Senior School – New Parent Information
Everything you need to know about starting at St Columba’s College
Induction Dates
Induction Events |
Date |
| Meetings with Head of House (All new students) | Wednesday 19 June, 5.30-8.00pm |
| New Parents Information and Social Evening (All new students) | Tuesday 25 June, 5.30-8.00pm |
| Transition Day (Year 7 students only) | Monday 8 July, 8.45am-3.15pm |
| New Student Activity Session (Year 7 students only) | Friday 30 August, time TBC |
| New Families Welcome BBQ | Sunday 1 September, 1.00-4.00pm |
Term Dates and School Calendar
Key School Contacts
General Contacts
College Admin: collegeadmin@stcolumbascollege.org
School Nurse: N@stcolumbascollege.org
Finance/Fees: fees@stcolumbascollege.org
St Columba’s Parents’ Association (SCPA): scpa.inbox@gmail.com
Coaches: BursarPA@stcolumbascollege.org
Catering: CateringAdmin@stcolumbascollege.org
Sports: Lowles.a@stcolumbascollege.org
Heads of House
Charles House Mr S Murphy: murphy.s@stcolumbascollege.org
Guertin House Ms C Treacy: treacy.c@stcolumbascollege.org
(acting HOH) Mrs A Rowe: rowe.a@stcolumbascollege.org
Joseph House Mr C Sheils: sheils.c@stcolumbascollge.org
Martin House Mr A Lowles: lowles.a@stcolumbascollege.org
McClancy House Mr S Pinto: pinto.s@stcolumbascollege.org
Stanislaus House Mrs I De Vos: devos.i@stcolumbascollege.org
Key Contacts
Mrs K Marson, Deputy Head: marson.m@stcolumbascollege.org
Mr N Hele, Assistant Head, Teaching and Learning: hele.n@stcolumbascollege.org
Ms L Cronin, Assistant Head, Director of Studies: cronin.l@stcolumbascollege.org
Mr J Tatham, Assistant Head, Catholic Life: tatham.j@stcolumbascollege.org
Mr M Livesey, Assistant Head, Student and Staff Wellbeing: livesey.m@stcolumbascollege.org
Mrs E Dubberley, Head of Academic Support: dubberley.e@stcolumbascollege.org
Ms R Finn, Key Stage 3 Stretch and Challenge Coordinator: finn.r@stcolumbascollege.org
New Student Coordinator, Mr N Batten: batten.n@stcolumbascollege.org
School Fees
School Fees
| Year Group | Termly Fee | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reception – Prep 2 | £4,675.00 | £935.00 | £5,610.00 |
| Prep 3 | £5,470.00 | £1,094.00 | £6,564.00 |
| Prep 4 | £6,019.00 | £1,203.80 | £7,222.80 |
| Prep 5 & 6 | £6,095.00 | £1,219.00 | £7,314.00 |
| Senior | £7,103.00 | £1,420.60 | £8,523.60 |
Termly fees are payable by the first day of term. You will be sent an invoice just prior to the start of each term by our Finance department.
School fees cover all tuition and costs except public exam fees, trips, uniform, swimming lessons, music tuition, some extra-curricular activities and meals.
The Schedule of Fees is announced to parents by the Chair of Governors at the end of the Lent term. By the Easter weekend, this information is available to all.
Sibling Discount
Sibling discounts are available on fees: second child 3%, third child 4% and fourth child 5%.
Paying Fees Upfront
There is the option to pay for fees upfront. Please contact the Finance department directly to discuss this finance@stcolumbascollege.org.
Payment via Monthly Instalments
School Fee Plan is a provider of finance for school fees and can offer payment via monthly instalments. Please go to MySchoolFeePlan.com for more information.
For further advice or help regarding fees, please contact finance@stcolumbascollege.org.
Childcare Vouchers
Using Childcare Vouchers
You can use childcare vouchers in the Senior School for the SHAPE programme clubs (extra-curricular clubs) which run at lunchtimes and afterschool.
We do not accept childcare vouchers for payment of fees or any School trips.
Should you wish to use childcare vouchers then we are registered with many different providers. Please contact our Finance department finance@stcolumbascollege.org, to check which childcare providers we are registered with and how to make a payment with childcare vouchers.
School Payments via School Gateway
Making Payments
Our online payment system, School Gateway, is used to book and pay for trips, school activities and performances, wrap around care, second hand uniform, coaches, clubs and extra curricular activities, as well as topping up money for lunches and snacks.
A School Gateway account will be set up for new students just before the beginning of the new term (usually a few days before). It can be accessed via the App, or from the Parent Hub page on our website. Further details regarding this will be provided by our Finance department, including an invite with details on how to download the App.
Parent Communication through EduLink
What is EduLink?
EduLink One is a package introduced by the school a number of years ago now which will enable you to access some of the information about your child. This now includes:
- Their current timetable
- Attendance data, both overall and in individual subjects
- A record of any achievement points awarded.
- The contact and other key information we hold on your child.
- Access to other key documentation such as letters and reports
- Viewing the balance and transaction for catering.
- The ability to book, review and edit Parents Evening appointments.
- Links to the Sports Website and Shape Timetable.
- Absence reporting.
Access
There are two ways to access Edulink One, through its website: https://www.edulinkone.com.
Alternatively, you can access it through the mobile applications available for both Google Android and Apple iOS devices in their respective app stores.
In addition to this, you will need your own personal login details, the school ID for all users is “AL3 4AW” (no quotation marks) and you will be provided with a username and password separately, usually a few days before the new term starts. If you have any problems logging in, please contact servicedesk@stcolumbascollege.org.
Please ensure when installing Edulink on your smart phone or tablet that you allow notifications. This will ensure that you are notified of any messages or updates sent out from the College.
A Parent’s Guide to EduLink
House System
Houses
Each student in the College is under the pastoral care of a Head of House and their team of Tutors.
There are six Houses, each with a House colour:
Charles Light Blue
Guertin Green
Joseph Dark Blue
Martin Yellow
McClancy Red
Stanislaus Burgundy
In every Form, there will be a number of children from each House.
House ties (for boys) and House badges (for girls) will be provided at the New Student & Parents Information and Social Evening in June, as part of the induction programme.
School Uniform and Second Hand Uniform
School Uniform
Day school uniform is available from Stevensons: www.stevensons.co.uk / 01727 853262
School sportswear is available from Tylers: www.tylers-sportswear.co.uk / 01707 396900
The school dress code lists the daily uniform requirements and items to be purchased. Students do not require to have a St Columba’s College logo on their coats or bags. Coats these should be plain black or dark blue, and non-branded. Bags should also be black and non-branded.
Second Hand Uniform
Second hand uniform, including school blazers and some of the sports kit, is managed by the Prep and Senior Parents’ Associations https://stcolumbascollege.org/scpa-second-hand-uniform/. Second Hand uniform is available on many occasions throughout the year, including at the Welcome BBQ, Coffee Mornings, the Columban Fayre and New Parents’ Welcome Evenings in June. If you cannot attend a sale, please contact the SCPA with details of what you are looking for.
For further information about Second Hand Uniform, please contact the SCPA through the School Office at collegeadmin@stcolumbascollege.org.
Stationary and Equipment List
What to Bring
• an eraser
• a 30 cm ruler
• sharpened pencils
• blue and black pens
• a small glue stick
• colouring pencils
• a sharpener
• a basic geometry set*
• a small pair of scissors
• Scientific calculator (preferably the Casio Fx-85GT PLUS or the Casio Fx-85GTX)*
The school holds limited stocks of the Asterix items to purchase, should replacement items be needed during the school year. Items sold will be added to your consumables bill.
All students will be provided with their Surface Pro device, case and charger, on their first day.
Coach Routes and Costs
Coach Transport
School coaches use the nearest public bus stop and arrive at Westminster Lodge: 8.10-8.15am.
Coaches depart from Westminster Lodge carpark at the bottom school gate. On Mondays and Fridays they depart at 4.05pm and when extra-curricular activities are running, late coaches depart on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5pm.
Costs
Daily coaches run at an extra cost from the surrounding districts.
£15.45 – Regular users return journey
£17.40 – Ad hoc full day pass via School Gateway
£8.80 – Single journey for all users
These can be purchased through School Gateway. Please contact the Bursar’s PA, bursarpa@stcolumbascollege.org should you require any information on the coaches or require a permanent seat on one of the routes.
Catering/ Lunches
Catering and Costs
Weekly menus are available to view on the School website. Students can purchase a School meal or bring a packed lunch.
- Senior School lunches: £4.80 per day
We are a nut free school. Food allergies and dietary requirements are catered for and there is always a vegetarian option available. Please ensure to give full details on the data collection and medical forms provided by Admissions.
Meals are provided by a cashless system. Credit can be topped up on the student’s School Gateway account. Lunch costs are deducted on a consumption basis, with the balance at the end of each term rolled forward to the following term.
Wrap Around Care
Wrap Around Care
Students are not allowed on the school site before 8am. The dining hall is open for breakfast service from 8.00-8.20am and students may also use the library from 8am.
The library is open until 5.30pm for private study, supervised by a member of both library and academic staff.
Holiday Club is also available during certain dates of the term holidays. For more details please contact Mr Turpin: Turpin.m@stcolumbascollege.org.
SHAPE Programme and Awards
The SHAPE Programme
The SHAPE programme measures student progress and credits them for their participation in the College’s holistic education.
This model captures all aspects of each student’s life across all year groups, with the Form 1, 2 and 3 students working towards the SHAPE Award. Form 4 and above work towards House and College Colours.
By engagement in the SHAPE programme beyond the normal curriculum, students develop new practical skills and ways of thinking. Each component encourages students to develop personal qualities as part of their character education.
The SHAPE Framework
SHAPE stands for SERVICE, HOUSE, ACADEMIC, PHYSICAL and EXTRACURRICULAR.
S = Service – We want our students to be aware of the concerns of others and make the world a better place. This includes service to the school and wider community. Examples of Service in school include Library Mentors, Guild of St Stephen, Open Day guides, Eco- Schools, and Recycling groups. Outside of the school students engage in charitable initiatives such as CAFOD, Watling View volunteering and Project Respond.
H = House – The Houses are central to the pastoral life of the school. We want our students to play a full part in House competitions, socials, and leadership opportunities within the House, ranging from House assembly participation to House Bake Offs.
A = Academic – We want academic stretch for our students in all aspects of the curriculum. Many departments run clubs within their specialist disciplines, such as Maths Challenge. Other initiatives focus on the Stretch & Challenge students across years, such as reading groups and the ‘In Search of’ workshops. Our Stretch & Challenge group did workshops and then went to CERN in October 2023.
P = Physical – These are major co-curricular activities across the school, including all team sports (e.g. rugby) and individual sports (e.g. fencing, table tennis) to develop personal health, fitness, resilience and teamwork.
E = Extracurricular (or everything else!) – Includes all the other clubs in the school: from CCF to DofE awards; Chess Clubs to Italian Club; Drama performances to Music choirs and ensembles. These activities take place every lunchtime and after-school. It is these clubs that students develop life-long hobbies and friendships.
Awards
Student involvement in the SHAPE programme is tracked and monitored by pastoral staff with regular goal setting and reviews in the Pastoral Programme. Students are given a menu of activities for each component and achieve Component SHAPE Awards by engaging in them. Older students also record their engagement in digital profiles in Class Notebook.
SHAPE Timetable
The SHAPE Timetable informs the community of all student activities taking place in school on a weekly basis.
In September, all activities will be recorded on the SOCS calendar. Students attend a SHAPE Fayre in September, which is like a Freshers fayre to highlight all that is available to them. When all year groups are on campus, coaches leave at 5pm on three nights of the week which enables students to choose from a range of sporting, creative, extracurricular, and academic clubs according to their interests and ability. Students also have the opportunity for academic study and homework in hubs around the campus.
For any further information, please contact Collegeadmin@stcolumbascollege.org.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Clubs and Extra-Curricular Activities
Most activities between 3.30-4.30pm Monday to Friday are included in the fees. Some activities such as Chess, LAMDA, Rugby Tots, Tennis, Golf, Football and Fencing are run by external agencies and are chargeable.
Cost ranges from £0-8 per session. These are booked on School Gateway just prior to the start of term once the timetable is published.
Sports Fixtures
Sports Fixtures
Rugby and football fixtures take place on a Saturday, this is for all teams.
Rugby is from September to Christmas; football is from Jan to Easter. All other sports such as netball, swimming, cross country, athletics and cricket tend to run midweek unless it is a big competition.
Full details will be sent via a letter to all new students (usually sent a week or two before the new term starts). Once students have started with us they will receive a weekly sports schedule via email.
All fixture information can be found on SOCS online portal. Login details for SOCS are provided by our IT department (usually a few days before the start of term).
Music Lessons
Instrumental/ Vocal Lessons Available
The Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) teach weekly half hour music lessons. There is sometimes availability for lessons to be taught before and after school, but this is very limited.
Priority for lunchtime lessons is normally given to GCSE students (Form 5), and A Level students (Upper 6th) are usually taught in their free study periods.
Instrumental lessons currently offered are:
- Voice
- Brass
- Woodwind
- Percussion
- Strings
- Guitar
- Piano /Organ
- Theory of Music
There are no group lessons, individual lessons are taught only.
Costs
Music lessons are £21/ 30 minutes for individual lessons.
Lessons are taught in blocks of 10 per term.
Instrument hire is £30/ per term, most instruments can be rented from the school.
Theory of Music is run as a club and is free.
Ensembles are run as a club and are free.
Parents and Guardians are invoiced directly from the instrumental teacher. Please note as per the parental agreement discontinuation of lessons should be done with half a term’s notice.
Student Involvement in School Activities
Students taking instrumental and vocal lessons are strongly encouraged to be a member of extra-curricular music (Orchestra, Jazz Band, Choir, Barbershop, Brass Ensemble) as this will help develop their playing and they will have further opportunity to enjoy performing.
Grade Examinations
Students are often entered for grade examinations following discussion with their teacher. St Columba’s College is often used as a centre for ABRSM examinations and those set by other boards can be taken externally by arrangement with their teacher.
Booking Lessons
If you are interested in your child taking instrumental/vocal lessons at St Columba’s College please click on the link below and complete the enrolment form:
For the question on Form name, please enter Year group e.g. Year 7, 8, 9 or Sixth Form.
Please note that if filling out the form during the school breaks, there may be a delay in response. If you have any queries please do get in touch with the Music Coordinator Mrs Foxwell foxwell.j@stcolumbascollege.org who is available during term time.
Library Parental Consent
Reading within the Curriculum
Every Form 1 student will attend one library lesson per week as part of the English curriculum.
In Form 2, library lessons will be once a fortnight.
In Form 3, English teachers will bring their groups to the library at least once per term.
During all these lessons, students will be given support to explore different genres and select appropriate books for their independent reading. We encourage all Key Stage 3 students to read for pleasure for a minimum of 20 minutes a day.
The library also provides cosy reading zones which can be used every day before school, at break, at lunch and after school until 5.30pm.
Parental Consent for Young Adult Section in the Library
We use the Accelerated Reader Programme which enables students to make appropriate reading choices and us to track their reading comprehension and abilities. We expect the students to always have a book that they are reading in their school bag for their library lessons and for Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) held every Friday morning.
We are very mindful that we ensure access to age-appropriate reading materials for your child, and that this level can vary depending on the student and the parent’s wishes. We have a Young Adult (YA) section divided into books that will normally be suitable for Form 3+ and others for Form 5+. These sometimes deal with mature themes and can be psychologically challenging and occasionally explicit.
If you would like your child to have access to books for an older age band, please indicate below by clicking the link to the Parental Consent Form;
Parental Consent Form for Young Adult Section in the Library
Without your permission, they will not be allowed to borrow a book from this section.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the library at library@stcolumbascollege.org.
A Library Guide to eBooks and Audiobooks
Modern Language Choice
Language Choice
Students can study either French or Spanish at St Columba’s College.
It is standard practice for a student to choose the language they have previously studied. It is uncommon for a student to choose a language they have no prior knowledge of. If this is the case, please contact the admissions office at admissions@stcolumbascollege.org.
It is possible to get eBooks from the School Library translated into any language to assist with language development. This is also useful for students whose first language is not English.
If you have not already done so, please complete the relevant language choice form below;
Year 7 and 8 Language Choice Form
Those that do not submit a language preference will be allocated one at random.
If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the admissions office at admissions@stcolumbascollege.org.
Year 9 Option Choices
Option Choices
Year 9 Core Subjects: – All students take:
- Mathematics
- English
- Religious Studies
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- History
- Geography
- French or Spanish
- PE and Games, and
- Two Pastoral lessons
Year 9 Options Subjects: – Students must then choose three from the following list:
- Art
- Computer Science
- Design & Technology
- Drama
- Latin
- Music
NOTES:
A free choice from the list of option subjects is available; the option blocks will only be formed once choices are made with the principle of meeting as many of the combinations as possible. However, we do ask that you choose your desired subjects, in preference order and indicate a reserve choice, just in case the combination cannot be met.
If you are joining Year 9 and have not already done so, please complete the option choices form below;
Important: in the box labelled “enter your tutor group below”, please enter the words ‘External Student’.
If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the admissions office at admissions@stcolumbascollege.org.
Senior Handbook - Parent A-Z
For all other information and details regarding the Senior School please read the Senior Handbook Parent A-Z below:
