Today the school is quiet without our young people present. The chance to pause as we conclude one year of learning before launching into the next provides just a moment to reflect on the achievement of our community. Our students, staff, families, carers, alumni and friends of the College all deserve the opportunity to pause and consider the achievement it has been to progress learning in 2020. Our Learning Analytics Leader, Rod Mathews has fed back very encouraging early analysis of student literacy and numeracy outcomes from recent PAT R and PAT M testing that students have for the most part not been substantially impacted as learners by our remote learning experiences. We look forward to unpacking this information more thoroughly and exploring where we need to provide additional support in 2021. The success of our community throughout this year has been very much grounded in the ability of our community to work together, and the engagement between students, their educators, the broader College and families has been critical, and I remain very grateful for the contribution of everyone.

Today student timetables for the Early Start Program are being populated in our SIMON platform and parents can gain access to these through the Parent Access Module online. Students will commence in their 2021 classes tomorrow. It can be a time of nervous anticipation, and it is very natural for students to feel challenged by the change that new groupings and experiences bring. I encourage families to support students by looking positively at the opportunities that change brings. This is the rich space for learning and growth – of course, if you feel that your student is excessively anxious, please talk to us to look at mechanisms for support.

The work covered in these classes over the next five school days will be assessable as part of Semester 1 work of 2021. From our strategic directions, we strive for “Progressive and innovative learning and teaching that maximises student outcomes.” In line with this direction, the College understands that learning is an ongoing process, and each year level/unit is connected to the next. Early Start allows us to make those links and create new energy for learning at a time when enthusiasm for learning can drop off.

There are always some challenges with staffing at this time of year as a proportion of staff finish their time at Damascus and new staff commence. Where new staff are not available for Early Start, we will have qualified, and experienced staff fulfil the teaching load, and they will hand over to new staff ahead of the new school year.

Last weekend was an exciting weekend of activities. The Sustainable Racing Team had a great day on Saturday, and I applaud the efforts of Alan Strange, Rachael Beardall and Sarah McKnight in determining a format that allowed our students to gain some of the experience of Maryborough EBT weekend here at school. Students were amazing in their efforts on the recumbent trainers and the spirit of competition between the SRT team, staff and the broader community was fierce. The livestream of the event provided some great insights to participants and the tone of the day. I congratulate our SRT team on what was a fantastic day!

On Sunday, Rowing Victoria offered a new form of regatta which was best likened to interval time trials in cycling, with crews sent off successively. It was an impressive sight to see the flotilla of crews on Lake Wendouree, and our intermediate and senior rowers performed admirably. I congratulate our rowers, coaches and support staff on your continued efforts.

Our Peer Mentors in Year 9 moving into Year 10 have been through two days of comprehensive training yesterday and again today before they move into the role of supporting our 2021 Year 7’s from the start of next year. I thank staff members Karen Goonan and Jayde Tangey for facilitating this opportunity.

Next week will be the final week for students. Students will undertake their final day of classes on Friday 4^th. Current students have a student free day on Tuesday 1^st, while we welcome our 2021 Year 7 students for Orientation Day. Thursday 3^rd will be the final day of the Early Start Program, and on Friday we will conduct our Awards Assembly for the whole school community which will be available for families to watch via a youtube link concurrently or later that day. This last day, as with every day of school is a day when we want the entire student population involved in bringing 2020 to a close. Our Ball games that we would typically conduct on the last day will proceed but in a different format. Students will also take part in a year level assembly through the course of the day in the Damascus Events Centre to bring the year to a close. Students are encouraged to wear PE uniform next Friday, given the active nature of the day.

Today is the Year 12 Geography and then Physical Education exam. We are starting to see a large number of Year 12’s conclude their exams, and I congratulate them on their efforts. Graduation will take place next Thursday, December 3^rd, from 5.30pm here at school for students and staff. This will be livestreamed to families at that time.

Our parish communities across the Diocese are excited to welcome larger numbers of participants back to Masses from this Sunday. Parishes will provide details of the changes. Details of Mass times and registration processes for the Ballarat East Parish for St Alipius and St Peter and Paul’s can be found here.

A Christmas wreath has made it onto the front door at home and Christmas lights are beginning to emerge on homes throughout Ballarat. Christmas lights speak to the energy and brightness of the festive season for me. This Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent, and we are encouraged through the Gospel to remain alert. The lights of Christmas, mirror the Light of Christ, which is central to the Damascus Community. As we move into this season of joyful waiting for the Christ child, we are encouraged to remain alert to the presence of Good in our lives. For me, as we move from one school year to the next, that presence is in the achievement of our community, and it is the light of achievement and gratitude which shines.

Until next week…

On behalf of Rachael and I, thanks to all staff who rode or assisted with supervision at Saturdays DC12 event. We appreciated your support and the students were really pleased to see you there and to experience a little of the passion they have for SRT.

Although the virtual racing was not racing in the “Maryborough” sense the day was surprisingly competitive as well as being fun, and also proved to be a great opportunity for the team to grow their sense of community. The students really rose to the occasion and rapidly took charge of most aspects of the event and did an admiral job.

They also welcomed a number of new students who came along on the day and expressed interest in joining SRT. The live YouTube feed allowed Damascus families, past students and the wider community to observe DC12 and many positive comment were registered on the site. The live interviews were professionally conducted by our students and Rachael.

Particular thanks to :

• Sarah Mcknight for assisting in the lead up with COVID requirements and being such an encourager
• Ash for turning up at 7am to let us in
• The IT department in particular Matt and Beth for their willing can do attitude, tech prowess and patience with us.
• Matt Byrne, Sarah Mcknight and Cathy for staying and helping with the dreaded pack up
• ..and to all who had a ride and assisted with supervision.

And the race result….

Well , our goal was to reach Adelaide in 12 hrs, 614 kms. By 8 pm Saturday night we actually did 644 kms combined between the staff and students team and SRT.

And the difference was less than 600 metres. I think we should have a rematch…soon! It was too much fun and too good an experience for this to be one–off Covid event.

Below are the Staff and Student Individual Results

Below are the SRT Team Results

On Monday 16th November the Year 11 VCAL Personal Development students travelled to the Soup Bus. Here they were met by Lorraine Gittings who provided students with information as well as allowing them to tour the bus.

The students have been researching the topic of ‘Youth Homelessness,’ analysing articles and looking at ways to raise awareness and give back to a community in need. In conjunction with the Work Related Skills class, the students have been busy making items for an upcoming Christmas Market that will see all proceeds go to assisting the Soup Bus to purchase items such as long life milk, non-perishable foods and fuel for the bus.

Click here to see the amazing results!

As part of their Work Related Skills subject, VCAL students worked hard in creating Christmas items for the market that was held on Monday 23rd November in the school courtyard. There was a range of great products available, with nothing over $7.50. All proceeds raised were donated to the Ballarat Soup Bus.

This week we welcomed the Elevate Education team to Damascus College, to assist Year 9, 10 & 11 students to get the most out of their study routines, to develop or refine study techniques and to extend their learning outside the classroom. Students participated in a series of workshops covering a range of topics including memory, study habits, student success and time management.

In the memory session, students were shown techniques to help them with their memorisation and recall of information, it also showed them what an ineffective study environment can do to their memory. Students were introduced ways to deal with distraction including social media, music, TV etc

The study habits session addressed the most common question – ‘What is study?’ and covered note taking, working consistently, standing out on assessment and conceptual learning skills.

The time management workshop covered study routines, working smart, study groups and procrastination, which addresses the second most common question “Once I know what to do, how do I find the time to do it?’

The student success workshop covered the key fundamentals for senior school success and introduced students to a range of growth mindset-based skills, including belief, goal setting and short term planning.

All students were very grateful to learn from these speakers and gain some valuable life and study skills that will equip them to better handle the ups and downs of study, schoolwork and life in general.

Congratulations to the Year 11 VCAL students and staff as they have pulled off a wonderful Christmas miracle.

Big thanks to all students and staff for supporting the Christmas Market on Monday at school, as they raised $600.15. The students then went shopping and purchased some much needed items to donate to the Ballarat Soup Bus.

Excellent job, and well done to all involved. This donation will make a real difference to those in need

For many people in Ballarat, there will be no Christmas lunch and no presents under the tree this year - only fear for the future. The St Vincent De Paul Society urgently needs your help to reach those in need before they reach breaking point this Christmas.

This year Vinnies have teamed up with local suppliers to be able to provide Christmas lunch to those who might otherwise miss out. Country Roast and Country Kitchen are going to provide these meals based on vouchers that will be worked out with Vinnies.

Damascus College is supporting this amazing work through a casual clothes day on Thursday 3 December, where the collection of $2 per student will be added to the tally for St Vincent de Paul.

We are also encouraging Teacher Advisor Groups to find creative COVID-safe ways to raise funds to support the appeal.

For more information on how you can support this amazing cause, please visit donate.vinnies.org.au/christmas-appeal

Poster design by Year 11 student and Justice Action Group (JAG) member, Amber Kennett.

I’m Part of Something Greater

As from Sunday, November 22, St Alipius would like to welcome back many parishioners, and families of those attending school in our parish boundaries: St Alipius, Emmaus, St Francis Xavier and Damascus.

For this coming weekend (and until restrictions ease further) we can have 85 people attending Mass at St Alipius church (Ballarat East) and 75 people attending Mass at Ss Peter & Paul (Buninyong), according to the 4sqm rule.

At St Alipius, we have a pre-registration process from our website (sapliturgy.net.au) that needs to be completed by 5pm each Friday.

At Ss Peter & Paul, we have a registration process on entry, so those thinking of attending there should arrive 10-15 minutes earlier.

Mass is also videoed each week (mostly Saturday night vigil) and made available on the SAP Liturgy website so people can ‘attend’ Mass at your pleasure on Sunday or during the week if you are not able to attend in person. A special St Alipius ‘Spiritual Communion’ prayer has also been written.

Mass times till the end of the year & over the school holidays:

We look forward to welcoming you to Mass over this special period of Advent, Christmas & School Holidays.

David Santamaria

St Alipius Liturgy Convener.
(admin@sapliturgy.net.au)

Click on the link below to download a PDF filled with information around the Church and Mass

St Alipius ans SS Peter Pauls Church