Co-Curricular

A vibrant and challenging co-curricular program that provides every St Columba’s student with the opportunity to develop beyond the classroom.

Co-curricular participation supports our students to develop perseverance, commitment and self-discipline, while nurturing interactions between students across different year levels, interests and even other schools.

Students are encouraged to engage in all the St Columba’s College has to offer. Through Sports, Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Music, your child will have endless opportunities to engage with the College and her peers as she builds positive relationships and a greater sense of self.

Participation in co-curricular and College activities, go towards the Bronntanais ó Dhia recognition program.

Recognition Program – Bronntanais ó Dhia

Bronntanais ó Dhia means Gifts of God

We are each born with a unique set of gifts. This is God’s choice for us. It is not of our doing. However, God does expect us fully to use our gifts for the good of the community. We are to respect different gifts as God-given.

What is the Spirit’s special gift to you?

Voices from the heart

Students who immerse themselves in all that St Columba’s has to offer have the opportunity to apply for embroidered badges as part of our Bronntanais ó Dhia Program. The program recognises the commitment and contribution that students make to St Columba’s College and the wider community.

The various activities and events fall under three categories: Engage, Connect, Learn, which are the three pillars of our Learning & Wellbeing Framework.

Once a student’s application is approved, she is acknowledged at a College Assembly and she may have her badge embroidered onto her blazer pocket.

Our co-curricular programs:

Connect

Connect

Forging connections with the wider community is a cornerstone of the St Columba’s College learning experience for all students. Through our co-curricular and justice programs, and events and activities, your child will enjoy opportunities to get involved, inside and outside of the College, that help build an understanding of cultural and environmental diversity, and service to others.

Opportunities available

  • Backstage Crew
  • Caritas Ambassador 
  • Peer Support Leader
  • College Ambassador
  • Environment Club 
  • Indigenous Perspective Group 
  • Just Act Group 
  • Justice Response 
  • Liturgy Assistant 
  • Student Wellbeing Action Team (SWAT) 
  • Bahay Tuluyan Bike Ride 
  • Charity Run 
  • Edmund Rice Tutoring
  • Knitting Club 
  • St Vincent de Paul Soup Van 
  • Year 7 Lunchtime Activities

Engage

At St Columba’s College your child will have the opportunity to take private music, speech, drama and dance classes.

Sports Co-Curricular Opportunities

  • Inter House Athletics 
  • Inter House Cross Country 
  • Inter House Multi Sports Day 
  • CGSAV Athletics 
  • CGSAV Basketball 
  • CGSAV Cross Country 
  • CGSAV Football
  • CGSAV Hockey 
  • CGSAV Netball 
  • CGSAV Soccer 
  • CGSAV Swimming 
  • CGSAV Tennis 
  • CGSAV Volleyball 
  • Nunan Cup Tennis

Performing Arts Co-Curricular Opportunities

Ensembles

  • Big Band 
  • Brass Ensemble 
  • Cello Ensemble 
  • Chamber Brass
  • Chamber Choir 
  • Junior Choir 
  • Senior Choir 
  • Clarinet Ensemble 
  • Intermediate Concert Band 
  • Senior Concert Band 
  • Flute Ensemble 
  • Guitar Ensemble 
  • Jazz Ensemble 
  • Junior Percussion 
  • Senior Percussion 
  • Rock Band 
  • Speech Ensemble 
  • String Quartet 
  • Intermediate Strings Ensemble 
  • Senior Strings Ensemble 
  • Performing Arts Breakfast Club

Productions

  • College Musical 
  • Junior Production 
  • Senior Production 
  • Kick Arts

Other Co-Curricular Opportunities

  • Drama Club
  • Life Drawing
  • Student Forums

Learn

Your child may also develop her skills via additional programs and activities such as:

  • Mathematics Competition 
  • Birdman Rally 
  • Book Club 
  • Design Group 
  • Debating
  • Geography Competition
  • Languages Competition  
  • Make it Monday 
  • Maths Talent Quest 
  • Principal for a Day 
  • Principal’s Reading Challenge
  • Science Competition 
  • Swinburne Junior Poetry Competition 
  • Titration Competition 
  • Young Writers Creative
  • Writing of Speech and Presentation at Assembly

Students are notified of these opportunities via class teachers and the Student Bulletin.


Private Lessons

Private Music, Speech And Drama
Private music and drama classes are held onsite but our highly qualified team of teachers. These lessons will extend your child and develop her skills in performing arts. She will learn to master her instrument, read music, recite scripts, build her confidence and become the best performer she can be.

As an extension of the Private Performing Arts program, Private Speech lessons are available to all students from Years 7 to 12. The program is designed to help students develop skills in speaking in public as well as gain confidence in discussion and every day speech situations. The course focuses on effective and fluent reading, exploration of prose, poetry and drama, movement and mime to develop imagination and drama skills to aid communication strategies. The program encourages clear speech, covers the technique of voice production and the development of effective speech habits. Specific objectives include the development of a varied range of vocal tone, self-esteem, confidence, imagination and creativity.

Private Dance
Our private dance program is run by Linda Henderson Dance (LHD), and is designed to build on and promote your child’s dancing. Private dance classes are held onsite in the Nicholson Hall, after school.

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is the leading structured (non-formal education) youth development program, empowering all youth aged 14 to 25 to explore their full potential regardless of location or circumstance. The Award equips young people for life and work, challenging them to find their purpose, passion and place in the world and enhancing their educational and employment opportunities. The Award is a fully inclusive program without social, political, or religious affiliations.

Short-term benefits of involvement:

  • Confidence 
  • Resilience and determination
  • Relationships and leadership 
  • Creativity and adaptability 
  • Planning and problem-solving 
  • Managing feelings 
  • Communication 
  • Personal and social well-being 
  • Intercultural confidence 

Long-term benefits of involvement:

  • Improved educational attainment
  • Improved employability and earning potential 
  • Improved physical health and fitness 
  • Increased engagement with charitable and community causes 
  • Improved environmental impact 
  • Increased social cohesion 

University entry

Universities are increasingly looking beyond the ATAR to ensure they attract the best. Through partnerships with universities such as La Trobe, Award Holders have the potential to be recognised for more than just their ATAR, through priority access to courses. Through our partnership with La Trobe University, those who have completed at least the Bronze level of the Award qualify for the community engagement criteria of La Trobe University’s Aspire program. 

At St Columba’s we offer all levels of the award, usually starting with Bronze for year 9 students.