Deputy Principal's Report

Welcome to Nazareth

While we extend a very warm welcome to 2017 at Nazareth College to all members of our College Community, we extend a very special welcome to those students, families and staff who are new to Nazareth this year. We welcome to our College the following staff who join or return to us in 2017:

New Staff

Click the gallery to see names

Mr Sam Cosentino

College Principal. Sam comes to us from Padua College, and joins Nazareth this year as the fourth Principal in our 31 year history. We extend a very warm welcome to Sam!

Ms Rinku Arora

After having spent a short time at Nazareth last year, in 2017 Rinku becomes an ongoing member of the Nazareth staff.  As well as teaching Maths and Science (specialising in Biology), Rinku is also our new eLearning Coordinator.

Ms Jade Baker

Teaching Food Studies, Textiles and Science, Jade worked at Avila College in 2016 and has only recently moved from Queensland with her husband. Jade is a keen netball player and is enjoying Melbourne’s ‘cafe culture’.

Mr Chuck Chan

Chuck is a specialist teacher in the areas of Economics, Business Management and Humanities. Chuck’s business expertise has been enhanced by his ten years in the Hotel and Travel industry. He is also an accredited Volleyball coach with over seven years’ experience.

Ms Jo Green

Jo returns to Nazareth, having been here several years ago, as our Learning Support Coordinator. Jo is also teaching Foundation English in Year 10. Jo brings 25 years’ teaching experience to her role and enjoys working with students to help them achieve their best. She loves spending time with her family on the Mornington Peninsula.

Ms Sheba Gurm

Sheba is our new Science Learning Leader, teaching both Science (specialising in Chemistry) and Maths. Sheba has taught in a wide array of independent and government schools and loves to read, to travel and to watch films.

Ms Cara McCrae

Cara taught in Horsham for seven years before coming to Nazareth to teach Psychology, English and  Religious Education. Cara grew up on a farm in the Wimmera and is glad that, after making the decision to move to the city, she was able to find such a welcoming school.

Ms Heather Murtagh

After more than 20 years at Aquinas College in Ringwood, Heather joins us to teach Science (specialising in Physics) and Maths. Heather  has also taught at Healesville High School and Mercy College in Coburg.

Mr John Palomares

John comes to Nazareth as a very experienced teacher of Visual Communication and Art, having taught at Siena College for over 25 years. Born in Madrid, John is very keen on soccer and cooking (especially paella!).

Ms Merryn Molloy

Providing Executive Support to the Deputy Principal and Assistant Principal Faith and Wellbeing, Merryn comes to us after ten years in the Education Department and is excited to be part of the Nazareth Community.

Ms Maree Pennant

Maree commences at Nazareth this year as one of our two Science Laboratory Technicians. Before coming to Nazareth Maree worked at Padua College.  Maree’s love of Science started when she was studying Biology in Year 11. She began her career at Forensic Science Laboratories where she worked in the Serology section.

Ms Amy Kane

Having graduated from Casey Grammar School in 2015, Amy joins Nazareth as our AFL Cadet. She is hoping to gain an understanding of what teaching life is like, with the intention of perhaps becoming a PE teacher in the future.

Ms Melinda Ang

Melinda is a Learning Assistant who will be working specifically with our International Students. She is also able to teach Chinese and Music. Melinda loves to travel and also enjoys stamp collecting, gardening and cross-stitch.

Returning Staff

This year we also have two staff members returning from Parental Leave. Ms Adelle Frittitta returns to teach Visual Communication and Art; while Ms Jo Lenihan (formerly Ms Jo Marletta) returns to teach English and Italian.

Communication with Parents

Students’ education is most successful when there is a strong partnership between parents and the school. Of course, good communication is essential in ensuring a strong partnership.  In 2017, two of the means by which Nazareth will continue to communicate frequently with parents are through email and through our Smart Phone App. This will help keep parents informed about events and activities taking place at the College and also enable us to provide constant feedback to parents about their children.

Nazareth College Smart Phone App

The Smart Phone App gives Nazareth the ability to send notices and reminders to parents as push notifications. The App also has a number of other functions to ensure effective communication between the College and parents.

• The App has an Events section which lists forthcoming College activities on the College Calendar.
• College Newsletters are available on the App in the Newsletter section.
• Other letters which are sent home to families will be included on the App in the News section.
• The App has a ‘Parent eForms’ section which includes templates to allow parents to communicate easily with the College, such as the ‘Change of Details’ form. Using this, parents can quickly and easily notify the College of any change to their contact details.

To download the App simply go to the App Store if you have an iPhone or to the Google Play Store if you have an android phone and search for our school name, 'Nazareth College Noble Park North'.

The App allows parents to receive only those notices pertinent to their children if they prefer. Simply go to ‘More’ on the right hand side of the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, then go to ‘Setup’ and simply choose the year levels for which you wish to receive notices.

If you have any queries in relation to the Nazareth App please do not hesitate to contact the College.

Email

The College will regularly send parents notices, letters and information by email. Parents will also receive emails from individual teachers such as subject teachers, Heads of House and in relation to Panel.

To ensure that parents receive these emails it is, of course, essential that we have parents’ current and correct email addresses. If you have changed your email address or have not given the College your email address, please do so at your earliest convenience. Remember, of course, that this can be done very easily through the Nazareth App.

Whom do I contact if…?

1. My son or daughter is going to be absent from school? Please send a text message to 0429 451 964; or speak to Student Services on telephone 9790 8145.
2. I need to update my contact details? Changes to parents’/guardians’ contact details need to be communicated to us in writing. The simplest way to update your details is via the eForm on the College App. The other ways to update details are to send a letter in the mail to the College or send a letter to Student Services via your child. If you wish to talk to us about your details call Student Services (9790 8145).
3. I have a general enquiry or a query about an event at the College? The College Receptionist will be able to answer most general enquiries; or will transfer parents/guardians to the appropriate person to address queries.
4. I need to let the College know something about the Welfare of my child? Parents’/ guardians first point of contact should normally be your child’s Pastoral Teacher. If the Pastoral Teacher is unavailable, parents/guardians should then contact the relevant Head of House. In the event of very serious matters parents/guardians are also welcome to contact Mr Justin Duckett, the Assistant Principal – Faith and Wellbeing.
5. I have a concern about my child’s Learning in the classroom? Again, the first contact would normally be with your child’s Pastoral Teacher. If the concern is regarding a particular subject, parents/guardians should contact the subject teacher. If, after speaking with the subject teacher(s), your concerns remain, you may wish to then contact the relevant Learning Leader. After speaking with the subject teacher and the Learning Leader, very serious concerns may next be discussed with the Director of Studies, Ms Rosaria Pellegrino or the Assistant Principal – Learning, Mr David Broadbent.
6. I have a concern about my child’s Program of Studies? After speaking with your child’s subject teacher/s if you need to discuss your child’s program further, contact our Director of Studies, Ms Rosaria Pellegrino. It may also be beneficial, especially if your child is in Years 10, 11 or 12, to speak with our Pathways Coordinator, Ms Elena Flodstrom.
7. I don’t know whom I should contact? If you are unsure whom the best person is to contact with a particular enquiry, call the College Receptionist on 9795 8100. Our Receptionist will then direct you to the best person to address your concern or enquiry.

Effective communication between parents/guardians and the College will help ensure that your children are well cared for and help ensure they experience success in their studies

Mr Garry Giese

Deputy Principal