It has been a busy fortnight in the College calendar and l thank the many staff, students and families who have participated in the fullness of college life. Damascus is a busy and engaging community, there are many opportunities for students to pursue their own gifts and talents and l encourage all our students to challenge themselves and participate in a new and unknown activity. Research informs us that the busiest students are the most successful and greatly improve personal learning outcomes.

Last week l attended the Horizons VCE Exhibition – a celebration of the work of our VCE Arts and Technology students. I was so impressed by the calibre of student work and the richness of our student’s ability to express themselves and their individuality. I would like to thank Naomi Olthoff Arts Learning Area Leader and Tamzin Perkins Technology Area Leader who led our staff and teams with energy and creativity. I would like to thank all our teachers in the Arts and Technology Departments who work assiduously with our students to develop their ingenuity and creativity. The work displayed last week was testament of the many years of skill development along with careful and planned teaching.

I was able to visit our BAS Sports students on Wednesday afternoon, here l saw our junior students participate in friendly game of tennis, building skills, developing confidence and harnessing new skills. The BAS program relies heavily on the skills of Hamish Walsh and the many teachers who coach our teams and as a community we are grateful for their skills and time. Thank you.

The Sustainable Racing Team participated in a practice run for the B2B program last Thursday, riding between Ararat and Ballarat. With the weather causing challenges, the students demonstrated determination and perseverance, proving with hard work and planning, success can be achieved.

On Tuesday night the College celebrated its first Inaugural Open Night. We had three information sessions in the Damascus Events Centre and families were then invited on a tour, each led by one of our magnificent student leaders. I am so proud to see our students lead and speak with such confidence and passion about their College. I would also like to thank all our staff who worked to ensure the evening was a success and that the community could recognise the depth and calibre of our learning environment. The College has worked so hard to build an environment that models how we can be our best.

Wednesday we had our final Year 12 Assembly and gave thanks and acknowledged our Year 12 students. We are incredibly proud of these students who modelled tenacity, energy and passion during their final year. The students entertained and nourished our community and we wish them well in their upcoming exams and completion of Assessment Tasks and outcomes. We look forward to hearing of their success and their ability to give so graciously back to the community. I have included my farewell speech for those who maybe interested in reading.

Next week our Year 10 students are involved in Work Experience and Retreat Days or a Melbourne Experience we wish our students well as they journey on these important events. Students not participating in work experience are expected to attend all scheduled activities either at the College or on excursions. As we enter the final term l encourage all our students to complete their necessary assessment tasks and to finish their learning which exemplifies how they have been their best.

After much reflection the Teacher Advisor (TA) Interviews for Term 4 will not be occurring. I encourage all families to contact their students subject teacher or TA if they have any concerns. All families will have the opportunity to meet with their students TA to set learning goals early Term 1, 2024

With every blessing

Speech

Today we celebrate the completion of thirteen years of formal education. Today is the beginning of a new chapter in your life. I am incredibly proud of our year 12 students who started here at Damascus in 2018, bright eyed, excited and wearing oversized uniforms. I imagine you entered the College with excitement, fear and apprehension, but l know as you engaged in your learning, made new friends, found your way around this beautiful College and enjoyed the Year 7 Camp you felt right at home. Today after surviving and thriving post the pandemic, l see young people with new energy, new understandings of themselves and awareness of how quickly our world can change. I am see a group of young people who know how to have fun, be respectful to accept others no matter their identity, sexuality or race.

These young people sitting in front of me – have had the tenacity, courage and grit to finish this important milestone in their life; completing year 12 opens so many pathways – so many more training opportunities, apprenticeships and university pathways. These people have lived our mantra to be your best! As a Damascus community l ask that each one of us give a round of applause in congratulations.

These young people have completed their secondary school in a time of great uncertainty, fear and confusion – the COVID pandemic. They have shown that in tough times, the tough get going! They have found internal strength and perseverance to get the job done. At the beginning of the year l played the Sarah Basko song: I won’t run! These students have not run, they have been strong, determined and gutsy. They have modelled to our community everything that is wonderful about being at Damascus – BAS Rowing – who cannot forget the Head of the Lake and the energy of the chanting! The Athletics Carnival and Swimming Competition where they led their Houses with gusto and passion, the raising of the Aboriginal and Tores Island Flags, The Final Hours, International Women’s Day and our guest speaker for NAIDOC week, Year 11 & 12 Formal, The Addams Family and Damascus Day our Senior Arts/Technology Exhibition last week, the VM Breakfast club, these students took every opportunity and embraced learning and challenge with curiosity and genuine interest. Very little would rattle these young people because they were determined to bring the Damascus community together.

I am grateful for the leadership of Xavier Byrne, Sophie Busutill College Captains and Jess Hodge as SRC Leader supported by our House Captains. These students were determined to model student voice and participation.

The recent political activities – our referendum, the war in Russia and Ukraine and the recent turmoil in the Middle East between Palestine and Israel highlights the preciousness of human life and the vulnerability of relationships. Listen with the ear of your heart, do not judge, do not listen with preconceived ideas – be truly present to the other.

The conflict in our world, the lack of understanding between people highlights the need to celebrate and embrace our close relationships, to love our family, love our friends and embrace each and every opportunity. Forgive, forget, be compassionate and allow yourself to be vulnerable and to be loved.

This year these glorious young people have shown that challenges might set you back, effect your enthusiasm and spirit, but your own motivation, energy and optimism brings hope and joy. Today you are stronger and more resilient for the experience of your education that began with your parents at birth. What your secondary education has taught you is to take risks, sometimes, fall, get up again and to adjust your outlook, create a new plans and try again.

You are young people who have shown, lived and embodied the life of our Foundress Catherine McAuley. A woman of courage, determination and a deep desire to be in community with others, her family, her community and her God. Catherine McAuley opened her first school in Dublin in 1827, in 1881 the Sisters of Mercy began their pioneering work here in Ballarat, just 54 years after the opening of the first school. We have much to learn from these pioneering women who showed the power of an open mind, the power of service and the need to be courageous in leading a full life. A life that recognises the gift and sacredness of the other, the strength of service and learning more about ourselves and our God.

Recently some of you may have read about past Damascus students Sr Karon Donnellon RSM who has been elected to Institute Leader and Sr Elizabeth Moloney, to Institue Vicar, of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG). It is wonderful to see their hard work, passion, leadership and dedication being recognised as they lead the Sisters of Mercy for the next four years. I am wondering what would they have thought as they sat at their Year 12 Graduation. I believe that the young people in front of me will be leaders, pioneers and adventurous adults who challenge society and our community to become an even better place. A place of genuine inclusion, welcome and hospitality. I can see these young people as future political leaders, union delegates, premiers and prime ministers, CEO’s and leaders in their homes and community.

My advice to you today is remember these values and attributes as you leave the safety of Damascus College and enter into our world.

Power of an Open Mind: The mantra at the College be my best, challenges us to push ourselves outside our comfort zone, to extend our thinking and to remain open to new possibilities. Do not let your life be limited by your thinking and self perception or the perception of others. You can do anything with hard work, perseverance and reflective thinking. I urge you to keep learning with an open mind– each day, each hour, we are presented with opportunities to extend our thinking, to be better people.

The Power of Service: Each one of us has a responsibility to honour the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy. Think how you can be of service to the community whether it is coaching the local sporting team in Ballarat, becoming a Vinnies volunteer or a mentor for a young person ask yourself how am l making my community safe, connected and strong.

Be courageous: Be gracious, be open and have the courage to admit when you do not have the answers and you are wrong: seek the counsel of your loved one’s, your mates and your colleagues. Catherine McAuley could not have achieved her vision without bringing others on the journey, and Dared to Dream. The courage to dream and to be your own person.

In life we need to celebrate beginnings and endings. Today your chapter closes at Damascus College – your formal attendance is done. But l know with certainty you will always carry in your heart the Damascus Spirit, the friendships, your peers and your teachers. Stand Tall and be so proud of who you are and what you have achieved. The road is ahead of you and we, your College alumni will have your back as your traverse unknown paths, new journeys and new relationships.

As our final blessing l would like read a prayer from our College bookmark. Take this bookmark with you and keep it as a token of life learning and faith.

I invite our Year 12 students to read the prayer with me.

Feed the hungry

Give drink to the thirsty

Clothe the naked

Visit the imprisoned

Shelter the homeless

Visit the sick

Bury the dead

Forgive all injuries

Convert the sinner

Instruct the ignorant

Comfort the sorrowful

Counsel the doubtful

Bear wrongs patiently

Pray for the living and the dead.

Our Lady of Mercy, Pray for Us.

May you leave our College today with the strength and passion of Catherine McAuley.

With every blessing