We consider ourselves very fortunate to be situated in a such a beautiful 20-hectare bush setting, 7km from the Ballarat CBD. Trees and greenery can be enjoyed from most classrooms and offices throughout the College Campus, and we enjoy regular visits from native animals including koalas, kangaroos and echidnas.

Our grounds are expertly maintained by our caring and knowledgeable grounds maintenance team. One significant feature worthy of a special mention is our Commemorative Walk which provides all members of our community with the opportunity to take a comfortable walk through our bushland area, featuring informative ‘markers’ along the trail, and a landscaped sharing circle for reflection at the end of the trail.

Employees of Damascus College have access to a range of generous and competitive entitlements as set out in the relevant Education Sector Agreements/Awards, including:

• Salaries aligned to defined levels in accordance with skills, experience and level of accountability
• Generous Leave provisions
• Flexible working conditions

My Plan - our College’s Professional Growth and Performance planning tool, assists all employees in identifying and managing individual work and development priorities.

The My Plan annual cycle includes the following stages:

• Term 1: Formation of the My Plan document for the year
• Terms 2&3: Refinement and engagement of My Plans through discussion between staff and their Leader or Mentor
• Term 4: Review, reflect and consolidate learning and outcomes; Refine objectives for the following year

Immediate managers and mentors are encouraged to seek out conversations with staff across the College to support the use of the My Plan tool.

My Plan templates, how-to-guides and Workbooks with great examples and support information are all available on our online ‘Staff Quick Links’.

In addition to our comprehensive On-boarding and Induction program, Damascus College provides a range of specialised training to support staff to perform their roles well, including access to accredited qualifications.

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are one of our important commitments as Learning and Teaching professionals. PLCs are prioritised in the Term Meeting Calendar, and Leadership make a commitment to minimise the volume of meetings and other activities to create opportunities for staff to collaborate on their professional practice.  College Leadership are deliberate in identifying timely and effective ways to share information affording staff time to attend PLCs, such as weekly bulletins, Principal Communications and termly ‘In the Loop’ newsletters. PLCs are there to support the best learning outcomes for the young people of Damascus College, which is achieved through our work together.  We acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of our Instructional Development Leader and staff who preform group facilitation and key presenter roles, for their efforts in supporting us all in our work.

Damascus teachers are actively supported in their accreditation to teach Religious Education or lead in a Catholic School. The College provides regular onsite learning opportunities each term, which are registered and approved for accreditation. In addition, registration in relevant external training is also funded by the College.

Employees are actively encouraged and financially supported to engage in professional development. The College facilitates annual applications and approvals for co-sponsored and/or fully funded study available through the Catholic Education Network and also supports contemporary and specialised Leadership Development undertakings.

All employees are provided with an opportunity to book in a Career Conversation with the Principal and Deputy Principal in Term 2 each year. These conversations have been offered over the past four years and have been taken up as a chance to talk through possible career aspirations, transitions to retirement, or considerations of study or other experiences. The conversations are confidential and intended to support Damascus staff achieve or clarify their goals.

The Converge International Employee Assistant Program is available to employees and their immediate family members with 4 x 1-hour free and confidential sessions per support concern.

The College provides caring and tailored support for staff when and as required including approved leave for ‘mental-health’ days, confidential pastoral care conversations with experienced leaders, one on one training and upskilling initiatives, responsive and on-site HR team members, and a supportive team culture amongst the staff.

We have active and inspired staff social club who promote wind-down gatherings at the end of each term and end of year fun activities, including the annual secret Kris Kringle.

Onsite flu vaccinations are available to all employees each year.

Walking groups are coordinated at various times throughout the year.

Our active Occupational Health and Safety Committee meet monthly and have strong representation across the College.

Damascus College employees have many ways in which to keep up to date and ‘in-the-loop’ with the comings and goings of College life.

Our key communication features are:

• Monday at 8.30am (10-15 mins) Staff Briefings
• Weekly ‘all staff’ Bulletins with up to date information about the fortnight ahead
  
• Regular local team meetings
• Twice a term ‘Principal Communication’ newsletter for all staff
• Fortnightly Damascus College Newsletter (every second Wednesday during Term)
• Timetabled ‘all staff’ meetings at least once a term
• ‘Staff Voice’ sessions twice a term – an open and informative discussion forum for feedback and sharing ideas for improvement
• In the Loop Termly newsletter
• Dynamic and professional social media updates on key platforms

The Damascus College staff enjoy a sense of ‘community’ where there is a genuine appreciation for the contribution from everyone in creating a safe and life-giving educational experience for our young people. We are passionate about what we do and how we go about it. These are our mantras:

Be the best I can be – We are empowered to reach our potential, to be our best. We work in a community of motivated and passionate staff.

I’m ready to take on anything – We are ready to achieve, we strive for excellence, we embrace change.

Find my calling – We recognise our own strengths. We appreciate other’s unique talents and interests and celebrate them all, no matter what they are.

It’s what I have inside…and what’s around me - Our Catholic faith and identity, our shared passion for supporting young people, our contemporary facilities and bush setting, nurture our learning.

I’m part of something greater – Our commitment to social justice, to helping others in the world, taking care of our planet, being an active part of the Damascus community, our Mercy heritage, are important to us.

I’m supported – Our support for one another is genuine. We prioritise restorative practices. Support from our colleagues and our leaders is inspired by Mercy.