Dear Parents and Carers,

Over the last few weeks, I have had the pleasure of conducting Kindergarten enrolment interviews for 2025. The feedback from those interviewed has been very positive and affirming, acknowledging the great reputation Nazareth has in the wider community. Thank you for everything you do in promoting this wonderful school.

Thank you for your support in ensuring the children come to school each day neatly dressed in their full winter uniform. As we enter the colder months please remember to check and relabel your child’s clothing, especially school jumpers and hats.

National Sorry Day is held on May 26 to acknowledge and raise awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture. It marks the commencement of National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) in which we celebrate and strengthen the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. On Wednesday 29 May, we will acknowledge Reconciliation Week with a special service at 8:30am during the morning assembly. Parents and carers are most welcome to join us. 

It is the time of year when teachers are busy preparing Semester 1 Reports. As you may be aware, the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) have undertaken a comprehensive review of the NSW Curriculum, leading to curriculum reform and subsequent implementation of a reformed curriculum which commenced in 2023. In response to the curriculum changes, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has made significant modifications to student semester reports for Primary schools to better reflect your child's academic progress at key points throughout the year and provide parents and carers with a clear picture of their child’s strengths and areas for improvement in specific subject areas.

The following changes will be evident in your child’s semester report from Semester 1 2024: 

• A ‘new look’ report format released via Compass reflecting the outcomes of the new K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses providing a descriptor for each of the focus areas found in the respective syllabuses
• All Kindergarten students will now receive a written report in Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
• Thorough
• Sound 
• Basic
• Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports twice a year with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors: 
• Extensive
• Thorough
• Sound
• Basic
• Elementary 
• There will be no general comment in the Semester 1 Reports.

These changes are consistent across all Catholic primary schools in the Diocese of Wollongong. The following video provides an update on these reporting changes:

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LX-sk2MdD651jARgH30Hgp8XqQmtzIT8/view 

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Mr Matt Downes 

(Acting Principal)