Yesterday we came together as an entire school to celebrate St Martin’s House Day. It was a wonderful showcase of young people’s capabilities and courage. If any of us were asked to get up and sing, dance, play an instrument, talk about our skills and talents in front of over 1,250 peers, many of us as adults would seriously stop to consider whether that was within our capacity. Over twenty of our young people shared their talents with the school community yesterday. They were all well prepared and their delivery was excellent. My pride in being a part of this community was enormous for both the courage and work of the presenters, but also for the appreciation from the broader student and staff cohort! I congratulate St Martin House Leaders, Daniel Jans and Karen Goonan, and the team of Teacher Advisors and other staff who supported them.

I also acknowledge the work of Humanities Leader, Gerard Macklin and the College’s student leaders for the reverent celebration of ANZAC Day that took place here at school on Friday. School Captains Maya Tolliday and Shaun Leonard laid a wreath at the Buninyong commemoration with the support of staff member Adrian Newman and Tony Haintz accompanied student leaders; Payton Overall and Erica Webb to lay a wreath at the Ballarat commemoration. Student reverence and respect was again a highlight of this time of reflection.

Our Year 11 VCAL students have been on camp at Cowes this week and all reports have been of a positive learning experience for the team. I congratulate all students involved and thank the staff team led by Applied Learning Coordinator, Belinda Dwyer for their planning and facilitation.

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 and this requires skirts and pants to be let down. Skirts should be to 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 lunch time and recess, while they are outside, as another layer and to encourage student activity. It does remain an optional item of uniform.

If you have a child 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?

This Friday evening, April 30^th the Senior School formal will take place from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. This is a social opportunity that Damascus College facilitates for the Year 11 & 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 who is suspected of having consumed alcohol, 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. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the evening please contact your House Leader. It is a social activity and hair and make-up appointments are not more important than school on Friday. Any student who is away on Friday will not be able to attend the formal. I must reinforce my encouragement that parents support one another by not condoning after parties. If you say no to requests from your child, you’re actually supporting other Damascus parents who are going to receive the same pressure from their student. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the evening please contact your House Leader. Students are encouraged to bring a plate of food to share.

Our interschool athletics will take place next Tuesday at Llanberris Oval. As with other carnivals between schools this year, it is a schools only event. I wish athletes well for their participation throughout the day.

This week where we celebrate St Martin de Porres we remember the importance within our Christian calling for inclusivity and diversity. St Martin was raised by a single parent, he was of mixed race in a time that saw him subjected to racial discrimination and yet, he chose to lead from his place of diminishment. We ask God to give us the courage to be the voice for those repressed and vulnerable and to continue to work to bring forth the dignity of all. We ask this of our loving God? Amen.

We keep in our prayers the Wallace family, Mia (Yr 12) and Ava (Yr 10) as they mourn the passing of their loved grandmother. We also remember Meg (Yr 12) and Abbey (Yr 12) Wallace and their family as they also mourn their loved grandmother. We pray that the God of peace is with all those who grieve.

Until next week …

MATT