Dear Parents and Carers, 

Last Friday, 15 November, the P & F hosted a very successful Colour Run event for our school community. It was a wonderful afternoon enjoyed by all students and staff. A big thank you to the P & F executive and the many parent helpers who contributed to the day’s success. I would like to extend a special thank you to Russell Mendue for organising the fire truck experience, which added a fun element to the event. I am pleased to share that the Colour Run raised over $3500 for our P & F, funds that will go directly toward purchasing new resources for our school. Congratulations to Austin (4A) and Maddison (6U) who were the lucky-door prize winners of the event.

On Friday night, I had the pleasure of attending the 2024 Annual CDF Sports Awards presented by Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong. The night acknowledged the exceptional sporting achievements of students from across the diocese. I would like to congratulate Morrison (6R), Jack (6R), Matt (6U) and Oliver (3H) who all received awards on the night. Morrison was also awarded the Most Outstanding Student Award (Primary). This is an outstanding achievement with only one other student from Nazareth ever receiving this prestigious award, Te Haumi Maxwell in 2006.  

On Monday 25 November, we will gather for a special liturgy to acknowledge and officially farewell Lisa Tyson following her appointment as Principal of St Pius X Unanderra. During this liturgy, we will also acknowledge Kristy South, who has accepted a permanent leadership position at St Therese West Wollongong after serving twelve months in an acting capacity at St Therese. The liturgy will commence at 9:30am in the school hall, and we warmly invite parents, carers and grandparents to attend as we celebrate the contributions of both Lisa and Kristy to our school community. In other staffing news, at the conclusion of the school year we will bid farewell to Miss Alana Vezinias and Mr Tim Messner, who have accepted teaching positions at other diocesan schools. We thank them for their dedication and wish them the best in their new roles. In the new year we will welcome Mrs Annalise Biddle (Stella Maris) and Miss Bella Fogarty (beginning teacher) to the Nazareth teaching staff, both will be great additions to our school community. Staffing for 2025 will be finalised once the Assistant Principal and Middle Leader positions are announced.

This coming Sunday, 24 November our Year 3 students will be making their First Holy Communion. The Eucharist is unique among the sacraments as it is at the heart of our faith. For Catholics, the Eucharist, or Mass, is the most powerful way we encounter the real presence of Jesus Christ. Sunday after Sunday (some, of course, gather everyday), Catholics gather to celebrate the Eucharist, the ritual in which, by the power of the Holy Spirit, bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. We who celebrate are also transformed, becoming Christ’s presence to others, and recognising the presence of Christ in others. Please keep all these children in your prayers as they receive the Eucharist for the first time.

At this time of the year, children become increasingly excited about the approaching Christmas season. As a school, it is important that we keep firmly focused on learning and maintain our school routines throughout Term 4. It is for this reason Christmas cards are not to be brought to school until after Monday, 2 December, following the First Sunday of Advent. I also ask that candy canes not be brought to school. Thank you for your understanding and support.

As we approach the end of the school year, please make note of the following important Christmas celebration dates:

• Saturday 14 December – Combined Schools Parish Christmas Carols. This will commence at 5:00pm on the Nazareth grounds with an outdoor mass. Following mass children from Nazareth, Stella Maris and Corpus Christi will perform Christmas carols. 
• Tuesday 17 December – Nazareth Christmas Celebration. This will commence at 11:30am in the hall. Each grade will share a Christmas item. Parents, carers and grandparents are warmly invited to attend. 

Wishing all families a wonderful week ahead.

Kind regards, 

Mr Matt Downes 

(Principal)