NAZARETH SCHOOL PRAYER

Lord, teach me to be generous,

Teach me to serve you as you deserve;

To give and not to count the cost,

To fight and not to heed the wounds,

To toil and not to seek for rest,

To labor and not to ask for reward,

Save that of knowing that I do your will.

Amen

Dear Parents and Carers,

Instilling a love of reading in children is a wonderful gift. 

As we celebrate BOOK WEEK 2023, I would like to share some tips for promoting a love of reading with your children at home.

1. Be a reading role model: Let your children see you reading books, magazines, or newspapers. Children often imitate their parents' behaviour, so your enthusiasm for reading can inspire them. 

2. Create a reading-friendly environment: Set up a cosy reading nook with comfortable seating, good lighting, and a variety of age-appropriate books. Make sure books are easily accessible and displayed attractively. 

3. Read aloud together: Dedicate regular time for shared reading. Pick books that align with your child's interests and read aloud to them. This can create positive associations with reading. 

4. Visit the library or bookstore: Take your children to the library or bookstore and let them explore different genres and authors. Allow them to choose books that capture their attention. We have commenced grade visits to Shellharbour City Library, and I know that many of the children were very excited to see the huge range of books available to borrow. 

5. Encourage book discussions: Engage in conversations about the books your child reads. Ask questions, discuss characters, and share your thoughts. This can enhance their understanding and make reading more enjoyable. 

6. Set aside daily reading time: Establish a daily reading routine where your child reads independently for a certain amount of time. Gradually increase the reading time as they develop a habit. 

7. Explore different formats: Introduce your child to various reading formats, such as e-books, audiobooks, or graphic novels. This can make reading more engaging and cater to different learning styles. 

8. Celebrate reading milestones: Recognize and celebrate your child's reading achievements. This can include completing a book, reaching a reading goal, or trying a new genre. Remember, fostering a love of reading is a gradual process. By making reading enjoyable, accessible, and a part of your child's everyday life, you can help cultivate a lifelong love of reading.

Parent Feedback Survey

Thank you to the parents from the following grades who completed our survey:

Kindergarten – 30%

Years 1 and 2 – 39%

Years 3 and 4 – 41%

Years 5 and 6 – 28%

96% of the respondents agree that Nazareth helps their child to develop a knowledge and understanding about Catholic faith. 88% of the respondents agree that they have an understanding of the faith, learning and wellbeing at Nazareth.

At the end of this term, I am taking a period of long service leave to travel to France with my husband. My leave will commence from Monday 18th September and I will return to Nazareth on Monday 23rd October. During this time, Mr Danny Sykes will fulfill the role of Acting Principal. I’m sure that you will all make Danny feel very welcome during his time at Nazareth. 

This Saturday, 26th August, Bishop Brian Mascord is celebrating mass at 11am to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Fr Joe’s ordination to the priesthood. You are warmly invited to attend this lovely occasion in our Parish.

I would like to address an important matter that concerns the smooth functioning of our school - the usage of the staff car park and the bus bay. Recently, I have noticed an increase in parents using the staff car park and bus bay for dropping off or picking up their children. While I understand that finding parking can be challenging at times, it is crucial to remember that the staff car park is designated solely for the use of our staff members and that it is against traffic regulations to stop in a bus bay. When parents use the staff car park and bus bay, it creates unnecessary congestion, potential safety hazards, and inconvenience for our staff members who may have difficulty either finding a parking spot, or leaving the site each afternoon.

To maintain a safe and efficient traffic flow within the school premises, I request that you refrain from using the staff car park for dropping off or picking up your child. Instead, I encourage you to utilise the designated parent drop-off and pick-up areas, which have been created with your convenience and safety in mind: