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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-day-a-week boarding, alongside a significant minority of day pupils. 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. Many of our dedicated staff reside on the beautiful site, giving round-the-clock care and ensuring that the pupils are happy and safe at all times.

We have a track record of producing outstanding Leaving Certificate results year by year, while every pupil is required to play a full part in the busy extra-curricular programme that we offer.

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 and well-being of all our children. An outsider might raise an eyebrow at our gowned pupils and our daily chapel services, but the truth is that we cherish our Christian heritage and we nurture our deep sense of tradition, while at the same time preparing our young people for success at the top universities in Ireland, the UK and beyond, through a very progressive 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. Having now successfully navigated the choppy waters of the pandemic, 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.

Senior Prefect’s Welcome

I want to welcome you all to St. Columba’s College on behalf of the prefect body for the 2022/2023 academic year. When I arrived in form 1, I was encouraged to embrace every opportunity that came my way and so I hope that all new Columbans will take advantage of these opportunities, put themselves out there, engage in new areas and enjoy where the adventure leads them. These opportunities will build an all-around person who can balance academics, extracurricular activities, sport and social activities.

One thing that makes St Columba’s stand out as a school compared to others, is the strong sense of community within the school. We all know each other and staff are very supportive and approachable. The five Columban values are Kindness, Compassion, Inclusion, Responsibility, and Determination which are all essential to Columban life to ensure a positive, supportive and safe learning environment for all pupils.

Sport plays a vital part in Columban life and the daily games programme helps pupils to disconnect from academics at the end of the day. As well as competing on the sports field, we also learn important life skills such as teamwork, leadership and communication, helping to create ‘A Sound Mind in a Healthy Body’ and improving our all-round well-being. Similarly, I would urge all new pupils to get involved in music or drama or debating when the opportunity arises. It is exciting that we can look forward to such things after the restrictions of the pandemic.

I am very much looking forward to a jam-packed academic year, free of Covid constraints! I hope you take full advantage of all the opportunities that come your way and make the most of your time at St Columba’s. As Demosthenes, a Greek statesman, said, ‘Small opportunities are often the beginning of great achievements.

Marco Trolese, Senior Prefect 2022-2023

News & Events

Latest News

Feedback on researchED 2022

Following the researchED conference on Saturday 24th September,…
October 3, 2022/by sccdublin

researchED Dublin 2022

Back in pre-pandemic times in 2019, the College organised and…
October 1, 2022/by sccdublin

Art Exhibition – Sculpture in Context

Form IV pupil Aeladh Bradley Brady reports on the recent art…
September 29, 2022/by sccdublin

Warden’s blog – Tolstoy’s ‘Resurrection’

The thing about great literature is that it is timeless. I read…
September 29, 2022/by sccdublin

Open Morning, Saturday 1st October

We are delighted that we can, for the first time since 2019,…
September 6, 2022/by sccdublin

Warden’s Blog – The College Foundation

On Friday we are officially launching the new Foundation of St.…
September 23, 2022/by sccdublin

St. Columba’s College Foundation – Official Launch

The St. Columba's College Foundation was officially launched…
September 23, 2022/by sccdublin

Admissions Notice – Entry 2023

Notice concerning the admission process to St. Columba’s College,…
September 13, 2022/by sccdublin

researchED Dublin 2022

One of the highlights of 2019 was the College's hosting of the…
September 6, 2022/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 Leaving Certificate results are consistently excellent, amongst the best in Ireland, with our graduates progressing to top universities in Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America.

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.

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