| Motto | Cor ad cor loquitur (Heart speaketh to heart) |
|---|---|
| Established | 1939 - establishment of college by Philip O'Neil 1955 - college acquired by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Head Master | David Buxton |
| Chairman of Governors | Mrs Gladys Cummings, JP |
| Founder |
Philip O’Neill (1939) |
| Location | King Harry Lane St Albans Hertfordshire AL3 4AW United Kingdom |
| Students | 840 |
| Gender | Boys |
| Ages | 4–18 |
| Houses |
Charles |
| Colours | Black, Red and White |
| Publication | Opus |
| Website | www.stcolumbascollege.org |
St Columba's College is a British fee-paying independent school for boys aged 4–19. The college, founded in 1939 by Philip O’Neill and acquired in 1955 by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, is Roman Catholic, and a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference of leading independent schools. St Columba's has a reputation for academic achievement as well as excellence in sport, particularly in rugby and basketball.
Facing St Albans Cathedral across the River Ver, the college is built around two historic houses, Watling House and Iona House. It is fully day-schooling in both the Senior school and the adjoined Preparatory and Pre-Preparatory department.
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The college was founded in 1939 by Philip O’Neill. In 1955 it was acquired by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.
The college originally had four houses named for British martyrs, Alban, Becket, Fisher and More. These were replaced in 2005 by six houses named after Brothers of the Sacred Heart Schools in America: Charles, Guertin, Joseph, McClancy, Stanislaus, and Vandebilt. The Preparatory school still uses the four house system.
The college sits on a hillside facing St Albans Cathedral across the valley of the River Ver.
Every term, the school holds chamber concerts which include the Bell Choir, Jazz Band and Orchestra. The school holds a Christmas Carol Service at St Albans Cathedral. The school has installed a stained glass window in the Cathedral, which is in honour of the school patron St Columba, and St Mary.
The school's drama productions are produced with Loreto College girls' school and Princess Helena College, who play the female lead roles.
St Columba's College U18 rugby squad were runners-up in the Daily Mail Vase in the 2003/2004 season, when they were beaten by Prince Henry's Grammar School, Otley.[1] Also that season they were named 'Rugby Monthly' Team of the Month
The U15 Team in 2007/2008 reached the fifth round of the Daily Mail Vase Competition, where they were beaten by The Woodlands.[2]
Most recently in the 2009/10 season, the U15 Team reached the semi-final of the Daily Mail Vase Competition, where they lost 31-21 to Brighton College.[3]
The Columban Fayre is an annual event which raises money for the school's facilities. The Columban Fayre is a one of the largest events. There are many different stores held by staff members and pupils, including an auction of promises and the "Secrets Room".
The school's Combined Cadet Force was formed in April 2001, as of 2009 it parades around 50-60 cadets every week with approximately 10 RAF cadets and 40-50 Army cadets.
The Army Section is affiliated to the 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment. It came second place overall in 'Ex. Combat Cadet 2008', 49 Brigade's military skills competition. The CCF won the military skills aspect of the competition [4][5] and came second in the night navigation exercise. The School also won 'Best CCF'.
The CCF won the Senior Boys part of the National Orienteering competition at Warcop and also came runners up in the Junior Boys competition. One of the school's cadets also won 'Best Junior Boy'.
The RAF section won the Command Task section of the Air Squadron Trophy in 2007.
The CCF has a small unit of girls from Princess Helena College.
Old boys of the school are called Old Columbans.
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