Dr Roza Sage Member for Blue Mountains, Sergio Rosato Principal at St Thomas Aquinas Primary, Paul Ryan Principal at St Columba's College, Education Minister Adrian Piccoli MP and St Columba's students James Freeman and Jordan Hallam
Education Minister Adrian Piccoli MP and Member for Blue Mountains Dr Roza Sage paid a special visit to students from St Thomas Aquinas Primary and St Columba’s College in Springwood.
On Tuesday 11 March, Minister Piccoli met with students who were directly affected by the bushfires of October 2013.
Students spoke openly and movingly of how their lives have changed since their home-life and community were devastated by the fires. Several students acknowledged how much closer the experience has brought them as families and as a community. Year 11 St Columbus student James gave special thanks for his teachers who ‘were always there for him’.
Minister Piccoli said he was privileged to hear their stories and hoped, like the grass and trees were growing again, that they were beginning to move on with help from each other.
Dr Sage reassured students that grieving was a normal part of life sharing her own story and inspiring students with hope for the future.
Following the meeting, Minister Piccoli and Dr Sage joined students and teachers for a morning tea.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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09 Dec 2025
From Facebook
We can't wait for you to join us tomorrow night for our annual Christmas Concert.
08 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Congratulations to our Effort in Learning Award recipients last Friday. We are all proud of your efforts. We also congratulate our gymnasts for their recent success and thank the Year 6 mentors for their guidance in training.
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09 Dec 2025
From Facebook
We can't wait for you to join us tomorrow night for our annual Christmas Concert.
08 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Congratulations to our Effort in Learning Award recipients last Friday. We are all proud of your efforts. We also congratulate our gymnasts for their recent success and thank the Year 6 mentors for their guidance in training.
05 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Thank you so much for the overwhelming support weβve received for the Vinnies Christmas Appeal πβ€οΈ. Our hampers are steadily coming together, and we are grateful for the generous number of toys donated so far. A reminder that the last day for donations is next Monday, December 8 π. Weβre still looking to fill the hampers with the following items: π Long Life Juice π Long Life Milk π Pasta Sauces π Coffee π Vegetable Cooking Oil Thank you again for helping support families in need this Christmas π
05 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Yesterday, Year 3 showcased their learning in RE from this term. They did so in the form of a beautiful liturgy. It was a wonderful event that was very well attended. Students had clearly learnt deeply about the beatitudes and mercy and clearly articulated this through word, song and action. Well done Year 3!
05 Dec 2025
From Facebook
π₯ π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯ Keanu has done it again! At the National Championships in Canberra last week, Keanu shattered his previous personal best in the 11 years boys multiclass Shot Put event by setting a NEW RECORD claiming a silver medal! π₯ This record breaking throw was over 1 metre further than his previous record set at the State carnival back in October which was an extraordinary achievement at the highest level! STA are so very proud of you Keanu! πͺ πππππππππππππππ
02 Dec 2025
From Facebook
π Vinnies Christmas Appeal β Thank You & Items Needed π A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far! Because of your generosity, we now have 3 full hampers packed with essentials for families in need this Christmas. Your generosity is a reminder of the innkeeper's kindness in opening a space that became the birthplace of Jesus. π As we prepare the hampers, we are still hoping to collect a few remaining items: β¨ Pasta sauces, Coffee, Rice and Juice Any donation counts, no matter what grade youβre in, youβre welcome to bring any of the missing items or the item assigned to your grade. Every contribution helps a family feel supported and loved this Christmas. We also want to express our heartfelt thanks for the second-hand toys that have been donated. These will bring so much joy to children who need it most. π π Final date for donations is next Monday, December 8 Thank you for being a blessing to others this Christmas. β€οΈπβ¨
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From Facebook
Today, we held a liturgy to commemorate the beginning of the season of Advent! It was a beautiful liturgy with students actively involved throughout. May the light of Christ come into your homes this Advent season!
28 Nov 2025
From Facebook
Yesterday, 15 students from STA joined other school students from Springwood and surrounds at the Manners Park Christmas Tree Decorating event. It was a joyous occasion and their coloured baubles looked amazing hanging on the tree. Well done to all the students in attendance.
25 Nov 2025
From Facebook
πβ¨ Vinnies Christmas Appeal β Hampers Needed! β¨π Weβre excited to support the Vinnies Christmas Appeal again this year and help bring extra joy to families in our community. π ποΈ Collection dates: Week 7 β Monday 24 November to Week 9 β Monday 8 December Weβll be putting together Christmas hampers π filled with festive goodies and essentials. If you're able to donate, weβd be so grateful! Every little bit helps make someoneβs Christmas brighter. π π Suggested items are shown in the photos below β¬οΈ π Drop-off: In the classroom Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this special time of year. Letβs spread hope and joy together! β€οΈπ π
24 Nov 2025
From Facebook
π€Έ π€ΈββοΈ Some action shots from last Fridayβs Gymnastics Competition and at practice from our STA team. From every take- off to the landing these girls shone bright like diamonds π! π€Έ
24 Nov 2025
From Facebook
πΎ πΎ Congratulations to our Dustin who was selected to represent the Parramatta Diocese at the MacKiIlop trials for tennis for another year! St Thomas Aquinas staff and students await your next competition with cheers all round and are so very proud of your continued strength and skill in your chosen sport. Well done Dustin! πππ
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From Facebook
Congratulations to our students who made their First Holy Communion on Saturday night. It was such a joyous occasion and quite apt that it was on the Feast of Christ the King.
21 Nov 2025
From Facebook
Our assembly today began with a beautiful liturgy for Mission Month led by Year 3 and 4 reminding us how we can all be missionaries of hope. We also had students inform us about the upcoming Mission Markets, our Vinnies Christmas Appeal and Year 5 shared with us their recent trip to Ignite Food Store and their Canberra excursion. Overall an exciting Assembly. We also congratulate our Effort in Learning recipients for this fortnight.
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From Facebook
π€Έ π€Έ π€ΈββοΈ Congratulations to our St Thomas Aquinas team who WON their Gold Division at the Parramatta Diocesan Gymnastics Competition at the Sydney Gymnastics and Aquatics Centre today! All of their many recesses and lunchtimes that were dedicated to practicing paid off and we are so very proud of how far they have come together as champions today! π π₯ π€Έ