My apologies that the newsletter has come out a day later this week. The demands of in and out of lockdown required me to attend to some of the other matters running a school requires, and delaying the newsletter was one of the consequences.

In our families and with our young people, we are all having to adjust priorities and amend dates and timelines, and that is OK. The decisions that come with changes outside our control can be challenging at times, and it is always important to remember that in the case of a pandemic, it is not our actions that have led to the change. It isn’t always easy to be calm and considered in how we respond to the significant change that is being thrust upon us at very short notice. Here at Damascus, we are trying to work with our young people in this way, fostering their social-emotional learning to have an awareness of their feelings in times of change and to explore the opportunities to learn and grow. The same opportunities exist for us as adults; for us to stop and reflect on how we are feeling and take the time to see if there are alternate ways for us to respond. Our response in modelling for young people provides their greatest learning opportunities.

This Sunday is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. This feast celebrates Mary as the mother of Jesus, and currently, it enables us to celebrate the importance of our families. With the in and out of lockdown, family support and partnership in education is critical. The Holy family provides a model of family, but we celebrate and recognise the diversity of family within our community, and we pray for the blessing and challenges that family provide.

I want to again thank and extend my gratitude for your understanding in these times of change. No doubt there are a range of needs within our community, and if you feel the school can provide some support, please reach out.

As we have returned this week, we are again adjusting aspects of our program. We are progressing the ‘Spelling Bee’ performance this evening as planned for last week. This provides an opportunity for us to record this great achievement to share with a broader audience and I thank and congratulate our amazing staff of Nicole Burness, Andrew Seeary and Maria Russell. Our cast and crew of young performers have been awesome right throughout the creative development and performance process, and I thank them for the joy they are bringing in this time.

We were to conduct testing of our Year 7 students this Friday but have decided to not proceed for 2021. Decisions such as these are difficult; however, the guidelines established for community safety is guiding us in these courses of action. I thank and acknowledge Rod Mathews for all the work he has done in preparation.

Next week BAS sport will resume, and guidance has been provided to students about VET and Work Placement, both of which are going ahead.

Students submitted their subject selections last week, and we are working through the blocking processes regarding what subjects are able to be run and those that cannot.

I encourage families to reach out to the school if you are concerned about your young person.

Thanks again for your continued support.

Until next week …