The past fortnight has been a celebration of student growth, achievement and pride. We have so much to celebrate at Damascus: a committed staff, energetic learners and a supportive community. We have been oozing with pride and energy the last few weeks and a Mercy Heart that beats strongly with compassion, joy and challenge.

I had the pleasure of attending the Caritas Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Ballarat with our student leaders, as they were commissioned to lead the charge of Project Compassion in our College. Our students need to be reminded of their privilege in our world and their responsibility to be of service to others. "To live by the light of Christ,' is a reminder that as people of faith, we have the mandate to remember our neighbour and to be hospitable to those who need our love and grace. This reflection was beautifully augmented with our Annual Cake Bake Sale, whereby our students were able to raise funds for Project Compassion. The students raised $1160.10.

On the past two Tuesday evenings, some of our staff had the privilege of attending our original school at Sacred Heart on Victoria Street. We were led by the wisdom of Sr Marie Davey and Sr Berenice Kerr and a number of other Mercy Sisters who could share their memories, stories and love of our Mercy Heritage and education.

Staff who were also past students at Sacred Heart were able to recollect many stories and reminisce about the learning experiences provided by our Founding Sisters. Architecturally we were reminded that the Sisters were contemporary educators, as we identified a number of learning spaces with walls that could slide open to allow students to collaborate with others in their cohort; quite astonishing, considering the building was over a hundred years old. I was reminded that our story is built on the shoulders of wise women and Diocesan leaders who were passionate and dedicated educators who were willing to challenge the status quo. This came at a poignant time, as we as a College are working assiduously with Law Architects to design our new Senior Learning Space to house, educate and empower young people in their senior years of learning.

I thank the many families who joined our College Leadership Team, House Leaders, Teacher Advisors and many staff at our school for the Year 7 Information and Welcome barbeque. Together and in partnership, we will support our young people to be their best and to celebrate, challenge and nurture their individuality.

Student voice is a key focus for us at Damascus, and this fortnight it was evident with a number of students leading assemblies, liturgies and meetings with me as the College Principal. Our students have much energy, insights and awareness that needs to be harnessed. I was so proud of our students on the weekend when l attended the Head of the Lake Rowing Regatta at Lake Wendouree. Our student leaders organised their first spit crew jumpers and marched proudly onto the Spit, celebrating and basking in the pride of being a Damascus student. My duties included presenting medals to winning crews at the pontoon. I was constantly distracted by the overwhelming cheer of our students – cajoling and cheering their schoolmates as they entered the finishing line. I am so impressed by our student's perseverance and can-do attitude. It is this attitude and willingness to challenge their personal best that will see them succeed in life in their chosen career or profession. Congratulations to all our rowers for having the tenacity to compete and the discipline needed to commit to rowing.

The Annual Academic Assembly was held on Monday, 20^th February, where we acknowledged and celebrated our College High Achievers. I particularly want to congratulate the following students who received ATARs over 90:

• Fraser Crumpler 99.3
• Xavier Clonan 96.75
• Tristan Clonan 96.4
• Megan O'Beirne 93.4
• Brayden Welsh 91
• Harrison Welsh 90.7

and our VCAL Dux Joshua Matheson.

At this Assembly, we acknowledged our Shining Light Recipients. Past Alumni who are making outstanding contributions to their chosen profession. The following Alumni were recipients of the award, and we celebrate and congratulate them on their achievements:

Dr Yvonne Aitken STEAM Achievement Award

Professor Andrew Ooi STEAM Achievement and Academia/Career Excellence award

Nicole Thornton (nee Warke) STEAM Achievement Award

Dr Samantha Brown Academia/Career Excellence Award

Connor Prunty Young Achiever Award for Community Service

I have provided my speech below for you to read and a copy of the assembly booklet here.

Good afternoon Damascus College.

I welcome our special guests – the Sisters of Mercy, School Advisory Council members, to our many parents, grandparents and other family members.

I welcome our 2022 Year 12 students who have achieved outstanding success in their ATAR scores and VCAL Pathways. Today we will also acknowledge the recipients of the 2023 Shining Light Award to members of our alumni. As a community, we are proud of your achievements and wish to acknowledge your hard work, grit and gifts.

Often we hear the expression, lifelong learners, but l am not sure that we truly understand what this means. To me, lifelong learning is about our personal dispositions, our mindset and our willingness to work hard to be uncomfortable in pursuing our best. Learning should be uncomfortable, and we need to feel pushed.

This morning I would like to acknowledge the parents and grandparents here today who were your first teachers. They taught you to sleep, eat, walk, play, and the difference between right and wrong. They provided you with experiences that challenged you, gave you new insights and helped wire your brain and mindset. It was your parents who opened your eyes to the endless possibilities that life and all its experience offer.

I am sure the recipients of today's Awards have received copious support from their parents, who have cajoled them at midnight when they were having a challenging night trying to balance work, study, SACS and relationships. It was your parent's encouragement and motivation that have undoubtedly helped you succeed. But now, the world is open for you to grab and take hold of. Dream big, take risks, and believe in yourself.

Inspirational men and women who have achieved great things can provide guidance and inspiration on our journey towards success. I want you to think about the role models in your life: whether it's Jacinda Ardern, Nelson Mandela, Pope Francis, or it might be your Pop or Nan. They have shown us that with hard work and faith, we can overcome even the most significant challenges. Their success should encourage us to follow our own dreams and pursue them with dedication and enthusiasm.

Today as a College community, we are celebrating the success and achievements of the students of Year 12 2022, your hard work, your grit and your determination. We, as your community, are incredibly proud of your achievements.

Each one of us needs to recognise our gifts, talents and shortcomings. Today, we acknowledge the success of our subject and school duxes. I have an image of these young people on the edge of the diving board. Ready to take the next leap of faith, to plunge into a life journey beyond Damascus to create their own destiny, to create their own future and to stand strong and proud in who they are and what contribution they will make to the world and their chosen career.

Furthermore, today we will be acknowledging the 2023 Shining Light Awards, where we as a community acknowledge the notable achievements of our Damascus College alumni that inspire each one of us today. A Shining Light recipient is someone who has gone above and beyond in their professional field, who has been motivated to set out and accomplish personal goals, and who has excelled in their area of expertise. It is a person with passion and purpose and with dedication and motivation, knowing they too can achieve their dreams. It is apt that in our Academic Assembly, we acknowledge our students who have excelled in their Year 12 studies and past Alumni who are contributing to their chosen profession and field.

As a College with a 140-year history and built on the Mercy Tradition, we are charged to live by the values of Catherine McAuley. I want to revisit these values and challenge each one of us who is part of this Damascus community to live, breathe and enact these each and every day with our friends, family, and colleagues.

Be Compassionate – Do not be a bystander but show compassion to one another. Promote inclusion, acceptance and kindness throughout your day and with your encounters with others.

BE Justice – Stand up for what is right and help those who need you to advocate on their behalf, help them have a voice and then let them speak for themselves.

Be Respectful– We recognise and acknowledge the goodness in everyone and everything. We show respect and recognise we must earn our community's respect through our words, actions and attitudes. We earn respect through our actions and words.

Be Hospitable - Being kind, generous and welcoming to friends, family, and those we know is easy. It takes courage and grit to welcome the stranger. Hospitality is not about food but rather our attitude to those who are different, welcome the stranger and not judge those who are different to ourselves.

Be of Service - Service means using our talents and gifts to help others. Service enriches our classrooms, our school and our broader community.

Be Courageous –To act with courage takes strength, resilience and inner strength; we know when we have to act, but do we have the guts to challenge those with the loudest voices who do not respect others. Courage comes in small acts and big steps.

The Award Recipients here today are people who have worked hard, challenged themselves and been guided by the Mercy Values. I would suggest that their success is not a matter of chance but rather the result of hard work, determination, and perseverance. It takes courage to pursue our dreams, but if we are willing to put in the effort, we can achieve great things. However, we cannot do it alone. It is essential to work in partnership with our God, parents, teachers, and friends, who can support and challenges us along the way.

However, setbacks are an inevitable part of our journey. St Paul, in his conversion through Damascus, faced many setbacks; he was challenged, he experienced personal turmoil, he questioned, and he wrestled with his faith. You, like St Paul, will be faced with hardship, challenge and joy, but you need to turn to your family, friends, colleagues and your God to help you navigate the rocky road of life. It is important to be people of justice and to live in the light of Christ. As individuals who care and advocate for the marginalised, we can create a better world. Never be afraid to be yourself, and always strive to be your best.

In conclusion, success does mean hard work, individuality, and faith. We need the support of our parents, teachers, and friends to achieve our goals. We should never be afraid to dream big, take risks, and be ourselves. We should also strive to be people of social justice and live in the light of Christ. Let us continue to work towards our dreams, and together, we can make the world a better place.

Remember, at the beginning of the year, we listened to Sarah Blasko's song "We Won't Run" the Award Winners today did not run; they challenged the obstacles of Year 12 and are now ready to take on new adventures and enjoy their University choice or life pathway. Courageous people grab life and experiences by the horns, and I congratulate each of the recipients here today for their success and the success of the Damascus community.

Last Wednesday, we celebrated Sr Veronica Lawson’s Diamond Jubilee with a lovely morning tea shared with staff and a small number of guests. Sr Veronica spoke fondly of her time and connection with Damascus College, and I include her speech below.

Anyone who knows me knows that this ever so beautiful school is an extraordinarily important part of my extended family, of my biological family and of my Mercy family.

When Tina sent me the invitation for today’s morning tea, I replied immediately that nothing would get in the way of my being here. This week’s events have simply deepened my appreciation for this place and for all that it represents.

Last evening, Marie led us in a tour of the former SHC. When we came out of the old parlour at the front of the building and walked back towards the chapel, I paused to take a photo of the semi-circular inscription over the statue of the Christ, an inscription that met the eyes of everyone who walked into that building in times past. It reads, “I have loved you with an everlasting love”. These are words that the prophet Jeremiah attributes to the God of Israel. The words inscribed on these walls mean the same thing-“to live by the light of Christ. Be. My. Best.”. The student expressions of gratitude at Monday’s academic awards ceremony were testimony to the fact that that is precisely what happens here, that the love of God and the light of Christ permeate the education offered here. That’s what enables students to be their best, and I am ever so grateful to have been part of it all.

I am still learning and, being your next door neighbour, most of my learning takes place on this little patch of the planet. Not many people can claim to be still at school in their 83rd year, and thanks to your inclusive ways, I can.

Sr Veronica Lawson

On Friday, 10^th March, at 11:30am, we will hold the College Opening Mass with Bishop Paul Bird. We invite families to attend, and I attach an invitation to the community here

We remember teacher David Myers and his family on the passing of his beloved mother. We keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.

With every blessing