Dear Parents and Carers, 

As another hugely successful school term draws to a close, I would like to thank you for your continued support and involvement in our wonderful school and I wish all families an enjoyable, restful and well-deserved holiday break.

I would like to sincerely thank all parents for your support of the Nazareth Spring Fair. I am sure you will all agree that Saturday was an incredible success, raising $16912 for our school community. Special thanks to Rebecca Dzirins, our P & F President and the P & F Executive for their vision, dedication and expertise in ensuring the success of the day. This gratitude is also extended to our staff and parent volunteers — your time, energy, and commitment make events like this possible.

In recent weeks, teachers have been meeting with parents and carers of children requiring personalised plans. These plans support children who require additional adjustments to the curriculum. I would like to thank those parents and carers who were able to meet with their child’s teacher and thank our teachers for their professionalism and knowledge of their students and their precise learning needs. 

Earlier this week I notified our Year 5 families of the incredibly sad news that Tanya Barr, mother to Charlie and wife to Doug, passed away after a long battle with illness. Please keep Doug and Charlie in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this difficult time in their lives.

Eternal rest grant unto Tanya O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 

Amen.

I'm excited to announce that the AV upgrades to the hall have been completed. These updates include the installation of a new LED wall and microphone system that has been funded by the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW). CEDoW is also funding the internal painting of the Mary Ward Building (Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2) and the Under Croft, that will take place during the school holidays.

As a reminder, the official change over to summer uniform will take place at the start of next term. Please take some time during the holidays to review the uniform policy and ensure your child has the necessary items, including their school hat, which is essential for sun safety.

The key dates for the remainder of the school year have been included in this newsletter. School will resume for students on Tuesday, 14 October. 

I would like to wish all families a safe and relaxing holiday.

Kind regards, 

Mr Matt Downes 

(Principal)

In Year 5 we have been exploring God’s Creation. We have looked at how God’s Creation inspires us and stirs wonder and awe in all of us.

This week during our Faith and Learning visit, we went on a nature walk with our parents and spent time making Nature Mandala’s.

This term in Science, 2L have been on an exciting journey into space to explore the fascinating phases of the moon. We've been learning how the moon appears to change shape in our sky, even though it's always there, because we see different amounts of its sunlit side.

To make this learning fun and delicious, we turned a favourite snack into a hands-on learning tool - Oreo biscuits! Using the creamy white icing inside, the children carefully scraped away the filling to create each of the eight main moon phases. It was a fantastic way to visually represent everything from the tiny Crescent moon to the full, glowing Full Moon.

There was so much laughter and excitement as the children worked on their biscuit moons.

Congratulations:

Congratulations to Ziggy E who competed at the 2025 Oztag Interstate Series as part of the NSW 11s team. His team won 3 out of 3 games to win their division over Queensland. Well done Ziggy, it was fantastic to get to see your game livestreamed on Kayo over the weekend!

Congratulations to Oliver S who competed at the MacKillop Athletics event at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre this week. Oliver absolutley smashed it with 4 first place finishes and 2 second place finishes.

Congratulations to Mr Price who took part in the First Grade Illawarra Premier League Grand Final this past weekend. Mr Price plays for Wollongong Olympic Football Club who played against Coniston FC. The game went to extra time at 1 all and the final result was 3-1 to Wollongong Olympic! Congratulations Mr Price and your team.

Upcoming Events:

Cricket Gala Day (Year 5 & 6)- October 16. Please provide consent and payment as soon as possible. 

Dragon Tag Gala Day- November 13. This gala day is for boys and girls in Years 3-6. Expressions of interest will be taken from the Oztag Gala Day and children who did not put their name down will be able to add their names to the list. Please continue to check Compass for when the event is released. 

Representative Nominations for 2026

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Representative Pathway Sporting Trials. An information sheet has been uploaded to the Compass newsfeed for parents of children in Year 4 and 5 this year (Year 5 and 6 in 2026). Please make sure you read all of the relevant information prior to nominating your child.

These trials are not a come and try event, they are for children who excel in their chosen sport(s) and wish to progress further. If you have any questions regarding this nomination process, please contact Mrs Mobberley through the front office. 

Girls Rugby League Opportunity

Event: MacKillop Girls (10-12 years) Rugby League Pathway Development Day

Date: Thursday October 30

Registration Link: Registration for this event is through the CSNSW Sport portal. For details on how to register, please use this link https://csnsw.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2/article/198901765?src=584134009  

Further Information: https://csnsw.sport/sports/mackillop-primary-southern-nsw/rugby-league 

Aim/Overview: 2026 will see the introduction of the girls stand alone Rugby League pathway and team selection for PSSA sport. In preparation for this exciting new pathway, we are inviting primary catholic school students in Years 4-6 to attend this MacKillop Girls Rugby League Development day to build skills, raise awareness and be prepared for this opportunity, Please see below the eligibility criteria for those best to attend.

Eligibility: Students must be turning 10, 11 or 12 in 2025 and in Year 4-6. We are encouraging those who currently play Rugby League, League Tag or those interested in becoming tackle ready to attend the day. Students who demonstrate skills and ability of being tackle ready on the day will have the opportunity to trial for the 2025 MacKillop exhibition team via a 9 a side round robin (students in Year 5 & 6 only).

All other students will be engaged in a Rugby League development program, skills, tackle ready session and league tag round robin in preparation for the 2026 pathway. All students when registering will be required to self-nominate in one of two key groups.

Group 1: Rugby League experience *The student has had experience in training, playing in regular competition and is skilled and has some experience in tackling as a Rugby League player.

Group 2- Rugby League development *The student has played touch, Oztag, League Tag and has foundational skills in footy but have not engaged in tackle Rugby League and has not yet acquired tackle skills. 

Venue: Collegians Sports Centre- TBC- 147 The Avenue, Figtree, 2525

Time: 8.30am-3.00pm

Close Date: Thursday October 23

Cost: $40

What to Bring: 

• Appropriate gear for game conditions (boots, socks and shorts)
• Mouth guard is compulsory for all participants
• Any medication required
• Strapping tape
• Water bottle
• Healthy lunch and snacks
• Numbered jerseys will be provided on the day

Further Representation: An exhibition MacKillop team will be selected from the Year 5 & 6 students to be able to compete in the tackle component of the Pathway Development Day. The selected team will be involved in a day development camp where they will play against the selected Polding representative team. 

Date: Tuesday November 25, 2025

Venue: NSWRL Centre of Excellence- 12 Dawn Fraser Ave, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, 2127. For more information and details see the “Further Representation” tab in the above link. 

NAZARETH AWARDS

Luca H

Saxon B

PRINCIPAL AWARDS

Callan G

Luca H

Ana K

Hannah C

Kyran B

Evie R

Selene T

William N

Saxon R

Cooper M-C

Vincent J

MERIT AWARDS

Harper H, Chevelle M, Mila D, Jayden C, Mia G, Bailey M, Kayden M, Isla B, Willow R, Andres S, Dylan C, Adelise M, Lucas S, Kaley A, Iyla L, Miyah W, Oliver S, Norah R, Kaelen W, Sofia M, Bianca P, Sophia U, Ellie C, Charlie B, Imogen T, Lidija T, Shayla N, Camila M, Georgia H, Serah S, Zane H, Indiana K, Livia B, Luna M, Indigo M S, Oliver H, Hallie-May C, Yuvan P, Bethany F, Koda C, Lani G, Angus F, Hudson S.

During Week 10 the PB4L focus is on the success achieved in each classroom during Term 3. Classroom teachers will identify a success within their class based on a class goal. The success may be social, behaviour or learning based.

Together with their teachers, classes will identify times or activities where they have achieved a behaviour or learning goal. They will work together to identify what the challenges were and how they were improved.

Classes will celebrate their success during the week with a celebration at the end of the term.

On Wednesday of Week 8, Year 2 students travelled to the UOW Science Space to participate in their interactive exhibits, captivating planetarium and live science shows.

Students explored our place in space, experimented with key scientific principles and watched a science show about energy.

We finished our day with a STEM challenge to build a Lego tower! Year 2 had a wonderful day!

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/