Welcome to Damascus College for the 2021 School year! It is genuinely a delight to be able to welcome everyone into the school, something just a year ago we took for granted. This year Damascus College celebrates 140 years of continuous catholic education in Ballarat, and we celebrate this in the year where we commemorate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia. We are part of a significant longitudinal ministry and a spirit of collaboration between the Sisters of Mercy, the priests of the Diocese and the lay people of greater Ballarat for the young people of Ballarat since the commencement of Sacred Heart College in 1881, has been a hallmark of this community!

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. I thank families for your support of our Teacher Advisor program last week. The relationship between the College and the family through the Teacher Advisor Program is one of the key partnering dimensions between the College and your family in supporting your young person/people's growth. This is critical for us whether the student is in Year 7 through to Year 12. It was great to see such high levels of engagement with everyone appreciating the opportunity to be back face to face. For us as school staff to see the growth in our young people over the summer, is another of the great joys of being in a secondary school.

Damascus News is published weekly on a Wednesday and has information from the Principal, members of the College Leadership Team and general school community events and news. It can be accessed through the College App or the website, and the link is shared by email. I am always open to feedback on aspects of my weekly communication and value when we can share the joys and challenges of family life. If your family welcomes a new life, if there are bereavements or if you have general pieces of information that you would like to share, I can be contacted at principal@damascus.vic.edu.au. If families have questions or concerns about aspects of school life, depending on the nature of the query or concern, please work with the respective staff member with the specific responsibility. For example, if there is a concern about your young person's wellbeing, start with the Teacher Advisor, and they will refer you onto our House Leader or Counselling team if they feel it is appropriate. If you have an enquiry about the contents of a particular class, please contact the class teacher. For more general enquiries and daily absences, more information is available at Contact Us - Damascus College.

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.

Each year the College chooses a theme to frame our prayer, reflections and liturgies. This year our theme comes from the first chapter of the Book of Joshua.

"Be strong and courageous; for God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1.9).

We have a theme to frame our liturgies and provide a means of grounding our Catholic identity in scripture. The theme is central to our identity, particularly in this year where we celebrate the 140-year continuity of our ministry.

"Be strong and courageous; for God is with you wherever you go," is a theme that builds on our experience of 2020. In times of unsurety, we need to face our challenges with strength and courage and know that we are not alone. The manifestation of God's love is present in the people and environment around us and helping young people to grow in resilience through knowledge of the love of God is something we hope will further equip them for the world in which they learn and grow. Our Leader of Faith and Catholic Identity, Tony Haintz, has helped me to understand the context of the quote and the character Joshua. A character who is attributed with violence in restoring the Promised Land to the 12 tribes of Israel. While we acknowledge the challenge context of the theme, it is ultimately the reassurance of God's presence in our lives that we need to remember to sustain us in times of challenge. This is the gift we want to nurture in our young people in 2021.

The Damascus College 2020 graduates continued to demonstrate remarkable character in working through the unsettling period that saw their results arrive on 30th December and then tertiary offers on 4th January. Grace Young Harvey was a thoroughly deserving Dux of the College with an outstanding ATAR score of 99.4. Numbers never measure the achievement of young people, and our community has a collective pride in the achievements of the young men and women who graduated in 2020. This year we will take a different approach to our celebration of Year 12 high achievers with a family awards and achievement evening. The highlights of which will be shared with the broader school community. This event will be held on Thursday 25th February in the Damascus Events Centre.

On Wednesday morning, I am heading off with our 2021 Year 12 students on their retreat experience to Anglesea. It is always a great privilege to be able to spend this significant time with our senior students, and it is something I look forward to every year, although beach weather is looking like it will be consistent with the rest of the 2020/21 summer!!

We welcome a number of new staff to our Damascus team after very rigorous recruitment activity in 2020;

• Emma Baldwin joins the College as the Human Resources Officer.
• Angela Crebbin joins our English teaching team
• Adrian Lane Joins our Religious Education teaching team,
• Susannah Berens also joins our Religious Education teaching team.
• Michelle Bodey also joins our English teaching team

A number of staff have joined the Damascus team since we commenced at the start of last year including;

• Christine Gawne is a member of the Technology team and Textiles teacher
• Liam Downie is a member of the English and Humanities teaching teams
• Nicole Saleta is a member of the Science team as a Science Technician
• Mary Vanderlinden is a member of our Technology team as a Food Science Technician
• Tony Van der Ploeg is a member of our Maintenance team
• Naomi O'Brien has joined our Wellbeing and Diverse Learning Teams as a Diverse Learning Support teacher.
• Anna Rowlands has joined our Languages and Humanities teaching teams
• Lauren Stirling a member of the wellbeing team and Provisional Psychologist
• Jasmine Beaumont is a Learning Support Officer within our Diverse Learning Team.
• Kristiana Withers and Shaun O'Loughlin have both moved to ongoing teaching roles in 2021.
• We are delighted with the calibre and commitment of the staff who have joined Damascus College over the past 12 months, and we are confident they will be great additions to our College community.

The ongoing safety and well-being 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. Over the break, we have been reviewing and updating our Child Safe and Safeguarding Children and Young People policies and procedures and these 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 have an impact on 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, Deputy Principal, Chris Grant on 03 5337 2222 or visit child safety on the Damascus Website here for more information.

With safety in mind, and living in COVID-19 normal times, Damascus will continue to prioritise safety and trust in the advice of the Chief Health Officer as we move into 2021. We have received an updated Operations Guide from the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria, and some of the advice pertains to face masks. Students must carry a face mask at all times and wear it when social distancing of 1.5 m cannot be maintained. Students must wear a face mask on buses and public transport. Given our ongoing prioritising of safety, this requires the mask be worn in classroom environments, as it is unlikely 1.5 m social distancing can be maintained. We are expecting students to wear the mask in class when 1.5m cannot be maintained. This does not apply to PE practical classes or outdoor activities.

There is not currently limits to parents being onsite, other than if they are to be here more than 15 minutes, they must sign in for contact tracing purposes. For child safe reasons, our practice remains that all visitors must sign in and commit to the College's Code of Conduct if they are to come beyond the office for any reason.

The Damascus College 5 S's remain a key guiding document for our community. The key to everyone's safety being that if students, family members or staff are feeling unwell please follow the most important "s" of our 5 S's "Sick – Stay Home" (and get tested).

The College has not scheduled any whole school events in the first half off Term 1, to ensure confidence in school planning as we return for 2021 and to prevent the need for large community gatherings.

Tomorrow and Thursday there are tours of the College for prospective future students. If you are a current family who has a child in Grade 6 this year and are seeking a Year 7 placement in 2022, please get your enrolment before this coming Friday, 5th February as the demand for places is high. More information about enrolments and School tours can be found here.

We were delighted to be able to use the Damascus Events Centre (DEC) for our end of 2020 Year 12 exams and graduation event. Already this year it has been lovely to host our new Year 7 family morning tea. This new centre is a wonderful facility for the school community, and I look forward to being able to share with you some of the exciting opportunities we have within it over the coming months.

With the completion of the building works, the new Dobson's Damascus College Uniform Shop is now located on the lower level of the DEC.

You may have experienced it this morning, but our transit and parking arrangements have reverted to our bitumen loop now that the building program is completed. Parking is still available from Jones Avenue, but you can no longer drive through the College to it.

Damascus Rowers acquitted themselves well at the Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club Regatta conducted over Saturday and Sunday. This regatta followed the Geelong Regatta for our intermediate and senior students' last weekend and Rowing camps for all students both here in Ballarat and at Nagambie. I thank Rowing Coordinator Paul Blanchfield, Hamish Walsh, and Head of Sport, Nikki Hexter for their coordination and support of these events. There are many other staff and volunteer coaches who have played pivotal roles, and I acknowledge their efforts as we move into the key competitive time of the rowing season over the coming weeks. I also thank and acknowledge our parent volunteers for their catering and regatta organisation efforts over the weekend. I congratulate Angus Shillito (Year 12 and Rowing Co-Captain) on winning the male U19 Sculling Championship on Saturday. I also congratulate Damascus students Caspian Linayao (Year 12), William McKechnie (Year 11) and Riley McCarthy (Year 12) on their success, winning multiple U21 events in open company over both days of the regatta.

In Athletics, I congratulate Greta Ashley (Year 8) on her recent win and a new record for the girls U16 2000m Steeplechase at the Victorian Track and Field Championships last weekend, Gretta also achieved a 3rd in the U16 1500m event. Incoming Year 7 students Oaklee Burge and Lucy Jones also acquitted themselves well. Lucy won the U14 girls 800m event, setting a new record and was 2nd in the U14 400m event. Oaklee also achieved a 3rd in the boys U14 800m and 1500m events. 2019 Alumni Eliza Lepair won the 3000m open women's event.

In any community, there are joys and losses occur over the summer period. In our staff team, Danielle Skewes became a grandmother, staff member Shaun O'Loughlin and his wife Amy, the parents of a beautiful little boy, James! The Sisters of Mercy lost two significant women, Sr Rosemary Glennan lived a life of committed ministry to those in need, and she was a substantive figure in boarding at St Martin's in the Pines (one of our founding colleges). The Sisters also lost Sr Cath Grant, whose ministry in health and pastoral care touched many lives. We remember the Sisters in our thoughts and prayers.

Former staff member, Sallie Burke lost her Mum late last week, and we keep Sallie in our prayers. Students Brody (Year 9) and Tegan (Year 7) Turner lost their maternal grandmother recently, and we keep the Turner family in our prayers. Sophie Mercer (Year 9) and her family grieve the passing of her loved maternal grandfather. We keep the Turner family in our prayers.

We are lucky to live in our relative safe and richly connected community at Damascus College.

We are excited about 2021 and the educational journey, and I look forward to sharing that journey with you

Damascus College Year 10 student Imogen Kors is making her dreams of becoming a professional ballet performer a reality, after being successfully selected into the prestigious Brisbane City Youth Ballet to perform in their production of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ last month.

Imogen was one of 13 advanced dancers in a cast of 60 that was selected from across Australia to perform in the production. In an industry just as effected by COVID-19 as the rest, Imogen’s audition was presented via a video submission. Imogen is grateful for the support from her local ballet school, the Academy of Classical Ballet, and Sovereign Calisthenics College, in Ballarat

Imogen said that these types of opportunities are the dreams of most ballet performers and dancers.

“Performing for a company is something you aspire to. It’s the feeling of being free on stage and being able to let go that’s makes it so enjoyable,” said Imogen.

Imogen said the effects of COVID-19 on live performances continued through to her rehearsals, being directly effected by the Brisbane lockdown on January 8 this year – the day of her first rehearsal.

“We had to stay in the Gold Coast because of the Brisbane lockdown, which meant mum had to drive me to Brisbane each day for rehearsals,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Imogen proceeded to perform in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ over three days with up to four shows per day at the Brisbane Powerhouse Theatre. This was following 10 rehearsals in the days prior. Imogen said she was used to this workload, having participated in ballet from a young age.

“I have been doing ballet since I was three years old,” she said.

“Nearly every night after school I do either ballet, contemporary or calisthenics”.

Imogen said she has balanced her education and dancing through studying during breaks at ballet, with her favourite subject at Damascus College being Mathematics.

“I know it seems odd because maths doesn’t really go with dancing, but I just like the structure of it,” she said.

When asked for a final piece of advice for someone wanting to pursue ballet, Imogen noted the importance of performing because you enjoy it.

“Do what you love, no matter what anyone else says,’ she said.

Congratulations to Year 11 student Ryan Holloway and Year 10 student Wyatt Pilmore on receiving a number of awards through their participation in the Australian Guild of Music Education. Ryan received two certificates of achievement distinction and a certificate of distinction. Wyatt received a certificate of achievement.

They both participated in the competition in late August through to early September of 2020.

Well done Ryan and Wyatt.

Congratulations to Year 10 student Sophie Busuttil, as she was recently names Young Citizen of the Year, Golden Plains Shire, at the Australia Day awards.

Sophie donated her hair to Sustainable Salons, helping people suffering from medically induced hair loss, and she also raised money for Headspace Ballarat by creating and selling pins.

Well done Sophie, fabulous effort.

The annual VCE Visual Arts Exhibition unfortunately couldn't be on display in 2020 due to COVID restrictions, but as a College we are delighted to have transformed it to be now available and viewed via an online virtual tour. You can access this innovative celebration of our senior students via the ‘Feature News’ on our website homepage, the link is below:

https://www.damascus.vic.edu.au/2020-Visual-Arts-Virtual-Tour/

This is a wonderful celebration and acknowledgement our 2020 senior students and their creative and artistic abilities. Well done to all senior students involved.

Happy viewing.

Three Damascus College students have recently received the honour of being invited to showcase their work at the 2021 VCE Season of Excellence, presented by the VCAA.

Year 12 2020 students Jack Davidson and Patrick Western have both been asked to audition for Top Class, where they will perform their drama solo performances in Melbourne.

Jack and Patrick have been busy recreating, rehearsing and polishing their solos, and they look forward to the audition in Melbourne on Sunday 31^st January.

Jack was also lucky enough to be accepted into Top Designs for his podcast piece, which will be on display at the Melbourne Museum.

“It is an exciting opportunity and I can’t wait to check out the fellow exhibitors work and to possibly inspire VCE media and arts students to create a podcast or audio product,” said Jack.

Patrick said that at first, he was shocked to hear he was invited to audition for Top Acts.

“This shock was soon overshadowed by excitement and joy to be able to share a piece of what I have created throughout remote learning, with next year’s cohort,” said Patrick.

Year 11 2020 student Charlotte Grimes has also been successful in having her Studio Arts photographic artwork accepted into Top Arts, and her work will be featured in the exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria in March, which showcases the best artwork from the state selected by the VCAA.

Charlotte said that in Year 10 her class visited the Top Arts exhibition and it ignited a passion in her, and she soon realised that she wanted to work towards her work being celebrated in this way.

“It feels awesome to be able to achieve this two-year dream,” said Charlotte.

Charlotte’s photographic artwork will also be on display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat as part of the Next Gen exhibition, commencing 19 February.

Damascus College Principal, Mr Matthew Byrne said that it is a wonderful accomplishment for these students, especially in a year that has been so challenging with remote learning due to COVID-19.

“Jack, Patrick and Charlotte are exceptional young people with significant gifts and talents that have been nurtured and challenged throughout their time at Damascus. It is wonderful to see that they are being appropriately acknowledged state-wide for their creativity and passion,” said Mr Byrne.

“This acknowledgement also pays tribute to the hard work and dedication of our Arts and Performing Arts learning areas, in achieving such sustained success amid the challenges of running practical subjects throughout remote learning.”

The VCE Season of Excellence is a five-month annual festival showcasing outstanding senior secondary student work from Victorian schools, in design, technology, research, multimedia and visual arts. Their work is presented in Melbourne’s major cultural venues from February to June.

“I am very proud of these accomplishments and it really has been the ‘cherry on top’ for finishing my time at Damascus and VCE,” said Jack.

We wish Jack, Patrick and Charlotte the best of luck as they prepare for their auditions and exhibition.

Further information

Top Arts is an exhibition of photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, film and print making produced by VCE Art and Studio Art students, held at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.

Top Designs is an annual exhibition at Melbourne Museum presenting work created by students who completed VCE Media, Product Design and Technology, Theatre Studies, Systems Engineering, Visual Communication Design and VCE VET studies including Creative and Digital Media, Furnishing, Engineering Studies, Integrated Technologies and Music Industry (Sound Production).

Top Class presents twelve concerts by outstanding VCE performing arts students who have completed VCE Dance and VCE VET Dance, VCE Drama, Theatre Studies, Music Performance, Music Investigation, Music Style & Composition and VCE VET Music Industry. Performances are compered by the chief assessors for performance studies.

Top Class Sound features performances of original musical works composed by students undertaking VCE Music Investigation and Music Style and Composition, who have created original music as part of Unit 3 and 4 Assessment tasks.

The Top Class concert series is held at the Melbourne Recital Centre and Arts Centre Melbourne.

Please see below a flyer for an upcoming Parent Webinar on Tuesday Feb 9 2021. Please click here to join the Webinar