Welcome to Damascus College for the 2024 School year!

I welcome all those who are new to our community and congratulate you on your efforts over recent days to make a positive start at Damascus. Our opening College assembly held today was a fantastic start to our 2024 school year, with a reminder of what it means to Be our Best in all that we do.

We are delighted with the calibre and commitment of the staff who have joined Damascus College over the past 12 months, and our 2024 school year, and we are confident they will be great additions to our College community.

We welcome;

• Stephen East - Leader of Mission/Teacher​
• Gavin Webb – Sports Coordinator/Teacher​
• Andrea Hadley – Teacher​
• Narelle Dixon – Teacher​
• Mikhaila Picone – Teacher​
• Peter Hexter – Teacher​
• Jayde McSparron - Teacher​
• Jessica Simon – Teacher​
• Rachael Thompson – Teacher​
• Alan Ng – Teacher​
• Tegan Heinrich-Morrison – Teacher​
• Danielle Nyikos – Teacher​
• Katrina McMahon – Teacher​
• Jack Mattinson – Learning Support Officer​
• Toni Schiltz – Student Counselling Practitioner​
• Lois Stiles – Learning Support Officer
• Amy O’Loughlin - Teacher

Naturally, the return of the school year brings with it higher levels of routine for school families following the more casual summer months. It does take a week for students to get back into routine. I cannot understate the value of plenty of sleep, a healthy diet and exercise to fuel good learning and assist your student/s in establishing sound routines from the start of the year. If there have been any concerns over the initial days of your student’s schooling, please talk with your Teacher Advisor, and they will support you to try and navigate solutions.

To support Year 7 Students in their start at Damascus, Year 7 students will be dismissed from class at 3.10pm each day until Friday 9 February, to allow them to get to their lockers and the buses before the rest of the students leave class.

Student Photos will be held on Monday 5 February in the Damascus Events Centre (DEC) for individual Photos, and the John Shannon Centre (JSC) for Year level photos. Can I please remind families of the importance of students being in their correct summer uniform. Hair should be tied back if it reaches the shoulders; students should have clean shaven faces. The only permissible jewellery includes a watch and a pair of sleepers or plain studs in the earlobe; jewelled studs are not allowed. Facial or tongue piercings are also prohibited. Families are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the College Uniform Policy attached below: -

2024 Uniform Letter and Expectations

The schedule for Student photos is as follows;

• Period 1 - Year 7 (called during TA)
• Period 2 - Year 9 (Called at end of P1)
• Recess – Family Photos
• Period 3 - Year 8, Year 11
• Period 4 - Year 12
• Period 5 - Year 10

The ongoing safety and wellbeing of all children and young people is the primary focus of care and decision making at Damascus College. Particular attention is paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability. Protecting young people from abuse is critical for Damascus College. Our Child Safe and Safeguarding Children and Young People policies and procedures can be seen on the College website here. Families are encouraged to engage with our policies and procedures and ask questions or suggest improvements. In partnership with our families, Damascus College ensures children and young people are engaged and active participants in decision-making processes, particularly those that impact their safety. This means that the views of staff, children, young people and families are taken seriously, and their concerns are addressed in a just and timely manner. For further information, please contact the College’s Child Protection Officer’s, Hannah Keating, Andrew Robertson, or myself on 03 5337 2222 or visit Child Safety on the Damascus website for more information.

This morning (Thursday) is the College Open Morning for prospective future students and families. If you are a current family who has a child in Grade 6 this year and are seeking a Year 7 placement in 2025, please complete your enrolment form before this coming Friday 2 February, as the demand for places is high. More information about enrolments and School tours can be found here.

Can I please remind families that if your student(s) has an appointment, needs picking up prior to the end of the day or has a holiday coming up, that you contact the Front Office with this information in advance. This can be done via phone, PAM, or the App. Student's are unable to leave class without prior notification to the office.

We are excited about 2024 and the educational journey, and we look forward to sharing that journey with you.

Chris