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
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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
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04 Jul 2025
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♟️🧠 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
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04 Jul 2025
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🌟 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
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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
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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
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From Facebook
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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 💛
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From Facebook
01 Jul 2025
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🎒 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.
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From Facebook
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