Despite St Canice’s Primary School Katoomba being a small school, its heart is big when it comes to community service.
The school prides itself on being very community-minded and contributes to many charitable events. The school has raised more than $12,000 for Mini Vinnies. It has also raised funds for Caritas Australia, Christmas Carols at Bodington Aged Care, Street Carols, Sculptures at Scenic World, Water Wise with Blue Mountains Council and Totem.
When St Canice’s String Ensemble performed at the recent 113th birthday celebration of the Central Blue Mountains Rotary, they were recognised with a Community Services Award for dedication and commitment to community service.
St Canice’s Principal Mark Geerlings said they are very proud to have received an award which recognises the great work the school does within the community.
“It is important for the students to understand they have a responsibility to themselves but also to the community,’’ Mr Geerlings said.
“At St Canice’s, we reach out to those in need, provide opportunities for the community to see education in action and we have a strong belief in caring for our environment.
“We are blessed to live in a World Heritage listed area and therefore we have a responsibility to care for it.’’
The school has also recently been involved in community consultations for the new Katoomba RSL design following the 2017 fire. It was also the first school in the Blue Mountains to be a part of the One Tree per Child project, and last year decorated a star on Katoomba Street to bring the Christmas message to the community.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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09 Jul 2025
From Facebook
🧸✍️ Teddy Adventures These Holidays! Our Stage 1 students have each selected a very special teddy to take home for the holidays! Over the break, they'll be writing about all the fun, adventures, and special moments they share with their teddy friend. We can’t wait to hear the stories and see the creativity when everyone returns in Term 3! 📚💫🐻 #TeddyAdventures #Stage1Writers #HolidayFun #StCanicesPrimary![426379072836953_1211622734312579-1]()
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09 Jul 2025
From Facebook
🧸✍️ Teddy Adventures These Holidays! Our Stage 1 students have each selected a very special teddy to take home for the holidays! Over the break, they'll be writing about all the fun, adventures, and special moments they share with their teddy friend. We can’t wait to hear the stories and see the creativity when everyone returns in Term 3! 📚💫🐻 #TeddyAdventures #Stage1Writers #HolidayFun #StCanicesPrimary
07 Jul 2025
From Facebook
04 Jul 2025
From Facebook
♟️🧠 Stage 1 Learning Chess! 🧠♟️ Our clever Stage 1 students have been learning how to play chess with Mr McCarthy! They're building concentration, strategy, and problem-solving skills—all while having fun and challenging their thinking. Well done, young chess masters! 👏♕ #StCanices #ChessInTheClassroom #Stage1Learners #CriticalThinking #LoveAndLearning
04 Jul 2025
From Facebook
🎉 Happy Birthday Aunty Carol! 🎉 This morning at our assembly, we had the special honour of celebrating Aunty Carol's birthday. We are so grateful to have her as part of our St Canice's school community. Her presence, wisdom, and warmth enrich our school in so many ways. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead, Aunty Carol! 💛🎂🎈 #StCanices #CommunitySpirit #HappyBirthdayAuntyCarol #Gratitude
04 Jul 2025
From Facebook
04 Jul 2025
From Facebook
🌟 Congratulations to our Lyrebird Award recipients! 🌟 At St Canice’s, our Positive Behaviour Support for Learning program (PBS4L) is an integral part of our school community. Our students strive to Love Selflessly, Live Responsibly, and Learn Purposefully, and these values are encouraged daily by our dedicated staff and students. Today we celebrated some of those students who have consistently demonstrated these qualities and earned a Lyrebird Award at our assembly. Well done to all the recipients—we are so proud of you! 🎉👏 #StCanices #LyrebirdAward #LoveLiveLearn
03 Jul 2025
From Facebook
Zombie-Group B. Stage 3 have been discovering Guitar Essentials this term during their weekly music lessons. They have attempted a variety of popular songs using basic chord progressions (E, A, D, Em, Am, D6, and a modified G and C, as well as different strumming and percussive styles. Today, they tried Zombie by The Cranberries, as well as using a capo to play Clocks by Coldplay. To say that Ms Frazer is proud of their progress, is an understatement. Congratulations, Stage 3. ⭐️🎸⭐️ #stcaniceskatoombamusic #stcaniceskatoomba💙🩵 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #LoveWhereYouLearn #GuitarEssentials #GuitarBasics #ZombieTheCranberries #zombiethecranberries
02 Jul 2025
From Facebook
Stage 2 have been have a hoot during music this term as they discover Bass Basics with Ms Frazer. Here they are ROCKING OUT to Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water. #BassEssentials #LOVEWHEREYOULEARN #BassBasics #StCanicesKatoomba #LoveWhereYouLearn #SmokeOnTheWater #smokeonthewater
02 Jul 2025
From Facebook
During term 2 Music, Year 6 have been individually presenting Music Appreciation to the rest of Stage 3. To prepare for this, the Year 6 students began by deciding upon a piece of music that was relatively or completely unknown to the group. Once they had chosen their piece, they were required to research information about it, including details about the songwriter, the date or era when it was created, the genre, time signature, instruments used, as well as interesting facts about the artist and/or music. They were also asked to explain why they chose this piece above all others. It’s been an exciting musical journey for all of us, because throughout the term, we have listened to and analysed music from other cultures (like the Sri Lankan National Anthem, and pop music from India ) as well as songs from famous bands and musicians (including Queen, Dolly Parton, Regina Spector, and Run DMC). Thank you to our fabulous Year 6 students for putting so much effort into this presentation. #LOVEWHEREYOULEARN #StCanicesKatoomba #MusicAppreciation #stcaniceskatoombamusic #stcaniceskatoomba💙🩵 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese
01 Jul 2025
From Facebook
NAIDOC Week 2025, themed “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, will be celebrated from Sunday 6 July to Sunday 13 July. This year marks 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience, celebrating both past achievements and the promising future led by young Indigenous leaders 🌿 Blue Mountains NAIDOC Week Events The Blue Mountains community is hosting a series of inclusive events to celebrate and reflect on First Nations cultures: 🟣 NAIDOC Week Opening Community Event 📅 Date & Time: Sunday 6 July, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM 📍 Location: Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub, Springwood 🎉 Highlights: Welcome and Smoking Ceremony, Wagana Dancers performance, live music, family-friendly activities, Springwood Library display, and a free lunch (bookings essential) . bmcc.nsw.gov.au 🟣 Flag Raising Ceremony 📅 Date & Time: Monday 7 July, 10:00 AM 📍 Location: Carrington Place, Katoomba 🎈 Details: Raising of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to mark NAIDOC Week . wangarattachronicle.com.au 🟣 Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Events 📅 Dates: Saturday 5 July – Sunday 13 July 📍 Location: Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Katoomba 🖼️ Features: Free entry throughout the week, including the "& Emerging NAIDOC" exhibition curated by ACRC (5 July – 3 August). A Community Day with free activities will be held on Saturday 12 July from 10:00 AM . bmcc.nsw.gov.au 🟣 ACRC NAIDOC Ball 📅 Date & Time: Saturday 5 July, from 5:00 PM 📍 Location: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection, Leura 🎟️ Details: A night of celebration hosted by the Blue Mountains Aboriginal Culture and Resource Centre. Tickets are required . naidoc.org.au 🌱 Ways to Support NAIDOC Week Year-Round Explore documentaries or books on First Nations history—local libraries and the National Film and Sound Archive offer extensive resources. Share First Nations perspectives on social media to raise awareness. Read Indigenous newspapers like the Koori Mail, National Indigenous Times, and First Nations Telegraph. Incorporate native foods or cooking methods into your meals—many tutorials are available online. Support local First Nations groups such as Garguree Swamp Care, Blue Mountains Aboriginal Cultural and Resource Centre (ACRC), or the Ganya Shed. Attend or organise events during NAIDOC Week to engage with the community. Speak up against inappropriate comments and educate others; resources are available to guide respectful discussions and address racism . For more information and updates on events, visit the Blue Mountains City Council NAIDOC Week page.
01 Jul 2025
From Facebook
🌙✨ PJ Day at St Canice’s! ✨🌙 We’re keeping it cosy at school today with our fun Pyjama Day! Students are enjoying a comfy day of learning in their favourite PJs – oodies, robes, and all! 💫 Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun and to Mr O and the FIAT team for organising 💛
01 Jul 2025
From Facebook
01 Jul 2025
From Facebook
🎒 Enrolling Now at St Canice’s! Looking for a small, nurturing K–6 Catholic school that caters to the individual needs of your child? At St Canice’s Katoomba, we offer a welcoming community, passionate teachers, and contemporary learning spaces that support today’s learners. 🌟 FEE FREE from 2026! 🌟 Now is the perfect time to explore what St Canice’s has to offer. 📅 Book a tour or express your interest today via our website https://www.stcaniceskatoomba.catholic.edu.au/why-us Help your child grow to their full potential through love and learning. #StCanicesKatoomba #PrimarySchool #EnrollingNow #CatholicEducation #BlueMountains #LoveAndLearning
30 Jun 2025
From Facebook
Taleishah from CSPD's Jarara Team inspired Kindy once again, bringing stories to life and smiles to all of our faces. Look at all these Kangaroo's with their Joey's. Thank you Taleishah for teaching us the story of how the Kangaroo got it's tail.
30 Jun 2025
From Facebook
🌿 NAIDOC Week: The Next Generation – Strength, Vision and Legacy This year marks a powerful milestone — 50 years of honouring and elevating Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander voices, culture and resilience. “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy” reminds us that the future is being shaped by young First Nations leaders who carry forward the strength, wisdom, and spirit of their Elders. It’s a celebration of those who have come before, those who walk alongside us today, and those who will lead tomorrow. NAIDOC Week is a time to reflect, listen, and learn. It's also a time to celebrate the enduring resilience, rich cultures, and deep histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples — the oldest continuing cultures on Earth. Let us come together to honour their legacy, support the vision of the next generation, and continue the journey of truth-telling, healing and unity. A reminder that our whole school assembly will be held at 8:50am this Friday 4th July, we hope you can join us.