As we move through Early Start, we take this time to commend our students and staff on their learning and teaching endeavours as they commence this new program of work.

Starting a new learning program at this time of year is a genuine challenge, but one that all members of our community have been up for, and it positions us positively for 2024. I acknowledge that for families, young people may be unsettled by change, but please continue to talk to your young person about how learning should continually extend them and that sometimes this feels uncomfortable until you become familiar with the change. The intended benefits of the Early Start program are:

• To improve the continuity of learning from one calendar year to the next
• To optimise valuable learning time
• To increase organisational efficiency
• To promote connectedness through the fostering and building of student/teacher relationship

Over recent years, we have also found that an unintended bonus has been that students enter into their Summer holiday with reduced anxiety about the next calendar year at school. Students report that they appreciate having an awareness of their class context, teachers and peer relationships before the end of the year. This appears to be a really significant factor in student retention from one year to the next. We are at the midpoint of the Early Start cycle, and students will complete classes until next Tuesday.

Additionally on Tuesday next week, we will conduct a casual clothes day, raising funds for Vinnies Christmas Appeal. This year the funds raised by the College will go towards vouchers from local food providers to enable vulnerable families to enjoy Christmas lunch together. We have had a great response from students to our Catholic Missions fundraiser, and we hope that we are able to provide support for Vinnies to help those in need again next week.

Next Wednesday will be our final day for students for 2023. We will conduct our Ball Games in a rotational format, and each year level will have a year level liturgy and assembly through the course of the day in the Damascus Events Centre. Students are encouraged to wear PE uniform on this final day, given the active nature of the activities.

Yesterday we welcomed our newest students to the College, the future class of 2029, for their Orientation day. In our biggest Year 7 enrolment ever, 235 students engaged in taster classes school tours and activities, and were supported by staff to experience life in secondary school. It is always a great day as you welcome new members to the community.

The Damascus College office will close at 4pm on Monday December 18th and reopen at 9am on Monday January 15th.

Education staff will return on Monday 29th January, 2024 with TA interviews to be conducted onsite on Tuesday 30th January (8.30am to 4.30pm), and the afternoon of Wednesday 31^st January (3.30pm to 5.45pm). Years 7 and 12 will return to to classes on Wednesday January 31 and years 8 through 11 will return Thursday February 1.

A number of Damascus students have secured apprenticeships or further training, some are pursuing passions in the area of their respective gifts, and some Damascus families are relocating. To those leaving us for different educational pathways or employment, we congratulate you on your courage and thank you for being a part of the Damascus journey. To those families who we farewell with students finishing up or relocating, thank you for choosing Damascus and best wishes in life beyond the road to Damascus.

Chris