Learning and Teaching Update

Year 12 Study Sessions and Student Drivers (from Friday 16 June 2023)

We would like to share some important updates regarding Year 12 study sessions and Year 12 students driving at Damascus College. Please take note of the following information:

Year 12 Study Sessions

As we reach the midpoint of the academic year, we want to remind students about the significance of self-directed learning and social-emotional skills in achieving success. We are pleased to announce a new option for Year 12 students during study sessions, starting from Friday 16 June 2023. This option allows students to have greater flexibility in managing their study time and focusing on areas that need extra attention. Please note that this option is only applicable to students with either the first two periods of study (Periods 1 and 2) or the last two periods of the day as study sessions (Periods 5 and 6).

Here are important instructions regarding study sessions:

• Students with the first two periods of study can arrive at school by recess.
• Students with the last two periods of the day as study sessions may leave the College grounds at lunch.
• Students must check in and out with Student Reception during these times.
• Movement in and out of the College is restricted to recess and lunchtime.
• Students are responsible for marking their own roll for all study sessions through SIMON.

• An SMS will be sent to families if a student fails to mark their roll.
• The designated room for Study Sessions is 2102, but students can also access the St Martin Resource Centre if they check into the Library Kiosk.
• Students can choose to remain on campus for all study sessions if they prefer and are not required to leave during the proposed morning (Periods 1 and 2) and afternoon (Periods 5 and 6) sessions.
• It is assumed that students will stay up to date with their work/assessments. Failure to do so will result in mandatory on-campus attendance for all study sessions, with individual exceptions considered.

We encourage all Year 12 students to take advantage of this new option, which offers greater flexibility in managing their study time and addressing individual needs. By giving students autonomy and flexibility in choosing when and where they study, they can focus better on their unique requirements and seek assistance from teachers and peers as needed.

Year 12 Student Drivers

We acknowledge the responsibility and maturity of our Year 12 students with valid driver’s licenses. To ensure the safety and security of our College community, we have implemented a new Year 12 Driver Registration Procedure, effective from Friday 16 June 2023.

To comply with this procedure, we kindly request all Year 12 students with a valid driver's license to follow these steps:

1. Obtain the Damascus College Driver Registration Form from the Front Office.
2. Fill out the form accurately and legibly, providing all necessary details, including full name, vehicle make and model, license plate number, contact information, and parent/carer signature.
3. If students bring siblings to school, parents/carers must complete a subsequent form (included in the pack).
4. Return the completed Driver Registration Form to the Front Office for review and processing.
5. Upon approval, students will receive a Vehicle Pass to be displayed on their vehicle's front dashboard and passenger side. This pass confirms authorisation to park on College grounds.
6. Approved student drivers can park only in the bottom section of the Jones Avenue car park, opposite the front entrance of the SRT Shed.
7. Unregistered vehicles without a valid Vehicle Pass are not permitted to drive and park on College grounds.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to these guidelines. The safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our top priority and by following these procedures, we can ensure a secure and well-organized campus environment.

We also want to emphasise the importance of collaboration between students, families, and teachers. By working together, we can create a supportive community that empowers our Year 12 students to succeed. As they work towards their final outcomes in 2024, we encourage our Year 12 students to take on leadership roles and set positive examples for their peers.

Thank you for your partnership and support in assisting our Year 12 students. Together, we can create an environment that promotes growth and success