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a journey like no other

a journey like no other

ST. COLUMBA'S COLLEGE

ST. COLUMBA'S COLLEGE

DUBLIN, IRELAND

DUBLIN, IRELAND

ST. COLUMBA'S COLLEGE

ST. COLUMBA'S COLLEGE

e-learning portal

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Welcome

At St. Columba’s College, set in the Dublin Hills and overlooking the city, we are committed to the all-round development of each of our pupils. We strive for them to reach their full academic potential, but we know that a true education is about far more than what goes on in the exam hall. As a 7 day boarding school, we believe strongly in nurturing a strong sense of community and developing the talents and interests of every child, with our imaginative and busy programme. Growing up should be an exciting and enjoyable journey of discovery. You are invited to come along for the adventure!

Please use our ‘Explore’ menu above to find out more information on all aspects of College life or contact us with any enquiries. Read the Warden’s welcome here.

Columban Values

The pupils and staff of the College have adopted the following 5 principles that we think best sum up the ethos and values for which Columbans should strive: kindness, compassion, inclusion, responsibility & determination.

Click here to find out more

Warden’s Welcome

Within the Irish context St. Columba’s College is a unique institution, a Church of Ireland foundation offering full-time, seven days a week boarding, with an increasing number of day students. We pride ourselves on the exceptional quality of pastoral care that we provide and which we believe is up there with the very best boarding schools in the world.

On top of that we aim to produce the best Leaving Certificate results in the whole country, as well as running a full and busy programme of cultural and sporting activities. Many of our dedicated staff reside on the beautiful site, giving round the clock care and ensuring that the children are happy and safe at all times.

A school is far more than its academic or sporting results and all that we do here is within a context that encourages and nurtures the spiritual development of all our children. An outsider might raise an eyebrow at our gowned pupils and our daily chapel services, which may seem archaic in these times, but the truth is that we look to combine our deep sense of tradition with a pursuit of excellence in preparing our young people for success at the top universities and beyond, through a very modern and forward looking education. Personally I think we get the balance just right.

I became Warden of St. Columba’s in September 2016, having taught in and led boarding schools in the UK and South Africa. It is a great challenge to lead this great school into its next phase of development, as we seek to benchmark ourselves not just against other top schools in Ireland, but against the very best schools that can be found anywhere.

If you would like to visit us and see what is so special about the school on the hill overlooking Dublin then I would be delighted to welcome you.

Mark Boobbyer, Warden, St. Columba’s College.

Visit the Warden’s Blog here.

Senior Prefect’s Welcome

When I started at St. Columba’s College five years ago, little did I imagine I would find myself in the position of Senior Prefect. The time I have spent at St. Columba’s has taught me the values of friendship and community, which I hope all newcomers will have the opportunity to experience. Our student body is relatively small and, consequently, we are a tight-knit community with an extensive and supportive network of teaching and support staff.

There are numerous opportunities to be had both inside and outside the classroom as long as you are willing to grasp them.

Sport plays a pivotal role within the ethos of the College, with pupils having to participate daily. The links between exercise and mental health are well recognised, and I really believe this helps maintain a sense of wellbeing in the school. I, for one, cannot wait to return to competitive games.

The last eighteen months have not been easy for staff and pupils alike, and unfortunately, we have not been able to take full advantage of what the school has to offer. I am hopeful that we will soon see the College working to its full potential once again.

The values which the school community have chosen are inclusion, compassion, kindness, responsibility and determination. They have been fully embraced by both staff and pupils. The reason for this is that we as a school body fully believe that if we uphold these values we can create a safe and open environment for all pupils. I hope all prospective pupils can join us in sustaining these values.

Evie Pringle, Senior Prefect 2021 / 2022

News & Events

Latest News

End of Term Sports Report

Despite the difficulties, the sports programme in the College…
December 15, 2021/by sccdublin

Christmas Carol Services

Yesterday afternoon, two Carol Services took place for the pupils…
December 15, 2021/by sccdublin

Christmas Concert

The last weekend of term featured another welcome artistic moment…
December 13, 2021/by sccdublin

‘The Submarine’, Michaelmas 2021

The latest edition of the pupil magazine, The Submarine, has…
December 13, 2021/by sccdublin

Matchbox Theatre

Last night in the Big Schoolroom there was a welcome return to…
December 11, 2021/by sccdublin

Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Focus Ireland

The members of the Pupils' Council are organising a Christmas…
December 4, 2021/by sccdublin

Transition Year Half Term Update

There's a common misconception that Transition Year (TY) is a…
October 22, 2021/by sccdublin

Half Term Sports Update

It has been wonderful to see the full sports programme return…
October 21, 2021/by sccdublin

Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal

The College has a rich tradition of supporting the Team Hope…
October 21, 2021/by sccdublin
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Media Gallery

Explore our video series and photo galleries to discover more about life in St. Columba’s College.

A Brief Introduction

Academic ExcellenceArtistic ExpressionWonderful CampusSporting EndeavourSkilled TeachersCaring EnvironmentQuality BoardingAdmissions Status

St. Columba’s College provide our pupils with a wide variety of subjects, taught by experienced and dedicated teachers. Class sizes are very small (average of 14) which allows for greater depth of treatment and consolidation of learning. Our pupils have a proud history of academic achievement, both in the Junior & Leaving Certificate (Ireland’s state examinations) but also at third level. The average Leaving Certificate points score in 2019 was 474 (the most recent examinations without predicted grades), with a five year average of 465 – among the very best in the country.

Click here to find out more about the academic structure in St. Columba’s College.

It is our strong belief that allowing our pupils express themselves artistically contributes greatly to their personal development. There is a strong tradition of participation in the arts – through drama, music, painting, photography, crafts, choir, debate and much more. There are, on average, a dozen plays performed each year, over 30 musical performances or concerts and an emphasis on bringing artistic endeavour into all academic subjects. Music, art, drama or public speaking do not detract from academic performance – they enhance it!

To find out more about our co-curricular programme click here.

Our stunning campus, set on 140 acres on the foot of the Dublin mountains and overlooking the city, is a tranquil yet vibrant learning space. Beautiful gardens, architecturally significant buildings, well maintained playing fields, acres of park land and excellent facilities all contribute to an exceptional learning environment.

Explore our campus here using our interactive campus map or view our aerial campus video on the left.

An active body complements an active mind and our extensive sports programme ensures our pupils are balanced in their approach to academic work. At St. Columba’s College there are six days of compulsory sport for all pupils. Rugby, hockey, athletics, cricket, tennis and basketball are the main team sports on offer but pupils also can participate in football, archery, polo-crosse, badminton, volleyball and much more.

Click here for further information on our sports programme at St. Columba’s.

Highly qualified and dedicated teachers ensure the quality of tuition at St. Columba’s College is second to none. Uniquely, the vast majority of our teachers live on campus and make themselves available to their pupils in the evenings and weekends. Most teachers participate in the school’s sporting programme as well as our extensive extra-curricular programme. In addition, our teachers are also involved in the boarding structures of the College, contributing to excellent pupil / teacher relationships.

Explore all the teaching and support staff in the College here.

The pastoral care structures within St. Columba’s College are extensive and provide our pupils with a home away from home. Central to our philosophy is our boarding house structures with each pupil being assigned to a house – even day pupils. Each house has a Housemaster, an Assistant Housemaster and a team of House Tutors, who together provide pupils with the academic and personal support. The house system is complemented by our Matron and her team of nurses, who provide the medical care for pupils, as well as the school counsellor and the Cúram Team (our pastoral care committee).

Click here to find out more about the boarding and pastoral structures in the College.

Over 80% of our pupils board in our traditional yet modern and comfortable boarding houses. There are seven boarding houses (Glen, Gwynn, Stackallan, Tibradden, Hollypark, Iona & Beresford), each with an assigned Housemaster or Housemistress, Assistant Housemaster (or Housemistress) and a team of House Tutors. Every house has a friendly atmosphere but a unique personality and spirit. Day pupils are assigned to a boarding house and are encouraged to take part in inter-house activities.

To find out more about boarding at St. Columba’s click here.

Boarding
Due to the volume of applications, boarding places in Form II and IV (Transition Year) have closed until January 6th 2022. We kindly ask that you please do not send an application before this date.  We hope to re-open applications at that time.

Boarding applications are now still accepted for entry into Forms I. Presently we are full in Form V for September 2022.

Day Pupils

Unfortunately, there are no day places remaining for the 2022 / 2023 academic year. Expressions of interest are being accepted for 2023 / 2024 academic year for all Forms.

For further information please contact admissions@stcolumbas.ie.

Please note: Following the introduction of the Admissions Act 2018 schools are no longer able to accept applications for day places until October 1st in the year preceding the year of entry.  Applications for boarding places may be made a year earlier.

To find out more about our admissions process click here.