Welcome back to Term 4. I hope you were able to spend some quality time with your family and friends over the past two weeks. Holidays or term breaks provide a wonderful opportunity to be still with our families and to find quiet moments of peace.

Over the holidays, l had some time to read on the life of Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, by Sister Madeleine Duckett. In one of the reflections written by Madeleine about Catherine, she explores Catherine McAuley as a woman who would be quite at home in our times and in the busyness of life. Catherine was many things to many people, and her efforts to bring relief to the poor constantly presented her with challenges. As students approach this coming term of consolidation of their learning and multiple assessments, it is valuable to remind them that we have a glimpse in Catherine's words of some of the anxieties she experienced and her ability to quieten her fears with an ever-growing trust in divine providence. Catherine wrote, "We have one solid comfort amidst this little tripping about, our hearts can always be in the same place centred in God. For whom alone we go forward or stay back. Oh, may God look on us with love and pity and then we shall be able to do anything God wishes us to do, no matter how difficult to accomplish or painful to our feelings.

We pray for our young people and ourselves that we can quieten our anxieties with a trust in divine providence and a constant sense of hope and gratitude this term.

This morning l had the pleasure of attending the Bright Futures Breakfast, where we heard from Sam Rizzo, Alumni of Damascus College. Sam shared his inspirational and motivational personal journey from being born with the congenital condition Spina Bifida to representing Australia as a world-class T54 Para-athlete and the impact his Damascus College education made on his life. Sam's message of perseverance and tenacity was well received by our community, and he highlighted that through personal challenges, we can become strengthened and can grow even stronger. I thank the many families who kindly donated their time and money towards our Breakfast which will support a young person in need to be provided with the best gift – an education.

While classes have not taken place over the past two weeks, there has been plenty of activity around the College. Senior students have been in regular attendance for trial exams and revision classes. I congratulate those who have engaged with this process and encourage them to continue to seek the support of their teachers in the build-up to the exams.

I thank VCE Coordinator Matt Hallowell and VCE Administrator Maddie Fry for their facilitation of the VCE trial exam period over the holidays. These trial exams provide a genuine opportunity for senior students to experience the exam conditions while gaining invaluable feedback on their revision and progress to date.

Families of Year 12 students should have received an invitation to the formal assembly on Wednesday, 19^th October, from 11:30am. If you have not, could you please contact the administration office.

Fourth term is a busy time. At Damascus, we work hard to ensure students have the optimal learning experience and a feature of this is our Early Start Program which is undertaken in the last two weeks of the year. The goals of the program are;

• To improve the continuity of learning from one calendar year to the next

• To optimise valuable learning time

• To increase organisational efficiency

From the student's perspective, they will commence their next year level for the last two weeks, and this will be built upon once they return in 2023.

In the meantime, there is a lot to be done; please support your student by logging into the Parent Access Module (PAM) to check assessment dates and engage with teacher feedback. This will support your student on their learning journey.

In the last two days, we have had an experience of diverse weather. Students are permitted to wear their summer or winter uniform for the first two weeks of this term, so if you feel that the weather is decisively cold, encourage them that it is OK to wear their winter uniform.

On the uniform front, please do not allow your student to come to school in the wrong uniform. It is time consuming to follow up and creates the potential for conflict, all of which distract from learning and teaching. We go to significant lengths to be explicit about uniform and need families' support. Of particular concern this week has been the wearing of black socks by some students and summer dresses that are too short. Could I ask for family support, please.

We remember all those who are in need at this time.

Until next week …

Steven

It is with great pleasure that the Damascus College community welcome the recently elected House Captains for 2023.

These students will officially commence their duties when Year 12 finish their classes at the end of week 3 in Term 4.

The House Captains provide exceptional leadership in promoting house spirit and student engagement in the Co-curricular program of the College.

We look forward to the upcoming announcement of the Ron Matthew’s shield which is awarded to the House that has accrued the most points over the previous 12 months.

Congratulations to these student leaders.

Damascus College is pleased to announce Sophie Busuttil and Xavier Byrne as the 2023 College Captains.

Sophie and Xavier’s appointments were the culmination of a process that involved a written application including addressing the key selection criterion, interview with College leadership and speeches to staff, year 10 and 11 students.

Sophie and Xavier have been wonderful contributors to the co-curricular program of the College including participation in after school sports, peer mentoring, conducting school tours, world’s greatest shave and BAS representation.

Damascus has full confidence in Sophie and Xavier in leading the school community to live by the light of Christ.

This morning Damascus College welcomed students, staff, alumni and community members to the annual Bright Futures Breakfast event.

Guests were welcomed to the Damascus Events Centre where they enjoyed hot drinks on this cold Ballarat morning before they heard from Year 11 student Kaitlyn Handreck and the impact of being the recipient of the Diocese of Ballarat scholarship. Kaitlyn shared how it made a difference to her, and her family financially, but how it also had other benefits. It gave her confidence and empowered her as it was a significant achievement.

The guest speaker for the event was Samuel Rizzo, class of 2018. Sam shared his inspirational and motivational personal journey from being born with the congenital condition Spina Bifida to representing Australia as a world-class T54 Para-athlete, and the impact his Damascus College education has made on his life. It was a delight to hear his very personal reflections, his appreciation for the educators in his life, and how they have supported him along the way as well as the love and appreciation he has for his family and friends.

The Bright Futures Breakfast is held each year to support the Bright Futures Scholarship which supports students and families who are experiencing financial or personal disadvantages. It 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 and an application form can be found at https://www.damascus.vic.edu.au/enrolment/scholarships

Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast before departing to enjoy the rest of their day hopefully filled with the knowledge that by attending they have shown their support for Damascus College and the Bright Futures Scholarship. We believe that a brighter future starts with schooling and giving a child the opportunity to thrive at Damascus College is the aim of the Bright Futures Scholarship.

RAP Group – Meeting Three

Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination. They also provide an opportunity for communities, workplaces, and schools to articulate their own structured response in acknowledging their commitment to reconciliation.

The meeting began with the Acknowledgement of Country and a prayer from the Kimberley.

ABORIGINAL OUR FATHER

You are our Father, You live in heaven,

We talk to You. Father You are good.

We believe your Word, Father,

We are Your children, give us bread today.

We have done wrong, we are sorry,

Teach us, Father, all about Your Word.

Others have done wrong to us,

And we are sorry for them, Father, today.

Stop us from doing wrong, Father,

Save us all from the evil one.

This was most appropriate as the college hosted visitor from Kimberley Calling in the week before the meeting. Kimberley Calling are seeking teachers, open to the experience of learning, living and serving in the Catholic school communities of the Kimberley, who will inspire and engage each student of the Broome Diocese through the provision of a quality Catholic education.

201 people responded to the RAP survey (44 staff, 103 Students, 54 Community members) that was sent out across the community following RAP Meeting 2. The survey results provide some excellent base data about our reconciliation journey and certainly point the direct for actions that will form the final element of the RAP. The committee are not looking at framework for goals for action. We are using the three elements of the range: RELATIONSHIPS; RESPECT; OPPORTUNITIES. Goals are written in ach of the range elements for IN THE CLASSROOM; AROUND THE SCHOOL; WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. This makes a total of nine areas for consideration.

Committee members are Kyeema Brown; Shu Brown; Aaron Clarke; Jacob Gravell; Claudia Griffin; Tony Haintz; Ashleigh Kanoa; Erin Kanoa; Jon Kanoa; Justin Marson; Samara McLeod; Jeanette Morris; Andy Robertson; Paul Ryan

The committee is still very keen to have more members. Please contact Andy Robertson a.robertson@damascus.vic.edu.au or Tony Haintz t.haintz@damascus.vic.edu.au if you are interested in the RAP group.

On the last Thursday of Term 3 Damascus College was honoured to have Robert Paice, a local Vietnam Veteran present to our Year 11 Modern History Class. Robert spoke to the class about his experience in Vietnam and brought with him photos and other items to showcase to the students the reality of this historic conflict.

Students had the chance to try on equipment, and see first-hand the kinds of weapons used as well as the strategies of war deployed.

Sophie, a student in the class relayed that the highlight of the experience for her was getting the opportunity to hear from somebody who was in the Vietnam war, especially an Australian. She said that history textbooks can only teach you so much, which is why these first-hand accounts are so invaluable. For Sophie being able to see the photographs that he took whilst in Vietnam, and hear his challenges and stories about his personal experiences, really stuck with her. The opportunity she received broadened her knowledge of what she had previously learned about the Vietnam war and allowed her to gain a more insightful and personable view of the experiences that the Vietnam soldiers went through.

The SMRC are excited to announce the winners of the Book Week mood board competition. Students were asked to create a visual representation of their favourite book in order to inspire a love of reading in others. Congratulations to Year 7 student Sienna Molloy, Year 8 student Imogen Rosenhart, Year 9 student Suraya Lewis and Year 12 student William Hardy who were the worthy winners of book vouchers.

The Damascus College Bright Futures Scholarships opens for applications on Monday 5 October, for Year 7 2024.

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).

Eligibility: a grade 5 2022 student (doesn't have to be from a Catholic Primary School), have applied at Damascus, and are experiencing financial and/or personal disadvantage.

Full details and to download the application form, please go to: https://www.damascus.vic.edu.au/enrolment/scholarships

On the last day of school for term 3 Damascus College Year 8 student Dana Reynolds was awarded first prize for her “I Have a Dream” speech in the Junior category.

The writing competition was part of the recent Book Week activities, and St Martin Resource Centre Leader Sharon Hayes was on hand to present Dana with her prize, a gift certificate to Collin's Booksellers.

Dana's Winning Speech

I have a dream… who am I kidding, we all have dreams. And all our dreams are different and intricate in their own way, just like us. Humans are all unique, each person carrying different traits, emotions, thoughts and lives. But individuality is fleeting. Each day, discrimination is being directed at people for being original, or “not fitting in”. Trust me. I see it being done. Every so often I even receive it. If this continues, creative ideas will dry out, due to fear of judgemental peers, or even friends.

So, the question is, why do we segregate those different to us? The answer, most humans in our world today are afraid of change. It’s as simple as that. It’s in our nature. New things or ideas can be perceived as threats, or just plain odd. People discriminate originality because it doesn’t fit “the norm”. Apparently, in an ideal world, we should all be the same. But take a moment to imagine that. Imagine walking down the street, wearing the same outfit as every other kid. Now THAT’S odd. The world would be a bore. Creative thinking is the key to evolution and progress in our society. So why must we shut it down?

There is hope in the world, though. I not only see the prejudice against ingenuity, but I also see people committing themselves to their own unique identities. I see people making art, forming new friendships, reaching out to people, writing stories about beautiful wonderlands you could only dream of. I see love. I know that I sound like Louis Armstrong right now, but what a wonderful world we live in. If only people could open their eyes to see it. See the world in its own glorious light. I have a dream. A dream of creative unity and acceptance of everyone’s individuality.

Thank you.

Congratulations Dana.

On the last day of school for term 3 Damascus College Year 12 student Xavier Clonan was awarded first prize for his “I Have a Dream” speech in the senior category.

Xavier took learnings from his RE classes to help with his winning speech.

Xavier wrote..

I have a dream that one day poverty will be abolished. It is our moral obligation to care for the poor, no one should have to live in poverty.

It is necessary that we provide the basics of life for everyone, and we need to do it now. Pope Francis has said, "No one can remain insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world. On an Earth where there is so much wealth, so many resources to build a better future, it is unacceptable that nearly three billion people live in abject poverty."

It prompts us to consider what we as individuals can do to make an impact on almost half the world’s population who live on below $2.50 AUD a day (World Bank). Professor of sociology Peter Singer has said, "If we can save the life of a child by giving up a luxury item, then isn't it our moral obligation to do so?" It seems that in the indulgence that our own lives are in comparison to those in poverty, that what we might spend on an item of clothing that will be thrown up the back of your cupboard or on an unused Netflix subscription would make a massive impact on a suffering family’s life.

We can no longer close our eyes to the poverty that exists in our world. We need to take action now to provide the basic necessities of life for everyone. We need to provide food, shelter, and clothing for the poor. We need to provide access to education and healthcare. We need to do whatever it takes to end poverty. One day I hope that I won't need to close my eyes to dream. One day I hope that poverty will be a thing of the past. But until that day, we need to keep fighting for the poor. We need to keep fighting for a world where everyone has the basic necessities of life. We need to keep fighting until poverty is no more.

Congratulations Xavier, what a wonderful speech with a very powerful message. Xavier’s speech will also be included in the 2022 Yearbook. He also received a gift certificate for Collin’s Booksellers.

Please see following an invitation to the 2022 Damascus College VCE Visual Arts and Technology Exhibition: -

Please see information following on how you can get involved in Little Athletics: -

Please see following information from the Mount Clear Cricket Club on how you can get involved: -

Please see information following in relation to Dobson: -

At Damascus College, it is not just the students who are learning, but also the talented Damascus Art team who have been out on Professional Development this week honing their skills and being inspired by practising artists. They cannot wait to share the skills and knowledge that they have gained in the classroom. Attached are some of the projects they have been busy working on.