From the Principal
14 August By Steven Mifsud, Principal
Over the past fortnight, we’ve celebrated a period of learning, risk-taking, and the cherished gift of our Mercy community. Our VCE Vocational Major students recently participated in mock job interviews for our Damascus Day celebrations. I had the pleasure of interviewing a dozen students who approached the process with openness and humility, presenting themselves as prospective employees with grace and authenticity.
It was inspiring to hear our students articulate their learnings, strengths, and the challenges they anticipate in their future roles. They showcased a remarkable ability to connect their VET studies, VM experiences, and part-time jobs, demonstrating how theory and practice intersect. Their readiness to take risks, learn from various experiences, and clearly communicate their insights is a testament to the strength of our College.
In the afternoon, I attended the Year 11 Retreat, skillfully facilitated by Chris Doyle at the DEC. I was once again impressed by our students' collaborative spirit and their willingness to acknowledge both their own strengths and those of their peers. The retreat underscored the depth of our students’ faith, their personal stories, and their appreciation for one another. This sense of community and humility aligns beautifully with our College theme: Living Mercy. Our values of respect, compassion, justice, hospitality, service, and courage were clearly evident in their interactions.
Our staff echoed this sentiment, highlighting our students' vibrant spirit and joy. At Damascus, we strive to help our young people express their ideas, emotions, and feelings respectfully, fostering independence and self-respect. Our focus on social-emotional learning aims to enhance their awareness and growth, a goal we also strive to embody as adults.
On Tuesday evening, we celebrated the B2B (Broken Hill to Ballarat) Challenge, honoring our Sustainable Racing Team's incredible effort. They rode a remarkable distance, raising over $10,000 for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute in Ballarat, in memory of Connor Prunty, a past student. This event, coordinated by Alan Strange, and Rachel Beardall, exemplifies the collaborative spirit of students from years 7–12 working toward a shared goal.
Subject selections for the upcoming year are now complete, and we are actively working through the subject blocking process for 2025.
This morning, we welcomed over 150 guests to our Inaugural Grandparents’ / Grandfriends’ Morning Tea. Our students proudly showcased our school to their esteemed guests, many of whom were past alumnae.
Next week, Anne Beaton will join our College Leadership Team as the Leader of People and Culture. Coming from Ernest Young Partners in Ballarat, Anne will bring valuable insights to support our growth as a vibrant faith learning community. We look forward to the expertise and vision Anne will contribute.
As previously mentioned to parents, Chris Grant, our College Deputy Principal, is currently on a six-month leave to lead a Catholic community in Broome as Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching. We eagerly anticipate learning from his experiences and insights upon his return.
With every blessing