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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17 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Hello from Belgium! We have all been working hard and also enjoying the amazing hospitality extended to us by all at the Theology and Religious Education Faculty at the university in Leuven. The CSPD participants have now graduated from the university, after two weeks of hard work. We all got our certificates today:)![426379072836953_1921302125083241-1]()
17 Sep 2025
From Facebook
At the end of the Sky Country Expo music concert, the whole school performed all 12 verses of From Little Things Big Things Grow by Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly, which tells the story of the Gurindji Strike, leading to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act of 1976. #2025skycountryexpo #skycountryexpo #stcanicesmusic #lovelivelearn #stcanices #2025SkyCountryExpo #fromlittlethingsbigthingsgrow #gurindjistrike #VincentLingiari#paulkelly #kevcarmody
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17 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Hello from Belgium! We have all been working hard and also enjoying the amazing hospitality extended to us by all at the Theology and Religious Education Faculty at the university in Leuven. The CSPD participants have now graduated from the university, after two weeks of hard work. We all got our certificates today:)
17 Sep 2025
From Facebook
At the end of the Sky Country Expo music concert, the whole school performed all 12 verses of From Little Things Big Things Grow by Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly, which tells the story of the Gurindji Strike, leading to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act of 1976. #2025skycountryexpo #skycountryexpo #stcanicesmusic #lovelivelearn #stcanices #2025SkyCountryExpo #fromlittlethingsbigthingsgrow #gurindjistrike #VincentLingiari#paulkelly #kevcarmody
17 Sep 2025
From Facebook
At the end of the Sky Country Expo music concert, the whole school performed all 12 verses of From Little Things Big Things Grow by Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly, which tells the story of the Gurindji Strike, leading to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act of 1976. #2025skycountryexpo #skycountryexpo #stcanicesmusic #lovelivelearn #stcanices #2025SkyCountryExpo #fromlittlethingsbigthingsgrow #gurindjistrike #vincentlingiari #kevcarmody
17 Sep 2025
From Facebook
As part of the Sky Country Expo, the whole school performed the Gundungurra action song, Gadhagang, Barawra, Ngumung, Dyana, which translates to Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Feet. #stcanicesmusic #lovelivelearn #skycountryexpo #2025SkyCountryExpo #stcanices #Gundungurra #GadhagangBarawraNgumungDyana
17 Sep 2025
From Facebook
During the Sky Country Expo music concert, the whole school sang Warami, a Dharug Welcome song, in harmony. #2025SkyCountryExpo #Warami #skycountryexpo #stcanicesmusic #stcaniceskatoomba #DharugCountry #lovelivelearn
17 Sep 2025
From Facebook
The whole of the St Canice's school community sang the Acknowledgement of Country at the beginning of last week's Sky Country Expo, and it was beautiful and meaningful. #2025skycountryexpo #skycountryexpo #stcanicesmusic #DharugCountry #gundungurracountry #acknowledgementofcountry #stcanices
17 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Here's another snippet of our amazing school choir singing Solid Rock 'acapella style' at last week's Sky Country Expo. As luck would have it, right at the start of the first chorus, the backing track dropped out, but the choir was so focussed and professioinal, that they didn't bat and eyelid, but continued, powering on like nothing happened. What an incredible team! #stcaniceskatoomba #skycountryexpo #stcanicesmusic #stcanices #lovelivelearn #SolidRock #ReconciliationWeek2025
17 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Here's a snippet of our wonderful St Canice's Choir performing Joe Gaia's Yil Lull at last week's Sky Country Expo. #stcaniceskatoombachoir #stcaniceskatoomba #skycountryexpo #stcanicesmusic #stcanices #lovelivelearn #Yil Lull
17 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Here's a snippet of our glorious St Canice's Choir performing Shane Howard's Solid Rock at last week's Sky Country Expo. They were truly spectacular. #stcaniceskatoombachoir #stcaniceskatoomba #skycountryexpo #stcanicesmusic #stcanices #lovelivelearn #SolidRock #ReconciliationWeek2025
16 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Our students have been learning about Shirley Purdie, a Gija artist from Warmun in Western Australia. Shirley is known for her powerful storytelling through painting, sharing stories of Country, culture and family using natural ochres from her land. Inspired by her work, the children created their own artworks, exploring how art can be used to share stories and connections. 🎨✨ Our incredible art teacher, Ms Dani, shared the amazing artworks that St Canice’s students created in response to Shirley’s work — and we were thrilled to receive this message back from the National Portrait Gallery: “We are so inspired by the wonderful artworks your students have created. It’s beautiful to see how Shirley’s storytelling through art has encouraged them to share their own stories.” 🎨✨ What a wonderful way to celebrate creativity and connection to story through art! Shirley Purdie’s works are available at the National Portrait Gallery https://www.portrait.gov.au/people/shirley-purdie-1947
16 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Did you know that the incredible Jo Clancy our Aboriginal Dance teacher was once a student here at St Canice’s – and so was her son. Her grandparents were married in St Canice's Church 💙✨ We are truly blessed to have such an incredible St Canice’s community, where connections span across generations. Thank you Jo for your storytelling and deep connections to learning.
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 Dharug 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. 💛🖤❤️