Damascus News - Term 2 Week 10
From the Principal
23 June By Mr. Matthew Byrne, Principal
As I write this last newsletter for the term, I reflect on the changing times in which we live. This semester we have welcomed 225 new students to our community, nearly 10 new staff, we have been into lockdown twice, and out of it again, we have had planned activities cancelled or postponed, and limitations on our gatherings and movement imposed. Adapting to change is an important skill in modern times. Helping young people to deal with change will be one of the attributes that will enable them to thrive in the world; regardless of whether the uncertainties of these modern times persist, change will be inevitable.
In 2021 our Damascus 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). Throughout this semester and these changing times, our theme has proved an appropriate pillar for us to lean into – both a reassurance and a comfort. A loving God, walking with us through change and challenge. I am reminded of the poem ‘Footprints In The Sand’ (Footprints in the Sand Poem | Beautiful Poem from Only the Bible.com), which I think is a beautiful extension of our theme. If your young people are feeling lonely or vulnerable, you might share the Footprints poem with them as a reminder of the loving presence of God. It is easier to be strong and courageous when we know we are not alone!
While on change, there is significant change amongst our staff team as we approach the end of term. We farewell our faithful Business Manager, Paul Jans, as he transitions to the Assistant Director’s role at Catholic Education Ballarat. Paul has brought a deep faith and educational commitment to the betterment of this community for the past 13.5 years, and that is evident in the resources and environment available at Damascus College. On behalf of the College community, I thank Paul and his wife Michelle and their family for the contribution that they have made to Damascus College. We look forward to continuing to work with Paul through his new role with Catholic Education Ballarat.
We also farewell Marcus Probert from our counselling team. These past two years, Marcus has been a wonderful asset in supporting young people with psychological and wellbeing services. Marcus is moving out to his own practice, and we wish him every success in the future.
Isabelle Miller and Ashleigh Brown will commence parental leave from the end of term as they each excitedly await the joy of new birth. We wish both Ash and Issy well for this exciting next phase of life.
A number of staff are taking Long Service Leave, and we wish Angela Hoban well for Term 3. Deputy Principal Chris Grant is also taking Term 3 as Long Service Leave. Barbara Perry is also taking Long Service Leave for six weeks, and Jennifer Henderson will have Long Service Leave for the first two weeks of next term. We wish all these long-term staff well for a refreshing break.
Ashwin Pillai will move into the Deputy Principal’s role, and Alysoun Smalley and Sarah Mcknight move into the Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching role. As I outlined in last week’s newsletter, we have welcomed a range of staff to accommodate these changes.
Yesterday we gathered as a school community to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart. This feast celebrates the decision of the Sisters of Mercy to commence Catholic education here in Ballarat 140 years ago. Damascus College builds on the foundations of their first school, Sacred Heart College, and we are fortunate to have such strong foundations. Cathy Prunty planned and facilitated our liturgy yesterday, and I acknowledge with gratitude her work. Cathy concludes her time preparing liturgies this term, and I thank her for her care and commitment.
Owing to the most recent lockdown and the delay in a number of student assessments, reports will not be available to families until the start of next term. Families can continue to monitor student feedback on tasks through the Parent Access Module (PAM).
Our intermediate boys played Ballarat Grammar for the “premiership” in seconds football on Tuesday afternoon. The students went down by 20 points but put up a gallant effort. Thank you to Brett Stone, Hamish Walsh, Shaun O’Loughlin and Pat Dillon for their support of these students this term.
The cast of “Spelling Bee” have been working incredibly hard over the past three months, and they have a busy time coming up over the holidays. I congratulate them on their commitment and thank the team supporting them; Nicole Burness, Andrew Seeary, Kristiana Withers, Maria Russell, and Chiara Angeli.
Congratulations to Year 12 Student Meg Graham who has been selected to captain the State Team in the U18 Victorian Ultimate Frisbee team - an amazing effort and we wish you all the very best. Read more about Meg's achievement here.
This Friday, as the last day of term, we will see school finish at 2.17 pm. Students have a casual day for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Students are asked to bring $5, if it is within your families means, to support the “Vinnies” Winter Appeal to support the homeless and at-need families. If your student has PE, Wood, Metal, Science or Food – please ensure that they wear appropriate clothing, notably closed footwear, for practical classes.
Looking ahead, Term 3 will commence with regular classes on Monday, 12th July.
Office hours over the holidays will be Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm.
As we remember the Sisters of Mercy, we remember Sister Luke Kenna, who died on Sunday morning. Sr Luke was the second last Ballarat Sister to work at Damascus College. Staff have reflected this week on what a caring advocate Luke was for the most vulnerable students and her wonderful sense of fun and wit. The celebration of Sr Luke’s life will take place this Friday.
We also keep staff member, Belinda Dwyer and her family in our prayers. Belinda lost her loved grandfather last weekend. May he, Sr Luke and all those who have died rest in eternal peace.
Thank you for the privilege of working with the wonderful young people that make up the Damascus community this semester and for your family support of our College. If you are travelling over the holidays, do so safely.
Until next term …. God Bless
MATT
College Information & Events
23 June
We know that this stage in the Term can be a particularly stressful time of year for both students and their parents so we thought it would be fitting to focus on Stress and Wellbeing last night to help parents identify their child’s stress symptoms and equip them with practical tools to enhance wellbeing. We had over 6,000 parents register for the session too which reaffirmed with us just how pertinent this topic is for families at the moment.
If any parents missed the session, please feel free to click this link so you can view it on replay: https://go.elevateeducation.com/e/891981/au-replay/scjr/80526002?h=IugPy1QLc2zuQ38wJ5a_NrjVVsiK_WygNBEnoF6yzwM.
Community Involvement
23 June
Who are you going to nominate for a Youth Award?
The City of Ballarat is once again recognising the valuable contributions that young people make to the Ballarat community.
Award categories include: Challenge and Change, Compassion and Care, Group Project, Influential Artist, Leadership in Sport, Positive Leader, STEM, Young Entrepreneur and Young Volunteer.
We have so many outstanding young people who contribute in so many ways here at Damascus that we would encourage you to nominate them in their categories so that they can be celebrated for all that they make to Ballarat. A key aim that the organisers have for this years awards is to highlight the stories of the 'quiet achievers'. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Young People (aged 12 - 25) in the Ballarat community, and also recognise Adult Allies who empower our youth and create opportunities for them to thrive.
Visit https://youthawards.ballarat.vic.gov.au/to and make a nomination for the youth awards.
Nominations close on Friday 25th June, 11:59 PM.
The City of Ballarat Youth Awards Event Ceremony will be held on Friday 13th August, at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts. All nominees will be recognised and invited to attend this special event.
College Information & Events
16 June
Student Achievement
23 June
Congratulations to Year 12 student Meg Graham for recently being nominated to be team captain for the U18 Victorian Ultimate Frisbee team.
Meg has been playing frisbee for nearly six years and started when she tagged along to her older brothers games and the competing team asked her to play, so she filled in for a few weeks, and then got addicted to the sport.
Meg said that she looks forward to leading, supporting, inspiring and representing her team members fairly and consistently.
“My primary purpose of team captain will be to positively influence my teammates on-and-off the field and to be a strong leader and strong vocal leader with good communication skills.”
Meg will head to Cobram for the U18 Nationals in early July. Meg shared that she was also privileged to be on the U22 Victorian team for Ultimate Frisbee as well, where she will play in Melbourne in early July.
Well done Meg and good luck!
College Information & Events
28 April
Below is the criteria used to determine a student’s eligibility for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF).
Criteria 1 – Eligibility
To be eligible* for the fund, a parent or legal guardian of a student attending a registered Government or non-government Victorian primary or secondary school must:
• on the first day of Term one, or;
• on the first day of Term two;
A third eligibility date has also been added - On the first day of Term three – 12 July
* A special consideration eligibility category also exists. For more information, see: www.education.vic.gov.au/csef
Parents who receive a Carer Allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF unless they also comply with one of (a) or (b) above.
Criteria 2 - Be of school age and attend school in Victoria
School is compulsory for all Victorian children aged between six and 17 years of age inclusive.
For the purposes of CSEF, students may be eligible for assistance if they attend a Victorian registered primary or secondary school. Typically, these students are aged between five and 18 years inclusive.
CSEF is not payable to students attending pre-school, kindergarten, home schooled, or TAFE.
Eligibility Date
For concession card holders CSEF eligibility will be subject to the parent/legal guardian’s concession card being successfully validated with Centrelink on the first day of either term one (27 January 2021) or term two (19 April 2021).
CSEF payment amount
The CSEF is an annual payment to the school to be used towards camps, sports and/or excursion expenses for the benefit of the eligible student.
• Primary school student rate: $125 per year.
• Secondary school student rate: $225 per year.
College Information & Events
28 April
To be eligible for a conveyance allowance, individual students will be assessed under the following criteria:
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 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**
College Information & Events
09 June
We have recently moved to an Online Enrolment Application system which replaces paper/downloaded enrolment applications.
Benefits of this new system include:
Access is through the College website: https://enrol.damascus.vic.edu.au/student/enrolment
If your application is for a Year 7 place, we require a copy of your child’s Grade 5 NAPLAN and a Grade 5 Semester School Report, together with their Birth Certificate and (if applicable) Certificate for Sacraments or other Religious Certificates.
Applications for Year 7 2023 close Friday 4th February 2022.
23 June
Please click for more information or to book your tickets now
You are warmly invited to join us at the Bright Futures Pathways Panel & Breakfast, where current and past students will share their personal stories and insights on navigating their pathways to success.
The Bright Futures Pathways Panel & Breakfast is an annual event that brings together alumni, current students, families, and staff, for networking and inspiration.
This panel discussion will shine a light on the many and varied career pathways available to students, on completion of their studies at Damascus College. Panel members will share their career journey and aspirations so far and provide an insight in to how their Damascus education has/is impacting their lives.
Haileigh is a dedicated STEM student, Girls in STEAM leader, and ADF Long Tan Award recipient, inspiring peers through her leadership and interest in neurology. Haileigh will discuss the decision making process undertaken to successfully chose subjects that aligned with her chosen career path in medicine.
Adele leads Ballarat's Future Shapers program, advocating for community leadership, innovation, and sustainability, shaped by her VET experience at Damascus College. Adele embraced the non-traditional aspects of her education, and she will unpack how a VET focus helped her achieve success.
Jason, a leading cancer researcher at Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute (FECRI), has a distinguished career in pathology with numerous publications and international presentations. After finishing VCE, Jason transitioned to university and shifted into his chosen career in the health industry. He has pivoted numerous times within this field and has now completed his PhD, with his research on the immune system and bowel cancer being highly acclaimed.
The Bright Futures Scholarship was established in 2018 and is for the purpose of supporting students and families who are experiencing financial or personal disadvantage, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice activities and contribute to their local community
This scholarship is awarded annually to one incoming Year 7 student for 50% tuition relief, and is awarded for the duration of a student's enrolment at Damascus College (maximum of 6 years). More information on the scholarship can be found here.
To raise funds to extend the reach of the Bright Futures Scholarship to multiple students each year, Damascus College engages in numerous Bright Futures events to raise funds for this worthy cause.
23 June
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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