Dear Parents/Guardians and friends of Nazareth

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope that you have had a restful break and a Holy and enjoyable Easter.

This term, for both staff and students, is one of consolidation as we all endeavour to meet set goals. Student Progress meetings were well attended, and in many instances, student efforts and applications were acknowledged. Students would have discussed how they can continue to improve. We hope that this can be reflected in their actions throughout this term.

The passing of Pope Francis has had a huge impact worldwide. It has brought to light the enormous amount of love and dedication Pope Francis had for those less fortunate, the destitute, and those persecuted. It is hoped that his actions have been and will continue to be influential to all of us as we continue to be welcoming and loving to all of humanity, as demonstrated throughout his humble life. We now pray that the Holy Spirit guides the Cardinals in their deliberation and choice of the next Pope.

There are some issues on how we can continue to improve that have come to light from both staff and parents. These centre around the amount of information that is sent daily. Families cannot keep up. We are attempting to streamline communication and be more selective about what the College sends out. Families sometimes miss key dates that are advertised, so every month, the monthly calendar of events will be sent out, similar to what we have in this newsletter.

Another change we will introduce will be the closing of the College gates during school hours. Like many other schools, Child Safety measures need to be implemented, restricting the number of people who enter the College, especially while students are in the yard. These changes have been implemented to safeguard both our students and staff members. At times, this may be annoying and inconvenient, but we are implementing measures to improve Child Safety procedures.

I thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Commencing next Tuesday (6 May), every Tuesday will commence at 8.50am with the school day ending at 2.30pm (Day 2 & Day 7).

Finally, I have included the famous words from Pope Francis written while he was in hospital:

“The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches...

They have witnessed far more sincere kisses than those in airports...

It is in hospitals that you see a homophobe being saved by a gay doctor.

A privileged doctor saving the life of a beggar...

In intensive care, you see a Jew taking care of a racist...

A police officer and a prisoner in the same room receiving the same care...

A wealthy patient waiting for a liver transplant, ready to receive the organ from a poor donor...

It is in these moments, when the hospital touches the wounds of people, that different worlds intersect according to a divine design. And in this communion of destinies, we realize that alone, we are nothing.

The absolute truth of people, most of the time, only reveals itself in moments of pain or in the real threat of an irreversible loss.

A hospital is a place where human beings remove their masks and show themselves as they truly are, in their purest essence.

This life will pass quickly, so do not waste it fighting with people.

Do not criticize your body too much.

Do not complain excessively.

Do not lose sleep over bills.

Make sure to hug your loved ones.

Do not worry too much about keeping the house spotless.

Material goods must be earned by each person—do not dedicate yourself to accumulating an inheritance.

You are waiting for too much: Christmas, Friday, next year, when you have money, when love arrives, when everything is perfect...

Listen, perfection does not exist.

A human being cannot attain it because we are simply not made to be fulfilled here.

Here, we are given an opportunity to learn.

So, make the most of this trial of life—and do it now.

Respect yourself, respect others. Walk your own path, and let go of the path others have chosen for you.

Respect: do not comment, do not judge, do not interfere.

Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely!

And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator.”

—Pope Francis

God Bless.

Mr Sam Cosentino

Principal

Mothers' Day Breakfast