From the Principal
Principal's Update
Each week the College staff have the opportunity to participate in Chapel prayer employing a Lectio Divina prayer ritual. This is led by Mr Tony Haintz, Assistant Principal Catholi...
College Information & Events
Carmen's Story
To support students understand their responsibilities in driving, all Year 11 Damascus students attended a one hour information session on Tuesday 2 August, focused on road safety....
Student Achievement
An inspiring young student leader
College Information & Events
And That's a Wrap
College Information & Events
Father's Day Liturgy & Breakfast
Damascus College wishes to invite students, staff, families and the significant men in their life to attend our annual Father’s Day Liturgy and Breakfast, on Thursday 1 September 2...
College Information & Events
Free Parent Webinar
Elevate Education is once again offering a free Parent Webinar on Wednesday August 10th @ 6.30pm- the upcoming stream will focus on 'How to Help your Students Essay Writing'. It w...
Student Achievement
Semester 1 Award Recipients
Last week Damascus College celebrated our student’s achievements in their semester 1 studies with the presentation of Academic Subject and SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) Per...
From the Principal
Principal's Update
03 August By Mr. Steven Mifsud, Principal
Each week the College staff have the opportunity to participate in Chapel prayer employing a Lectio Divina prayer ritual. This is led by Mr Tony Haintz, Assistant Principal Catholic School Culture, and is a wonderful experience for staff to connect with one another on a faith journey. The prayer model has a clear process and structure that is designed to help the participant hear and respond to the Word of the Lord. This model allows the individual to think and hear how the text impacts themselves and others. The ability to engage with the gospel methodically allows the participant to hear different phrases and words and to think, and to allow the Holy Spirit to stir one's conscious. This week's gospel from Luke was the story of hoarding possessions. Jesus speaks to the community of a man who hoards his possessions rather than giving his excess to his God or to the others who may need additional support. Life presents us with many opportunities to share our gifts and talents and to embrace and trust the providence of our God. As a prayer group, we challenged one another to recognise whether we hoarded our gifts, our excess material possessions and to think about how we may support those in our community who had less.
Thank you to the many families who attended the Teacher Advisor Meetings. Working in partnership with our students, you as carer, and our staff model to our young people that they as individuals matter and that their learning is valuable. Our students can achieve so much by the whole community working together to support, guide and challenge our young people to be their best. Conversations about pathways for study, work and traineeships need to begin early, so students can genuinely discern their future and make informed decisions. Thanks to our staff and the Careers Department, who worked tirelessly to make this event happen. Students had the opportunity in the TA period on Tuesday to input their subject selections with the assistance of their TA teacher. Those students who were not at school on Tuesday will be followed up for their entries when they return to the College. The College is in the process of organising subjects, staffing and the timetable; students and families will be informed of any changes or clashes.
On Friday morning last week, the College had an extended TA where students met in their Houses to celebrate learning achievements for Semester 1 by presenting the Academic and SEL Personal Development Awards. We congratulate all award recipients and applaud their efforts and achievements. To find a list of students that received an award and to read more about them click here.
Over the past three weeks, members of the College Leadership Team and our Human Resources Team have been interviewing staff for Leadership Positions for 2023 and beyond. The College has introduced a number of new roles to support our strategic vision being embedded and lived. We have been so impressed by the calibre of our staff and our leaders' willingness to embed the strategic plan in their daily lives and work practices. As the new College Principal, it has been a privilege to hear current and aspiring leaders articulate their vision for their pillar and their passion for improving student learning outcomes for every student. I have been humbled by hearing our staff respond to questions about the Mercy Charism and their engagement in the professional learning of our community. The spirit of Catherine McAuley is alive and tangible on our Mount Clear campus. Damascus College continues to position itself as a leader in education in the Ballarat Diocese.
We have now entered week four of term three, which is a critical time for our VCE/ VCAL students to immerse themselves in their studies fully. Now is the time to reduce part-time work hours and to give themselves the time to effectively and positively finish their final year of study as a secondary school students. As parents, this is the time we need to support our Year 12 students. I encourage you to talk, nurture and challenge your young person to be their best and for them to be able to say l gave Year 12 my best shot! There will be many arguments, tears and joy over the next couple of months, but we are here to support you as parents and carers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our partners in Catholic Education in Ballarat – St. Patrick's College and Loreto College, who are grieving the loss of Rohan Cosgriff.
As a College, we also acknowledge and remember Tyler Basar's (Year 9) family on the passing of his grandmother, Rohan (Year 7) and Shae (Year 11) Goon and their family on the passing of their grandfather and Tim O’Sullivan (staff) and his family on the passing of his grandfather this week. We keep all families remain in our thoughts and prayers.
With every blessing
Steven
College Information & Events
Carmen's Story
03 August
To support students understand their responsibilities in driving, all Year 11 Damascus students attended a one hour information session on Tuesday 2 August, focused on road safety.
Past student, John Maher has delivered his powerful presentation, Carmen’s Story, to thousands of students all over Australia. His story recounts his family’s personal tragedy as a result of road trauma highlighting the ripple effect that is experienced when a life is taken on the roads.
John reminded students that it is the first 6 months of probationary driving where road accidents are more likely to occur. He challenged students to consider doubling the minimum 120 hours practice driving on L Plates to ensure that appropriate skills are developed.
John has recently written a book, Carmen’s Legacy, which further details the impact road trauma has had on his family.
Student Achievement
An inspiring young student leader
03 August
Year 7 student Ashleigh Kanoa is a proud Gunditjamara girl and was recently nominated for the City of Ballarat Youth Awards – in the Positive leader category.
For the last few years, Ashleigh volunteers as part of an Indigenous Youth Group, which is run by the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC).
As part of this youth group Ashleigh said that she actively supports the younger members of the group to help them feel at ease and relaxed.
“We learn about Aboriginal heritage and culture, participate in activities, support each other and recently we have started a dance group (Baarlinjan Dancers) that performed at the Town Hall and BADAC Open Day during NAIDOC week,” she said.
The group meets weekly after school, and there are approximately 20 students in the group from a range of ages and backgrounds.
“It is an honour to be nominated for this award, and if I don’t win, it is still really exciting to be recognised in this way.”
Earlier this year, Ashleigh was also recognised for her advocacy and positivity when she was awarded the Miss Naidoc honour, through BADAC for 2022.
‘I received a sash, and I proudly wore it during NAIDOC week where I raised the flag at BADAC and participated in the NAIDOC community awards” she said.
Being this year’s Miss NAIDOC means that I have been recognised by my peers as being a leader in my community.
As part of Ashleigh’s commitment and passion to her Aboriginal culture, earlier this year she wrote a letter to the Damascus College Principal, asking why the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were not flying next to the Australian flag. The principal asked Ashleigh to be part of the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan, where they could discuss this specific action along with other items that focus on reconciliation.
Ashleigh now meets monthly with staff and community to develop the first Reconciliation Action Plan for Damascus College.
The City of Ballarat Youth Awards will be held at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts on Friday 12 August.
College Information & Events
And That's a Wrap
03 August
This year’s school production Clue came to a close on Saturday 23 July. The talented cast and crew performed another fantastic show, where the hilarious farce-meets murder mystery took the audience along a journey of suspicion, discovering the different happenings of the Bobby Manor dinner party.
We caught up with the Director of the show, Andrew Seeary for some behind the scenes insight and to learn more about Andrew as the Director and all the work that goes into producing a fabulous school production highlighting the talented Damascus students.
1. Was there a particular highlight from this year’s production? And why?
One of the standouts for me was the value of getting the casting right. Each performer totally emersed themselves in the role that they were given. The production of this play requires rapid fire delivery incorporating dialogue, action, sound and lighting. This was another standout in its presentation.
2. Where did you get the idea for Clue as this year’s production?
It was simply one that we had always wanted to do. We have never attempted a ‘whodunnit’ before and ‘Clue was a classic of this genre. We were slated to do something a little more serious this year but with what had been going on over the past 2 years we went for something that we knew would be fun for an audience.
3. How long has the cast and crew been rehearsing and developing Clue?
We began with the cast in February with the crew joining us later in the process.
4. Did you have a favourite scene from Clue? If so, which one and why?
There is a scene in Act 2 where Wadsworth the butler recaps in a mad solo montage all the events of the play. This was so fast paced and funny.
5. What range of year levels were represented across the cast?
We had the whole gamut this year with every year level represented. Fun fact was it was the first time we had ever cast a year 8 in a leading role. That of course is the amazing work of Dana Reynolds.
6. Was the amazing set for Clue built in-house? If so, how long did it take to build?
We have a tradition of trying to make a lot from the little we have. Much of our set is recycled from bits and pieces from previous productions we have staged. We are very restricted with the space we have due to the lack of backstage areas and no fly tower. The set was constructed largely over the holiday period. The design was challenging as we had to find ways to depict the various room of the mansion.
7. Do you have a regular line or saying that you say to the cast before each show?
Focus, concentrate, energy, pace and have fun!
8. How long have you been the Performing Arts Coordinator at Damascus College?
About 33 years. I was there at our first one ‘Animal Farm’ back in 1999 and have been involved in every production since.
9. During your time at Damascus, how many productions have you Directed?
Out of 22 school productions I have directed 12 of them.
10. What do you enjoy most about directing a production and working with the cast and crew?
The joy is always watching young performers grow and develop. They gain soooooo much from the experience both as performers and people.
11. Did you work in Performing Arts before you came to Damascus?
I have been involved in theatre and design for most of my life. Prior to teaching I was a political cartoonist, an illustrator, set designer. I spent a few years teaching improvisation to schools around the region before shifting into teaching. Much of these skills are still useful to me today in the classroom.
13. What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking of auditioning for next year's production?
Carpe diem or "seize the day". There is so much to gain from involvement in Performing Arts on and off the stage. How will you know what you are capable of if you don’t give it a try?
14. And finally… Whodunnit?!
They all did!
College Information & Events
Father's Day Liturgy & Breakfast
03 August
Damascus College wishes to invite students, staff, families and the significant men in their life to attend our annual Father’s Day Liturgy and Breakfast, on Thursday 1 September 2022 at 7am.
Please book your ticket online by Friday 26 August, at https://www.trybooking.com/CBKQD
Please note that numbers will be limited and book out fast, so book your ticket/s today. If you are bringing your Damascus student to the breakfast, please ensure you book them a ticket too.
Thanks in advance and we look forward to celebrating Father’s Day over a lovely liturgy and buffet-breakfast.
College Information & Events
Free Parent Webinar
03 August
Elevate Education is once again offering a free Parent Webinar on Wednesday August 10th @ 6.30pm- the upcoming stream will focus on 'How to Help your Students Essay Writing'.
It will cover the following important topics:-
- The importance of goal-setting in essay writing
- How you can provide real-time support & feedback to speed up the process of improvement
- How students can begin to self-assess their work so they can become independent writers
To register for this free event please click here.
Student Achievement
Semester 1 Award Recipients
03 August
Last week Damascus College celebrated our student’s achievements in their semester 1 studies with the presentation of Academic Subject and SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) Personal Growth Awards.
Academic Subject awards are given to students who have achieved results that place them in the top 5% for that subject in their year level. SEL Personal Growth awards are given to students who have shown growth throughout the semester in one or more of the Social and Emotional Learning attributes (Perseverance, Organisation, Resilience, Engaging Relationships and Confidence).
The College congratulates all award recipients and applaud their efforts and achievements in their studies this year.
The full list of students awards can be downloaded below:-
