Around the College
Card Club
A new initiative that started at the end of Term 2 is Card Club.
This is an opportunity for students to play their favourite card games with and against their friends and teachers in a dedicated space.
It runs every Friday, currently in the Wheeler Auditorium.
At this time, we have on offer: UNO, playing cards (and any games that can be played with these cards) and the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG).
Students are welcome to bring their own card games if they would like to play games with their friends! We look forward to seeing you there.
Ms Caitlin Mackay
Student Leadership, Spirit & Activities Coordinator
Mr Rosario Ripper
Instructional Leader Visual Arts
Volleyball Success
Over the course of three major volleyball tournaments this year, Nazareth College proudly fielded 125 students, with an impressive 105 competing in their first tournament. This highlights the continued growth of our volleyball program and the enthusiasm among students across all year levels.
The Year 7 teams demonstrated great determination in their debut competitions, with the Boys Division 1 and Girls Division 1 both finishing 11th, while the Girls Division 2 team secured a commendable 9th place. These results reflect the positive foundations being built for future success.
In Year 8, both the Boys Division 2 and Girls Division 2 teams performed strongly, each finishing in 4th place, losing two tough bronze medal games. Their consistency and teamwork are encouraging signs as they progress through the program.
The Year 9 group competed in three divisions, with the Girls Honours team finishing 10th, the Girls Division 2 team 9th, and the Boys Division 1 team 10th. Each team displayed persistence against strong opposition, and we saw enormous growth through the three days.
At the senior levels, the Year 10 Boys Division 2 and Girls Division 2 teams both claimed 5th place, showcasing competitive spirit and steady development. The Year 12 Boys Division 1 team also finished 5th, while the Year 12 Girls Division 1 team achieved outstanding success, winning the Bronze medal. Meanwhile, the Open Boys Honours team finished 9th in a challenging division.
These achievements would not be possible without the support of our dedicated staff and coaches. Special thanks to Mr Lachlan McDonnell, Ms Hayley McMillan, Ms Antigone Kappas, Ms Eliza Hastings, Mr Chuck Chan, Ms Tenille Kirk, Ms Laura Langmead, and Ms Tessa Houlihan for their guidance.
We also extend our thanks to coaches Jimmy Carlyle, Steffen Pellegrini, Milla Smith, Tom Martin, and Edwin Kwek for their expertise and commitment.
Nazareth College is proud of all students for their effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout these tournaments.
Mr Joshua Cowan
Head of MacKillop House
Athletics Carnival
The Nazareth College Annual House Athletics Carnival was held last Monday 11 September. It was a fantastic event, with perfect weather setting the day to be a good one. It was awesome to see so many students actively participating and creating an exciting atmosphere throughout the competition.
The staff vs student relay was a highlight of the day, with a thrilling finish between Jad Naim (Year 12) and Mr Joshua Cowan (MacKillop Head of House).
Congratulations to Chisholm for their impressive win with 5,399 points, and a big shout out to Jai Gunasekera (Year 9) for taking first place in the Naz Gift Race.
The final results:
1st Chisholm 5,399 points
2nd MacKillop 5,374 points
3rd McCormack 4,824 points
4th McAuley 4,675 points
5th Mannix 4,588 points
6th Knox 3,914 points
It was a day full of energy, sportsmanship and unforgettable moments!
Ms Tenille Kirk
Sports Administration
Mr Luke Georgakopoulos
Sports Administration
Year 7 Science Animal Incursion
We were delighted to welcome back Wild Action and their native Australian animals to the college last week.
As part of their study of animal classification, the Year 7 Science classes were given the opportunity to learn about the different characteristics and traits of a variety of different animals.
Students were able to see the animals close up and determine how they might be classified or grouped into the five different vertebrate classes; mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish; based on particular characteristics.
The students have chosen a wild animal they are interested in researching and are now working on a project to explore the animals different characteristics, habitat, life cycle and how it interacts with other animals in its environment.
Wild Action
Ms Sally Ferns
Instructional Leader - Science
SIS Teen Chef
On 7 August Nazareth’s Teen Chef’s competed in the SIS Teen Chef Competition at John Paul College in Frankston.
The theme for this year’s competition was to include a hero ingredient in both dishes. We chose coconut as our hero ingredient.
There were 12 schools who participated. Four plates of the same dish were prepared in 90 minutes to be judged by the Australian Culinary Federation. The students had no assistance during the cooking time.
Liani Mademlis and Amelie Mauceri were our main course Chefs. They prepared tiger prawn wontons in a coconut sauce. The dish had many amazing and complex elements on the plate.
Elisha Mac and Alice Cheng were our dessert Chefs. They prepared a coconut tart with a lime and coconut custard frosting. It had many fantastic elements on the plate also.
Both dishes showcased amazing skills and techniques. They were presented in a professional manner and were so delicious!
Our team have spent many months practicing their dishes.
We were thrilled to be placed 3rd!!!!!!
A huge thanks to Mrs Curcio. Thanks also to Mrs Blake and Mr Cosentino for their tastings, support and feedback throughout the journey.
Congratulations to our four Teen chefs for their hard work, passion, creativity, teamwork and skill. We look forward to next year.
Ms Kate Goodwin
Instructional Leader - Technology
MAV -VCE Maths Games Day @ RMIT University
Friday, 1 August 2025 – A Day of numbers, nerves, and nerds.
Five eager maths enthusiasts from Nazareth College – myself included – made the trip to RMIT University in Melbourne to take part in the MAV-VCE Maths Games competition.
The event brought together schools from across Victoria, each with teams ready to solve a barrage of challenging mathematical problems – and perhaps prove just how deep their love of numbers really runs.
The idea was simple: work as a team, compete in problem-solving relays, and stretch our mathematical brains in a high-pressure environment. What followed was a series of intense and exhilarating rounds, where every single member of our team had moments to shine. It was incredible to witness the different ways everyone approached problems and contributed to our team effort – sometimes in ways that genuinely blew my mind.
The level of competition was fierce, and while we didn’t walk away with the result we had hoped for, we left with a lot more: experience, pride, and motivation to come back stronger next year.
A huge shoutout to Andrew, Jiwoo, Ruan, and Zac – thank you for being an incredible team. It was an honour to work alongside you. And a very special thank you to Mr Louis and Mr Kucfir for making the day possible and supporting us throughout.
Even though I somehow became “captain” (a decision I still think happened without my consent), I couldn’t be prouder to have shared this day with such a talented and driven group. This experience has only deepened our love for maths – and we’re already looking forward to doing it all over again.
Daniel Farr
Year 11 MA5
Year 12 Chemistry Students Dive into Analytical Techniques at KIOSC – Swinburne University
Earlier this term, our Year 12 Chemistry cohort at Nazareth College had the unique opportunity to step beyond the classroom and into the world of advanced chemical analysis during an excursion to KIOSC at Swinburne University. Accompanied by Mr Louis and Ms Sharma, students participated in an immersive program that brought VCE Chemistry to life through hands-on experience with industry-level equipment and techniques.
Throughout the day, students explored the principles and real-world applications of analytical techniques used to investigate organic compounds. The highlight of the session was a simulated forensic investigation: students were challenged to identify an unknown organic substance seized during a police drug raid on an illicit drug manufacturing lab.
Using powerful tools such as:
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
- Infrared Spectroscopy (IR)
- Carbon-13 and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
…students were able to apply their theoretical knowledge to solve a practical and highly relevant problem.
This hands-on experience not only deepened students' understanding of complex analytical techniques but also gave them insight into the roles of chemists in forensic science, pharmaceuticals, and research industries. Our students expressed how valuable it was to see the techniques they’ve studied applied in real-world contexts.
A huge thank you to Mr Louis and Ms Sharma for organising and supporting this enriching excursion. Opportunities like this make the study of Chemistry even more engaging and relevant.
Jayden Tran, Zak Palamara and Anthony Nguyen
Year 12 Chemistry Students