It has been an exciting couple of weeks as we have witnessed our students return to the College after participating in amazing, enriching activities such as Year 10 Retreats, visits to the Big Issue in Melbourne, Work Experience and Year 9 Camp.  This return to face-to-face is an excellent opportunity to reset and reconnect with our wonderful Damascus community. 

Today, our Year 11 students commenced their exams which will lead to Year 12 Early Start and Retreat, which commences next Wednesday. Students in years 7 – 10 are still engaged in their scheduled classes, however exams will commence from Monday November 25 for students in Years 9 & 10.

The remnants of the pandemic continue to challenge some, and as adults, carers and role models for our young people, we need to challenge and support them to take responsible risks and move out of their comfort zone. We can no longer use COVID and the lockdowns as excuses for not participating in the fullness of College life.

We need to remember that each positive or negative experience is an opportunity for growth. The only constant in life is change, and that in life, we will always be faced with challenges.  We cannot foresee or plan everything; sometimes, we have to adapt and accept that it is not always what we imagine. I encourage all our students to participate in the richness of our co-curricula program from camps to retreats to work experience – we can only grow when we give it a go.

 A catholic education is one of empowerment and growth, but young people sometimes need to be challenged to accept the gift of learning. Education is a partnership with family, school and the young person. As we enter the new academic year, challenge yourself to engage in your students learning program – set goals, check PAM and understand their learning program. 

On Tuesday 26 November, our Year 12 students will gather at St Patrick’s Cathedral for their graduation and final blessing. I am looking forward to welcoming our students and their parents to the Cathedral and to celebrate with a meal at the Mercure Hotel in the evening.

For those who are unable to join the celebration the event is being live streamed, and families can click here to view the ceremony - please keep in mind the link will not be active until a few minutes before the start time of Mass.

This weekend we will see our Sustainable Racing Team compete at Maryborough. I’d like to thank Alan Strange and the team for all their hard work and dedication, and we wish them well in the event.

As we begin to see the end 2024 approach and life gets even busier, I ask all our families to take a moment and reflect on all the amazing milestones, both professional and personal you have achieved so far, and use that as strength for the festive season ahead.

With every blessing

Steven

Please see following important key dates for Damascus College

Tuesday November 26 - Year 12 Graduation Mass and Dinner

Monday December 2 - Early Start Commences

Tuesday December 3 - Year 7 2024 Orientation Day*

*Unit 3 2025 students required on campus, Student free day for others.

Friday December 6 - Last Day of Term 4 - Normal Finish Time of 3.18pm

Year 10 Retreat

The Retreat was a wonderful opportunity for the students to put themselves in the shoes of those whose lives look very different to the lifestyle we have in Ballarat.

As part of the Big City Search, students were set tasks that took them on a journey around the Melbourne city centre to experience firsthand how difficult it can be to access services and supports if you are homeless, disabled or unemployed.

The Youth Mission Team challenged students through games, role play and prayer, to realise the need to respond to injustice by appreciating the dignity and uniqueness of every human person regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or social status.

Our call to social justice is not just about feeding the hungry in far off places, it starts with respect for those around us and firstly, respect for ourselves.

Juliet Talarico, a botantist by profession, joined the students to bring the serious nature of climate change to our attention. Juliet set the scene for students to come to an understanding of the effects of climate change through scenarios and role play.

Each student had a role to play in a game. Students were put into teams and each team had a family profile, a location in a developing country and an industry requiring the production of an item to generate finance for the family. The scenario required the teams to create products and sell them at market. It was interesting to see learning happening and the competitive nature of the groups as circumstances in the game changed. The teams had to work differently to create a profitable industry in the face of natural disasters and global financial constraints.

Welcome Back Year 9 Students – What an Adventure!

What a week your Year 9 students had at Lima East, near the picturesque Lake Nillahcootie! Last week’s camp was an incredible opportunity for them to challenge themselves, grow, and create lifelong memories.

From the very first day, the camp was action-packed with activities designed to stretch both their physical and mental boundaries. Whether it was abseiling down rock faces, navigating rugged trails on mountain bikes, paddling canoes across the tranquil waters of Lake Nillahcootie, or tackling demanding hikes through stunning landscapes, each activity gave students the chance to step out of their comfort zones and rise to the challenge.

The camp wasn’t just about adventure—it was about fostering resilience, teamwork, and independence. Every student in attendance faced moments that tested their determination, whether it was scaling a tough climb, mastering a new skill, or pushing through fatigue on a challenging hike. The pride on their faces when they completed these tasks spoke volumes.

Evenings at camp provided a chance to wind down, reflect, and share stories about the day’s adventures. The group bonded over meals prepared together, enjoying the simplicity of life outdoors and the satisfaction that comes with achieving shared goals.

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the Staff for giving up their time, toilets and own bed as well as the Auscamp guides and program managers who all made this experience so valuable. Their expertise, encouragement, and enthusiasm created a safe and supportive environment where students could push their limits and discover new strengths.

Your children returned not only with incredible stories but also with new skills, heightened confidence, and a sense of pride in their achievements. Whether they conquered a fear, supported a peer, or simply embraced the adventure, this camp has left a lasting impact on them.

Thank you for supporting this opportunity for your children to grow and thrive. We’re excited to see how they’ll carry the lessons learned and the confidence gained into the rest of the school year—and beyond!

Our 2025 School and House Captains Visit the Senior Learning Building Site

Recently, our 2025 School and House Captains had the exciting privilege of touring the building site for the new Senior Learning Building. This special experience gave them a glimpse of the future learning spaces that will soon be at the heart of our senior students’ education.

The captains were buzzing with excitement as they explored the impressive structure and learned about its innovative design features. One of the highlights of the tour was discovering the stunning views from the classrooms, which are sure to inspire students as they focus on their studies and prepare for their futures.

The Senior Learning Building is set to become a hub of academic excellence and collaboration, with spaces purposefully designed to meet the needs of senior students. The building will include modern, flexible learning areas, state-of-the-art technology, and plenty of natural light to create an inviting and productive environment.

With construction progressing well, the project is on track to be completed in time for Term 2, 2025. We are incredibly proud to see such significant investment in the future of our students and cannot wait for this new chapter to begin.

The captains left the site feeling inspired and optimistic about what lies ahead for our school community. This visit marked an exciting milestone, and we look forward to sharing more updates as we move closer to opening this incredible facility.

Stay tuned for further progress and get ready to see our Senior Learning Building come to life!

We are excited to inform you about an important change to our College timetable, which will commence during Early Start on 2 December. The introduction of 60-minute class periods is designed to enhance the quality of face-to-face learning and foster deeper engagement across the 10-day cycle.

This change represents a significant step in aligning our learning environment with best practices and ensuring students have ample time for meaningful learning experiences.

Key Details for Families:

• Start Date: The new timetable begins on 2 December.
• Class Start Time: Classes will begin promptly at 9.00am each day.
• Teacher Advisory (TA):
• TA will now occur after Period 2 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.
• In Week B, Friday TA will replace Period 2.
• Tuesday 3 December (Orientation Day):
• Students enrolled in 2025 Unit 3 and 4 subjects will attend classes as scheduled.
• This will be a student-free day for all other year levels to accommodate Orientation Day for our incoming Year 7 students.

Breaks and Timetable Adjustments:

• Break 1 (Longer Break):
  This earlier, longer break is intended to serve as the main lunch break for students. We encourage participation in sporting practices and club activities during this time.
• Break 2:
  The canteen will remain open, allowing students to access refreshments during the shorter second break.

Timetable Structure:

The new schedule is slightly different across the week. Below is an overview for your reference:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Timetable:

Tuesday and Thursday Timetable:

Supporting Students During the Transition:

We understand that this change may require some adjustments. Students are encouraged to plan ahead by managing drinks and restroom breaks during the designated break times to maximise focus during learning sessions.

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, opportunities for feedback will be provided during Early Start.

Thank you for your support as we implement this exciting new structure. We believe these changes will significantly enhance the learning experience for all students.

It is with great pleasure that Damascus College announces the 2024 Alumni Art and Technology Recipient, Hallie Vermeend.

Hallie Vermeend, Class of 2019 has produced a stunning series of six introspective paintings that depict human hands engaged in actions, reflecting her own unique interpretation of each of the six Mercy Values.

The symbolic hand gestures that represent each of the Mercy Values are; Respect, hands cradling an Australian native; Hospitality, a welcoming hand towards a hesitant stranger; Courage, a weathered hand braiding a lock of hair imbuing strength into each twist; Compassion, two hands embrace a needy one on as a gesture of warmth and support; Service, a young hand rests reassuringly on an older hand, symbolizing intergenerational generosity; and Justice, a hand touching a smooth body of water, sending out concentric ripples.

Hallie’s piece will be adorned in the new Senior Learning Precinct and will tie the contemporary three-story building with the history and connections of Damascus and the founding Colleges, through the lens of the Mercy Values.

Congratulations Hallie, thank you for sharing your talent and creating a meaningful piece of art that will be showcased proudly at Damascus College.

Please see link below to website page:

https://www.damascus.vic.edu.au/hallie-vermeend

2024 Final Claim for Conveyance Allowance

To be eligible for a conveyance allowance, individual students will be assessed under the following criteria:

1. Attend a school/campus located outside the metropolitan conveyance allowance boundary
2. Attend the closest appropriate school/campus at which admission is permissible
3. For students attending specialist schools, this will be determined by the specialist school’s Designated Transport Area (DTA) in which the student resides
4. For students attending government schools, this will be the closest school/campus appropriate to the age and gender of the student (e.g. primary, secondary, single sex)
5. For students attending non-government schools, this will be the closest school/campus of the recognised denomination for conveyance allowance purposes.
6. Reside 4.8km or more from the school/campus (shortest practicable route calculated by the school attended at the time of application from the student’s home to the school/campus)
7. Be of school age (between five and 18-years-old at the time of application), and a resident of Victoria
8. Be enrolled and travelling to school three or more days per week.

Students’ circumstances can change during their school years (e.g. moving residence or changing schools/campuses). Change of circumstances affects eligibility and a new application must be submitted with each change of circumstance.

Private car
A private car conveyance allowance is not available if the journey could have been made using a public transport service or free school bus.

• Where there is more than one student in the vehicle, there are two rates claimable: ‘furthermost’ and ‘additional.’
• Where there is more than one student in a vehicle, and they attend different schools, the amount claimable is based on the distance travelled to school by each student. That is each student must be the subject of a separate application and the student attending the furthermost school is identified as the ‘furthermost’ student; each of the other students must be claimed as ‘additional’.
• Rates are calculated according to the distance (measured in kilometres) from home to the campus attended using the Department’s standard measurement method; for details of the rates claimable, refer to Appendix 1 Conveyance Allowance Rates
• It is assumed that all students from the same family will travel in one car therefore only one family member may claim furthermost student allowance.

Pro-rata adjustment of reimbursement (time fraction)

Where students change school, transport mode and/or address that affect the payment of conveyance allowance, pro-rata payments are made, having regard to the number of days of actual attendance. It is the responsibility of each school to report any mid-semester student changes and the required pro-rata adjustments that are required.

Late payments
Late (past year) applications cannot be accepted or paid.

Any inquiries relating to this allowance or to any bus travel matter may be directed to Tracey Williams at the College office Phone: 5337 2222.

** FAMILIES ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A NEW CLAIM FORM EACH YEAR. FORMS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 22 **

On Monday 11 November, Damascus College staff and students gathered to commemorate Remembrance Day.

With the flags at half-mast, student SRC representatives and staff member Gerard Macklin led the commemorative ceremony, sharing that Remembrance Day is a day to reflect, a day to be solemn and a day to remember all the men and women who have served for our country.

Representing Damascus College at other commemorative services throughout the day was India Ellis and Angus Kasbach in Buninyong, and 2025 College Captain’s Joachim Henderson and Milan Pilmore in Wendouree. Lest We Forget.

Rowing Report by Rowing Captains – Joah Henderson, Catherine Coad & Meg Mason.

Well, what can we say... we knew it would be hot! However – despite the scorching sun, our committed group of Damascus rowers arrived at the regatta centres for both the Melbourne Head and Ballarat Schools Regatta. Our Juniors, Intermediates and Senior Girls crews were very keen to hit the water at our home stage – Lake Wendouree, but after only a few races the regatta was cancelled due to the uninvited high winds.

In Melbourne, the Senior Boys raced down the long, curvy and also windy Yarra River course. We competed in both the Schoolboys Quad Scull and Schoolboys Four events. It was evident that boys rowed with great effort and focus in order to knock off the rival crews. They ended the day placing 8th out of 14 in the Schoolboys Quad Scull and 10th out of 14 crews in the schoolboys four.

Our boys Rowing Captain Joah Henderson also raced his single scull in the Schoolboys Singles Sculls event and placed 6^th out of 60! A fantastic effort in a very tough competition.

Well done everyone!

Senior Rowing Captains

Last week, approximately 85 Year 10 students from Damascus College participated in a week of Work Experience, exploring various career paths within the Ballarat community.

This initiative allowed them to connect classroom learning with real-world applications while gaining practical skills in industries such as trades, education, healthcare, retail, fitness, and hospitality. The Work Experience program fostered personal growth and equipped students with essential skills like teamwork and communication, preparing them for their future careers.

Congratulations to all of the students who participated, and thanks to the staff and the Ballarat community who supported them during this week-long learning experience.

Damascus College is now a member of CoRe (Communities of Respect & Equity).

There are several community activities that are on offer as part of a community response to violence against women. The following events may be of interest to families. They form part of the 16 Days of Activism.

Please see following the link to access the Our Diocesan Community November edition

https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ODC-October-2024-web.pdf.