Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. The forty days preceding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Globally, the Catholic community are being marked (sprinkled in COVID safe times) with ashes from the earth as a sign of humility. It is also a day that, as a school, we launch Project Compassion with our student population.

Damascus focuses each year on supporting Caritas Australia for awareness and fundraising. Caritas is the international aid and development agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. Each Lent, Caritas launches its Project Compassion appeal- a practical way of bringing to life our campaign of Christian service. Lent sharpens our awareness of prayer and the importance of doing good work and acting selflessly and with compassion.

Representatives of each TA will work to bring Project Compassion to life in our community in 2022 and seek the support of students and families as Lent progresses.

Our young Damascus rowers proudly represented their College in the Head of the Lake regatta on Sunday. Students got off the water proud of their best effort, each acknowledging that they had done their best. Rowing Coordinator, Paul Blanchfield and Rowing Logistics Coordinator, Hamish Walsh and the exceptional team of Damascus coaches continue to build on a culture of students doing and being their best, which was very evident on Sunday. Congratulations to all Rowers, Coaches, support staff and volunteers for their enormous efforts, not only yesterday but their entire 2021/2022 season to date. The boy's program has one more week of rowing training and then competing at State Championships this weekend, whilst the girl's program will continue through to Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta, finishing on the 20th of March. We wish you all well.

As part of the process for the appointment of a new Principal at Damascus College, we are seeking input from the community to inform the selection process. Students, staff and school community members are invited to contribute to this process by responding to the following questions:

1. What are the strengths of Damascus College that you believe need to be maintained?
2. What challenges do you believe need to be addressed in the next five years?
3. What specific qualities/characteristics do you see as vital for the position of Principal of Damascus College?
4. What other comments would you like to contribute?

Families are invited to contribute to this process by responding to the above questions in this form. The survey will remain open until Wednesday the 9th of March. An invitation to participate can be found here.

I remind families that the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) survey is open and ready to accept your responses. Families received an email last week from the College with information on how to access the survey, including login details and an information sheet. The College is very appreciative of the time that you are committing to complete the survey. Your responses, along with the responses of students and staff, play a vital role in our self-understanding as a Catholic Education provider. For more information, please click on the link below:-

Community Consultation Letter

On Friday, the Victorian Government removed the requirement for the compulsory wearing of facemasks in secondary school settings. They are still required on buses and public transport and should be carried by students at all times. Face masks are still encouraged when social distancing cannot be maintained. Damascus College encourages and supports those who feel safer wearing facemasks at all times; please reiterate that if your child would like to continue wearing their mask, they should do so.

Congratulations to Year 11 student Alexander Logan for recently completing his Queen Scout Award, which is considered the pinnacle of Venturer achievements. Queen Scouts are tested in the areas of leadership, outdoor activities, personal growth and community involvement. Alex also recently received a service award in the Lake Boga Australia Day Awards to assist in planting a garden at the Lake Boga community garden. Well done, Alex, a wonderful achievement.

Tomorrow, Thursday, 2^nd of March (rescheduled), we venture to the Eureka Swimming Pool for the annual House Swimming carnival. Students must wear their PE uniform to school but may wear an appropriate coloured House top, supporting their House. Students will travel by bus to and from the venue; however, to alleviate the pressure on buses, students will have the opportunity to make their own way to Eureka Pool. This will need to be recorded when you complete the PAM permission online form. As with every school day, the Swimming Carnival is a compulsory activity for all students and provides an excellent opportunity for students to be their best! Not everyone is a talented swimmer, but there are a diverse range of activities to encourage student participation.

It is not uncommon for students to pressure parents and guardians not to attend school on sports days, but it is imperative that parents stand firm and point out that community events are an important opportunity to learn and build both team and school spirit. Our focus throughout our sports program across the College is on participation. The team with the greatest level of participation has invariably been recognised as the overall winner at the carnival. Students that do not attend school on Thursday without a legitimate reason will not be eligible to attend College formals or extra-curricula activities. Unfortunately, due to social distancing requirements, we are unable to have parents attend the event. If parents would like their student to be dismissed from the pool, they must tick the box in the PAM permission form to indicate this; otherwise, students will be brought back to school for regular dismissal.

Damascus has seen four students, Megan and Keira O'Beirne and Jarryd and Brayden Joyce, progress to their respective semi-finals for the Rob Benoit trophy in BAS tennis, and we look forward to following their progress over the next few weeks.

Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with the Petrie family at their tragic time of loss; Julian (Staff), Anne, Jessica, Emma and Luke and their extended family, on the sad and sudden passing of James Petrie – their loved son, brother and family member.

We also keep Leanne Perks (Staff) and her family in our thoughts and prayers this week, on the passing of Leanne's Mother in Law last Friday and the Lavery family, Mitchell and Joshua (both Year 7), on the passing during the week of their beloved Grandmother, may they rest in peace.

This week, as we move between seasons, I share an autumn reflection by Michael Leunig. Leunig's insights into the world are beautiful, and I borrow this one from his website as a beautiful snapshot of this season of change.

Until next week…Chris