Yesterday marked the final day for the Year 12 students of the class of 2022, and it was a day that marks the next stage in life's journey. I wish the class of 2022 all the very best as they prepare for the exams that lay ahead. For those who have completed VCAL or Non-scored VCE, we wish you well in pursuing employment or further training. May God bless the graduates of 2022, and may you all live extraordinary lives in the light of Christ. It was an exciting day as we were able to have families join us to mark this occasion. It was wonderful to see mums, dads, grandparents, brothers and sisters, and even a couple of aunts and uncles celebrate this significant milestone. Below is the speech l delivered to our College community as we celebrated the success of our young people.

Today we celebrate the completion of thirteen years of formal education. Today is the beginning of a new chapter in your life. I am incredibly proud of our year 12 students who sit in front of me – young people who have had the tenacity, courage and grit to finish this important milestone in their life. As a Damascus community, l ask that each one of us give a round of applause in congratulations.

These young people have completed their secondary school in a time of great uncertainty, fear and confusion – the COVID pandemic. They have shown that in tough times, the tough get going! They have found internal strength and perseverance to get the job done.

In life, we can only be granted two certainties life and death; what comes in the middle is what we do with our current situation, our family, our friends, our experiences and our reflections, which inform who we become and how we see and live our life. I want each one of you to see your experiences as ones that have shaped, developed and moulded you into the person you are today. You have shown through your COVID experience that challenges can set you back, affect your enthusiasm and spirit, but today you are stronger and more resilient of this experience. Your secondary education has taught you to take risks, sometimes, fall, get up again and adjust your outlook, create a new plan and try again.

You are young people who have shown, lived and embodied the life of our Foundress, Catherine McAuley. A woman of spunk, determination and a deep desire to be in community with others, her family, her community and her God. Catherine McAuley opened her first school in Dublin in 1827. In 1881 the Sisters of Mercy began their pioneering work here in Ballarat, just 54 years after the opening of the first school. We have much to learn from these pioneering women who showed the power of learning, the power of service and the need for humility in leading a full life. A life that recognises the gift and sacredness of the other, the strength of service and learning more about ourselves and our God.

My advice to you today is to remember these values and attributes as you leave the safety of Damascus College and enter into our world.

Power of Learning: Learning is powerful, knowledge is power, but it is what we do with this learning that can create a world that is just and fair. I urge you to keep learning – each day, each hour; we are presented with opportunities to learn, be better people, and make another feel valued and loved.

I would hope that after six years at Damascus, you use your learning to create a better world. I know you are the generation who will provide the answers to the social ills of our world – the social injustice experienced by so many in our country, economic disasters that have been created by greed and the ecological damage caused by reckless behaviour.

Use your learning in whichever sphere you follow to make the difference – think how is my work, my vocation making a better and just world. Am l the plumber who is preoccupied with making mega dollars or the tradesman who ensures the elderly have a fair deal, or the surgeon who treats people in remote communities. Learn each day, but learn how to make a difference in your world, family, and community.

Power of Service: Each one of us has a responsibility to honour the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy. Think how you can be of service to the community, whether it is directing the local theatre group in Ballarat, becoming a Vinnie's supporter or coaching the netball team, ask yourself how am l making my community safe, connected and strong.

Humility: No one likes a know it all! Be gracious, be open and have the courage to admit when you do not have the answers: seek the counsel of your loved ones, your mates and your colleagues. Catherine could not have achieved her vision without bringing others on the journey and Dared to Dream. Do not be a follower; challenge what is going on and the status quo, and do not be afraid to be your own person.

In life, we need to celebrate beginnings and endings. Today your chapter closes at Damascus College – your formal attendance is done. But l know with certainty you will always carry in your heart the Damascus Spirit, the friendships, your peers and your teachers. Stand tall and be proud of who you are and what you have achieved. The road is ahead of you, and we, your College alumni, will have your back as your traverse unknown paths, new journeys and new relationships.

As our final blessing, l would like to read a prayer from our College bookmark. Take this bookmark with you and keep it as a token of life, learning and faith.

I invite our Year 12 students to read the prayer with me.

Feed the hungry

Give drink to the thirsty

Clothe the naked

Visit the imprisoned

Shelter the homeless

Visit the sick

Bury the dead

Forgive all injuries

Convert the sinner

Instruct the ignorant

Comfort the sorrowful

Counsel the doubtful

Bear wrongs patiently

Pray for the living and the dead.

Our Lady of Mercy, Pray for Us.

May you leave our College today with strength and passion of Catherine McAuley.

With every blessing

Teacher Advisor Interviews (Current Year 7-11) October 31st, November 2nd & 3rd.

This Term, our College TA interview will focus on 'Building Connections', essentially the theme used in the Term 1 TA Interviews.

The TA Interviews will realign the expectations in line with the Early Start Program, and for this reason, the first TA Interview at the start of the 2023 year will not occur at the start of the year.

We believe our TA interviews, which connect schools and families, remain important, and we ask you to please prioritise this interview. The Term 4 TA Interviews aim to continue building connections and emphasise the importance of the Early Start program as a critical component of our pastoral obligations in preparing students for the following year.

Through the Term 4 TA interview, students can begin implementing strategies during Early Start to assist their academic, spiritual and social-emotional growth by allowing critical reflection on their current year.

An official TA Interview letter will be sent out by next week.

Until next week….

Steven

Today was special a day as we celebrated the Year 12 students at the Final Assembly.

The Class of 2022 commenced the assembly with a dance, followed by presentations honouring the Year 12 students and the many achievements they have accomplished not only in their final year at Damascus but their entire schooling journey.

The special occasion was celebrated with the whole school, along with the Year 12 students and their guests and concluded with a guard of honour as everyone gathered to farewell the Class of 2022.

In preparation for Year 12 exams next year, all students completing VCE Unit 2 subjects are expected to complete an exam in each of their studies. An exam timetable can be found attached to this letter. We ask that you assist your child in keeping them focused on revising their work and studying for their exams.

The following rules apply:

• Students completing a unit 3-4 subject that have an exam during that period will need to reschedule their year 11 exam if required.
• If students have an exam‐free session in the middle of the day between 2 exams, they must remain at school and sign in at the student reception.
• For all other instances, Damascus College will assume students are off campus.
• Attendance is compulsory for all exams.
• Full school uniform is to be worn.
• Students are welcome to be on campus when they do not have exams, but they need to sign in at student reception in the office so that the College is aware of who is on campus. They can study in the library or another assigned study space.
• It is the student’s responsibility to organise transport to and from school for their exams. They are welcome to catch the buses and remain on campus for the day; just ensure you sign in at the office.

Protocols for all exams:

• Before the commencement of the exam, all electronic devices, including smart watches, are collected and placed in a box. Please ensure all devices are switched off.
• Students are allowed a clear, plastic, label-free water bottle (no larger than 1.5 litres) which must be stored on the floor.
• Watches must be removed and stored on the desk and be easily visible by the supervisor.
• Pencil cases are not allowed in the exam room, so we encourage students to bring a clear zip-lock bag with their writing materials.
• Teachers will inform students of specific materials required for each subject (e.g. type of calculator, summary sheets, etc.)
• Students with exam clashes are to reschedule a time with the VCE Coordinator, who will arrange a paper for the new time.

Tuesday November 15

Will be set aside as a missed Exam catch-up day should students miss exams and be unable to catch them up within the trial exam period. For all other students, it will be a student-free day allowing them to refresh and prepare for Early Start. It would be a good opportunity to make a start on the first English Novel.

We wish your student all the best in preparing for these exams and would encourage them to seek assistance from their subject teachers in the lead up to the exams. Their subject teachers will be able to suggest study techniques that can be used to assist them in their preparation. Looking at the study designs and the key knowledge that they can be assessed on is also vital in preparation.

Regards,

Mr Matthew Hallowell

VCE Coordinator

DAMASCUS COLLEGE

YEAR 11 EXAM TIMETABLE

VCE Semester 2 Exams, 2022

Friday November 4 – Monday November 14

All exams are 100 minutes (10 minutes reading time and 90 minutes Writing) unless otherwise stated.

Version: 15/09/22

Please Note:

1. At the start, all electronic devices are collected and placed in a box. Ensure phones are switched off.
2. Students are allowed a clear plastic label-free water bottle (no larger than 1.5 litres) which must be stored on the floor.
3. Watches must be removed and stored on the desk and be easily visible by the supervisor.
4. Teachers will inform students of specific materials required for each subject (eg type of calculator, summary sheets, etc)
5. Students with clashes are to reschedule a time with the VCE Coordinator, who will arrange a paper for the new time.

Over the past week we have welcomed many Grade 5 students to Damascus College for the School Immersion experience in preparation for their Year 7 commencement in 2024.

During their visit the students enjoyed a campus tour, several classes, and have experienced a snapshot of all the exciting things to come when they join us for their Damascus education in 2024.

We hope all the Grade 5 students had a great time visiting and we look forward to welcoming you back to Damascus College for Year 7.

Damascus College will be hosting the following “Class of” Reunions in 2023 and is seeking interested members to join their respective committees. The reunion committee will assist with planning the event and helping to contact as many of your “Class of” cohort as possible. It is a great way to engage with your group and to ensure that your reunion event is everything you hoped it would be.

Class of 1973 – 50 Year Reunion

Class of 1983 – 40 Year Reunion

Class of 1993 – 30 Year Reunion

Class of 2003 – 20 Year Reunion

Class of 2013 – 10 Year Reunion

Reunion groups are named by their final year, which is the year a student did or would have completed Year 12 or equivalent. For example if you left SHC in Year 10 (Form 4) in 1980, your graduating year would have been 1982 - therefore you are part of the Class of 1982.

Alumni at Damascus College are defined as past students and staff of Damascus College and its foundation colleges, Sacred Heart, St Paul’s and St Martin’s in the Pines.

If you are able to assist with your reunion please contact Damascus College Alumni at connecting@damascus.vic.edu.au

We look forward to celebrating your reunion in 2023.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #TogetherWeAreDamascus

Please see details following of various free Parent Webinars during Term 4.

• Stress & Wellbeing - November 9th, 6:30 - 7:30 pm (AEDT)
  
• Resilience - November 23rd, 6:30 - 7:30 pm (AEDT)
  
• Setting Up for Success - December 7th, 6:30 - 7:30 pm (AEDT)

To book any or all of these click here.

Damascus College has been thrilled to work collaboratively with local businesses in order for our VCAL students to complete their SWL (Structured Workplace Learning) Placements this year.

We are so proud of Bailey Booth who has just completed his SWL placement with Haymes Paint.

Through this placement, Bailey has gained much confidence and further developed his transferable skill set to take with him in future endeavours.

We thank the team at Haymes Paint for enabling this amazing opportunity for Bailey and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.

#DamascusCollege #DamascusPride #BeMyBest #ImReadyToTakeOnAnything