Welcome back to term 2, l hope you have had a relaxing Easter break and found peace and joy with your family and friends. This week’s gospel from Luke was the story of Emmaus and how the disciples responded to seeing Christ amongst them. This gospel passage reminds us that we are people of Christ and that through one another and in our relationships, we are people of Christ. Here at Damascus, we are the one body of Christ, each one us is a host of our God’s love, compassion and forgiveness. As we continue to work, study and play together let us be people of hope, forgiveness and respect.

The staff returned to the College yesterday and completed Day 2 of our ReLate Training. I thank you for your patience in enabling the staff to participate in professional development to enhance and further develop our wellbeing practices to support our learning culture. The College continues to challenge our students academically, and to reset classroom expectations. It is essential for our young people to be engaged in their learning program and to learn the skills to work co-operatively with their peers and classroom teachers. Our House Leaders, TA’s, and subject teachers work with our young people to help them be their best. The College promotes a high level of engagement in students teaching and learning which is enhanced through positive classroom interactions and behaviours.

Through the Parent Access Module (PAM) the College will make available times for parents to meet with their child’s Teacher Advisor and this semester we are trialling the opportunity for you to meet subject teachers. The Leadership Team has responded to the feedback provided from our parents through surveys and also the Meet the Principal Q&A held last year. I urge you to make appointments with our staff to hear and learn how you can support your young person. When we work in partnership, we are modelling to them that they matter and that they are supported, loved and challenged.

Yesterday morning l attended our Dawn Service at the Cenotaph on Sturt Street Ballarat with our College Captains – Xavier Byrne and Sophie Busutill. I once again was so proud of our students who presented with humble confidence and pride. The ANZAC commemoration is a reminder that we are a privileged country because of the hard work and sacrifice made by many before us. Yesterday our PM, Anthony Albanese delivered his ANZAC Day speech, l was struck by the following line, ‘Gallipoli is just one battle in our history, but in all its stories of valour and resilience, in its simple truth of Australians looking out for each other no matter how bad things got, it has come to stand for something so much bigger in our collective heart.’ At Damascus we are a community here for one another in times of challenges, in times of joy and in times of sadness. As people of faith we are drawn to the communal, to be in community, to respect difference and to embrace the other. The ANZAC Tradition is one of mateship, friendship and deep respect.

On Thursday April 13, Fr. Jorge, Parish Priest at St Alipius and celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Fr. Jorge was ordained to the Order of the Oblates of St. Joseph, in Batangas, Philippines in 1998. Since his ordination he has worked in many places and in a number of roles. Coming to St. Alipius Parish in January of 2020, it took some time to learn much about Fr. Jorge as Covid struck and weekly masses in the church were not possible. However, since weekly masses have returned we have experienced the care he shows to his parishioners and are very grateful for all that he has provided in our parish community. We congratulate Fr. Jorge on this wonderful achievement and give thanks for all his work.

We welcome a number of staff to our College for Term 2.

Mark Holland and Leigh Denning are taking on part time teaching classes for the first half of Term 2.

Katelyn Clark will replace Adrian Newman for Term 2 and Term 3 teaching Year 7&8 Maths and Year 7&9 Science. Katelyn is an alumni McAuley student!

Sharon Roth will support the St Martins Education Resource Library team and replace leave during Term 2.

Renee Teven will join our Student Growth & Engagement Team as a Learning Support Officer.

We welcome back Trish Rowe and Nicole Burness from leave.

With Every blessing.