Prospectus-Final-A4-32pp-HR in 2 page spread

Damascus College resognises the
Wadawurrung peoples who have
stewarded this beautiful part of
Victoria for millenia. Our site allows the
opportunity for students to engage with
the rich traditions of our indigenous
brothers and sisters in caring for the site
and learning about indigenous culture.
As a Catholic college in the Mercy
tradition, we are called to hear
and respond to the cry of the earth.
Damascus College has an ongoing
commitment to teach and exemplify
environmental stewardship, and to
work towards a sustainable way
of life at the College.
This is displayed in a number of ways:
• Through teaching stewardship and practical
sustainability in subjects like Religious Education, Science
and Humanities, and in the teaching program of the
College’s Energy Breakthrough Team
• Through the intentional choice of energy-conserving
and sustainable measures in the resourcing of infrastructure
and materials such as paper
• Through the College’s commitment to the ResourceSmart
program, to which we signed up in 2012, which focuses
on sustainable development in four key areas: waste,
water, energy and biodiversity
• Through maintaining a Sustainability Coordinator
position within the College to lead Damascus on the
environmental stewardship journey
• Through the support of a student group - The Green
Group - who are committed to improving the College
environment and sustainability
• Through the College’s Christian Personal Development
Award (CPDA) which introduces students to volunteer
work, including working with local Landcare groups.
With regard to our environment, the College is blessed
with a large hilltop site overlooking southern Ballarat.
Close to the buildings are extensive plantings of native
vegetation, while beyond them the hillsides are covered
in indigenous forest. Part of this forest is an area of rich
biodiversity, which is now protected under the “Land for
Wildlife” program. In 2015 the College developed the
Murnong Trail, which draws attention to the richness of the
flora and fauna.
Its name celebrates an indigenous species, the Yam Daisy
or Murnong, which was a significant part of Aboriginal
agriculture. Many schools have worked hard to create
areas of natural beauty within their premises—we have it
here already, and simply have to preserve it.
Our students and staff enjoy our campus being set on
an inspiring 50 acres, allowing most classrooms to have
a beautiful vista of the surrounding bushland. Damascus
College is situated only 7km from the Ballarat CBD and
we are committed to providing a safe and sustainable
environment, cared for by all.
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