It has been an exciting couple of weeks to see our students return to the College after being on CPDA, Work Experience and Year 9 Camp. This return to face-to-face is an excellent opportunity to reset and reconnect with our wonderful Damascus community. Tomorrow, we see the launch of the Early Start Program, which will see each of our students study in their new academic program for 2023. It is an opportunity to reflect, reset and set goals for 2023; our students need to use this experience to engage in the fullness of the learning program.

Whilst the pandemic has challenged many of us, l am constantly reminded of the need to have an optimistic and hope-filled outlook. As adults, carers and role models for our young people, we need to challenge and support them to take responsible risks and move out of their comfort zone. We can no longer use COVID and the lockdowns as excuses for poor behaviour. Each positive or negative experience is an opportunity for growth. The only constant in life is change, and that in life, we will always be faced with challenges. We cannot foresee or plan everything; sometimes, we have to adapt and accept that it is not always what we imagine.

A catholic education is one of empowerment and growth, but young people sometimes need to be challenged to accept the gift of learning. Education is a partnership with family, school and the young person. As we enter the new academic year, challenge yourself to engage in your child’s learning program – set goals, check PAM and understand your student’s learning program.

Throughout the past two years, nature has shown us how to adapt and be resilient. Recently l came across a possum living in our rose bush in the front yard, it was battered and bruised, but it found a new home and a new purpose. As we enter the final term, the home stretch, we ask that you work with your student to help them find hope and optimism in this challenging time. We are here to work with you to promote growth and to allow all our students to flourish.

Know how to deal with cyberbullying

This week, our Wellbeing leaders have spoken to our Year 9 and 10 students about the need for continued respectful relationships and to be people of respect and hope. In particular, we emphasised the impact of cyberbullying and posting derogatory comments.

Cyberbullying happens when someone uses digital technology to harass, humiliate, intimidate or threaten another person. Cyberbullying can happen in online classrooms, on chat and messaging services, via social media, text messages, emails and message boards, or online forums.

Social exclusion is also a form of cyberbullying. It includes being left out of online conversations, virtual parties, games with friends, or other get-togethers — not cool, right? — and while face-to-face contact is restricted, it may feel particularly bad. We all want to feel connected and know there’s someone we can talk to.

Extra time spent online increases the risk of being exposed to cyberbullying, which can impact our mental health and wellbeing. But cyberbullying is often an extension of the bullying that happens at school. So there’s a chance that heading back to face-to-face classes will be unsettling or upsetting if there’s a risk of dealing with a rise in negative behaviour.

So, what can you do if you encounter cyberbullying or see people being excluded from online group activities?

• Take action – know how to report cyberbullying if you or someone you know is experiencing it.
• Be an upstander, not a bystander – don’t let cyberbullying slide. It’s OK to call it out.
• Speak with your friends regularly and check in to see how they are going.
• Check-in with a teammate or friend from outside your school if you haven’t heard from them in a while. You may like to invite them to a weekly video chat with your friends.

Today we celebrated the life of Connor Prunty, former student and son of Cathy Prunty, who passed away from illness. We keep Cathy, Mark, Bridget and Thomas in our prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto Connor, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Our Lady of Mercy Amen

We pray for our brother, Connor. May he be welcomed by His God and have eternal peace.

With every blessing

Steven

This award is in memory of Bill O’Loughlin – a passionate English and English Literature teacher at Damascus College who sadly passed away in 2017 whilst on staff. The annual award is sponsored by Bill’s family in his memory. The award recognizes two year 11 students who have shown outstanding growth in their English studies over their time at school in any one of the three VCE English strands – English, English Literature or English Language.

The two recipients of the Bill O’Loughlin English Endeavour for 2022 are:

Last week Year 10 students participated in the Damascus College Christian Personal Development Award (CPDA) which helps students to see the need to be proactive about personal development in the senior years of College life.

Throughout CPDA week, students are immersed in numerous personal development activities, some with a social justice focus.

The CPDA categories include:

• Action for Mercy and Justice (Community Service) – Students volunteer in the local community to develop skills in action for social justice at global, national and local levels and a sense of community service and responsibility

• Physical Pursuits – Physical talent identification assessments and recreational activities encourage participation in physical recreation and improvement of performance.

• Spiritual Development – A Retreat to recognise a commitment to the development of the spiritual aspect of the human person.

• Cultural Personal Development Activities – The Melbourne day encourages the development of personal interests and practical skills, as well as creative approaches to personal development and a spirit of adventure and discovery.

This years retreat was at ACU Ballarat Campus, where students investigate the corporal works of Mercy: feeding the hungry, giving a drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, visiting the sick and those in prison and clothing the naked.

Physical pursuit activities were held at Damascus which gave students an experience of alternative recreational pursuits that offer balance and integration in the busyness of life.

Students also volunteered in the community, where they planted trees and cared for the earth around Ballarat.

Have you ever thought about the considerations that occur when a healthcare worker helps to move a patient? Am I safe? Are they safe? Are my colleagues safe? If I move this way, what is the outcome? or ever thought about the type of language you’d need to use to tell someone how to move up a bed, how to walk safely or even how to sit down on the toilet? It’s something that healthcare professionals do every day. Nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists… just to name a few! Usually it’s not something we think of until we ourselves need help or we’re helping someone else.

Our year 1 VET Allied Health students put their theoretical learning into action and soon realised that it’s not as easy as ‘so just take a step’ or ‘so, like sit up on the edge of the bed’ or my favourite.. ‘so yeh, off ya go’.

Not only did our students learn the physical skills of how to safely move a person up the bed, or from bed/chair to the toilet, they demonstrated an understanding of how their communication skills influence those movements too.

Quote ‘’OK, that was harder than I thought it would be. I didn’t realise how much thought goes into something so simple”

We are very thankful to Federation University for allowing us to utilise the realistic and very well equipped learning space! Our Allied Health students are more excited than ever to enter the wide world of healthcare!

On Tuesday 15 November, the VCAL students welcomed family and friends to the VCAL Expo.

The students and their guests enjoyed morning tea together whilst viewing all the talented work that the VCAL students have achieved this year.

The work on display showcased the student’s creativity, attention to detail and dedication that has been applied to develop the different pieces of work throughout the year.

Well done to all!

It is with great excitement the Arts and Technology Department share with you the 2022 VCE Visual Arts and Technology 3D Virtual Exhibition. The exhibition was held in person earlier this term in the DEC and provided an opportunity for the Damascus community to celebrate the achievement, dedication, and creativity of the VCE Art, Studio Arts – Photography, VCD, Media and Technology students. The staff and Damascus community were thrilled to see such dynamic artwork produced by the youth of our community.

The 3D virtual exhibition was first developed and released in 2020, to allow our students to showcase their talents in a public virtual space due to the pandemic restricting an in-person experience. This year we have continued with the tradition as it provides our students greater exposure in the community to showcase their talents, and allows students, to build their portfolio of work with professional photographs to use for university and workplace applications. It also acts as an archive to document students creative journey at Damascus.

We would highly encourage you to visit the virtual exhibition on the link below or via the college website, under News and Events. Here you will find further proof of the talent and creativity of our students and their teachers. We wish our 2022 Year 12 students all the best with their future endeavours.

VISUAL ARTS & TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION VIRTUAL TOUR (damascus.vic.edu.au)

This year, as a part of the Shining Light Award, we are especially excited to invite nominations for our Young Achiever Award.

Do you know a past student that has graduated from Damascus College within the past 15 years that has shined bright in their chosen field, and that you would like to see recognised for their achievements?

Why not nominate them for the Shining Light Award!

To complete the short nomination form or for more information about The Shining Light award please visit: https://www.damascus.vic.edu.au/community/alumni/shining-light-award

Nominations close: Friday 9 December 2022 at 4pm.

Last Friday was Remembrance Day. Big thanks to the students and staff that visited the services around Ballarat, to represent Damascus College, and pay our respects to those that have died in the line of duty.

Lest we forget.

On Monday, Damascus College VCAL students will held their end-of-year market, and all staff and students were invited to attend.

Term 4 has seen the VCAL year 11 students creating their own small businesses as part of their Work Related Studies (WRS). Students have created business proposals, looked at the process of bank loans, and the purchasing of materials all the way through to producing products that were marketed and sold.

The end-of-year market was held on Monday, 14 November in the courtyard at lunchtime. The students’ products on sale include pot plants, car deodorisers, jewellery, greeting cards, bookmarks, 3D printed items, and other wonderful goodies (many packed with chocolates).

Funds raised at this event will be donated to support the Ballarat Soup Bus.

This week has seen some of the Damascus College Year 10 students leave our campus to engage in the opportunities presented by work experience.

Students Nyah Madigan, Ashlee Jewell, Samara Jones and Lili Leonard are across the road, experiencing first-hand what working in a primary school is like. The staff at Emmaus Primary school are thrilled to have the students complete their work experience week alongside their Community. They have been impressed with the level of maturity, initiative and positive rapport the students have made with the younger children.

Lillian Martin is completing her work experience at her old primary school, St Aloysius in Redan. St Aloysius has recently undergone refurbishments and constructions, and Lily was happy to see how great the new facilities are. Principal Mr Michael Kennedy said, “it has been great having Lily back after all these years”, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing this alumnus thriving and aspiring to work in the early education field.

Halle Meyer is at Federation University (FedUni Sports) this week. Halle has enjoyed her placement and was able to observe young children undertaking swimming lessons as well as duties in the Exercise Science faculty.

Well done to all the students undertaking working experience this week. We hope that you have gained a lot from it.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #FindMyCalling

Please see following information on a Panel Event: -

Please see following some information around Dobsons On Site Uniform shop and their Trading Hours:-

Conveyance Allowance – Last Claim for 2022 – Families who have not yet submitted their claim for this year please note the cut-off date to claim Conveyance for 2022 is November 24^th.

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 2236.