You cannot help but feel extraordinary pride for the way in which members of our community have embraced the challenge of a second round of remote learning. Students are making robust efforts to engage with their learning, and staff are working hard to support them. It is challenging for everyone, but we know the risk to members of our community is minimised while we are offsite and we have proved that we can work effectively and collaboratively remotely.

Yesterday provided a valuable pause amongst the busyness for students to switch off or catch up following the rush that saw us transition to remote learning. As this period of remote learning continues, Damascus will look to further opportunities to take a break from the consistency of constant screen time, to optimise wellbeing and provide a chance to catch up.

If you are wandering past your young person while they are remote learning, please encourage them to switch their camera on when they are talking. The importance of being able to read facial cues and responses is a really important factor for our learning and teaching exchanges.

While we are all struggling to cope with the challenges that COVID-19 is bringing to life and well being, we are aware of a small number of Year 7 students who have developed Chicken Pox (Varicella) over the past week. If your young person becomes unwell and is displaying a rash, alongside COVID-19 testing, you may wish to consult your GP.

It is the time of year when we would typically encourage senior students to engage with tertiary providers through Open Days. Locally, Federation University is conducting their Open Day virtually this Sunday, 16th August from 10.00am to 4.00pm at www.federation.edu.au/openday. Year 12 school leavers are encouraged to explore the scholarship finder tool to explore the generous scholarships offered at Federation University www.federation.edu.au/current-students/assistance-support-and-services/scholarships

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is also offering a Community Achiever Program (CAP) which recognises students who are active volunteers in their community. ACU would like to reward these students by giving them an early conditional offer to study their preferred undergraduate course, as well as reducing the required ATAR for admission. This takes the pressure off students knowing they have a place at ACU prior to sitting their exams. Closing dates are fast approaching, for those considering ACU Melbourne -- Wednesday 12th August 2020 and those considering Ballarat -- Wednesday 2nd September.

I remind families of our communication channels. For general enquiries, info@damascus.vic.edu.au or the College phone number 5337 2222 should be the first port of call. TA’s are invaluable if you just want to touch base about the general progress of your young person, and they will refer you to House Leaders if they feel that is what is warranted. For IT concerns helpdesk@damascus.vic.edu.au and they will help you out. If students are seeking learning resources or library support, librarians@damascus.vic.edu.au are another great source of support.

A number of students were issued with Endeavour Awards last week for their work in Semester 1, and I would like to acknowledge and congratulate those students on their hard work throughout Term 1 and 2. A letter has been sent to families today on the change of the process for Academic Excellence Awards for this year in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Saturday was the feast day of Australia’s only Catholic Saint – Mary Mackillop. My first teaching position was at St Mary MacKillop College in Swan Hill. Mary has many Australian parallels to Catherine McAuley’s story in Dublin, Ireland for who our school draws heavily on for charism. Mary MacKillop’s life is quite well chronicled in Australian, and she founded the Sisters of St Joseph. Their website provides a strong historical account of Mary MacKillop’s life and work.

https://www.sosj.org.au/our-foundress-mary-mackillop/marys-story/mary-story-beginnings/.

The following account I drew from the website and was the reflection of a New Zealand Sister who accompanied Mary on one of her visits to the communities that were established there. I think many could relate to judging and feeling humbled on the revelation of the true circumstances, but Mary MacKillop appeared to be slow to judge, and that was, but one of her attributes that led to her canonisation as a model of Christian living.

My first experience of Mother Mary’s charity was one day when going with her as companion to the city. We were waiting at the corner of the street near Mount St Post Office for a tram. A young woman came staggering along and at last reached and rested by the stone on the side of the footpath. Being young and inexperienced I naturally thought the woman was intoxicated but Mother’s quick eye detected something more serious. She said to me ‘Come along dear and see what is wrong with this poor woman.’ On getting up to her we found the woman was very ill. Mother asked if she could do anything for her. The woman said if he could get to the chemist’s nearby as she knew what would relieve her. The three of us then went to the chemist’s where the patient was attended to and we waited until she felt better. This act of Charity on Mother’s part made a lasting impression on the rest of my life.” [1]

Over the past months, we have experienced global turmoil and disasters. In Australia, the plight of the nation and the planet has raised our awareness of the absolute need of being connected. We have witnessed amazing heroism, generosity and deep sharing in unbelievably big and small ways.

Mary MacKillop was a person who spent her life reaching out, giving and connecting. God’s presence was a dominant feature of her life. We pray as Mary did; “Courage, courage, trust in God who helps you in all things”. Mary MacKillop 1874

We keep the family of Owen (Year 12) and Georgia (Year 10) Peart and their family in our thoughts and prayers on the loss of their parental grandfather. May the God of love be with them as they grieve death and celebrate life.
We pray for those families who are affected by COVID-19 and for the members of our community that are close contacts, we pray that they stay well. No doubt there are members of our community who are struggling with personal challenges at this time, please reach out to your school community if you feel there is some support we can offer. We may be apart, but we are not alone.

Until next week….

MATT