The past fortnight has been a celebration of learning through individual and collective efforts whereby our students have worked assiduously with our teachers and one another to produce outstanding performances and a deepening of one’s gifts and talents. Our students have been able to demonstrate their skills in social and emotional learning and employed the skills of perseverance, organisation, leadership, resilience and confidence. I have been so proud of our student's application to their learning, their future pathways planning and co-curricula life of the College.

This week the College received the Diocesan Message stick to celebrate 150 years of the Ballarat Diocese. Our student leaders met with students from St James Primary school and participated in a ritual of thanks and acknowledgement. Our leaders presented the message stick to the Emmaus community. To mark the 150th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat, and in recognition of, and sensitivity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers, four Message Sticks are simultaneously journeying to each Catholic school across the four education zones of the Diocese to carry the message to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

Last week we joined Damascus SRC students in welcoming Prep and Grade 6 students from St James Parish School as they passed along one of the Message Sticks. After a liturgy in the Damascus College chapel, the Message Stick was proudly on display in the St Martin’s Resource Centre before it was passed on to Emmaus Catholic Primary School this week.

Our subject selection expo and Career’s Evening was brilliantly organised by our Career’s Team led by Georgia Shilito and Alan Archibold and supported by Belinda Dwyer, Caroline Nolan and our Learning Area Leaders and teachers. Our students need to have clear goals and a pathway to plan for their future and to appreciate the value of their education and for them to be agents of their future. The College is proud of the breadth of senior pathways ensuring all our students complete a senior study that meets their needs and aspirations. I look forward to seeing our families and young people over the next few days as they continue to plan their subject selections for 2025 and beyond. Young people today, more than ever before, need to complete their senior secondary education. Whether heading into university, TAFE or an apprenticeship our young people need the skills of perseverance, a nationally recognised qualification such as a formal year 12 certificate to position themselves into their future pathway. Damascus offers students choice in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Vocational Major (VM). I encourage our families to explore the best certificate to meet the needs of your young person.

Last week a number of our students participated in the The Royal South Street Society Program in debating and public speaking with much success. Now Australia’s oldest and longest running eisteddfod, the annual Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod has seen well over one million aspiring singers, dancers, orators, writers, musicians and composers pass through the doors since 1891 – including the likes of Dame Nellie Melba, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Joan Kirner, Andrew Olle, Alfred Deakin, Anthony Callea and many more. I was so proud to see our Year 12 team compete and to hear of our teams win to proceed to the final rounds. Debating and public speaking supports our learners to be articulate, reflective and expressive. Well done to our competitors.

Congratulations to our staff and crew who presented The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. Our students, impeccably directed by Andrew Seeary, were able to capture the experiences, feelings and emotions of a young person living with Autism. The students were able to capture the intensity of life, the challenges and the joy of living in a family that experiences hardship. Each one of us has our own challenges, but it is only when we believe in ourselves and we are supported by our community of people, that we genuinely grow to reach our potential. Life presents us with much adversity but it is only when we confront our challenges we grow and become better people.

I would like to welcome the following new staff:

Pierce Smith – Teacher

Lyndall O’Keefe – Learning Support Officer

David Carton – Learning Support Officer

Alexander Jameson – First Nations Support Officer

With every blessing

Please see following important key dates for Damascus College

August 16 - Student Free Day

August 27 - RICE House Day

August 28 - BAS Lap of the Lake

August 29 - Fathers Day Liturgy and Breakfast

Understanding Cognitive Load Theory: Enhancing Learning at Damascus College

Summary:

• Cognitive load theory explains how people learn and store new information
• Damascus College is training staff on cognitive load theory to improve instruction
• The 5Es Instructional Model was introduced this year to support effective teaching
• We aim to build teacher capacity and promote positive learning behaviours
• A gradual release of responsibility helps students become independent learners

As parents and carers, you want the best educational experience for your children. At Damascus College, we are committed to using evidence-based approaches to enhance learning. One such approach that we're focusing on is cognitive load theory. This article will explain what cognitive load theory is and how we're applying it in our classrooms to benefit your children.

What is Cognitive Load Theory?

Cognitive load theory, developed by John Sweller and his colleagues in the late 1980s, helps us understand how people learn and store new information. It is based on the structure and processes of the human mind, known as human cognitive architecture (Sweller, 2022).

The theory distinguishes between two types of knowledge:

1. Biologically primary knowledge: Information we've evolved to acquire naturally, like learning to speak our native language.
2. Biologically secondary knowledge: Information that needs to be explicitly taught, such as reading, writing, and mathematics.

Cognitive load theory focuses on how we process biologically secondary knowledge, which is what most school subjects involve.

How Does Learning Happen?

Learning occurs through the interaction of two key components of our memory system:

1. Working memory: Where we temporarily store and process new information. It has limited capacity and duration.
2. Long-term memory: Where we store information indefinitely once we've learned it.

For learning to occur, information must be processed in working memory before it's transferred to long-term memory. However, working memory can only handle a limited amount of new information at once. This is where cognitive load comes in, it is the mental effort required to process information in working memory (Sweller et al., 2011).

Applying Cognitive Load Theory at Damascus College

At Damascus College, we are working with our graduates and new staff to emphasise the importance of cognitive load theory in instruction. We understand that by managing cognitive load effectively, we can enhance learning outcomes for our students.

This year, we introduced the 5Es Instructional Model, which aligns well with cognitive load theory principles. The 5Es model – Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate – provides a structured approach to lesson planning that helps manage cognitive load and promote effective learning.

We are committed to building our teachers' capacity and capabilities to support learning instruction and promote positive learning behaviours in the classroom. One key strategy we're employing is the gradual release of responsibility. This approach involves:

1. Direct instruction from the teacher
2. Guided practice with teacher support
3. Independent practice by students

This gradual transition helps manage the cognitive load by providing appropriate support as students develop their skills and knowledge.

Some specific strategies we are implementing based on cognitive load theory include:

1. Using worked examples: Providing step-by-step solutions to problems, especially for novice learners.
2. Avoiding split attention: Integrating related information sources to reduce unnecessary mental effort.
3. Eliminating redundancy: Removing unnecessary information that could overload working memory.
4. Matching instruction to learner expertise: Adapting teaching strategies based on students' prior knowledge.

By applying these principles, we aim to make learning more efficient and effective for all our students.

As we continue to build our understanding and application of cognitive load theory, we are excited about the potential benefits for your student’s learning. We believe that by managing cognitive load effectively, we can help our students develop deeper understanding and more robust knowledge across all subject areas.

References:

Sweller, J. (2022). The role of evolutionary psychology in our understanding of human cognition: Consequences for cognitive load theory and instructional procedures. Educational Psychology Review, 34, 2229-2241.

Sweller, J., Ayres, P., & Kalyuga, S. (2011). Cognitive load theory. Springer.

The Education Hub. (2019). An introduction to cognitive load theory. https://theeducationhub.org.nz/category/school-resources/

Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association Conference

This year three Year 10 students represented Damascus College at the Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association (AMSSA) Conference in Bendigo. The theme was ‘Mercy: Pathways of Joy and Hope.’

The conference was an opportunity for students to come together and hear inspirational stories from organisations such as Young Mercy Links, Mercy Health, and ACRATH. Seeing so many young people keen to seek understanding and wanting to take action against slavery, trafficking, climate change and poverty was truly inspirational.

There were also times for stillness and prayer including the celebration of the Eucharist at the beautiful Sacred Heart Cathedral. The students particularly enjoyed time for some sightseeing around Bendigo concluding with a very special dinner for all delegates at the Bendigo Town Hall. There was much singing and dancing at this event.

Overall, it was a great opportunity for students to nurture the seeds of Mercy in schools across the nation and build networks and friendships with fellow travellers on the Mercy path.

Here are some insights from the students who attended the event − Quinn Moore, Archie Jones and Lucy Gravell:

Quinn - I had such an amazing time at camp getting to know like-minded individuals from all over Australia. It was really special to listen to everyone's unique stories and learn about life at different Mercy schools. Building connections with people I wouldn't have met otherwise was incredibly valuable. It was fascinating to meet students from Queensland, South Australia, and even a school from Tasmania. The diversity of experiences and backgrounds coming together over our shared values was truly incredible. This experience has resulted in us making many new friends across Australia, and I'm truly grateful for it.

Archie - During this camp we learned about the countless number of woman and children who suffer from family violence each year, and the services available to them, such as McAuley Community Services for Women which we have here in Ballarat. We made self-care bags for the women full of goodies such as shampoo, conditioner, sanitary products and some beauty products.

Lucy - During our AMSSA Student Conference, we had the opportunity to do some tourism throughout Bendigo. We were lucky enough to visit the Central Deborah Gold Mines, and see what life was like for a gold miner during the gold rush in Bendigo. We learnt how the Central Deborah was the deepest gold mine in Australia, and how they checked for safety in the mines, how they collected gold, and how to spot gold within a quartz rock. We were also fortunate to visit the Great Stupa, which is only 2m smaller than the Pyramids of Giza! It was a great educational opportunity to learn about Buddhism and different religions, and how they perceive mercy. Given that the themes of this conference was ‘Mercy: Pathways of Joy and Hope’, our activities were relevant and enriching.

Damascus College Hosts Inspiring Presentations from the Pat Cronin Foundation

Last Wednesday and Thursday, Damascus College had the honour of welcoming a guest speaker from the Pat Cronin Foundation, who delivered a compelling presentation on the "Be Wise: Violence is Never Okay" campaign. This event forms part of our continuous efforts to educate students on the dangers of violence, and to foster a culture of peace and respect.

Background on Pat Cronin and the Pat Cronin Foundation

Pat Cronin, a 19-year-old from Melbourne, was known for his kindness, intelligence, and zest for life. In April 2016, Pat's life was tragically cut short by a single coward punch during a night out with friends. This senseless act of violence devastated his family and community, who chose to channel their grief into creating positive change.

In response to this tragedy, Pat's family established the Pat Cronin Foundation with a mission to end the coward punch and prevent violence. The Foundation's "Be Wise" campaign focuses on educating young people about the dangers of violent behaviour, emphasising that violence is never acceptable. The campaign raises awareness of the severe physical, emotional, and legal consequences of such actions.

Student Reflections:

The presentation at Damascus College explored the root causes of violence and practical strategies for avoiding violent situations. The guest speaker highlighted the profound impact of a single act of aggression and the importance of making wise choices.

One student shared their thoughts on the presentation:
"Before this presentation, many of us didn’t fully understand the severe impact of a single cowardly punch. As a result of the presentation, we are now able to identify and prevent these situations from occurring in the first place."

Another student remarked:
"This presentation educated us on the causes of senseless violence, and ways to prevent it for ourselves and our friends. It made me realise how important it is to think before we react."

Upcoming Event: Tuning into Teens

To further support our students and their families, Damascus College will be hosting the "Tuning into Teens" programme. This programme is designed to help parents and caregivers develop their emotional intelligence and improve their relationship with their teenagers. It focuses on teaching parents how to recognise, understand, and respond to their teen's emotions in an empathetic and supportive way.

Key components of the "Tuning into Teens" programme include:

• Emotion Coaching: Techniques for helping teens understand and manage their emotions.
• Communication Skills: Strategies for improving communication between parents and teens.
• Conflict Resolution: Tools for resolving conflicts in a constructive and positive manner.
• Building Resilience: Ways to foster resilience and emotional strength in teens.

This six-week programme aims to create a more connected and supportive home environment, helping teens navigate the challenges of adolescence with confidence and security.

Dates:

• 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th August
• 2nd, 9th September

RSVP: t.schiltz@damascus.vic.edu.au

Our students have had a good start to term 3. This week we will show students have engaged in practical work and excursions to complement and extend the work studied in class.

Year 7 Science

Year 7 students are currently completing a Physics unit on Forces. Here we see students conducting a prac on the relationship between angle of inclination and effort force.

Year 11 Chemistry

Year 11 Chemistry students have been completing experiments investigating the properties of acids and bases.

Year 11 and 12 Physics

The Year 11 Physics students held balloon races illustrating the net force propelling the balloon forwards.

We see the Year 12 students creating standing waves and learning harmonics through creating standing waves on a long slinky spring. 

Year 12 Chemistry

Year 12 Chemistry excursion to Ecolinc 

On Thursday the 18th of July, the year 12 Chemistry class took a train to Bacchus Marsh to attend Ecolinc, a science and technology innovations centre. On this day, we took part in a combination of theory and hands on learning, where we were able to use equipment that’s not available in the classroom. We explored the analysis of hydrocarbons using infrared spectroscopy (IR) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Through this, we were able to expand upon our knowledge of organic chemistry, and develop our skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.  – Laura McDonald

Year 11 and 12 Chemistry students analytical analysis workshop with Victoria University

Year 11 Chemistry students had a fantastic opportunity to work with lecturers from Victoria University and complete an experiment focussing on the determination of the concentration of caffeine in some energy drinks using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Using UV Visible Spectrophotometry, they determined the amount of iron present in commercially-available iron supplement tablets. The year 12 chemistry students used Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) to analyse spectrum to match unknown substances. Both classes really enjoyed the experience that was made available to them and we thank Jen Montgomery for organising the workshops with Victoria University.

Sport Report – Week 3, Term 3, 2024

It was wonderful to see all Term 3 BAS Sport commence last week, with 180 students participating across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, see below a summary of what is on. A reminder that MS Teams is the main form of communication, so be sure to regularly check that and your emails/morning messages. Please communicate with staff if you are injured or unavailable on any given week.

BAS Road Relay

Thursday, July 18, saw the commencement of the BAS Cross Country Season with the Road Relays at Victoria Park. The Road Relays consist of four runners running 1500m each. It was pleasing to see 66 students brave the cold conditions and compete against our fellow BAS schools. A number of students ran up an age division, which is a superb effort. Overall, our times across the Junior, Intermediate and Senior divisions were very competitive, well done to all. We now turn our attention to the Cross country, which is at Ballarat High School on Wednesday, August 7.

Intermediate Boys Football

On Tuesday, July 23, the Intermediate Boys Football team played St. Pat’s, with the winner progressing onto the Semi-Final of the Herald Sun Shield. Our boys were very competitive but eventually were well beaten by a much stronger opponent. Mr. Hamish Walsh and Mr. Hamish McCrum need to be thanked for all their work over the course of the season. It will be great to see the Year 10’s move into the senior ranks next year.

Term 3 Key Dates

Damascus Sport Uniform

Students need to ensure they are in the correct uniform to participate. Students should check with their coach as to what is required and bring your own drink bottle.

I wish all students and coaches the best for Term 3 Sport. Always play the game in the right spirit, wear the correct uniform, respect the umpires, staff in charge and the facilities. You all have an opportunity to add to your school experience by being the best you can be, both in and out of the classroom.

Please do not hesitate to contact myself (g.webb@damascus.vic.edu.au) or Sport and PE Administrator, Patty Dillon (p.dillon@damascus.vic.edu.au) at the College with any questions.

Regards,

Gavin Webb

Sports Co-ordinator

The third term has kicked off with great momentum in all Technology subjects. We are excited to welcome Toola Strachan and Matt Taylor to the Technology Learning Area, both of whom bring a wealth of experience and fresh ideas to our team. Toola will teach a mix of Textiles and subjects in the Art Learning Area, while Matt will teach Food along with subjects in the Art and RE Learning Areas.

The enthusiasm amongst students in years 8-11 during the subject selection process for 2025 has been truly invigorating. I've had numerous conversations with students about their academic pathways and how they tie into their post-secondary plans. Technology subjects provide students with a broad range of skills including critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication, these skills will prove invaluable as students prepare for a diverse array of careers, some of which may not even exist yet,

In a recent pleasant surprise, I received a call from Greg Simmonds at Dalhsens Trade, a local business on Bulldog Drive. He generously offered timber that had been left out in the weather but was still in good condition, which they donated to our Technology department for students to use their innovation and creative skills. We extend our sincere thanks to Greg and the team at Dalhsens Trade for their support.

The year ( and 10 textile classes have been hard at work designing and producing library bags for Buninyong and Lucas Kindergartens. I express my gratitude to teachers Amy O’Loughlin and Toola Strachan for spearheading this initiative and wish the students success as they deliver these items to the respective kindergartens in the coming weeks.

Matt Allan- Learning Area Leader- Technology

Welcome to Term 3! As we embrace another exciting term, our focus remains on promoting health and physical education. We are committed to nurturing a culture of wellness and active living within our school community. This term promises a variety of activities and learning opportunities designed to engage our students in health and physical education.

Curriculum highlights for each year level this term includes:

Year 7: Students will explore a variety of skills and engage in discussions about technique and strategy. Activities include volleyball, speedball, and T-Ball. In Health, students will also learn about puberty and multiculturalism.

Year 8: Students will participate in activities designed to build teamwork and improve fitness levels. This includes team sports such as Netball and Volleyball The focus will be on developing communication skills and understanding the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Year 9: Students move into Semester Two electives which are Strength and Conditioning, Footy Codes, and Hoops and Nets.

Year 10: Students will also move into Semester Two Electives which are Australian and Global Health, PE Core, and Energy for Exercise.

VCE HHD and PE: Students have began working through Unit 2 or Unit 4 coursework. The finish line for our Unit 4 students is visible with a handful of SAC’s remaining. We wish them all the best in this busy time and have confidence that their hard work will pay off.

In celebration of World Day for Grandparents, Damascus College warmly invites Year 7 students and their Grandparents or Grandfriends to attend a special celebration on Wednesday 14 August, from 9.00am – 11.00am at the Damascus Events Centre.

This event offers a unique opportunity for Grandparents and Grandfriends to experience the day-to-day College life of their Year 7 student and offers a chance for their student to show their appreciation and gratitude to the significant ‘grand’ people in their lives.

Bookings are essential as spots are limited, via this link: https://www.trybooking.com/CTDFY

Please remember to include any special dietary requirements, and to include your student in the booking.

Please note if Year 7 students are not attending the Grandparents and Grandfriends event, students are required to attend their regular class schedule.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Once again Damascus College proudly contributed to the promotion of mental health through active participation in the annual Push Up Challenge.

Year 11 student Haileigh Buttigieg, served as our school ambassador, playing a key role in organizing and executing the program. This year we had nearly 100 participants who collectively completed an impressive 110,186 Push Ups, raising $1,556 for Lifeline. Congratulations on this wonderful achievement.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #ImPartOfSomethingGreater

During Term 2 Damascus College one again had the pleasure and privilege of participating in the Students in STEM program at the Ballarat Tech School.

The Term 2 Girls in STEM and Boys in STEM programs have been highly successful with 120 students from 15 local and regional schools coming together to share 2 days of space-themed STEM challenges, including an optional evening visit to the Ballarat Observatory.

Day 1 consisted of students working through problem-solving challenges, Sphero BOLT programming, and spectroscopy in the science lab. Students also took up the opportunity in the afternoon to visit the Ballarat Observatory and meet with a visiting expert from the Victorian Space Science Education Centre to get hands-on with telescopes and learn about study and career pathways in astronomy and astrophysics.

Day 2 consisted of students immersing themselves in a thematic alien invasion of Ballarat experience where they used their mathematical and problem-solving skills to escape the aliens landing in the Federation University SMB campus. This experience involved exploring Federation University’s Technology Park facilities, applying mapping and estimation skills, programming small droids, and solving a series of math problems. The students' willingness to embrace the opportunity to have fun while using mathematics is a testament to the positive approach each brings to their program and the growth they take away.

Based on their outstanding efforts across these two days, three of our students, Logan Pepplinkhouse, Madison Buttigieg, and Ruby Lethlean, also received a “Ticket to Mars”. This is a full-day scenario-based program run by the Victorian Space Science Education Centre. Congratulations, and well done.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #ImSupported

The Sovereign Knights Basketball Club are looking for players to join their teams.
Training is Wednesday or Thursday nights depending on your age group, at Phoenix College.

New season starts Term 4, come and train…try it out or sign up now

If you know of anyone, please ask them to email playercoordinator@skbc.org.au for further details.

Ballarat East Parish Trivia Night

Plans are in place for another trivia night in our parish. It will be held on Friday August 30^th. Doors open at 6:15PM for 7:00PM start If anyone has or knows of someone who may be in a position to donate an item for a raffle to be held on the night, please contact the parish office.

Tables of 8 can be booked through the parish office. Tickets are $15 per person. BYO drinks and nibbles. Contact Parish office on 5332 6611.