After 33 years of Principal leadership, 29 of those in the Diocese of Parramatta, St Canice's Principal Mr Mark Geerligs has made the decision to retire at the end of the 2019 school year. The School would like to acknowledge the outstanding contribution Mark has made as a Catholic educator and leader.
Beginning his teaching career in 1981, Mark became a Principal in only his seventh year as a teacher when he accepted the role of Principal of St John’s Catholic Primary School Trangie in 1987. In 1991, Mark was appointed Principal of Our Lady of the Nativity Primary Lawson. In 1996, he was appointed Principal of St Finbar’s Primary, Glenbrook and Our Lady of the Rosary, St Mary’s in 2003. Mark has been the Principal of St Canice’s since 2014.
Mark is a caring, supportive and faith-filled leader. In each of his leadership roles, Mark has built strong and enduring connections with the school community. He is a passionate educator who has always sought out opportunities to enrich the students’ learning, whether that has been within the school or in the broader community.
Mark has championed the role of the creative and performing arts in enhancing students’ learning. He is widely recognised for the many exceptional projects he has led in the school and the Blue Mountains community. The creative and performing arts could have no stronger advocate.
Mark has made a significant difference to the lives of young people in the schools he has led and served. He is a relational and inclusive leader who sets high expectations of students and encourages them to be the best they can be.
The St Canice's school community is keen to acknowledge Mark’s work and achievements in months ahead. The process of recruitment for a new Principal of St Canice’s will commence shortly.
Finally, we wish to express our appreciation to Mr Geerligs for the support provided for Catholic schooling as, together, we give witness to the Gospel that enriches the lives of our children and the communities in which we live.
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![2026 Kindergarten Orientation at St Canice's Katoomba]()
12 Nov 2025
2026 Kindergarten Orientation
You are invited to the St Canice's 2026 Kindergarten Orientation! During this time, your child will have the opportunity to meet the other students, teaching staff and explore the learning spaces. Learn more.![breakfastclub]()
07 Aug 2025
St Canice's Brekky Club
All students are invited to join the St Canice's Brekky Club. Brekky Club will now run on Thursdays – 7th, 21st, and 28th August.
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15 Sep 2025
From Facebook
🌟 After an overwhelming response, St Canice's will be holding a final Community Open Day! 🌟 Come along and see what St Canice's can offer you and your family. 📌 Register your interest here: https://info.parra.catholic.edu.au/expression-of-interest/stcaniceskatoomba We can’t wait to welcome you! 💙![426379072836953_1274314358043416-1]()
15 Sep 2025
From Facebook
🌟 St Canice’s Term 3 Food Drive 🌟 This term, St Canice’s is supporting our local St Vincent de Paul Society by collecting non-perishable food and essential items. 💙 If your family is in a position to donate, we would be so grateful for your support—every little bit helps those in need within our community. 📦 Suggested Donation Items by Week: Week 9 – Small tins of Spaghetti / Baked Beans Week 10 – Small Tinned Fruit Thank you for helping us make a difference! 💛
MORE NEWS
15 Sep 2025
From Facebook
🌟 After an overwhelming response, St Canice's will be holding a final Community Open Day! 🌟 Come along and see what St Canice's can offer you and your family. 📌 Register your interest here: https://info.parra.catholic.edu.au/expression-of-interest/stcaniceskatoomba We can’t wait to welcome you! 💙
15 Sep 2025
From Facebook
🌟 St Canice’s Term 3 Food Drive 🌟 This term, St Canice’s is supporting our local St Vincent de Paul Society by collecting non-perishable food and essential items. 💙 If your family is in a position to donate, we would be so grateful for your support—every little bit helps those in need within our community. 📦 Suggested Donation Items by Week: Week 9 – Small tins of Spaghetti / Baked Beans Week 10 – Small Tinned Fruit Thank you for helping us make a difference! 💛
12 Sep 2025
From Facebook
✨ Today at St Canice’s we came together to celebrate our Sky Country learning with a special Expo! ✨ The opening school prayer centred around three crosses created by Uncle Ted Langford from CSPD's Jarara team. These included the theme of Cosmic, Spiritual and Cultural Connectedness; St Canice's Cultural Journey including our Three Sisters Totem and, of the Creator Spirit. Students began the morning singing in Dharug and Gundungurra with Ms Frazer, before guiding our community through learning spaces filled with the incredible works that have been created throughout Term 3. After recess, we gathered in the hall for a whole-school dance performance with the amazing Jo Clancy from Wagana Dance who has been working with the students all term . Jo is a proud Wiradjuri woman, born on Dharug Country, and lives on Darug and Gundungurra Country in the Blue Mountains. 🌿💃 This event is the result of the hard work and dedication of our staff and students in bringing Indigenous culture and history alive through Dance, Music, Art, English and Science. 💛🖤❤️
11 Sep 2025
From Facebook
🌏✨ Tomorrow is the day! ✨🌏 Our Sky Country Expo Day kicks off at 9:00am with song, culture, and celebration. 🎶💃 We can’t wait to see our families and community there! 💛
10 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Hello All from Belgium! We have been working, travelling and doing our best to enjoy the Belgian hospitality and culture over the past 10 days. We visited Flanders Fields and Ypres to remember the Australian soldiers who perished there in World War 1. We learned the story of The Brothers in Arms when we visited the beautiful memorial to these Australian brothers. The story is at the link below for those who would like to read it. https://www.brothersinarmsmemorial.info/ We travelled to Paris on a very fast train on Sunday, 7 Sept and got to Mass in the stunningly-renovated Notre Dame Cathedral. You were all with me in my thoughts:) The study is the hard part but we will get there! MM
10 Sep 2025
From Facebook
This week, our students are focusing on “Be an eSafety: Power up your protection online”, learning how to stay safe and responsible when using technology. We’d also like to share a helpful resource for parents and carers. The eSafety Commissioner website provides information and practical advice to support children in safe and positive online use: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents .
09 Sep 2025
From Facebook
🌱 National Child Protection Week 🌱 This afternoon, our St Canice’s staff and students joined together in prayer for Child Protection Week. This shared moment is an important way for us to honour and protect all children, and to stand in quiet solidarity with those in our wider community who hold tender memories at this time. At St Canice’s, we used the symbol of a plant to remind us how children grow. With sunlight, water, and care, a plant becomes strong and full of life. Just like plants, children need love, safety, and protection to thrive. 🙏 Today we pray that every child is nurtured at home, at school, and in our world.
09 Sep 2025
From Facebook
09 Sep 2025
From Facebook
🌏✨ Excitement is building for our Sky Country Expo Day this Friday! ✨🌏 Our St Canice’s students have been busy preparing their learning spaces to showcase the incredible work they have created throughout the term. 🕘 9:00am – The day will begin with a special student performance, singing in Dharug and Gundungurra with the wonderful Ms Kristina Frazer. 🌀 This will be followed by a guided tour through the learning spaces. ☕ 10:40am – Parents and carers are warmly invited to join us for recess. 💃 11:30am – The whole school will come together to perform the dance they have been learning all term with the outstanding Jo Clancy. We can’t wait to share this special celebration of culture and learning with you! 💛
07 Sep 2025
From Facebook
07 Sep 2025
From Facebook
💙 Happy Father’s Day! 💙 Today we celebrate all the wonderful fathers and father figures in our St Canice’s community. Thank you for the love, guidance, and support you give each day. Wishing you a very special day filled with joy!
07 Sep 2025
From Facebook
💙 Happy Father’s Day! 💙 Happy Father’s Day to all our St Canice’s fathers and father figures. We hope your day is filled with love, joy and special moments with your families.
07 Sep 2025
From Facebook
06 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Sky Country Expo - This Friday 12th Sept. Please join us from 9am until midday. Everyone is Welcome!
06 Sep 2025
From Facebook
🌟 St Canice’s Term 3 Food Drive 🌟 This term, St Canice’s is supporting our local St Vincent de Paul Society by collecting non-perishable food and essential items. 💙 If your family is in a position to donate, we would be so grateful for your support—every little bit helps those in need within our community. 📦 Suggested Donation Items by Week: Week 8 – Drinking Chocolate / Milo Week 9 – Small tins of Spaghetti / Baked Beans Week 10 – Small Tinned Fruit Thank you for helping us make a difference! 💛