Around the College 

Top Designs and Darn Cheap Fabrics Excursion

Nazareth College students studying VCE Product Design and Technologies: Textiles or Woodwork, and/or VCE Visual Communication Design subjects, had the opportunity to attend the Top Designs exhibition at the Melbourne Museum on May 27 this year with Mrs O’Brien, Mr Ripper and Miss E Murphy. 

This excursion allowed students to view highly commended folios produced by students from across Victoria, representing a wide range of schools. Experiencing these exemplary works firsthand provided valuable inspiration and motivation for students as they develop their own SAT folios. Many of the garments and products showcased this year reflected strong ethical and sustainable design principles, offering meaningful insights into contemporary design practices. Students from both Units 1 and 3 gained significant benefit from this worthwhile experience, giving them something to aspire to in their own work.

Following the exhibition, Product Design and Technologies: Textiles students travelled by tram to Darn Cheap Fabrics in Fitzroy, where they explored a diverse range of fabrics, materials, and notions. This visit enabled students to see and handle resources that could be incorporated into their own folio projects, further enhancing their understanding of material selection.

I would like to thank Mrs O’Brien for accompanying the class on this excursion.

Ms Sue Formanek

Teacher

Spotlight on Achievement

⭐Huge congratulations to Ms Mary Green on earning her Master of Education in Student Wellbeing from Australian Catholic University. 

A remarkable achievement and a testament to your passion for student support and growth.

Year 8 Visual Communication Design

A key skill that modern designers need to possess is an ability to translate, and enhance, freehand drawings in a digital environment. As part of their studies this Term, Year 8 Visual Communication Design students have learnt how to use the program, Adobe Illustrator, to develop this skill. 

For their task, each student was required to freehand draw at least four characters from their own imagination or use an existing character as inspiration and make a change to the character. They were then to select one of their drawings and recreate and enhance it using the tools and techniques taught in class for Adobe Illustrator. 

Please take a look at their detailed works below and see how the design idea has evolved from a pencil drawing to a digital recreation.

Mr Rosario Ripper

Instructional Leader Visual Arts

A Showcase of Instrumentals and Ensembles

On the last Thursday in May, Nazareth College hosted its annual Music Soirée in the Wheeler Auditorium. The evening was warmly attended by parents and students, who enjoyed a wonderful display of musical craft from performers in Years 7 to 12.

The event traditionally welcomes our new Year 7 students into the Nazareth Music Program and farewells our Year 12 musicians who have contributed so much over the years. For many of our graduating students, this evening marks the culmination of more than six years of learning, performing, and building lifelong friendships through music.

The night opened with a dynamic performance by Drumline Naz, our newly established ensemble for drum and percussion enthusiasts. Their energy set the tone for the evening. Congratulations to Mr Hill and the Drumline students for an outstanding debut.

This year, we also farewelled the Tomson twins, Jacob and Joshua, who have been involved in Performing Arts since Year 7. Together, they have participated in every musical, college performance, assembly, and lunchtime concert throughout their schooling. On behalf of the College, I wish Jacob and Joshua every success in their future endeavours.

Another student completing their Performing Arts journey this year is Ovindee Nagodawithana. Ovi has been a dedicated member of the program since Year 7, performing in a wide range of ensembles including the Junior and Concert Bands, Contemporary Band, Liturgical Band, and multiple College Productions. We wish Ovi all the very best in the years ahead.

During the Soirée, our Performing Arts Captains, Sam Jeffery and Sophie McKinlay, performed an original song written during their music studies titled “Sixth Sense.” The pair are now recording the piece in the College Studio for release. Stay tuned for Nazareth’s first original student‑produced track.

At the beginning of 2026, the Music Department welcomed Ms Rianah McInnes, who has joined us as our new Strings teacher, replacing Ms Xenia Zubenko. Ms McInnes, a Nazareth alumna, returns to teach violin while completing her Master of Music at Monash University. She is a wonderful addition to our team and an inspiring mentor for our violin students. Welcome back, Rianah.

I would like to acknowledge all our music students for their dedication, hard work, and growth across the year. My sincere thanks also go to the families who support their children’s learning at home, and to our instrumental staff for their ongoing commitment to nurturing our young musicians:

• Mr Zeb Vescio – Guitar & Bass
• Ms Rianah McInnes – Violins
• Ms Tamzyn Alexander – Voice
• Mr Geoffrey Early – Woodwinds & Brass
• Mr Charles Hill – Drums

Mr Simon Landid

Instructional Leader Performing Arts

🔥House Competition Heat Check🔥

House Comp energy is firing up and the lunchtime soccer tournament is exactly the kind of chaos‑meets‑competition that got our Year 9s and 10s fired up. Nothing motivates a house like the promise that just showing up can shift the leaderboard.

With Mannix House hosting the competition,  they weren't messing around - their Intermediate students took the win last week! 

The Juniors took to the field this week and after two days of tournament and today's close win in penalty shootout against Mannix House,  MacKillop House will now be playing Knox House for the Junior Championship tomorrow! 

Ms Antigone Kappas

Head of House - Mannix

Year 7 Humanities Excursion at Melbourne Museum

From 22 – 29 May, all Year 7 Humanities visited the Melbourne Museum to view the enthralling Rome: Empire Power People exhibition. This exhibition of 150 objects from two of the most important museums in Italy: Museo Nazionale Romano (The National Roman Museum) and Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze (National Archaeological Museum of Florence). These objects dated  back to the First Century BCE (Before the Common Era). The exhibition enabled students to go on a journey through ancient Rome to view captivating exhibits that covered the birth and rise of the Roman Empire; a day in the life of a Roman; the luxury and magnificence of the Empire; Roman religions; and the Eternal City of Rome. Students had an opportunity to take notes for a task back at school and to purchase impressive facsimile and memorabilia from the exhibition’s shop.

Below is a testimony of a student in 7F Humanities – Lihansa Ariyarathna who viewed the exhibition on 29 May.

‘The Year 7’s went to the Melbourne Museum to learn about ancient Rome’s history. We learnt about the slaves, people’s lifestyles, equipment used at home, their clothing, accessories that people wore and ancient coins. 

We saw many artefacts that might have been even created long, long ago in the past. For example, we saw a footprint of a child about 6 to 8 years old. We saw many sculptures and statues of the emperors and gods. We also realized that nearly all the statues didn’t have noses carved, and we thought that they might have worn off due to the amount of time they have been there. We also found many artworks carved, showing the slaves and soldiers. Something important that we all learned was how the slaves were treated brutally and so were some of the soldiers.   

I learnt that the Romans were very advanced and created many useful things for everyday life. This excursion helped me understand the lifestyle that Roman people had to endure and how Roman history had a significant impact in the modern world. The legacy of ancient Rome can still be seen in the past, present, and future. For example, in the past, the Romans created strong laws, buildings, systems (hot baths), and the Julian calendar, that helped their civilisations grow. In the present we still use their ideas from the Roman government, language, architecture, and engineering to create more advanced innovations. 

This will be very important for building strong communities that can help people in future generations.’ 

Mr Philip Ryan

Teacher

Year 9 Robotics

The Year 9 Robotics students are currently working through the engineering design process as they develop and refine their robot prototypes. Their challenge is to design robots capable of collecting a series of blocks and depositing them into a goal area within a limited timeframe. Students have demonstrated impressive creativity and problem-solving skills. Some teams have developed subsystems that allow their robots to traverse a bar and enter a designated supply zone, while others have designed robots equipped with tractor wheels that can collect blocks in a matter of seconds. 

In two weeks, students will put their designs to the test in a competition against other teams. Points will be awarded based on each robot's ability to successfully complete a range of tasks, making for an exciting showcase of engineering, programming, and teamwork.

Mr John Powell

Instructional Leader Digital Technologies

Faith Formation Team's NazYouth Gathering

On Friday 5 June, the Faith Formation Team hosted the second NazYouth gathering, our fortnightly youth group open to all students and staff at the College. A dozen students from across all year levels joined us for an enjoyable evening of friendship, games, prayer, food, and fellowship—a wonderful way to conclude a busy week.

We were also fortunate to welcome Fr Jean, who led a time of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel. This special time of prayer was accompanied by reflective music provided by Year 11 student Tia Clara. 

The evening centred on the theme of the Eucharist, chosen in preparation for the Feast of Corpus Christi, celebrated by the Catholic Church on 7 June.

The Faith Formation Team is looking forward to welcoming even more students to our next NazYouth gathering and continuing to grow this vibrant community of faith and friendship.

Ms Imogen van Rensburg

Youth Minister

Media Students Showcase Creativity Across All Year Levels

Nazareth College Media students have been busy creating a range of exciting media products throughout the semester, developing their skills in filmmaking, storytelling, and production.

Students from Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 have all taken part in creating media projects, producing products of interest to them. This year, we have also seen a huge growth and interest in the area, with the VCE number thriving in what is very much a product of the digital era we live in. 

In VCE, Year 12 students have been focusing on their School-Assessed Task (SAT) in Media Production, a major project spanning approximately 6 months. The SAT requires students to plan, create, edit, and refine a substantial media product while applying production techniques and creative processes. All of these are processed and documented in a pre-production folder with at least 25 tasks to complete before the shoot even begins. These include conducting equipment experiments, researching inspirational films or TV shows students like, identifying the target audience, scripting, storyboards, mock-ups, costume and prop design, set design, narrative statement, shot list, character profiles, and production schedule, to name a few. 

Students in Years 9, 10, and 11 have also been developing their practical media skills by creating their own media products. Students can choose something they are interested in and create it. These projects have allowed students to experiment with camera work, editing, sound design, and visual storytelling while working both independently and collaboratively.

So far this year, students have created media products including animations, a zombie short film starring Mr Cosentino, a Scooby-Doo parody, a mockumentary, a reality show, a horror film, soccer-themed short films, music video clips, photography, podcasts, graphic novels, and many other exciting projects. 

As production work continues, the Media department looks forward to showcasing the students’ final projects at our Art Showcase later in the year. We will also be updating our social media with student work, so stay tuned!

Featuring "The Finding" with a cameo from Mr Cosentino:

Ms Janine Stockdale

Teacher

SIS Junior Boys Soccer

💪Our Junior Boys continue their stellar run with a really composed, disciplined performance - even finishing the match with ten players in the second half - and kept their finals push on track with a strong 15–0 win over St Margaret’s.

Ms Antigone Kappas

Head of House- Mannix

Dante Alighieri Italian Poetry Recital Competition

On Monday, 1 June, 64 students of Italian from Years 9-11 travelled to Melbourne University for this long-running competition. Students had spent two months learning and memorising a poem of their choosing from a prescribed list. They were nervous but excited, and they all represented the college well. 

Following the recitations and a quick photo opportunity outside the historic Law Quad - where many comparisons were drawn with Harry Potter and Hogwarts - we headed to Lygon Street for lunch. Students enjoyed both savoury and sweet treats from Brunetti, and some indulged in the just-like-Nonna-makes fare at Sooshi Mango's restaurant Johnny, Vince and Sam's. Despite getting caught in a little rain on the way back to the bus, a great day was had by all.

Ms Marletta, Ms Tancredi & 

Ms Navaratnarajah

Teachers

McAuley House                               Strengthening Connections

During Extended Pastoral this week, McAuley students participated in a House bonding activity designed to strengthen connections across year levels and build House spirit. Students worked collaboratively in mixed-age teams to complete a Marshmallow and Spaghetti Tower Challenge, requiring creativity, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

What began as a simple team-building activity quickly evolved into a fun and competitive challenge, with students enthusiastically working together to design and construct the tallest and most stable towers. 

The activity provided an excellent opportunity for students to connect with peers from different year levels while developing important collaboration skills in a positive and engaging environment.

Ms Gabriella Spano

Head of House - McAuley

Year 7 Science

The fabulous students of Year 7 have been studying Classification as part of science. This has led us to make connections with other aspects of the world we live in including the various ecosystems that exist within the College. 

Students worked in groups to measure some of the abiotic factors in some of our garden areas. The measurements taken include temperature both in the sun and in the shade, soil moisture, pH and the colour and texture of the soil. They worked in groups using three way soil probes and thermometers to collect data for analysis.

Ms Gabrielle Patterson

Teacher

Australia's Best Teacher Nomination

Nominate Australia’s Best Teacher...Right Here at Nazareth!

Nazareth is filled with teachers who spark curiosity, lift spirits, and help every student feel truly known. Now it’s our turn to celebrate them. Australia’s Best Teacher could be walking our corridors and your nomination could make it happen.

💛 Why Nominate?

• Celebrate excellence - Shine a spotlight on the teachers who go above and beyond.
• Share their impact - Tell the story of how they’ve shaped learning and lives.
• Lift our community - Show the nation what Nazareth educators bring to the world.

🚀 How to Get Involved

Nomination takes just a moment - but the recognition lasts a lifetime. Think of the teacher who made you feel confident, capable, inspired, or understood. They deserve this.

🎉 Be Creative. Be Loud. Be Proud.

Let’s show Australia what #BeKnownAtNazareth really means. Let’s honour the teachers who make our school extraordinary. Let’s nominate them - today.

VCE Physics - Unit 3 Studies

Our VCE Physics students were completing a practical task involving transformers.

Transformers are an integral part of the electrical distribution system in Victoria.

When electricity is generated it is stepped up (the voltage increased to about 500kV to decrease the current in the power lines so less reduce power is lost due to heating).

Before electricity arrives at a house it is stepped down (the voltage decreased to 240V) to make the electricity suitable to use by the household appliances.

The transformer kits used by the students come with coils of wire with different numbers of turns or loops of wire (200, 400, 600, 800). The students connect an ammeter in series with each coil of wire to measure the current through the coil of wire, and a voltmeter across each coil of wire to measure the voltage across each coil of wire.

This enables the students to calculate the electrical power in each coil of wire. 

It also lets the students see the effects of stepping up and stepping down electricity, so they can better understand how transformers work in the real world.

Ms Heather Murtagh

Teacher