Students from St Nicholas of Myra dressed up as people who help others in the community.
Students across Western Sydney are rallying together to support communities affected by the recent New South Wales and Queensland flood disaster
Catholic schools across the Diocese of Parramatta are now playing their part in supporting the local community as well as people in the Diocese of Lismore where many businesses and homes have been lost and some local Catholic schools have been seriously damaged.
“Many families in our local school communities have been significantly impacted by the floods,” said Christine Howe, Acting Executive Director of the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta. “For some, this is the second time in two years that their homes and possessions have been lost or damaged.”
A series of fundraising initiatives across all 80 Catholic schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains will see funds directed towards the relief efforts through St Vincent De Paul and the Diocese of Lismore Flood Appeal.
Students from St Patrick’s Guildford took part in a series of flood-support initiatives throughout the week including a crazy sock day.
As part of St Patrick’s Primary School Guildford’s fundraising initiative, a ‘Five For Floods’ week is being organised where there are five activities in five days to support the Diocese of Lismore Flood Appeal including a crazy sock day, ‘Paper Scissors Rock’ challenge and a Colouring Competition.
The community at St Monica’s Primary School in Richmond were directly affected by the catastrophic floods and held a Mufti Day where students wore green to symbolise nature growing again after the floods with wellbeing activities and a liturgy as the focus for the day. The school also had a gold coin donation with profits to be sent to the Vinnies Flood Appeal in the hope that families may once again return to their communities and rebuild what was lost.
St Nicholas of Myra had a great time taking part in special events to support the flood appeal.
St Nicholas of Myra Primary School in Penrith also showed their support by organising a “Dress up and Dance for the Disaster” Day, where students dressed up as people who help others such as firefighters and emergency service volunteers, saluting their bravery and selflessness.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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31 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π€ St Nicholas of Myra Voice of Youth β School Finals 2026 π€ Today, our Year 6 students took to the stage for the 2026 St Nicholas of Myra Voice of Youth School Finals. Our eight finalists displayed incredible confidence, poise and public speaking skills as they delivered outstanding speeches, making the judges' decision an extremely difficult one. Congratulations to all eight finalists on their wonderful efforts and the courage they showed in sharing their ideas. A special congratulations to Vivien, Yethum and Isabella, who will represent St Nicholas of Myra at the 2026 Cluster Final in the coming weeks. Olivia has been selected as our reserve speaker. We are incredibly proud of each of our finalists and wish our representatives every success at the next stage of the competition. Outstanding work! πππ
31 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π 100 Days Brighter! π Our St Nicholas of Myra Kindergarten students celebrated their first 100 days of primary school with a fun filled 100 Days Brighter celebration! Dressed in bright colours, they enjoyed decorating special cookies, face painting, reading with their Year 6 buddies, and even had a special visit from Kirby! There were plenty of exciting activities throughout the day to mark this wonderful milestone. We are incredibly proud of how our Kindergarten students have become such a valued part of the St Nick's community. Over these first 100 days, they have not only grown as learners but have also grown in faith, kindness and love as they continue to live in the way of Christ each day. π Congratulations, Kindergarten, on being 100 days brighter in every way! We can't wait to see all that you'll achieve over the rest of the year. ππ
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31 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π€ St Nicholas of Myra Voice of Youth β School Finals 2026 π€ Today, our Year 6 students took to the stage for the 2026 St Nicholas of Myra Voice of Youth School Finals. Our eight finalists displayed incredible confidence, poise and public speaking skills as they delivered outstanding speeches, making the judges' decision an extremely difficult one. Congratulations to all eight finalists on their wonderful efforts and the courage they showed in sharing their ideas. A special congratulations to Vivien, Yethum and Isabella, who will represent St Nicholas of Myra at the 2026 Cluster Final in the coming weeks. Olivia has been selected as our reserve speaker. We are incredibly proud of each of our finalists and wish our representatives every success at the next stage of the competition. Outstanding work! πππ
31 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π 100 Days Brighter! π Our St Nicholas of Myra Kindergarten students celebrated their first 100 days of primary school with a fun filled 100 Days Brighter celebration! Dressed in bright colours, they enjoyed decorating special cookies, face painting, reading with their Year 6 buddies, and even had a special visit from Kirby! There were plenty of exciting activities throughout the day to mark this wonderful milestone. We are incredibly proud of how our Kindergarten students have become such a valued part of the St Nick's community. Over these first 100 days, they have not only grown as learners but have also grown in faith, kindness and love as they continue to live in the way of Christ each day. π Congratulations, Kindergarten, on being 100 days brighter in every way! We can't wait to see all that you'll achieve over the rest of the year. ππ
31 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π Stage 1 Excursion β A Journey Back to 1889! β³ Today, our Stage 1 students returned to St Nicholas of Myra in 2026... but yesterday they were transported back to 1889 at Rouse Hill Estate! From attending a traditional schoolhouse and practising perfect handwriting on slate, to learning household chores, marching to the maypole, and discovering what life was like for children over 130 years ago, our students embraced every moment of this incredible hands on History experience. Enjoy these photos of our Stage 1 students as they stepped back in time and discovered what life and learning were like in 1889. What an unforgettable day of learning!
30 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π Stage 1 Excursion β A Journey Back to 1889! β³ Our Stage 1 students stepped back in time to Monday, 20th February 1889, experiencing what a typical school day was like over 130 years ago! The day began by entering the schoolhouse, saluting the British Empire flag, hanging hats on their hooks (as wearing hats inside was considered rude!), completing a daily hygiene inspection, singing God Save the Queen, checking their posture with a posture straightener, and even reviewing the punishment book. Thankfully, the two boys due to receive three strokes of the cane were absent! Students then completed arithmetic and spelling lessons, just as children did in the 1800s. Outside, they marched to the maypole to practise traditional dances for the annual fair, completed dumbbell exercises to build strength for household duties, practised handwriting using slate pencils, and refined their sewing skills to prepare for making clothes at home. The learning continued with a tour of the estate, where students discovered the many daily chores children were responsible for, including caring for horses, hanging out the washing, pumping water to the fields, and feeding the chickens and sheep. What an incredible hands-on history lesson! Our students gained a wonderful appreciation of how much life and learning have changed over the past century while bringing their History unit to life through authentic experiences. What an unforgettable day of learning, curiosity and fun for our Stage 1 students! π
30 Jul 2026
From Facebook
πΏ Stage 2 Excursion β Penrith Lakes πΏ We're waking up today with some more wonderful memories from yesterday's Stage 2 excursion to Penrith Lakes! Our students had an incredible day exploring the natural environment through hands-on learning experiences, including water testing, bird observations, dip netting and identifying aquatic invertebrates. It was fantastic to see their curiosity, teamwork and enthusiasm in action. We hope you enjoy this next collection of photos showcasing the amazing learning and unforgettable experiences our Stage 2 students shared. πΈππ
29 Jul 2026
From Facebook
πΏ Stage 2 Explore Penrith Lakes πΏ What a fantastic day of learning for our Stage 2 students at Penrith Lakes! As part of their Geography and Science studies, students took part in a hands on excursion that brought classroom learning to life. Throughout the day, students: π§ Conducted water quality testing π¦ Explored the local environment on a bird observation walk π¦ Used dip nets to catch aquatic invertebrates π¬ Identified and investigated the important role these fascinating creatures play in healthy ecosystems Experiences like these inspire curiosity, deepen understanding and help students make meaningful connections with the world around them. There has been some great learning happening at St Nicholas of Myra, and we are so proud of the enthusiasm and engagement our Stage 2 students showed throughout the day! ππ
28 Jul 2026
From Facebook
ποΈ St Nicholas Through the Years ποΈ This week, we journey back to 1983... πΊ Did you know... π‘ The average Australian house price was around $68,000. β½ Petrol cost approximately 40 cents per litre. π The Parramatta Eels were the reigning NSWRL Premiers, completing their incredible third consecutive premiership. π³ The Penrith area was home to around 120,000 people, with the community continuing to grow rapidly. This week's feature comes from Darren, who attended St Nicholas of Myra from 1980β1983. In 2015, Darren created a wonderful video reflecting on his time as a student, sharing treasured memories of school life in the early 1980s. β¨ The video includes a very special piece of St Nicholas history. Rare footage from our School Concert held on 6th December 1983, the Feast Day of St Nicholas of Myra, featuring our Kindergarten and Year 3 students. Darren and some of his classmates moved to St Mary MacKillop Primary School, where they completed their primary education between 1984 and 1986. Even more fittingly, Darren went on to become a primary school teacher and has now served the St Mary MacKillop community for almost 23 years. A wonderful example of the lasting impact of Catholic education. π We sincerely thank Darren for sharing his memories and preserving this special piece of our school's history. Stories like these remind us that while buildings and generations may change, the spirit of St Nicholas of Myra continues to live on through the people who have been part of our community.
28 Jul 2026
From Facebook
ποΈ St Nicholas Through the Years ποΈ This week, we journey back to 1905... π¦πΊ Australia was just 4 years old as a nation after Federation. π₯ The population was just over 4 million people. π΄ Horses and carts were the main form of transport. π‘ Electricity was only beginning to appear in many homes. βοΈ Children learnt using slates, chalk and fountain pens. πΈ Photo 1: Students and the parish priest at St Joseph's Convent School (now St Nicholas of Myra Primary School), Penrith, circa 1906. πΈ Photo 2: The St Joseph's Convent in 1905. Did you know? Our school's second site was located on the corner of High Street and Evan Street (the present day Officeworks site) and served the Penrith community from 1880 to 1954. In 1879, Saint Mary MacKillop established her first convent in New South Wales right here in Penrith. Just one year later, in 1880, the Sisters of St Joseph took leadership of the school community, beginning a legacy of Catholic education that continues to this day. More than 145 years later, we continue to honour the faith, courage and commitment of those who laid the foundations of our wonderful school community. π
27 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π Kirby Awards β Term 3, Week 2 π Congratulations to Polly and Naoelle, who received their Kirby Awards at our Term 3, Week 2 Assembly. These students have consistently demonstrated our school expectations through their learning, behaviour and interactions with others. Their commitment to being learners who are safe, respectful is something to be celebrated, and they should be incredibly proud of this achievement. Keep up the fantastic work, Polly and Naoelle! πβοΈ
27 Jul 2026
From Facebook
πββοΈπββοΈ Introducing Our 2026 Nepean Zone Athletics Team! πββοΈπββοΈ Congratulations to our outstanding students who have qualified to represent St Nicholas of Myra Primary School at the 2026 Nepean Zone Athletics Carnival. After impressive performances at our School Athletics Carnival, these talented athletes have earned the opportunity to compete against the best from across the Nepean Zone at Blacktown International Sportspark on Tuesday, 18th August. We are incredibly proud of your dedication, determination and school spirit. We wish each of you the very best as you wear the St Nicholas colours with pride. Good luck, team. We know you'll represent our school with excellence both on and off the track! ππ
25 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π Grandparents Day Mass 2026 π Our St Nicholas of Myra community gathered in faith to celebrate Grandparents Day with a beautiful Eucharistic celebration led by Father Joe. Together, we marked the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, whose love, faith and guidance remind us of the invaluable role grandparents play in nurturing families and passing on the gift of faith from one generation to the next. Thank you to all of our grandparents, families and parish community who joined us as we celebrated this special occasion. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together in prayer, make Christ the centre of our celebration and our lives, and give thanks for the wisdom, love and example of our grandparents. π Happy Grandparents Day from everyone at St Nicholas of Myra! π
24 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π Grandparents Day β Dance Troupe Performance π Our St Nicholas of Myra Dance Troupe wowed the crowd on Grandparents Day with a fantastic performance that showcased their talent, dedication and hard work. Each week, our students have been practising, learning and rehearsing their dance routine, and it was wonderful to see their efforts come together in such a special performance. A huge thank you to Mrs Berneys and Ms Khlaifeh for their time, commitment and passion in preparing our students. We are so proud of our Dance Troupe and look forward to seeing what they achieve next! π
24 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π Grandparents Day 2026 π Our St Nicholas of Myra community came together to celebrate a truly special Grandparents Day, honouring the love, wisdom and faith that grandparents bring to our families and community. The day began with a beautiful Mass celebrated by Father Joe, where we reflected on the example of Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, whose faith and love helped shape the Holy Family. Their example reminds us of the important role grandparents play in passing on faith, values and traditions to future generations. Following Mass, grandparents enjoyed visiting our classrooms to experience the wonderful learning our students engage in each day. We then gathered together for a picnic lunch, sharing food, stories and laughter as a community. Families also enjoyed browsing our Book Fair before the day concluded with a fantastic performance by our talented Dance Troupe, who proudly showcased their hard work, dedication and incredible skills. What a wonderful celebration of family, faith and community. Thank you to all of our grandparents and special visitors for joining us. We are so grateful for the love, guidance and wisdom you share with our students each and every day. π Happy Grandparents Day from everyone at St Nicholas of Myra! π
24 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π Grandparents Day β Open Classrooms π Our classrooms were filled with smiles as students proudly welcomed their grandparents to share in their learning. It was wonderful to see our students confidently showcasing their work and celebrating their achievements with those who mean so much to them. Thank you to all of our grandparents and special visitors for making the day so memorable. π
24 Jul 2026
From Facebook
π§Ί Grandparents Day β Picnic Lunch π Following our classroom visits, families gathered for a picnic lunch filled with great conversation, laughter and special moments. It was wonderful to see generations coming together to celebrate the strong sense of faith, family and community that makes St Nicholas of Myra so special. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable day!