I welcome back each and every one of you and hope you have found some time for yourself, family and what gives you energy and refreshes your soul. It was exciting to have the entire College community return to Mount Clear on Monday. I must admit my drive in the morning was filled with worry and nervousness. As you may be aware, l was at my last school for over eight years, and l knew what to expect; I could anticipate concerns, and l could often pre-empt what my day may look like. In that eight years, l had built strong connections with staff, students and parents, so to say goodbye was challenging and difficult.

As Catholics, we are constantly reminded to have faith and to trust in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will lead us to new places, challenge our thinking, and we will be nourished by our God. Upon arriving at Damascus, Monday morning, l knew that the Holy Spirit was with me – guiding and supporting me in this new chapter of my professional journey. The Damascus community - staff and students modelled and welcomed the Mercy Charism of hospitality and welcome. I have spent the last two days wandering the College, meeting students and staff. I have been struck by the humility and honesty of our young people and that palpable sense of community. Students have been quick to say hello, put out their hand to be shaken and even taken me to places of the College l needed to go to. It is in this community of welcome and hospitality that our young people will be able to learn, grow and foster relationships. I am looking forward to harnessing these relationships and getting to know as many people – students, staff and families as possible.

This week’s Gospel was the parable of the Good Samaritan. This parable resonates strongly with me, as l find myself asking how have l been neighbour, how have l challenged myself to grow and how l have treated each person with respect and dignity. The challenge for each of us as we come out of the pandemic is to remain open to others, to listen with an open heart and to be a neighbour. At times, we are made to feel that to be the good Samaritan is to be counter-cultural – not to judge and to celebrate the gift of the other.

It has been a busy first semester, with many people having the courage to lead. I want to thank the following staff for their willingness to accept the challenge to lead and to lead with courage and conviction. Chris Grant as Interim Principal, Ash Pillai as Interim Deputy Principal, Alysoun Smalley Interim AP Learning & Teaching, Daniel Jans and Hannah Keating in their respective roles of Interim AP Student Wellbeing. I also thank Karen Goonan and Karen Hocking for stepping into Interim House Leader roles for Daniel and Hannah. A warm welcome back to Andy Robertson and we look forward to his leadership of Student Wellbeing with the support and strength of the House Leaders, Assistants, and the tremendous Teacher Advisors. The past six months have been a challenging time for our community with the passing of Jeff Simpson, and l acknowledge his work to our community. This semester provides our community with an opportunity to regroup and to continue our focus on providing the best learning experiences and outcomes for each of our students.

I spent the first week of the holidays here at the College trying to acquaint myself with the strategic and hard work of so many staff. Thanks to the many people whom l met during this time who made me feel welcome and extended the Damascus spirit of hospitality. I was particularly welcomed by some of our VCE Physics and Chemistry students who were preparing for their upcoming Unit 4 Examinations. I, too, thoroughly enjoyed seeing the preparations for Clue and the passion that exudes with the creation of a school production.

Over the next couple of months, l plan to meet with as many staff, students and families as possible as we plan for 2023, fill leadership roles and organise subject choices. At this stage, l am working with my Executive Assistant, Tina Munro, who will organise meetings with parents. If you would like to participate in an open conversation, please contact Tina at principal@damascus.vic.edu.au - and we will organise a couple of parent forums in groups of ten with me for about thirty minutes to have an open discussion about life at Damascus; your hopes, your dreams – what’s working well and even better ifs. Please come to these meetings with an open mind and heart. Together we will ensure Damascus is its best.

I am a firm believer in high expectations of self, others and our students. I encourage you to maintain these high expectations of your child as this creates a culture of achievement and success. Our College theme for 2022, ‘Abide in my love, and you shall bear much fruit’ from John15:5, speaks to me of this unconditional regard. Christ’s love for us is unconditional. I challenge myself each day to think about how have l been a neighbour and seen the face of Christ in the other.

I welcome a chat and a visit, so please, do drop in. I am a visible leader, so l am hoping l meet you at the many community events.

Again, I would like to thank all members of the Leadership Team for steering the College in the past six months, and l am both excited and humbled to lead Damascus as we continue to grow.

The rules around COVID are regularly changing and being updated. Just a reminder that recent changes by the Health Authorities suggest that people who had had COVID can now test positive again after four weeks. If you are displaying symptoms of COVID even though you may have had it already, you do need to RAT Test after week 4.

I ask that families please continue to communicate with your young people about the importance of social distancing, personal hygiene and sanitising. The priorities for the Damascus community throughout the pandemic continue to be;

• Maintaining the safety of the entire Damascus community
• Ensuring we remain connected and support one another
• Ensuring continuity of quality learning and teaching
• Being willing to adapt, change and try new things, recognising that we will make mistakes at times.

We have continued to work to educate the student population on the 5S’s and we need family support with this messaging at home.

Metropolitan schools are having thermometers rolled out this week to temperature check students. This is not expected of schools outside the metropolitan and Mitchell Shire areas. Damascus College is not temperature checking at this stage.

I would like to acknowledge our College Captains, Megan O’Beirne and Lewis Clarke on their work as part of the Little Feet Big Footprints initiative that has been supporting Year 6 students in smaller schools, around heading to secondary school. The very positive feedback received highlighted that our Captains allayed many fears and inspired students to always give their best. Well done Megan and Lewis.

Next week we commence the 2023 Subject Selection process. The College will be holding a Pathways and Careers Information evening on Tuesday 19^th July from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Parents will receive an email later this week with detailed information about the format of the evening and also the subject selection process. The College will also be holding a Pathways and Careers expo for all students from Monday 19^th-Friday 22^nd July at lunchtime.

I remind families that this year’s Performing Arts Production of Clue will be held on Wednesday 20^th – Saturday 23^rd July. Tickets are still available at

https://www.trybooking.com/BZHFR

We keep in our thoughts and prayers Catherine Newman (staff) and her family on the passing of her beloved Dad this week. May he rest in peace.

With every Blessing

Steven