Damascus College is committed to social justice and helping those less fortunate than ourselves. We engage in a variety of activities to assist in attaining justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.
Social Justice is an integral aspect of our Catholic heritage and students actively participate in awareness and fundraising activities throughout the year, thereby making a difference in our world. Social Justice groups and opportunities include, but not limited to:
Justice Action Group (JAG)
Students of the Justice Action Group are encouraged to be active in the development of the College’s social conscience by supporting causes at local, national and global levels. The regular meetings of the Justice Action Group coordinate the College based support for Caritas Australia (Project Compassion), St. Vincent de Paul (Winter and Christmas Appeals) and Catholic Mission (Mission Month).
Seeds of Justice
Seeds of Justice offers senior students the opportunity to enrich their passion for social justice and meet like-minded students from other schools. Seeds of Justice is a Mercy Schools Project, which involves staff and students in deepening their awareness of justice in our times. There are programs run in urban and rural settings.
Edmund Rice Camps
Edmund Rice Camps is a Melbourne based charity-providing camps for children and families who are disadvantaged, supported with a 1:1 ratio by primarily young volunteers in an atmosphere of acceptance, care and fun. Senior students are introduced to these camps and offered free training to become a camp leader.
Christian Personal Development Award
When students reach Year 10, they are introduced to the Christian Personal Development Award (CPDA), a program which brings together the many personal development opportunities available to students and reinforces the need to be proactive about personal development in the senior years of College life. Students achieve this award based on four categories:
- Action for Mercy and Justice/Community Service
- Physical Pursuits
- Spiritual Development
- Cultural Personal Development Activities
Timor Leste Immersion Program
Our Year 11 students also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Timor-Leste Immersion Program, spending time at the College's sister school in Timor-Leste and raising much-needed funds for our Timorese neighbours, who have become friends. Students apply to be part of the immersion experience during Year 10 and successful applicants commit to a twelve-month program of awareness and fundraising.
For further information on the Timor Leste Immersion Program please click here
