This week’s gospel story invites us to reflect on the potential goodness of everyone. It continues last week’s focus on the saving power of faith. Just four Greek words make up the most telling sentence in the story: “And he was Samaritan!” A new element has entered into the narrative: faith is not the sole preserve of the Jewish people. A despised half-Jew can have faith; faith buried deep within and actively at work like the life in the mustard seed.

Jesus is approached by ten lepers in a village in border territory. All have been excluded from participation in village life on account of their chronic skin disease. All beg for inclusion: “mercy us” is their plea. All follow the prescription of the Law of Moses to show themselves to the priests (Leviticus 13-14). All are declared “clean”. In other words, they have been “mercied”, freed from the power of illness and restored to community life. Only one turns back, praises God in the marketplace, falls at Jesus’ feet and thanks him. Readers do not know to this point whether the village and its inhabitants are Galilean or Samaritan. They only know that the village is situated in the region between Galilee and Samaria. Now the shocking truth is revealed: one is a Samaritan, doubly marginalised as a “foreigner” or “stranger”, and it is this one alone that gives thanks to Jesus and honour to God. This one alone receives the now familiar affirmation: “your faith has saved you”. Jesus tells the Samaritan to rise up and continue on his way on his journey of faith. The other nine are healed, presumably because they too, have some limited faith. They have nonetheless forgotten the source of their healing and abandoned the journey to life.

One measure of our faith is our capacity to acknowledge and to celebrate the source of our well-being when life is good, and we have no felt need for healing. A more telling measure is our capacity to say a simple word of thanks to all those who mediate to us the goodness of a compassionate and merciful God, whatever our circumstances. We might also take time this week to focus on and give thanks for the wonderful diversity of life in our world, diversity within the other-than-human as well as within the human community. The challenge for each of us is to recognise the gift and spirit of one another. Who may l treat as the leper, how can l be more inclusive and a person of hospitality.

So this week, we pray for our Year 12s as they approach their final week of classes after 13 years of formal schooling. Our students have been attending many revision lectures and participating in formal classes provided by their teachers. I congratulate the many students who have had the tenacity and courage to attend these revision workshops and seek important feedback.

As l had mentioned to our VCE students last week, we are on the last legs of their marathon – we are entering the MCG for our lap of honour. I urge our students to use this adrenaline and anxiety as a source of strength and growth. This morning l attended our Year 12 English Café led by Michael Bennett and our hardworking English team. I was so impressed by the energy of our students and the collegial nature of the group. I encourage our students to keep going; the finishing line is near! As a community, we are so proud to see our VCAL students completing their tasks and ensuring they too are ready for the next journey.

Yesterday afternoon l attended the House Assemblies, where each student was named, known and celebrated by their House. This is an important ritual, as it modelled the strength of community and deep relationships with our students with their peers, Teacher Advisors and their House Leaders. Thank you to our TAs and House Leaders who helped our students affirm and celebrate one another.

Last week l had the pleasure of attending the Year 12 Drama Performance, whereby our students studying Unit 4 Drama had to present their interpretation and response to a prescribed text. I was in awe of these young people’s ability to refine, challenge and present their own interpretations. I congratulate the students and wish them well when they present to the VCAA assessors this Friday. I thank Andrew Seeary for his work in this space.

The Annual Art Exhibition showcasing the work of senior students in Art, Photography, Media, Visual Communication and Wood opened yesterday evening. It was great to see so many parents and the broader community witness the portfolios and pieces developed by our students. This event provided another opportunity to witness the remarkable talent of the young people of the Damascus College community. Thank you to the Visual Arts and Technology staff for the work they put into bringing this event together.

The final day of classes for the Year 12 cohort of 2022 will take place next Wednesday, 19^th October. There will be a whole school assembly for parents and family members in the John Shannon Centre from 11:30am. Please be conscious of the pressures of parking next Wednesday and allow adequate time to move to the stadium.

The completion of Year 12 can be a time of significant anxiety for families and school staff. Students have been made aware that any damage to property, the character of any individual or the reputation of the College will result in seeking another venue for their final exams and exclude them from the graduation ceremonies. I believe that staff have worked well in consultation with our senior students regarding accepted forms of celebration, including a breakfast on the final day of classes, the whole school assembly and the Graduation Mass and Dinner. It is the Year 12 student celebration, and I would ask parents to talk with students at other levels to ensure that they act appropriately and present formally for this last assembly.

Today also marks the 20^th Anniversary of the Bali bombings, and remembrance services are being held to commemorate this anniversary across the country and in Bali. We remember all that were and continue to be impacted by this event.

This week was the 10^th Anniversary of the misogyny speech delivered by our First Female Prime Minister Julia Gillard. It is a reminder that we have a responsibility to call out sexist behaviour, behaviour that is not respectful of the other. At Damascus, we work with our students to develop respectful relationships that support the dignity of each person.

I also remind families that next Tuesday, 18th October is the second and final of our information evenings for families seeking to enrol students for Year 7 in 2024. The evening commences at 6:30pm in the Damascus Event Centre.

This week the College has participated in the Ballarat SEED project, whereby we have invited Grade 5 students from our parish schools to visit Damascus for a morning session. Thanks to our wonderful student ambassadors who promoted their College with authenticity and a genuine love. We thank Kirsten Phyland for her work in leading these activities.

This year the College is trialling a change to our TA interviews in term 4. We would like families to attend these interviews to plan for 2023. As the College has undergone much change, the TA interviews will not be scheduled in Term 1, enabling our staff to participate in professional learning that will help our College reset in our post-COVID worlds.

TA Interviews will be held on Monday 31^st October from 9:00pm – 4:30pm

Wednesday 2^nd November from 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Thursday 3^rd November from 3:30pm – 4:30pm

With every blessing

Steven