In a wonderful example of community spirit and togetherness, students from four Blue Mountains primary schools came together recently for a special Mountains Encounter retreat focusing on what they’ve done and can do to help ensure everyone in society has equal rights, opportunities and is treated fairly.
Students from the Faith In Action (FIAT) teams at St Finbar's Primary Glenbrook, St Thomas Aquinas Primary Springwood, St Canice's Primary Katoomba, and Our Lady of the Nativity Primary Lawson gathered at St Finbar's for the afternoon retreat which, over the past few years, has brought considerable benefits to both students, their schools and the wider community.
Students reflected on what they’d learnt throughout the year and their involvement in social justice initiatives such as Project Compassion, food drives and volunteering for Vinnies and Jesuit Refugee Services.
Mountains Encounter, overseen by Lauren Maund, Director of Catholic Identity and Mission, aims to strengthen bonds among students while offering them opportunities to explore their faith through various enriching activities. Students took part in team-building exercises, faith formation workshops, and reflections centered on the Advent season. The main message was to encourage students to embrace their roles in carrying forward Christ’s mission of service and unity.
One of the highlights of the event was the traditional sausage sizzle dinner where students got to share a meal while learning about each other and their different communities in the Blue Mountains.
The retreat was more than just a gathering, it was a demonstration of how schools in the Blue Mountains are living out their faith through action. Their dedication to social justice and building community proves that living your faith can make a real difference in our world.
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Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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22 Jul 2026
Little Learners - School Readiness Program
Little Learners is St Caniceโs Schoolโs fun, free, play-based school readiness program designed for children aged 3.5โ5 years who will be starting school in the next 1โ2 years.
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 โ 7th, 21st, and 28th August.
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11 Aug 2026
From Facebook
๐ COMMUNITY OPEN DAY โ TOMORROW! ๐ We canโt wait to welcome families to St Caniceโs Primary School Katoomba tomorrow, Wednesday 12 August, from 9:30amโ11:00am! ๐ Come along and experience what makes our school such a special place to learn, grow and belong. โจ Meet our dedicated and passionate staff ๐ซ Explore our vibrant learning spaces ๐ Visit our classrooms and see learning in action ๐ Discover the opportunities available at St Caniceโs ๐ค Connect with our welcoming school community ๐ญ Enjoy a relaxed sausage sizzle with our school community If you know a family who is considering a school for their child, please invite them along! Itโs a wonderful opportunity to see our school, meet our staff and experience the St Caniceโs difference. ๐ Wednesday 12 August โฐ 9:30amโ11:00am ๐ St Caniceโs Primary School, Katoomba ๐ Register today: https://info.parra.catholic.edu.au/open-day/stcaniceskatoomba We canโt wait to see you tomorrow! ๐๐
10 Aug 2026
From Facebook
๐ Congratulations to our Lyrebird Award recipients! ๐ At St Caniceโs, our Positive Behaviour Support for Learning (PBS4L) program is an integral part of who we are as a school community. Our students strive to Love Selflessly, Live Responsibly, and Learn Purposefully, and these values are nurtured and encouraged every day by our dedicated staff and students. At our recent whole school assembly, we celebrated a group of students who have consistently demonstrated these qualities and were recognised with a Lyrebird Award. ๐๐ Well done to all the recipientsโwe are so proud of you! #StCanices #LyrebirdAward #LoveLiveLearn
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11 Aug 2026
From Facebook
๐ COMMUNITY OPEN DAY โ TOMORROW! ๐ We canโt wait to welcome families to St Caniceโs Primary School Katoomba tomorrow, Wednesday 12 August, from 9:30amโ11:00am! ๐ Come along and experience what makes our school such a special place to learn, grow and belong. โจ Meet our dedicated and passionate staff ๐ซ Explore our vibrant learning spaces ๐ Visit our classrooms and see learning in action ๐ Discover the opportunities available at St Caniceโs ๐ค Connect with our welcoming school community ๐ญ Enjoy a relaxed sausage sizzle with our school community If you know a family who is considering a school for their child, please invite them along! Itโs a wonderful opportunity to see our school, meet our staff and experience the St Caniceโs difference. ๐ Wednesday 12 August โฐ 9:30amโ11:00am ๐ St Caniceโs Primary School, Katoomba ๐ Register today: https://info.parra.catholic.edu.au/open-day/stcaniceskatoomba We canโt wait to see you tomorrow! ๐๐
10 Aug 2026
From Facebook
๐ Congratulations to our Lyrebird Award recipients! ๐ At St Caniceโs, our Positive Behaviour Support for Learning (PBS4L) program is an integral part of who we are as a school community. Our students strive to Love Selflessly, Live Responsibly, and Learn Purposefully, and these values are nurtured and encouraged every day by our dedicated staff and students. At our recent whole school assembly, we celebrated a group of students who have consistently demonstrated these qualities and were recognised with a Lyrebird Award. ๐๐ Well done to all the recipientsโwe are so proud of you! #StCanices #LyrebirdAward #LoveLiveLearn
07 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Stage 1 went down to Katoomba Falls today to explore that the natural and built features of a water environment. We enjoyed the lovely sunshine, the glorious view of the falls and each others company. What a beautiful place we live in!
07 Aug 2026
From Facebook
St Canice's proudly celebrate Australian Primary Principals Day and recognise the outstanding leadership of our wonderful Principals. A heartfelt thank you to Ms Miriam Meaney and Mrs Cherie Baddock for your dedication, care and commitment to our students, staff and families. Your leadership inspires our school community every day, creating a place where everyone is encouraged to learn, grow and thrive. Thank you for all that you do to make St Canice's such a welcoming and supportive community. Happy Australian Primary Principals Day! ๐ #PrimaryPrincipalsDay #ThankYouPrincipals #StCanicesPrimary #CatholicEducation #BlueMountains
07 Aug 2026
From Facebook
A Wonderful Cultural Exchange at St Canice's! ๐ Today, our Stage 2 and Stage 3 students had the pleasure of welcoming Japanese exchange students to St Canice's. Together, we journeyed around Australia with Grandma Poss and Hush through the beloved story Possum Magic. Along the way, everyone enjoyed sampling some iconic Australian treats, including lamingtons, Tim Tams, Vegemite sandwiches, pavlova and Minties. Every food was a hitโeven the Vegemite! ๐ The Minties, however, brought plenty of laughter, with lots of surprised (and slightly sour!) faces as everyone discovered just how chewy they really are. It was a wonderful afternoon of sharing Australian culture, learning from one another, and building new friendships. Experiences like these remind us of the joy that comes from connecting with others and celebrating different cultures. Thank you to our visitors for spending the afternoon with usโwe hope you enjoyed your time at St Canice's! ๐
04 Aug 2026
From Facebook
๐ฏโจ 100 Days Brighter! โจ๐ฏ Today, our Kindergarten students celebrated a very special milestone โ 100 Days of School! ๐ Over the past 100 days, they have grown in confidence, made new friends, learnt so many new skills, and become valued members of our St Canice's community. To mark the occasion, our Kindergarten class enjoyed a fun-filled day of activities centred around the number 100, with plenty of smiles, laughter and creativity along the way. Congratulations to our wonderful Kindergarten students on reaching 100 days brighter! We can't wait to see all the amazing things you'll continue to achieve throughout the rest of the year. ๐๐ #100DaysBrighter #100DaysOfSchool #StCanicesPrimary #KindergartenMilestone
04 Aug 2026
From Facebook
๐ค๐โค๏ธ Message Stick โ Celebrating 50 Years of NAIDOC โค๏ธ๐๐ค St Canice's was honoured to be selected to create a Message Stick as part of the "50 Years of Deadly" NAIDOC Week celebrations, an initiative inspired by the Jarara Team at Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. Led by Taleishah, students worked alongside Ms Rose and Ms Dani in a creative workshop where they explored ideas, shared stories and designed a Message Stick that reflects the place we are proud to call home. Drawing inspiration from the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Mountains, our students chose symbols that represent the Katoomba region and the deep connection to Country. The Message Stick features the Three Sisters, waterfalls, waterholes, bushland, kangaroo tracks, people and meeting placesโall significant symbols that tell the story of our local environment and community. Using vibrant colours and meaningful Aboriginal symbols, our students created a Message Stick that honours the sacred land on which we learn, play and grow. It acknowledges the footprints of the First Nations Peoples who have cared for this Country for countless generations and reflects our commitment to walking together in respect, reconciliation and care for our shared environment. We are incredibly proud of the creativity, thoughtfulness and respect our students brought to this special project. ๐ค๐โค๏ธ #NAIDOC2026 #50YearsOfDeadly #StCanicesPrimary #BlueMountains #WalkingTogether #RespectCountry #CatholicSchoolsParramattaDiocese
04 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Today, our Stage 3 students captivated an audience of Stage 2 students and staff as they delivered their Voice of Youth speeches. Our Year 6 students presented their speeches for the opportunity to progress to the next stage of the Voice of Youth competition across the Parramatta Diocese, while our Year 5 students embraced the chance to build their confidence and develop their public speaking skills in preparation for next year. The variety of topics was inspiring. We laughed, reflected, and at times were deeply moved by the powerful stories, thoughtful perspectives, and creative ideas our students shared. We are incredibly proud of every student who stepped up to the challenge. A special congratulations to our Year 6 candidates and to Mr McCarthy for supporting and inspiring our young speakers throughout the process. Well done, Stage 3! Your courage, preparation and passion were on full display today. ๐๐คโจ
01 Aug 2026
From Facebook
๐ Is your child starting school next year? Or perhaps you're still deciding? Now is the perfect time to begin the conversation and start the enrolment process. We are currently finalising our enrolments for next year and would love to hear from you. Whether you're ready to enrol or simply have questions, our friendly team is here to help. ๐ Register for our Community Open Day Wednesday, 12 August | 9:30 am โ 11:00 am Or contact us today to arrange a personalised school tour, learn more about what St Canice's has to offer, or discuss your child's enrolment. We can't wait to welcome your family to the St Canice's community! ๐
31 Jul 2026
From Facebook
๐ Check Out Whatโs Happening at St Caniceโs Next Week! ๐ Thereโs always something exciting happening across our school community! ๐โจ Hereโs a snapshot of Week 3: And donโt forgetโฆ ๐ข Community Open Day is coming up! We canโt wait to welcome new and existing families on Wednesday 12 August, 9:30amโ11:00am to explore our school, meet our staff and discover what makes St Caniceโs such a special place to learn and belong. ๐ Weโre looking forward to another wonderful week of learning, connection and celebration at St Caniceโs! ๐๐
29 Jul 2026
From Facebook
โ๏ธ Vinnies Winter Appeal Food Drive ๐ As part of our commitment to supporting our community and living out our Catholic faith, St Caniceโs is participating in the Vinnies Winter Appeal Food Drive. Each week, we will be collecting essential items to help support families in need. Students can place their donations in the collection baskets located at the front of each classroom. Members of our Faith in Action Team (FIAT) will visit classrooms each week to remind students of the upcoming collection item. ๐ Weekly Collection Schedule: ๐ฅ Week 3: Long-life full cream dairy milk ๐ Week 4: Small tins of tuna ๐ฅฃ Week 5: Soup ๐ฅซ Week 6: Baked beans or spaghetti ๐ Week 7: Tinned vegetables (especially tomatoes) ๐ Week 8: Savoury biscuits ๐ช Week 9: Sweet biscuits ๐ฅฃ Week 10: Breakfast cereal Thank you to our wonderful St Caniceโs community for your generosity and support. Together, we can make a difference and help those in need this winter. ๐ #VinniesWinterAppeal #FaithInAction #StCanicesCommunity
29 Jul 2026
From Facebook
๐ถโจ What an incredible day for our talented St Canice's Harmony and Choir students! โจ๐ถ Last Friday, our Harmony and Choir students travelled to Nagle College in Blacktown to perform at the CAPTIVATE Arts Factor Primary Choral Learning Exhibition. Our students proudly performed Beds Are Burning and Rainbow Connection, showcasing not only their beautiful voices but also their confidence and joy of performing. We were especially touched to receive this wonderful feedback from a fellow school: "I just wanted to let you know that your school choir was amazing! Their love of what they are doing certainly shone through their pieces and had me captivated. I am certainly no music expert except to know that I really liked what I heard your young singers present. And your conductor has such passion (and skill) for her craft! It was inspiring. So, please pass on my congratulations to all for a magnificent performance." We couldn't be prouder of our students for representing St Canice's with such enthusiasm and spirit. A special thank you to our wonderful music teacher, Ms Frazer, whose passion, dedication and encouragement continue to inspire our young musicians every day. Congratulations to everyone involved on a magnificent performance! ๐๐ต๐ #StCanicesPrimary #CaptivateArtsFactor #SchoolChoir #ProudMoment #CatholicSchoolsParramatta #MusicMatters
28 Jul 2026
From Facebook
๐ฟ Community Open Day at St Caniceโs Primary School Katoomba ๐ฟ New and existing families welcome! ๐ Come along and discover what makes our school community so special. โจ Meet our dedicated and passionate staff ๐ซ Explore our vibrant learning spaces ๐ Visit our open classrooms and see our studentsโ learning showcased ๐ Discover the exciting opportunities we offer ๐ค Connect with other families in our wonderful community Bring the whole family and enjoy a relaxed sausage sizzle BBQ while getting to know our school, our staff and the St Caniceโs community. ๐ Wednesday 12 August ๐ St Caniceโs Primary School Katoomba We canโt wait to welcome you, share our learning, and show you what makes St Caniceโs such a special place to learn and grow! ๐ Register Today https://info.parra.catholic.edu.au/open-day/stcaniceskatoomba #StCanicesKatoomba #CommunityOpenDay #BlueMountainsSchools #CatholicEducation #Kindergarten2027
27 Jul 2026
From Facebook
๐ You're Invited! ๐๐ Our St Canice's community warmly invites all parents, carers and grandparents to join us as we celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. ๐ Wednesday 5 August โช Liturgy: 12:00 pm in the School Hall ๐งบ Family Picnic: 12:45 pm on the Lower Playground Following our liturgy, we invite you to stay and enjoy a picnic lunch with your child on the lower playground. It's a wonderful opportunity to come together as a school community to celebrate the life and legacy of Australia's first saint while sharing an afternoon of faith, friendship and connection. Please bring: ๐งบ A picnic lunch or something special to share with your child. ๐ช A picnic blanket or camp chairs for your comfort. We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with you and hope to see many of our St Canice's families there! ๐
23 Jul 2026
From Facebook
๐โจ A wonderful morning at Katoomba Library! โจ๐ A small group of St Canice's students enjoyed a fantastic visit to the Katoomba Library's weekly Storytime program with Ms Kate and Ms Sarah. Filled with engaging stories, fun songs and creative craft activities, Storytime is a wonderful free community program held every Wednesday during the school term from 11:00 am โ 11:45 am. It's also the perfect activity to enjoy after the Little Lyrebirds Playgroup, which runs every Wednesday during school term from 9:00 am โ 10:30 am at St Canice's. Families with children aged 0โ5 are warmly invited to come along, connect with other local families and enjoy a fun morning before heading to Storytime at the library. Our students had a fantastic time listening, learning, creating and discovering the joy of books. ๐๐ A big thank you to the wonderful team at Katoomba Library for providing such a welcoming and engaging experience for our community! #StCanicesKatoomba #LoveOfLearning #Storytime #LittleLyrebirds #CommunityConnections #ReadingForLife