St Columba's Catholic College

St Columba's Catholic College, formerly the St Columba's High School, is an independent Roman Catholic co-educational secondary day school, located in the Blue Mountains region, on the border of Winmalee and Springwood, in New South Wales, Australia.

For other schools of the same name, see St. Columba's High School (disambiguation).

St Columba's Catholic College
Looking towards the Main building (former Seminary) from the quadrangle.
Location
Springwood, Blue Mountains, New South Wales

Australia
Coordinates33°40′24″S 150°35′19″E
Information
Former nameSt Columba's High School
TypeIndependent co-educational secondary day school
DenominationRoman Catholic
Established
  • 1909–1977 (Seminary)
  • 1979 (1979)
    (as Catholic High School)
PrincipalPhillip Scollard
Slogan"Act justly" (Short) Act Justly, Love Tenderly & Walk Humbly with Our God (Full) It's all about the uniform (Unofficial)
Websitewww.stcolumbasspringwood.catholic.edu.au

Established in 1979, the school is set in the grounds of the St Columba's property, which has extensive bushland surrounding the school. The property is a listed site on the Blue Mountains City Council local government heritage register.[1]

Campus

Originally built as a Seminary in 1909, it was closed in 1977 and reopened as a high school in 1979.[2] The monastic influence is seen in the neogothic sandstone architecture and the grounds with scattered grottos and shrines overlooking the Blue Mountains World Heritage National Park of Australia NSW.

The St Columbas property is one of the largest landholdings in the Blue Mountains Local Government Area. Much of the property consists of natural bushland and is habitat for some threatened and endangered species.

Symbolism
  • 'Columba' is a Latinization of 'colum', which means dove. A dove is featured in the school emblem
  • 'Iona Chapel' derives its name from the Island of Iona where Columba founded the monastery Iona Abbey
  • Much of the architecture features the Celtic Cross
  • The Feast Day of Columba on June 9 is celebrated annually by the college, notable events include the Teachers vs Year 12 basket/volleyball game

Telescope

A feature of note is a radio telescope dish salvaged from the Paul Wild Observatory at Culgoora, west of Narrabri in 1997. This is one of a heliograph array of 96 13.7-m dishes that circled the present location of the Compact Array. The heliograph array imaged the Sun at 80 and 160 MHz with several discoveries to its credit before decommission.[3]

Principals

The following individuals have served as Principal:

OrderOfficeholderTerm beginTerm endTime in officeNotes
1Anne Henson197919855–6 years
2Jim McCartan198619925–6 years
3Geoff Hicks199219985–6 years
4Alan Moran199820012–3 years
5Anne Wenham200120053–4 years
6Delma Horan200520137–8 years
7Paul Ryan201420218–9 years
8Phillip Scollard2022Ongoing0 years

Notable alumni

See also

References
  1. "Wl001: St Columba's College (Buildings; Grounds; Gates; Elmhurst)". New South Wales Heritage Database. Office of Environment & Heritage. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  2. Our Story St Columba's High School Retrieved 5 February 2007
  3. Compact Array and Mopra report Australian Telescope National Facility Retrieved 5 February 2007


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