Dear Parents and Carers, 

Congratulations to the children in Year 6 who received the Sacrament of Confirmation during a special liturgy with Bishop Brian Mascord on Tuesday and Wednesday evening this week. This sacred milestone signifies their deepened commitment to their faith and their readiness to take on greater responsibilities within our Catholic community. We are proud of each one of them for their dedication during their preparation, and we pray that the gifts of the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen them as they continue their spiritual journey. Thank you to Fr Joe, Fr Hung, Mrs Mammone and the many staff who assisted with the Sacrament of Confirmation.

On Monday, our student-led Mini Vinnies team hosted a successful Cozy Clothes and Bake Sale to raise funds for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. The event was a wonderful demonstration of compassion and community spirit. Thanks to the generosity of our school community, $1180 was raised on the day through the sale of baked goods and treats. An additional $320 from hot chocolate sales brought the total to an impressive $1500 in support of those doing it tough this winter. A heartfelt thank you to the Mini Vinnies team and their families for the time and effort that went into baking for the event. Your hard work made this initiative not only successful but also meaningful. Events like these highlight the power of young people taking action to make a difference in the lives of others.

Every year in July, Australians come together to commemorate and appreciate the past, traditions, and accomplishments of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This nationwide celebration, known as National NAIDOC Week, offers a chance for all Australians to engage in festivities that honour the enduring cultures of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. This year's NAIDOC theme is "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors. The Nazareth school community will celebrate NAIDOC Week on Wednesday 30 July. All parents, carers and grandparents are most welcome to join us for a special liturgy at 9:30am. 

The P & F are busy planning for the Nazareth Spring Fair to be held on Saturday 20 September. The committee is currently seeking volunteers as ‘Stall Coordinators’ and ‘On the Day Volunteers’, whether you can spare an hour or take the lead on a stall, your time will be greatly appreciated. Please view the P & F update below for further details on how you can assist. 

Semester 1 Reports are now available for viewing on the Compass portal. Please look for opportunities to celebrate the successes and achievements of your child. There is much to celebrate! In reading the reports, I would like to offer my congratulations to all students for their demonstrated commitment to their learning and effort in being respectful, responsible and life-long learners each day.

This year we will be celebrating Grandparent’s Day on Wednesday 23 July. This is a special day where we honour and appreciate the important role that grandparents play in our lives. This date aligns with The Feast of Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, which will be held on Sunday 26 July. All parents, carers and grandparents are warmly invited to join us in celebrating and giving thanks for the beautiful gift of grandparents. The celebration on Wednesday 23 July will commence with mass at 9:00am and will be followed by morning tea and open classrooms. Please save the date and share it with the grandparents within your families. 

 Next term we welcome Mrs Stephanie Rowles back to Nazareth following a period of maternity leave. Mrs Rowles will provide learning support to our Year 5 and 6 students each Wednesday and Thursday, focusing on supporting our high potential and gifted students. 

I would like to thank you for your continued support and involvement in the life of our school throughout Term 2. Your children have worked incredibly hard this term, displaying remarkable moments of growth in faith, learning and wellbeing. 

As we look forward to the upcoming break, I encourage you to take time to rest, rejuvenate and create opportunities to have fun with your children. Please note that school resumes for students on Tuesday 22 July. Please refer to the Key Dates document for further information on important Term 3 events.

Have a happy, relaxing and safe holiday break.

Kind regards, 

Mr Matt Downes

(Principal)