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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24 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Today is National Tree Day! 🌳 To celebrate, our school planted a beautiful Silky Oak, an Australian native tree, on the oval where it has plenty of room to grow into a large, healthy tree. Silky Oaks are known for their stunning orange flowers, which attract birds and help support local wildlife. As our tree grows, it will provide cool shade for children to enjoy while they play, learn, and relax. Mr Baddock used AI to show us what our Silky Oak will look like when it is fully grown, giving everyone a glimpse of its exciting future. We can't wait to watch it grow and become a special part of our school for many years to come. A big thank you to our Gardening Club for helping make this wonderful project possible! 💚🌿 #olnlawson #cspd2026 #bestschoolinthemountains #nationaltreeday
22 Jul 2026
From Facebook
100 days smarter, stronger, and full of smiles! 🎉💯 Today our kindergarten class celebrated 100 Days of School with fun activities, creativity, laughter, and plenty of learning. It's amazing to see how much our little learners have grown in just 100 days. We are so proud of all they've accomplished and can't wait to see what the rest of the school year brings! #olnlawson #cspd2026 #100daysoflearning
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24 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Today is National Tree Day! 🌳 To celebrate, our school planted a beautiful Silky Oak, an Australian native tree, on the oval where it has plenty of room to grow into a large, healthy tree. Silky Oaks are known for their stunning orange flowers, which attract birds and help support local wildlife. As our tree grows, it will provide cool shade for children to enjoy while they play, learn, and relax. Mr Baddock used AI to show us what our Silky Oak will look like when it is fully grown, giving everyone a glimpse of its exciting future. We can't wait to watch it grow and become a special part of our school for many years to come. A big thank you to our Gardening Club for helping make this wonderful project possible! 💚🌿 #olnlawson #cspd2026 #bestschoolinthemountains #nationaltreeday
22 Jul 2026
From Facebook
100 days smarter, stronger, and full of smiles! 🎉💯 Today our kindergarten class celebrated 100 Days of School with fun activities, creativity, laughter, and plenty of learning. It's amazing to see how much our little learners have grown in just 100 days. We are so proud of all they've accomplished and can't wait to see what the rest of the school year brings! #olnlawson #cspd2026 #100daysoflearning
20 Jul 2026
From Facebook
17 Jul 2026
What's It Really Like to Send Your Kid to a Catholic School?
If you've ever assumed that attending a Catholic school means you have to be Catholic and that the fees are expensive, you're not alone. It's a common perception, but for many families, the reality looks quite different.
08 Jul 2026
CSPD students recognised in Refugee Week Creative Competition
Over 125 students from 10 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) schools have been recognised for their empathy and powerful storytelling as part of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Australia Refugee Week Creative Competition.
03 Jul 2026
From Facebook
This week, our students proudly celebrated NAIDOC Week by taking part in a range of engaging activities that honoured the rich histories, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through art, storytelling, discussions, and hands-on learning experiences, students explored the importance of connection to Country, community, culture, and respect. These activities encouraged meaningful conversations and helped deepen our understanding of Australia's First Nations peoples and their enduring contributions. #cspd2026 #jarara #NAIDOCWeek
02 Jul 2026
From Facebook
🪑 The Chairs Quit! 🪑 There was quite a surprise in Stage 1 this week... the classroom chairs decided they'd had enough and quit! To persuade them to return, our students took on the challenge of writing convincing letters explaining why the chairs should come back and how they would be better cared for in the future. This fun and engaging activity gave students a meaningful opportunity to develop their persuasive writing skills while using creativity, empathy, and problem-solving. 😊📚✏️ Luckily after 2 days, with such amazing writing, the chairs were persuaded to return. The students are remembering to treat them kindly and safely. 🥰🪑 #Stage1 #PersuasiveWriting #LearningThroughFun #CreativeClassroom
02 Jul 2026
From Facebook
A Happy birthday to all these wonderful children who celebrated their birthdays in June. We all hope they enjoyed their special day.
23 Jun 2026
From Facebook
What a wonderful community we have! 💙 Our parish, families, teachers, and students have been busily knitting squares, which Miss Mahairas has lovingly brought together to create beautiful blankets for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Some blankets have already been donated, providing warmth and comfort to those in need during the colder months. These are our latest creations, and we couldn't be prouder of the generosity, kindness, and community spirit shown by everyone involved. #vinnieswinterappeal #cspd2026
19 Jun 2026
From Facebook
On Wednesday 17th June, the staff celebrated Ms Bentley with a gorgeous morning tea ☕️🍰 Ms Bentley has served our community with unwavering dedication, energy and enthusiasm, always striving to meet the diverse needs of all students at OLN. She has been a passionate advocate for our most vulnerable learners, ensuring they have every opportunity to thrive and succeed. Throughout her time with us, Ms Bentley has selflessly supported our students, families, colleagues and the wider school community with professionalism, compassion and care. We wish you well in your new role Ms Bentley and we hope the spirit of OLN will stay close to your heart 💗
