Welcome back to Term 2. I hope the Easter break, has provided some much-needed time to rest and re-energise for the busy term ahead.

If you have a student in Year 10 who has work experience this term and the paperwork has not been returned to the College, could you please attend to this as soon as possible.

Students are required to be in full Winter uniform on Monday 29 April – this means long pants, Winter skirts and tights and track pants with the PE uniform. It is not uncommon for students to have grown, which requires skirts and pants to be let down. Skirts should be knee-length. Following up on uniform infringements takes valuable school resources away from the core business of learning and teaching and creates awkward and unnecessary conversations with students and families. Please ensure all students come to school each day in the correct school uniform.

You may also be pressured to purchase a rain jacket. This uniform item was introduced to cover the expensive blazer as students walk to and from school or as they wait at rural bus stops. Students are allowed to wear the rain jacket in terms 2 and 3 at lunchtime and recess while outside as another layer and to encourage student activity. The rain jacket is not to be worn in class. It does remain an optional item of uniform.

Subject Teacher Interviews are beginning Monday 29 April; families are encouraged to book in interview times with their child’s teacher’s to discuss their progress in class. Interviews will run as follows:

• Monday 29 April - 3.40pm to 6.30pm (Virtual or Onsite)
• Tuesday 30 April - 3.40pm to 6.30pm (Virtual or Onsite)
• Thursday 2 May - 1.00pm to 8.00pm (Virtual)

Please note, Thursday 2 May is a student free day as staff will be conducting interviews.

Next week is Catholic Education Week, which is an opportunity to celebrate and enhance the reality of this identity, to dialogue with the Catholic faith tradition and the world in which we live to interpret and proclaim the good news. Our communities are beautiful places that can and do enrich the mystery of Christ's identity and enable his way to be continually raised up in and by the community. We pray that our communities inspire from within to be people of peace, hope and love in these times of displacement, anxiety and concern for Earth as our common home - to realise each unique community's intimate connection in proclaiming who Jesus is and what it means to follow in the light of the gospel for these times.

We are hosting the DOBCEL Leadership Dinner next Friday in the Damascus Events Centre, where all schools in the diocese come together to recognise and celebrate the achievements of staff who have 30 Years of Service to Catholic Education, along with significant leadership and service awards.

On the evening of Friday 10 May, the Senior School formal will take place from 7:00pm to 10:30pm in the Damascus Events Centre. This is a social opportunity that Damascus College facilitates for our community's Year 11 and 12 students. It has always been a very positive event on our calendar, but it is important that we reiterate that normal school rules apply. It is an alcohol, drug and smoke-free (including vape) event; any student suspected of having consumed alcohol will not be let in. There are no pass-outs through the evening. Year 12 students are permitted to bring a guest on the condition that they arrive with the Damascus College student and that the guest abides by Damascus College rules. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the evening, please contact your House Leader. It is a social activity, and hair and make-up appointments are not more important than school on Friday. Any student who is away on Friday will not be able to attend the formal. I must reinforce my encouragement that parents support one another by not condoning after parties. If you say no to requests from your child, you're actually supporting other Damascus parents who are going to receive the same pressure from their student. Students are encouraged to bring a plate of food to share.

The new Senior Learning Centre continues to take shape, rising further from its foundations. The next significant milestone in the build occurs on Wednesday 8 May whereby the Level 2 concrete floor will be poured. Exciting times!

Welcome back to Term 2.

Chris