Steven Mifsud - Principal
This weekend the Church reflected on Social Justice Sunday. Social Justice Sunday falls on the last Sunday of August each year. It is a day to centre the Church’s social mission and encourage parishes and communities to reflect on the social, political, economic and environmental issues that face our society. Each year, in the lead up to Social Justice Sunday, the Australian Catholic Bishops release a Social Justice Statement in a tradition dating back to the 1940s. The statement reflects on a current and pressing issue of justice in Australia and beyond, and is foundational in establishing focus on the Church’s social mission of the time.
2024-2025 Social Justice Statement, Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World
The 2024-25 Social Justice Statement, Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World, is an urgent cry for peace amidst the worrying rise in violence, armed conflict and suffering around the world. The statement reflects on how our ‘post-truth’ society cannot foster peaceful dialogue, and therefore trust, which is a pillar for building global peace. It tells that the erosion of truth, brought on by new technologies and algorithms, loss of faith in generally accepted authorities, a well-resourced persuasion industry, and a generalised atmosphere of social distrust, increases the risk of conflict, and more importantly, damages means of building peace.
With the ultimate goal of local and global peace, the bishops declare the importance of promoting a robust education system so that children may better navigate the world they find themselves in. They also provide a list of simple, but meaningful, actions that anyone can partake in, from inviting the true God to nurture peace in your heart, to making your concerns known to your local Member of Parliament or reaching out to a local reconciliation or refugee support group.
The Church, and everyone within it, has a responsibility to be an agent of positive change for peace, and to respond to conflict by supporting the disadvantaged, vulnerable and voiceless.
Prayer for Social Justice Sunday
Adapted from Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti
God, Trinity of love,
from the profound communion of your divine life,
pour out upon us a torrent of sisterly and brotherly love.
Grant us the love reflected in the actions of Jesus,
in his family of Nazareth,
and in the early Christian community.
Grant that we Christians may live the Gospel,
discovering Christ in each human being,
recognising him crucified
in the sufferings of the abandoned
and forgotten of our world,
and risen in each sister or brother
who makes a new start.
Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty,
reflected in all the peoples of the earth,
so that we may discover anew
that all are important and all are necessary,
different faces of the one humanity
that God so loves.
AMEN.
At Damascus our promotion of social justice and care for one another is the key tenet in which we work. Embedding our Mercy Values of respect, courage, compassion, hospitality, justice and service we continue to foster strategies to build peace, understanding and respect.
Damascus College is pleased to announce we have recently become a member of the Communities of Respect and Equality (CoRE) Alliance. The CoRE Alliance is a region-wide approach to prevent violence against women and their children in the Central Highlands, Grampians Pyrenees and Wimmera areas of Victoria. The CoRE Plan sets a vision for “A safe, equal and respectful society for everyone” and invites all organisations, businesses, clubs and networks in the region, who share this vision, to become members of the Alliance and start working collectively, with mutually reinforcing actions towards that vision.
We will commence planning the actions we will take as part of our commitment over the next few weeks. Please let Sharon Lehtonen or Mitch Jolly know if you would like to be involved in the planning process.
Last week we were blessed to have our Catholic Primary Schools join us for the Annual Secondary Education Experience Day (SEED), the students participated in many activities and were able to experience the joy and energetic learning here at Damascus. I’d like to thank the many staff who organised the events and our primary schools who paused their learning and teaching program to join us at the College.
With every blessing.
Please see following important key dates for Damascus College
Friday December 6 - Last Day of Term 4 - Normal Finish Time of 3.18pm
Sharon Lehtonen - Assistant Principal - Catholic School Culture
Damascus College has had a long association with the St Vincent de Paul outreach agency. Last year, the college signed up as a member of the Young Vinnies Conferences for students. The first conference has just taken place. A group of Year 7 and 8 students were our first group of students to represent the college at this forum. Students from all over Ballarat gathered to share their ideas and school experiences. Each school prepared a presentation to demonstrate how they were able to live and embody the mission to care for others.
The student representatives from Damascus College were:
Felicity Handreck, Ruby Townsing, Alira Wallesz, Polly Dawson, Grace Boyd and Tom East.
The students shared their insights from the day:
St. Vinnies Conference Ballarat
Who did you meet? At the St. Vinnies Conference, we had the opportunity to connect with students from various schools across Ballarat, as well as members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society from both Ballarat and Melbourne.
What was something you enjoyed? It was truly inspiring to learn about the initiatives other schools are undertaking for St. Vinnies. They offered valuable suggestions on how we can enhance our current fundraisers, and we were able to reciprocate with ideas of our own.
What was your presentation about? Our presentation focused on showcasing how we fundraise for St. Vinnies and other local charities, as well as sharing some of the projects we are currently working on.
What did you learn about Vinnies that you didn't know before? We discovered just how active Vinnies is in our local community. It was enlightening to hear directly from those involved in distributing clothing, toiletries, Christmas vouchers, and everyday food vouchers that we’ve contributed to.
What did you learn about social justice? It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our efforts are making a tangible difference in people's lives.
Is there anything that surprised you? We were amazed by the impressive projects undertaken by some primary schools! Their creative approaches to fundraising and their ability to build connections with local businesses were inspiring. For example, one project involved raising funds by selling hot chocolates. They secured donations of milk from Inglenook Dairy, and hot chocolate from Grounded Pleasures. Both local businesses contributed to the effort, helping to raise money for the local community.
What would you say to someone to encourage them to attend next year? Be sure to document the year with plenty of photographs and plan each fundraiser carefully to ensure a successful and rewarding experience.
Hannah Keating - Acting Assistant Principal - Student Wellbeing
Addressing the Rising Trend of Vaping and Smokeless Tobacco Amongst Youth
As parents and caregivers, staying informed about the challenges young people face today is crucial, particularly regarding the use of vaping devices and smokeless tobacco products like snus and nicotine pouches. These products, often marketed as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes, pose significant health risks, especially to developing brains.
Vaping: A Growing Concern
E-cigarettes, commonly referred to as vapes, are battery-powered devices that heat liquids (known as e-liquids) into an aerosol that users inhale. Despite their marketing as a safer option, these e-liquids frequently contain nicotine, flavourings, and a range of harmful chemicals.
The appeal of vaping to teenagers is driven by its discreet nature and the availability of enticing flavours such as mango, lime, and mint. However, many e-liquids contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can significantly impair brain development, affecting learning, memory, and attention. The misconception that vaping is harmless can lead to increased use among teenagers, heightening the risk of nicotine addiction and potentially leading to the use of traditional cigarettes or other drugs.
The health risks associated with Vaping are significant and include:
These severe side effects underscore the importance of understanding the risks associated with vaping, particularly for those who use it frequently or are sensitive to its effects.
SPECIAL REPORT: Vaping & E-Cigarettes | Damascus College - Mount Clear (schooltv.me)
The Rise of Smokeless Tobacco Products
In addition to vaping, there is an increasing trend among youth towards smokeless tobacco (SLT) products like snus and nicotine pouches. These products are placed under the upper lip, allowing nicotine absorption through the gums. Like e-liquids, they come in various flavours and strengths, with unregulated nicotine levels leading to inconsistent and often misleading labelling. Despite being marketed as cessation aids, many young people are drawn to these products under the false belief that they are a safer option.
SPECIAL REPORT: Smokeless Tobacco Products | Damascus College - Mount Clear (schooltv.me)
The health risks associated with SLT products are significant and include:
The Role of Parents and Caregivers
Given the evolving nicotine landscape, it is more important than ever for parents and caregivers to stay informed and proactive. Open conversations with young people about the risks of vaping and SLT products are crucial. Educating yourself about these products, recognising the signs of nicotine addiction, and understanding the potential health consequences can guide these discussions effectively.
Leading by example is also important. Avoid using e-cigarettes or SLT products yourself and create a home environment that discourages their use. Additionally, keep these products locked away and out of reach to prevent accidental exposure, which can have severe consequences.
Empowering Youth to Make Informed Choices
At Damascus College, we are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our students. A recent survey highlighted that two-thirds of our students had witnessed others vaping, leading to discomfort and health concerns. This underscores the importance of addressing these issues directly.
We encourage all parents and caregivers to engage in ongoing conversations with their children about the dangers of vaping and SLT products. By providing accurate information and fostering open dialogue, we can empower our youth to make informed decisions that prioritise their health and future.
Ashwin Pillai - Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Home Study Routine- A personal guide in HOW to implement an effective study routine.
Preface
Over the last few years, I have had countless emails from staff, students and parents/guardians regarding home study routine. Specifically, what it is, and how we do we effectively implement it. The definition that I will provide is essentially what I say to parents/carers and importantly to my students. A home study is essentially a process at home where you try to consolidate the knowledge and skills acquired at school. This may include working on homework and completing tasks, however there is a bigger emphasis on the process of consolidation and retention, allowing for a deeper understanding of the content and/or skill. The ‘routine’ part of the ‘home study routine’ is a concentrated effort in applying these processes daily.
As much as this seems logical and easily manageable, the issue is that for most of us the application of ‘study routine’ rarely sticks and can be ineffective. Students do study, most (if not every) night. Although what they study, how they study and where they study can contribute to how effectively they studied.
Another reason for ineffective study routine or study, in general, may be directly related to procrastination. Or specifically, academic procrastination, which can be defined as “unintentionally delaying or deferring work” (Schraw et al, 2007). Prevalent amongst adolescents and generally considered a sub-branch of general procrastination, academic procrastination is the most researched form of procrastination and the highest form of procrastination linking to the negative impact on a student’s wellbeing (Janssen, 2015).
Preparation before Application.
I will say that, in general, the most reliable way to employ an effective study routine for the long-term is to use a systematic approach (the preparation), where students identify the distractions (environment, procrastination, etc.), the non-negotiables (entertainment, sports, work dinner etc.) then create a plan of action (study timetable) and then put into practice daily (application).
Below are a few effective techniques that I have personally used and shared with students in preparing and applying a home study routine. It’s never too late.
The Preparation:
Of course, it's difficult to know in advance for each activity you will do. Nobody wants to live life on such a tight schedule, but getting a rough estimation of when you do things will be a good start. Once you have identified the key times for activities, you can move to the application.
The Application:
It is important to keep in mind that your routine with the assistance of the study timetable should be used as a guide, not as a rule book. The aim is not to stick to it 100% and live life by such regimented time-slots. If you can stick to the timetable 60% of the time, that should be considered a 'win'. Sometimes, you will get to a study timeslot, and you will just feel like relaxing - that's fine! Equally, you may get 30 minutes into an X-box game or find that you've had enough Snapchat for the day and decide it's time to hit the books. Either way, plan in advance and stay flexible too!
Closing words and further advice
Implementing a study routine is a complex and varied task. Different students study in different ways and for different reasons, which is why different solutions work better for different people.
From a student point of view, it can be pretty frustrating to hear your parents or teachers say, "are you doing enough study?" A great way to get around this is to print/email your study timetable, give your parents and teachers a copy and say "this is my plan. I will try my best to stick to it. I still need my week to be flexible, but here's a snapshot of the times I plan to be studying in."
The techniques listed here are some of the most simple and effective ones you can use in general and should be highly beneficial in most cases.
However, keep in mind that there are many other techniques you can use, some of which might work better in your particular case.
Good Luck!
Mr Ashwin Pillai- Assistant Principal- Learning and Teaching
Reference:
This term in Health and PE, we're focusing on building healthy habits, improving physical fitness, and promoting overall wellness through our curriculum outcomes.
What's New?
Upcoming Events
Healthy Habits Tip of the Month
Stay Hydrated! As the weather changes, it’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Hydration helps keep your body functioning at its best and improves concentration in class.
Looking Ahead
VCE Health and Human Development, and Physical Education students will complete their required SAC’s in the next few week. This will be followed by extensive Exam revision which will include practice exams, exam revision seminars, and extra study sessions!
INTRODUCTION
On Saturday 24 August, while on family business in Adelaide, I was fortunate enough to be the metaphoric fly on the wall observing and sharing insights with a highly enthusiastic group of South Australian Indonesian language teachers at their conference. The collective Languages faculty across that state are in the process of prioritising their new curriculum in accordance with our national one. There was a great deal of discussion about students having to change languages, for example from Japanese to French or Indonesian as many of our Damascus students have had to do when moving schools from primary to secondary as well as when moving between sectors. In this piece, I reflect on the value of learning languages period despite often having to change languages. What is written below applies equally to any language not just French or Indonesian.
The Australian Curriculum defines seven general capabilities that encompass knowledge, skills, behaviours, and dispositions that, together with the curriculum content in each learning area and the cross-curriculum priorities, will enable students to live and work successfully in the current modern world. These capabilities include: literacy, numeracy, information and communication technology (ICT) capability, critical and creative thinking, personal and social capability, ethical understanding and intercultural understanding. Apart from the obvious literacy and intercultural benefits from learning languages there are personal, social, creative and critical thinking benefits as well, as defined in the Australian Curriculum.
Critical and Creative Thinking
“In learning a language, students interact with people and ideas from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, which enhances critical thinking, reflection and encourages creative, divergent and imaginative thinking. By learning to notice, connect, compare and analyse aspects of the target language, students develop critical, analytic and problem-solving skills.”
Personal and social capability
“Interacting effectively in an additional language and with people of diverse language backgrounds involves negotiating and interpreting meaning in a range of social and cultural situations. This involves understanding and empathising, which are important elements of social and intercultural competence. Being open-minded and recognising that people view and experience the world in different ways, and learning to interact in a collaborative and respectful manner are key elements of personal and social competence.”
Ethical understanding
“When learning another language, students are taught explicitly to acknowledge and value difference in their interactions with others and to develop respect for diverse ways of perceiving and acting in the world. Opportunities are provided to monitor and to adjust their own ethical points of view. In learning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, students should consider appropriate ethical behaviour in terms of engaging with the owners and custodians of the languages. Similar consideration is required when interpreting and translating or when collecting and analysing primary research data.”
CONCLUSION
Hopefully, Damascus students value their language learning journey, be it in French, Indonesian or community languages being studied outside of school, be it a short one or choosing as an elective to senior years. The benefits of learning languages are many fold, not just limited to whether or not we intend to visit a particular country. Thank you for reading.
Source: Australian Curriculum General capabilities (Version 8.4)
On Thursday August 22nd, four students from Damascus College made to trip to Noorat to represent the College in the South West Zone Regional Schools Clay Target Championship. The event attracted schools from across regional Victoria with a total of 260 students competing. The event required students to shoot in a Down the Line (DTL) clay target discipline, students where required to shoot in 2 rounds at 10 targets using single barrel.
The students represented the college in a competitive and sportsman like manner. On the day, the best shooters from the College were a tie between Bella Mahar and Casey Leonard both managing 9 targets each, closely followed by Darcy Smits and Denny Mahar.
Students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to compete at clay target shooting, the event finished with the overall championship and awarding of medals presentation from Paris Olympic bronze medallist in clay target shooting Penny Smith. Penny won this event in 2011 and spoke about the opportunities this sport offers students and encouraging females in the sport.
I would like to thank the support of parents and Brent Evans (Maintenance Staff) who assisted with supervision and encouraging of students throughout the day.
As Winter draws to a close and we anticipate more sunny days just around the corner, I hope students, families and staff members are feeling relieved and excited to be more than half-way through Term 3.
In our recent Domain meeting, the English team discussed the need to nurture our flair for writing and engage with our passions in reading literature and having fun with words. As the term nears its conclusion, we hope students are also engaging in regular practise pieces to build their confidence, efficacy, and voice as students of English. It was also a chance to recognise the commitment of our terrific English teaching team who care deeply for our students. It’s a privilege to work with this team of dedicated professionals.
Congratulations to the library staff for their fantastic work with Book Week, last week. And well done to all the students who involved themselves in the fun activities on offer. This year the theme was ‘Reading is Magic!’ and there were Narnia and Hogwarts displays that were very inspiring for staff and students alike.
On Friday September 27, Ross Huggard will visit Damascus to deliver a revision lecture to guide our Year 12 English students in their examination preparation. Ross has been a member of the Executive Panel assessing the VCE English Examination for many years. He will present for an hour on the Analysis of Argument and Language and then for an hour on Writing About Protest. Students are asked to arrive at school by 9:50am for a prompt 10am start. The session will conclude around midday.
Finally, thanks to our parent supporters who are taking the time to read over student work, helping to explain key concepts and reading in tandem with your children. These vital discussions and actions of support make all the difference to students’ ongoing academic success.
Sport Report – Week 7, Term 3, 2024
Overall, the participation levels and results of the weekly Term 3 BAS Sport has been encouraging and positive. The vast majority of the 180 students participating across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday have been committed and punctual each week, barring some injuries and unavailability. Be sure to finish off the term well and remember to thank your coach at the end of each training session and game. A reminder that MS Teams is the main form of communication, regularly check that and your emails/morning messages. Please communicate with staff if you are injured or unavailable on any given week.
YEAR |
SPORT |
DAY |
Yr. 7-12 (Co-ed) |
Table Tennis |
Tue |
Squash & Racquetball |
Thur |
|
Yr. 7/8 Girls |
Junior Girls Netball (Div. 1 & 2) |
Wed |
Junior Girls Netball (Div. 3) |
Thur |
|
Junior Girls Football (Yr. 7-9) |
Thur |
|
Yr. 7/8 Boys |
Year 7 Boys Basketball (4:50pm) |
Tue |
Year 8 Boys Basketball (4:00pm) |
Tue |
|
Junior Boys Soccer |
Thur |
|
Yr. 9/10 Girls |
Year 9 Girls Netball |
Tue |
Junior Girls Football (Yr. 7-9) |
Thur |
|
Yr. 9/10 Boys |
Inter Boys Basketball (A Grade) |
Wed |
Yr. 11/12 Girls |
Senior Girls Volleyball (Yr. 10-12) |
Tue |
BAS Cross Country
On Wednesday August 7, 45 runners represented Damascus at the BAS Cross Country, which was held at Ballarat High School. Junior boys and girls, Inter and Senior girls all ran 3km, whilst the inter and senior boys ran the 5km flat course around the ovals, baseball fields and the back of the golf course. Overall, our times across the Junior, Intermediate and Senior divisions were very competitive, well done to all. Particular congratulations must go to Logan Leonard, who placed 3rd in the Junior Boys and Lucy Jones, who placed 2nd in the Inter girls. The last BAS Cross Country event is the esteemed Lap of The Lake, which will be on Wednesday, August 28.
Term 2 MVP’s
On Tuesday, August 27 the Term 2 MVP’s will be presented at a whole school assembly. Our Term 2 MVPs are as follows:
Badminton |
Thomas McDonald |
Junior Girls Soccer |
Tilly Gordon |
Junior Boys Football |
Colby Guy |
Intermediate Girls Basketball |
Ella Morganti |
Intermediate Boys Football |
Ethan Kuchel |
Senior Girls Netball |
Ruby Byrne |
Senior Girls Football |
Freya Palmer |
Senior Boys Football |
Elliott Bushell |
Congratulations and well done on the commitment shown to your Term 2 Sport.
McAuley Cup/Shield (Football)
The annual McAuley Cup/Shield is to be held on Wednesday, September 18 at Sebastopol Football Club. This event sees a Junior Girls and Junior Boys Football match played against Mercy College, Camperdown. The Girls match starts at 11:00am, followed by the Boys at 12:45pm. After each match the respective schools will share lunch and a best on ground medal will be presented. More information will be put out on PAM closer to the date.
Term 3 Key Dates
Week |
Date |
Event |
Venue |
7 |
Wed, Aug 28 |
BAS Lap of The Lake 4:00pm |
Lake Wendouree |
10 |
Mon, Sep 17 |
Last week of BAS Sport |
|
10 |
Wed, Sep 18 |
McAuley Cup v Mercy College |
Sebastopol Football Club |
10 |
Fri, Sep 20 |
Last day of Term 3 |
|
Term 4 BAS Sport
In the concluding weeks of term 3 our attention will turn to term 4 sport. An email will be sent to all students asking them to complete a MS Form to sign up for a sport. Some of the sports on offer include:
Junior Girls: Tennis and Cricket.
Junior Boys: Netball, Volleyball and Tennis.
Inter Girls: Tennis and Netball.
Year 7-11 Co-ed: Mountain Bike Riding.
There will be more information to come, so please keep an eye out on your emails and the morning messages.
Damascus Sport Uniform
Students need to ensure they are in the correct uniform to participate. Students should check with their coach as to what is required and bring your own drink bottle.
I wish all students and coaches the best for Term 3 Sport. Always play the game in the right spirit, wear the correct uniform, respect the umpires, staff in charge and the facilities. You all have an opportunity to add to your school experience by being the best you can be, both in and out of the classroom.
Please do not hesitate to contact myself (g.webb@damascus.vic.edu.au) or Sport and PE Administrator, Patty Dillon (p.dillon@damascus.vic.edu.au) at the College with any questions.
Regards,
Gavin Webb
Sports Co-ordinator
Damascus College is excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Performing Arts Production – The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon is a wild, free-formed comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun. Two narrators attempt to recreate all 209 of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm in a wild, fast-paced extravaganza!
Andrew Seeary, Performing Arts Coordinator - Drama, said being fresh on the tail of the Damascus College senior dramatic play ‘ The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time, this play is about having fun. With a cast of students from all year levels, this performance will give students with an interest in Drama and performance yet another opportunity to hone their characterisation skills and comic timing.
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon will be showing from Thursday 12 September until Saturday 14 September in the Damascus College Valda Ward Auditorium.
Tickets available via the below link:
Damascus College recently had the pleasure of hosting our first Grandparents and Grandfriends Day.
The Year 7 students proudly welcomed the ‘Grand’ people in their lives to the campus ready to spend a special morning together.
The morning commenced with a liturgy, followed by a Year 7 student’s touching tribute to grandparents, sharing the joy, meaning and legacy that they imprint on our lives.
A range of student speakers then shared their experiences and opportunities they have had so far, giving Grandparents an insight into what their grandchildren have been up to at Damascus College over the last two terms and what opportunities are available to them as they progress throughout their high school years.
The guests and the students then headed off on a campus tour, where the Year 7 students could proudly show off their school grounds and facilities, before heading back to our Damascus Events Centre for morning tea.
It was a wonderful morning celebrating our Grandparents and Grandfriends.
In Year 9 we are studying the topic of Government. The students have looked at Representative Democracy, major Political parties, Levels of Government and are in the process of designing their own political party, making policies and campaigning before they hold their own election.
As a part of this study Wayne Forster, one of the Year 9 teacher’s, reached out to the City of Greater Ballarat Mayor, Councillor Des Hudson, for a visit. Councillor Des spoke to a number of Year 9 classes, especially Core Groups 9.2 and 9.7. Here are some photographs of The Mayors’ visit.
Please see information following in relation to the Buninyong Tennis Club: -
The Lions Youth of the Year Program is open to students aged between 15 and 19 who would like to enhance their leadership skills and make a difference in the community. This prestigious award recognises a young person who goes above and beyond in serving others—someone who truly exemplifies the spirit of service.
By entering the program, students gain valuable experience that will set them apart:
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to grow, learn, and lead. Join the Lions Youth of the Year Program today!
Please see the attached document for more information: -
Do you know a young person wanting to join a Basketball Team aged 5-19 years old?
The Sovereign Knights Basketball Club are looking for players to join their teams.
Training is Wednesday or Thursday nights depending on your age group, at Phoenix College.
New season starts Term 4, come and train…try it out or sign up now
If you know of anyone, please ask them to email playercoordinator@skbc.org.au for further details.
Please feel free to share, tag someone you know.
Please see following information on the DOBSONs Uniform shop sale: -
