Education is the kindling of a flame not the filling of a vessel. Socrates

Dear Nazareth families and friends,

As we come to the end of the first week of August I write to you about two very different aspects of our community life. Firstly, and with great sadness we share the news of the passing of another friend and colleague, Mr Michael Godfrey.

Michael was a much-loved member of the Nazareth community, remembered for his kindness, warmth and genuine care for others. 

As an educator, he touched the lives of countless students, families and colleagues through his compassion, generosity, and unwavering commitment to supporting those around him.

Throughout his career in Catholic education, Michael fostered meaningful relationships and inspired others through his positive spirit, humility, and dedication to service. He had a remarkable ability to make people feel valued, welcomed, and supported, and his influence will continue to be felt by all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.

As we give thanks for Michael's life and the many gifts he shared with our community, we extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family, friends, and loved ones. We also keep in our thoughts those students, staff and members of the wider community who are grieving this significant loss.

May Michael now rest in the peace of Christ, and may perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.

As Christians, we believe that from the moment of our conception we journey through life always with the intention of returning to God in life beyond our human existence. Thus, when we contemplate what it might mean to help a child reach their potential or what it means to become fully human, we are describing our quest to discover what it means to be created in the image of an infinitely loving God.

In the day-to-day life of school education, we help young people develop the knowledge and skills that will serve them well throughout their earthly life and in their quest to discover who God calls them to be. In decades past, the tools available to educators and our understanding of how children learn were rudimentary in comparison to what’s available in 2026. National assessment tools like NAPLAN are an essential part of that toolkit because it helps us better understand the progress individual students and cohorts have made. Armed with detailed information and indications of how we compare to the national profile we are better equipped to adjust our teaching programs to improve student outcomes.

As parents and teachers, we affirm children for their growth in the domains assessed in NAPLAN. More importantly we need to remind them, that such measures are a diagnostic tool that helps us check how they are tracking today - not an assessment of where they will be tomorrow. With this in mind, we give thanks for teachers like Michael Godfrey who spark curiosity in the minds of their students while providing tireless encouragement when learning doesn’t come easy.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Brian Schumacher
College Principal

We're taking it back to 2016 for this year's Cabaret! 🎤✨

Join our talented Year 2-12 Performing Arts students for Back to Twenty Sixteen, a high-energy showcase celebrating the music and memories of an unforgettable year.

Tickets on sale TOMORROW 9am, Friday 7 August via the Upcoming Events page on our website: Upcoming Events | Nazareth Catholic Community

Don't miss out on this spectacular throwback event!

Indian Cooking Class – led by Nazareth parents Akhil and Nivi Palta

Join us for a hands-on Indian cooking experience where we'll cook two delicious dishes completely from scratch:

• Coconut Chicken Curry – a rich and fragrant curry with creamy coconut and warming spices.
• Kadai Paneer – a vibrant North Indian vegetarian dish featuring paneer, capsicum, onions, and freshly ground spices.

Wait… No Butter Chicken?! Yes, it's taking the night off!

While Butter Chicken may be one of the most well-known Indian dishes, Indian cuisine is so much more than one dish. With diverse regional flavours, spices, and traditions spanning the country, there's a whole world of Indian food waiting to be explored.

This class is your chance to discover some new favourites, learn about Indian spices and cooking techniques, and hear the stories behind these dishes- all while enjoying great food and even better company.

Come curious, come hungry, and get ready to spice up your cooking repertoire!

Monday 24 August, 6-8pm, Kidman Park Campus Kitchen, Cost $18 per person – register here.

We invite you to come along and enjoy a relaxed evening celebrating our emerging artists. Wander through a diverse collection of works from Reception to Year 12 (including our little ones in the Early Childhood Centre and playgroup), support our students, and soak up the atmosphere with live background music performed by talented young musicians.

Light refreshments provided. Registration essential for catering purposes.

Please click here to register for the event.

A reminder to all ECC Families that the ECC will be closed on Friday 28 August (Week 6, Term 3). There will be no charge for this closure day. If you have any questions, please see our Admin team.

A reminder for all ECC & R-12 families, that Friday 28 August (Week 6, Term 3) the Early Childhood Centre and R-12 College will be CLOSED for our annual Staff Reflection Day. Please ensure you have made alternative care arrangements for your family.

Our annual Staff Reflection Day is an important opportunity for Nazareth employees from all career disciplines to set aside their usual duties and immerse themselves in the essence of Catholic Social Teaching. The closure of our ECC and College services enables a rare occasion for all 350+ staff members to gather together, learn and reflect on shared values and beliefs. 

We thank you for your understanding.

If your child is involved in sport, music or any other co-curricular activity in 2026, Clipboard will be your go-to platform for all communication, including fixtures, training schedules, reminders, transport information, and important updates.

The R-12 Music Information page online continues to be updated with important information.

Join Our Community of Volunteers
At Nazareth, we value the many ways our families and friends contribute to the life of the College. We understand that everyone has different commitments, so we're creating a flexible volunteer database for those who may be available to help on a one-off or occasional basis throughout the year.

There is no expectation of ongoing involvement, simply opportunities to lend a hand when it suits you. Whether you can help once or several times each year, your support makes a meaningful difference to our students and programs.

Volunteer Call-Out: Cabaret 2026
As preparations begin for Cabaret 2026, we're looking for creative volunteers to help bring our Back to Twenty Sixteen theme to life.

In particular, we are seeking assistance with creating table centrepieces that capture the fun and nostalgia of the event. If you enjoy being creative and would like to contribute, we'd love to hear from you.

To express your interest, please contact our Music Administrative Assistant, Melissa Wissell, at [email protected].

Ways You Can Help Throughout the Year
Volunteer opportunities may arise for events including:

• Cabaret
• Naz Rocks
• Sing for the Season
• Gen Connection

Support roles may include:

• Ticket scanning
• BBQ assistance
• Program distribution
• General event support

Volunteer Requirements
Before volunteering at Nazareth, please send the following information to [email protected].

You will need one of the following:

• Catholic Police Clearance (CPC); or
• Working With Children Check (WWCC)

Along with:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Postal address
• Contact phone number
• Email address

Please note that Reception staff may ask to sight a form of identification on your first visit to the College.

If you do not currently hold a valid Working With Children Check, our Clearances Team can assist you with the process. Simply contact [email protected] to get started.

On Friday 7 August, students from ECC & R-6 will have the opportunity to step up to end homelessness! To donate, please click here.

This is one of multiple events supporting the Hutt St Centre this term. Families are asked to donate once across these events, and only multiple times if they wish to.

Click here to view the R-6 Sports Results for Week 3. 

Co-curricular sports fixtures and the Term 3 Training Schedule are live on our website at: R-6 Sport | Nazareth Catholic Community.

Please check this page regularly for updated R-6 Co-curricular Sports information.

After-school sport and training reminder

To support a smooth and safe transition to After School OSHC each day, families are reminded of the following procedures:

Week 4 | Friday 14 August, 2:15pm
MacKillop Hall, Findon Campus

On Friday 14 August (Week 4), we will have an R-6 Assembly at 2:15pm in the MacKillop Hall, hosted by the Reception Neighbourhood. Entry for families will be through the Cafe gate from 2:10pm. All parents/family members are warmly welcome to attend.

We ask that parents who are wanting to pick their child up during the assembly time (2:10pm onwards) to please let Student Services know by 1:30pm on the day.

Our Year 9 student leaders are running a series of fundraising BBQs to support Our Lady of La Vang, a Catholic school for students with intellectual disabilities and complex care needs. Bacon and egg sandwiches (with a vegetarian option) and juice will be available for purchase from 7:45am in the Emmaus Courtyard on the following dates:

• Friday 14 August (Week 4)
• Thursday 27 August (Week 6)

Bacon and egg rolls: $5 | Juice: $2

All staff and students are welcome to attend - come along and support!

As part of maintaining a safe environment for our students daily, we ask that all parents ensure they adhere to our policies when attending the College during school hours.

Be it collecting children or dropping off items, for the safety and wellbeing of all our students, parents and caregivers are reminded that during school hours all visitors must report to Reception upon arrival. Our staff will then call for your child to present to reception or for collection of items.

Please note that parents are not permitted on school grounds during school hours, which includes Student Services, the oval and all common areas, without prior approval from the school.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us maintain a safe school environment for all.

Tomorrow morning, all Year 9 students and their Rite Journey Mentors will take to the Oval as part of the Walk a Mile in My Boots initiative – walking in solidarity with those facing homelessness and raising funds for the Hutt St Centre.

This is a key Rite Journey experience, and a powerful opportunity to live out our values with purpose and heart.

Event Info:

• Date: Tomorrow, Friday 7 August
• Time: 7:00am
• Where: Flinders Park Campus Oval
• What to wear:
  Students - PE uniform with warm accessories (beanie, scarf, gloves)
  Parents/Mentors - Please dress warmly and wear comfy walking clothes
• What to bring: A water bottle, team spirit and a big heart

Parking

To keep our carpark free for regular student drop-off and staff parking, we ask Year 9 parents and mentors to please park offsite. There’s plenty of space in neighbouring streets – please ensure you check signage, adhere to the relevant Council parking directions and are courteous of our neighbours.

Coffee & Breakfast

A coffee van will be onsite with coffee available to purchase. A light breakfast will be provided to all participants after the walk.

Fundraising

We’d love your support in helping us smash our fundraising target for Hutt Street Centre! If you haven't already, please donate or share our fundraising link here

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on the Oval bright and early – thank you for walking with us.

The Nazareth Summer Sport season is fast approaching, and we are now confirming student participation for Term 4.

Girls Sport (Saturday mornings)

• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Tennis

Boys Sport (Friday afternoons)

• Volleyball

Boys Sport (Saturday mornings)

• Badminton
• Cricket
• Tennis

Students who participated in Summer Sport during Term 1 are automatically expected to continue in the same sport for Term 4. If your circumstances have changed and you are unable to participate in Term 4, please notify us by Friday 7 August (Week 3).

Students who did not participate in Summer Sport during Term 1 but would like to join a team for Term 4 are also invited to register their interest by Friday 7 August (Week 3).

Please email:

• Girls Sport: [email protected]
• Boys Sport: [email protected]

Please ensure you can access your Clipboard Portal account to receive important updates regarding teams, training, and fixtures.

Training for Term 4 Summer Sport will commence in Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 3.

The 7-12 Girls and Boys Sport pages are regularly updated with weekly fixtures, results, reminders and other important information.

This week’s updates include:

• Term 4 Summer Sport Nominations now open
• Y7/8 SSSA Boys and Girls Basketball

Please take a moment to visit the links below and stay up to date:

• 7-12 Girls Sport | Nazareth Catholic Community
• 7-12 Boys Sport | Nazareth Catholic Community

As class timetables are released, we would like to share some important information with families about how class allocations are formed and how we support students through this transition.

At Nazareth, the creation of the timetable is a carefully considered process. The timetable is developed to balance student learning needs, wellbeing, curriculum requirements and staffing, while also ensuring the overall functionality of the College. Considerable time and care are taken to support students in all facets of development.

For this reason, class changes are not generally accommodated based on student relationships or teacher preferences. While it is natural for students to feel more comfortable with familiar peers or teaching styles, being placed in new learning environments is a normal and valuable part of schooling. These experiences support the development of resilience, independence and relationship-building skills that students will rely on beyond school.

Nazareth supports students in developing these skills by:

• Delivering a comprehensive Wellbeing Program.
• Providing structured opportunities for teamwork and relationship-building.
• Ensuring balanced and thoughtful class groupings across year levels.

At times, students may express concerns about an allocated class. Nazareth delivers the Australian Curriculum and SACE, which is collaboratively planned to ensure consistency across all classes. While students may feel more comfortable within particular environments, this reflects real-world experiences and is not, in itself, grounds for a class change.

Class changes are considered only as a last resort and in extraordinary circumstances.

If students or parents have concerns about a class placement for any reason, we encourage the following process:

• In the first instance, concerns should be discussed directly with the classroom teacher, allowing time to work collaboratively toward a positive outcome.
• If further support is required, families may then contact the Neighbourhood/Year Level Coordinator to assist in supporting the student.

We recognise that transitions can be challenging, and we encourage families to support students in developing the essential skills mentioned above.

We value our strong partnership with families and look forward to working together to support all students in a positive and successful year ahead.

If wanting to request a change to an elective subject, this can be done through the submission of a Request for Subject Change Form. Please note that not all requested changes will be possible.

If you have questions regarding the processes outlined, please contact the Head of Teaching and Learning at your child’s respective campus.

Career & Pathways Information Hub

Whether you’re exploring future study options, looking for work experience, or starting to consider life after school, our Careers & Pathways Hub is the place to start.

This week’s updates, reminders & information includes:

• Registrations for 2027 VET courses are opening soon.
• You may want to research different Training Organisations (check the list on the Careers & Pathways Hub) and keep an eye out for more information from the Pathways Team.

Visit the online Careers & Pathways Hub to explore what’s on offer, or book in with our Careers Counsellors to chat about your next step.

Our subject selection process is designed to help students reflect on their interests, explore future pathways, and make informed choices through guided curriculum discussions.  This journey began last term with our Subject Selection and Pathways Day, along with the Careers Expo, and will continue over the coming weeks through various supports and activities.

During Mentor Group sessions, students will explore pathway options and have opportunities to speak with their teachers and Learning Area Leaders about subject choices.  For those considering Tertiary Studies, we would also encourage them to attend University Open Days, many of which will begin over the coming weeks – these are valuable opportunities to explore potential areas of interest. Please refer to individual university websites for further details. 

Curriculum Handbook, Future Pathways Guide Book and Video

To support your family in this process, further information can be found in the 2027 Curriculum Handbook and in the Future Pathways Guide Book.  These resources include everything you need to know about subject selection, timelines, and the SACE structure.

We also encourage you to watch this Video Presentation which provides a helpful overview of the SACE, Nazareth subject offerings, VET pathways, ATARs and how students can personalise their senior learning journey.

Subject Selection Q&A Session – Optional

We invite current Year 10 & 11 parents/caregivers to attend an optional online Q&A session via Microsoft Teams, designed to support you and your young person in navigating subject selection, SACE, VET, and future pathways.

These sessions complement the information in the video and are not intended to introduce new content.  We strongly recommend all families – especially those of Year 10 students new to SACE – to watch this Video Presentation ahead of time.

Optional online Q&A session via Microsoft Teams will be held on Monday 17 August at 5:30pm. 

Click here to register for an optional online Q&A session via RSVP to Subject Selection Q&A Session

Subject Counselling Phone Conversations

All current Year 10 & 11 families are required to register for a 20-minute phone interview with their child’s Mentor Group teacher to support the subject selection process:

• Year 10 into 11 and Year 11 into 12 – Wednesday 12^th August 8:30am – 5pm.
  Note that this is a pupil free day for Year 10-12 students.

How to Book an Interview Time

You can book a phone interview time by accessing the following links:

• Year 10 into 11: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/n5sg3
• Year 11 into 12: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/assyf

The School Interviews portal is now open and will close in Week 4, Monday, 10 August at 11:00am.

Subject Selection Submissions Deadline

Subject selection online EDVAL submissions are due:

• Wednesday, 19^th August at 6:00pm – Yr 10 into 11 and Year 11 into 12

Should you have any questions please contact Elizabeth Arthur, Year 10-12 Head of Teaching and Learning via Deb Dickson [email protected]

Term 3, Week 4 | Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Kidman Park Campus

• Year 10-11 Subject Counselling Phone Discussions
• Year 12 Study Day at home. Students at risk will be invited in to receive teacher support.

Dates can also be found on our Senior Year's Page.

Senior Years Information Hub

This hub page continues to be updated. Please check back regularly, as content may change throughout the year.

The current updates include:

• Term 3 Welcome
• Pupil Free Days
• 10-11 Subject Selection
• 2027 Student Leadership
• Senior Student Parking

... and more!

The link to the page is below. You are also able to access these links anytime via the Quick Links menu on our website.

Senior Years Information Hub

Safe drop off and pick up at Kidman Park

Parents and caregivers are reminded that we have a circular driveway to safely drop students off at Kidman Park.  Please avoid driving through the front carpark where there is signage for “No Entry” to keep the walkway safe for students as they arrive and depart the College.

Student drivers

Just a reminder that the rear carpark is available for Year 12 students and any students who drive to and from the College need to sign a Driving permission form.  If your child has recently received their licence, can we ask that you please fill in the forms attached below.  Year 11 student drivers can park safely in the surrounding areas being mindful of residents’ driveways.

• Student Driver Application Form
• Parent Consent Form
• Passenger Permission and Indemnity Form

Kidman Park hours

Please note that there is incidental supervision on the Kidman Park campus between 8am and 4.45pm each day where students can remain in the café space if dropped off slightly earlier or remaining afterschool. Official before school duty starts at 8.25am and concludes at 3.50pm each day. For our ongoing duty of care, students are not able to be on site outside of these hours unless they are in an organised supervised activity with an official teacher or coach. Teachers will notify parents if students are required on site after these timeframes for school organised activities.

The 2026 SACE Stage 2 Trial Exams will be held at Kidman Park from Monday 31 August to Wednesday 2 September 2026. To access more information about the upcoming trial exams, including the Timetable, please click SACE Stage 2 Trial Exams

Join us for a spectacular performance of 'Flawed Ambition'. Written by our very own Luke Bartholomew and performed by our talented Year 12 Drama students - you won't want to miss this!

This is a free event. To attend, please RSVP your attendance here.