Year 4 student Mila Davidsen, St Thomas Aquinas Primary School Springwood, adds her ornament to the tree. Picture by Tom Walker
Schools from around the lower Blue Mountains, including St Thomas Aquinas, have braved the rain to adorn a tree in Springwood with Christmas ornaments, proving wet weather can't stop the 46-years-running tradition.
The annual event hasn't fallen on a rainy day in at least a decade, but it didn't stop the primary school students from hanging their self-made decorations at Manners Park on Friday, November 29.
Once again representatives from Fire and Rescue NSW's Springwood station supported on the day, bringing their ladders to help students reach the higher branches.
Some parents in attendance even remember attaching their own decorations to the tree when they were in primary school.
The Christmas tradition is facilitated by Springwood Neighbourhood Centre and invites children from Springwood, Faulconbridge, Winmalee, Ellison and St Thomas Aquinas primary schools.
A close-up showing one of the student-made decorations attached to the tree in Manners Park each year. Picture by Tom Walker
Blue Mountains Gazette
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02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Stations of the Cross! Yesterday, Year 5 led our school community in the Stations of the Cross. Students were captivated and moved by the contemporary take on the message of each station. Well done to all our Year 5 students! Thank you to all parents who attended.
02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
We need your help! We are currently in the process of gathering data for our school in relation to our school's Catholic Identity. We are collecting data from Students, staff, and the parent community. We would appreciate 10-15 mins of your time to complete the survey. The details on how to complete are below: Start by clicking the survey link: https://www.ecsi.site/au/user/ Enter the CSPD Generic Password: Ghj654 Click on ‘New User' Enter in the school’s unique Survey Access Code: U2Jc4G Thank You in Advance.
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02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Stations of the Cross! Yesterday, Year 5 led our school community in the Stations of the Cross. Students were captivated and moved by the contemporary take on the message of each station. Well done to all our Year 5 students! Thank you to all parents who attended.
02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
We need your help! We are currently in the process of gathering data for our school in relation to our school's Catholic Identity. We are collecting data from Students, staff, and the parent community. We would appreciate 10-15 mins of your time to complete the survey. The details on how to complete are below: Start by clicking the survey link: https://www.ecsi.site/au/user/ Enter the CSPD Generic Password: Ghj654 Click on ‘New User' Enter in the school’s unique Survey Access Code: U2Jc4G Thank You in Advance.
01 Apr 2026
From Facebook
The Agony in the Garden! Yesterday, students participated in a short liturgy to commemorate Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was a reminder of Jesus' human nature as he wrestled with what was to come. It was a powerful example of the importance of turning to God in prayer at times of struggle in our lives. Thanks to all parents who came along to share in this formative experience.
30 Mar 2026
From Facebook
The Last Supper - Commemorating Holy Thursday Today, Stage 2 lead the school in a liturgical reenactment of the events of Holy Thursday. Well done to all students in Year 3 and 4 for leading us so beautifully. Thanks also to the wonderful stage 2 teachers for their preparations leading up to today. Tomorrow we commemorate The Agony in the Garden. Please join us throughout the day in the community garden for a short reflective liturgy.
28 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Yesterday, Kindergarten and Year 1 led us in our Palm Sunday Liturgy to mark the beginning of Holy Week. “Hosanna to our King”
26 Mar 2026
From Facebook
This term in Science, Year 5 students have been learning about forces and how they affect the movement of objects in everyday life. Yesterday, students participated in a hands-on Science Incursion on Forces. They explored scientific concepts through engaging demonstrations and practical activities designed to deepen their understanding of pushes, pulls, gravity, friction, and motion.
26 Mar 2026
From Facebook
💧🚶♀️ Big Walk for Water 2026 🚶♂️💧 Today, our students took part in the Big Walk for Water as part of our support for Project Compassion through Caritas Australia 💜 Through this experience, students stepped into the reality faced by many people around the world who walk long distances every day to access clean water 🌍🚰 This powerful act of solidarity 🤝 helped deepen their understanding of the challenges others face and reminded us all of the importance of compassion, dignity and justice ✨ We are incredibly proud to share that our school community has raised an amazing $2,540 🎉💜 These funds will help provide greater access to clean water and improve the lives of those in need 💧❤️ Thank you to our students, families and staff for living out our mission through action 🙌 and standing in solidarity with others 🌏 #faithinactioncspd
26 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🍫🐣 Chocolate Egg Raffle Success! 🐣🍫 A huge thank you to our wonderful school community for supporting our Chocolate Egg Raffle 💜🎟️ This fun initiative was part of our Project Compassion fundraising efforts with Caritas Australia, helping our students put their Faith in Action 🙌 into practice. Through events like this, students learn about compassion, generosity and standing in solidarity 🤝 with those in need. We are so grateful for your generosity and enthusiasm, every entry purchased has helped make a meaningful difference 🌍💧 Congratulations to our lucky winners 🎉🐰 and thank you again to everyone who contributed to this joyful and successful event! #faithinactioncspd
26 Mar 2026
From Facebook
We need your help! We are currently in the process of gathering data for our school in relation to our school's Catholic Identity. So far, we have had 5 families contribute. Thank you so much to those families. We are collecting data from Students, staff, and the parent community. We would appreciate 10-15 mins of your time to complete the survey. The details on how to complete are below: Start by clicking the survey link: https://www.ecsi.site/au/user/ Enter the CSPD Generic Password: Ghj654 Click on ‘New User' Enter in the school’s unique Survey Access Code: U2Jc4G Thank You in Advance.
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🏃♀️ 🏃 🏃🏽♂️ Our STA Cross Country was finally on today and not a rain drop in sight!⛅️ Big cheers to all of our runners who got out there and gave it their all. From the climbs to the winding bush tracks, you showed determination with every step. You should all be proud of yourselves and it was great to see even some grins through the grit! Brilliant effort everyone.🙌 And thank you to our Year 8 St Columbus helpers. It was so wonderful having you back. Along with our amazing staff who assisted, you all made our day the best it could be! 🫸🏼🫷🏻👏🌟🎉
24 Mar 2026
700+ Unite for Project Compassion Big Water Walk
More than 700 students and staff from 23 schools across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) came together for Caritas Australia’s Big Water Walk in support of Project Compassion. Beginning at Parramatta Park, students carried buckets of water along a 4km route, gaining a glimpse of the daily journey faced by people in developing communities, especially women and children, in search of clean water.
19 Mar 2026
From Facebook
We need your help! We are currently in the process of gathering data for our school in relation to our school's Catholic Identity. So far, we have had 5 families contribute. Thank you so much to those families. We are collecting data from Students, staff, and the parent community. We would appreciate 10-15 mins of your time to complete the survey. The details on how to complete are below: Start by clicking the survey link: https://www.ecsi.site/au/user/ Enter the CSPD Generic Password: Ghj654 Click on ‘New User' Enter in the school’s unique Survey Access Code: U2Jc4G Thank You in Advance.
16 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to our Effort in Learning Award recipients and to those who represented St Thomas’ at Zone Swimming.
13 Mar 2026
From Facebook
The Faith in Action Team has begun preparing the Chocolate Egg Raffle baskets ready for our Walk for Water fundraiser. 🍫💜 Students have been busy assembling the prizes as part of their service while continuing to raise awareness through Project Compassion with Caritas Australia. Raffle entries are $1 per entry, and families can donate through the QKR! App. All funds raised will support communities without access to clean water, including people like Sisilia in rural Tanzania. 💧🌍 This Lent, we encourage families to consider donating as part of their Lenten promise of almsgiving, helping bring hope and access to clean water for those in need. 🙏💧 #faithinactioncspd