Governor General David Hurley and Mrs Hurley with Blue Mountains families
His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales, accompanied by Mrs Linda Hurley, visited St Thomas Aquinas Primary, Springwood on Saturday 11 July to speak with students and families who lost their homes in the October 2013 bushfires.
Governor Hurley said he seized the opportunity to see first-hand how the rebuilding is progressing, ‘but really just to meet people and hear their own stories face-to-face.’
‘I hope it's the first of many more visits to the Blue Mountains to come,’ he said
He said he was ‘pleased to be able to personally congratulate’ St Thomas Aquinas, Springwood Principal, Sergio Rosato, for being awarded a Gold Papal Medal last year for his service to his community at a time when his own home had been destroyed by the bushfire.
Governor Hurley thanking St Thomas Aquinas students for their story
He also said it was heartwarming to know that many people are moving back into their streets and that strong community support and initiatives were continuing.
‘From what I've heard here today, people went through a tumultuous experience and had very little or no warning because the fire spread so quickly - these were very difficult situations that were different for everyone,’ Governor Hurley said. ‘Yes, nearly two years have passed, but that's not the end of it all. It's far from it.’
The commemorative plaque set on Blue Mountains sandstone
Sergio showed General Hurley the school's commemorative garden that serves as a permanent reminder of the care and effort shown by staff when leading the children to safety when the bushfires struck.
CathEd Parra
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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24 Sep 2022
From Facebook
Year 5 have had fun learning about Australia Federation, culminating in a re-enactment of the Constitution Convention, we loved their deep wondering, “Where were the women?” “Only people of European decent?” “No Aboriginal people?” “Only land owners?”![459854762807679_531606152299206-1]()
23 Sep 2022
From Facebook
The MacKillop Athletics Carnival was at Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday 21 September. Congratulations to our Year 4 athletes James and Jack. James showed a great deal of strength in the shotput and Jack showed great endurance in the 1500m. Well done to Lucas who came 7th in the 100m final and Eli who gave it his all in a nail biting run, awarding him 4th place in the 800m. Chloe performed very well in all of her events and will now continue on to the NSWPSSA State Athletics Championships. Congratulations Chloe on finishing 3rd place in the senior girls 800m. Both the senior boys and girls relay teams made it through to the finals and powered home just like they had done in the many practice runs that they trained so hard for. Out of a whopping 16 teams, the Senior boys finished 7th place overall and the Senior girls team in 6th place overall. Senior Boys Team: Hugo, Thomas, Eli and Lucas. Senior Girls Team: Mackenzie, Bella, Annabelle and Chloe. Congratulations to all of our MacKillop athletes, we are very proud of you!
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24 Sep 2022
From Facebook
Year 5 have had fun learning about Australia Federation, culminating in a re-enactment of the Constitution Convention, we loved their deep wondering, “Where were the women?” “Only people of European decent?” “No Aboriginal people?” “Only land owners?”
23 Sep 2022
From Facebook
The MacKillop Athletics Carnival was at Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday 21 September. Congratulations to our Year 4 athletes James and Jack. James showed a great deal of strength in the shotput and Jack showed great endurance in the 1500m. Well done to Lucas who came 7th in the 100m final and Eli who gave it his all in a nail biting run, awarding him 4th place in the 800m. Chloe performed very well in all of her events and will now continue on to the NSWPSSA State Athletics Championships. Congratulations Chloe on finishing 3rd place in the senior girls 800m. Both the senior boys and girls relay teams made it through to the finals and powered home just like they had done in the many practice runs that they trained so hard for. Out of a whopping 16 teams, the Senior boys finished 7th place overall and the Senior girls team in 6th place overall. Senior Boys Team: Hugo, Thomas, Eli and Lucas. Senior Girls Team: Mackenzie, Bella, Annabelle and Chloe. Congratulations to all of our MacKillop athletes, we are very proud of you!
22 Sep 2022
From Facebook
Look out for our school featured in the Blue Mountains Gazette. Year 5 and 6 enjoying Mountains Live with our friends in neighbouring Catholic Schools. https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/7906225/mountains-live-with-the-sound-of-music/?fbclid=IwAR3V6s9ZPKKzfmdfN9h3TbyqUg3BWU04fl_GeEMc6N2IASRQDurNzN4wVSE
22 Sep 2022
From Facebook
All the best to Mila, Jessie and Erin appearing in Shrek over the next few weeks! Break a leg girls!
22 Sep 2022
From Facebook
“Bring a Parent to School Day” Year 6 and their families throughly enjoyed their day yesterday. The students had the chance to show off their talents and rope their families into a few challenges, concluding with a picnic lunch. A truely wonderful way to celebrate the end of term. Congratulations 🥳 🙌🏻 Year 6.
21 Sep 2022
From Facebook
This year, Year 5 and 6 students were invited to be part of the Guard of Honour for the graduating students of St Columba’s. These students were the buddies of our current Year 6 students when they were in Kindergarten! Thank you to St Columba’s for inviting us to be part of such a special celebration and a big Congratulations to the graduating students.
21 Sep 2022
From Facebook
Year 1 have been busy creating dioramas for different animals. They needed to do some research to find out about their chosen animal, which they then reported on and used this information to create amazing and functional habitats. What animals can you spot?!? 🦁🐍🦒🐼🦘
20 Sep 2022
From Facebook
Congratulations to our Year 3 students who led us in a beautiful liturgy this afternoon. Thank you for sharing with us what Faith means to you. Thank you also to the family members who were able to join in today.
20 Sep 2022
From Facebook
We are thrilled to announce that the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta 2022 Voice of Youth winner is Florencia! We are so proud of you … your creativity and uniqueness of topic for you speech was very inspiring! Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us.
19 Sep 2022
From Facebook
What a lovely afternoon our Year 1 and Year 2 students had leading their end of term liturgy. Thank you to all the family members who were able to attend and join in the celebration of God’s Creation with their children. It was also nice to see the children then sharing their learning with their family members.
17 Sep 2022
From Facebook
The day the Mountains came to STA. A wonderful experience for all our Year 5 and 6 students. A special shout out to our FIAT group (Faith in Action) for engaging with other FIATs to present the Gospel in such an engaging way.
16 Sep 2022
From Facebook
🚧 CONSTRUCTION ZONE 🚧 Kindergarten have been busy at work making enclosures for their farm animals. They had to ensure their enclosure included shelter, food, water, a place for their animal to play and sleep. We think we have some budding architects and builders on hand!
15 Sep 2022
From Facebook
Congratulations to Florencia who represented our school at the Voice of Youth Western Cluster Finals. She has now made it through to the Grand Final next week. Well Done Florencia!
14 Sep 2022
From Facebook
There was lots of excitement last Thursday as we enjoyed the culmination of learning in Mathematics, with a focus on Place Value and Measurement in our Paper Plane challenge. The wind was against some of us, but much fun was had during our learning.
09 Sep 2022
From Facebook
Congratulations to all our students honoured at our assembly today for their outstanding Effort in Learning, our class paper plane winners, the Band members who participated in Arts Factor and our Bocce champions.