OUR STORY

St Canice's Primary was founded by Sister Dominica McMahon with the original school being opened on 28th January, 1901. The school was temporarily located in the old Town Hall on Bathurst Road. Later that year the school relocated to a canvas annex beside the old St Canice’s Church in Katoomba Street. The school has had many homes in its history, in 1903 the building ‘Hillside’ (next door to the current Palais Royale hotel) was purchased and used for the school until 1909.

In 1924, St Canice’s moved once more and was transferred to the same building as Mount St Mary’s College until a new building was erected in the grounds, where it remained until 1941 when the present St Canice’s was built. The school was constructed with nine classrooms and a shelter basement. By this time, the school was staffed by the Sisters of Charity, De La Salle Brothers and a number of lay staff. While co-ed, the boys occupied the eastern end of the building and the girls the western end. The school was able to accommodate 300 – 400 students.

In 1977 extensions to the building were made to include an administration block. The current principal, Mrs Miriam Meaney, was appointed at the beginning of 2020. The school is part of the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese who have assisted in many additions to the school, including a library and music conservatorium. St Canice’s have recently undergone extensive playground improvements and the current project is to incorporate a sustainable Indigenous Garden, outdoor learning area and an adjoining multipurpose room.