Damascus College

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Damascus College
To Live by the Light of Christ
Established	1995
School type	Catholic
Location	Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Year Level	Secondary Years 7 - 12
Campuses	Two (1 Junior, 1 senior)
School colours	Gold, Navy Blue and Maroon
Address	Senior: 1412 Geelong Road, Mt Clear Junior: 200 Victoria Street, Ballarat
Homepage	http://www.damascus.vic.edu.au

Damascus College is a secondary co-educational Catholic school situated over two campuses in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. The Junior Campus for students between years 7 and 9 is located at Victoria St in Ballarat East and the Senior Campus for students between years 10 and 12 is located at Geelong Rd in Mt Clear.

Contents 1 Origins 2 Founding Patrons 3 Vision Statement 4 Mission Statement 5 Crest 6 Facilities

[edit] Origins

The College was established in 1995 after three separate Catholic colleges, St. Martin's in the Pines (Mt Clear), Sacred Heart College (Ballarat East, both owned and administered by the Sisters of Mercy) and St. Pauls College (Ballarat East, conducted by the Christian Brothers) amalgamated to form the largest co-educational catholic school in Ballarat.

The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy had its formal beginnings in Ireland in 1831. Its foundress, Catherine McAuley, in response to the needs of the time, established an institutiuon for the care and education of less advantaged girls and young women. Since that foundation the Congregation has continued to act in response to contemporary needs in society.

In 1881, as part of this heritage, the Sisters of Mercy established Sacred Heart College in Ballarat East for students from Preparatory to Year 12. The primary students were later moved to St. Francis Xavier College. In 1967, a separate campus for Years 11 and 12 girls was developed at Mt. Clear to form Sacred Heart Senior College, St. Martin's in the Pines. In 1988, this campus became co-educational, with boys mainly from St. Paul's College.

The Christian Brothers were founded in Ireland in 1802 by Br. Edmund Rice to educate the sons of poor and oppressed Catholic families. The Brothers provided the education whereby these boys gained some control of their lives.

When the Bishop of Ballarat, Most Reverend James O'Collins established St. Paul's College in 1948, he invited the Christian Brothers to continue their work for boys through the provision of technical education.

Based on the philosophies of the founders, the Colleges offered a broad education for boys and girls to prepare them for future life choices. Sacred Heart College offered a comprehensive education for girls from Years 7 to 10. St. Pauls College emphasised the development of technical skills within a comprehensive Year 7 to 10 curriculum for boys. St. Martin's in the Pines continued this broad education in an atmosphere and environment appropriate to students about to complete their secondary education.

Damascus College is jointly sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy (Ballarat East) and the Parish Priests of Ballarat, Ballarat East, Ballarat North, Bungaree, Cressy, Creswick, Daylesford, Gordon, Linton, Redan, Sebastopol, and Wendouree. The College provided Catholic secondary co-education for day students in Ballarat and surrounding areas on two campuses located at Ballarat East and Mt. Clear.

[edit] Founding Patrons

Venerable Catherine McAuley

Bishop James O'Collins

Brother Edmund Ignatius Rice

Mother Xavier Flood

[edit] Vision Statement

Damascus College is a Christ-centered learning community committed to fostering:

• The celebration of faith.
• A welcoming and safe environment.
• Respect for individual differences.
• The pursuit of excellence
• Social Justice

[edit] Mission Statement

At Damascus College we work as a progressive community in an atmosphere of trust and participation. Through a partnership involving students, staff, parents and the community, we provide our students with a Catholic education, which is challenging, comprehensive and striving for excellence.

[edit] Crest

The Damascus College logo design incorporates

• the Light symbolising conversion
• the Cross, the Christian symbol
• the Eureka symbol to identify location within the Ballarat community
• three schools merged into one

The College motto "TO LIVE BY THE LIGHT OF CHRIST" is a challenge and a call to conversion.

The College colours are gold, navy blue and maroon.

[edit] Facilities

Damascus College, like many other schools has a broad range of facilities well balanced over the whole administrative and educational arenas.

A subset of what's available is:

• Computer Labs
• Chapel
• Library
• Digital Equipment
• Modern Canteen
• Multipurpose Centre Wood and Metal Labs
• Food Kitchens
• Textile Areas
• Graphics Labs
• Rowing Boats and Sheds on Lake
• Gymnasium Hall
• Grassed Play Areas
• Performing Auditorium
• Tennis Courts
• Basket / Netball Courts
• A Myriad of Sports Equipment
• Fully Functional Science Labs