Damascus News - Issue 3, March 5, 2025
From the Principal
As we move through Term 1, we acknowledge the season of Lent, a significant time in the Christian tradition. Today we celebrated our College Opening Mass - A mass for new beginning...
From the Deputy Principal
Today, Wednesday, 5th of March is Ash Wednesday, and globally, the Catholic community are being marked with ashes from the earth as a sign of humility. Lent is the forty days that...
From Assistant Principals
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Damascus College Swimming Sports. This event was a resounding success, with a high level of student engagement across all events and...
From Assistant Principals
Walking the Corridors: A Parent-Leader’s Reflection on Learning and Teaching There is an old saying that you should never work where you eat. I would like to propose a new one: Ne...
From Assistant Principals
Religious Education Learning Area Update You may have noticed a shift in the nature of Religious Education (RE) content from Yrs7-10. In response to our commitment to the Respectf...
College Information & Events
Please see following important information in relation to key contacts and TA Information for Damascus College: You can also download a PDF version here - DC Staff and Roles 2025 ...
College Information & Events
The City of Ballarat Immunisation Nurses will visit Damascus on Thursday 27 March to Immunise Year 7 students for the HPV and Boostrix vaccine. To have your child participate...
College Information & Events
Please see following (and attached) the information on how to access and use the online ordering system via QuickCliq for the Damascus College Canteen - please note that for new ...
Learning Area Update
Damascus Sport Report – Week 6, Term 1, 2025 BAS Sport is now well and truly underway, it has been great to see teams training at lunch time, being punctual on game day and wearin...
College Information & Events
As we settle into the first couple of weeks at Damascus College, we thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce the Student Growth and Engagement Team. Laura Kimm (Transit...
College Information & Events
On Tuesday 25 February, the Damascus College Rowing Program shone brightly at the Head of the Lake Rowing Regatta, at Lake Wendouree. The energy and enthusiasm was amazing as all r...
College Information & Events
On Thursday, Damascus College gathered as a community for the 2025 Swimming Carnival. The carnival once again was a day full of energy, enthusiastic house cheers and team spirit! ...
Ballarat Community Notices
The City of Ballarat invites you to the first Let’s Chat Ballarat Community Expo, a new opportunity to connect face-to-face with Councillors and Council staff, share your thoughts ...
From the Principal
04 March By Steven Mifsud, Principal
As we move through Term 1, we acknowledge the season of Lent, a significant time in the Christian tradition. Today we celebrated our College Opening Mass - A mass for new beginnings. Lent is a period of reflection, renewal, and preparation - a time to consider how we can grow as individuals and as a community. It encourages us to be mindful of our actions, show kindness, and support one another in our daily lives. These values align closely with our school’s mission to live in the light of Christ.
The past few weeks have been filled with remarkable sporting achievements. Our Swimming Carnival was a fantastic showcase of house spirit, determination, and teamwork. Congratulations to all students who participated, especially those who will now represent our school at higher levels of competition. Congratulations to St Martin’s house, taking first place with 1079 points. Individual student results are listed within our sports report.
We also witnessed outstanding performances in the Tennis Tournament, where skill and sportsmanship were on full display. And, of course, the excitement of the Head of the Lake never disappoint - our rowers demonstrated incredible dedication and resilience in this iconic event. I am grateful for the many who supported our change of date to ensure student safety. I am always so proud of our students, but this year our Support Crew embodied the pride and joy of being a Damascus student. In addition to the Head of the Lake regatta our rowers picked up their oars and headed to Nagambie on the weekend for another regatta. I congratulate the rowers on their successes and dedication to the sport.
Sport plays a vital role in the life of our school, teaching valuable lessons about perseverance, discipline, and teamwork - qualities that extend well beyond the playing field.
Recently, we have been engaging with the powerful ideas explored by Stan Grant in The Stories We Tell Ourselves. His reflections on identity, history, and belonging challenge us to think critically about our own stories and the world around us. Encouraging people to engage with diverse perspectives helps build empathy, understanding, and a deeper connection to their learning. At Damascus we are constantly providing opportunities for our students to embrace difference and celebrate the individuality of all.
Year 8 students participated in an engaging workshop exploring the role of women in society. Through discussions and activities, students reflected on how they can show respect, challenge stereotypes, and embrace differences in their daily lives.
Celebrating Strength and Diversity: International Women’s Day Breakfast
Tomorow morning, members of our school community will come together to celebrate International Women’s Day with an inspiring breakfast event. Students, staff, and special guests will gather to honor the achievements of women and reflect on the importance of respect, equality, and embracing diversity.
This year, we are privileged to welcome three incredible guest speakers:
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to teaching and learning. Our goal is to provide every student with the tools, support, and encouragement they need to achieve their best. Whether through classroom instruction, hands-on experiences, or extracurricular activities, we celebrate the unique gifts and talents of our students.
As we continue to embed our Instructional Model this will ensure that classroom routines are clear, consistent, and effective, creating an environment where students can thrive. By setting high expectations and fostering a culture of respect and engagement, we help students build the skills they need for success.
For our Vocational Major students, the camp was an invaluable experience, reinforcing the importance of self-development, teamwork, and goal setting. The theme, mantra “Be My Best” perfectly captured the mindset we encourage in all students—whether pursuing university, apprenticeships, or careers in the workforce. We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing this opportunity to grow and prepare for their future pathways.
As we continue through this busy term, we encourage all students to take inspiration from the season of Lent—reflect on their goals, support one another, and embrace challenges with a positive mindset. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, or in personal growth, every student has the potential to achieve something remarkable.
Thank you to our staff, families, and wider school community for your ongoing support in making our school a place where every student can thrive.
The IWD event provides a meaningful reminder that equality is everyone’s responsibility, and by working together, we can create a more inclusive and respectful future for all.
A big thank you to our guest speakers, staff, and students for making this event such a success!
This week we farewell teacher Rebecca Anderson. Rebecca has been with us for the past 12 years and will be sadly missed. We wish her well in her next adventure.
From the Deputy Principal
04 March By Chris Grant, Deputy Principal
Today, Wednesday, 5th of March is Ash Wednesday, and globally, the Catholic community are being marked with ashes from the earth as a sign of humility. Lent is the forty days that commence on Ash Wednesday through to the blessed celebration of Easter, the zenith of belief for Christian people.
Lent is a time of preparation for Easter. We encourage our students to reflect on how they can give Time, Talents or Treasure over this period. Time in prayer or personal reflection about their relationship with God. Talents; the sharing of their personal gifts or talents to benefit others. Finally, Treasure: charity or almsgiving to support those in need. At home, you may like to engage in the conversation about how this Lent as a family, you may be able to give Time, Treasure or Talents.
Damascus College has a wonderful reputation as supporters of social justice. At Damascus College, we look to the period of Lent to support Project Compassion, an annual appeal for Caritas Australia, the Catholic Church’s international aid organisation. The community’s support of Project Compassion throughout Lent has been very generous over recent years, and we hope to continue that in 2025.
Our young Damascus College rowers proudly represented the College in the Head of the Lake Regatta last Tuesday. Students were proud of their efforts as they completed their races, each acknowledging that they had done their best. Rowing Coordinator, Paul Blanchfield, Assistant Rowing Coordinator, Linda Skidmore, College staff member, Claudia Griffin and the exceptional team of Damascus College coaches continue to build on a culture of students doing and being their best. This was very evident on Tuesday. Congratulations to all rowers, coaches, support staff and volunteers for their enormous efforts, not only last week, but for the entire 2024/2025 season to date.
This Saturday, 8th of March is International Women's Day; it's a global day celebrating women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. We acknowledge that there is still work to be done in achieving equality and safety for women in our global community. We have been fortunate to have so many women work to progress our community and society, and we acknowledge those who came before us, those amongst us and those in the future. Damascus College will acknowledge International Women’s Day this Thursday, with a breakfast, including guest speakers and a BBQ on Friday.
We extend a prayer of gratitude for all the women in our lives, for their strength, courage and inspiration, and we pray that we can continue to develop as a society with just and safe equality for all.
Monday 17th March is St Patrick’s Day; a day within the Catholic tradition full of fun, friendship and lots of Irish music, dance, literature, drama, food and more.
The following little Irish blessing marks the day and celebrates the humble gratitude of the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day.
May there always be work for your hands to do,
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Chris
From Assistant Principals
04 March By Andrew Robertson, Assistant Principal - Student Wellbeing
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Damascus College Swimming Sports. This event was a resounding success, with a high level of student engagement across all events and conducive weather that contributed to terrific participation. Our Swimming Carnival offers an outstanding program that goes beyond traditional freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly races incorporating activities such as water volleyball and basketball. These events provide every student with an opportunity to participate, contribute to their House points, and enjoy the day in a fun and inclusive way.
A special congratulations to our Year 12 students who took part in the annual synchronized swimming competition. It was truly fabulous to see them come together in the centre of the pool to celebrate as one, showcasing not only their teamwork but also the strong sense of community that is part of this student cohort. I am sure the residents of Ballarat East enjoyed our student’s rendition of Christ Be our Light bellowing across the neighbourhood.
It was also wonderful to witness the proud parents, carers, and grandparents who attended the event. Their presence added to the spirit of the day, and we are grateful for their support. From a supervision perspective, the positive behaviour and enthusiasm of our students were evident. While assisting at the front gate visitors were continually remarking on how engaged and respectful our students were throughout the day.
While the Swimming Sports provide a platform for our talented swimmers to shine, the extended benefits go far beyond competition. Physical activity and community celebration play a vital role in fostering positive mental health. This event served as a reminder of the joy and unity that come from coming together as a college community. I offer my congratulations to St Martin House for taking out this year’s competition. Once again St Martin were able to shine, not necessarily through individual champions but instead high levels of participation.
I also want to acknowledge the wonderful work of Mr Gavin Webb, the College Sports Coordinator for preparing such a wonderful program. Gavin and his team of support staff always ensure that our sports days and indeed our sporting programs are well organised.
As we continue the pace of Term 1, we look forward to our athletics carnival in a months’ time. I put it to the other Houses to knock St Martin’s off their perch.
Many thanks,
Andy
From Assistant Principals
04 March By Ashwin Pillai, Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Walking the Corridors: A Parent-Leader’s Reflection on Learning and Teaching
There is an old saying that you should never work where you eat. I would like to propose a new one: Never work where your kid goes to school, unless you’re ready for some real character-building experiences.
As I walked through the corridors today, checking on our students' entry and exit routines, I glanced into a classroom and spotted my son, deeply engrossed in his work, and then he looked up, staring at me. In that split second, I wondered if he was silently pleading, “please just keep walking”, or if I was just projecting my own awareness of the moment. Either way, I smiled to myself, knowing that these moments highlight both the privilege and the challenge of my dual role.
Every morning, as families navigate school drop-offs and last-minute reminders about lunches and assignments, I see firsthand the dedication of parents ensuring their children start the day prepared. These seemingly small routines like checking timetables, wearing the right uniform, and negotiating screen time are the foundation of a child’s ability to enter the school day with confidence. Predictability and calmness in these moments matter. They shape the mindset students bring into their learning, and I see the impact every day in our classrooms.
As a leader, my role is to ensure that these transitions extend into the school environment. Entry and exit routines are not just about moving students from one space to another, they are about setting the tone for learning. A structured, calm start to each lesson fosters a sense of security, readiness, and engagement. It allows students to step into their learning space with focus, knowing what is expected and feeling supported by their teachers and peers.
As a parent, I understand that home life can sometimes feel anything but structured or predictable. There are mornings where shoes go missing, lunches are forgotten, and the rush to get out the door feels like a military operation. But these shared moments, no matter how chaotic, are also part of what connects us. We are all doing our best to prepare our children not just for school, but for life.
At Damascus College, we want to build on what families do so well, creating a seamless bridge between home and school, where learning is supported, behaviour expectations are clear, and students feel a sense of belonging. The routines we reinforce in the classroom mirror the consistency and care that parents provide at home, ensuring that students are set up for success in a world that often demands adaptability and resilience.
So, to every parent navigating the delicate dance of raising a teenager, whether it is managing homework stress, encouraging responsibility, or simply surviving the daily rollercoaster—I see you. You are doing an incredible job. And as both a leader and a fellow parent, I will continue to work towards making school a place where your child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn, just as you do at home. Because ultimately, we are all working towards the same goal: raising young people who are confident, capable, and ready to take on the world.
The Brainstorm Book and the Parenting Tightrope
Daniel J. Siegel, in The Brainstorm Book, talks about the importance of fostering an adolescent’s ability to integrate logic, emotion, and experience into a coherent sense of self. A great book, which I thoroughly recommend, but when I read this, I had to laugh. Because if there is one thing you learn as both a parent and an educator, it is that coherence is often an aspiration rather than a reality.
As a leader, I am deeply invested in structured learning, scaffolding, and explicit instruction. As a parent, I am invested in my son being happy, resilient, and maybe, just maybe, getting his homework done without an existential crisis over apostrophes and full stops. This dual perspective has taught me that the way we talk about learning at school needs to make sense at the dinner table, too. It is easy to say “We use cognitive load theory to support effective instruction,” but much harder to explain why my son still thinks he can revise for a test by staring at his notes like they will reveal their secrets telepathically.
Take, for instance, the art of getting a teenager to talk about their day. I have asked my son, countless times, ‘How was school?’ only to be met with a one-word answer: ‘Good.’ If I probe further, I might get a grunt. Siegel suggests that during adolescence, a teenager’s brain undergoes massive changes, causing their social and emotional responses to shift unpredictably. This explains why one day my son might be enthusiastically discussing a class debate and the next, treating me like I am an inconvenience in his highly important routine of gaming.
One morning, as we were about to leave for work, my son was in a state of panic. His laptop, which he had responsibly plugged in the night before was dead. Absolutely lifeless. The horror in his eyes was palpable as he tried to process what had gone wrong. After a quick investigation, the culprit was revealed, the wall switch had never been turned on. According to Siegel, adolescent brains are still developing their ability to plan and prioritise, which explains why the simple act of double-checking a power switch can elude even the most well-intentioned teenager. Understanding this does not make it any less frustrating, but it does remind me that patience and gentle guidance (with a side of humour) are often the best approach.
This dual perspective, seeing how students learn at school while experiencing teenage decision-making at home has taught me that learning does not stop at the classroom door. The way we support our children at home is just as important as what happens at school. The conversations (often repeated) around effort, resilience, and learning from mistakes help shape their developing brains and reinforce the lessons they encounter in class.
The Parent-Teacher-Leader Triangle
One of the biggest misconceptions about being a leader where your child goes to school is that you must have all the answers. Spoiler alert: I don’t. (And neither do you, dear parents, if you have ever tried reasoning with a tired teenager at 9:30 p.m.) What I do have is an appreciation for the work teachers put in every day to ensure students grow, not just in academic achievement, but in character.
John Hattie’s research on visible learning reminds us that “feedback is one of the most powerful influences on learning and achievement” (Hattie, 2009). But feedback is not just about grades, it is about how we talk to our children about learning. My son does not need me to be his second (or third, or fourth) teacher at home. He needs me to be the parent who listens, supports, and, when necessary, reminds him that deadlines are real and no, I cannot “just email his teacher” to negotiate a last-minute extension.
Empathy, Expectations, and the Occasional Embarrassing Moment
When you are both a school leader and a parent, you develop a certain awareness of how your child experiences school. My son, for example, If I ask if he needs help with an assignment, it is ‘'Dad, I’m ok, I’ve got this.' But if I don’t ask, it is 'Why didn’t you help me? ' It’s another no-win scenario, much like trying to explain why the school internet does not support gaming apps during class.
But what I have learned, both as a parent and a leader, is that my role is not about being perfect. It is about showing up. It is about trusting the teachers to do their work, trusting my son to navigate his own learning journey (building agency), and trusting myself to know when to step in and when to step back.
The Takeaway for Families
So, what is the lesson here? Perhaps it is that learning is not just something that happens between 9:00 a.m. and 3:18 p.m. It is in the conversations we have at home, in the way we model curiosity, in how we encourage our children to persist through difficulty. It is in the moments when we set aside our own anxieties about success and simply ask, ‘What did you learn today?’ (And then prepare for the inevitable one-word answer: “Nothing.”)
As parents, our role is not to control the learning process, it is to support it. And as someone who has a foot in both worlds, I can say with certainty: it is messy, it is complicated, and sometimes it is downright hilarious. But it is also one of the greatest privileges of my life.
References
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A Synthesis of Over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement. Routledge. Siegel, D. J. (2014). Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain. TarcherPerigee.
Pillai, Xavier (2025). An Amazing, Beautiful Son.
From Assistant Principals
04 March By Sharon Lehtonen, Assistant Principal - Catholic School Culture
Religious Education Learning Area Update
You may have noticed a shift in the nature of Religious Education (RE) content from Yrs7-10. In response to our commitment to the Respectful Relationships program being rolled out throughout Victorian schools, Damascus College has chosen to embed this content within both our RE curriculum and Health and Human Development. This means we are able to position a number of very challenging topics across both learning areas, offering students a broad Catholic lens through which to examine issues such as gendered violence, challenges to mental health, consent, navigating friendships, issues of personal wellbeing, diversity and identity formation.
The result is that traditional RE content is recontextualised to explore the relevance of Catholic faith within our contemporary world. Catholic Education of Ballarat (CEOB) are in the process of writing a document – Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships and The Catholic Tradition - outlining this pastoral and pedagogical approach and we look forward to being able to share this with you later in the year.
Please keep this change of content focus on your radar. We hope it fosters open and valuable discussion of these timely issues with parents and our students’ broader support networks.
College Information & Events
05 March
Please see following important information in relation to key contacts and TA Information for Damascus College:
You can also download a PDF version here - DC Staff and Roles 2025 Semester 1
College Information & Events
18 February
The City of Ballarat Immunisation Nurses will visit Damascus on Thursday 27 March to Immunise Year 7 students for the HPV and Boostrix vaccine.
To have your child participate in this program you will need to provide consent by following the online link. You will need to have your mobile phone with you to proceed. The link will also provide you with more information about the program and the vaccines.
https://portal.cirv.vic.gov.au//PrivacyCollection/?id=de1b98a2-dae4-ef11-9342-6045bd3e9252&Year7 The link will expire at 3pm on Wed 26th March 2025. Please note that Damascus College is no longer providing the hard copy cards and all Year 7 families will need to complete the link.
All Immunisation's provided will be uploaded to Medicare with 48 hours and you will be able to access the updated record on MYGOV.
If you have any questions please call City of Ballarat Immunisation on 5320 5720 or email: immunisation@ballarat.vic.gov.au
College Information & Events
18 February
Please see following (and attached) the information on how to access and use the online ordering system via QuickCliq for the Damascus College Canteen - please note that for new families, the cut off time for same day ordering is 8.45am:
Learning Area Update
04 March
Damascus Sport Report – Week 6, Term 1, 2025
BAS Sport is now well and truly underway, it has been great to see teams training at lunch time, being punctual on game day and wearing the correct uniform. Some fantastic results have come in with many teams well placed to in contention for finals or to finish near the top come the end of the term.
BAS SPORT – Term 1 |
||||
YEAR |
SPORT |
DAY |
TEAMS |
COACH |
Yr. 7-12 (Co-ed) |
Lawn Bowls |
Mon |
2 |
S. & A. O’Loughlin |
Yr. 7-9 (Co-ed) |
Junior Baseball |
Wed |
1 |
D. Myers/G. Macklin |
Yr. 7/8 Girls |
Junior Girls Volleyball |
Tue |
2 (A & B) |
W. Forster & J. Petrie |
Junior Girls Basketball |
Thur |
2 (A & B) |
N. Hexter, E. Meade |
|
Yr. 7/8 Boys |
Yr. 7/8 Boys Cricket |
Tue |
1 |
G. Jessup/G. Webb |
Yr. 9/10 Girls |
Inter Girls Volleyball |
Wed |
1 |
R. Mathews |
Yr. 10-12 Boys |
Senior Boys Volleyball |
Wed |
1 |
M. Hallowell/J. Montgomery |
Yr. 11-12 Girls |
Senior Girls Basketball |
Wed |
1 |
T. O’Sullivan |
Damascus Swimming Carnival
On Thursday, February 27 the annual Damascus College Swimming Carnival was held at Eureka Pool, on a perfect day for swimming St. Martin were able to go back to back and retain the shield. Participation rates were high with hardly any empty lanes on the day and competition was fierce. A highlight was the Year 12 House Synchronised Swimming competition with lots of fun had. See below a summary of the Year Level Champions, the top three of the Champion of Champions race, as well as a handful of records that were broken. A huge thanks to the staff for all their efforts on the day. Our attention now turns to the BAS Swimming Carnival, which is on Tuesday, March 18 (more information to come).
Year Level Champion
Year | Boys | Girls |
Yr. 7 | Angus Macdonald – McAuley | Kayla Brumby – McAuley |
Yr. 8 | Jonty Ward – McAuley | Estelle Karslake – Xavier |
Yr. 9 | Mason Firth – Xavier | Eva Robertson – St Martin |
Yr. 10 | Thomas Hodge – St Martin | Rachael Orton – Rice |
Yr. 11 | Sebastian Erwin – St Martin | Macey McQuie – St Martin |
Yr. 12 | Liam Orton – Rice | Charley Ward – McAuley |
House results
Position | House | Points |
1st | St Martin | 1079 |
2nd | McAuley | 1020 |
3rd | Rice | 962 |
4th | Xavier | 826 |
Champion of Champions Result
Boys | Girls | |
1st | Luke Gallagher | Estelle Karslake |
2nd | Liam Orton | Charley Ward |
3rd | Mason Firth | Eva Robertson |
Records broken
Luke Gallagher Yr. 11 50m Breaststroke 36.64 (old record 37.91)
Liam Orton Yr. 12 Breaststroke 41.34 (old record 42.91)
Yr. 11 50m Freestyle Relay McAuley 2.18.70 (old record 2.25.97)
Congratulations to all of our rower’s who represented the college with distinction at the BAS Head of The Lake, which was re-scheduled due Tuesday, Feb 25 due to expected high winds on Sunday, Feb 23. A decent crowd turned out and the arrival of the Year 12 Spit Crew was well received by everyone and certainly added to the atmosphere.
Our Senior Rowers then backed up to compete at the State Championships in Nagambie over the weekend and all Girls crews will keep training in preparation for the Head of The Schoolgirls on March 14, 15 and 16 on the Barwon.
The following students represented the college at the annual BAS Tennis Singles Championships on Mon, Feb 24.
Junior Girls – Pearl Nicholson and Elsie Angove
Junior Boys – Flynn Sullivan and Quinn Grenfell
Senior Girls – Charley Ward and Keira O’Beirne (injured)
Senior Boys – Hamish McNaughton and Jack Sproull.
Congratulations to Charley and Elsie, who progressed to the finals on the Wednesday. Charley was victorious in the Senior Girls in three sets, whilst Elsie was defeated by a very strong Clarendon College student.
The Damascus Athletics Carnival will be held on Tuesday, April 1 at Llanberis. An extended TA and House Assembly will be on Friday March 7 to sign up for events. Please note that the BAS Athletics Carnival is at Llanberis on Tuesday, May 6, Term 2 (more information to come).
Week | Date | Event | Venue |
6 | Fri, March 7 | Athletics sign ups, extended TA | House Areas |
7 | Fri, March 14 – Sun, March 16 | Head of the School Girls Regatta | Barwon River, Geelong |
8 | Tue, March 18 | BAS Swimming Carnival | Aquatic Centre |
9 | Tue, March 25 | BAS Golf Championships | Midlands Golf Club |
10 | Tue, April 1 | Damascus Athletics Carnival | Llanberris Reserve |
10 | Fri, April 4 | Last day of term | |
Students need to ensure they are in the correct uniform to participate. Students should check with their coach as to what is required. Also, remember to wear sunscreen at all times if competing outside and bring your own drink bottle.
I wish all students and coaches the best in 2025. 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 Administrators, Patty Dillon (p.dillon@damascus.vic.edu.au) and Ellie Meade (e.meade@damascus.vic.edu.au) at the College with any questions.
College Information & Events
04 March
As we settle into the first couple of weeks at Damascus College, we thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce the Student Growth and Engagement Team.
For families with educational concerns about their student, please reach out to your student’s Teacher Advisor. The Teacher Advisor can work with the student to develop strategies to use within the classroom. Where appropriate, students will be referred to the Student Growth and Engagement Team, where diagnostic screening may be conducted. From there, appropriate interventions will be implemented, and if necessary, students will be referred to Catholic Education Ballarat to gain more information on how a student can be appropriately supported in the classroom.
The Student Growth and Engagement team would also recommend ensuring that your child’s vision and hearing is not impeding their ability to learn. If you haven’t had these tested in the last 12 months, we would encourage you to get these tested. There are a number of optometrists in Ballarat who Bulk Bill. You can also book in a low-cost hearing test with an audiologist to ensure your child’s hearing is not impaired. If you obtain a referral from your regular GP, it will be cheaper for you. Should your student be referred to the Student Growth and Engagement team for further testing these reports will be required before we can proceed further.
If your family has received a new diagnosis over the break, kindly contact the respective coordinator to establish a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for your student. The College is actively addressing social-emotional concerns, such as anxiety. We urge you to initiate this communication promptly for proactive support in your student's education endeavours.
For students previously funded under the NCCD, resources will continue to be allocated under the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). Damascus College will continue to make reasonable adjustments, where needed, to assist students with a disability in accessing and participating in education free from discrimination and on the same basis as other students in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
The Student Growth and Engagement team looks forward to working with you, your student, teachers and Learning Support Officers (LSOs) to ensure the appropriate supports are in place to assist learning and growth.
If you have any specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant Student Growth and Engagement Coordinator or Matthew Hallowell, Student Growth and Engagement Team Leader.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Hallowell
Student Growth and Engagement Leader
College Information & Events
04 March
On Tuesday 25 February, the Damascus College Rowing Program shone brightly at the Head of the Lake Rowing Regatta, at Lake Wendouree. The energy and enthusiasm was amazing as all rowing crews represented the College with immense pride, and were extremely competitive on the day.
Congratulations to Will Catanach (Y 11) for winning the Male Schoolboy Single Scull, and Kieran Govan (Y 10) and Hamish McNaughton (Y 10), for winning the Schoolboy Double Scull. Both crews were coached by Paris Govan (Class of 2024).
Well done to all involved, the hard work, early mornings, long training sessions, grit and determination were evident on the water today. Particular thanks to the supporters, volunteers, and families for attending today and getting behind the program, there was a true sense of DMAC pride at the lake today.
This video was compiled in celebration of the dedication, hard work, and commitment of the students, staff, volunteers, and families within the Damascus rowing community. Enjoy.
College Information & Events
04 March
On Thursday, Damascus College gathered as a community for the 2025 Swimming Carnival. The carnival once again was a day full of energy, enthusiastic house cheers and team spirit!
The students achieved amazing results both in and out of the water, as everyone participated in a range of activities to gain house points.
After a competitive day and fantastic display of sportsmanship by all, St Martin’s house took out the 2025 title.
Well done to all on another great swimming carnival.
Ballarat Community Notices
04 March
The City of Ballarat invites you to the first Let’s Chat Ballarat Community Expo, a new opportunity to connect face-to-face with Councillors and Council staff, share your thoughts and discover the wide range of services, projects, programs and initiatives available across Ballarat. The Let’s Chat Ballarat Community Expo will be a two-day annual event. There will be displays, information, food, and kids’ entertainment – a great way to spend an hour or two of your time!
Event details
When:
Where: Civic Hall, 300-304 Mair Street, Ballarat
For more information:
Let’s Chat Ballarat event page
The Expo is open to all community members, providing an opportunity to explore Council services and discuss local priorities in a relaxed, welcoming setting. We want as many people to come along as possible, so please share this email with your networks and if you have social media, you can share our Facebook post too: Let's Chat Facebook post
We look forward to seeing you there!
Steven is an innovative and passionate leader and his leadership style is one that is highly relational and visible. His personal educational vision is to work in relationship and in partnership with all members of the community to create a faith learning dynamic that celebrates, affirms, and challenges people to achieve personal excellence.
Damascus College wishes to thank Mr Christopher Grant, Interim Principal for the leadership he has given to the College, since the departure of Mr Matthew Byrne at the end of Term 1 2022.
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