As a College community, we have been excited to have a full week of learning, faith and wellbeing experiences provided for our young people. Our students have returned both excited and challenged to be part of our Damascus community. We have worked together to provide the foundations of a positive academic year where we have clearly established high expectations about behaviour and learning routines.

Some people believe that once a child enters secondary school, we do not have to be active, watchful or engaged as guides for our people. I would like to challenge this thinking; as an educator and father of two young people, this is far from my reality. Young people in secondary school need their parents and caregivers to be active, alert and engaged in their child’s education. I encourage you to take an active part in the education process. Ask your child what they are learning, what has challenged them and what they are working on. Inevitably you will get the grunt of ‘nofin,’ but ask and ask again. Students will rise to high expectations and will value your presence and care.

Life habits take forty days to be developed and formed. The best gift we can provide young people is an education that challenges the growth of the academic, social, physical and faith aspects of ourselves. Each one of us is on a journey of continual growth. I am a strong advocate for partnerships between family and home. l seek your support in helping your young person develop regular routines, study habits, work, sleep and eating habits. As family, we have clear routines, we are all busy, but we need to try to create habits in our home that support our young people to achieve their best. Each year we would revisit study habits, sleep hygiene and eating habits with our sons. We would ensure that they went to school having had breakfast, a healthy lunch and a clean and crisp uniform. Once our boys came home, we established homework or study rituals based around their co-curricular activities or commitments. I found that once these habits were established in term one, the remaining terms were set. I urge you to regularly visit the Parent Access Module (PAM), so you can see what tasks are due and the results of assessment tasks.

The most successful students are those who participate in the fullness of College life. Busy people are the happiest people. At Damascus College, we have a plethora of co-curricular activities, from drama, debating, public speaking, Minecraft, sport and music. Each student should commit to undertaking at least one co-curricular activity each term; it is a wonderful opportunity to meet students in their year level and across the College – it is the best form of peer mentoring. If you have a rostered day off from work, try to get to BAS sport early and watch your child compete or sit down in the back and watch the performance.

Last week l had the privilege of attending the Year 12 Retreat at Anglesea and participated in hearing the dreams and hopes of our young people. They have many dreams and plans for their own self-determined future. Many wish to study at university, go onto TAFE or complete their dream apprenticeship – work with your young person to help them realise their dream through hard work, perseverance and grit. The students were open to the gift of the Holy Spirit and one another and wrote beautiful affirmations about one another and the teaching community. I thank the many staff who gave up their own family time to be with our community on this important milestone.

Over the next few days, our Year 7 students will be engaged in our House Camps down at Creswick; this is an important aspect of transition and supports your child in making new friends and familiarising themselves with Damascus staff. Some students will be challenged and taken out of their comfort zone; please work with us if your child is having difficulties. Year 7 camp is an important milestone and bookends the beginning of secondary school.

On Thursday evening, our Leaders will be hosting the VCE/VM Information night. There have been many changes in this space since last year; l urge families of students in years 10, 11 and 12 to attend, and a letter has been sent home.

Next week we have a number of key events on the College calendar that l extend a welcome. On Monday, February 20^th, we will hold our Annual Academic Assembly that celebrates our students who have achieved noteworthy results in their VCE or VCAL. We hope to record this event and place it on our College website.

On Tuesday evening, we welcome our Year 7 families to the College and ask if you have not done so already, provide your RSVP here.

It has been a busy time in our rowing regattas, and many events have been held. I encourage you to come along and cheer our rowers at Lake Wendouree. Let us continue to celebrate DMAC pride and joy.

We remember those affected by the tragedy of the Syrian and Turkiye earthquakes and offer this prayer

God of mercy,

We pray for the people of Türkiye and Syria following the recent earthquakes.
We mourn the death and destruction,
and pray for those who have died and those who grieve.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.

We hold in our hearts those who are injured,

And those who have lost loved ones, livelihoods and homes.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.

Sustain and guide all responding to this disaster.
Grant those affected courage and resilience,
as they rebuild their lives and communities.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.

Inspire us to unite in solidarity,
acting swiftly and generously,
so that help may reach all who need it.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.

Amen

With every blessing.

Steven