Dear Parents and Carers, 

Yesterday, Wednesday 5 March, the NSC community marked the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday mass and liturgy. The forty days of Lent, not including Sundays, reflects the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness strengthening his own relationship with his Father. Lent is a time of reflection, prayer, and giving. A time for us to practice good habits and to make ourselves a little bit more in Christ’s image. Lent reminds us that this is the season to turn away from our worldly distractions and journey back to God. In Bishop Brian’s Lenten Pastoral Message - Hope of Lent, we as people of faith are invited to use lent as a time to rediscover God’s love. One question we often ask the children is, “What can you do to be a better person? How can you help someone today?". Lent provides the opportunity for all of us to reflect on our actions and how we can be more like Christ in our daily interactions. 

On Tuesday 4 March, Isla and Finn from our School Spirit Team represented our school at the Diocesan Launch of Caritas Australia Project Compassion. Isla and Finn were joined by student representatives from across the diocese as Bishop Brian celebrated a Liturgy of the Word. The launch of Caritas Australia Project Compassion was an opportunity to reflect on the importance of almsgiving during the time of Lent. Almsgiving is one of the three pillars of Lent, along with prayer and fasting. Thank you for your support of Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) in raising $456.36 for Project Compassion. 

Thank you to everyone who attended the Return to School Sausage Sizzle last Thursday. It was a beautiful afternoon, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and connecting with the Nazareth families. A special thank you must go to the Nazareth staff for organising and running this wonderful, community building event.

At last Friday’s Parents and Friends Association AGM, the following parents were elected to the P & F Executive: 

President - Rebecca Dzirins (Kindergarten)

Vice President - Giustina Lakovski (Year 4 and Year 5)

Treasurer - Bradley Kerr (Kindergarten)

Assistant Treasurer - Kattra O’Brien (Year 1 and Year 3)

Secretary – VACANT

The P & F Secretary position currently remains vacant. If anyone would be interested in taking on this role, please contact me via the front office. I would like to acknowledge the newly elected committee and their dedication to building an inclusive school community for the betterment of all the children. I am truly grateful for their service and look forward to working with them throughout the school year. The next P & F general meeting will be held on Friday 4 April at 8:45am in the school library, please save the date. 

We are currently accepting applications for Kindergarten 2026. If you know of a family with a prospective Kindergarten enrolment, please encourage them to enrol now via the link below. School tours for prospective new families will be held next Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The school tours are targeted towards those interested in enrolling their child in Kindergarten 2026. For more information, please view the flyer attached below.

During Week 10 and 11, Monday 31 March to Friday 11 April, Learning Conversations (previously known as parent teacher interviews) will be held for all students in Years 1 to 6. When teachers and parents work together, students are more likely to succeed and have a positive school experience. Children in Years 3 to 6 are strongly encouraged to attend the Learning Conversation and be active participants in sharing their learning goals and achievements. Bookings for Learning Conversations will be made available to parents at the beginning of Week 8.

Wishing all families a wonderful week ahead, 

Mr Matt Downes 

(Principal)