Last Thursday, the College celebrated our Father's Day Breakfast. This was the College's first major social event that could be held for nearly two years. It was so positive to welcome so many of our Dads and male mentors to the College, to celebrate the presence of positive role models in the lives of our young people. More than ever before, our young people need to be supported by strong men who are fair, reasonable and willing to share their love and advice.

At the heart of respectful relationships is unconditional positive regard where young people can express their individuality, fears and passions without judgement and ridicule. The best gift we can give our people is the 'presence' of ourselves. Our young people need to know and feel our care; they need our full and undivided attention. I know as a father, l have not always been present for my sons; my mind has been preoccupied, and my thoughts wander, but my sons let me know and quickly express their frustration. Young people can recognise a lack of authenticity and hollow words. Be real, be present!

I encourage you to make each day Father's Day – find a quiet moment to share your excitement, your fear and the challenges of your day. We need young people who can express their feelings, thoughts and emotions with a trusted male and female role model.

I found this week's reflection from Kirk Loadman,

Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice. Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a good father.

Let us praise those fathers who, by their own account, were not always there for their children but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support. Let us pray for those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children.

Let us praise those fathers who, despite divorce, have remained in their children's lives. Let us praise those fathers whose children are adopted and whose love and support has offered healing.

Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their stepchildren's love and respect. Let us praise those fathers who have lost a child to death and continue to hold the child in their heart.

Let us praise those men who have no children but cherish the next generation as if they were their own.

Let us praise those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides.

Let us praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children.

And let us praise those fathers who have died but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.

On Monday, our Year 8 Esteem Program welcomed our grade four friends from Emmaus Primary School. The students participated in a Science investigation and had to solve a mystery using the tools of the Science. We thank our Year 8 students who led with respect and calmness. Thanks too, to our ESTEEM teachers.

Our student learning program continues at a rapid pace our students are engaged in their learning. Many students have a number of assessment tasks to complete or tests to sit. I encourage you to help your child become and be organised. Our students need conversations to help them become organised and better prepared. In the junior years, l encourage you to talk to your child about their homework and assessment tasks and look at their diary or electronic planner to see how your child is planning for assessment. This Thursday, our Year 9 students have a Mathematics examination.

Students completing Unit 4 subjects will require your support in completing School Assessed Coursework and to prepare for their upcoming trial exams. We are in the last stages of our senior school learning journey. Help your son or daughter to 'keep their eye on the prize.' Now is the time to ease the family pressure of chores and part-time working hours. Today is the beginning of the last 100 metres, so carefully support your child in the last phase of Unit 4. As a father, l made copious amounts of cups of tea and managed an anxious child who needed my support to get to the finish line.

Tonight, from 5.00pm, we commence the enrolment process for Year 7 students for the 2024 school year through our information evening. We are pleased to have mums, dads, and young people here at the College – meeting members of the Leadership Team and having the opportunity to participate in a range of Learning Area activities.

Our 2023 Year 12's are courageously putting themselves forward for student leadership roles at the moment. This is a time of growth and vulnerability for these young people. It is exciting that these genuine and caring senior students see that they have great things to offer the student leadership of this College, and I thank them for their preparation and courage.

Until next week

The Damascus College Rowing Program is back in full swing with all squads training hard in preparation for the upcoming regatta season! The Senior and Intermediate squads have been hitting the gym twice a week building their strength and flexibility while the Junior group recently hit the water for the very first time! The coaches and I are very exited for the upcoming regatta season and cannot wait to see all the hard pre-season fitness training pay off! A massive well done to all students!!!

The season calendar has recently been distributed, if you have not received a copy please email Paul. Some upcoming events:

• 12/10/22 Season Opening BBQ 6:00pm
• 15/10/22 Junior Training Day 9:30am-12:00pm
• 22/10/22 Senior Regatta, Nagambie
• 22/10/22 Junior & Intermediate Regatta, Geelong

Places are still available within the rowing program! If you are interested in joining please contact Paul Blanchfield, p.blanchfield@damascus.vic.edu.au

This Friday we will see students from Year 7 and Year 8 attend their Junior School Beach Party.

It will be held in the Damascus Events Centre from 7pm - 9pm.

Dress is to be appropriate neat casual with a beach theme.

Students are asked to please bring along a plate of food to share with all ingredients listed for allergies. Drinks will also be available for purchase.

As part of Book Week 2022, the St Martin's Resource Centre staff were challenged with discovering the most popular book among our students - the Damascus College Book of the Year! The six most borrowed books were identified, and then students used tokens to vote for their favourite. Library monitors Jessie and Alyssa tallied the votes and we are excited to announce that the winning book, by only 1 point, was 'Heartstopper' by Alice Oseman.

Damascus College Year 7 students have been undertaking the study of Ancient Greece as part of their humanities studies.

The students were tasked with creating an Ancient Greek artefact and a corresponding information sheet that would be included in the overall assessment for this study unit. The year 7 students were able to choose any artefact that caught their interest and their results are incredibly impressive. The items presented ranged from urns, statues, weapons and tools, and fashion of the times.

The students were thrilled to be immersed in this engaging learning experience that began in the classroom, but took students on a journey back thousands of years, and across the globe.

Like other schools in Ballarat, Damascus College has seen a recent spike in incidents involving student vaping. This correspondence aims to inform you of the issue, but importantly ask for your assistance in engaging in these discussions at home with your student. We have included a link to an important resource which may assist in your discussions especially if you feel your student is involved in this kind of behaviour. There are repercussions for students engaging in vaping on school property. We take this issue very seriously due to the adverse health effects vaping can have on our students and often find that our parents are unaware of the risks around vaping.

The increase in vaping prompted the College to do more research, and we want to share our findings with you.

Vaping is the act of inhaling a vapour produced by an electronic vaporiser or e-cigarette. The vapour can contain nicotine and ‘other substances’, which is concerning. The vaporised liquids come in many different flavours and might even smell fruity. For example, many of the flavours of these liquid concentrates, or ‘vape juices’, are sweet and even have names such as cinnamon roll, marshmallow, grape, strawberry, bubble-gum, lemonade and cookies. Vaporizers/e-cigarettes come in all different shapes. Some common styles we see look like a thick pen, a stylus for an iPad, a flash drive, or a small flask with a round chimney coming off the top.

The devices are tiny and can easily be hidden on a person or blend in with everyday backpack items. Like cigarettes, stores cannot sell vaping items to people under 18. However, students report that they purchase the devices online, through local businesses or from older siblings, friends, or in some cases even parents. We encourage parents/ carers to report any businesses selling Vapes to underage students to Victoria Police.

When students vape in school bathrooms, it can be due to a nicotine addiction they have developed, a peer pressure issue, or they are curious and want to try it out. Additionally, vaping on school grounds negatively impacts students and staff who do not wish to be exposed to or breathe in the vapour. Consequences imposed for students caught vaping at school are followed up within a restorative educative process involving research reports. Future consequences would affect a meeting with school leadership.

Health advice from the Victorian Governments website highlights that ‘Vaping can cause significant harm to your student’s body: Short-term it can cause vomiting, nausea, coughing, shortness of breath, mouth irritation and asthma. Long-term, it can cause lung damage, heart disease and cancers. Vaping will likely cause lung and mouth cancers. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that Children and teens who use e-cigarettes are more than three times more likely to move on to smoking cigarettes.

Below is a series of images of electronic cigarettes or vapes to help you understand what these devices look like. A web link from the Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation provides up-to-date information on Vaping.

Vaping in Australia - Alcohol and Drug Foundation (adf.org.au)

As part of the Damascus Day activities on Wednesday 14 September brave students and staff have committed to being dunked to raise awareness and money for Fight MND

Visit https://www.mycause.com.au/.../dunk-tank-for-damascus-day and donate now! Please put the name of the participant you would like to raise for in the personal message area.

Thank you for your ongoing support of such a worthy cause.

On Monday Damascus College welcomed students from Emmaus Catholic Primary School to take part in some Science Immersion Activities.

The Emmaus students in grades 3 or 4 were mentored by Year 8 Damascus College students as they conducted two 20-minute activities that included experiments. Students learned about the various states of water from solid to gas, and also conducted an investigation using chromatography paper.

It was a wonderful opportunity for Damascus students to share their knowledge and passion for science in one of our science labs with these young inquisitive visitors.

Seeds of Justice 2022

‘People of Mercy hear the cry of the poor’

Along with Ms Ventra and Mr Haintz, six students from Damascus College attended a Seeds of Justice event in Anglesea last Thursday 1^st September. The theme of the event was ecology and environmental sustainability which coincided nicely with the beginning of the Season of Creation. There were seven other Mercy schools in attendance. Throughout our time at the camp, we had two guest speakers, Anthony Leddin, the founder of the NGO, Plant Breeders Without Borders, and Sister Veronica Lawson, Sister of Mercy and former principal of St Martin’s in the Pines.

Anthony Leddin, a former student of Mercy School Emmanuel College, began his speech with a visual demonstration of the benefit of wealth that Australia has and the disparity between us and impoverished countries. He then spoke to us about his experiences working in disadvantaged countries around the globe. Anthony sent us away in small groups containing members of different schools to attempt to solve a hypothetical situation. Along with other criteria, we had to think of different ways to successfully develop a community driven organisation that would be fair to all members and ethical in its operations.

After lunch, Sister Veronica Lawson spoke about the need to care for our common home by referencing Christian scripture and the Catholic tradition, in particular Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si. She spoke about the new mindset that Pope Francis was trying to convey; humans are not superior to the environment but must appreciate all element of our world. Her key point was that the natural environment mercies us and that we are the mercied. It challenged us to think about how we need the environment to live.

Following on from this, a walk to the beach to observe the beauty of nature, as well as enjoy each other’s company and make friends with the students from the other schools in attendance, made a positive conclusion to the afternoon.

There were more activities that helped us to apply the teachings from the two guest speakers and taught us an awareness around other social justice issues. Through these activities, we also discussed improvements that might be made in our own school and wider community. You should hopefully be seeing some of these soon!

Tom Hall, Paris Govan, Lucas Wells, Haylee Vanderkley, Emmerson McHenry and Kaitlyn Handreck.

On Friday 26^th August our Year 12 VCAL Active Volunteering students and our first year VET Sport and Recreation Students completed their HLTAID011 certification in First Aid.

The team from IVET were able to deliver an engaging workshop which allowed our students to further their knowledge and skill set in basic first aid. This certification is a compulsory part of the student’s VET accreditation but most importantly enables them to be active participants in their communities.

On Wednesday 31st August Julie Butler from BGT Jobs + Training Ballarat and some staff from MaxiTRANS VIC came to Damascus College to deliver a presentation about Engineering and Metal Fabrication. Students from the year 10 Hands on Learning Program (HoLP) were able to participate in simulated experiences and gain some knowledge about the Industry.

It was a valuable experience with positive feedback from the students.

2022 has seen the return of the Music Camp for Damascus College.

Students, staff and instrumental tutors spent time away learning new pieces, forming bonds, friendships and music groups, and ensembles. Students reflected on their journey and many were thankful for the opportunity to spend time doing something they love without fear of judgement and the freedom to express themselves through music and performance.

St Martin’s Day was celebrated at Damascus last Tuesday! Students and staff gathered for the assembly in the John Shannon Centre, that was decorated in St Martin’s theme colour – green!

Reflecting on the values of St Martin de Porres, the many talents and achievements of the St Martin students were highlighted for the occasion.

Students opened the assembly with an Acknowledgement of Country, followed by presentations showcasing different musical talents, fundraising initiatives, sporting achievements and a creative Year 12 dance!

On Thursday 1^st September, we not only woke up to the first day of Spring, it was also time for Damascus families to come together to celebrate the wonderful men in our lives through the celebration of the Eucharist.

Fr Marcello Colasante celebrated Mass and reminded us of our forefathers in the Bible, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who were the first to share God’s revelations and promises. This was followed by a delicious breakfast in the Damascus Events Centre, served by students who generously volunteered their time to assist with the event.

We give our thanks for the fathers and special men in our lives. We thank God for all they give to us in our lives and ask God to give them the strength to do well by their charges and by You. Thank you to everyone who helped to prepare, organise, participate and take roles in the Mass.

The Smythesdale Country Market are creating a space for young musicians to display their skills, hosting a Battle of the Bands event at their market in November.

The event invites 12 – 25-year-old young people from across the region to choose their favourite cover song or original piece and perform it in front of a live audience. Soloists and groups are welcome.

Winners will be chosen by a live vote, with first, second and third prizes up for grabs.

Restrictions and lockdowns have meant fewer performance opportunities and crowds for artists over the last few years. The goal behind this event is to foster a creative space for young people in the area to practise their performing skills in front of a live audience.

The Smythesdale Country market hosts makers, artists, and creators from across the region every third Saturday of the month, with activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Smythesdale’s Battle of the Bands is free for musicians to enter and will be held from 10am – 2pm on the 19^th of November alongside the Smythesdale Country Market at the Smythesdale Historic Precinct.

To find out more, head to the Smythesdale Country Market Facebook page or contact the market organisers at smythesdalecountrymarket2020@gmail.com.

Yr. 9 Camp Information Session

Tuesday the 13^th 7pm

On line

On Teams

Students have been sent an invite on teams

A short info session for students and parents to find out what's involved

and to ask questions if they need to.

Year 9 camp runs from the 7^th to the 11^th of November

A reminder to families of current Year 7-11 Students that have not already responded regarding re-enrolment for 2023, could you please ensure you log into PAM at Parent Access Module - 3.20.3.3 (damascus.vic.edu.au) and complete by this Friday 9th September 2022.

You can indicate ‘Yes’ (student returning); ‘No’ (student not returning) or ‘Undecided’. The College Registrar – Mrs. Erin Marshall will then contact all ‘undecided’ and ‘not returning’ student families (via email) to obtain further details.

If you have any queries, please contact Erin Marshall 5337 2222 (Option ‘4’) or email e.marshall@damascus.vic.edu.au

The HoLP team are running a sausage sizzle to raise funds for the Terry Floyd foundation on Friday September 9. For more information please see the flyer below and for more information on the Terry Floyd foundation please click here