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Dear Parents and Carers,
A warm welcome back to the final term of 2025. I hope you all had an opportunity to enjoy quality time with family and friends during the holiday break. Conversations with our students over the past week suggest the holidays were a wonderful balance of rest, family time, and reconnecting with friends. Our students have settled back into school routines with enthusiasm, and this term we look forward to continuing their learning journey as they strive for growth and improvement across all areas.
Our annual improvement plan goal for this year is “Through quality differentiation and feedback, students will be actively engaged and challenged, experiencing growth in learning”. To support this goal, this term teachers are participating in lesson studies, a collaborative professional learning process where teachers plan, observe, and reflect on lessons together. Lesson studies allow teachers to closely examine how students learn and respond during a lesson. By observing and reflecting as a team, teachers gain deeper insights into effective teaching strategies, student engagement, and ways to refine their practice. Ultimately, this leads to improved learning outcomes for all students. Teacher lesson observations and learning walks are a common practice at Nazareth and as teachers seek feedback on ways to improve their practice.
Last Sunday was World Mission Sunday. World Mission Sunday is a day set aside for the Catholic Church throughout the world to publicly renew its commitment to the missionary movements. This World Mission Month, Pope Francis called us to be “missionaries of hope among all peoples”, and Pope Leo XIV echoes this call, inviting us to step out in faith, to walk with those on the margins and share the hope of Christ through acts of love. World Mission Month this year focuses on helping mothers in Zambia feed their children and build a brighter future. On Friday 31 October, we will host our annual Socktober fundraiser. Each class will make a sockball from recycled materials and a representative from each class will test it out against the goalie skills of Mr Edwards. Students are encouraged to come in casual clothes (mufti) on the day for a monetary donation. All funds raised will go towards helping mothers in Zambia.
I’m pleased to share that the Mary Ward Building (Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2), along with the Under-croft (located beside the basketball court), received a much-needed refresh during the school holidays with a new coat of paint. This improvement was made possible through a successful application to the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong Maintenance Fund.
We were also delighted to receive the new P&F funded picnic tables, which are a wonderful addition to our passive play area. These contributions greatly enhance our learning and play spaces and would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our P&F Committee.
The P & F Colour Run is scheduled for Friday 7 November. The Colour Run is a fun twist on the traditional fun run, where children are encouraged to wear a white T-shirt, old pants and old closed-in shoes, which will be covered in non-toxic colour powder by the time they reach the finish line. All students are encouraged to bring a towel and a change of clothes, particularly for those who need to catch a bus home afterward. The first Colour Run will begin at 1:00pm with Year 3. Further details will be shared via Compass early next week. The P & F are also seeking parent helpers to assist with the distribution of the colour powder. If you are available to help, please complete the following Google form: Nazareth P & F Colour Run - Parent Helpers.
Next Friday 31 October marks World Teachers Day, a special occasion to recognise the invaluable contributions teachers make to our students’ lives. We are incredibly fortunate at Nazareth to have such dedicated and passionate educators, to acknowledge and thank our teachers on this special day morning tea will be provided.
The process for student class placements for 2026 has commenced. At Nazareth, we consider a range of factors to create balanced classes, including the spiritual, academic, and emotional well-being of each child, as well as their social interactions. If you have any special considerations or concerns that the school should take into account, please submit them in writing via email to downesm01@dow.catholic.edu.au no later than Friday, November 14. Please note that this is not an opportunity to request specific teachers or friendship groups for your child. While all requests will be reviewed and discussed, final decisions on placements will be made after careful consultation with teachers. Requests submitted after November 14 will not be considered.
Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation.
Mr Matt Downes
(Principal)
First Holy Communion
Thank you to all of the families participating in the First Holy Communion workshops. This week is the second week, with two more workshops remaining.This week at mass your child will receive instructions on how to receive Holy Communion. Please allow approximately 40 minutes after Mass.
Your child will receive Reconciliation on Wednesday, 5 November in preparation for First Holy Communion. The celebration of the Sacrament of First Holy Communion will take place on Sunday, 23 November at 11am. Please ensure that you keep that weekend free.
Children’s Liturgy
Children’s Liturgy has now commenced at All Saints church at the 5pm Saturday and 9am Sunday masses. Following the Gospel reading, all primary school aged children will be invited to move to the Children's Liturgy room where a leader will use simplified readings, songs, discussions, and activities like role-playing to help them understand God's message and connect it to their lives. They then return to you later in the service, just before the collection.
Socktober Reminder
Our Socktober Shootout will be held on Friday, 31 October (Week 3). This day will be a mufti day for all students and they are asked to bring a donation on the day. This year we are raising awareness and funds for communities in Zambia, to help ensure children have access to food and education, giving them the chance to build a brighter future. Students will make their own class ‘sock’ ball and each class will try to blast their ball past Mr Edwards! There will be a K-2 competition and a Years 3-6 competition. More information is to follow.
Save The Date
This year All Saints Day and All Souls day falls on a Saturday and Sunday. We would normally have the opportunity of a whole school mass. In place of this, Stage 2 and Stage 3 will be hosting mass on Sunday, 2 November in commemoration of All Saints Day. More information will follow.
Wednesday Mass and Faith & Learning visits
This week, Year 2 attended Mass on Wednesday at 9am and it was great to see so many families joining their children back in the classroom to explore their learning. Next week Year 6 will have Faith and Learning, beginning with mass at 9am and we look forward to seeing as many families as possible.
This is the link to the All Saints Parish website, where you will find a copy of the current Parish Bulletin.
Advent: The Season of Waiting
Students have been discovering how key figures in Scripture waited and prepared for the coming of Jesus, the Saviour, as part of their journey to better understand Advent. Through discussion, they learned that Advent is a special time in the Catholic Church for waiting, longing, and preparing our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas — because sometimes, good things really are worth waiting for!
In this activity, students explored what waiting feels like and how it connects to the season of Advent. Using Padlet, they brainstormed things they wait for in everyday life — from birthdays to holidays — and shared their thoughts with classmates.
By creating a “waiting word cloud”, students identified how these feelings mirror the emotions of people in the Scriptures who longed for the coming of the Saviour, such as the prophets Isaiah and Micah, and Mary and Joseph as they prepared for Jesus’ birth.
Picture 1: Harper M
Picture 2: Lucas B
Picture 3: Lani G
The learning centre has had an amazing start to Term 4. We are loving the warmer weather and have enjoyed some time in our school grounds and embraced learning outside.
In English, the students have enjoyed recounting their school holidays, sharing about all the fun things they did with their families. In Mathematics, the students have been engaging in a number of tasks to enhance their understanding of Whole Number.
We are looking forward to a great term ahead :)
Congratulations:
Congratulations to Ollie S who, this week, competed at the NSWPSSA Athletics Event in Sydney this week. Over the two days of competition, Ollie competed in a number of events with the following results:
Long Jump: 1st
Discus: 1st
Shot Put: 2nd
200m: 2nd
100m: 3rd
800m: 5th
Due to his fantastic efforts and results, Ollie also won the most outstanding multi-class athlete award which means he was the best athlete in his category out of the boys and the girls in all of NSW. Congratulations Ollie, we can’t wait to hear how you go at the nationals athletics competition in all of your events.
Congratulations to the number of students from Nazareth who competed over the weekend at the Australian Oztag Championships. A huge congratulations to Milla F who played in the 11 girls Steelers team who have won their division 2 years in a row.
Upcoming Events:
Dragon Tag Gala Day- November 13. This gala day is for boys and girls in Years 3-6. Expressions of interest have closed. Please continue to check Compass for when the event is released.
Representative Nominations for 2026
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Representative Pathway Sporting Trials. An information sheet has been uploaded to the Compass newsfeed for parents of children in Year 4 and 5 this year (Year 5 and 6 in 2026). Please make sure you read all of the relevant information prior to nominating your child.
These trials are not a come and try event, they are for children who excel in their chosen sport(s) and wish to progress further. If you have any questions regarding this nomination process, please contact Mrs Mobberley through the front office.
Girls Rugby League Opportunity
Event: MacKillop Girls (10-12 years) Rugby League Pathway Development Day
Nominations Close: October 23
Date: Thursday October 30
Registration Link: Registration for this event is through the CSNSW Sport portal. For details on how to register, please use this link https://csnsw.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2/article/198901765?src=584134009
Further Information: https://csnsw.sport/sports/mackillop-primary-southern-nsw/rugby-league
Aim/Overview: 2026 will see the introduction of the girls stand alone Rugby League pathway and team selection for PSSA sport. In preparation for this exciting new pathway, we are inviting Primary Catholic School students in Years 4-6 to attend this MacKillop Girls Rugby League Development day to build skills, raise awareness and be prepared for this opportunity, Please see below the eligibility criteria for those best to attend.
Eligibility: Students must be turning 10, 11 or 12 in 2025 and in Year 4-6. We are encouraging those who currently play Rugby League, League Tag or those interested in becoming tackle ready to attend the day. Students who demonstrate skills and ability of being tackle ready on the day will have the opportunity to trial for the 2025 MacKillop exhibition team via a 9 a side round robin (students in Year 5 & 6 only).
All other students will be engaged in a Rugby League development program, skills, tackle ready session and league tag round robin in preparation for the 2026 pathway. All students when registering will be required to self-nominate in one of two key groups.
Group 1: Rugby League experience *The student has had experience in training, playing in regular competition and is skilled and has some experience in tackling as a Rugby League player.
Group 2- Rugby League development *The student has played touch, Oztag, League Tag and has foundational skills in footy but have not engaged in tackle Rugby League and has not yet acquired tackle skills.
Venue: Collegians Sports Centre- TBC- 147 The Avenue, Figtree, 2525
Time: 8.30am-3.00pm
Close Date: Thursday October 23
Cost: $40
What to Bring:
- Appropriate gear for game conditions (boots, socks and shorts)
- Mouth guard is compulsory for all participants
- Any medication required
- Strapping tape
- Water bottle
- Healthy lunch and snacks
- Numbered jerseys will be provided on the day
Further Representation: An exhibition MacKillop team will be selected from the Year 5 & 6 students to be able to compete in the tackle component of the Pathway Development Day. The selected team will be involved in a day development camp where they will play against the selected Polding representative team.
Date: Tuesday November 25, 2025
Venue: NSWRL Centre of Excellence- 12 Dawn Fraser Ave, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, 2127. For more information and details see the “Further Representation” tab in the above link.
PRINCIPAL AWARDS
Luna M
Lucas V
Amalia R
MERIT AWARDS
| CLASS |
Week 8 - Being active in the school community |
Week 9 - Teachers Choice |
| KN | Alaska S | Billie K |
| KN | Hugh C | Izaak J |
| KC | Alexis H | Hunter H |
| KC | Isabelle H | Logan K |
| KS | Connor C | Samuel T |
| KS | Maika A | Savannah U-D |
| 1S | Evie R | Brody D |
| 1S | Selene T | Lucas V |
| 1H | Luna M | Isabella B |
| 1H | Stella M | William B |
| 2E | Everlyn B | Jayla Z |
| 2E | Madison S | Shayla N |
| 2L | Emilia D | Riley M |
| 2L | Serah S | Serah S |
| 3L | Adelise M | Fletcher H |
| 3L | Taylan Y-P | Willow R |
| 3H | Hendrix L | Charlie-Rose V |
| 3H | Phillip S | Matilda F |
| 4A | Aliyah B | Adam S |
| 4A | Indiana K | Nicolas D |
| 4R | Gabriella D | Ivy T |
| 4R | Taj S | Lincoln M |
| 5B | Anthony D | Austin C |
| 5B | Mason W | Zach M |
| 5O | Saxon R | Archie S |
| 5O | Layla R | Ava K |
| 6U | Alexa T | Zayn E |
| 6U | Scarlett B | Jacob H |
| 6R | Georgia M | Cruz K |
| 6R | Harrison T | Jaxon T |
Alexander Z, Kendrix J, Reign M, Koby J, Mariana S, Freya T, Thomas L, Sol S, Indigo R, Madison S, Hayley M, Jaxx K, Hudson A, Thomas D, Ashton C, Hunter H, Ariella E, Nicolas D, Lewis G, Ashlyn B, Airlie B, Hank J, Isla F, Patrick S, Zara C, Mia H, Harry U, Claudia S, Arlo S, Malachi K, Joshua K.
During Week 2, classroom teachers have been revising with their students how to be respectful by using appropriate audience manners for assemblies, celebrations of learning and other school gatherings in the hall.
Particular focus has been on remaining quiet whilst walking into the hall, looking and listening to the speaker and participating respectfully in prayers and songs.
NAZARETH PROMOTIONAL FILM
The film captures a day in the life of a Nazareth student.
Click https://youtu.be/olug9FWvZQI to view the film
FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM PAGE FOR NAZARETH
If you haven't already please follow our school pages to keep up to date with events at school and for photos and updates from across the school.
Please click on the direct links to follow our pages:
www.facebook.com/nazareth.shellhabour
www.instagram.com/nazareth.shellharbour
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
Please click on the below link for a direct link to the social media policy.
https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/policies/social-media-policy/