Welcome to Term 3 everyone,

Our 2021 theme; "Be strong and courageous; for God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9.' remains very relevant to the Damascus community in these changing times. Within this newsletter, I point to many different aspects of opportunity and change, and I am really heartened by our team's work to support the development of holistic development and social-emotional learning opportunities provided to equip our young people to thrive in our changing world. The constant reminder of the presence of our loving God as we navigate growth and change brings comfort and sustenance.

Tomorrow night Damascus College provides a range of opportunities for families to come in and gain more information regarding the subject selection process for 2022. Quite extensive information is available on the College website at Learning & Teaching - Pathways - Damascus College. The opportunities provided allow you to seek more information about your student's respective course in 2022 or to speak with teachers in the learning area that your student is considering to gain a specialised insight into specific subjects or courses. For more information on the evening and opportunities to book, please look here.

Here at school, the lead up to next week's production of "Spelling Bee" was frenetic with rehearsals and set construction. The staff, cast and crew worked solidly over the holidays under the guidance of our committed Performing Arts teachers, and I am sure that while these students and staff are experiencing some weariness from their efforts, the gifts that they will bring forth from opening night next Wednesday will be truly amazing! I acknowledge the enormous effort of Nicole Burness, Maria Russell, Andrew Seeary and all those supporting them and the Damascus students in the lead up to the performance next week. Under the current restrictions, we are hopeful of being able to open up increased tickets. More information on ticket availability can be found here. I wish everyone well for what will be an exciting week of performances.

The Damascus community contributed $2674.75 to the Vinnies Winter Appeal as a result of our casual day at the end of term 2 – I thank and support students, staff and families for this response to the Christian calling to assist those who are in need!

Tomorrow afternoon our distance runners will compete in the Ballarat Associated Schools (BAS) Road Relay. This is the first distance running event of the season, and we wish our team well. I acknowledge with gratitude the work of Rod Mathews, Nikki Hexter and Gavan Walsh in the lead up to this event and wish our students the very best.

Term 3 sports commence week 2. All students who have signed up to a sport have been added to a MS Teams channel relevant to their sport. They are reminded to check into MS Teams on a daily basis and continue to monitor the daily messages for any details regarding training sessions and game information. Parents can also check the daily messages on PAM and the Damascus Facebook page for the weekly BAS Afterschool sport overview. For further information and FAQ’s regarding the BAS Afterschool Sports Program, please head to the Damascus College website.

There are a number of staff comings and goings as we begin a new term. I extend a warm welcome to those new staff joining Damascus College this term; Jen Casey, Sarah Ruddick, Min Myers, Carley Young, Leighanne de Zoete-Spiero, and Leanne Perks. We are excited to welcome back Laura Kimm and Catherine Newman from parental leave. Laura takes up the Assistant House Leader role within McAuley House. We also welcome student teachers Georgia O'Leary and Taneisha Sampson to the College for the next eight weeks. Angela Hoban, Chris Grant and Jennifer Henderson have taken some well deserved Long Service Leave. Our leadership team has changed, with Alysoun Smalley and Sarah McKnight stepping into the Assistant Principal role of Learning and Teaching and Ashwin Pillai assuming the Deputy Principal role.

Unfortunately as per DET guidelines, school sport must continue with NO SPECTATORS as we are limited to the minimum number of people required to participate in and facilitate the activity. This is especially important for the Road Relay event which is happening on the afternoon of Thursday July 15.

We keep staff member Matt Allan and his family in our thoughts and prayers as he recovers from an accident that occurred over the holiday period. Matt is making excellent progress; however, he will be some time in recovery, and the College is supporting his classes through this period.

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Justin Marson to the role of Leader of Business Services at Damascus College. Justin has been in the role of Finance Manager at the College in 2021. Along with his experience at Damascus College, he has nine years experience as Senior Accountant at Ballarat City Council and seven years as Senior Accountant at WHK (now Findex). Justin's professional qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce and Management and a Post Graduate CPA qualification since 2008.

Justin was a director on the Board of Damascus College from 2018 to 2021, where he served as Deputy Chair in 2019-20. He also has nine years of experience on the Damascus College Finance and Risk subcommittee, serving as a sub-committee chair. Justin understands the College's governance and strategy platform.

Justin is married to Jaci, and they have children Elliott, Adelle and Anna. I congratulate Justin on his appointment to our Leadership Team, which commenced on Monday.

The College will now seek to appoint a Finance Manager.

We are aware that some Damascus families are isolating as a result of the Ballan Tier 1 exposure sites. We keep them in our thoughts and prayers as they face the challenges and uncertainty of this time.

Many Damascus families have experienced enormous grief over recent weeks. Imogen (Yr 9) and Madison (Yr 7) Rosenhart and their family are mourning the passing of their loved great grandfather. Milly (Yr 7) and Emerson (Yr 7) Vallance and their family are grieving the passing of their loved grandfather. Our staff team have had a very difficult time with Cathy Prunty (Staff) losing her Dad over the break. Sharon Hayes (Staff) also lost her Dad. Joanne Lawrence (Staff) lost her mother in law, and Alysoun Smalley (Staff) and Sara (Yr 10) lost Sara's grandmother. Each of these families have grieved the passing of their loved family member and celebrated their life with great affection. We pray that each of these loved ones are embraced eternally by our loving God.

In the cycle of life, we congratulate staff member, Tom Inverarity and his wife Emma and son Max on the expansion of their family with the safe arrival of baby, Ava Jane! We also congratulate staff member Alan Strange on the safe arrival of his grandson, Finn!

Coming up over Term 3 are many and varied ways where we will work to enable students to Be.My.Best.!

We have Rice and Xavier Day, TA interviews, The GAT, a ski trip, Yr 11 retreats, Yr 12 VCAL Camp, the rescheduled formal, Year 9's Social Dilemma, Bright Futures Breakfast, BAS Running Season, GAT, Rowing, and the Fathers' Day Mass and Breakfast. Damascus Day later in the term always provides a great opportunity to celebrate our community.

It is an exciting time – have a great term!!

Until next week …

The School Improvement Surveys are key tools that provide the College with data from staff, students, and parents to assist in understanding how well our College is operating. The information provides an insight into the College climate and culture at a particular time. It is a window into how we are understanding our operations with focuses on organisational climate, teaching climate and student behaviour and wellbeing. It is coordinated through the Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited using a third-party company Insight SRC as the survey provider.

Randomly sampled parents and students are asked to complete the survey in the window between July 26th – August 6th, 2021. All staff members will also be completing the survey in this window.

Supporting our Damascus College Be.My.Best focus, the School Improvement Student survey measures five different socio-emotional learning (SEL) for students. These include Emotional Wellbeing, Teacher Relationships, Engagement in Learning, Faith-Based Behaviours, and Student Relationships. It is important, however, to consider these socio-emotional outcomes in conjunction with academic achievement data, such as the school's NAPLAN results and other assessment regimes at the college.

The School Improvement Surveys are valuable tools and decision-making aids, particularly when used in conjunction with other information about your school’s performance.

Parents / guardians who have been randomly selected will be contacted by email with details of how to complete the anonymous survey, just prior to the opening of the online survey instrument. We thank you in advance for a speedy turn around.

Year 12 VCE students had the opportunity over the school holidays to participate in a range of trial exams and revision workshops. Students studying Religion and Society gathered to review Unit 3, with a focus on Catholic beliefs about the ultimate reality, the meaning and purpose of life, suffering, death and the afterlife, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world.

Getting a head start on preparation for the final exam in November, students learned about the ‘generation effect’ which describes how people tend to remember information better when they take an active role in producing it. Students investigated different techniques for revising concepts, including making graphic organisers and creating effective study notes. Post it notes and flash cards were used to help students remember key quotes from Genesis and the Nicene Creed.

As part of the Excel Program, the Careers team invited guest speakers from leading Universities to answer questions about pathway choices to assist students with upcoming subject selections. Among the guest speakers was a familiar face, Elle-Louise Smith, Class of 2013.

As a student, Ellie was elected as to the position of College Captain, and earned the prestigious title of 2013 Collegian of the Year.

While in year 11, Ellie took up the opportunity to be part of the Timor-Leste Immersion Program. She valued that experience so much that after graduating she returned to Timor and found herself working with the Mercy Sisters. In particular, Ellie found herself inspired by the time she spent working with the midwives. It was the nexus for her decision to get her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science, and why she is now undertaking her postgraduate Doctor of Medicine at Deakin University.

Thank you Ellie for returning to Damascus where you have shown our students that you truly are a Damascus College shining light working hard to make the world a better place.

Careers Workshops

Recently Year 12 students were treated to a series of guest speaker workshops from university staff and students, allowing Damascus students to learn more about the various pathways, courses and career opportunities available to them.

The guest speakers brought their experience in studying/teaching medicine, nursing, paramedicine, engineering, business, technology, education and exercise and sport science. It was a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable information that might shape your career post-secondary school.

2021 marks the 140 year anniversary of our college, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone throughout this year.

As part of our celebrations, key members of our community were asked to provide a personal reflection on our College and their association with it. Brother Frank Hennessy shares his story with us in this video.

Damascus College offers a holistic educational experience with a range of innovative learning and teaching subjects and programs, to maximise the educational outcomes for our students. A wide variety of interests and skills are catered for as part of the diverse Damascus curriculum, that will enable our students to be their best and reach their desired career pathway.

2022 subject selection is now upon us and Damascus students are encouraged to complete the relevant application forms in preparation for Term 3 TA interviews.

Parents and students are recommended to access the Pathways booklets that provide a comprehensive list of subjects available per year level, which are now accessible via the Damascus website. These booklets are a wonderful resource to assist students in choosing their electives and pathways.

There will be a Subject Selection, Pathways and Careers Evening for parents and students on Thursday 15 July and a Careers Expo on Monday 19 to Thursday 22 July, held on campus for students to ask more questions to subject teachers.

It certainly is an exciting time for our young people to dream and dream large, about what their future might hold, and what exciting careers they might aim for, once they step beyond our Damascus College doors.

Pathways booklets can be accessed here: https://www.damascus.vic.edu.au/learning-programs/learning-and-teaching/pathways

Pathways and Subject Selection Evening

A reminder to our Damascus community that the Pathways and Subject Selection Evening is coming up on Thursday 15 July, 5.30pm – 7.30pm.

The aim of this event is to provide an opportunity for parents/guardians and students to:

• Participate in VCE/VCAL workshops to clarify queries for 2022 subjects and pathways

• Request further information from specialist teachers

• Request assistance from our dedicated Careers team

• Generate discussion at home to facilitate effective decision making with subject choices and pathways

Prior to the workshop, parents/guardians are encouraged to access the Pathway manuals and video via our website, at the below link: https://www.damascus.vic.edu.au/learning-programs/learning-and-teaching/pathways

Please book your spot now to attend a VCE or VCAL workshop/s on Thursday 15 July, 5.30-7.30pm, via the below link: https://www.trybooking.com/BSPTD

Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend with their student.

The annual performing arts production of The Spelling Bee kicks off next week on Wednesday 21st July, 8pm.

A talented cast of around twenty performers will bring this story to life, but this certainly wouldn’t happen without the able assistance of the production crew, orchestra and directors.

Big thanks to the staff leaders of the show - Director Nicole Burness, Musical Director Maria Russell and Set Designer Andrew Seeary, for all of the hard work you have put in to making this musical a success.

We collectively celebrate the large list of students and staff involved in this musical as listed below and celebrate their many gifts and talents.

We love these pictures of the smiling cast and then the cast in character - well played!!

We pleased to let you know the events are returning for term 3, with the first one starting next Wednesday on July 21st.

Next steps

To extend the invitation to your parent body you can simply send them the webinar registration page

Upcoming dates

• July 21^st - Motivation and the role of parents in shaping mindset.
• ^{August 4th} - Technology devices and how to stay focused and balanced.
• August 18^th - Note taking skills to help your child deepen their revision.
• September 1^st - Exam Homestretch and how to support your child in the final weeks.