This week the Easter Christian holiday flows into the secular ANZAC celebration. Both holidays are built upon tragedy, yet both speak to us as people of hope. We do not celebrate Easter because Christ died; we celebrate it because of Christ's triumph over death. Equally, we do not commemorate ANZAC day for the human sacrifice, rather for the celebration of the human spirit in times of adversity – hope!

The resurrection of Christ is central to the identity of Damascus College. To see young men and women so reverently engaged in telling this story was a source of great pride for all who were privileged enough to take part. I thank Andrew Seeary for bringing these gifts out of the young people of this community and for the extraordinary support offered by Nicole Burness, Adrian Newman and Maria Russell. There were many staff, parental and past student volunteers without whom the event could not have run, and I thank them all for their part. I particularly acknowledge Robert James (past student), Sophie Finch (past parent), Megan O'Beirne (Assistant Stage Manager), Jennifer Montgomery, Tony Haintz, Daniel Cook and the many other staff that were involved. Congratulations to all!

There have been significant crossover works undertaken between the Administration building and the Damascus Events Centre over the holidays and continuing this week. However, the road is open to traffic and work around the edges will continue over this first week of term.

It is quite exciting that this year, we can welcome members of our community onsite to College activities and functions, albeit in a limited and COVID safe capacity. In particular, this Term, we have three engagements that I encourage you to consider.

1. Mothers Day Mass and Breakfast – This event is taking place on Thursday, 6th May, from 7:30am. Numbers are limited due to COVID guidelines; however, there are still a small number of tickets available. More information about the event can be found here.
   
   
2. Bright Futures Breakfast - You are invited to attend our annual fundraising breakfast on Thursday 3rd June from 7:00am to 8:45am in the Damascus Events Centre. This year's special guest speaker is Jocelyn Bignold (OAM), CEO McAuley Community Services for Women. Tickets are available through https://www.trybooking.com/BQGKK
   
   
3. Guest Speaker – The annual guest speaker for 2021 is Luke Kennedy, a motivational speaker and mental health advocate. There will be a three-pronged approach of Luke speaking with students, staff and our community, taking place on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th June 2021. Members of our community are invited to attend our Parent and Community session on Wednesday 23^rd June from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Damascus Events Centre. Bookings can be made to this free event through https://www.trybooking.com/BQQUE

If you are an existing family that has received an offer for an enrolment place for Year 7 for 2022, I remind you that the final day for acceptances is this Friday, 23rd April.

Students are required to be in full Winter uniform on Monday, 3^rd May – this means long pants for boys, Winter skirts and tights or long pants for girls and track pants with the PE uniform for both. It is not uncommon for students to have grown, which requires skirts and pants to be let down. Skirts should be knee-length. Following up uniform infringements takes valuable school resources away from the core business of learning and teaching and creates awkward and unnecessary conversations with students and families. Please ensure all students come to school each day in the correct school uniform.

Parents may also be pressured to purchase a rain jacket. This item of uniform was introduced to cover the expensive blazer as students walk to and from school or as they wait at rural bus stops. Students are allowed to wear the rain jacket in terms 2 and 3 at lunchtime and recess while outside as another layer and to encourage student activity. The rain jacket is not to be worn in class. It does remain an optional item of uniform.

Much has been mentioned about masks over the past year, both in and out of school. With further COVID restrictions relaxing over the Holiday break, masks are no longer mandatory in indoor spaces and the broader community. However, we must always carry a face mask with us at all times when we leave home if you are over the age of 12 unless we have a lawful reason not to. Masks must be worn on Public transport, including bus transport to and from school and any off-campus excursion or activity. To an extent, we have been able to provide bus travellers who have not had a mask with one to be able to enter the bus and make their way home. This is not a sustainable solution moving forward, and we ask that families ensure that students carry a face mask with them at all times, and in particular, bus travellers have a personal supply of masks on hand to be used each time they travel.

If you have a student in Year 10 who has work experience coming up and the paperwork has not been returned to the College, could you please attend to this as a matter of urgency. For any student who has not yet secured a place, there will be an expectation of attendance at school for the entire week to undertake virtual Work Experience opportunities. However, the preference is for all students to source and complete a work placement.

Next Friday evening (30^th April), the Senior School formal will take place from 7:00pm to 11:00pm in the John Shannon Centre. This event is a social opportunity that the Damascus College staff facilitates for the Year 11 and 12 students of our community. It has always been a very positive event on our calendar, but it is important that I reiterate that normal school rules apply. It is an alcohol, drug and smoke-free event; any student suspected of having consumed alcohol or drugs will not be let in. There are no pass-outs through the evening. Year 12 students are permitted to bring a guest on the condition that they arrive with the Damascus College student and that the guest abides by Damascus College rules. It is a social activity and hair, and makeup appointments are not more important than school on Friday. Any student who is absent from school on Friday without a valid reason will not be able to attend the formal. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the evening, please contact your House Leader. Students are encouraged to bring a plate to share.

We congratulate staff member Tamzin Perkins and her partner Liam on the safe arrival of their beautiful daughter Penelope Rose Stewart.

We keep the sisters in our thoughts and prayers on the passing of Sr Monica Butler last Thursday morning. Monica was born in Birchip, rural Victoria, and spent most of her religious life involved in education in rural areas of the Ballarat Diocese. Monica had been a Primary school teacher since 1951 in various locations, including Birchip, Ballarat East, Edenhope, Mortlake, Penshurst, Whycheproof, Timboon and Sebastopol. She was also Principal at Dunnstown, Ballarat East, Donald, Manangatang and Mortlake. Monica's funeral was held yesterday at St Alipius, Ballarat East. May she rest peacefully after a life well-lived.

We also extend our condolences to our College Co-governor, Sr Berenice Kerr, on the passing of her sister, Gwen, and James Holak (Year 11) and his family on the passing of James' paternal grandfather yesterday.

Welcome back to Term 2, until next week …

Chris