Welcome to Term 4. It was fantastic to see our Students and Staff return for the final term of the year on Monday, along with the milder weather that the change in conditions bring.
In the final week of Term 3, we celebrated Damascus Day - a day that we celebrate the rich history of the College, acknowledging our founders, the significant people involved in, and the path that they took, to make Damascus College the rich and vibrant community that it is today. It was a lovely Mass and celebration throughout the day, and I thank and acknowledge the work of the Faith and Catholic Identity Team, the Wellbeing Team along with the Student Representative Council, the Performing Arts Team along with the Choir, and the IT and Maintenance Team; each for their fantastic efforts of supporting the coordination and running of the day. One significant highlight of the day was to announce our College Captains for 2024, along with our 2024 House Student leaders. I congratulate Paris Govan and Lucas Wells as College Captains for 2024, along with each of the elected House leaders, and I look forward to working with them in the coming year.
In further exciting news, the building compound has been set up for our new Senior Learning Centre, which will be positioned between Building 7 and Building 2. Work is commencing onsite today with a number of trades beginning. The main entrance for trades, trucks and deliveries for the building project is Leckie Grove, and whilst the entrance into the building compound does take them through the access to the Blue Courts, we are however working very closely with the Builders to manage student safety and access to the relevant areas. The exit point for trucks from the compound is behind the Damascus Events Centre and exiting via the temporary crossover created near the uniform shop towards the bus loop. It is important to note that this crossover is not for Parent or Staff traffic, so I please ask that you continue to use the main entry and exit points.
Tuesday 10 October 2023 will see a high number of trucks enter and exit the College for the removal of soil for the foundations. Traffic management will be in place for this. My intention will be to provide an update to our families through this newsletter of the status of the building project over the course of its duration, particularly any important changes or disruptions that may be occurring. It is certainly an exciting time for the College and I look forward to sharing these updates with you.
We welcome the following Staff to the College in Term 4:
Jasmine Beaumont: Jas will be joining us at the beginning of term four in Humanities and English. Jas will be taking over from Lynette Kelly, who has supported us over the last 6 weeks at the College. We welcome Jasmine and thank Lynette for her service to the College.
Eloise McGifford: Eloise will join the Learning Support Officer’s team for the remainder of the year.
Emma Coulter: Emma joins the Finance team as an Accounts Payable Officer. Following Emma’s commencement, Maree Lawlor moves full time into Learning and Teaching Administration. We sincerely thank Maree for her service in the College’s Finance team.
In the coming weeks we will welcome back Adrian Newman and Brendan Bawden who will return during Term 4 from Long Service Leave.
Students and families are reminded that Term 4 is summer uniform and students are expected to be in their full summer uniform – sport uniform included on days where students have PE. A two week transition period is permitted as the weather fluctuates to more warmer days. Your support with your young person wearing the full College uniform appropriately is appreciated.
For families seeking a 2025 enrolment at Damascus College, our Open Night will take place on Tuesday 17 October 2023 from 4:30pm. More information can be found here.
Our Year 12 cohort now enter a very important time in their final year of school and in their lives. In their final month as students attending our College, we pray that they find the calmness and confidence to focus on completing their VCE exam preparation and VCAL concluding requirements, and that their resilience and strength will support them to achieve that which they are capable of. We pray that their Year 12 experience will be the pathway to their desired future and that it will continue to help them grow, achieve and serve.
I wish everyone well as we begin Term 4.
Chris