Dear Parents and Carers, 

Last Sunday we celebrated the hope and joy that comes with the Easter Season, as we recalled the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. On Easter Sunday Pope Francis proclaimed that:

Jesus Christ is risen! He alone has the power to roll away the stones that block the path to life. He, the living One, is himself that path. He is the Way.

Today the hopes and path of humanity are blocked by many things including war, humanitarian crises and human rights violations. This Easter, Pope Francis encouraged us to remember the love of God for each of us: a love that overcomes every limit and every weakness. 

May the light of the Resurrection illuminate our minds and convert our hearts and make us aware of the value of every human life, which must be welcomed, protected, and loved. A happy Easter to all!

(2024, Pope Francis)

On Monday 8 April, we will celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation. Commemorating the time when God entered into our world and chose Mary to be the mother of his son, Jesus. This important feast is also the feast day for our school. To celebrate this day, parents and carers are most welcome to join us for our whole school mass at 9:30am. The students will be participating in feast day activities throughout the day and will be provided with a free sausage sizzle lunch. The barbeque has been proudly sponsored by the Parents and Friends Association. 

Last week, it was announced via Compass that Mr Andrew Edwards will be accessing leave during Term 2. The temporary changes below will take effect from Tuesday 30 April:

• Mrs Lisa Mammone has been appointed Acting Assistant Principal 
• Mrs Mammone will teach 5B each Monday and Mrs Eggleton will teach 5B each Tuesday to Friday. 
• Mrs Katherine D’Souza will replace Mr Edwards teaching 3H each Tuesday.  
• Mrs Sarah Selmes will replace Mrs Eggleton teaching KN each Thursday. 
• Miss Megan Biggs has been appointed Acting Religious Education Coordinator. 
• Mrs Ashley Carlon will teach the Learning Centre each Wednesday and Thursday while Miss Biggs fulfills her leadership responsibilities.  

On Thursday 25 April, members of the School Spirit Team and I will be attending the Shellharbour City ANZAC Day Commemoration Service. The service will commence at 7:35am at the Shellharbour City Memorial, Harrison Park. Parents / carers and children of Nazareth are most welcome to join us for this significant event.

On Tuesday 29 April and Wednesday 30 April, I will be participating in the Leading with Integrity for Excellence: Governance for Catholic Schools leadership program. In my absence Mr Danny Sykes will be Acting Principal. Mr Sykes is familiar with the school procedures and routines at Nazareth following a short period as Acting Principal in 2023.

As we approach the end of Term 1, I would like to extend my sincere thank you for your continued support throughout what has been a very productive start to 2024. Thank you also to our committed staff, who work tirelessly in catering for the needs of your children. I am often reminded by new families, as I show them around the classrooms and school facilities, of the respectful, inclusive and supportive learning environment that exists for the children at Nazareth. I hope that the upcoming holiday period provides your family with some time together and a restful break from the routine of school. Have a happy, relaxing and safe holiday break.

Mr Matt Downes

(Acting Principal)

Feast of the Annunciation

On Monday, 8 April 2024 we will be celebrating the Feast of the Annunciation, which is the feast day of Nazareth School.  The Solemnity of the Annunciation is celebrated nine months before the Nativity of the Lord. The Annunciation recalls the day when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary at Nazareth and revealed God’s will that she become the Mother of the Son of God, and she accepted. 

In 2024, because it would fall during Holy Week, the Annunciation is observed on Monday, April 8.

We will gather as a whole school for mass at 9:30am.  All family and friends are welcome to attend with their children.  Students will participate in learning and activities about Mary throughout the day and at lunch time they will have a BBQ lunch sponsored by the P&F.

Wednesday Mass and Faith & Learning visits

This Wednesday (Week 10) Year 4 will be attending mass at 9am and then will have their classroom visit with the parents directly after.  Next week (Week 11 ) Year 5 will celebrate Wednesday mass and parents are invited back to the classroom to join their children and see the wonderful work they are doing.  We look forward to seeing families join us for mass and then a visit to the classroom afterwards. A big thank you to the parents and families who do come along. 

IMPORTANT - Confirmation Parent Information Night

If your child is in Year 6 or older and has made their sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, they are now eligible to be presented for Confirmation.  There will be a parent information night next Thursday 11 April (Week 11) at 7pm in the hall and this is compulsory for all parents wishing to present their child for confirmation.  On this night the timetable will be handed out with all necessary dates.  Should you have any questions, please contact the parish office on 4296 3939. The dates for Confirmation will be Tuesday, 25 and Wednesday, 26 June 2024 at 7pm.

Project Compassion Boxes

Thank you to the generous families who sent back their Project Compassion boxes.  If you still have one at home, please bring it into the office as soon as possible. All money raised will go to Caritas Australia to bring justice and dignity to those in poverty.

All mass times can be found in the All Saints Parish Bulletin and all other important information. A link can be found on the Parish Website:  https://www.dow.org.au/parish/all-saints-catholic-parish-shellharbour-city

During the last week prior to Easter, 6R enthusiastically researched the Stations of The Cross and then created their own presentations describing each station. They learnt that the Station of The Cross is a traditional devotion in honour of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge

Congratulations to Oliver Sandona (3H). Oliver is the first student to finish the Challenge.  Violet Ferns 3H is the second child to complete the challenge. Congratulations Violet.

The challenge ends in August so even if you have not started there is plenty of time. We needs lots more puzzle pieces to fill the board, so let’s get reading.

Ms Crinnion

Summer/Winter/ Sport Uniform

The official change over to the winter uniform is Monday, 20 May (Week 4 Term 2). However, the winter uniform may be worn from the commencement of Term 2, if the weather necessitates the need to. Term 2 sport uniform days remain the same as Term 1 for all students from Kindergarten to Year 6.

• Tuesdays (Year 5, Kindergarten)
• Wednesdays (Year 6, Year 2, Year 1H)
• Thursdays (Year 4, Year 3, Year 1S)
• Fridays (Whole School)

The highlight of our year so far in 5O has definitely been meeting our kinder buddies. We patiently waited as they settled into life at Nazareth and were absolutely thrilled when we were invited over to their classrooms.

We chatted to them about their families and pets, and enjoyed colouring in caterpillars together.

We love teaching our kindy buddies all about life at Nazareth. Together we are respectful, responsible and life-long learners. 

Upcoming Events:

Kiama Rugby 7’s, April 10th- Thank you to all of the parents and carers who have been arranging for their children to attend the Rugby Union training sessions each Wednesday morning for the Kiama 7’s Rugby Union competition. We look forward to taking our 5 teams to the competition next Wednesday the 10th of April. Thank you to the people who have already volunteered to assist, if you are now able to assist on the day with your child’s team, please contact Mrs Mobberley through the front office. Children will be provided with a jersey to wear on the day. 

Representative Rugby Union Trials, May 3rd- Thank you to the parents who nominated their children for the Rugby Union selection trial. This trial will be held on May 3rd at St Gregory’s College. More information to come on Compass. 

Cross Country Championships, May 7th- All information has been released on Compass for children who will be attending the Cross Country Championships in Nowra. Please ensure your child has permission and payment has been made by the cut off date. Children will be provided with a running singlet to wear on the day. 

MERIT AWARDS

Harper McNamara, Evie Miller, Veronica O'Brien, Emilia Gigliotti, Donovan Miller, Sophia Kitchener, Olivia De Gabriele, Saxon Hatcliffe, Jordyn Andreeski, Orlando Pacheco, Dalel Harb, Callan Gibson, Eli Butler, Frederick Farrugia, Spencer Tanevski, Brax Scofield

During Week 10 our focus is on two aspects of PB4L which are very important at Nazareth: our Correction Sequence and no hat no play rule in the playground.

During class teachers will explicitly teach the posters for First Reminder, Second Reminder and Consequence. Teachers will discuss with their class what is expected following a reminder and what consequences will result from behaviour choices. This will lead children to understand and use reminders as an opportunity to consider what behaviours they need to change in order to be successful.

Teachers will also remind the students to continually wear their hat whilst playing.  On the occasions they forget a hat, they will remain in the shade during play time.

NAZARETH PROMOTIONAL FILM

The film captures a day in the life of a Nazareth student.
Click https://youtu.be/olug9FWvZQI to view the film

FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM PAGE FOR NAZARETH

If you haven't already please follow our school pages to keep up to date with events at school and for photos and updates from across the school. 

Please click on the direct links to follow our pages:

www.facebook.com/nazareth.shellhabour

www.instagram.com/nazareth.shellharbour

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY 

Please click on the below link for a direct link to the social media policy.

https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/policies/social-media-policy/