Yesterday, we gathered together in the JSC to celebrate Xavier Day. It was a wonderful showcase of young people's capabilities and courage to sing, dance, play an instrument or talk about their passion and journey in their learning. I congratulate Xavier House Leaders, Karen Hocking and Hannah Keating and the team of Teacher Advisors and other staff who supported students.

Big Freeze 8 Beanies for Sale

For a number of years now, Damascus College has supported the FIGHTMND cause through the VCAL students raising funds for the cause with their "Ice Bucket Challenge" event. This term, the College will continue its support for people who suffer from Motor Neurone Disease and their families by selling "Big Freeze 8" beanies to students and staff.

Beanies will be on sale in the courtyard during recess and lunch from Wednesday 18th May until Friday 20^th May or until sold out. Beanies will be sold for $25.00, and cash or card payments will be accepted. Thank you to everyone for supporting this worthy cause.

Students will be allowed to wear their beanies during the last two weeks of term.

Thank you to all those parents who have ensured students are now in their winter uniform. No doubt there have been trips to the uniform shop and adjustments to hem lengths, etc., over the past couple of weeks. Your efforts to support your students to meet the College uniform expectations are appreciated. If you have not had a chance to adjust hem lengths for skirts and pants, could I please ask that you do so as a matter of priority.

Last Friday night, it was fantastic to witness our senior students' engagement with our College formal. Students were beautifully attired as they came together for the evening. With some trepidation, we allow our Year 12 students to invite a plus one, but these guests of our students have always been respectful and cooperative, and this was again the case on Friday night. Many of the "plus ones" were former students of the College who have moved off to other pathways, and it is always great to meet them again and hear of their success in the next phase of their lives. I thank Hannah Keating, Daniel Jans, House Leaders, and the staff who enabled this event to proceed. Thank you also to parents for your patience and support in getting students safely to and from the venue.

In many ways, this week is the calm before the storm. This week's learning programs are progressing, with regular classes and other activities taking place concurrently. Next week Year 8 students head off to their camp with Core groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 heading off from Monday to Wednesday, and Core Groups 5, 6, 7, and 8 are heading off from Wednesday to Friday. Most students are excited about the prospect of camp, but this creates feelings of anxiety for others. We encourage families to talk to the College if their child feels nervous about the camp experience to put strategies in place to support their attendance. Non-attendance does not help the young person and can contribute to diminished wellbeing. If this is the case for your child, please discuss the matter with your TA, House Leader or the College Counsellors through counsellors@damascus.vic.edu.au

Year 10 students also have a changed learning program next week and will undertake either the Christian Personal Development Award (CPDA) or Work Experience.

Beginning tomorrow, NAPLAN testing for Years 7 and 9 students will take place and continue through to Friday 20th May. NAPLAN is a national common assessment tool, and families are encouraged to explain to students that while it gives an indication of student progression, it is a single assessment on a single day and not to overemphasise its importance. At Damascus, we encourage all students to undertake the suite of NAPLAN tests; however, if you have specific concerns, please contact the College. This year, we move to have these tests completed online, allowing us flexibility during the timeframe mentioned above on when each test is conducted.

The dates of each test for each year level are listed below.

Thursday 12th May

Year 7 – Writing (42 min) – Period 1

Year 9 – Writing (42 min) – Period 3

Monday 16th May

Year 7 – Reading (65 min) – Periods 1 & 2

Year 9 – Reading (65 min) – Periods 3 & 4

Tuesday 17th May

Year 9 – Conventions of Language (45 min) – Period 1

Year 7 – Conventions of Language (45 min) – Period 3

Wednesday 18th May

Year 7 – Numeracy (65 min) – Periods 1 & 2

Year 9 – Numeracy (65 min) – Periods 3 & 4

There is an expectation for all students to participate in the NAPLAN testing. Catch up opportunities will be provided on Friday 20th May if your student is absent on any of the days.

I also remind families that as the tests will be completed on the student's own device, your young person must have a fully charged device on each day of the tests listed above.

With all these different comings and goings next week, we are not running our usual TA time in the morning. Students will head straight to Period 1, and rolls and notices will be delivered in class time. Particularly for Year 7 students and those students who are new to the College, this is a variation to our regular routines. These are all exciting learning opportunities in line with our intent of supporting holistic learning for the young people of the College, and I am sure it will be a great week.

We congratulate Tim O'Sullivan (Staff) and Alanna on their marriage over the weekend and wish them a lifetime of happiness together.

Until next week…

Chris