It has been a busy fortnight at the College. We have had many celebrations that helped us to embrace the College theme and motto for this year, ‘to live by the light of Christ.’ Our Annual Father’s Day / Male Mentor Breakfast was a wonderful success where we were able to participate in prayer and to reflect on the scripture about the meaning of unconditional love. I thank the many fathers, step dads, and male mentors who made themselves available for their children to share a meal together, to break bread and to be truly present to their child. It is these moments that our young people remember and these events that create family stories and narratives.

Masculinity in the 21^st century has evolved and shaped and there is no one way to be a dad, male figure, step dad or role model, our children need a male who is compassionate, gentle and modelling respectful relationships – help your children see the face of our God in your behaviours, actions and interactions with others. Father’s Day is a gift and acknowledgement that to have a child is a gift that needs to be treasured and valued. Nothing is more important than our relationships with our children and families.

Community and individuality was celebrated at our Annual Music Camp at Rutherford Park. Our students had the opportunity to celebrate their passion and talents. I was impressed on the Monday evening to see our students enjoy their love of music and to be open to perform and embrace the others.

Well done to our BAS Lap of Lake participants who competed at Lake Wendouree, the determination and focus of the participants was inspiring. You can read further about this event here.

This term our VM students have done a wonderful job at re-opening and instituting our DMAC Coffee Van – congratulations to these students who serve our community with energy, passion and flair. I am grateful for their presence in the van each Tuesday and Thursday. Public speaking and debating has been a flurry this term, congratulations to those who participated in the Frayne Festival at Mount Lilydale Mercy College and also the Year 7’s and Year 8’s who participated in the Royal South Street Society debating semi finals. Additional articles on these events can be read here and here.

Our Chess team have also demonstrated sportsmanship and strategic thinking with their recent successes at the Northern Alliance Chess Competition. Additional information about these successes can be read here.

This weekend l am looking forward to meeting our St Paul’s Alumni. St Paul’s Technical College was established in 1948 in Lydiard Street and then moved to Victoria Street to educate young men seeking a trades education. I am looking forward hearing the stories about the campus and our pioneering technology education. St Pauls’ is pivotal in our story as a school of risk taking and innovation, it has formed part of our DNA - to be educators who move outside of their comfort zone, seeking new forms of learning and education.

In 1995 St Paul’s along with Sacred Heart College and St Martin’s in the Pines were amalgamated to form Damascus College. The reunion on Saturday 9 September is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the significant contribution that St Paul’s students and staff have made to the school we have today. On this note, we are currently working with Laws Architects to reimagine and future proof our Arts /Technology learning spaces.

This week our Year 11 students have been preparing their leadership speeches and delivering these to their cohort. I have been able to read and watch their speeches. I admire our students who are emerging as the future leaders of our society with this new competence of dealing with and responding to regular and unplanned change. Our students are encouraged to participate in the decision-making process at the College and we endeavor to work with our students to build a strong student focused learning environment.

Our Year 12 students are working through a heavy assessment period. The holiday period provides an opportunity for them to catch their breath and consolidate their learning and continue revision. Our Unit 4 students will soon have their trial exams. Families and students were sent the schedule earlier this term via email.

This is our last newsletter for the term, we wish our families a safe and restful holiday.

With every blessing