As we move through Early Start, I commend our students and staff on their learning and teaching endeavours as they commence this new program of work. Starting a new learning program at this time of year is a genuine challenge, but one that all members of our community have been up for, and it positions us positively for 2022. I acknowledge that for families, young people may be unsettled by change, but continue to talk to your young person about how learning should continually extend them and that sometimes this feels uncomfortable until you become familiar with the change. The intended benefits of the Early Start program are:

• To improve the continuity of learning from one calendar year to the next

• To optimise valuable learning time

• To increase organisational efficiency

• To promote connectedness through the fostering and building of student/teacher relationship

Over recent years, we have also found that an unintended bonus has been that students enter into their summer holiday with reduced anxiety about the next calendar year at school. Students report that they appreciate having an awareness of their class context, teachers and peer relationships before the end of the year. This appears to be a really significant factor in student retention from one year to the next. Today is the midpoint of the Early Start cycle, and students will complete another week of classes prior to the end of the year.

Yesterday morning we had an early start of a different kind as we came together for the Bright Futures Breakfast with keynote speaker Jocelyn Bignold OAM. Jocelyn shared wonderful insights into the work of McAuley Services for Women and the important role they play within the Victorian community. I thank Jocelyn for being with us and our Marketing and Development team of Sarah Boswell, Korina Hegert, Jamison Thomas and Natasha Adam for their efforts to get this event off the ground finally.

We had a lovely evening at the Graduation of the class of 2021 last Thursday afternoon. I thank Tony Haintz for his work planning and executing the event with the student working party. To everyone who had a role in supporting our Year 12’s finish with style, especially our families – thank you.

Our Performing Arts Team has had a week of performances and activities planned in the amphitheatre and music areas to inspire students to take up or continue with instrumental music. Each day there have been lively performances, and I thank Performing Arts Leader Maria Russell and all who have supported her for their efforts to make this available to students.

The Damascus Sustainable Racing Team (SRT) team also has a big week ahead with a camp in Dimboola from this Friday. I thank SRT Leader Alan Strange and support staff member Rachel Beardall for their work to keep the program viable through our periods of in and out of lockdown. Students continue to love to use their hands and heads, and bodies developing competitive race vehicles, and I wish them a great weekend

This weekend, our junior and intermediate rowers are scheduled to compete at Carrum, so we wish them well for the first regatta for many students.

From Monday, 29th November to Wednesday, 1st December 2022, Year 10 students will be required to hand back their Microsoft Surface device. To allow time for processing, a roster has been developed for students. Students will need to hand back their device on the given day during their nominated classes. A device hand-back letter was issued to parents early in Term 4, and a reminder was sent to students.

Next Tuesday, 30^th November, is Orientation Day for our 2022 Year 7 students. This is a student-free day for all other students except those who are peer mentors and SRC members.

Later next week, we will also conduct a casual clothes day, raising funds for Vinnies Christmas appeal. This year the funds raised by the College will go towards vouchers from local food providers to enable vulnerable families to enjoy Christmas lunch together. We have had a great response from students to our Catholic Missions fundraiser, and we hope that we are able to provide support for Vinnies to help those in need again next week.

Thursday 2^nd will be the final day of the Early Start program, and on Friday 3^rd, we will conduct our Awards Assembly for the whole school community, which will be available for families to watch via a youtube link concurrently or later that day. As with every day of school, this last day is a day when we want the entire student population involved in bringing 2021 to a close. Our Ball Games activities will be conducted in a similar format to 2020. Students will also take part in a year level assembly through the course of the day in the Damascus Events Centre to bring the year to a close. Students are encouraged to wear PE uniform next Friday, given the active nature of the Day. Also a reminder that students finish at normal time on the last day of Term 4 at 3.18pm.

At home, we are preparing to put up the Christmas tree, and Christmas lights are beginning to emerge on homes throughout Ballarat. Christmas lights speak to the energy and brightness of the festive season for me. This Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent, and we are encouraged through the Gospel to remain alert. The lights of Christmas mirror the Light of Christ, which is central to the Damascus community. As we move into this season of joyful waiting for the Christ child, we are encouraged to remain alert to the presence of God in our lives. For me, as we move from one school year to the next, that presence is in the achievement of our community, and it is the light of achievement and gratitude which shines.

Until next week…

MATT

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The Damascus College Bright Futures Breakfast was a fabulous success on Tuesday morning.

Guests began arriving at the Damascus Events Centre at 6.15am for this annual fundraising event and were treated to the amazing view that encompasses the campus all the way to Wendouree as the sun came up.

A highlight of the event was the Senior Choir's performance. In the last 2 years due to restrictions and safety concerns we have been very limited to the amount of live performances that our Choir have been able to sing. At the event we were blessed to have Maria Russell, our musical performing arts coordinator leading our Senior Choir as they sang for the assembled audience. It was wonderful to see them back on stage.

Guests of the event were delighted by the speech prepared and given by recent graduate Nicholas Kattula, Class of 2021. Nick was the recipient of the Academic Achievement scholarship in 2018. He shared what a difference this had made in not only his life, but also his families. He spoke of his Damascus education and the breadth of activities he had been able to undertake while a student. He also told the audience about how being a recipient of a scholarship had boosted his confidence and led him down pathways he wouldn’t otherwise have walked.

Our special guest speaker, Jocelyn Bignold, OAM then gave a thoughtful and moving presentation on McAuley Community Services for Women. At the conclusion of her Q&A session with the audience she was presented with a Damascus Jacket that she has passed along to those in need and a glorious bunch of flowers which will be enjoyed here at the Ballarat office.

Breakfast was then served, with members of the Year 12 VCAL group on hand to ensure guests had their plates filled as the journeyed along the buffet line.

The annual Bright Futures Breakfast is a wonderful event that provides opportunities for our students to shine, and our wider community to come together to support a truly worthy cause; providing a Damascus College education to a student and families who are experiencing financial or personal disadvantage, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice activities and contribute to their local community, but may not otherwise be able to access a Catholic education.

Applications for the Bright Futures Scholarship are now open. Full details can be found at https://www.damascus.vic.edu.au/enrolment/scholarships and if you would like to help make a scholarship possible to another worthy student you can contribute at https://www.damascus.vic.edu.au/community/giving

On Thursday 18^th November we farewelled the Class of 2021 at their Year 12 graduation.

Year 12 students and a small number of staff assembled in the Damascus Events Centre for a fitting end to their schooling at Damascus College. Families and other staff tuned in to watch the special occasion via a livestream at home.

Every single student looked fabulous last night, as they donned their glad rags to celebrate their end to 13 years of schooling.

The assembled guests heard speeches from the Principal, Mr Matthew Byrne, College Captains, Shaun Leonard and Maya Tolliday, the Collegian of the Year was announced, and many other students gave readings throughout the event.

It was also an opportunity for these Year 12 students to receive their end of year academic and endeavour awards, so we congratulated many for their achievements throughout 2021.

It was particularly special when Mr Byrne asked the students to sing the College theme song ‘Christ Be Our Light’ one last time, and boy did they sing the DEC roof off!

We congratulate the Class of 2021, as you have shown great strength, determination, and resilience throughout your time at Damascus, particularly over the last two years. The Damascus community is extremely proud to farewell such a fine group of young adults, to move beyond our Damascus grounds, out into the world to further shaper your life’s journey and make a difference to those around you.

Year 11 students Viollett Wood, Yuvika Sharma & Sophie Longmire took part in the ACU Uni Step Up program over the September school holidays and completed their exam this week.

Uni Step Up is a chance for students to experience university life by studying two first-year units whilst they are still in senior secondary school.

Being part of this program helps to develop connections with current university students and staff and allows students to get a head start on what it takes to study at a tertiary level.

Well done Viollett, Yuvika and Sophie.

This week Damascus students began the Early Start Program, where students commence their 2022 classes this year. It is a great way to ease students in to experiencing next year's workload and classes, and enhances the transition between year levels.

This week, we were also delighted to commence the first Year 10 Youth Ministry class. It’s been an exciting beginning as the students have engaged in different activities where they’ve learnt about each other, reflected on where they are on their faith journey, considered the meaning of the term LOVE and have participated in team building exercise’s.

We look forward to what the Youth Ministry class can bring to the learning and development of our young people.