What do you know about crayfish? Probably not as much as St Canice’s Primary, Katoomba Year 3 and 4 students! These clever kids recently become custodians of the Blue Mountains Crayfish.
As part of a term-long project led by the Blue Mountains City Council, students learned lots about their local environment, in particular the critically endangered crayfish.
St Canice’s joined Katoomba Public School and Katoomba High in the joint project. Each school was assigned a different area of focus.
The learning culminated in a “Swamp Fest” held at the end of Term 3, attended by more than 200 students, staff and members of the local community.
The festive atmosphere provided an opportunity for everyone involved in the project to come together to share what they had discovered about endangered creatures in the Blue Mountains, their significance to the local ecosystem, and the importance of protecting the environment.
“The Swamp Fest was the perfect opportunity for students to share their learnings and use their persuasive skills to help our community to look after our environment,” St Canice’s Principal, Mark Geerligs said.
“Students have been able to apply their learning in a real-life context, giving their learning purpose and an audience.”
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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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.
30 Jul 2025
Little Lyrebirds Playgroup
Little Lyrebirds Playgroup is a FREE event for all little ones aged 0 - 6. Held at St Canice's Primary School every Wednesday of the school term, 9am-10:30am. Everyone is welcome.
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31 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Our students are on their way home from Camp Wedderburn! 🚌 Check out some more pics of the amazing adventures they’ve had along the way! From outdoor challenges to team activities, it’s been a camp full of fun, growth, and great memories. Please check your Compass Parent Portal for updates and further details regarding arrival time. We look forward to welcoming everyone back soon!
31 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Day 1 at camp has been full of fun and adventure! 🌿 Students have been busy enjoying tree climbing, team games, and making wonderful memories with their friends. Everyone is having a fantastic time and embracing all the exciting activities on offer! ⏰ Expected arrival time back at school will be confirmed later this afternoon via your Compass Parent Portal. Stay tuned for more updates! 😊
MORE NEWS
31 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Our students are on their way home from Camp Wedderburn! 🚌 Check out some more pics of the amazing adventures they’ve had along the way! From outdoor challenges to team activities, it’s been a camp full of fun, growth, and great memories. Please check your Compass Parent Portal for updates and further details regarding arrival time. We look forward to welcoming everyone back soon!
31 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Day 1 at camp has been full of fun and adventure! 🌿 Students have been busy enjoying tree climbing, team games, and making wonderful memories with their friends. Everyone is having a fantastic time and embracing all the exciting activities on offer! ⏰ Expected arrival time back at school will be confirmed later this afternoon via your Compass Parent Portal. Stay tuned for more updates! 😊
30 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Our students had an exciting time taking aim at archery today! 🏹 With great focus, determination, and plenty of encouragement from their peers, everyone gave it a go and celebrated their successes—whether hitting the target or simply trying something new. It was fantastic to see confidence grow with every shot! Camp continues to be filled with fun, challenge, and memorable experiences for all. 🌿
30 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Our students have arrived safely at camp and are already busy settling in and enjoying their first activities! 🏕️ There’s a great sense of excitement in the air as they begin this special experience together. We look forward to sharing more updates and photos over the coming days! 😊
30 Mar 2026
From Facebook
29 Mar 2026
From Facebook
On Monday, St Canice's Primary School proudly held our Annual Easter Hat Parade 🐣🎩 Students showcased their creativity with a wonderful array of colourful, imaginative and beautifully decorated hats. It was fantastic to see so much effort and enthusiasm, with each class bringing smiles to our community. A big thank you to our families for your support in helping create these amazing designs, and to our staff for organising such a joyful celebration. Wishing everyone a happy and blessed Easter ✝️🌸
25 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Our 'A for Awesome' Stage 2 Strings students were presented with their instruments, today. They have an amazing journey of musical discovery ahead of them. Look at those eager to learn faces! #LoveLiveLearn #StCanicesPrimary #stcanicesprimaryschool #cspdparramatta #captivatestringsprogram #strings #stcanicesmusic #LoveWhereYouLearn #year3strings
25 Mar 2026
From Facebook
💧 Living Water – A Holy Week Pilgrimage & Harmony Feast 💛 Today, our school community came together in a beautiful and meaningful way. Students journeyed on a pilgrimage through key moments of Holy Week, reflecting on Christ’s love and gaining a deeper understanding of the reality faced by communities around the world who walk daily for water. Following this, we gathered for our Harmony Feast, celebrating the rich diversity of our school by sharing food, culture, and connection. It was a joyful reminder of the strength found in unity and inclusion. 💛 Double Your Impact Today! Every online donation our school raises for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion will be MATCHED, doubling the impact of your generosity. This Lent, St Canice’s Primary School – Katoomba is proud to stand in solidarity with communities experiencing poverty and hardship. Together, we can help provide access to clean water, healthcare, and safe shelter, while empowering people to build sustainable futures with dignity and hope. 💧 Every dollar truly makes a difference. 👉 Donate here: https://www.projectcompassion.org.au/fundraisers/stcanicesprimaryschoolkatoomba?utm_source=qr&utm_medium=print&fbclid=IwY2xjawQwMUVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFlUjZwNjBidjBkcVFLYVpYc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuOuT2oSohlxYvkqA-hk-DIPhw5sgPG6z94PH1BBnw03Dsb1e9yzwWQY4pWb_aem_MYE9YV602lk4M8YHTSG8kg Thank you for standing with us this Lent — together, we can make a difference. #ProjectCompassion #CaritasAustralia #StCanices #LivingWater #Lent #MakeADifference #cspdparramatta
24 Mar 2026
700+ Unite for Project Compassion Big Water Walk
More than 700 students and staff from 23 schools across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) came together for Caritas Australia’s Big Water Walk in support of Project Compassion. Beginning at Parramatta Park, students carried buckets of water along a 4km route, gaining a glimpse of the daily journey faced by people in developing communities, especially women and children, in search of clean water.
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
💛 Double Your Impact TOMORROW! 💛 Tomorrow, Wednesday, 25 March, every online donation our school raises for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion will be MATCHED – doubling the impact of your gift! That means: ✨ $50 becomes $100 ✨ $100 becomes $200 ✨ $200 becomes $400 ⏰ Dollar Match Day begins at 10:00am (AEDT) This Lent, St Canice's Primary School - Katoomba is proud to support Project Compassion, standing in solidarity with communities around the world facing poverty and hardship. Together, we can help provide access to clean water, healthcare and safe shelter, while empowering people to build sustainable futures with dignity and hope. Don't Forget 📅 Wednesday 25 March (Week 9) 🕦 11:30am – 1:20pm We warmly invite you to join us for a special event: 💧 Living Water – A Holy Week Pilgrimage and Harmony Feast ✨ Pilgrimage (11:30am–12:20pm) Students will journey through key moments of Holy Week, reflecting on Christ’s love and the reality of communities who walk daily for water. 🍽️ Harmony Feast (12:40pm–1:20pm) Celebrate the diversity of our school by sharing food and culture together. Families are invited to bring a plate that represents their heritage or a meaningful tradition (please include an ingredient list). Food can be dropped to the hall from 8:30am. 💛 Support Our Fundraiser Every dollar raised helps create real and lasting change. 👉 Donate here: https://www.projectcompassion.org.au/fundraisers/stcanicesprimaryschoolkatoomba?utm_source=qr&utm_medium=print&fbclid=IwY2xjawQuzZtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFETTNQSzltZ0hjQUd1REI4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgm3dxoJS2bYZOvx6e38V0ZaT0XjDvK4qef0Q1GhzOd_ZZrgdWuIEf2lbMs0_aem_WtDInChKhcwh4jEQ8Mwimw Thank you for standing with us this Lent — together, we can make a difference. #ProjectCompassion #CaritasAustralia #StCanices #LivingWater #Lent #MakeADifference
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🌊 Kindergarten Coastal Creations 🌊 Our Kindergarten students have been exploring the natural features of the coast in HSIE (Human Society and its Environment), and what a fantastic learning experience it has been! Using a variety of natural and craft materials including sand, shells, rocks, leaves, twigs and blue cellophane for water, students created their own beautiful coastal dioramas. 🐚🌿 These creative projects helped bring their learning to life while showcasing their imagination and understanding of coastal environments. What fun we had creating and learning together! 💙 #Kindergarten #HSIE #CreativeLearning #stcaniceskatoomba💙
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🎨 Celebrating Our Community Through Art 🎨 Blue Mountains Cultural Centre is currently showcasing Blue Mountains Portraits 2026, a special exhibition celebrating the people who make our local community so unique. Running from 21 February – 19 April, this annual exhibition features over forty artworks across a wide range of styles including painting, photography, drawing, collage and mixed media. Each piece tells the story of a local personality, capturing the rich and diverse fabric of the Blue Mountains. We are especially proud to share that 10 St Canice’s students have their work included in this exhibition! 👏 These students created their portraits with Ms Dani in 2025 and submitted them to be part of this inspiring community showcase. If you’re in the area, we encourage you to visit and support these talented young artists along with the many incredible local contributors. #BlueMountainsPortraits #StCanices #StudentArt #BlueMountainsCommunity #StCanicesKatoomba
23 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🌿 Uniting Against Poverty this Lent 🌿 Dear Parents and Families, This Lent, our school community is proud to support Project Compassion, standing in solidarity with communities around the world facing poverty and hardship. Together, we can help provide access to life’s essentials—clean water, healthcare, and safe shelter—while empowering people to build sustainable futures with dignity and hope. 📅 Wednesday 25 March (Week 9) 🕦 11:30am – 1:20pm We warmly invite you to join us for a special event: 💧 Living Water – A Holy Week Pilgrimage and Harmony Feast ✨ Pilgrimage (11:30am–12:20pm) Students will journey through key moments of Holy Week, reflecting on Christ’s love and the reality of communities who walk daily for water. 🍽️ Harmony Feast (12:40pm–1:20pm) Celebrate the beautiful diversity of our school by sharing food and culture together. Families are invited to bring a plate that represents their heritage or a meaningful tradition (ingredient list appreciated). Food can be dropped to the hall from 8:30am. 💛 Support Our Fundraiser Every dollar raised helps create real and lasting change for vulnerable communities. 👉 Donate here: https://www.projectcompassion.org.au/fundraisers/stcanicesprimaryschoolkatoomba?utm_source=qr&utm_medium=print Thank you for standing with us as we unite against poverty this Lent. Together, we can make a difference.
22 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Brekky Club got off to a great start, thanks to our fantastic volunteers and a great turnout from our families. Don't forget! Last Brekky Club of Term 1 is on Thurs 2 April:)
22 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🐣🎩 Easter Hat Parade – TOMORROW Monday 23rd March at 8:50am 🐰🌸 We’re excited for our Easter Hat Parade tomorrow! Children are invited to come along wearing their Easter hats and join in the fun. Younger siblings are also welcome to take part in the parade. Please remember there’s no need to go to any expense—homemade and simple hats are absolutely perfect! We can’t wait to see everyone’s creative ideas. 🎨🐥