St Columba's College Essendon

Well done to all involved!

A blast from the past... who remembers My Fair Lady? 🎭

For generations, our musical productions have created lasting memories, bringing students together on stage and delighting audiences year after year.

This year marks 50 years since My Fair Lady was performed in 1976, a much-loved chapter in our rich theatrical tradition that has spanned decades.

As we celebrate this milestone and reflect on the productions that have come before, we are also eagerly anticipating what comes next.

This July, St Columba’s College and St Bernard's College Essendon will present Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. From the cast and orchestra to backstage crews and creative teams, months of hard work are already bringing this timeless story to life. We can't wait to share another memorable production with our community.

In an era of constant notifications, instant answers and increasing complexity, one of the greatest challenges facing educators is helping students learn deeply, retain knowledge and develop the confidence to think independently.

Research tells us that learning is strengthened when students have opportunities to revisit concepts over time, engage in sustained focus, and build strong relationships with their teachers. It also reminds us that not every learning experience requires the same amount of time.

The 30-60-90 timetable structure has been designed with these principles at its core. By creating purposeful opportunities for retrieval practice, students are better able to move knowledge from short-term memory into long-term retention. More frequent contact with teachers supports stronger relationships, timely feedback and a greater sense of connection and belonging. Extended learning blocks provide space for creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and deeper conceptual understanding.

The model has been shaped through years of educational research, professional learning and consultation, informed by leading thinkers in cognitive science and learning theory. It also responds to contemporary challenges schools are increasingly navigating, including reduced attention spans, performance anxiety, overstimulation and the growing need for students to develop independence and adaptability.

Ultimately, the goal is simple; to create learning experiences that are engaging, purposeful and better aligned to how young people learn best, both now and into the future.

"Wisdom is not measured by what we know, but by how we choose to use what we know."

This message was recently shared by Pope Leo XIV as he addressed the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.

In an age where information is more accessible than ever, the true measure of wisdom lies not in knowledge alone, but in our ability to think critically, act ethically, and use our gifts for the common good.

At St Columba's College, we are committed to nurturing young people who are not only knowledgeable, but discerning, compassionate and courageous in the choices they make.

Last week, two of our students, Abbysha and Stella, stepped into the role of Principal for a Day, shadowing Principal Rita Grima and gaining a firsthand insight into the leadership and decision-making that helps shape life at St Columba’s College.

From discussing the College’s new 2027 timetable structure to participating in a Leadership Walk and attending meetings throughout the day, both students approached the experience with curiosity, confidence and a willingness to contribute their own ideas and perspectives.

We are incredibly proud of the thoughtful questions they asked, the initiative they demonstrated and the enthusiasm they brought to the role.

Congratulations to our Principals for a Day on embracing this unique opportunity and leading with such confidence. 👏✨

What’s on this week at StCC:

Mon 1 Jun: Year 12 VM Road to Zero Excursion, Senior Concert Band Rehearsals, Intermediate Concert Band Rehearsals, Inter-school Debating Competition

Tue 2 Jun: CGSAV Cross Country Training, Year 11 VM Chocolate Brownie Bake Off Excursion, VCE Music Conservatorium Experience Day Excursion, Poetry Competition, Jazz Band Rehearsals, Musical Rehearsals, PEC Mother/Daughter Movie Night

Wed 3 Jun: Senior String Orchestra Rehearsals, Senior Choir Rehearsals, Dungeons and Dragons, Unit 3 & 4 Dance Solo Rehearsals, CGSAV AFL Football Training, Edmund Rice Tutoring, Metacognition in Science Workshop

Thu 4 Jun: CGSAV Cross Country, Learning to Lead Student Workshop, Rock Band Rehearsals, Musical Rehearsals

Fri 5 Jun: G*T Assembly

Also this week: Reconciliation Week, Year 9 Urban Experience, Year 9 Squash

Have a great week!

A huge congratulations to all involved!

🏆CGSAV ATHLETICS DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONS🏆

Congratulations to the athletics team from on winning the 2026 CGSAV Division 2 Athletics Championships.

A big thank you to all the students and staff involved in making the event a great success.

For 129 years, St Columba’s College has stood as part of the fabric of Essendon; a place where generations of young women have been encouraged to learn deeply, lead courageously and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

Founded in 1897, the College was established to provide girls in Melbourne’s north-west with access to continuing education at a time when opportunities for young women were far more limited. Named in honour of Saint Columba, the Irish scholar and educator renowned for his pursuit of knowledge, the College was built on the belief that education could transform lives and strengthen communities.

From its earliest days on the original Leslie Road site, St Columba’s has continued to evolve alongside the changing world around it, while remaining grounded in the enduring values of Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity; compassion, justice, courage and service.

What began as a small local school has grown into a thriving contemporary College educating more than a thousand students each year across a rich academic, spiritual, cultural and co-curricular landscape. Yet through every era, one thing has remained unchanged: a commitment to empowering young women to think critically, act with integrity and step confidently into their future.

Today, the story of St Columba’s continues to be written by every student, staff member, family and alumna who walks through its gates; building on a rich legacy while helping shape what comes next.

📷 : Taken in 1897, St Columba's Archives

This week, we join communities across Australia in recognising National Reconciliation Week; a time to reflect, learn, and continue walking together towards a more just and reconciled future.

Held each year from 27 May to 3 June, National Reconciliation Week marks two significant moments in Australia’s history; the successful 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo Decision, both important milestones in the ongoing journey towards reconciliation.

At St Columba’s College, reconciliation is not viewed as a single moment, but an ongoing commitment. It calls us to engage thoughtfully with truth-telling, deepen our understanding of Australia’s shared histories, and foster relationships grounded in dignity, respect and compassion.

As a community inspired by the values of justice and human dignity, we recognise the importance of listening to and learning from First Nations Peoples; honouring the enduring strength, wisdom, cultures and connection to Country that have shaped this land for tens of thousands of years.

Throughout the week, students and staff will have opportunities to reflect, engage in conversation, and participate in activities that encourage deeper understanding and meaningful action.

May this week encourage each of us to consider how we can contribute to a future shaped by reconciliation, healing and hope.

Last week, our Senior Football team travelled to Bundoora for a friendly match against the senior girls team from Parade College’s Preston Campus, made up of their Sport and Recreation VET students.

The match provided a fantastic opportunity for our players to come together ahead of the upcoming CGSAV competition in June, building confidence, teamwork and match experience in a competitive environment.

While our Calder Cannons players were unavailable to take the field, it was wonderful to have Chloe C and Alyssia R step into coaching roles for the day, sharing their experience and leadership with the team.

It was a closely contested game throughout, with Parade ultimately securing the win against a strong side featuring several Northern Knights players. Following the match, students were invited into the clubrooms for presentations, where Charlotte L was recognised as St Columba’s Player of the Match. Playing at full back, Charlotte delivered an outstanding performance in defence, stopping countless scoring opportunities and helping keep the margin tight until the final siren.

Congratulations to all students involved on a terrific display of teamwork, resilience and College spirit.