I hope you have been able to find some time to reconnect as a family during our circuit breaker weekend. I am conscious that many do not work in schools, but l am hoping that your children have been able to have some time to reset, recharge and relax. These days would have been an excellent opportunity for our senior students to take stock and prepare their materials for the upcoming exams. A gentle reminder that our Unit 4 students will have their trial exams during the September holidays.

At Damascus, we are trying to work with our young people to be able to express their ideas, emotions and feelings in a respectful manner – one that promotes independence and self-respect. Our continued focus on social-emotional learning is designed to develop an awareness of their feelings in times of change and to explore the opportunities to learn and grow. The same opportunities exist for us as adults; for us to stop and reflect on how we are feeling and to take the time to see if there are alternate ways for us to respond, our response in modelling for young people provides their greatest learning opportunities.

This Sunday is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. This feast celebrates Mary as the mother of Jesus, and currently, it enables us to celebrate the importance of our families. With the in and out of lockdown, family support and partnership in education is critical. The Holy family provides a model of family, but we celebrate and recognise the diversity of family within our community, and we pray for the blessing and challenges that family provide.

I want to again thank and extend my gratitude for your understanding in these times of change. No doubt there are a range of needs out there within our community, and if you feel the school can provide some support, please reach out.

I encourage families to reach out to the school if you are concerned about your young person.

Students have submitted their subject selections, and we continue working through the blocking processes regarding what subjects are able to be run and those that cannot.

Last week l attended two of the Year 11 Retreats. I was so impressed by our young people’s willingness to share their faith, their stories and what genuinely made them appreciate the other. We have so much to be proud of at Damascus; our young people have a strong sense of themselves and what it means to live in community with a genuine sense of humility and trust. Let’s continue to build on this sense of humility and openness to the other.

With every blessing

Congratulations to Year 9 student Milan Pilmore who was nominated for the City of Ballarat Youth Awards in the Leadership in Sports & Recreation category.

Milan was nominated in recognition for her contributions to the Buninyong Football and Netball Club.

For two years now, Milan has generously volunteered her time to coach the Buninyong U/13B netball team, imparting her knowledge, skills, experience, and love for netball onto the junior players.

Well done Milan, what a great accomplishment it is to be nominated for the Youth Award in recognition of your dedication and leadership towards the U/13B team, we hope you had a

wonderful time at the Awards ceremony.

Recently the Damascus College Year 12 PE Students visited Federation University Australia to perform a VO2 Max test in the Lab.

The VO2 Max test is a maximal exercise test that was performed on a bike while connected to a machine capable of analyzing expired air. The test provides data on how much oxygen a person uses while they exercise and determines the maximal oxygen they can consume during exercise.

It was a great opportunity for our students to see theory in action.

Now that you have experienced our newest 15 and 30 second Be My Best commercial on social media, TV, cinema and more, we are excited to now launch the extended version of this video, which gives you a wonderful insight into the lives of Damascus students.

This innovative campaign reinforces and celebrates the Be My Best key messages as listed below, and introduces bespoke music with engaging visuals showcasing our students, our staff and our beautiful bush setting.

- I'm supported

- I'm ready to take on anything

- Find my calling

- It's what's I have inside...and what's around me

- I'm part of something greater

Big thanks to the students and staff involved in the development of this commercial.

Prospective families can experience Damascus College at the upcoming Information Evenings and Open Mornings in September and October, as listed on the below website:

https://www.damascus.vic.edu.au/enrolment/enrol

2024 Enrolments close on Friday 3 Feb 2023.

Students are invited to come to the Common Room 2109 each Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:20am-8:50am to have breakfast and start the day energized.

Breakfast club is starting on 23^rd August (some special dietary needs provided for)

Donations of breakfast items welcome. See flyer below for details. Contact Mrs. Dwyer for more information.

Damascus College took part in the Australian Mathematics Competition on Friday 5 August.

The participating students completed 30-problem questions that demonstrated the importance and relevance of mathematics in students' everyday lives, well done to all.

A special congratulations to the Year 12 Specialist Mathematics students pictured with Mathematics Teacher, Mr Allan Lepair. Each year these students have applied their mathematics skills and competed in the nation-wide competition. Well done for finishing your final competition!

Studying a language at Damascus College was rewarded in senior years with the opportunity to travel overseas so that students could be immersed in the language and culture they were studying. After again missing out on a trip to Indonesia due to COVID lockdowns, restrictions and guidelines, the Damascus Indonesian students hoped another option might be available to them. The creative and dedicated language team have worked hard to develop an alternative they have dubbed “Indonesia in your own backyard”.

The excursion is a three-day trip to Melbourne where students will take part in as many Indonesian activities as possible.

The group travelled to Melbourne on Wednesday and using trams and trains to get around they have already managed to squeeze a lot in.

The group were treated to a visit to the Indonesian Consulate, where they were treated with the utmost respect. It was a great start to this exciting new activity.

Students have enjoyed language lessons, dining out in the city and Prahran, cultural experiences and even a visit to the zoo where the focus was on the native Indonesian animals, the Sumatran tigers, elephants and the endangered orangutans.

Mr Brendan Bawden, an Indonesian teacher reported that everyone is having a fantastic time and are now looking forward to travel opportunities returning, and hoping to visit Indonesia in 2023.

Please see following information on an upcoming Free Webinar: -

Topic - How to Help your Student Write Better Notes

When - Wednesday August 24th

Time - 6.30om

Register - Click here

It was all things McAuley at Damascus on Tuesday.

Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy was celebrated by the McAuley House students, who showcased some of their amazing talents and student achievements for the whole school during the assembly.

McAuley Day included an upbeat dance from the Year 12 students, other students shared their talent for music by singing, playing the saxophone, and a drums performance. The College Choir performed a touching tribute in remembrance of the beloved McAuley TA, Mr Jeff Simpson.

Damascus College wishes to invite students, staff, families and the significant men in their life to attend our annual Father’s Day Liturgy and Breakfast, on Thursday 1 September 2022 at 7am.

Please book your ticket online by Friday 26 August, at https://www.trybooking.com/CBKQD

Please note that numbers will be limited and book out fast, so book your ticket/s today. If you are bringing your Damascus student to the breakfast, please ensure you book them a ticket too.

Thanks in advance and we look forward to celebrating Father’s Day over a lovely liturgy and buffet-breakfast.