St. Columba's College, Melbourne
Encyclopedia
St. Columba's College is a private
, all-female Roman Catholic
secondary school
in the Melbourne
suburb of Essendon
.
in 1896, Mother Ursula Bruton purchased the property at 139 Buckley Street to provide secondary education
for the girls from St Monica's.
Mother Ursula was the first Principal and named the school St Columba's. Columba
was an Irish saint and a great scholar, who lived in the sixth century. The College motto chosen was Fidelis et Fortis meaning “faithful and strong,” and the shield
with its crown and dove reflected the Sisters of Charity
's own crest and Columba (Columcille meaning dove). The first classes were held on 13 July 1897 for 47 students.
The initial educational program provided a broad and liberal education
for young women and in 1900 presented its first candidates for Matriculation . The school has a history of excellence in education and the history books indicate that music, languages and the visual arts have always been central in the curriculum.
There are many opportunities for student performance in all areas within the College and in the wider community. The College has had significant success in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
. St Bernard's College and St Columba's combine to put on a very successful Drama and Music performance and there are three choirs and two bands as well as a number of ensembles for students to join .
The School is part of the Secondary Catholic Girls Schools Association and Catholic All Schools Sports Competition and enters a wide range of inter-school sports competitions throughout the school year .
The Interhouse Athletics and Swimming Sports Days are an integral part of the school calendar. There is an annual bike ride and run for social justice initiatives .
The Student Representative Council (SRC) is an important group in the school and provides a formal opportunity for student leadership. The SRC members work enthusiastically to represent their peers and organise school activities such as St Columba's Day.
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, all-female Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church in Australia
The Catholic Church in Australia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church under the spiritual and administrative leadership of the Pope.Australia is a majority Christian but pluralistic society with no established religion. There are approximately 5.1 million Australian Catholics . Catholicism...
secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
in the Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
suburb of Essendon
Essendon, Victoria
Essendon is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 10 km north-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moonee Valley...
.
History
After taking responsibility for St Monica's School in Moonee PondsMoonee Ponds, Victoria
Moonee Ponds is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 7 km north-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moonee Valley.It is home to Queens Park and the Moonee Valley Racecourse...
in 1896, Mother Ursula Bruton purchased the property at 139 Buckley Street to provide secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
for the girls from St Monica's.
Mother Ursula was the first Principal and named the school St Columba's. Columba
Columba
Saint Columba —also known as Colum Cille , Colm Cille , Calum Cille and Kolban or Kolbjørn —was a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts during the Early Medieval Period...
was an Irish saint and a great scholar, who lived in the sixth century. The College motto chosen was Fidelis et Fortis meaning “faithful and strong,” and the shield
Shield
A shield is a type of personal armor, meant to intercept attacks, either by stopping projectiles such as arrows or redirecting a hit from a sword, mace or battle axe to the side of the shield-bearer....
with its crown and dove reflected the Sisters of Charity
Sisters of Charity of Australia
The Sisters of Charity of Australia is a congregation of Roman Catholic women religious who have served the people of Australia since 1838...
's own crest and Columba (Columcille meaning dove). The first classes were held on 13 July 1897 for 47 students.
The initial educational program provided a broad and liberal education
Liberal education
A Liberal education is a system or course of education suitable for the cultivation of a free human being. It is based on the medieval concept of the liberal arts or, more commonly now, the liberalism of the Age of Enlightenment...
for young women and in 1900 presented its first candidates for Matriculation . The school has a history of excellence in education and the history books indicate that music, languages and the visual arts have always been central in the curriculum.
Houses
The seven Houses and their associated colours are:- CaterCaterThe name Cater is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Great Britain. The name was taken on by someone who worked as a caterer. The surname Cater was official name, "the cater", derived from the Old French ale catour, a little meaning a buyer of groceries for the gentleman's...
(Purple) - CahillCahillCahill is a name of Irish origin. In Irish, It is the anglicized version of the Gaelic "Ó Cathail" meaning "descendant of Cathal." "Cathal" consists of two parts: "cath" means battle; the second could be "val" , so that the name as a whole meant "battle ruler" or "strong in battle", or it could...
(Yellow) - Cunningham (Green)
- WilliamsWilliams-People:* Williams , a surname English in origin, but popular in Wales, 3rd most common in the United Kingdom* "Williams", the pseudonym of racing driver and SOE agent William Grover-Williams-United States:Communities*Williams, Arizona...
(Blue) - O'BrienO'BrienThe O'Brien dynasty are a royal and noble house founded in the 10th century by Brian Boru of the Dál gCais or Dalcassians. After becoming King of Munster, through conquest he established himself as High King of Ireland...
(Orange) - BrutonBrutonBruton is a town and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated on the River Brue seven miles south-east of Shepton Mallet, just south of Snakelake Hill and Coombe Hill, ten miles north-west of Gillingham and twelve miles south-west of Frome in the South Somerset district. The town has a...
(Red) - De LacyDe Lacyde Lacy is the surname of an old Norman noble family originating from Lassy . The first records are about Hugh de Lacy . Descendent of Hugh de Lacy left Normandy and travelled to England along with William the Conqueror. Walter and Ilbert de Lacy fought in the battle of Hastings...
(Pink)
Co-Curricular program
The College enjoys an excellent reputation for its Performing Arts program. Music, Dance and Drama are offered through to the VCE level.There are many opportunities for student performance in all areas within the College and in the wider community. The College has had significant success in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is a series of dance and drama events staged worldwide by school pupils as part of the Global Rock Challenge. These events are initiated by the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge Foundation, and aim to promote healthy lifestyle choices, particularly abstinence from drugs,...
. St Bernard's College and St Columba's combine to put on a very successful Drama and Music performance and there are three choirs and two bands as well as a number of ensembles for students to join .
The School is part of the Secondary Catholic Girls Schools Association and Catholic All Schools Sports Competition and enters a wide range of inter-school sports competitions throughout the school year .
The Interhouse Athletics and Swimming Sports Days are an integral part of the school calendar. There is an annual bike ride and run for social justice initiatives .
The Student Representative Council (SRC) is an important group in the school and provides a formal opportunity for student leadership. The SRC members work enthusiastically to represent their peers and organise school activities such as St Columba's Day.
Notable alumnae
- Tina ArenaTina ArenaFilippina Lydia "Tina" Arena is an Australian singer, songwriter and musical theatre actress. She has won several awards, most notably 6 ARIA Awards and in both 1996 and 2000 she received the World Music Award for the world's best selling Australian artist...
- Singer - Stephanie CarswellStephanie CarswellStephanie Carswell is an Australian actress and lyric soprano, with a vocal range of over 3½ octaves. Commonly credited as Stéphanie Montreux. She is the elder sister of Jennifer Carswell.-Life and career:...
- Actress - Eileen Stainkamph - Musician