Around the College 

Year 7 & 8 Poetry in Action Incursion

Our recent poetry incursion wowed both students in both years 7 and year 8; it provided an engaging and enriching experience for students. The performance combined laughter and funny jokes, but it also had a meaningful learning impact on everyone in the room. This production involved interactive experiences for students in the crowd; it explored poetic techniques to get students more prepared for the coming poetry unit. This show made students feel appreciative of a drama act that took weeks for these incredible actors to get perfect for our school to enjoy.

As an introduction to our new unit of poetry, our teacher Mr. O’Sullivan kindly organized a hilarious incursion that engaged everyone who attended. The performers had a perfect balance of humour, relatability, and course content that kept everyone interested. We learned lots for our upcoming unit, and it was nice to have a change of an introduction to course content. The actors worked very hard to put on a show that we all enjoyed. We learned about the elements of poetry and how to use them, which were very helpful and enjoyable. Overall, this was a very interesting incursion, and I can say on behalf of my year level, we definitely enjoyed it and we are very grateful to have had such a wonderful experience.

Eva Loizou and  Jada Alveyn - Yr 8 students

Rap battles, rhythm, empowerment by words, how the elements of poetry can be written and understood. These were the focus of the Poetry in Action crew, who visited from Sydney last week. They entertained and engaged Years 7 and 8 with their drama and ability to harness the power of poetry. 

Mr Mark O'Sullivan

Instructional Leader 

English

Year 9 Business Expo - Further update

In the first week of Term Two, on 23 April, we had our annual Year 9 Business Expo. This event is always a highlight for our Year 9 students. It was a night of excitement, creativity, impressive team work, amazing marketing, and confident business pitches. We had many visitors on the night, and it was a very busy night for our school community. 

In the weeks leading up to the Expo, our Year 9 students participated in Project Based Learning. They spent weeks of their class time working in their chosen teams, as they put their ideas together, worked on your marketing techniques, developed their business pitches- all the while taking advice from their team mates, their teachers, the Resource Centre staff and others. Some of the groups ere extremely organised, while some may have left it to the last minute… but… it all came together to produce an incredible night!

The Expo night was a buzzing atmosphere, where the students supported each other and helped to create a night of fun and creative vibes. The night would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of your Humanities teachers- so I take the opportunity to sincerely thank Mr Clark, Ms Sifinos, Mr David, Mrs Hughes and Mr Diaz. 

Each of the Humanities teachers were responsible for selecting a winner for the Class Prizes. We congratulate the following students for their efforts:  

For Mr Clark’s classes: 

Team: The Barkery

Ayla Cassidy

Annabelle Eimermarcher

Victoria Foran

Brielle Oguzhan

And 

Team: Pawfect Drip Bandanas

Iyla Hayes

Mia Mastroianni

Aaliyah Mahboub

For Ms Sifinos' class:  

Team: Sweet Street  

Jenessa Joshua

Angelina Cacic

Maya Kovacevic 

Chloe Michael 

For Mr David’s class: 

Team: Singularity: Tech Company

Qihao (Caleb) Liu

Lucas Pham

Kelvin Pham

Miguel Coelho-Stewart

For Mr Diaz’s class: 

Team: Rhythmx

Emily Diaz

Adiel Barbutt

For Mrs Hughes’ classes, 

Team: Sweets and Treats Co

Andrea Miljanic

Lucia Feleppa

George Voursoukis

Natalia Christodolou

And

Team: Mane Attraction

Ruby Stephens

Asher Stockdale

Alexandra Raso

Brooke Appleyard

May Youssef

A big Congratulations to all Class Prize winners!

For the Overall Winner- this was judged by our 4 “secret judges” on the night- including Mrs Dell’Aquila, Mr Brown, Mrs Sharp and Miss Giblin. I take the time to thank our 4 judges for giving up their time on the night. The judges used a variety of criteria as they perused the Expo and visited each of the group. They listened to pitches, kept an eye out for teamwork, creative marketing, as well as the way each of the groups presented themselves. 

For the first time ever, rather than one Overall Winner, for the 2026 Business Expo, we had two Overall Winners- that the judges just couldn’t split. Each team member receives a $50 gift voucher for their efforts. 

Well done Year 9 students for their participation in the Business Expo and we thank all family members, relatives and visitors who attended on the night. 

Ms Donna Watts

Instructional Leader 

Humanities 

Volleyball - One Day Schools Cup

Seventy-nine students proudly represented our school at the recent interschool competition, displaying outstanding effort, resilience and sportsmanship throughout the day.

A huge thank you to our Old Collegian coaches for providing these opportunities for our students, as well as to Laura Langmead and Lachie McDonnell for supervising and supporting students before, during and after the event.

The day was highlighted by several excellent team performances, including silver medals for the Year 7 Girls Division 1, Year 8 Girls Division 2, Year 8 Boys Division 1 and Year 9 Boys teams. Other teams also achieved strong results, with multiple top-five finishes across the competition.

These results reflect the significant growth and improvement shown by our students this year and are a testament to their commitment, teamwork and determination. We are incredibly proud of all students involved and excited for the continued success of the program in the future.

Mr Josh Cowan

Head of House - MacKillop

Year 8 Visual Communication Design

As part of Year 8 Visual Communication Design, students were set the task of producing their own Superhero/Character Cityscapes to expand their knowledge of different drawing methods. 

To produce these unique drawings, they were introduced to the drawing method of Two-Point Perspective. This enabled the students to draw 3D cities, close to how we would see them with our own eyes if we were looking from a distance. 

To further enhance these cities, they were required to add superheroes, villains, anti-heroes, or characters to tell a story in their drawings. Please take a look at their distinctive pieces below.

Mr Rosario Ripper

Instructional Leader 

Visual Arts

Year 10 Youth Ministry

Year 10 Youth Ministry students partnered with St Elizabeth’s Primary School to prepare and lead a retreat for First Eucharist candidates. The retreat featured engaging and fun activities centred on the Church’s teachings on the Last Supper, service, and sacrifice, bringing many smiles to all involved. 

It was wonderful to see our Youth Ministry students showcasing their developing skills in a liturgical setting through engaging and meaningful experiences.

Mr Peter Nathan

Instructional Leader

Religious Education

House Athletics Carnival

Our annual House Athletics Carnival at Knox Athletics Track was a fantastic success, with perfect weather creating the ideal setting for a full day of energy, competition, and house spirit!

A big congratulations to all students who got involved and gave their best across the track and field events. This year also saw the introduction of two new novelty events — the Super Boot (longest AFL kick) and the Vortex Throw — which were both huge hits and added even more excitement to the day.

Some of the biggest highlights included the always-competitive relay events, with houses battling it out for double points, and the much-anticipated Year 12 vs staff relay. In a great display of speed and teamwork, the students came away with a convincing win!

Another standout moment was the Nazareth Gift, where our fastest runners competed in a 100m race using staggered starting positions to create an even and exciting contest. The finish was incredibly close, with all runners crossing the line within a second of each other — a thrilling race to watch!

A huge thank you to all staff for their support and organisation in making the day run so smoothly. We look forward to announcing the overall results and year level champions at an upcoming assembly. Next up — House Cross Country on May 19!

Mr Brendan Newcomb

Sports Coordinator  & Teacher

Year 10 Business Excursion to IKEA

Our Year 10 Business students enjoyed an exciting and educational excursion to IKEA, where they explored how a global retail business operates behind the scenes. Students investigated key business concepts including store layout and marketing strategies. 

The visit gave students a valuable real-world insight into the ways businesses attract customers, manage operations, and build a strong brand identity. 

It was a fantastic opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with the practical world of business.

Ms Natalie Kenna

Teacher

Year 7 & 8 Japanese Drumming Incursion

On Thursday, 7 May, all Year 7 and 8 Japanese students participated in an exciting Taiko drumming incursion. The session was led by Ms Kiyomi Calwell, a former primary school teacher and experienced Taiko drummer who now travels around Australia delivering Taiko workshops.

At the beginning of the session, students learned how to correctly hold the drumsticks, or bachi, and maintain proper posture while playing. Ms Kiyomi explained that holding the bachi loosely rather than tightly allows the sticks to “bounce” naturally, producing stronger and longer-lasting sounds. Students then practised a variety of rhythm sequences and learned how to move smoothly between different Taiko drums.

It was wonderful to see how focused and respectful the students were throughout the entire session. They demonstrated excellent listening, collaboration and concentration skills, while also showing great respect for the instruments, the presenter and each other. 

Particularly impressive was the way students were able to work together to successfully perform an approximately two-minute final piece within such a short amount of time. 

Well done to all our Year 7 and 8 Japanese students for their enthusiastic participation and positive attitude. Special thanks also to Mr Tom Hjorth for his assistance with setting up and packing up the venue.

Ms Yukari Nibun and the Japanese Team

Year 11 Economics - Queen Victoria Market Excursion

Last week, Year 11 Economics students participated in an engaging hands-on learning experience at the iconic Queen Victoria Market. The excursion provided students with the opportunity to explore how real-world markets operate in a dynamic and competitive retail environment.

During the visit, students acted as junior economists as they observed interactions between buyers and sellers in one of Melbourne’s most significant fresh food and retail markets. This allowed them to connect economic theory with real-life decision-making in a practical setting.

A key component of the excursion involved student-led interviews with stallholders. Students gained valuable insights into how small business owners determined pricing, managed supply challenges, and responded to competition.

Students also collected primary data by recording prices of similar goods across different stalls. This enabled them to analyse variations in pricing and identify the factors that influenced these differences, such as product quality, stall location, branding, and the level of competition within the market.

The excursion reinforced key economic concepts including supply and demand, market structures, and the role of competition in shaping prices. By engaging directly with market participants, students developed a deeper understanding of how economic forces operate beyond the classroom.

Mr Chuck Chan

International Student Coordinator

& Teacher

Music Camp 2026 - A celebration of growth, collaboration and musical excellence

On Monday, 5 May, thirty Nazareth Ensemble students embarked on a two‑day musical immersion at the annual Music Camp, held at Don Bosco Camp in Safety Beach. The 2026 program highlighted the remarkable growth, maturity and resilience of our young musicians as they rehearsed, collaborated and strengthened their ensemble skills.

Seven ensembles participated in this year’s camp:

• Year 11 Music in the Spirit
• Contemporary Band
• Strings Ensemble
• Drumline Naz
• Year 10 Rock Band
• Year 12 Band
• Guitar and Bass Ensembles

A dedicated team of 11 staff members supported the students throughout the camp, ensuring a productive and inspiring experience for all.

Students demonstrated exceptional teamwork and commitment across all scheduled activities. A standout moment was the Year 12 Band’s impressive achievement of writing and learning a brand‑new song in under an hour—an inspiring display of creativity and collaboration.

Drumline Naz once again delivered a spectacular afternoon performance, captivating fellow ensembles and even catching the attention of neighbouring residents, who were seen nodding along to the rhythmic energy. All ensembles showcased their hard work during the second‑day performance, delivering polished and confident presentations.

A special acknowledgement goes to our 2026 Performing Arts Captains, Sophie McKinlay and Sam Jeffery, whose leadership enriched the camp experience. They facilitated engaging night activities, including group games and trivia, fostering a strong sense of community and joy among staff and students involved. Their dedication continues to elevate the Performing Arts culture at Nazareth College.

We were also proud to see several students balancing their commitment to the College Musical, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Many attended musical rehearsals the very next afternoon—an inspiring testament to their passion and work ethic.

As tradition holds, we warmly welcomed our Year 7 students to their first Music Camp as new Nazarenes and celebrated our Year 12 students as they attended their final camp, marking a meaningful milestone in their musical journey.

As Instructional Leader for Performing Arts, I look forward to the 2027 Music program with great anticipation. Our students continue to grow into confident, capable musicians who bring energy, aspiration and pride to our College community.

This camp would not be possible without the dedication of our instrumental teachers, who continually support and guide our ensembles:

• Mr Geoffrey Earle – Woodwind and Contemporary Band
• Mr Zeb Vescio – Guitar, Bass, Guitar Ensemble and Year 10 Rock Band
• Ms Rianah McInnes – Strings and Strings Ensemble
• Mr Charles Hill – Drums and Drumline Naz

We also extend our gratitude to the classroom teachers who assisted with activities and rehearsal supervision:Mr Joe Melhem, Ms Caitlin Trustum, Ms Gabriella Brusco, Ms Tamzyn Alexander, Ms Jerry Penny and Ms Caitlin Mackay.

Their collective efforts ensured a safe, enriching and memorable experience for all students.

Mr Simon Landid

Instructional Leader 

Performing Arts

Year 12 Economics and Accounting - City Finance Tour

Last week Year 12 Accounting and Economics students took part in a two-hour City Finance and Economic Walking Tour through the Melbourne CBD, exploring how the city’s economy has evolved from its early history to its role in the modern global financial system.

Starting at Federation Square, a carbon-neutral cultural hub, students followed a guided route through key city locations that illustrate Melbourne’s economic development. The tour traced the journey from Traditional Owners’ land use, through colonisation and the gold rush era, to periods of industrial growth, war-time adjustment, and today’s service-driven global economy.

The experience aimed to bring economics and business studies to life by showing how real-world urban spaces reflect economic change. Melbourne, which contributes over 28% of Australia’s GDP growth and ranks 24th globally in the Global Financial Centres Index, provided a living classroom for students to explore themes such as globalisation, finance, and urban development.

Stops along the route included Hosier Lane, highlighting tourism and street art culture; Flinders Lane, reflecting textiles and global trade; and Royal Arcade, showcasing the role of small businesses in the local economy. Financial and corporate influences were also examined at locations such as Collins Street precincts, while civic infrastructure and development themes were discussed near Swanston Street and the Melbourne Metro Town Hall area.

Mr Chuck Chan

International Student Coordinator 

& Teacher

Year 10 & 11 Biology - Gene and Immunology Research

GTAC was truly an amazing experience. We were given the privilege to work with high-end microscopy and the opportunity to learn about immunology. Our small yet excited group got to experience life in research and future study pathways. 

We met with many scientists in different areas of research, Asha, who researches ovarian cancer and a cure for it. She explained to us the various trials and intense work she puts in to learn as much as she can about the cancer. Other scientists studying E. coli and children's asthma and respiration also taught us a thing or two about what they research. 

One thing I especially took away from the day was the presentation by the woman with a PhD in Immunology. She briefly explained the difference between adaptive immune cells and innate immune cells (T and B cells). It was a really great way to gain insight into the type of research she does and consider that research pathway for our own future individual studies. 

Lily Kirakosian & Daniela Tokanovic - Yr 10 students

On Wednesday 6 May, a small group of Year 10 and 11 Biology students travelled to GTAC ( Gene Technology Access Centre ) in Parkville to partake in an Immunology Program presented in collaboration with the Australian and New Zealand Society of Immunology.

The students were engaged in a number of interactive activities throughout the day with researchers from a variety of different Research Institutes.

Ms Sally Ferns

Instructional Leader 

Science

Year 11 Media - Excursion to Top Screens & ACMI

On Tuesday, 5 May, the Year 11 media classes went on an excursion to Top Screens and ACMI to view the top 15 Unit 3/4 Media productions from last year. 

The productions displayed showed a variety of media formats, including live-action short films, Music Videos, and animation, both hand-drawn and stop motion. The Films were all of various genres, showcasing a wide variety of talent and creativity. It was truly interesting seeing that most of the films were in one way or another, horror films reflecting the rising popularity of the psychological horror genre seen over the last few years. Other films were comedies or action-packed works of pure fun. 

I will highlight a film titled “A Disagreement” in which two brothers fight over the last cookie. The film was expertly edited and hilarious to watch as the brothers pulled superhero-level shenanigans to win back the last cookie. There were also plenty of pop culture references, including letters in the Aurebesh language from Star Wars seen briefly on a vending machine in “Fish Bowl”. 

After the screenings, we were able to ask questions to a few of the media students whose work we had just seen, including Tori, who graduated from Nazareth last year. The ability to ask questions to the high-achieving media students was a great way to get an understanding of the workload and effort required to really excel in media next year. It is Safe to say that they have set a very high bar for us to clear next year. 

Overall, the experience was a fantastic opportunity to see the techniques and skills we will use going forward, demonstrated so clearly. Some of the films left a lasting impression that will influence my and others' decisions going forward in units 1-4media. 

Thank you to all the staff who made this possible. 

Joshua Kosior - Yr 11 student

Ms Janine Stockdale

Teacher

Shining a Spotlight on SIS

Lunchtime Activities in Action

🎴 Card Club Fridays — Now in the Joseph Centre!

Looking for a fun place to play your favourite card games at lunch? Whether you're into UNO, Pokémon TCG, One Piece, Go Fish, or classic playing‑card games, Card Club is the place to be.

📍 Location: Joseph Centre 

🕛 Time: Lunchtime - every Friday

Come along, bring your cards, and enjoy a relaxed space to play with friends.

We’re excited to see you there!

 Mr. Ripper and Ms. Mackay

Mother's Day Breakfast

Nazareth warmly welcomed families on 8 May for a truly wonderful Mother’s Day Breakfast, where guests enjoyed a beautiful spread complemented by delicious coffee in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. It was a special morning filled with connection and appreciation, and we extend our sincere thanks to the staff who generously assisted in bringing the event to life. 

We are also grateful to our wonderful community of mothers and mother figures who joined us with their children to celebrate the occasion. 

We look forward to expanding this tradition to all year levels in the coming years, when we can gather together in the larger space of the new Café Naz. 

Congratulations to all the mums who took home a raffle prize, and to Rosa from Cafe Naz who won the major raffle prize valued at $500. 

Ms Jerry Penny

Marketing Manager

Year 10 - United Nations Incursion

During the model UN Incursion, we participated in debate and negotiations while representing different countries. The incursion helped the class develop their public speaking and teamwork skills in an engaging way. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience that helped us better understand international relations. 

Mira and Ava - Yr 10 students

The Politics Model UN incursion was an informative and engaging experience that allowed me to gain insight to the complexity of global politics. We learnt about formal procedures and proper negotiating by discussing issues with other classmates as "countries." What I enjoyed most had to be the debating/negotiating with my classmates and having the "responsibility" of a country, but overall it was an amazing experience. Athena - Yr 10 student

The United Nations incursion was very interesting and fun. The two people running the incursion demonstrates what it would be like at a meeting for United Nations member states (counties involved in the united nations). Through this experience we were able to work on our communication, negotiation and teamwork skills, while gaining a deeper understanding of how each member state may act. This incursion was very enjoyable, and I would highly recommend it to anybody who loves to argue and negotiate agreements with others. 

Jenaya - Yr 10 student

Ms Heyam Dell'Aquila

Teacher