit. As people of faith, the Easter story reminds us that we are people of Hope. I encourage families to seek the time to reconnect and rebuild relationships as a family. Families play a pivotal role in developing resilience and strength. In fact, families are considered a protective factor for young people to grow as successful and happy people. The holidays are the perfect time to take stock, sit, and be still with one another. Holy Week provides the time to listen and 'be' with our families.

Next week we will bear witness to the fruit of Drama and Arts students who will perform the 'Final Hours' for our school community. I thank Andrew Seeary, Marcus Ryan and others who have supported our students in producing this challenging and thought-provoking piece. It is important for us to remember as Catholics that the Resurrection story challenges each of us to create the Kingdom of God in the here and now, in our relationships, and our willingness to challenge the status quo in our unconditional love for one another and the marginalised.

Term One has been a successful term, and our students have successfully transitioned into the challenges of a new academic year. I have been so impressed to see our learners take on the adventure of learning, relationships and study from the Swimming Carnival, House Athletics, various year-level camps and a commitment to study routines. The rhythm of a new year allows us to form new habits and start afresh. Our young people continue to embrace the richness of Damascus life. We must remember that a person can only grow when we work with our challenges and face the day with energy and optimism.

We continue to thank the many students who wear the uniform with pride. The uniform has certainly given our students many choices and options. This is a reminder that in Term 2, the College blazer is compulsory and must be worn to and from school as the outer garment. I encourage families to check the length of their student's winter skirts and trousers. A reminder that students are permitted to wear a pair of small sleepers or studs. As we support our students to fully integrate back into the community after extensive periods of lockdown, l ask that families support the College uniform regulations, especially with the wearing of jewellery. In Term 2, teachers will confiscate jewellery that is worn to school.

Thank you to the many students who have respected and adhered to the mobile phone policy. As a community, we have noticed more chatter and noise at recess and lunch as students have lots of conversation and banter. However, we have also noticed that some students have returned to using their phones at recess and lunch, this is not permitted, and phones will be confiscated.

Damascus is a school that implements the principles of Restorative Justice as a framework for dealing with conflict. The restorative approach attempts to work with students by teaching what is acceptable behaviour and what is not, supporting young people when they get it wrong, and offering another chance to 'get it right.' It accepts that all of us err, but forgiveness, compassion and cooperation can rebuild relationships that have been affected. In a school community, behaviour that transgresses school policies and expectations is an understandable part of maturing for various reasons; children and adolescents (and sometimes adults) will test the boundaries and act in ways contrary to the stated or implied expectations. This is where we begin to implement restorative conversations. Next week the College staff will begin to work with MacKillop Family Services on the rollout of the ReLate Program. This program will support our staff to work with students with a deeper awareness of the challenges young people face and how our response needs to be guided by genuine care, love, openness and challenge.

As part of the Teacher Advisor lesson this week, the College launched our new flagpoles whereby we have installed three flags: Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. This is a historical moment where we as a College community recognise our relationship with First Nations people and the many students and families of Indigenous people we have educated. I would like to thank – Ashleigh Kanoa, who wrote to the College reminding us that we did not acknowledge Indigenous People by not flying the flag. She has highlighted that we can always challenge the status quo, and at Damascus, we are people who will speak up and fight for what is right.

As the term concludes, we have a number of staff changes. I thank the following people for their service to Damascus College and the depth and commitment they have provided the entire community for many years.

Mr Peter Sartori: Peter has been on staff for the past 32 years and is currently taking some well-earned Long Service Leave. Peter has served the community as a Maths, Science, TA Leader, Physics Teacher and in a number of Leadership roles: VCE Co-ordinator and Daily Organisation.

Mrs Tina Munro: Tina has been the Principal's Executive Assistant for the past thirteen years; she has provided invaluable support to the College Principals, members of the Leadership Team and staff who seek Tina's gentle wisdom and compassionate heart.

Mrs Catherine Newman: Catherine has worked as the College's Compliance Officer and has supported the College's transition from a Mercy School to a Diocesan College. Catherine has ensured that the College meets its legal and risk obligations.

Mr Chris Beggs: Chris has been a Learning Support Officer for the past two years and has worked tirelessly with many students.

Recently many members of our community will have found the deaths of young people difficult to comprehend. I have included Headspace and Kids Helpline documents outlining processes to support young people experiencing grief. Help seeking support is available for families.

Headstart

https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/supporting-a-young-person/after-exposure-to-traumatic-event/

Kids Helpline

https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents

We remember Erin Marshall (staff) as her beloved mum passed away this week. We keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.

With every blessing for Easter

Steven Mifsud

For our community, Easter is the key celebration within our calendar. Holy Week is the final week of Lent and a time where we recall the events leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection. On Sunday, we will celebrate the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by crowds worshipping him and laying down palm leaves before him. On Easter Thursday, we recall that Jesus was arrested and tried. Jesus shared his Last Supper with his disciples. Jesus was crucified on Friday. He was buried the same day and arose three days later, on Easter Sunday. Next Wednesday, we move into the John Shannon Centre for our Easter Liturgy, and acknowledging students collective efforts in raising money for project compassion.

I remind families that Year 7 immunisations will occur next Tuesday, 4th of April. All Year 7 students are asked to return their immunisation cards to the College, whether they are being immunised or not.

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 will be able to wear Summer or Winter uniform (but not a mixture of both) for the first two weeks of next term. Can I ask families to please get out their Winter uniform now and attend to it if there needs to be some alterations made. As parents, daughters will say to you that no one else has their skirt to knee length – please hold firm in supporting the College requirement and ensuring that it is the required length to avoid unnecessary and embarrassing follow up! There is also a pant option if students are uncomfortable with the skirt or an appropriate length.

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.

Holidays should be holidays, but I encourage families to log onto PAM and ensure that you are up to date with your student’s progress in their respective studies. Holidays may provide an opportunity to catch up on work that has been missed or to create a summary of first term learnings. Year 12 students are now one-third of the way through their learning program, so a comprehensive revision of content to date will be important.

Public Transport Victoria’s data shows that passengers are not touching on as regularly as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Touch on/off data is used to plan the level and frequency of services for our College and send a positive message to the broader travelling public. We ask that you regularly remind your children who catch PTV busses (CDC bus network) to touch on and off with their myki, every time they use public transport, even if they have a myki Pass or Student Pass.

It was lovely to be able to present and announce the Athletics Carnival Shield to Xavier House, and individual Age group champions, following our flag raising ceremony yesterday. In a close contest Xavier house prevailed by only 16 points, to second place Rice House. Results and Individual age group champions are below;

• 1st place, with 2202 points is Xavier.
• 2nd place, with 2186 points is Rice
• 3rd place, with 1965 points is St Martin
• 4th place, with 1834 points is McAuley

Age group champions:

U13 Female: Anna Oberholzer

U13 Male: Tristan Attard

U14 Female: Ruby Lethlean

U14 Male: Thomas Hodge

U15 Female: Chloe Valentine

U15 Male: Ethan Kuchel

U16 Female: Shona Wills

U16 Male: Joah Henderson

U17 Female: Chelsea Oellering

U17 Male: Brayden Joyce

U20 Female: Alice Lepair

U20 Male: Cooper Reid

I wish everyone well for a blessed Easter and a safe and happy holiday.

Chris

Wednesday the 28^th of March signified a significant when the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flag were flown on the College Ground for the first time.

Below is an excerpt from my speech delivered to the Damascus College community.

‘This flag-raising ceremony, although recently arranged, has been very long in the making. At least 55 years when St Martin’s in the Pines opened on this site that we now know as Damascus College

But really, so very much longer.

Damascus College stands on land that was nurtured and cared for by the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation across many millennia. It is not hard to imagine the hurt and chaos caused when Europeans arrived.

As a community, we have struggled to find the ways to overcome it and to begin to heal generation harm

Today, on behalf of the Damascus College Community, we are here attempting to take just one of the many steps needed on that pathway. It is a symbolic step, but an important one. The raising of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flag is our community’s visible commitment to reconciliation. Borne out of the Damascus College Reconciliation Action Plan the flag acknowledges our welcoming community committed to reconciliation and further actions as indicated in the plan.

From today, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flag will be flown on a permanent basis. They will sit side by side with the Australian national flag on these flagpoles, newly installed for this purpose.

It is a clear visual statement that Aboriginal and Torres St Islanders are indeed valued, respected and at the heart of who we are as a Damascus Community.

We recognise that a flag is just one gesture. And that there is so much more hurt to be undone than any one of us alone can undo, or that any one symbolic gesture can repair.

But when I look at the faces of our Indigenous Community today from today – your children…. our children – I know that these symbols matters.

As these new flags fly in the breeze, they will welcome every visitor to this important site.

They will give instant recognition to the history of the land and the importance of country’.

Following this address the flags were passed over to the Indigenous Members of our RAP Committee, paraded through the students body, exposed to a smoking ceremony and, guided by our Flag Marshal raised for the first time.

Congratulations to all members of the RAP Committee, including past Assistant Principal of Catholic Culture, who were all able to provide wonderful context on the flying of these flags.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday which means that the season of Lent is coming to an end and we enter the solemn rituals of Holy Week followed by the joyous celebration of the risen Lord on Easter Sunday.

After engaging in reflective practices during Lent, Holy Week is a time to commit to prayer as a way to draw closer to God. The solemn observance of Holy Week includes Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, commonly known as Good Friday. This is the only day in the entire year in which no Mass is celebrated. It is a day of fasting.

Traditionally the Stations of the Cross (Jesus steps) are read or re-enacted on Good Friday in parishes, schools, and gatherings. This year, at Damascus College, a cast of students will provide a stirring re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross in the performances of ‘The Final Hours’. Year 7 students will also engage in their own reflection on Christ’s passion on their Retreat days at Napoleons.

Next Wednesday, to conclude Term 1, students and staff will gather in sacred space for a Liturgy to reflect on the passion of Christ and the importance of this time in the Church calendar for all Christians. This forms part of our preparation to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as the mark of Christ’s victory over sin and death on Easter Sunday.

Did you know……

The Easter egg is a religious symbol representing the tomb from which Jesus’ news life came forth. An eggshell is like Christ’s tomb, harbouring new life within.

The Paschal Candle that leads us out of darkness into the celebration of the Easter vigil becomes the main symbol for this 50 day Easter Season. Throughout the year it will be the symbol used at baptisms and at funerals.

May the blessings of Easter fill our families with love and joy.

This Term the year 8 Visual Arts students have been using the design process to design and create a personal avatar. The aim of this project is:

• To inspire students to develop an original response to a brief

To inform students of the role of the contemporary illustrator as a career path

To provide written and illustrated content about the design process that an illustrator follows

• To inform students of the design process that is used to develop visual communications

To develop skills in freehand drawing and digital drawing using Adobe Illustrator

As you can see from the student’s responses below, they have used this task to reflect and express their personalities and we are extremely proud of their achievements.

“This term in year 8 Vis comm we designed a mini me avatar expressing who we are. My character includes many posters of brands, books and bands that describe me. My character also has bright bold fun solid colours that pop. By Jessie Henwood”

“He has the transgender flag as I myself am trans, he has a bag head to symbolise anxiety.. and also, the fact that I can’t draw short hair! On top of the bag is a bird, specifically a wren because my name is…. Wren! I really loved this task, I learnt so much on photoshop, all the different tools, it was amazing. By Wren Burnett”

By Year 8 Visual Art teachers Amie Bird and Christine Gawne.

On Monday the 6th of March, the Religion and Society (R&S) YR 12 Students participated in the inaugural "Quote Off Championships".

The event involved Mr Lane's R&S class VS Mrs Berens R&S class.

The rules for the “Quote Off” are simple. Each student had to answer and ask one question, based on the key knowledge and understanding from AOS 1. If the student answers correctly there class is awarded one point.

It was a hotly fought contest and the final result was 10 - 8, with Mrs Berens class taking a 1-0 lead in the best of three series. Pictured are the victors of this first round.

It was impressive that the students were able to explain complex theological beliefs under pressure, however, Mr Lane's class will be doing a lot of soul-searching and reflection, to ensure they can level the series in term 2. The winning class receives a pizza lunch, sponsored by the RE Faculty.

Although not everyone could win, a key skill needed in the Religion and Society exam and SACs is to be able to recall relevant quotes and apply them correctly. Through practicing this skill in a competitive and fun environment, students are developing their ability to actively recall key knowledge on cue, which will hopefully assist them in their learning and motivate them in their studies.

Congratulations to all of the students and staff involved in this competition, we look forward to seeing how things play out in the next round.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #ImSupported

On the 23^rd of February, the annual Damascus SRC Bake Sale was held in the Courtyard at Recess, an event that kicked off our Project Compassion campaign for the 2023 Lenten season. Students and teachers alike spent time in the kitchen, channeling their inner Gordon Ramsey, cooking up a storm to donate baked goods for sale.

Countless cupcakes, brownies, biscuits, and slices were spread around the four house tables for some healthy inter-house competition as to who could raise more money, and the competition was fierce as it was the largest amount of baked goods we have had to sell. With music, pictures, and video interviews, the courtyard was buzzing.

Project Compassion is a fundraising campaign run by Caritas Australia to raise funds for less fortunate, vulnerable, and marginalised communities around the world. In connection with our Catholic faith, the Damascus community works to support Caritas’ mission by raising money over the six weeks of Lent that goes directly towards programs overseas and in Australia to target humanitarian issues, such as poverty.

In 2023, we raised a record-breaking figure of money from the Bake Sale, with everyone helping to raise $1160.10, which is the first time we have raised over $1000, a truly amazing effort! All of the money raised goes straight toward the Damascus contribution to Project compassion.

The SRC would like to thank each person who baked something, bought some food from our talented bakers, those who designed posters that helped to promote the day, set up, sell food, and count every last coin. Your generosity is greatly appreciated, and you all contributed to the running of a wonderful event.

But we are not done yet! Project Compassion is still going, and we still need your help to continue to raise money at a record-breaking rate! Each TA room has boxes for cash donations that will be accepted until the end of Term 1. Whatever money you are able to bring in will be life-changing for those less fortunate than us, all around the world. Casual clothes days and other events will be taking place during the term to continue the fundraising efforts, and while we do recognise these times can be financially tough for some of our families, we ask if you all could dig deep to give what you can.

Thank you all again for your efforts in making our first SRC event so enjoyable and successful, and we look forward to many more occasions to come this year.

Jessica Hodge & Rohan Shillito, 2023 President and Secretary of SRC

Damascus College year 9 student Kiera O'Beirne recently won the Junior Girls BAS Golf Championship at Midlands Golf Course.

Kiera played extremely well in a very competitive field where she managed to outplay all of the other players in her Year 7-9 age group in the 9 hole competition.

Congratulations Kiera on an amazing effort.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #ImReadyToTakeOnAnything

In 2023 Damascus College will be represented by 5 enthusiastic Year 9 students at the Girls in STEM program offered by the Ballarat Tech School. Beginning this past week, 60 excited girls from 13 local and regional schools came together to share 2 days of STEM focused experiences, activities, challenges. All 60 girls displayed courage, persistence, and an enthusiasm to work with new people to tackle a real industry challenge, that was simply outstanding.

Day 1 saw students meeting other GIS delegates for the first time and building connections through shared experiences in laser cutting, studio recording, virtual reality and problem solving.

On Day 2 students work in mixed school teams of 3 to solve a real industry problem. Mars Wrigley staff presented the students with a quality control challenge to separate subquality Maltesers from the production line before packaging.

We are also very proud of our Haileigh Buttigieg (Year 10) one of the inaugural Girls in STEM Student Leaders who represented herself and her school with dignity and professional maturity and was on hand to lead, support and help all participants, industry guests and Tech School staff.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #ImSupported

This week the Damascus College Year 11 Legal Studies students went on excursion to the Old Melbourne Gaol to learn more about the history of our legal system and the understanding of justice.

While there they were taken through the Watch House where they were shown how prisoners (including people such as Squizzy Taylor) were held and treated.

The students then participated in a scripted courtroom drama on the trial of Ned Kelly.

This experience prepares students to apply their learning of the courtroom processes to their upcoming criminal law assessment, where students will be taking on different court roles to conduct their own Mock Trial.

Thank you to the Humanities team for providing such an engaging learning experience for our students.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #FindMyCalling

Congratulations to the Damascus Thirds cricket team, who were undefeated throughout the season to win the BAS pennant for 2023.

Players consisted of Aidan Fletcher and Kylan Jans (Co-Captains), Rory Abbott, Kalan Grant, Eli Smart, Elijah Muir, Jessie Carroll, Ned Murnane, Zac Healey, Caden Clark, Finn Hoare and Eddy Lane.

Thank you also to Aidan Grant and Oscar Henderson who filled in when required.

They were a great team of students who should be very proud of their efforts and teamwork.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #IBeMyBest #ImSupported

Year 11 and 12 Art students headed off to Melbourne last Wednesday to the Ian Potter Centre for an introductory talk and viewing of some of the very best VCE artwork from last year. This exhibition ‘Top Arts’, held annually at Federation Square, gives students a chance to gather inspiration and be clear about just what an A/A+ folio looks like.

Students immersed themselves in a variety of art forms such as painting, photography, ceramics, video sculpture and even basket weaving and performance art. Students will report on work that appealed to them and the way the artworks were presented.

The excursion also included a tour of the Visual Arts department at the University of Melbourne South Bank Campus, as a possible pathway into a career in the creative arts. The featured picture shows the two classes in one of the state-of-the-art production studios.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #FindMyCalling

Blessed are you, O Mary, silent witness of Easter! You, O Mother of the Crucified One now risen, who at the hour of pain and death kept the flame of hope burning, teach us also to be, amongst the incongruities of passing time, convinced and joyful witnesses of the eternal message of life and love brought to the world by the Risen Redeemer.

Pope John Paul II, 2004

Earlier this term, the annual Damascus SRC Bake Sale was held in the Courtyard at Recess, an event that kicked off our Project Compassion campaign for the 2023 Lenten season. Students and teachers alike spent time in the kitchen, channelling their inner Gordon Ramsey, cooking up a storm to donate baked goods for sale.

Countless cupcakes, brownies, biscuits, and slices were spread around the four house tables for some healthy inter-house competition as to who could raise more money, and the competition was fierce as it was the largest amount of baked goods we have had to sell. With music, pictures, and video interviews, the courtyard was buzzing.

Project Compassion is a fundraising campaign run by Caritas Australia to raise funds for less fortunate, vulnerable, and marginalised communities around the world. In connection with our Catholic faith, the Damascus community works to support Caritas’ mission by raising money over the six weeks of Lent that goes directly towards programs overseas and in Australia to target humanitarian issues, such as poverty.

In 2023, we have raised a record-breaking figure of money from the Bake Sale, with everyone helping to raise $1160.10, which is the first time we have raised over $1000, a truly amazing effort! All of the money raised goes straight towards the Damascus contribution to Project compassion.

The SRC would like to thank each person who baked something, bought some food from our talented bakers, those who designed posters, helped to promote the day, set up, sell food, and count every last coin. Your generosity is greatly appreciated, and you all contributed to the running of a wonderful event.

But we are not done yet! Project Compassion is still going, and we still need your help to continue to raise money at a record-breaking rate! Each TA room has boxes for cash donations that will be accepted until the end of Term 1. What ever money you are able to bring in will be life changing for those less fortunate than us, all around the world. Casual clothes days and other events will be taking place during the term to continue the fundraising efforts, and while we do recognise these times can be financially tough for some of our families, we ask if you all could dig deep to give what you can.

Thank you all again for your efforts in making our first SRC event so enjoyable and successful, and we look forward to many more occasions to come this year.

Jessica Hodge & Rohan Shillito, 2023 President and Secretary of SRC

Please click on the following link to access the April Edition:-

[APIRL EDITION] Ballarat Youth Services Newsletter (mailchi.mp)