There have been some really great happenings across the College over the past week, and the engagement of students and families in the great Aussie Adventure has been a treat. So far the community has collectively travelled almost to Halls Creek, WA, a total of 6831.76km I encourage families to support students to get out and active and to send details in to be recorded. The details of The Great Aussie Adventure can be found here.

Families will have received communication over the past week regarding the process for re-enrolment for 2021. As a school community, this information is very important to our planning and preparation for 2021. We recognise that some families may be uncertain about employment or what the future looks like. If you do have concerns as a family, we are committed to ensuring that Damascus student’s education must not be the victim of this pandemic, so please reach out to the College about your situation moving forward. Equally, we recognise that students, particularly in the senior school, may not be sure whether they are returning next year at this stage. If you are unsure, please keep the College in the loop and indicate this in the re-enrolment form. We do have resources through our Careers Team, to be able to support students and families who are unclear about the best future pathway for young people. Re-enrolment forms are due back at the College no later than Friday 11th September.

Our Year 11 students were introduced to the student leadership discernment process yesterday with some insightful reflections from our College Captains Hannah and Will and House Captains Jack and Paris. Year 11 students will now work with the House Leader team to progress this process over the coming weeks.

St Martin’s House celebrated St Martin’s Day yesterday. Our green students celebrated the great House spirit they enjoy, and there was an awesome showcase of some of the talents of the young people of the House. I really appreciated that within the reflection for the day, was an account of St Martin’s de Porres as a contemporary religious figure. St Martin was a person repressed by our Church and society because of his racial difference. Our world needs models of equality in times where we can be divided by our differences rather than united by our similarities. Accounts reflect St Martin kept “the other” at the heart of his actions and perhaps we would see more compassion and empathy in the world if there was a greater willingness to try and see things as others may see them. It was lovely to see members of the House draw parallels between our House founder and things happening in the world today.

If your student or family are finding this current period of isolation difficult, please talk to the College about the support that we can provide here at school. It may be some short term respite for your student if that is what your family needs. The following links are provided by the DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) for youth-focused mental health and support services:

• Headspace - Call Headspace on 1800 650 890 or online at www.headspace.org.au
• Kids Helpline - Call 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
• ReachOut - Online at reachout.com.au
• SANE Australia - Call 1800 187 263 or online at sane.org
• Orygen Digital - Call 1800 888 320 or online at Moderated Online Social Therapy platform

The Victorian Government is helping parents and carers manage home learning and staying resilient during the coronavirus pandemic by providing a range of free online resources. On Tuesday the 15th September 7:30pm, Child Psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will provide a webinar that will focus on strategies and tools to help families manage their wellbeing, including establishing a supportive parental role and dealing with uncertainty and disappointment. Families will have an opportunity to ask Dr Carr-Gregg questions. In the event that there has been some relaxing of restrictions and remote learning requirements the skills Dr Carr- Gregg can offer are transferable are still very pertinent in supporting the wellbeing of adolescence. For more information and to register click here.

SchoolTV has generously shared a special report video with the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria as part of their Coronavirus series. In this presentation, Riding the Corona Coaster, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg explores how the uncertainty of not knowing what will happen next may impact students, families and staff in school communities. He examines increasing concerns regarding mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse amongst young people and emphasises the importance of promoting help-seeking behaviour and reducing stress levels at home. Dr Carr-Gregg provides tips for parents/carers on looking after their wellbeing during this challenging time. This presentation is available by clicking on Riding the Corona Coaster.

Yesterday was the 1st Day of Spring, although I am aware that there are some in our community who do not recognise Spring until the pending equinox. Sister of Mercy, Veronica Lawson introduced me this week to the broader Christian celebration of creation in these early days of Spring. Pope Francis urges us to take action in care for our common home and encourages the joining of other Christian traditions in celebrating the festival of creation. As Spring begins this week, there are wonderful writings such as Laudato Si, to celebrate our planet and encourage conversations within the family about daily actions we can take to ensure we care for the planet and all those upon it, to sustain it into the future.

I remind families that next Wednesday, 9th September is a non-teaching day – there will be no classes. This day is to provide students and staff with a chance to catch up within their learning program or just take a break. Year 12’s and Unit 4 students will be supported to continue their learning independently on this day; there will be no expectation of planned learning for students in other year levels on this day.

Next Wednesday the College will also conduct a webinar for families seeking enrolment of students for 2022. Information regarding the webinar and the registration process can be found here.

We remember and pray for all those who are lonely, sick or suffering grief. We especially pray for those who are victims of the pandemic, for those in public service and our front line workers.

Until next week …

MATT