Welcome to our first edition of Damascus News for the 2024 academic school year. I hope you have had a restful Christmas, where you have been able to connect with family and friends and were nourished by the Spirit of the Holy Season. Christmas is a time to celebrate our families, friends and loved ones. May you be blessed with a year filled with much joy, growth and sustainable relationships.

We are excited and humbled to welcome, both new and returning families to the College community. On Wednesday we welcomed students from Year 7 and 12. The buzz, laughter and joy was palpating and our community was eager to gather, to learn and to embrace one another. Today we gathered as College community in the John Shannon Centre where we welcomed our Year 7 students and all members of our College community.

Our senior students chose the song, Find your People, by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbours, to play for our Assembly. It is a song that celebrates friendships, honesty and authenticity and explored our College theme of Living Mercy. I invited Tara Orchard, Harrison Kennett and Emily Crumpler to present their interpretation, l was so impressed by our young people’s wisdom and maturity and ability to share their thinking with over 1300 staff and students present. The song is about finding your people, who will challenge, support and help you be your best version of yourself. The students were able to articulate how one needs to surround themselves with people who give you energy and joy. I have even attached the link for you to view here

Thank you to the many families who attended our recent Teacher Advisor (TA) Meetings. The College has a strong reputation for ensuring each student is named and known and our TA program is an essential pillar. I remind families that your student’s TA is your first port of call and the crux of our partnership within the College.

At Damascus, we are proud of every young person and work assiduously to provide the best learning opportunities for each and every student. Our mantra, ‘to be our best,’ recognises the need for each one of us to be in community and to work in partnership to create the best faith learning environment for every young person. Our vision statement; “Damascus College is a dynamic Christ-centred learning community that values each member and is committed to inspiring and challenging students to reach their potential and contribute confidently to the global community, reminds us that learning is a partnership and requires each one of us to work together to nurture, challenge and build relationships that foster mutual understanding.

This year our College theme: Living Mercy recognises and celebrates our Mercy heritage and tradition. As a community we are blessed to have a Mercy Charism and the model of Catherine McAuley who demonstrated what it meant to be a person of faith, courage and hope. This year our community will explore what it means to be ‘living mercy,’ in a world that is experiencing much conflict, suffering and misunderstanding. We believe as a community we’re beacons of hope and agents of social change. Change begins from within and examination of ourselves and our relationship to the other.

2024 holds the key to unlocking our individual potential, discovering new passions, and overcoming challenges that will shape every members academic and personal growth. I encourage each of us to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead, whether it's diving into a fascinating subject, joining a club that sparks our interest, or forging connections with our peers. Remember, this is not just a new year; it's a chance to redefine our learning narrative and to create memories and experiences that will last a lifetime, this message for both our young people and ourselves as adults. Our young people need to see and hear us learn.

I would like to acknowledge our fabulous staff, who have commenced the year full of enthusiasm and renewed energy for the possibilities the year ahead holds.

Over the next few weeks we have a number of key events that l wish to draw your attention to:

• Student Photos
• Year 7 Camp and Retreat
• Year 7 Welcome BBQ
• Opening College Mass

These events are listed in the College calendar in PAM and further details will be provided where relevant.

Can I please ask all families to ensure that their students arrive for the Student Photos on Monday 5 February, in full College uniform including blazer, no facial hair, with no jewellery or make-up and long hair must be tied up.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter and l encourage you to hear of the great work undertaken by our leaders within the College because together and in partnership we are our best.

With every blessing