Next Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday, and our senior student leaders will travel into St Patrick's Cathedral to celebrate Mass with Bishop Paul Bird. Our leaders will join the leaders from St Patrick's College and Loreto College.

The liturgy on Shrove Tuesday marks the commencement of our community recognition of the season of Lent. Next Wednesday (17^th) is Ash Wednesday, and globally, the Catholic community are being marked (sprinkled in COVID safe times) with ashes from the earth as a sign of humility. From Ash Wednesday, Lent is the forty days that follow until the blessed celebration of Easter; the zenith of belief for Christian people.

Here at Damascus, we look to the period of Lent to support the fundraising activity for Project Compassion across the College. Damascus has a wonderful reputation as supporters of social justice. Project Compassion is the annual appeal for Caritas Australia, which is the Catholic Church's international aid organisation. The community's support of Project Compassion throughout Lent has been very generous over recent years, and we hope to be able to continue that in 2021.

Lent is a time of preparation for Easter. I often talk to young people about the opportunity to reflect on how they can give Time, Talents or Treasure over this period. Time in prayer or personal reflection about their relationship with God, Talents; the sharing of their personal gifts or talents to benefit others, and finally Treasure; charity or almsgiving to support those in need. At home, you may like to engage in the conversation about how this Lent as a family, you may be able to give Time, Treasure or Talents.

I had the good fortune of accompanying our Year 12 students, to Anglesea for their Retreat experience from Wednesday to Friday of last week. They were a remarkable group of young people who capitalised on this opportunity to strengthen their inter-relationships and explore their personal connection with our loving God. While not perfect, the weather was suitable for enjoyable beach time, and some of our 17/18 year olds still managed to get burnt! Our Year 12 Retreat is an experience that many people reflect on post their secondary school with great fondness, and this certainly appeared to be the sentiment of the students of the 2021 cohort. I thank Adrian Newman for his work over the last 12 months in preparation and for the support of RE teachers, small group leaders, Martin Ryan, Tony Haintz and former students, Castley Webb and Imogen Coles.

Year 7 Camp kicks off next week at the Log Cabin Camp at Creswick. Students will go out in House groups starting with Xavier Monday, Rice Tuesday, St Martin Wednesday and McAuley Thursday. Families should have all received information regarding the camp; however, do not hesitate to contact the College office if there are any questions. It should be a great week for our newest and youngest students to consolidate friendships within their new House groupings.

There was a big day of rowing for our senior rowers last Saturday in Nagambie. Rowing Co-Captain, Angus Shillito again won the men's open single skull event, and we congratulate Angus on his win. Our junior and intermediate rowers also competed strongly in Geelong on the Barwon. This coming weekend boys are rowing here in Ballarat in the School Boys Championships. All rowers are building up to the Head of the Lake which will take place on Friday 19^th February.

I will communicate with families of rowers about arrangements for the Head of the Lake (Friday, 19^th February) this week, but we do know that there are significant changes in place to ensure that it is a COVID safe event.

I ask families to continue supporting the College to support young people to adhere to the Government and Chief Health Officer's advice regarding wearing face masks. Masks are required to be worn by all staff, students and visitors to the College whenever anyone is inside. It is disappointing to have to follow up with young people who are not carrying/wearing masks. Can families please ensure students have masks on them and perhaps ensure young people have some spares within their school bag for the times they forget.

Next Wednesday (17th) there will be an information evening for families of VCAL students. This event will be live-streamed. An equivalent event will take place on Thursday (18th) for families of VCE students. If you have a student in VCE or VCAL, you are strongly encouraged to attend these events. More information can be found here.

We extend our condolences this week to the family of Finlay Reeve (Year 7) on the passing of his maternal grandfather in the UK recently. Our prayers go out to Finlay's family in this time of grief that is exacerbated by restrictions to international travel. We also extend our condolences to Isabella Munro (Year 9) and her family on the passing of her grandfather. May the God of peace be with you all.

Until next week …

MATT

Current and past Damascus College students’ photographic skills have been celebrated and featured in the 2021 Well-being in Nature calendar, developed by Headspace Ballarat.

Throughout 2020 Headspace Ballarat ran a competition for people under 25, to support mental health and young people getting out into their natural local environment.

As part of this initiative, Headspace clinical staff put together some positive mental health activities for each location, which have been incorporated into the calendar with the accompanying photo of the location.

The following current and past students were recognised and photos selected for inclusion in the calendar:

- Jessica Sainsbury, current Year 12 student, features on April

- Clare McLennan, Class of 2016, features on February

- Millie Johnson, Class of 2017, features on October

- Janelle Johnson, Class of 1987, is the Psychologist providing activities for November.

Members of the community can pick up these FREE calendars from Headspace Ballarat, 28 Camp Street, Ballarat.

Well done to all involved in this wonderful initiative and we look forward to visiting our local area to participate in the activities and practice mindfulness.
#ImPartOfSomethingGreater

Members of the community can pick up these FREE calendars from Headspace Ballarat, 28 Camp Street, Ballarat.

Well done to all involved in this wonderful initiative and we look forward to visiting our local area to participate in the activities and practice mindfulness.

The extraordinary experience that that is the Year 12 Retreat at Anglesea was held once again at Camp Wilkin with 151 students and 20 supporting staff members. Journeying to the coast offers a profound opportunity at the commencement of Year 12 for reflection on life’s journey and to discover the significance of faith in community. A time of reconciliation afforded students a chance to set aside the issues or concerns of the past so that the way forward may be more open - to imagine a better world. The bible was consulted in a small group process that explored the wisdom of the Christian story and the power of the Christian message in people’s lives. There were stories shared of significant life changing moments, moments on insight from which there can be no turning back. There was face painting of the beatitudes of Jesus as a challenge to live a life that is focused beyond the self and onto the central mysteries of the human encounter with the divine. There was singing, an amazing grace, as well as reflection time and the chance to enjoy the company of friends and ice cream. Due to threatening weather the circle on unity photograph on the beach was achieved on the second day. It clearly expressed the attitude of those gathered.

The final ceremony, held at the camps site, was a summation of the affirmation that is the Year 12 retreat.

Our time concluded in God’s name, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

VCE Information Evening for Parents/Guardians and Students

All Year 10, 11 and 12 students completing a VCE subject and their parents/guardians, are encouraged to tune in to the VCE Information Evening. Due to COVID-19 this will be conducted remotely and there will be opportunities for parents/guardians and students to ask questions throughout the presentation, and have them answered through the Q and A function.

The purpose of the evening is to make families familiar with the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA) rules and regulations and the expectations of Damascus College, as well as give strategies and tips for parents/guardians and students to help minimise stresses and maximise results.

When: Thursday 18^th February

Where: Remotely – Link to live stream to be emailed to families closer to the date

Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Who: Year 11 and 12 students completing VCE and their parents/guardians

Year 10 students completing a VCE subject and their parents/guardians

What will be covered:-

• An outline of important dates for 2021
• Explain expectations of Damascus College Year 11 and 12 students
• Outline process for missed assessment tasks
• Discuss importance of GAT
• 2020 Year 12 students give their recommendations for students doing VCE this year
• Homework expectations
• Outline types of special provision and eligibility
• Tips and strategies to cope with the year
• Tips for parents/guardians on how to support a Year 11 and 12 student
• Information from the Careers department
• Information on how the College Counsellors can support students
• Information from a past parent on how parents/guardians can support their son/daughter through VCE.
  

VCAL Information Evening for Parents/Guardians and Students

All Year 11 and 12 students undertaking VCAL and their parents/guardians are encouraged to tune into the VCAL Information Evening. Due to COVID-19, this will be conducted remotely and there will be opportunities for parents/guardians and students to ask questions throughout the presentation, and have them answered through the Q and A function.

The purpose of the evening is to make families familiar with the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA) rules and regulations and the expectations of Damascus College, as well as give strategies and tips for parents/guardians and students to help minimise stresses and maximise results.

When: Wednesday 17^th February

Where: Remotely – Link to live stream to be emailed to families closer to the date

Time: 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Who: Year 11 and 12 students completing VCAL and their parents/guardians, and
prospective VCAL students

What will be covered:-

• An outline of important dates for 2021
• Explain expectations of Damascus College Year 11 and 12 students
• Outline process for missed assessment tasks
• Discuss importance of GAT
• 2020 Year 12 students give their recommendations for students doing VCAL this year
• Homework expectations
• Outline types of special provision and eligibility
• Tips and strategies to cope with the year
• Tips for parents/guardians on how to support a Year 11 and 12 student
• Information from the Careers department
• Information on how the College Counsellors can support students
• Information from a past parent on how parents/guardians can support their son/daughter through VCAL

Last Friday, Year 11 student Shannon Craggill was awarded a gold medal in the Fixie Criterium, which was part of the Cycling Road National Championships in Ballarat and Buninyong.

For those not in the know, a Fixie criterium is the same as a normal criterium except they ride bikes with fixed gearing, which are bikes used typically on velodromes. This was a 20 lap race with a field of 11 competitors.

Well done Shannon, excellent job.

Two Damascus College staff have recently entered the National Teacher Artist Prize, by Zart Art.

Art, Humanities & Visual Communications teacher Debra Hanson and Art, Technology and Visual Communications teacher Amie Bird, have entered four art pieces between them, as seen below.

This new art prize was established to reward teachers by celebrating the value and quality of their individual art practice, supporting both their professional teaching practice and personal growth needs. The prize is a recognition of those who foster rich learning environments within school communities and promote.

We encourage our Damascus community to support Deb and Amie and browse through the many wonderful art pieces via the below link (just click Gallery), that have been submitted by teachers around the country, and cast your vote.

Well done to Deb and Amie for putting themselves out there within the wider art community, for representing Damascus College, and for showcasing their amazing creativity and talent.

https://zart.us.launchpad6.com/ntap/

Ballarat City Council is developing a range of new medium and long-term plans and needs the community to help set the direction. Everyone has something that they are passionate about and now is the time to share thoughts and ideas. There are multiple ways to be involved:

• Surveys on the Ballarat: Our Future MySay page
• Hosting or joining a conversation on our Day of a Thousand Conversations. You can do this with one other person, a small group of friends or family or with your club, group or class (Download Conversation Kit). Host a conversation and go in the draw to win one of five $100 gift vouchers.
• Attending one of our Community Conversations in a park near you (View Key Dates)

We want to hear from as many people as possible. If you have any questions about the community engagement process please contact communityengagement@ballarat.vic.gov.au or call 5320 5500 and ask to speak with someone from the Community Participation team.

NEW SEASON APPROACHING!! BALLARAT FUTSAL!!

Excitement Plus as we finally get back to normality indoors!

Games will be played at Lucas Primary (20 minute halves)

Tuesdays - 8s and 10s, 12s

Saturdays - Prep, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4 , Grade 5, Grade 6

Sunday - 13 Years, 14 Years, 15 Years, 16 Years.

For more information please contact Corey Smith 0437 935 991 or corey@australianfutsal.com

Please see below how you can earn $500 towards your savings!!!!

CSEF eligibility

Below is the criteria used to determine a student’s eligibility for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF).

Criteria 1 – Eligibility

To be eligible* for the fund, a parent or legal guardian of a student attending a registered Government or non-government Victorian primary or secondary school must:

• on the first day of Term one, or;

• on the first day of Term two;

• Be an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004, that is, be a holder of Veterans Affairs Gold Card or be an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder, OR
• Be a temporary foster parent, and;
• Submit an application to the school by the due date.

* A special consideration eligibility category also exists. For more information, see: www.education.vic.gov.au/csef

Parents who receive a Carer Allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF unless they also comply with one of (a) or (b) above.

Criteria 2 - Be of school age and attend school in Victoria

School is compulsory for all Victorian children aged between six and 17 years of age inclusive.

For the purposes of CSEF, students may be eligible for assistance if they attend a Victorian registered primary or secondary school. Typically, these students are aged between five and 18 years inclusive.

CSEF is not payable to students attending pre-school, kindergarten, home schooled, or TAFE.

Eligibility Date

For concession card holders CSEF eligibility will be subject to the parent/legal guardian’s concession card being successfully validated with Centrelink on the first day of either term one (27 January 2021) or term two (19 April 2021).

Payment amounts

CSEF payment amount

The CSEF is an annual payment to the school to be used towards camps, sports and/or excursion expenses for the benefit of the eligible student.

• Primary school student rate: $125 per year.

• Secondary school student rate: $225 per year.

Conveyance Allowance (Bus Travel)

To be eligible for a conveyance allowance, individual students will be assessed under the following criteria:

1. Attend a school/campus located outside the metropolitan conveyance allowance boundary
2. Attend the closest appropriate school/campus at which admission is permissible
3. For students attending specialist schools, this will be determined by the specialist school’s Designated Transport Area (DTA) in which the student resides
4. For students attending government schools, this will be the closest school/campus appropriate to the age and gender of the student (e.g. primary, secondary, single sex)
5. For students attending non-government schools, this will be the closest school/campus of the recognised denomination for conveyance allowance purposes.
6. Reside 4.8km or more from the school/campus (shortest practicable route calculated by the school attended at the time of application from the student’s home to the school/campus)
7. Be of school age (between five and 18-years-old at the time of application), and a resident of Victoria
8. Be enrolled and travelling to school three or more days per week.

Students’ circumstances can change during their school years (e.g. moving residence or changing schools/campuses). Change of circumstances affects eligibility and a new application must be submitted with each change of circumstance.

Private car
A private car conveyance allowance is not available if the journey could have been made using a public transport service or free school bus.

• Where there is more than one student in the vehicle, there are two rates claimable: ‘furthermost’ and ‘additional.’
• Where there is more than one student in a vehicle, and they attend different schools, the amount claimable is based on the distance travelled to school by each student. That is each student must be the subject of a separate application and the student attending the furthermost school is identified as the ‘furthermost’ student; each of the other students must be claimed as ‘additional’.
• Rates are calculated according to the distance (measured in kilometres) from home to the campus attended using the Department’s standard measurement method; for details of the rates claimable, refer to Appendix 1 Conveyance Allowance Rates
• It is assumed that all students from the same family will travel in one car therefore only one family member may claim furthermost student allowance.

Pro-rata adjustment of reimbursement (time fraction)

Where students change school, transport mode and/or address that affect the payment of conveyance allowance, pro-rata payments are made, having regard to the number of days of actual attendance. It is the responsibility of each school to report any mid-semester student changes and the required pro-rata adjustments that are required.

Late payments
Late (past year) applications cannot be accepted or paid.

Any inquiries relating to this allowance or to any bus travel matter may be directed to Tracey Williams at the College office Phone: 5337 2222.

**FORMS ARE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN MARCH 5^{TH **}